Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.5

                      First Amendment to Services Agreement

         This First Amendment to the Services Agreement (this "Amendment") is
made this 1st day of October, 2000, but effective as of December 31, 2000, by
and between Duke Energy Corporation, Duke Energy Business Services LLC, Pan
Service Company and Duke Energy Gas Transmission Corporation (collectively
"Duke"), and Duke Energy Field Services, LLC (the "Company") (each, a "Party",
and collectively, the "Parties").

                                    RECITALS:

         WHEREAS, Duke and the Company are parties to that certain Services
Agreement dated March 14, 2000 (the "Services Agreement") (capitalized terms
used but not defined herein shall have the meaning given thereto in the Services
Agreement); and

         WHEREAS, Duke and the Company desire to amend the Services Agreement as
discussed in this Amendment.

         NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as
follows:

1.       The rate sheet found in Exhibit A, Article I of the Services Agreement
         shall be replaced in its entity with the Rate Sheet attached hereto as
         Exhibit A, Article I.

2.       The Services listed in Exhibit A, Article II of the Services Agreement
         shall be replaced in their entirety with the Services attached hereto
         as Exhibit A, Article II.

3.       Section 3.1 of the Services Agreement shall be terminated in its entity
         and replaced with the following new Section 3.1:

         Term. The term of this Agreement shall begin on January 1, 2001 and
         remain in effect until December 31, 2001. If both Duke and the Company
         desire to renew this Agreement for an additional 12-month term to begin
         on January 1 of a particular year, then beginning on August 1 of the
         existing year, the Parties shall renegotiate the terms and conditions
         of this Agreement (including without limitation the Services to be
         provided and their associated expense) which shall be applicable solely
         for the extended 12-month term.

4.       Except as amended hereby, the Services Agreement shall remain in full
         force and effect as previously executed and the Parties ratify the
         Services Agreement as amended hereby.

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         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused this Amendment
to be duly executed and delivered on the date first set forth above.

DUKE ENERGY CORPORATION                     DUKE ENERGY BUSINESS SERVICES LLC

By:        /s/ SANDRA P. MEYER              By:    /s/ CECIL O. SMITH, JR.
   -------------------------------------       --------------------------------
   Name: Sandra P. Meyer                       Name: Cecil O. Smith, Jr.
   Title: VP & Corporate Controller            Title: SVP & CIO

PAN SERVICE COMPANY                         DUKE ENERGY GAS TRANSMISSION
                                            CORPORATION

By:        /s/ DOROTHY M. ABLES             By:      /s/ DOROTHY M. ABLES
   --------------------------------------      ---------------------------------
   Name: Dorothy M. Ables                      Name: Dorothy M. Ables
   Title: Sr. VP                               Title: Sr. VP & CFO

DUKE ENERGY FIELD SERVICES, LLC

By:        /s/ DAVID D. FREDERICK
   --------------------------------------
   Name: David D. Frederick
   Title: Senior Vice President and Chief
          Financial Officer

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.42

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made and entered into
effective as of the 10th day of November, 2000, by and between HIGH SPEED ACCESS
CORP., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and DANIEL J. O'BRIEN, an
individual ("Executive").

         RECITAL:

         Executive desires to be employed by the Company and the Company desires
to employ Executive on the terms and conditions hereinafter provided.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants
contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, it is agreed by and between the
parties hereto as follows:

         1. EMPLOYMENT. The Company hereby employs Executive and Executive
accepts employment by the Company and agrees to serve the Company, upon the
terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

         2. DUTIES. Executive shall be employed by the Company as its President
and Chief Executive Officer. Executive's duties will be commensurate with those
customarily performed by one with such titles and positions at a company
similarly situated to the Company. So long as he is employed hereunder,
Executive agrees to devote his full business time and energy to the business and
affairs of the Company, to perform his duties hereunder to the best of his
ability and at a level of competency consistent with the position occupied, to
act on all matters in a manner he reasonably believes to be in and not opposed
to the best interests of the Company, to use his best efforts, skill and ability
to promote the profitable growth of the Company, and to perform such other
duties, consistent with duties customarily performed by one with such title and
position at a company similarly situated to the Company, as may be assigned to
him by the Company's Chairman or by the Company's Board of Directors (the
"Board") from time to time.

