Document:

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   Exhibit 10.57

                                   CONSENT AND
                  FIFTH AMENDMENT TO CREDIT FACILITY AGREEMENT

         This CONSENT AND FIFTH AMENDMENT TO CREDIT FACILITY AGREEMENT dated as
of November 9, 2000 (this "Fifth Amendment") is entered into among JPS
Industries, Inc. (the "Company"), JPS Elastomerics Corp. and JPS Converter and
Industrial Corp. (together, the "Borrowing Subsidiaries"), Citibank, N.A.
("Citibank"), as agent and collateral agent (the "Agent"), Bank of America,
N.A., as co-agent (the "Co-Agent"), and the Lenders, and relates to that certain
Credit Facility Agreement dated as of October 9, 1997 (as amended, restated,
supplemented or modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement") among the
Company, the Borrowing Subsidiaries, the Agent, the Co-Agent and the Lenders.

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS, the Company and the Borrowing Subsidiaries have requested that
the Lenders, the Agent and the Co-Agent amend the Credit Agreement as provided
for herein;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above premises, the Company,
the Borrowing Subsidiaries, the Agent, the Co-Agent and the Lenders agree as
follows:

         1.       Definitions. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined
herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement.

         2.       Amendments to the Credit Agreement. Upon the "Fifth Amendment
Effective Date" (as defined in Section 4 below), the Credit Agreement is hereby
amended as follows:

         2.1      Section 1.01. Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is amended
as follows:

         (a)      The definition of "EBITDA" in Section 1.01 is amended by
adding at the end thereof a new sentence to read as follows:

         "For the purpose of determining compliance with the minimum EBITDA
         covenant set forth in Section 8.01 for the twelve month period ending
         on the last day of the fourth fiscal quarter of Fiscal Year 2000, the
         Apparel Division shall be included in the calculation of EBITDA for
         such period."

         (b)      The definition of "Fixed Asset Portion" in Section 1.01 is
amended to read in full as follows:

<PAGE>   2

         'Fixed Asset Portion' shall mean $14,000,000; provided, however, the
         amount of the Fixed Asset Portion shall be reduced by the aggregate
         amount of each of the following: (i) the amount of any cash proceeds
         from sales of assets (other than Inventory) sold in the ordinary course
         of business that exceeds Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars
         ($750,000) in the aggregate in any Fiscal Year, net of (A) the costs of
         sale, lease, assignment or other disposition, (B) any income,
         franchise, transfer or other tax liability arising from such
         transaction and (C) amounts applied to the repayment of Indebtedness
         (other than the Obligations) secured by a Lien on the asset disposed
         of; (ii) in the event of the sale of all or substantially all of the
         capital stock or assets of any Borrowing Subsidiary (to the extent
         otherwise permitted hereunder), the amount of the Fixed Asset Value of
         such Borrowing Subsidiary plus fifty percent (50%) of the amount, if
         any, by which the Net Cash Proceeds from such sale exceed such Fixed
         Asset Value; and (iii) in the event of a Permitted Disposition, an
         amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of the Net Cash Proceeds from such
         disposition; (iv) the amount of Net Cash Proceeds from sales of assets
         (other than in connection with a Permitted Disposition); (v) in the
         event of the receipt by any Loan Party of any Net Cash Proceeds of
         Equity Issuances, the lesser of (A) the amount of such Net Cash
         Proceeds and (B) $25,000,000; and provided further, however, the Fixed
         Asset Portion shall be reduced on the last day of each fiscal quarter
         of the Company ending during each Fiscal Year set forth below by the
         amount set forth opposite such fiscal quarter:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               Fiscal Quarter                                Amount
               --------------                                ------
               <S>                                         <C>
               First Fiscal Quarter 2001                   1,400,000
               Second Fiscal Quarter 2001                  1,400,000
               Third Fiscal Quarter 2001                   1,400,000
               Fourth Fiscal Quarter 2001                  1,400,000
</TABLE>

         and provided, further, however, in the event that a Borrowing
         Subsidiary receives any cash proceeds or Net Cash Proceeds referred to
         in clauses (i) through (iv) above during any fiscal month, the amount
         of such cash proceeds and Net Cash Proceeds shall, to the extent that
         the Fixed Asset Portion is reduced by such amount pursuant to said
         clauses, be deducted from the amount of reductions in the Fixed Asset
         Portion specified in the immediately preceding proviso, which
         deductions from such specified amounts of reductions in said proviso
         shall be made in the direct order of the dates, beginning in such
         fiscal month, specified for such reductions in said proviso."

         (c)      The definition of "Revolving Credit Facility" in Section 1.01
is amended to read in full as follows:

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<PAGE>   3

         "'Revolving Credit Facility' shall mean the revolving credit facility
         provided for in Section 2.03 not to exceed, in the aggregate at any
         time outstanding, Forty Five Million Dollars ($45,000,000), less all
         reductions in such amount effected pursuant to Sections 2.03 and 2.06."

         (d)      The definition of "Scheduled Termination Date" in Section 1.01
is amended to read in full as follows:

         "'Scheduled Termination Date' shall mean November 12, 2001."

         2.2      Section 6.16. Section 6.16 of the Credit Agreement is amended
 in full to read as follows:

         "6.16.   Real Estate Documents. On or prior to December 1, 2000, the
         Company shall cause the real estate documents set forth on the Schedule
         attached hereto to be recorded and shall have obtained title insurance
         with respect thereto."

         2.3      Section 7.05(b). Section 7.05(b) of the Credit Agreement is
amended in full to read as follows:

         "(b)     The Company may repurchase its common stock from the public
         market in an aggregate amount of up to the sum of (i) $6,000,000 plus
         (ii) 100% of the amount of the Company's Consolidated Net Income
         determined at the end of each fiscal quarter, beginning with the first
         fiscal quarter of the Fiscal Year 2000 upon the delivery of financial
         statements pursuant to Section 5.01(c) so long as the cumulative amount
         under this subsection (ii) does not exceed $4,000,000; provided that
         prior to and after giving effect to such repurchase, no Event of
         Default or Potential Event of Default has occurred and is continuing
         and the Borrowers have Availability of at least $5,000,000."

         2.4      Section 8.01. Section 8.01 of the Credit Agreement is amended
to read in full as follows:

         "8.01.   Minimum EBITDA. EBITDA of the Company and its Subsidiaries on
         a consolidated basis, as determined as of the last day of each fiscal
         quarter set forth below for the period indicated below, shall not be
         less than the minimum amount set forth opposite such fiscal quarter:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Period                                       Minimum Amount
                           ------                                       --------------
         <S>                                                            <C>
         Twelve month period ending on the last day of
            the fourth fiscal quarter of Fiscal Year 2000                 22,000,000
</TABLE>

                                       3
<PAGE>   4

<TABLE>
         <S>                                                              <C>
         Three month period ending on the last day of
            the first fiscal quarter of Fiscal Year 2001                   3,000,000
         Six month period ending on the last day of
           the second fiscal quarter of Fiscal Year 2001                   8,000,000
         Nine month period ending on the last day of
            the third fiscal quarter of Fiscal Year 2001                  13,000,000
         Twelve month period ending on the last day of
            the fourth fiscal quarter of Fiscal Year 2001                 18,000,000
</TABLE>

         3.       Representations and Warranties. Each of the Borrowers hereby
represents and warrants to each Lender, the Agent and the Co-Agent that, as of
the Fifth Amendment Effective Date and after giving effect to this Fifth
Amendment:

         (a)      Each of the representations and warranties contained in this
      Fifth Amendment, the Credit Agreement as amended hereby and the other Loan
      Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the
      Fifth Amendment Effective Date, as if then made, other than
      representations and warranties which expressly speak as of a different
      date; and

         (b)      No Potential Event of Default or Event of Default has occurred
      and is continuing.

         4.       Fifth Amendment Effective Date. This Fifth Amendment shall
become effective as of the date hereof (the "Fifth Amendment Effective Date")
when each of the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

         (a)      The Agent shall have received, by facsimile, counterparts of
      this Fifth Amendment executed by the Company, each Borrowing Subsidiary,
      the Agent, the Co-Agent and the Lenders, and acknowledged by each of JCC,
      JPS Auto and International Fabrics.

