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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.4

             GABRIEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC. 1998 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
                      (as amended as of December 21, 1999)

                                    SECTION 1

                              Statement of Purpose

1.1. The Gabriel Communications, Inc. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan") has
been established by Gabriel Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), to:

     (a) attract and retain executive, managerial and other salaried employees,
     and outside directors, consultants and advisers;

     (b) motivate Participants, by means of appropriate incentives, to achieve
     long-range goals;

     (c) provide incentive compensation opportunities that are competitive with
     those of other telecommunications businesses; and

     (d) further identify a Participant's interests with those of the Company's
     stockholders through compensation that is based on the Company's Stock; and
     thereby promote the long-term financial interests of the Company, including
     the growth in value of the Company's equity and enhancement of long-term
     stockholder returns.

                                    SECTION 2

                                   Definitions

     2.1. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the following terms shall have
     the meaning set forth below:

          (a) Award. The term "Award" shall mean any award or benefit granted to
          any Participant under the Plan, including, without limitation, the
          grant of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock,
          Restricted Stock Units, Performance Stock, Performance Units, Stock
          acquired through a Stock purchase program, Merit Awards and Phantom
          Stock Awards.

          (b) Board. The term "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the
          Company.

          (c) Cause. The term "Cause" shall mean (i) the willful and continued
          failure by a Participant to substantially perform his or her duties
          with the Company (other than any such failure resulting from
          incapacity due to physical or mental illness), or (ii) the willful
          engaging by the Participant in conduct which is demonstrably and
          materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise. For
          purposes

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          of this definition, no act, or failure to act, shall be deemed
          "willful" unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Participant not
          in good faith and without reasonable belief that his or her action or
          omission was in the best interest of the Company.

          (d) Change in Control. A "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have
          occurred if:

               (1)  any "person" as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and
                    14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
                    (the "Exchange Act") (other than a Significant Stockholder,
                    the Company, any subsidiary of the Company, or any trustee
                    or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee
                    benefit plan of the Company or any subsidiary of the
                    Company), is or 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 in any transaction or series of
                    transactions not approved in advance by a vote of at least
                    two-thirds (2/3) of the Board; or

               (2)  during any period of three consecutive years (not including
                    any period prior to the effective date of this Plan),
                    individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute
                    the Board, and any new director (other than a director
                    designated by a person who has entered into an agreement
                    with the Company to effect a transaction described in clause
                    (1), (3), (4) or (5) of this definition) whose election by
                    the Board or nomination for election by the Comapny's
                    stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds
                    (2/3) 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, cease
                    for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof; or

               (3)  the stockholders of the Company approve a merger or
                    consolidation of the Company with any other company other
                    than (i) a merger or consolidation 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 50% of the combined voting
                    power of the voting securities of the Company (or such
                    surviving entity) outstanding immediately after such merger
                    or consolidation, or (ii) a merger or consolidation effected
                    to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar
                    transaction) in which no "person" (as hereinabove defined)

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                    acquires more than 25% of the combined voting power of the
                    Company's then outstanding securities; or

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

               (5)  any other event determined by a vote of at least two-thirds
                    (2/3) of the Board to constitute a "Change of Control".

          (e) Code. The term "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
          amended. A reference to any provision of the Code shall include
          reference to any successor provision of the Code.

          (f) Committee. The term "Committee" means the Compensation Committee
          of the Board selected in accordance with the provisions of Subsection
          4.2.

          (g) Date of Termination. A Participant's "Date of Termination" shall
          be the date on which his or her employment or other affiliation with
          all Employers terminates for any reason; provided that a Date of
          Termination shall not be deemed to occur by reason of a transfer of
          the Participant between the Company and a Related Company or between
          two Related Companies; and provided further that an Employee
          Participant's employment shall not be considered terminated while the
          Employee Participant is on a leave of absence which is approved by the
          Participant's Employer.

          (h) Disability. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee, a
          Participant shall be considered to have a "Disability" during the
          period in which he or she is unable, by reason of a medically
          determinable physical or mental impairment, to carry out his or her
          duties with an Employer, which condition, in the discretion of the
          Committee, is expected to have a duration of not less than 120 days.