         3. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS. For all services rendered by Executive,
the Company shall pay compensation and provide benefits to Executive as follows:

                  A. BASE SALARY. The Company shall pay Executive a base salary
         of $41,667 per month commencing on October 1, 2000. Such base salary,
         together with any increases the Board may grant from time to time, is
         referred to in this Agreement as "Base Salary." The Base Salary shall
         be subject to annual review by the Compensation Committee of the Board.
         Such Base Salary shall be subject to applicable tax withholding and
         shall be paid in accordance with normal Company payroll practices.

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                  B. CASH BONUSES. Executive shall receive a cash bonus of
         $250,000 payable on October 1, 2000 and an additional cash bonus of
         $250,000 payable following the Company's receipt of audited financial
         statements for the calendar year ended December 31, 2000, but not later
         than June 30, 2001. In each succeeding year during which Executive
         shall be employed by the Company, Executive shall be entitled to
         receive a cash bonus (the "Incentive Bonus") in an amount up to fifty
         percent (50%) of Executive's then Base Salary based upon Executive's
         and the Company's achievement of specific predetermined goals
         concerning the financial performance of the Company during the
         Company's preceding fiscal year, as established annually by the Board
         or the compensation committee thereof, after consultation with
         Executive. The Incentive Bonus, if payable, shall be paid to Executive
         within 90 days following the end of the fiscal year of the Company;
         provided, however, if Executive's employment with the Company is
         terminated on or before the date such Incentive Bonus is payable, such
         Incentive Bonus shall not be payable to Executive, except as provided
         in Section 5 of this Agreement.

                  C. BUSINESS EXPENSES. The Company shall reimburse Executive
         for his reasonable direct out-of-pocket ordinary and necessary
         expenses, if any, incurred by Executive in the performance of his
         services hereunder and for which Executive properly accounts in
         accordance with the Company's regulations and procedures in effect from
         time to time.

                  D. VACATION. Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks
         paid vacation during each twelve (12) month period of Executive's
         employment with the Company. Executive shall be entitled to carry over
         unused vacation from one year to the next succeeding year.

                  E. LIFE INSURANCE. The Company shall purchase and maintain, so
         long as Executive is employed with the Company, a term life insurance
         policy on the life of Executive in the amount of Two Million Dollars
         ($2,000,000), which policy shall name Executive's spouse or estate, as
         beneficiary. At the termination of Executive's employment, Executive
         shall have the right to elect to have the Company assign the term life
         insurance policy to Executive. Should the Executive exercise the right
         to assign, Executive shall thereafter be responsible for all premium
         payments under the policy.

                  F. REIMBURSEMENT OF CERTAIN EXPENSES. The Company shall
         reimburse Executive up to Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) per year for
         financial and tax planning expenses incurred by Executive for which
         Executive properly accounts in accordance with the Company's
         regulations and procedures in effect from time to time.

                  G. ADDITIONAL BENEFITS. Executive shall be entitled to
         participate, on the same terms and conditions as other executive
         officers of the Company generally, in any and all employee retirement,
         medical, life and disability insurance, and other benefits plans and
         perquisites as may be established and in effect from time to time and
         made available to executive officers and/or employees of the Company.