         (b)      Each of the representations and warranties contained in this
      Fifth Amendment, the Credit Agreement as amended hereby and the other Loan
      Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of
      the Fifth Amendment Effective Date, as if then made, other than
      representations and warranties which expressly speak as of a different
      date.

         (c)      No Event of Default or Potential Event of Default shall have
      occurred and be continuing on the Fifth Amendment Effective Date.

         5.       Consent and Direction. The Lenders hereby (i) consent to the
transactions contemplated under the Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of
November __, 2000 among JPS Industries, Inc., JPS Converter & Industrial Corp.
and JPSA Acquisition Corp., a copy of which is attached hereto, provided that
the Borrowers prepay the principal amount of the Loans in an

                                       4
<PAGE>   5

amount equal to the Net Cash Proceeds received from such transactions and
(ii) direct the Agent to release its lien in the "Assets" (as such term is
defined in such Asset Purchase Agreement) and to execute and deliver the
appropriate documentation in connection therewith.

         6.       Reference to and Effect on the Loan Documents.

         (a)      On and after the Fifth Amendment Effective Date, each
reference in the Credit Agreement as amended hereby to "this Agreement",
"hereunder", "hereof" or words of like import, and each reference in the other
Loan Documents to the Credit Agreement, shall mean and be a reference to the
Credit Agreement as amended hereby.

         (b)      Except as specifically amended above, all of the terms of the
Credit Agreement and all other Loan Documents shall remain unchanged and in full
force and effect.

         (c)      The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Fifth
Amendment shall not, except as expressly provided herein, operate as a waiver of
any right, power or remedy of any Lender, the Agent or the Co-Agent under the
Credit Agreement or any of the Loan Documents, nor constitute a waiver of any
provision of the Credit Agreement or any of the Loan Documents.

         7.       Fees, Costs and Expenses. The Company and the Borrowing
Subsidiaries jointly and severally agree to pay upon demand in accordance with
the terms of Section 11.03 of the Credit Agreement all reasonable costs and
expenses of the Agent in connection with the preparation, reproduction,
negotiation, execution and delivery of this Fifth Amendment and all other Loan
Documents entered into in connection herewith, including, without limitation,
the reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of legal counsel for the Agent
with respect to any of the foregoing.

         8.       Miscellaneous. The headings herein are for convenience of
reference only and shall not alter or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

         9.       Counterparts. This Fifth Amendment may be executed in any
number of counterparts and by the different parties hereto in separate
counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered by facsimile shall be
an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same
instrument.

         10.      GOVERNING LAW. THIS FIFTH AMENDMENT SHALL BE INTERPRETED, AND
THE RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND TO THE CREDIT AGREEMENT AS
AMENDED HEREBY DETERMINED, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

                                       5
<PAGE>   6

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Agent, the Co-Agent, the Lenders, the
Company and the Borrowing Subsidiaries have caused this Fifth Amendment to be
executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date
first above written.

                         JPS INDUSTRIES, INC.

                         By: /s/
                            --------------------------------------------------
                            Title: Asst. Sec.

                         JPS CONVERTER AND INDUSTRIAL CORP.

                         By:  /s/
                            --------------------------------------------------
                            Title:   Asst. Sec.

                         JPS ELASTOMERICS CORP.

                         By:  /s/
                            --------------------------------------------------
                            Title:   Asst. Sec.

                         CITIBANK, N.A., as Agent, as Issuing Bank and as a
                           Lender

                         By:  /s/
                            --------------------------------------------------
                            Vice President

                         BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Co-Agent and as a Lender

                         By:
                            --------------------------------------------------
                            Title:

                                       6
<PAGE>   7

                         GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION

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

                         THE CIT GROUP/COMMERCIAL SERVICES, INC.

                         By:
                            --------------------------------------------------
                            Title:

                         FLEET CAPITAL CORPORATION

                         By:
                            --------------------------------------------------
                            Title:

                         GMAC COMMERCIAL CREDIT LLC

                         By:
                            --------------------------------------------------
                            Title:

                                       7
<PAGE>   8

                                 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

         Reference is hereby made to (i) the Guaranty dated as of March 18, 1993
executed by JPS Carpet Corp., (ii) the Guaranty dated as of March 18, 1993
executed by JPS Auto Inc., and (iii) the Guaranty dated as of August 5, 1993
executed by International Fabrics, Inc., each as amended as of October 9, 1997
(each, as so amended, a "Guaranty") in favor of the Agent and the Lenders. Each
of the undersigned hereby consents to the terms of the foregoing Fifth Amendment
to the Credit Facility Agreement, and agrees that the terms thereof shall not
affect in any way its obligations and liabilities under each such Guaranty or
any other Loan Document (as defined therein), all of which obligations and
liabilities shall remain in full force and effect and each of which is hereby
reaffirmed.

                         JPS CARPET CORP.

                         By: /s/
                            --------------------------------------------------
                            Title: Asst. Sec.

                         JPS AUTO INC.

                         By: /s/
                            --------------------------------------------------
                            Title: Asst. Sec.

                         INTERNATIONAL FABRICS, INC.

                         By: /s/
                            --------------------------------------------------
                            Title: Asst. Sec.

                                       8<PAGE>   1
                                  KNOLOGY, INC.

                   SERIES C PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

         This Series C Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement (this "Agreement") is
entered into as of January 12, 2001, by and among KNOLOGY, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and each of those persons and entities, severally
and not jointly, whose names are set forth on the Schedule of Purchasers
attached hereto as Exhibit A (collectively the "Purchasers" and individually a
"Purchaser").

         In consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the
parties hereto agree as follows:

1        AGREEMENT TO SELL AND PURCHASE

         1.1      AUTHORIZATION OF SHARES.

         On or prior to the Closing (as defined in Section 2 below), the Company
shall have authorized the sale and issuance to the Purchasers of shares of its
Series C Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share ("Series C Preferred
Stock"), having the rights, preferences, limitations, and restrictions set forth
in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company attached
hereto as Exhibit B (the "Certificate"). The Series C Preferred Stock is
convertible into shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
("Common Stock"), as provided in the Certificate. The shares of Series C
Preferred Stock sold and issued hereunder are referred to herein as the
"Shares."

         1.2      SALE AND PURCHASE.

         Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Company hereby agrees
to issue and sell to each Purchaser and each Purchaser severally and not jointly
agrees to purchase from the Company, the number of Shares set forth opposite
such Purchaser's name on Exhibit A under the heading "Total Number of Shares,"
for a purchase price of three dollars ($3.00) per Share (the "Purchase Price").

2        CLOSING, DELIVERY AND PAYMENT

         2.1      CLOSING.

         The closing of the sale and purchase of the Shares under this Agreement
(the "Closing") shall take place at 10:00 a.m. on January 12, 2001, at the
offices of Alston & Bird LLP, One Atlantic Center, 1201 West Peachtree Street,
Atlanta, Georgia 30309-3424, or at such other time or place as the Company and
the Purchasers may mutually agree (such date is hereinafter referred to as the
"Closing Date").

         2.2      DELIVERY AND PAYMENT

         At the Closing, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Company
will deliver to each Purchaser certificates, in form reasonably satisfactory to
the Purchasers, representing the

<PAGE>   2

number of Shares to be purchased by each such Purchaser against payment of the
Purchase Price therefor by wire transfer of immediately available funds.

3        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

         The Company hereby represents and warrants to each Purchaser as
follows:

         3.1      ORGANIZATION, GOOD STANDING AND QUALIFICATION.

         The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Company has all
requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement
and the joinder agreement (the "Joinder Agreement") substantially in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit C, joining each of the Purchasers, who is not already
a party thereto, as a party to that certain Stockholders Agreement dated as of
February 7, 2000, as amended as of the date hereof (the "Stockholders
Agreement"), a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit D, to issue and sell
the Shares and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Shares
(the "Conversion Shares"), to carry out the other provisions of this Agreement
and the Stockholders Agreement, and to own, lease and operate its assets and to
carry on its business as presently conducted. The Company is duly qualified or
licensed to transact business as a foreign corporation in good standing in the
States of the United States and foreign jurisdictions where the character of its
assets or the nature or conduct of its business requires it to be so qualified
or licensed, except for such jurisdictions in which the failure to be so
qualified or licensed is not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a material adverse effect on the Company.