          (i) Effective Date. The term "Effective Date" shall have the meaning
          ascribed to it in Section 4.1 of the Plan.

          (j) Employee. The term "Employee" shall mean a person with an
          employment relationship with an Employer.

          (k) Employer. The term "Employer" shall mean the Company and each
          Related Company.

          (l) Fair Market Value. Until the initial public offering of the Stock
          pursuant to a registration statement filed pursuant to the Securities
          Act of 1933, as amended ("IPO"), the term "Fair Market Value" of the
          Stock on any given date shall be the

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          mean the fair market value per share of Stock as reasonably determined
          in good faith by the Committee. On any given date following the IPO,
          the term "Fair Market Value" of the Stock shall mean the last sale
          price per share of Stock, regular way, on such date or, in case no
          such sale takes place on such date, the mean between the closing bid
          and asked prices per share of Stock on such date, as reported in the
          principal quotation system applicable to the Stock or, if on any such
          date the Stock is not so quoted, the price per share of Stock
          reasonably determined in good faith by the Committee.

          (m) Grant Date. The term "Grant Date" means the date any Award is
          granted by the Committee or such earlier day on which the Participant
          is hired, promoted or such other singular event occurs, provided the
          date on which the Award is granted by the Committee shall not be more
          than 90 days following such date.

          (n) Immediate Family. With respect to a particular Participant, the
          term "Immediate Family" shall mean, whether through consanguinity or
          adoptive relationships, the Participant's spouse, children,
          stepchildren, siblings and grandchildren.

          (o) Incentive Stock Option. The term "Incentive Stock Option" shall
          have the meaning ascribed to it in Subsection 6.1 of the Plan.

          (p) Individual Limit. The term "Individual Limit" shall have the
          meaning ascribed to it in Subsection 4.3 of the Plan.

          (q) Merit Award. The term "Merit Award" shall mean any Merit Award
          granted pursuant to Section 13 of the Plan.

          (r) Non-Qualified Stock Option. The term "Non-qualified Stock Option"
          shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Subsection 6.1 of the Plan.

          (s) Option. The term "Option" shall mean any Incentive Stock Option or
          Non-Qualified Stock Option granted under the Plan.

          (t) Participant. The term "Participant" means any Employee, any
          non-Employee director of the Company or any outside adviser or
          consultant retained by any Employer who has been granted an Award
          under the Plan.

          (u) Performance-Based Compensation. The term "Performance-Based
          Compensation" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section
          162(m)(4)(C) of the Code.

          (v) Performance Goals. The term "Performance Goals" means the goals
          established by the Committee as part of the terms of any Award which,
          if met,

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          will entitle the Participant to payment in accordance with the terms
          of such Award and will qualify such payment as Performance-Based
          Compensation.

          (w) Performance Period. The term "Performance Period" shall mean the
          period over which applicable performance is to be measured.

          (x) Performance Stock. The term "Performance Stock" shall mean Stock
          awarded pursuant to Section 10 of the Plan.

          (y) Performance Units. The term "Performance Units" shall mean units
          awarded pursuant to Section 11 of the Plan.

          (z) Phantom Stock Award. The term "Phantom Stock Award" shall mean any
          Phantom Stock Award granted pursuant to Section 14 of the Plan.

          (aa) Qualified Retirement Plan. The term "Qualified Retirement Plan"
          means any plan of an Employer that is intended to be qualified under
          Section 401(a) of the Code.

          (bb) Related Company. The term "Related Company" means any company
          during any period in which it is a "subsidiary corporation" of the
          Company (as that term is defined in Code Section 424(f)).

          (cc) Restricted Period. The term "Restricted Period" shall mean the
          period of time for which Restricted Stock is subject to forfeiture
          pursuant to the Plan or during which Options and Stock Appreciation
          Rights are not exercisable.

          (dd) Restricted Stock. The term "Restricted Stock" shall mean Stock
          awarded pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan.

          (ee) Restricted Stock Units. The term "Restricted Stock Units" shall
          mean units awarded pursuant to Section 9 of the Plan.