                  H. OPTION GRANTS. In addition to Executive's existing stock
         option grants, effective upon the date of this Agreement, Executive
         will receive a grant of options under the Company's 1999 Stock Option
         Plan (the "Plan") to purchase 750,000 shares of the Company's

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         common stock ("Common Stock") at an exercise price of $2.875 per share.
         Subject to Executive's continued employment with the Company, Executive
         will receive options under the Plan to purchase 100,000 shares of
         Common Stock (as adjusted for any stock splits, stock dividends,
         recapitalizations or the like) on each of October 1, 2000, October 1,
         2001 and October 1, 2002. Each option granted to Executive under this
         Section 3.H shall have an exercise price equal to the fair market value
         per share of the Common Stock on the date of grant as determined under
         the Plan. The option grants made to Executive under this subsection H.
         will be made under and subject to the terms of the Plan and will vest
         in accordance with the terms of the Plan. Without any representation or
         warranty by or on the part of Company, to the extent any of the options
         granted to Executive hereby can, by the terms set forth herein and in
         the Plan, qualify as incentive stock options under the provisions of
         the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), Executive
         and the Company intend that the same shall be treated as incentive
         stock options, and to the extent any or all of the options cannot
         qualify as incentive stock options under the Code, Executive and the
         Company intend that the same shall be treated as nonstatutory options.

                  I. RESTRICTED STOCK GRANT. The Company and Executive shall
         enter into a restricted stock agreement, substantially in the form
         attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated by reference herein,
         providing for the issuance to Executive of 200,000 shares of the
         Company's Common Stock, subject to the restrictions and vesting
         provisions set forth therein.

                  J. EXISTING STOCK OPTIONS. The Company and Executive shall
         enter into an Amended and Restated Stock Option Agreement,
         substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B and incorporated
         by reference herein, with respect to Executive's existing option to
         purchase 750,000 shares.

                  K. ACCELERATED VESTING OF OPTIONS. If, during the twelve (12)
         month period following a "Change in Control" (as defined herein),
         Executive's employment with the Company terminates as a result of
         Involuntary Termination or Constructive Termination (each as defined
         herein), then Executive shall be entitled to immediate vesting of all
         shares of Common Stock granted under the Restricted Stock Agreement and
         of all options to purchase Common Stock held by Executive.

         4. AT WILL EMPLOYMENT. Executive's employment with the Company will be
terminable at will, as defined under applicable law. The employment at will
relationship to exist between the Company and Executive allows either the
Company or Executive to end the employment relationship at any time, with or
without cause. If Executive's employment terminates for any reason, Executive
shall not be entitled to any payments, benefits, damages, awards or compensation
other than as provided in Section 5 of this Agreement, and as may otherwise be
available in accordance with the Company's established employee plans and
policies at the time of termination.

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         5. SEVERANCE PAYMENTS.

                  A. Death, Disability, Voluntary Resignation; Termination for
         Cause. IF EXECUTIVE'S EMPLOYMENT TERMINATES AS A RESULT OF EXECUTIVE'S
         DEATH OR DISABILITY, OR BY REASON OF EXECUTIVE'S VOLUNTARY RESIGNATION
         (VOLUNTARY RESIGNATION SHALL NOT INCLUDE CONSTRUCTIVE TERMINATION), OR
         IF THE EXECUTIVE IS TERMINATED FOR CAUSE (AS DEFINED HEREIN), EXCEPT AS
         SET FORTH IN SECTION 7.A OF THIS AGREEMENT, EXECUTIVE SHALL NOT BE
         ENTITLED TO RECEIVE SEVERANCE OR OTHER BENEFITS EXCEPT FOR THOSE, IF
         ANY, AS MAY THEN BE ESTABLISHED FOR SUCH A TERMINATION UNDER THE
         COMPANY'S THEN EXISTING SEVERANCE AND BENEFITS PLANS AND POLICIES AT
         THE TIME OF SUCH TERMINATION. "DISABILITY" SHALL MEAN THAT EXECUTIVE
         HAS BEEN UNABLE TO PERFORM HIS DUTIES AS AN EXECUTIVE AS THE RESULT OF
         HIS INCAPACITY DUE TO PHYSICAL OR MENTAL ILLNESS, SUCH INABILITY
         CONTINUES FOR AT LEAST NINETY (90) DAYS, AND SUCH DISABILITY IS
         DETERMINED TO BE TOTAL AND PERMANENT BY A PHYSICIAN SELECTED BY THE
         COMPANY OR ITS INSURERS AND ACCEPTABLE TO EXECUTIVE OR EXECUTIVE'S
         LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE (SUCH AGREEMENT AS TO ACCEPTABILITY NOT TO BE
         UNREASONABLY WITHHELD).