         3.2      CAPITALIZATION.

         The authorized capital stock of the Company immediately prior to the
Closing will consist of (i) 200,000,000 shares of Common Stock, of which 443,413
shares are issued and outstanding as of the date hereof, and (ii) 175,000,000
shares of Preferred Stock, of which (A) 56,000,000 shares are designated Series
A Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value ("Series A Preferred Stock"), of which
50,912,894 shares are issued and outstanding as of the date hereof (B)
21,180,131 shares are designated Series B Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value
("Series B Preferred Stock"), of which 21,180,131 shares are issued and
outstanding as of the date hereof, and (C) 60,000,000 shares are designated
Series C Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value ("Series C Preferred Stock"), of which
no shares are issued and outstanding as of the date hereof. Section 3.2 of the
Company Disclosure Memorandum provides an accurate list, after giving effect to
the transactions contemplated hereby, of (x) all stockholders owning the issued
and outstanding shares of Common Stock, Series A Preferred Stock, Series B
Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock, together with the number of shares
held by each, (y) the number of shares of Common Stock and Series A Preferred
Stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options granted under the Company's
stock option plans disclosed in Section 3.2 of the Company Disclosure
Memorandum, and (z) the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock issuable
upon the exercise of warrants issued pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, dated
December 3, 1999, between the Company and United States Trust Company of New
York, as warrant agent. Except as disclosed in Section 3.2 of the Company
Disclosure Memorandum, the Company has no outstanding warrants, options,
convertible securities or other rights, agreements, arrangements or

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<PAGE>   3

commitments of any character relating to the issuance or sale of capital stock
of the Company, or obligating the Company to issue or sell any shares of capital
stock, or any other equity interest in the Company. Except as disclosed in
Section 3.2 of the Company Disclosure Memorandum, there are no outstanding
contractual obligations of the Company to repurchase, redeem or otherwise
acquire any shares of its capital stock. All of the outstanding shares of
capital stock of the Company are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable and the issuance of the foregoing has not been made in violation
of any preemptive rights in favor of others.

         3.3      COMPANY SUBSIDIARIES.

         The Company has disclosed in Section 3.3 of the Company Disclosure
Memorandum all of the Company Subsidiaries (as defined below) as of the date of
this Agreement. The Company or one of the Company Subsidiaries owns all of the
issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of each Company Subsidiary. No
equity securities of any Company Subsidiary are or may become required to be
issued (other than to the Company or another Company Subsidiary) by reason of
any rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments of any character and there
are no contracts by which any Company Subsidiary is bound to issue (other than
to the Company or another Company Subsidiary) additional shares of its capital
stock or rights or by which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is or may be
bound to transfer any shares of the capital stock of any Company Subsidiary
(other than to the Company or another Company Subsidiary). There are no
contracts relating to the rights of the Company or any Company Subsidiary to
vote or to dispose of any shares of the capital stock of any Company Subsidiary.
All of the shares of capital stock of each Company Subsidiary held by the
Company or a Company Subsidiary are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid
and nonassessable and the issuance of the foregoing has not been made in
violation of any preemptive rights in favor of others under the applicable
corporation law of the jurisdiction in which such Company Subsidiary is
incorporated or organized and are owned by the Company or the Company Subsidiary
free and clear of any lien. Each Company Subsidiary is a corporation and is duly
organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction in which it is incorporated or organized, and has the corporate
power and authority necessary for it to own, lease, and operate its assets and
to carry on its business as now conducted. Each Company Subsidiary is duly
qualified or licensed to transact business as a foreign corporation in good
standing in the States of the United States and foreign jurisdictions where the
character of its assets or the nature or conduct of its business requires it to
be so qualified or licensed, except for such jurisdictions in which the failure
to be so qualified or licensed is not reasonably likely to have, individually or
in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the Company. "Company
Subsidiaries" means all those corporations or other entities of which the
Company owns or controls 50% or more of the outstanding equity securities
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors either directly or
through an unbroken chain of entities as to each of which 50% or more of the
outstanding equity securities entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors is owned or controlled directly or indirectly by the Company.

         3.4      AUTHORIZATION; BINDING OBLIGATIONS.

         All corporate action on the part of the Company, its officers,
directors and stockholders necessary for the authorization of this Agreement,
the Stockholders Agreement and the Joinder Agreement, the performance of all
obligations of the Company hereunder and thereunder and for

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4

the sale, issuance and delivery of the Shares has been taken or will be taken
prior to the Closing. When issued in compliance with the provisions of this
Agreement, the Shares will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable. The Conversion Shares have been duly and validly reserved for
issuance and, when issued upon conversion of the Shares, will be duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. Except as disclosed
in Section 3.4 of the Company Disclosure Memorandum, the issuance of the Shares
and the Conversion Shares will not be made in violation of preemptive rights in
favor of others and will not result in the issuance of any additional shares of
Common Stock or the triggering of any anti-dilution or similar rights contained
in any options, warrants, debentures or other securities or agreements of the
Company. Upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
the Purchasers will own their respective shares free and clear of all security
interests, liens, encumbrances or adverse claims other than those created by a
Purchaser applicable only to its Shares. This Agreement, the Joinder Agreement
and the Stockholders Agreement have been duly executed by the Company and
constitute the valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable in
accordance with their respective terms.

         3.5      CONSENTS AND APPROVALS.

         Except as disclosed in Section 3.5 of the Company Disclosure
Memorandum, no filings with, notices to, or approvals of any governmental or
regulatory body are required to be obtained or made by the Company nor must any
waiting period required by any governmental or regulatory body lapse or expire
in connection with the consummation, execution and delivery of this Agreement,
the Stockholders Agreement or the Joinder Agreement or of the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby in connection with the Closing.

         3.6      NO VIOLATIONS.

         The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Stockholders
Agreement and the Joinder Agreement and the performance by the Company of its
obligations hereunder and thereunder (i) do not and will not conflict with or
violate any provision of the amended and restated certificate of incorporation
as in effect as of the date hereof, the Certificate or the bylaws of the Company
and (ii) do not and will not (A) conflict with or result in a breach of the
terms, conditions or provisions of, (B) constitute a default (or event which,
with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would become a default)
under, (C) result in the creation of any encumbrance upon the capital stock or
assets of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries pursuant to, (D) give
any third party the right to modify, terminate, suspend or accelerate any
obligation under, (E) result in a violation of, or (F) require any
authorization, consent, approval, exemption or other action by or notice to any
court or administrative or governmental body or other third party pursuant to,
any law, statute, rule or regulation or any material agreement or instrument or
any order, judgment or decree to which the Company or any of the Company
Subsidiaries is subject or by which any of their respective assets are bound.

         3.7      PROPRIETARY RIGHTS.

         Neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries has received
any communications alleging that it has violated, or by continuing to conduct
its business as

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5

currently conducted would violate, any proprietary rights of any other person,
nor is the Company aware of any basis for the foregoing.

         3.8      ACTIONS PENDING.

         Except as disclosed in Section 3.8 of the Company Disclosure
Memorandum, there is no action, suit or proceeding pending or, to the best
knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company or any
Company Subsidiary or any of their respective properties or rights before any
court or by or before any governmental body or arbitration board or tribunal
that is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company or
could reasonably be expected to affect the legality, validity or enforceability
of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
Except as disclosed in Section 3.8 of the Company Disclosure Memorandum, none of
the Company, any Company Subsidiary nor any of their respective properties or
rights are subject to an existing or threatened order, writ, judgement,
injunction, decree, stipulation, determination or award entered by or with any
United States federal, state or local or foreign government, governmental,
regulatory or administrative authority, agency or commission or any court,
tribunal, judicial or arbitral body that is reasonably likely to have a material
adverse effect on the Company or could reasonably be expected to affect the
legality, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby.

         3.9      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; INTERIM CHANGES.