          (ff) Retirement. "Retirement" of an Employee Participant shall mean
          the occurrence of a Participant's Date of Termination under
          circumstances that constitute such participant's retirement at normal
          retirement age under the terms of the Qualified Retirement Plan of the
          Company that is extended to the Participant immediately prior to the
          Participant's Date of Termination or, if no such plan is extended to
          the Participant on his or her Date of Termination, under the terms of
          any applicable retirement policy of the Participant's Employer.

          (gg) Significant Stockholder. The term "Significant Stockholder" shall
          mean any stockholder of the Company who, immediately prior to the
          Effective Date, owned 25% or more of the outstanding shares of Stock.

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          (hh) Stock. The term "Stock" shall mean shares of common stock, $0.10
          par value per share, of the Company.

          (ii) Stock Appreciation Right. The term "Stock Appreciation Right"
          shall mean a Stock Appreciation Right awarded pursuant to Section 7 of
          the Plan.

                                    SECTION 3

                                   Eligibility

3.1. Subject to the discretion of the Committee and the terms and conditions of
the Plan, the Committee shall determine and designate from time to time, from
among the Employees, the non-Employee directors of the Company and the outside
advisers and consultants of any Employer, Participants who will be granted one
or more Awards under the Plan, provided that only Employees may be granted
Incentive Stock Options.

                                    SECTION 4

                          Operation and Administration

4.1. The Plan was originally adopted by the Board and approved by a majority
vote of the holders of the Stock as of November 16, 1998 (the "Effective Date").
As of February 16, 1999, November 23, 1999, and December 21, 1999, the Board
adopted amendments of the Plan that increased the number of shares available for
grant of Awards from 1,000,000 to 1,300,000, from 1,300,000 to 3,550,000, and
from 3,550,000 to 5,000,000, respectively, which amendments are subject to
approval of the stockholders of the Company. To the extent required pursuant to
Section 162(m) of the Code, the Plan shall be resubmitted to stockholders of the
Company for reapproval at the first meeting of stockholders of the Company that
occurs in 2003 and at five year intervals thereafter, in each case, as may be
required to qualify any Award under the Plan as Performance - Based
Compensation. The Plan shall remain in effect until terminated by the Board,
provided however, that no Incentive Stock Options may be granted under the Plan
after November 15, 2007.

4.2. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee which shall consist of not
less than two non-Employee members of the Board. Plenary authority to manage and
control the operation and administration of the Plan shall be vested in the
Committee, which authority shall include, without limitation, the following:

     (a) Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee will have the
     authority and discretion to select Employees, non-Employee directors of the
     Company and outside advisers or consultants retained by an Employer to
     receive Awards, to determine the time or times of receipt, to determine the
     types of Awards and the number of shares covered by Awards, to establish
     the terms, conditions, performance criteria, restrictions, and other
     provisions of Awards, and to cancel or suspend Awards. In making such Award
     determinations, the Committee may take into account the nature of services
     rendered by

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     the respective Employee or outside adviser or consultant, his or her
     present and potential contribution to the Company's success and such other
     factors as the Committee deems relevant.

     (b) Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee will have the
     authority and discretion to determine the extent to which Awards under the
     Plan will be structured to conform to the requirements applicable to
     Performance-Based Compensation as described in Code Section 162(m), and to
     take such action, establish such procedures, and impose such restrictions
     at the time such Awards are granted as the Committee determines to be
     necessary or appropriate to conform to such requirements.

     (c) The Committee will have the authority and discretion to interpret the
     Plan, to establish, amend and rescind any rules and regulations relating to
     the Plan, to determine the terms and provisions of any agreements made
     pursuant to the Plan, and to make all other determinations that may be
     necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan and to correct
     any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the
     Plan or in any Award in the manner and to the extent the Committee deems
     necessary or advisable to carry it into effect.

     (d) Any interpretation of the Plan by the Committee and any decision made
     by it under the Plan is final and binding on all persons. The express grant
     in the Plan of any specific power to the Committee shall not be construed
     as limiting any power or authority of the Committee; provided, however,
     that except as otherwise permitted under Treasury Regulation
     1.162-27(e)(2)(iii)(C), the Committee may not increase any Award once made
     if payment under such Award is intended to constitute Performance-Based
     Compensation.