                  B. INVOLUNTARY OR CONSTRUCTIVE TERMINATION. If at any time
         during the term of this Agreement, the Company terminates the
         employment of Executive involuntarily and without Cause or a
         Constructive Termination occurs, then Executive shall be entitled to
         receive the following: (A) Base Salary and vacation accrued through the
         Termination Date plus continued Base Salary for a period of twelve (12)
         months following the Termination Date, payable in accordance with the
         Company's regular payroll schedule as in effect from time to time, (B)
         any bonus payment previously fixed and declared by the Board or its
         Compensation Committee on behalf of Executive and not previously paid
         to Executive, (C) continuation of group health benefits pursuant to the
         Company's standard programs as in effect from time to time (or
         continuation of substantially similar benefits, through a third party
         carrier, at the Company's election), for a period of not less than
         eighteen (18) months (or such longer period as may be required by
         COBRA), provided that Executive makes the necessary conversion, and (D)
         no other compensation, severance or other benefits. Notwithstanding the
         foregoing, however, if Executive violates the non-competition agreement
         set forth in Section 12 during the twelve (12) month period following
         the Termination Date, the Company shall not be required to continue to
         pay the salary or bonus specified in clause (A) hereof for any period
         following the Termination Date, and in such event Executive shall be
         obligated to repay to the Company any amounts previously received
         pursuant to clause (A) hereof, to the extent the same relate to any
         period following the Termination Date.

         6. Definitions. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE FOLLOWING TERMS
SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:

                  A. Termination for Cause. TERMINATION FOR "CAUSE" MEANS
         TERMINATION OF EXECUTIVE'S EMPLOYMENT BY THE COMPANY DUE TO:

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                           (i) A material breach by Executive of any of the
                  terms of Sections 7 or 8 of this Agreement; or

                           (ii) A determination by the Board, acting in good
                  faith and with reasonable justification, that Executive's
                  performance in his position as President and Chief Executive
                  Officer of the Company has been unsatisfactory, after first
                  having given written notice to Executive that his performance
                  has been unsatisfactory (which notice shall set forth in
                  reasonable detail the nature of the unsatisfactory
                  performance), and Executive having failed to cure such
                  unsatisfactory performance within thirty (30) days thereafter
                  to the reasonable satisfaction of the Board; or

                           (iii) The conviction of a felony, or a crime
                  involving moral turpitude; or

                           (iv) Willful misconduct, dishonesty or fraud on
                  Executive's part in connection with the performance of any of
                  his duties under this Agreement.

                  B. Involuntary Termination. "Involuntary Termination" shall
         mean involuntary termination of Executive's employment at the will of
         the Company without Cause.

                  C. Constructive Termination. "Constructive Termination" shall
         mean a material reduction in Executive's overall responsibilities,
         duties or Base Salary or benefits as in effect immediately prior to
         such reduction, and Executive's decision to terminate his employment
         with the Company no more than sixty (60) days following such change
         (provided, however, that such sixty (60) day period shall apply with
         respect to each successive change if there shall be more than one such
         change) and after at least fifteen (15) days written notice to the
         Company of Executive's intent to terminate.