         The Company has included in Section 3.9 of the Company Disclosure
Memorandum (i) the Company's audited consolidated balance sheet as of December
31, 1998 and 1999, and audited consolidated statements of operations,
stockholders' equity and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998
and 1999, and the related notes thereto, and (ii) the Company's unaudited
condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2000 (the "Latest
Balance Sheet") and unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations,
stockholders' equity and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30,
2000, and the related notes thereto (collectively, the "Company Financial
Statements"). The Company Financial Statements have been prepared (i) in
accordance with the books and records of the Company and the Company
Subsidiaries, which are complete and correct and which have been maintained in
accordance with past practices, and (ii) present fairly in all material respects
the consolidated financial position of the Company as of the dates indicated and
the consolidated results of operations, changes in stockholders' equity and cash
flows of the Company for the periods indicated, in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles consistently applied (subject in the case of
interim financial statements to normal recurring year-end adjustments which are
not expected individually or in the aggregate to be material in amount and the
absence of footnote disclosures). The Company and the Company Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, have no material liabilities or obligations of any nature
(absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) that are not either reflected or
fully reserved against on the Latest Balance Sheet or incurred in the ordinary
course of the business of the Company subsequent to the date thereof. Since
September 30, 2000, the businesses of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries
have been conducted in the ordinary course and there has not been any material
adverse change in the business, operations, financial condition or prospects of
the Company and the Company Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6

         3.10     COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.

         The business of the Company and each of the Company Subsidiaries has
been conducted in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations of
governmental authorities, except for such violations that have been cured
without a material adverse effect on the business, operations, financial
condition or prospects of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries taken as a
whole or that, individually or in the aggregate, may not reasonably be expected
to have a material adverse effect on the business, operations, financial
condition or prospects of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries taken as a
whole.

         3.11     MATERIAL CONTRACTS.

         Except as disclosed in Section 3.11 of the Company Disclosure
Memorandum, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is a party to (or
otherwise bound by) any of the following: (i) any employment or consulting
contract not terminable on 30 days or less notice, (ii) any agreement providing
for the issuance or repurchase of any securities of the Company other than this
Agreement, (iii) any agreement, other than the Stockholders Agreement, in
respect of registration rights, preemptive rights, rights of first refusal,
voting rights or other rights of security holders, (iv) any agreement evidencing
or providing for any indebtedness for borrowed money, or (v) any other agreement
that could reasonably be deemed material to the Company or involves or is likely
to involve payment by one party to the other of at least $100,000.

         3.12     PERSONAL PROPERTY AND LEASES.

         Except as disclosed in Section 3.12 of the Company Disclosure
Memorandum, the Company and each of the Company Subsidiaries has good and
marketable title to its properties and assets free and clear of all mortgages,
deeds of trust, liens, encumbrances, security interests and claims except for
liens, encumbrances and security interests which arise in the ordinary course of
business or which do not materially impair the use or value of such properties
and assets of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries. With respect to the
property and assets they lease, the Company and each of the Company Subsidiaries
is in material compliance with such leases and, to the best of the Company's
knowledge, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries hold valid leasehold
interests in such assets free of any liens, encumbrances, security interests or
claims of any party other than the lessors of such property and assets.

         3.13     CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS.

         Except as disclosed in Section 3.13 of the Company Disclosure
Memorandum, none of the current directors, officers, or stockholders of the
Company, or any member of any of their families, is a party to any transaction
with the Company, other than compensation arrangements of such officers in the
ordinary course of the Company's business and purchases of securities,
including, without limitation, any contract, agreement, or other arrangement:
(i) providing for the furnishing of services to or by, (ii) providing for rental
of real or personal property to or from, or (iii) otherwise requiring payments
to or from, any such person or any corporation, partnership, trust, or other
entity in which any such person has or had a 5% or more interest (as a
stockholder, partner, beneficiary, or otherwise) or is or was a director,
officer, employee, or trustee.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7

         3.14     EMPLOYEES.

         Neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries is a party to
any pending, or to the Company's knowledge, threatened, labor dispute. The
Company and the Company Subsidiaries have complied in all material respects with
all applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, rules and regulations
and requirements relating to the employment of labor, including but not limited
to the provisions thereof relating to wages, hours, collective bargaining,
payment of Social Security, unemployment and withholding taxes, and ensuring
equality of opportunity for employment and advancement of minorities and women.
There are no claims pending, or threatened to be brought, in any court or
administrative agency by any former or current employees of the Company or any
of the Company Subsidiaries for compensation, pending severance benefits,
vacation time, vacation pay or pension benefits, or any other claim pending from
any current or former employee or any other person arising out of the status of
the Company or any Company Subsidiary as employer, whether in the form of claims
for employment discrimination, harassment, unfair labor practices, grievances,
wrongful discharge or otherwise.

         3.15     RETURNS AND AUDITS.

         All required federal, state and local tax returns or appropriate
extension requests of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have been filed
within the period required for such filings and any extensions granted therefor
and within the period that the same may be filed without interest or penalties,
and all federal, state and local taxes required to be paid with respect to such
returns have been paid or due provision for payment thereof has been made. The
Company and the Company Subsidiaries have not received notice of any tax
deficiency proposed or assessed against it, and has not signed any waiver of any
statute of limitations on the assessment or collection of any tax. None of the
tax returns of the Company or any of Company Subsidiaries has been audited by
governmental authorities in a manner to bring such audits to the attention of
the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries.

         3.16     INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.

         Section 3.16 of the Company Disclosure Memorandum contains a true,
complete and correct list of all patents, trademarks, service marks, trade
names, copyrights, licenses, franchises and other rights being used to conduct
the businesses of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries as now conducted. The
Company and each of the Company Subsidiaries owns, has licenses to, or can
obtain on commercially reasonable terms rights to, all material patents,
trademarks, copyrights, service marks, and applications and registrations
therefor, and all trade names, customer lists, trade secrets, proprietary
processes and formulae, inventions, know-how, other confidential and proprietary
information, and other industrial and intellectual property rights necessary to
permit the Company to carry on its business. All registered copyrights,
trademarks, and service marks owned by the Company or the Company Subsidiaries
are in full force and effect and are not subject to any taxes or maintenance
fees. There is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened claim
or litigation against the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries contesting
the right to use its intellectual property rights, asserting the misuse of any
thereof, or asserting the infringement or other violation of any intellectual
property right of a third party. The Company and each Company Subsidiary has
taken all reasonable

                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8

security measures to protect the secrecy, confidentiality, and value of its
trade secrets, proprietary processes and formulae, inventions, know-how and
other confidential and proprietary information.

         3.17     REGISTRATION RIGHTS.

         Immediately following the Closing, except as contemplated by the
Stockholders Agreement, no person has any right to cause the Company to effect
the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act") of any securities of the Company.

         3.18     INSURANCE.

         The Company and each Company Subsidiary maintains adequate insurance
covering the respective risks of the Company and of each Company Subsidiary of
such types and in such amounts and with such deductibles as are customary for
other companies of similar size engaged in similar lines of business. All
insurance held by the Company and each Company Subsidiary is in full force and
effect and is issued by insurers of recognized responsibility.

         3.19     PRIVATE PLACEMENT.

         Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the
Purchasers contained in Section 4.2, the offer and the sale of the Shares to the
Purchasers pursuant to this Agreement is exempt from registration under the
Securities Act.

         3.20     ENTIRE UNDERSTANDING.

         None of the Purchasers, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock,
the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock, or the holders of Common Stock is a
party to any transaction, including, without limitation, any contract,
agreement, or other arrangement, with the Company with regard to the
transactions contemplated hereby, other than as reflected in this Agreement, the
Certificate, the Stockholders Agreement and the Joinder Agreement.

4        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASERS

         Each Purchaser, severally and not jointly, hereby represents and
warrants to the Company as follows:

         4.1      REQUISITE POWER AND AUTHORITY.

         Such Purchaser has all necessary power and authority under all
applicable provisions of law to execute and deliver this Agreement and the
Joinder Agreement and to carry out their provisions. All actions on such
Purchaser's part required for the lawful execution and delivery of this
Agreement have been or will be effectively taken prior to the Closing. Upon
their execution and delivery, this Agreement and the Joinder Agreement will be
valid and binding obligations of such Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with
their terms.

         4.2      INVESTMENT REPRESENTATIONS.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9

         Such Purchaser understands that neither the Shares nor the Conversion
Shares have been registered under the Securities Act. Such Purchaser also
understands that the Shares are being offered and sold pursuant to an exemption
from registration contained in the Securities Act based in part upon the
Purchaser's representations contained in this Agreement. Such Purchaser hereby
represents and warrants as follows:

                  (A)      PURCHASER BEARS ECONOMIC RISK.