     (e) The Committee may only act by a majority of its members. Any
     determination of the Committee may be made without a meeting by the
     unanimous written consent of its members. In addition, the Committee may
     authorize one or more of its members or any officer of an Employer to
     execute and deliver documents and perform other administrative acts
     pursuant to the Plan.

     (f) No member or authorized delegate of the Committee shall be liable to
     any person for any action taken or omitted in connection with the
     administration of the Plan unless attributable to his or her own fraud or
     gross misconduct. The Committee, the individual members thereof, and
     persons acting as the authorized delegates of the Committee under the Plan,
     shall be indemnified by the Company against any and all liabilities, loses,
     costs and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) of whatsoever kind
     and nature which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the
     Committee or its members or authorized delegates by reason of the
     performance of a Committee function if the Committee or its members or
     authorized delegates, as the case may be, did not act dishonestly or in
     willful violation of the law or regulation under which such liability,
     loss, cost or expense arises. This indemnification shall not duplicate but
     may supplement any coverage available under any applicable insurance
     policy, contract or by-law of any Employer.

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4.3 Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, no
Participant shall receive any Award of an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right
under the Plan to the extent that the sum of (a) the number of shares of Stock
subject to such Award and (b) the number of shares of Stock subject to all other
prior Awards of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan during the
one-year period ending on the date of the Award would exceed the Participant's
Individual Limit under the Plan. The determination made under this Subsection
4.3 shall be based on the shares of Stock subject to Awards at the time of
grant, regardless of when the Awards become exercisable. Subject to the
provisions of Section 16, a Participant's "Individual Limit" shall be 2,000,000
shares of Stock per calendar year. The maximum amount of cash that may be paid
out with respect to Awards to any individual during any one-year period is
$1,000,000.

4.4. To the extent that the Committee determines that it is necessary or
desirable to conform any Awards under the Plan with the requirements applicable
to "Performance-Based Compensation", as that term is used in Code Section
162(m)(4)(C), it may, at or prior to the time an Award is granted, take such
steps and impose such restrictions with respect to such Award as it determines
to be necessary to satisfy such requirements. To the extent that it is necessary
to establish Performance Goals for a Particular Performance Period, those goals
will be based on one or more of the following business criteria: revenues,
EBITDA, cash flow, net income, earnings per share, debt reduction, return on
investment, return on assets, costs of communications services, sales, general
and administration costs, customer service and satisfaction, compliance with
Employer policies and achievement of objectives set forth in the Company's
Business Plan and annual budgets. If the Committee establishes Performance Goals
for a Performance Period relating to one or more of these business criteria, the
Committee may determine to approve a payment from that particular Performance
Period upon attainment of the Performance Goal relating to any one or more of
such criteria.

                                    SECTION 5

                         Shares Available Under the Plan

5.1. The shares of Stock with respect to which Awards may be made under the Plan
shall be shares currently authorized but unissued or treasury shares acquired by
the Company, including shares purchased in open market or in private
transactions. Subject to the provisions of Section 16, the total number of
shares of Stock available for grant of Awards shall not exceed five million
(5,000,000) shares of Stock, of which shares one million (1,000,000) shall be
available for issuance pursuant to any Stock purchase program established
pursuant to Section 12 of the Plan. Except as otherwise provided herein, any
shares subject to an Award which for any reason expires or is terminated without
issuance of shares (whether or not cash or other consideration is paid to a
Participant in respect to such Award) as well as shares used as full or partial
payment to the Company upon exercise of an Award, shall again be available for
any purpose under the Plan.

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                                    SECTION 6

                                     Options

6.1. The grant of an "Option" under this Section 6 entitles the Participant to
purchase shares of Stock at a price fixed at the time the Option is granted, or
at a price determined under a method established at the time the Option is
granted, subject to the terms of this Section 6. Options granted under this
Section 6 may be either Incentive Stock Options or Non-Qualified Stock Options,
and, subject to Sections 15 and 20, shall not be exercisable for at least six
months from Grant Date, as determined in the discretion of the Committee. An
"Incentive Stock Option" is an Option that is intended to satisfy the
requirements applicable to an "incentive stock option" described in Section
422(b) of the Code. A "Non-Qualified Option" is an Option that is not intended
to be an "incentive stock option" as that term is described in Section 422(b) of
the Code.