                  D. Change in Control. A "Change in Control" shall be deemed to
         have occurred if:

                           (i) For so long as any Control Shareholder or any of
                  its affiliates shall remain the "Beneficial Owner" (as defined
                  in Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
                  amended (the "Exchange Act")), of securities of the Company
                  that represent 20% or more of the total voting power
                  represented by the Company's then outstanding voting
                  securities, a "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have
                  occurred if:

                           (ii)

                                    (a) Any "Person" (as such term is used in
                           Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, but
                           excluding the Control Shareholder or any of its
                           affiliates) becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or
                           indirectly, of securities of the

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                           Company representing 50% or more of the total voting
                           power represented by the Company's then outstanding
                           voting securities;

                                    (b) The consummation of the sale or
                           disposition by the Company of all or substantially
                           all of the Company's assets;

                                    (c) The consummation of a merger or
                           consolidation of the Company with any other
                           corporation, other than a merger or consolidation [x]
                           which would result in the voting securities of the
                           Company outstanding immediately prior thereto
                           continuing to represent (either by remaining
                           outstanding or by being converted into voting
                           securities of the surviving entity or its parent) at
                           least 70% of the total voting power represented by
                           the voting securities of the Company or such
                           surviving entity or its parent outstanding
                           immediately after such merger or consolidation or [y]
                           in which Control Shareholder or any of its affiliates
                           would continue to be the Beneficial Owner of
                           securities representing at least 20% of the total
                           voting power represented by the voting securities of
                           the Company or such surviving entity or its parent
                           outstanding immediately after such merger or
                           consolidation and no other Person would be the
                           Beneficial Owner of securities that represent 20% or
                           more of the total voting power represented by the
                           voting securities of the Company or such surviving
                           entity or its parent outstanding immediately after
                           such merger or consolidation; or

                                    (d) The Board adopts a resolution to the
                           effect that, for purposes of this Agreement, a Change
                           in Control has occurred.

                           (ii) At any time on or after the date Control
                  Shareholder or any of its affiliates no longer is the
                  Beneficial Owner of securities of the Company that represent
                  20% or more of the total voting power represented by the
                  Company's then outstanding voting securities, a Change in
                  Control shall be deemed to have occurred if:

                                    (a) any "Person," (as such term is used for
                           purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange
                           Act) (other than (A) the Company, (B) any trustee or
                           other fiduciary holding securities under an employee
                           benefit plan of the Company, or (C) any company
                           owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of
                           the Company in substantially the same proportions as
                           their ownership of stock of the Company), becomes the
                           Beneficial Owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
                           Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities
                           of the Company representing 25% or more of the
                           combined voting power of the Company's then
                           outstanding securities;

                                    (b) during any period of twenty-four months
                           (not including any period prior to the execution of
                           this Agreement), individuals who at the beginning of
                           such period constitute the Board, and any new
                           director whose election by the Board or nomination
                           for election by the Company's stockholders was
                           approved in advance by a vote of at least two-thirds
                           of the directors then still in office who either were
                           directors at the beginning of the period or whose
                           election or nomination for election was previously so
                           approved (other than (A) a director nominated by a
                           Person who has entered into an agreement with the
                           Company to

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                           effect a transaction described in Sections
                           6.D(ii)(a), (c) or (d) hereof, (B) a director
                           nominated by any Person who publicly announces an
                           intention to take or to consider taking actions
                           (including, but not limited to, an actual or
                           threatened proxy contest) which if consummated would
                           constitute a Change in Control or (C) a director
                           nominated by any Person who is the Beneficial Owner,
                           directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company
                           representing 10% or more of the combined voting power
                           of the Company's securities other than a Control
                           Shareholder) cease for any reason to constitute at
                           least a majority thereof;

                                    (c) the stockholders of the Company approve
                           any transaction or series of transactions under which
                           the Company is merged or consolidated with any other
                           company, other than a merger or consolidation (A)
                           which would result in the voting securities of the
                           Company outstanding immediately prior thereto
                           continuing to represent (either by remaining
                           outstanding or by being converted into voting
                           securities of the surviving entity) more than 70% of
                           the combined voting power of the voting securities of
                           the Company or such surviving entity outstanding
                           immediately after such merger or consolidation and
                           (B) after which no Person holds 20% or more of the
                           combined voting power of the then-outstanding
                           securities of the Company or such surviving entity;

                                    (d) the stockholders of the Company approve
                           a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an
                           agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company
                           of all or substantially all of the Company's assets;
                           or

                                    (e) the Board adopts a resolution to the
                           effect that, for purposes of this Agreement, a Change
                           in Control has occurred.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of (i) and (ii) above, the offer and
sale of up to approximately $125 million of preferred stock by the Company in a
private placement shall not constitute a Change in Control for purposes of this
Agreement.