         Such Purchaser has substantial experience in evaluating and investing
in private placement transactions of securities in companies similar to the
Company so that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its
investment in the Company and has the capacity to protect its own interests.
Such Purchaser understands that an investment in the Shares acquired pursuant to
this Agreement is highly speculative and involves substantial economic risk.
Such Purchaser understands that it must bear the economic risk of this
investment indefinitely unless the Shares (or the Conversion Shares) are
registered pursuant to the Securities Act, or an exemption from registration is
available, and that such Purchaser may sustain, and is financially able to
sustain, a complete loss of its investment pursuant to this Agreement. Such
Purchaser understands that the Company has no present intention of registering
the Shares, the Conversion Shares or any shares of its Common Stock. Such
Purchaser also understands that there is no assurance that any exemption from
registration under the Securities Act will be available and that, even if
available, such exemption may not allow such Purchaser to transfer all or any
portion of the Shares or the Conversion Shares under the circumstances, in the
amounts or at the times such Purchaser might propose.

                  (B)      ACQUISITION FOR OWN ACCOUNT.

         Such Purchaser is acquiring the Shares and the Conversion Shares for
its own account for investment only, and not with a view toward their
distribution in violation of applicable securities laws.

                  (C)      PURCHASER CAN PROTECT ITS INTEREST.

         Such Purchaser represents that, by reason of its or of its management's
business or financial experience, such Purchaser has the capacity to protect its
own interests in connection with the transactions contemplated in this
Agreement. Further, such Purchaser is aware of no publication of any
advertisement in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Agreement.

                  (D)      ACCREDITED INVESTOR.

         Such Purchaser represents that it is an accredited investor within the
meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act.

                  (E)      COMPANY INFORMATION.

         Such Purchaser has had an opportunity to discuss the Company's
business, management and financial affairs with directors, officers and
management of the Company. Such Purchaser

                                      -9-
<PAGE>   10

has also had the opportunity to ask questions of, and receive answers from, the
Company and its management regarding the terms and conditions of this
investment.

                  (F)      RULE 144.

         Such Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that the Shares and, if issued,
the Conversion Shares must be held indefinitely unless they are subsequently
registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is
available. Such Purchaser has been advised or is aware of the provisions of Rule
144 promulgated under the Securities Act, which permits limited resale of shares
purchased in a private placement subject to the satisfaction of certain
conditions, including, among other things: the availability of certain current
public information about the Company, the resale occurring not less than one
year after a party has purchased and paid for the security to be sold, the sale
being through an unsolicited "broker's transaction" or in transactions directly
with a market maker (as said term is defined under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended) and the number of shares being sold during any three-month
period not exceeding specified limitations.

                  (G)      RESIDENCE.

         If such Purchaser is an individual, then such Purchaser resides in the
jurisdiction identified in the address of such Purchaser set forth on Exhibit A;
if such Purchaser is a partnership, corporation, limited liability company or
other entity, then the office or offices of such Purchaser in which its
investment decision was made is located at the address or addresses set forth on
Exhibit A.

                  (H)      TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS.

         Such Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that the Shares and, if issued,
the Conversion Shares are subject to restrictions on transfer as set forth in
the Stockholders Agreement and the Certificate.

                  (I)      NO RELIANCE.

         Such Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that, in making such Purchaser's
decision to purchase the Shares, such Purchaser has not relied on any
information other than (a) the information provided to such Purchaser by the
Company in this Agreement and the Company Disclosure Memorandum and (b) the
information contained in the Company's periodic reports as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

         4.3      HSR COMPLIANCE.

         Such Purchaser, other than ITC Telecom Ventures, Inc., J. H. Whitney
IV, L.P., Blackstone CCC Capital Partners L.P. and SCANA Communications
Holdings, Inc., is acquiring and holding the Shares and the Conversion Shares
solely for the purpose of investment, as defined or construed by the rules and
regulations promulgated under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act
of 1976, as amended, including the exemption under 16 CFR Section 802.9. Such
Purchaser, other than ITC Telecom Ventures, Inc., J. H. Whitney IV, L.P.,

                                      -10-
<PAGE>   11

Blackstone CCC Capital Partners L.P. and SCANA Communications Holdings, Inc.,
understands that certain types of conduct may be viewed as inconsistent with
this exemption, including without limitation nominating a candidate for the
board of directors of the Company or having a controlling shareholder, director,
officer or employee simultaneously serving as an officer or director of the
Company.

         4.4      WAIVER OF PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS.

         Upon the satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions to such
Purchaser's obligation to purchase the Shares set forth in Section 5.1 of this
Agreement, each such Purchaser that is an "Eligible Holder" (as defined in
Section 5.09 of the Stockholders Agreement) waives such Purchaser's preemptive
right pursuant to Section 5.09 of the Stockholders Agreement to purchase its
"pro rata share" (as defined in Section 5.09 of the Stockholders Agreement) of
75% the shares Series C Preferred Stock sold pursuant to this Agreement.

5        CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

         5.1      CONDITIONS TO THE PURCHASERS' OBLIGATIONS.

         Each Purchaser's obligation to purchase the Shares at the Closing is
subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to the Closing, of the following
conditions, any of which may be waived in whole or in part by each such
Purchaser as to such Purchaser:

                  (A)      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

         The representations and warranties of the Company contained in this
Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the
Closing Date.

                  (B)      JOINDER AGREEMENT.

         Concurrent with the Closing, the Company and the Purchasers who are not
parties to the Stockholders Agreement as of the date hereof shall execute the
Joinder Agreement.

                  (C)      LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

         On the Closing Date, the sale and issuance of the Shares to be issued
at the Closing shall not be legally prohibited by any laws or regulations to
which the Purchasers and the Company are subject. No law, regulation, order,
judgment or injunction of any court or governmental authority of competent
jurisdiction shall be in effect which prohibits the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby nor shall any action be pending which would
result in any such order, judgment or injunction.

                  (D)      SIMULTANEOUS PURCHASE.

         All other Purchasers shall have concurrently purchased the Shares to be
purchased by them at the Closing pursuant to this Agreement.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>   12

                  (E)      COMPLIANCE WITH AGREEMENT.

         The Company shall have performed and complied with in all material
respects all agreements, obligations and conditions contained in this Agreement
that are required to be performed or complied with by it on or before the
Closing.

                  (F)      NOTICES AND APPROVALS.

         All authorizations, approvals, or permits, if any, of, or filings with
any governmental authority or regulatory body of the United States or of any
state that are required in connection with the lawful issuance and sale of the
Shares pursuant to this Agreement and the other transactions contemplated hereby
shall be duly obtained and all waiting period required by law shall have expired
effective as of the Closing.

                  (G)      CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION.

         The Certificate shall have been duly approved and adopted by the Board
of Directors and stockholders of the Company and shall have been duly filed with
and accepted by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

                  (H)      SERIES A AND SERIES B STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL.

To the extent required by law and the amended and restated certificate of
incorporation of the Company as in effect as of the date hereof, the Company
shall have received the approval of the requisite number of holders of Common
Stock, Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock to issue the Series
C Preferred Stock and to approve the Certificate. In addition, the holders of
not less than a majority of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock
held by Persons who do not own any shares of Series B Preferred Stock and who
are not parties to this Agreement shall have approved the Certificate, and the
holders of not less than a majority of the outstanding shares of Series B
Preferred Stock held by Persons who are not parties to this Agreement shall have
approved the Certificate.

                  (I)      OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE.

         The President of the Company shall deliver at the Closing a certificate
stating that the conditions specified in Section 5.1 have been fulfilled and
stating that there shall have been no material adverse change in the business,
assets or financial condition of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries taken
as a whole since the date of the Latest Balance Sheet.

                  (J)      SECRETARY'S CERTIFICATE.

         The Company's Secretary shall execute and deliver at the Closing a
certificate attaching the resolutions authorizing the transactions contemplated
hereby and bylaws as exhibits.

                  (K)      LEGAL OPINION.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>   13

         The Purchasers shall have received the legal opinion of Alston & Bird
LLP, counsel to the Company, and the legal opinion of Chad S. Wachter, the
Company's General Counsel, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
the Purchasers.

                  (L)      AMENDMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT.