6.2. The Committee shall designate the Participants to whom Options are to be
granted under this Section 6 and shall determine the number of shares of Stock
to be subject to each such Option. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market
Value of Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for
the first time by any individual during any calendar year (under all plans of
the Employers) exceeds $100,000, such options shall be treated as Non-Qualified
Stock Options, to the extent required by Section 422 of the Code.

6.3. The determination and payment of the purchase price of a share of Stock
under each Option granted under this Section shall be subject to the following:

     (a) The purchase price shall be established by the Committee or shall be
     determined by a method established by the Committee at the time the Option
     is granted, subject to the following limitations: (i) the purchase price
     established for each Incentive Stock Option shall not be less than 100% of
     the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the Grant Date (110% in the case of
     an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who directly or
     indirectly owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all
     classes of stock of the Company); and (ii) the purchase price established
     for each Non-Qualified Stock Option shall be not less than 80% of the Fair
     Market Value of the Stock on the Grant Date;

     (b) Subject to the following provisions of this subsection 6.3, the full
     purchase price of each share of Stock purchased upon the exercise of any
     Option shall be paid at the time of such exercise and, as soon as
     practicable thereafter, a certificate representing the shares so purchased
     shall be delivered to the person entitled thereto; and

     (c) The purchase price shall be payable either in cash or shares of Stock
     (valued at Fair Market Value as of the day of exercise), through a
     combination of cash or shares of Stock or through such cashless exercise
     arrangement as may be approved by the Committee and established by the
     Company, provided that any share of Stock used for payment shall have been
     owed by the Participant for at least six (6) months.

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6.4. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, an Option granted under
this Section 6 shall be exercisable in accordance with the following terms of
this Subsection 6.4:

     (a) The terms and conditions relating to exercise of an Option shall be
     established by the Committee, and may include, without limitation,
     conditions relating to completion of a specified period of service and
     achievement of Performance Goals by the Participant prior to exercise of
     the Option;

     (b) No Option may be exercised by a Participant after the expiration date
     applicable to that Option; and

     (c) The exercise of an Option will result in the surrender of the
     corresponding rights under a tandem Stock Appreciation Right, if any.

6.5. The vesting and exercise periods of any Option shall be determined by the
Committee but the term of any Option shall not extend more than ten years after
the Date of Grant.

6.6. In the event the Participant exercises an Option under this Plan and pays
all or a portion of the purchase price in Stock, in the manner permitted by
Subsection 6.3, such Participant, pursuant to the exercise of Committee
discretion at the time the Option is exercised or to the extent previously
authorized by the Committee, may be issued a new Option to purchase additional
shares of Stock equal to the number of shares of Stock surrendered to the
Company in such payment. Such new Option shall have an exercise price equal to
the Fair Market Value per share of Stock on the date such new Option is granted
and may have vesting and expiration dates that are the same as the Option so
exercised.

                                    SECTION 7

                            Stock Appreciation Rights

7.1. Subject to the terms of this Section 7, a Stock Appreciation Right granted
under the Plan entitles the Participant to receive, in cash or Stock (as
determined in accordance with Subsection 7.4), value equal to all or a portion
of the excess of: (a) the Fair Market Value of a specified number of shares of
Stock at the time of exercise; over (b) a specified price which shall not be
less than (i) 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the Grant Date, or
(ii) if granted in tandem with an Option, the exercise price with respect to
shares of Stock under the tandem Option.

7.2. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall designate the
Participants to whom Stock Appreciation Rights are to be granted under the Plan,
shall determine the exercise price or a method by which the price shall be
established with respect to each such Stock Appreciation Right, and shall
determine the number of shares of Stock on which each Stock Appreciation Right
is based. A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted in connection with all or
any portion of a previously or contemporaneously granted Option or not in
connection with an Option. If a Stock Appreciation Right is granted in
connection with an Option then, in the

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discretion of the Committee, the Stock Appreciation Right may, but need not, be
granted in tandem with the Option.