                  E. CONTROL SHAREHOLDER. "Control Shareholder" shall mean any
         Person, as such term is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of
         the Exchange Act, that, as of the date of this Agreement, is the
         Beneficial Owner directly or indirectly of securities of the Company
         representing 25% or more of the combined voting power of the Company's
         outstanding securities, and any affiliates thereof.

                  F. TERMINATION DATE. "Termination Date" shall mean (i) if this
         Agreement is terminated on account of death, the date of death; (ii) if
         this Agreement is terminated for Disability, sixty (60) days after the
         Company provides notice to Executive of the determination that a
         Disability exists; (iii) if this Agreement is otherwise terminated by
         the Company, the termination date specified in the notice of
         termination given by the Company to Executive; (iv) if the Agreement is
         terminated by Executive, the termination date specified in the notice
         of termination given by Executive to the Company; or (v) if this
         Agreement expires by its terms, then the last day of the term of this
         Agreement.

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         7. COVENANTS NOT TO SOLICIT OR COMPETE

                  A. NON-COMPETITION. Executive agrees that, during the
         Noncompete Period (as defined in Section 7.D of this Agreement), he
         shall not in any manner, directly or indirectly or by assisting others,
         as a supervisor, administrator, executive, senior or management level
         employee, owner, proprietor, shareholder, director, consultant or
         otherwise, engage in any business which provides high speed internet
         access, IP telephony or similar services which are the same or
         essentially the same as the business of the Company as its primary
         business (including, by way of example @Home, ISP Channel and
         RoadRunner); provided that Executive shall not be restricted from
         owning less than five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of a
         company whose shares are publicly traded; notwithstanding the
         foregoing, the noncompetition provisions of this Section 7.A shall not
         apply to Executive in the event Executive's employment is terminated
         for Cause unless the Company, by action of the Compensation Committee
         of the Board, elects to pay Executive his Base Salary for a period of
         twelve (12) months following the Termination Date.

                  B. NON-SOLICITATION. Executive agrees that, during the
         Noncompete Period, he shall not (other than in the regular course of
         the Company's business), solicit, directly or indirectly, business of
         the type then being performed by the Company from any person,
         partnership, corporation or other entity which [a] is a customer of the
         Company at the time Executive's employment with the Company terminates,
         or [b] was such a customer within the two-year period immediately prior
         thereto, for the purposes of providing products or services that are
         competitive with those provided by the Company.

                  C. NON-INDUCEMENT. Executive agrees that for the period he is
         employed by the Company and for a one year period immediately following
         the termination of his employment with the Company for any reason
         whatsoever, he shall not directly or indirectly, individually or on
         behalf of persons not parties to this Agreement, aid or endeavor to
         solicit or induce any of the Company's employees to leave their
         employment with the Company in order to accept employment with
         Executive or another person, partnership, corporation or other entity.

                  D. NONCOMPETE PERIOD. For purposes of this Section 7, the
         Noncompete Period shall mean the period commencing on the date hereof
         and continuing for a twelve (12) month period immediately following
         Executive's termination of employment.