         The amendment to the Stockholders Agreement dated as of the date hereof
shall have been approved by the requisite number of holders of Investor Stock
(as defined in the Stockholders Agreement).

         5.2      CONDITIONS TO THE COMPANY'S OBLIGATIONS.

         The Company's obligation to issue and sell the Shares at the Closing is
subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions on or prior to the
Closing:

                  (A)      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

         The representations and warranties of each of the Purchasers contained
in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as
of the Closing Date.

                  (B)      JOINDER AGREEMENT.

         Concurrent with the Closing, the Company and the Purchasers who are not
parties to the Stockholders Agreement as of the date hereof shall execute the
Joinder Agreement.

                  (C)      LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

         On the Closing Date, the sale and issuance of the Shares to be issued
at the Closing shall not be legally prohibited by any laws or regulations to
which the Purchasers and the Company are subject. No law, regulation, order,
judgment or injunction of any court or governmental authority of competent
jurisdiction shall be in effect which prohibits the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby nor shall any action be pending which would
result in any such order, judgment or injunction.

                  (D)      SIMULTANEOUS PURCHASE.

         All Purchasers shall have concurrently purchased the Shares to be
purchased by them at the Closing pursuant to this Agreement.

                  (E)      COMPLIANCE WITH AGREEMENT.

         Each Purchaser shall have performed and complied with in all material
respects all agreements, obligations and conditions contained in this Agreement
that are required to be performed or complied with by it on or before the
Closing.

                  (F)      NOTICES AND APPROVALS.

                                      -13-
<PAGE>   14

         All authorizations, approvals, or permits, if any, of, or filings with
any governmental authority or regulatory body of the United States or of any
state that are required in connection with the lawful issuance and sale of the
Shares pursuant to this Agreement shall be duly obtained and all waiting period
required by law shall have expired effective as of the Closing.

                  (G)      CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION.

         The Certificate shall have been duly approved and adopted by
stockholders of the Company and shall have been duly filed with and accepted by
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

                  (H)      SERIES A AND SERIES B STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL.

         To the extent required by law and the amended and restated certificate
of incorporation of the Company as in effect as of the date hereof, the Company
shall have received the approval of the requisite number of holders of Series A
Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock to issue the Series C Preferred
Stock and to approve the Certificate. In addition, the holders of not less than
a majority of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by Persons
who do not own any shares of Series B Preferred Stock and who are not parties to
this Agreement shall have approved the Certificate, and the holders of not less
than a majority of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock held by
Persons who are not parties to this Agreement shall have approved the
Certificate.

                  (I)      AMENDMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT.

         The amendment to the Stockholders Agreement dated as of the date hereof
shall have been approved by the requisite number of holders of Investor Stock
(as defined in the Stockholders Agreement).

6        LEGEND

         Each certificate representing Shares shall bear a legend substantially
in the following form:

         THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
         UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAW. THE
         SHARES MAY NOT BE SOLD OR OFFERED FOR SALE IN THE ABSENCE OF (I) AN
         EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SHARES UNDER SUCH ACT AND ANY
         APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAW, (II) A "NO ACTION" LETTER OF THE
         SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WITH RESPECT TO SUCH SALE OR OFFER,
         OR (III) AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE
         CORPORATION THAT REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE
         SECURITIES LAW IS NOT REQUIRED WITH RESPECT TO SUCH SALE OR OFFER.

                                      -14-
<PAGE>   15

         THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND
         PROVISIONS OF THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF
         KNOLOGY, INC., AS AMENDED HEREAFTER, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH
         THE SECRETARY OF THE CORPORATION AND WILL BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE
         UPON REQUEST.

         THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE, INCLUDING, WITHOUT
         LIMITATION, THE TRANSFER THEREOF, ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND
         PROVISIONS OF A STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT, AS AMENDED HEREAFTER, A COPY OF
         WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE CORPORATION AND WILL BE
         PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE UPON REQUEST.

7        MISCELLANEOUS

         7.1      KNOWLEDGE OF A PARTY.

         As used in this Agreement, the terms "knowledge", "know" or "known"
means with respect to a party hereto, with respect to a matter in question, that
any executive officer of such party has actual knowledge of such matter.

         7.2      GOVERNING LAW.

         This Agreement shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the
State of Georgia as such laws are applied to agreements between Georgia
residents entered into and performed entirely in Georgia, except that the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware shall govern as to matters of
corporate law.

         7.3      SURVIVAL.

         The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made herein
shall survive any investigation made by any Purchaser and the closing of the
transactions contemplated hereby. All statements as to factual matters contained
in any certificate or other instrument delivered by or on behalf of the Company
pursuant hereto in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall be
deemed to be representations and warranties by the Company hereunder solely as
of the date of such certificate or instrument.

         7.4      SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.

         Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the provisions hereof
shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the successors, assigns,
heirs, executors and administrators of the parties hereto and shall inure to the
benefit of and be enforceable by each person who shall be a holder of the Shares
from time to time.

         7.5      ENTIRE AGREEMENT.

                                      -15-
<PAGE>   16

         This Agreement, the Exhibits and the other documents delivered pursuant
hereto constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the
parties with regard to the subjects hereof and no party shall be liable or bound
to any other in any manner by any representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements except as specifically set forth herein and therein.

         7.6      SEVERABILITY.

         In case any provision of the Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

         7.7      AMENDMENT AND WAIVER.

         This Agreement and any provision hereof may be amended, modified or
waived only upon the mutual written consent of the Company and holders of 60% of
the outstanding Shares, except as otherwise provided herein. Any such amendment,
modification or waiver, whether retroactively or prospectively effective, shall
be binding upon the Company and all Purchasers.

         7.8      NOTICES.

         All notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and
shall be deemed effectively given: (i) upon personal delivery to the party to be
notified; (ii) when sent by confirmed telex, facsimile or electronic mail if
sent during normal business hours of the recipient, if not, then on the next
business day, (iii) five business days after having been sent by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid; or (iv) one business
day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, special next
day delivery, with verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to
the Company at 1241 O. G. Skinner Drive, West Point, Georgia 31833, Attention:
President, email address: rodger.johnson@knology.com, with a copy to Alston &
Bird LLP, One Atlantic Center, 1201 West Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia
30309-3424, Attention: Janine Brown, email address: jbrown@alston.com, and to a
Purchaser at the address set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto or at such other
address as the Company or Purchaser may designate by ten days advance written
notice to the other parties hereto.

         7.9      COUNTERPARTS.

         This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one
instrument.

         7.10     BROKER'S FEES.

         Each party hereto represents and warrants that no agent, broker,
investment banker, person or firm acting on behalf of or under the authority of
such party hereto is or will be entitled to a broker's or finder's fee or any
other commission directly or indirectly in connection with the transactions
contemplated herein. Each party hereto further agrees to indemnify each other
party for any claims, losses or expenses incurred by such other party as a
result of its representation in this Section 7.10 being untrue.

                                      -16-
<PAGE>   17

         7.11     DELAYS OR OMISSIONS.

         No delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to
any party under this Agreement shall impair any such right, power or remedy of
such party nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any breach or default, or
an acquiescence therein, or a waiver of or acquiescence in any similar breach or
default theretofore or thereafter occurring. Any waiver, permit, consent or
approval of any kind or character on the part of any party of any breach or
default under this Agreement must be made in writing and shall be effective only
to the extent specifically set forth in such writing. All remedies, either under
this Agreement or by law or otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative
and not alternative.

         7.12     PRESS RELEASES.

         Prior to the Closing Date, the parties shall consult with each other as
to the form and substance of any press release or other public disclosure
materially related to this Agreement or any other transaction contemplated
hereby; provided, that nothing in this Section 7.12 shall be deemed to prohibit
any party from making any disclosure which its counsel deems necessary or
advisable in order to satisfy such party's disclosure obligations imposed by
law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each of the Purchasers and their respective
affiliates may list the Company's name and logo and describe the Company's
business, in a manner generally consistent with the Company's publicly available
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in their marketing
materials and may post such information on their website.

         7.13     EXPENSES.

         Each of the parties shall bear and pay all direct costs and expenses
incurred by it or on its behalf in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby, except that the Company shall reimburse the expenses of the Purchasers,
including legal fees, out-of-pocket expenses and filing fees required by any
regulatory filings in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby,
actually incurred by such Purchasers in an amount not to exceed $50,000 in the
aggregate for all Purchasers.