7.3. The exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights shall be subject to the
following:

     (a) If a Stock Appreciation Right is not in tandem with an Option, then the
     Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable in accordance with the terms
     established by the Committee in connection with such rights but, subject to
     Sections 15 and 20 shall not be exercisable for six months from the Grant
     Date and the term of any Stock Appreciation Right shall not extend more
     than ten years from the Grant Date; and may include, without limitation,
     conditions relating to completion of a specified period of service and
     achievement of Performance Goals prior to exercise by the Participant; and

     (b) If a Stock Appreciation Right is in tandem with an Option, then the
     Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable only at the time the tandem
     Option is exercisable and the exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right will
     result in the surrender of the corresponding rights under the tandem
     Option.

7.4. Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, the value to be
distributed to the Participant, in accordance with Subsection 7.1, shall be
distributed in shares of Stock (valued at their Fair Market Value at the time of
exercise), in cash, or in a combination of Stock and cash, in the discretion of
the Committee.

7.5. The Committee may grant Limited Stock Appreciation Rights which entitle the
Participant to receive a cash payment in connection with a Change in Control.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7, a Limited Stock
Appreciation Right shall be subject to the following:

     (a) A Limited Stock Appreciation Right may (but need not) be granted in
     connection with all or any portion of a previously or contemporaneously
     granted Option and may be granted in tandem with an Option regardless of
     whether the Option is in tandem with a Stock Appreciation Right;

     (b) In the case of a Limited Stock Appreciation Right that is in tandem
     with an Option, the payment amount shall be equal to the difference between
     the exercise price per share of the Stock covered by the tandem Option and
     the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of exercise;

     (c) To the extent provided by the Committee, a Limited Stock Appreciation
     Right may be automatically exercisable at a time determined by the
     Committee, or it may be exercised by the Participant during the period
     beginning not earlier than the date of a Change in Control, and ending not
     later than ninety (90) days following the date of the Change in Control,
     and may be exercisable regardless of whether the Participant is then
     employed by an Employer; and

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     (d) If the Limited Stock Appreciation Right is in tandem with an Option,
     the exercise of the Limited Stock Appreciation Right shall result in the
     cancellation of the tandem Option (and any Stock Appreciation Right in
     tandem with such Option).

                                    SECTION 8

                                Restricted Stock

8.1. Subject to the terms of this Section 8, Restricted Stock Awards under the
Plan are grants of Stock to Participants, the vesting of which is subject to
certain conditions established by the Committee, with some or all of those
conditions relating to events (such as performance of continued employment)
occurring after the Grant Date, provided however that to the extent that vesting
of a Restricted Stock Award is contingent on continued employment, the required
employment period generally shall not be less than three years following the
Grant Date unless such grant is in substitution for an Award under this Plan. To
the extent, if any, required by the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware, a Participant's receipt of an Award of newly issued shares of
Restricted Stock shall be made subject to payment by the Participant of an
amount equal to the aggregate par value of such newly issued shares of
Restricted Stock.

8.2. The Committee shall designate the Participants to whom Restricted Stock is
to be granted, and the number of shares of Stock that are subject to each such
Award. The Award of shares under this Section 8 may, but need not, be made in
conjunction with a cash-based incentive compensation program maintained by the
Company, and may, but need not, be in lieu of cash otherwise awardable under
such program.

8.3. Shares of Restricted Stock granted to Participants under the Plan shall be
subject to the following terms and conditions:

     (a) Except as otherwise hereinafter provided, Restricted Stock granted to
     Participants may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise
     encumbered during the Restricted Period;

     (b) The Participant as owner of such shares of Restricted Stock shall have
     all the rights of a stockholder (except as approved in clause (a)),
     including but not limited to the right to vote such shares and, except as
     otherwise provided by the Committee or as otherwise provided by the Plan,
     the right to receive all dividends paid on such shares;

     (c) Each certificate issued in respect of shares of Restricted Stock
     granted under the Plan shall be registered in the name of the Participant
     but, at the discretion of the Committee, each such certificate may be
     deposited with the Company with a stock power endorsed in blank or in a
     bank designated by the Committee;