                  E. INJUNCTIVE RELIEF; ENFORCEABILITY. Executive agrees that
         the Company may not be adequately compensated by damages for a breach
         by Executive of any of the covenants contained in this Section 7, and
         that, in addition to all other remedies, the Company shall be entitled
         to injunctive relief and specific performance. In such event, the
         periods of time referred to in this Section 7 shall be deemed extended
         for a period equal to the respective period during which Executive is
         in breach thereof, in order to provide for injunctive relief and
         specific performance for a period equal to the full term thereof. The
         covenants contained in this Section 7 shall be construed as separate
         covenants, and if any

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         court shall finally determine that the restraints provided for in any
         such covenants are too broad as to the geographic area, activity or
         time covered, said area, activity or time covered may be reduced to
         whatever extent the court deems reasonable and such covenants shall be
         enforced as to such reduced area, activity or time and Executive
         expressly agrees that this Agreement, as so amended, shall be valid and
         binding.

         8. PROPRIETARY RIGHTS.

                  A. RECOGNITION OF COMPANY'S RIGHTS; NONDISCLOSURE. At all
         times during the term of his employment and thereafter, Executive will
         hold in strictest confidence and will not disclose, use, lecture upon
         or publish any of the Company's Proprietary Information (as defined
         below), except as such disclosure, use or publication may be required
         in connection with his work for the Company, or unless the Chairman or
         the Board expressly authorizes such in writing. Executive shall and
         hereby does assign to the Company any rights he may have or acquire in
         such Proprietary Information and recognizes that all Proprietary
         Information shall be the sole property of the Company and its assigns
         and that the Company and its assigns shall be the sole owner of all
         patent rights, copyrights, trade secret rights and all other rights
         throughout the world in connection therewith. The term "Proprietary
         Information" shall mean trade secrets, confidential knowledge, data or
         any other proprietary information of the Company which the Company
         treats as confidential with respect to the general public. By way of
         illustration but not limitation, "Proprietary Information" includes (a)
         inventions, trade secrets, ideas, processes, formulas, data, programs,
         other words of authorship, know-how, improvements, discoveries,
         developments, designs and techniques relating to the business or
         proposed products of the Company and which were learned or discovered
         by Executive during the term of his employment with the Company; and
         (b) information regarding plans for research, development, new products
         and services, marketing and selling, business plans, budgets and
         unpublished financial statements, licenses, prices and costs, suppliers
         and customers which were learned or discovered by him during the term
         of his employment with the Company, and information regarding the
         compensation of other employees of the Company. For purposes of this
         Agreement, the term "Proprietary Information" shall not include
         information that Executive can show by competent proof (i) was known to
         Executive prior to disclosure by the Company; (ii) was generally known
         to the public at the time the Company disclosed the information to
         Executive; (iii) became generally known to the public after disclosure
         by the Company through no act or omission of Executive; or (iv) was
         disclosed to Executive by a third party having a bona fide right both
         to possess the information and to disclose it to Executive.

                  B. THIRD PARTY INFORMATION. Executive understands, in
         addition, that the Company may from time to time receive from third
         parties confidential or proprietary information ("Third Party
         Information") subject to a duty on the Company's part to maintain the
         confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain
         limited purposes. During the term of his employment and thereafter,
         Executive will hold Third Party Information in the strictest confidence
         and will not disclose (to anyone other than

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         Company personnel who need to know such information in connection with
         their work for the Company) or use, except in connection with his work
         for the Company, Third Party Information unless expressly authorized by
         the Chairman of the Company in writing.

                  C. RETURN OF COMPANY DOCUMENTS. When Executive leaves the
         employ of the Company, he will deliver to the Company all drawings,
         notes, memoranda, specifications, devices, formulas, and documents,
         together with all copies thereof, and any other material containing or
         disclosing any Third Party Information or Proprietary Information of
         the Company.

                  D. LEGAL AND EQUITABLE REMEDIES. Because Executive's services
         are personal and unique and because Executive may have access to and
         become acquainted with the Proprietary Information of the Company, the
         Company shall have the right to enforce this Section 8 of the Agreement
         and any of its provisions by injunctions, specific performance or other
         equitable relief, without bond, without prejudice to any other rights
         and remedies that the Company may have for a breach of this Agreement.