         7.14     USE OF PROCEEDS.

         Unless approved by a majority of the board of directors of the Company,
including, if there are any Series B Directors (as defined in the Certificate)
at such time, at least one Series B Director:

                  (A)      EXISTING MARKETS

         So long as (i) the aggregate net proceeds received by the Company from
the sale of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement on the Closing Date and from
the sale of shares of Series C Preferred Stock in any subsequent offerings by
the Company, plus (ii) the aggregate net proceeds received by the Company or any
Company Subsidiaries after the date hereof from the issuance of any other equity
securities (other than those issued pursuant to clause (i) above) or debt
securities or other borrowings ("Additional Funding"), net of an amount equal to
(x) the amount (if any) of any such net proceeds used to repay or refinance
other indebtedness of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries which repaid or
refinanced indebtedness cannot be reborrowed by the

                                      -17-
<PAGE>   18

Company at any time prior the date three years after the date hereof in
accordance with the terms thereof and (y) three years cash payments (including,
without limitation, principal, dividends or interest, as the case may be)
payable on such Additional Funding (determined as provided below) ("Excluded
Amounts") (the aggregate of net proceeds (net of the Excluded Amounts) under
clauses (i) and (ii) being "Proceeds") are less than or equal to ninety million
dollars ($90,000,000) (the "Proceeds Base"), then the Company shall only use
such Proceeds to fund the construction and operation of the Company's broadband
communications networks ("Networks") in Huntsville and Montgomery, Alabama;
Panama City, Florida; Augusta and Columbus, Georgia; and Charleston, South
Carolina (the "Existing Markets") and related corporate and administrative
expenses, including payment of interest on outstanding indebtedness. In the
event interest or dividends under clause (ii) above are variable based upon
future published rates (i.e. Libor, Prime, federal funds, etc.) the current rate
when the debt is issued shall be used to determine the Excluded Amounts
withheld.

                  (B)      KNOXVILLE AND NASHVILLE MARKETS.

         The Company shall not use any portion of any Proceeds that exceeds the
Proceeds Base but that is less than one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000)
other than to fund the construction and operation of the Company's Networks in
its Existing Markets, in Knox County, Tennessee and/or in Williamson and
Davidson counties, Tennessee, and related corporate and administrative expenses,
including payment of interest on outstanding indebtedness. The Company shall not
use any portion of any Proceeds that exceeds one hundred million dollars
($100,000,000) but that is less than one hundred thirty five million dollars
($135,000,000) other than to fund the construction and operation of the
Company's Networks in its Existing Markets, and related corporate and
administrative expenses, including payment of interest on outstanding
indebtedness. The Company shall not use any portion of any Proceeds that exceeds
one hundred thirty five million dollars ($135,000,000) but that is less than one
hundred fifty million dollars ($150,000,000) other than to fund the construction
and operation of the Company's Networks in its Existing Markets and in Knox
County, Tennessee and related corporate and administrative expenses, including
payment of interest on outstanding indebtedness. The Company shall have the
option to use the portion of any Proceeds that exceeds one hundred fifty million
dollars ($150,000,000) for any corporate purpose.

                            [SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

                                      -18-
<PAGE>   19

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the date set forth in the first paragraph hereof

                                  COMPANY:

                                  KNOLOGY, INC.

                                  By: /s/ Rodger L. Johnson
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Rodger L. Johnson
                                     President and Chief Executive Officer

<PAGE>   20

                                  PURCHASERS:

                                  /s/ Kimberley Thompson
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                  Name: Kimberley Thompson
                                  Title:   Senior Vice President
                                  Company: ITC Telecom Ventures, Inc.

<PAGE>   21

                                  PURCHASERS:

                                  /s/ Mark R. Cannon
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                  Name: Mark R. Cannon
                                  Title:   Treasurer
                                  Company: SCANA Communications Holdings, Inc.

<PAGE>   22

                                  PURCHASERS:

                                  J. H. WHITNEY IV, L.P.

                                  By: J. H. Whitney Equity Partners IV, L.L.C.
                                      Its General Partner

                                  By: /s/ William Laverack, Jr.
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:
                                  Company:  X      X      X      X       X

<PAGE>   23

                                  PURCHASERS:

                                  BLACKSTONE CCC CAPITAL PARTNERS L.P.

                                  By: Blackstone Management Associates III
                                      L.L.C., its General Partner

                                  By: /s/ Bret Pearlman
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:

                                  BLACKSTONE CCC OFFSHORE CAPITAL PARTNERS L.P.

                                  By: Blackstone Management Associates III
                                      L.L.C., its General Partner

                                  By: /s/ Bret Pearlman
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:

                                  BLACKSTONE FAMILY INVESTMENT
                                  PARTNERSHIP III L.P.

                                  By: Blackstone Management Associates III
                                      L.L.C., its General Partner

                                  By: /s/ Bret Pearlman
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:

<PAGE>   24

                                  PURCHASERS:

                                  /s/ David McL. Hillman
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                  Name: David McL. Hillman
                                  Title:   Executive Vice President
                                  Company: PNC Ventures Corp

<PAGE>   25

                                  PURCHASERS:

                                  /s/ David McL. Hillman
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                  Name: David McL. Hillman
                                  Title: General Partner
                                  Company: Wood Street Partners III

<PAGE>   26

                                  PURCHASERS:

                                  /s/ John K. Adams
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                  Name: John K. Adams
                                  Title: Vice President
                                  Company: Mellon Ventures

<PAGE>   27

                                  SOUTH ATLANTIC PRIVATE EQUITY FUND IV,
                                    LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                                  By: South Atlantic Private Equity
                                      Partners IV, Inc. Its General Partner

                                  By: /s/ Donald W. Burton
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                  Name: Donald W. Burton
                                  Title:   Chairman and Managing Director

<PAGE>   28

                                  SOUTH ATLANTIC PRIVATE EQUITY FUND IV (QP),
                                    LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                                  By: South Atlantic Private Equity
                                      Partners IV, Inc. Its General Partner

                                  By: /s/ Donald W. Burton
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                  Name: Donald W. Burton
                                  Title:   Chairman and Managing Director

<PAGE>   29

                                  THE BURTON PARTNERSHIP,
                                    LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                                  By: /s/ Donald W. Burton
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                  Name: Donald W. Burton
                                  Title: General Partner

<PAGE>   30

                                  THE BURTON PARTNERSHIP (QP),
                                    LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                                  By: /s/ Donald W. Burton
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                  Name: Donald W. Burton
                                  Title: General Partner

<PAGE>   31

                                  PURCHASERS:

                                  KITTY HAWK CAPITAL LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, IV

                                  By: Kitty Hawk Partners, LLC IV,
                                      General Partner

                                  By: /s/ Walter H. Williamson, Jr.
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                  Name:    Walter H. Williamson, Jr.
                                  Title: Managing Member
                                  Company:
                                          -------------------------------------

<PAGE>   32

                                  PURCHASERS:

                                  /s/ Billy Harbert
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                  Name: Billy Harbert
                                  Title:   Owner
                                  Company: Tarpon Investments, L.L.C.

<PAGE>   33

                                  PURCHASERS:

                                  /s/ N. John Simmons, Jr.
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                  Name:    N. John Simmons, Jr.
                                  Title:   President
                                  Company: Quantum Capital Partners, Inc.

<PAGE>   34

                                  PURCHASERS:

                                  /s/ Benjamin Russell
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                  Name: Benjamin Russell
                                  Title:
                                  Company:

<PAGE>   35

                                  PURCHASERS:

                                  /s/ Thomas T. Lamberth
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                  Name: Thomas T. Lamberth
                                  Title:
                                  Company:

<PAGE>   36

                                  PURCHASERS:

                                  /s/ Arthur C. Roselle
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                  Name: Arthur C. Roselle
                                  Title: Vice President
                                  Company: First Union Capital Partners
                                           2001, L.L.C.

<PAGE>   37

                                  PURCHASERS:

                                  /s/ Lawrence H. Carlton
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                  Name: Lawrence H. Carlton
                                  Title:   Clerk, Assistant Treasurer
                                  Company: CT Communications Northeast, Inc.