         9. NOTICES. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be given or made by hand delivery, or by certified or
registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or by a reputable
overnight courier, as follows, or to such other person or address as shall be
hereafter designated by notice given in accordance with this Section:

                  A. If to the Company:       High Speed Access Corp.
                                              Attn:  Chairman
                                              10901 West Toller Drive
                                              Littleton, Colorado 80127

                  B. If to Executive:         Daniel J. O'Brien
                                              31 Golden Eagle Lane
                                              Littleton, Colorado 80127

Any notice or other communication hereunder shall be deemed to have been duly
given or made if made by hand, when delivered against receipt therefor or when
attempted delivery shall be rejected, as the case may be, if made by letter,
upon deposit thereof in the mail, postage prepaid, registered or certified, with
return receipt requested, and if made by reputable overnight courier, when sent.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any notice or other communication hereunder which
is actually received by a party hereto shall be deemed to have been duly given
or made to such party.

                                       10
<PAGE>   11

         10. MISCELLANEOUS.

                  A. ASSIGNMENT. This is a contract for personal services by
         Executive and may not be assigned by Executive. This Agreement shall
         inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its
         successors and assigns.

                  B. WAIVER OF BREACH. Failure or delay by either party to
         insist upon compliance with any provision hereof shall not operate as,
         and is not to be construed as, a waiver or amendment of such provision.
         The waiver by either party of a breach of any provision of this
         Agreement by the other shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of
         any subsequent breach, whether occurring under similar or dissimilar
         circumstances.

                  C. ENTIRE AGREEMENT: CANCELLATION OF PRIOR AGREEMENTS. This
         Agreement, the Amended Stock Option Agreement and the Restricted Stock
         Agreement contain the entire agreement of the parties with respect to
         the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may not be changed orally,
         but only by an amendment in writing signed by the parties hereto. All
         prior agreements or understandings concerning Executive's employment by
         the Company, including, without limitation, that certain Employment
         Agreement by and between the Company and Executive and that certain
         Supplemental Executive Compensation Agreement by and between the
         Company and Executive, each dated as of October 1, 1999, are hereby
         canceled and superseded by this Agreement.

                  D. SEVERABILITY. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
         provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or
         enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement.

                  E. HEADINGS. The headings contained in this Agreement are for
         convenience only and shall not be deemed a part of this Agreement in
         construing or interpreting the provisions hereof.

                  F. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and
         construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado.

                  G. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in
         counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of
         which when taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

                  H. ARBITRATION. Any dispute or controversy arising out of, or
         relating to, this Agreement or any modification or extension of this
         Agreement, including any claim for damages, recission, specific
         performance or other legal or equitable relief, shall be settled by
         arbitration in the City of Denver, State of Colorado, in accordance
         with the rules of the American Arbitration Association. The parties
         shall, within 30 days of the date of demand by either party for
         arbitration, mutually select one independent, qualified arbitrator.
         Each party reserves the right to object to any individual arbitrator
         who shall be employed by or affiliated with a competing organization.
         In the event objection is made, the Association shall resolve any
         dispute regarding the propriety of an individual arbitrator acting in
         that

                                       11
<PAGE>   12

         capacity. The parties shall each bear one-half of the expenses of the
         arbitrator. Hearings in the proceeding shall commence within 120 days
         of the selection of the arbitrator. The determination of the arbitrator
         when made shall be binding upon all parties bound by the terms of this
         Agreement. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be
         entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. The foregoing
         notwithstanding, the Company shall have the right to seek injunctive or
         other equitable relief from any court of competent jurisdiction in the
         event of any breach or threatened breach of Sections 7 or 8 of this
         Agreement.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
day, month and year first above written.

                                                HIGH SPEED ACCESS CORP.

                                                By: /s/ David A. Jones, Jr.
                                                    -----------------------

                                                Title: Chairman
                                                       --------------------

                                                        ("Company")

                                                    /s/ Daniel J. O'Brien
                                                    ---------------------
                                                    DANIEL J. O'BRIEN

                                                       ("Executive")

                                       12

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