<PAGE>   38

                                    EXHIBIT A

                             SCHEDULE OF PURCHASERS

                            SERIES C PREFERRED STOCK

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND ADDRESS                                TOTAL NUMBER OF SHARES      AGGREGATE PURCHASE PRICE
--------------------------                      ----------------------      ------------------------
<S>                                             <C>                         <C>
ITC Telecom Ventures, Inc.                            8,333,333                   $24,999,999
3300 20th Avenue
Valley, AL  36854
Attn: Campbell B. Lanier III
Phone: (334) 768-8378
Fax: (334) 768-5067
Email: clanier@itchold.com

with a copy to:

ITC Holding Company, Inc.
4717 Dolphin Lane
Alexandria, VA 22309
Attn: Kim Thompson
Phone: (703) 619-9678
Fax: (703) 619-9720
Email: kthompson@itchold.com
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   39

<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>                          <C>
SCANA Communications Holdings, Inc.                   8,333,333                    24,999,999
c/o Belfint Lyons & Shuman
(mail address)
P.O. Box  2105
Wilmington, Delaware 19899-2105
(delivery address)
200 West Ninth Street Plaza, Suite 600
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
Attn: Mr. Peter Winnington
Phone: (302) 573-3907
Fax:  (302) 658-0468
Email: pwinnington@belfint.com

with a copy to:

SCANA Communications Holdings, Inc.
1426 Main Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Attn: Mark R. Cannon, Treasurer
Phone: (803) 217-7838
Fax: (803) 933-7037
Email: mcannon@scana.com

and to:

McNair Law Firm, P.A.
(mail address)
PO Box 11390 Columbia, SC 29211
(delivery address) 1301 Gervais Street 17th
Floor Columbia, SC 29201
Attn: John W. Currie, Esq.
Phone: (803)376-2272
Fax: (803)376-2277
Email: jcurrie@mcnair.net
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   40

<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>                           <C>
J. H. Whitney IV, L.P.                                3,333,333                     9,999,999
c/o of Whitney & Co.
177 Broad Street, 15th Floor
Stamford, CT 06901
Attn: William Laverack, Jr. and Andrew Schoenthal
Phone: (203) 973-1675
Fax: (203) 973-1675
Email: wlaverack@whitney.com and
       aschoenthal@whitney.com

with a copy to:

Morrison Cohen Singer & Weinstein, LLP
750 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Attn: Henry Singer, Esq. and
      Andrew M. Arsiotis, Esq.
Phone: (212) 735-8600
Fax:  (212) 735-8708
Email: hsinger@mcsw.com and
       aarsiotis@mcsw.com

Blackstone CCC Capital Partners L.P.                  2,123,459                     6,370,377
345 Park Avenue, 31st Floor
New York, NY  10154
Attn:  Bret Pearlman
Phone: (212) 583-5888
Fax: (212) 583-5266
Email: pearlman@blackstone.com

with a copy to:

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017-3954
Attn: Thomas F. LaMacchia
Phone: (212)455-2000
Fax: (212) 455-2502
Email: t_lamacchia@stblaw.com

Blackstone CCC Offshore Capital Partners L.P.           383,208                     1,149,624
345 Park Avenue, 31st Floor
New York, NY  10154
Attn:  Bret Pearlman
Phone: (212) 583-5888
Fax: (212) 583-5266
Email: pearlman@blackstone.com

with a copy to:

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017-3954
Attn: Thomas F. LaMacchia
Phone: (212)455-2000
Fax: (212) 455-2502
Email: t_lamacchia@stblaw.com
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   41

<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>                           <C>
Blackstone Family Investment Partnership III L.P.       160,000                       480,000
345 Park Avenue, 31st Floor
New York, NY  10154
Attn:  Bret Pearlman
Phone: (212) 583-5888
Fax: (212) 583-5266
Email: pearlman@blackstone.com

with a copy to:

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017-3954
Attn: Thomas F. LaMacchia
Phone: (212)455-2000
Fax: (212) 455-2502
Email: t_lamacchia@stblaw.com

PNC Venture Corp                                      2,765,333                     8,295,999
3150 CNG Tower
Pittsburgh, PA  15222
Attn: David Hillman
Phone: (412) 762-8892
Fax: (412) 762-6233
Email: david.hillman@pncequity.com

Wood Street Partners III                                568,000                     1,704,000
3150 CNG Tower
Pittsburgh, PA  15222
Attn: David Hillman
Phone: (412) 762-8892
Fax: (412) 762-6233
Email: david.hillman@pncequity.com

Mellon Ventures II, L.P.                                666,667                     2,000,001
One Buckhead Plaza
3060 Peachtree Street, Suite 780
Atlanta, GA  30305
Attn:  John K. Adams
Phone: (404) 504-4088
Fax: (404) 264-9305
Email: jadams@mvlp.com

with a copy to:

Ben Barkley
Kilpatrick Stockton
1100 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA  30309-4530
Phone: (404) 815-6569
Fax: (404) 815-6555
Email: bbarkley@kilstock.com
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   42

<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>                           <C>
South Atlantic Private Equity Fund IV, L.P.             280,000                       840,000
614 W. Bay Street
Tampa, FL  33606
Attn:  Donald W. Burton
Phone: (813) 253-2500
Fax: (813) 253-2360
Email: dwburton@southatlantic.com

South Atlantic Private Equity Fund IV (QP), L.P.        386,667                     1,160,001
614 W. Bay Street
Tampa, FL  33606
Attn:  Donald W. Burton
Phone: (813) 253-2500
Fax: (813) 253-2360
Email: dwburton@southatlantic.com

The Burton Partnership, Limited Partnership             133,333                       399,999
614 W. Bay Street
Tampa, FL  33606
Attn:  Laurie Ann Burton
Phone: (813) 253-2500
Fax: (813) 253-2360
Email: laburton@southatlantic.com

The Burton Partnership (QP), Limited Partnership        533,334                     1,600,002
614 W. Bay Street
Tampa, FL  33606
Attn:  Laurie Ann Burton
Phone: (813) 253-2500
Fax: (813) 253-2360
Email: laburton@southatlantic.com

Kitty Hawk Capital Limited Partnership, IV            1,000,000                     3,000,000
2700 Coltsgate Road, Suite 202
Charlotte, NC  28211
Attn: Walter Wilkinson
Phone: (704) 362-3909
Fax: (704) 362-2774
Email: walter@kittyhawkcapital.com

Tarpon Investments, LLC                                 666,667                     2,000,001
820 Shades Creek Parkway, Suite 3100
Birmingham, AL 35209
Attn: Steve Dauphin
Phone: (205) 870-8050
Fax: (205) 870-8052
Email: sdauphin@bonaventurecapital.net

Quantum Capital Partners, Inc.                          666,667                     2,000,001
339 South Plant Avenue
Tampa, FL  33606
Attn: N. John Simmons, Jr.
Phone: (813) 250-1999
Fax: (813) 250-1998
Email: jsimmons@quantumcapitalpartners.com
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   43

<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>                           <C>
Benjamin Russell                                        320,000                       960,000
2544 Willow Point Road
Alexander City, AL  35010
Attn:  Thomas T. Lamberth
Phone: (256) 212-1400
Fax: (256) 212-1444
Email: ttl@russelllands.com

Thomas T. Lamberth                                       13,333                        39,999
2544 Willow Point Road
Alexander City, AL  35010
Phone: (256) 212-1400
Fax: (256) 212-1444
Email: ttl@russelllands.com

First Union Capital Partners 2001, L.L.C.               333,333                       999,999
301 S. College Street, NC0732
Charlotte, NC  28288-0732
Attn: Watts Hamrick
Phone: (704) 374-4767
Fax: (704) 383-6538
Email: watts.hamrick@fucp.com

CT Communications Northeast, Inc.                       166,667                       500,001
(mail address)
P.O. Box 224
Bedford, Massachusetts 01730
(delivery address)
110 The Great Road
Bedford, Massachusetts 01730
Attn: Lawrence Carlton
Phone: (781) 275-7520
Fax: (781) 275-9422
Email: lhc@carltonduran.com

Total                                               31,1666,667                   $93,500,001
</TABLE>

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00019-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00019-of-00352.parquet"}]]