     (c) The Committee may award Performance-Based Restricted Stock, which shall
     be Restricted Stock that becomes vested (or for which vesting is
     accelerated) upon the

                                       12
<PAGE>   13
     achievement of Performance Goals established by the Committee and the
     Committee may specify the number of shares that will vest upon achievement
     of different levels of performance; except as otherwise provided by the
     Committee, achievement of maximum targets during the Performance Period
     shall result in the Participant's earning the full amount of the Restricted
     Stock comprising such Performance-Based Restricted Stock Award and the
     Committee may establish a portion of the Award which the Participant is
     entitled to receive upon achievement of a minimum target but less than the
     maximum target; and

     (d) Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, any Restricted Stock
     which is not earned by the end of a Restricted Period or Performance
     Period, as the case may be, shall be forfeited. If a Participant's Date of
     Termination occurs prior to the end of a Restricted Period or a Performance
     Period, as the case may be, the Committee may determine that the
     Participant will be entitled to settlement of all or any portion of the
     Restricted Stock as to which he or she would otherwise be eligible, and may
     accelerate the determination of the value and settlement of such Restricted
     Stock or make such other adjustments as the Committee, in its sole
     discretion, deems desirable. Subject to the limitations of the Plan and the
     Award of Restricted Stock, upon the vesting of Restricted Stock, such
     Restricted Stock will be transferred free of all restrictions to a
     Participant (or his or her legal representative, beneficiary or heir).

                                    SECTION 9

                             Restricted Stock Units

9.1. Subject to the terms of this Section 9, a Restricted Stock Unit entitles a
Participant to receive shares of Stock or cash for the units at the end of a
Restricted Period to the extent provided by the Award with the vesting of such
units to be contingent upon such conditions as may be established by the
Committee (such as continued employment or satisfaction of Performance Goals)
occurring after the Grant Date; provided, however, that to the extent that the
vesting of a Restricted Stock Unit is contingent on continued employment, the
required employment period generally shall not be less than three years
following the Grant Date unless the grant of the Restricted Stock Unit is in
substitution for another Award under this Plan. The Award of Restricted Stock
Units under this Section 9 may, but need not, be made in conjunction with a
cash-based incentive compensation program maintained by the Company, and may,
but need not, be in lieu of cash otherwise awardable under such program.

9.2. The Committee shall designate the Participants to whom Restricted Stock
Units shall be granted and the number of units that are subject to each such
Award. During any period in which units are outstanding and have not been
settled in Stock, the Participant shall not have the rights of a stockholder,
but shall have the right to receive a payment from the Company, in lieu of any
dividend, in an amount equal to the amount of such dividend and at such times as
such dividend would otherwise have been paid during the Restricted Period.

                                       13
<PAGE>   14
9.3 Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, any Restricted Stock Unit
which is not earned by the end of the Restricted Period shall be forfeited. If a
Participant's Date of Termination occurs prior to the end of a Restricted
Period, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine that the
Participant will be entitled to settlement of all or any portion or none of the
Restricted Stock Units as to which he or she would otherwise be eligible, and
may accelerate the determination of the value and settlement of such Restricted
Stock Units or make such other adjustments as the Committee, in its sole
discretion, deems desirable.

                                   SECTION 10

                                Performance Stock

10.1. Subject to the terms of this Section 10, a Performance Stock Award
provides for the distribution of Stock to a Participant upon the achievement of
Performance Goals established by the Committee.

10.2. The Committee shall designate the Participants to whom Performance Stock
Awards are to be granted, and the number of shares of Stock that are subject to
each such Award. The Award of shares under this Section 10 may, but need not, be
made in conjunction with a cash-based incentive compensation program maintained
by the Company, and may, but need not, be in lieu of cash otherwise awardable
under such program.

10.3. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, any Performance Stock
Award which is not earned by the end of the Performance Period shall be
forfeited. If a Participant's Date of Termination occurs prior to the end of a
Performance Period, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine that
the Participant will be entitled to settlement of all or any portion or none of
the Performance Stock as to which he or she would otherwise be eligible, and may
accelerate the determination of the value and settlement of such Performance
Stock Award or make such other adjustments as the Committee, in its sole
discretion, deems desirable.

                                   SECTION 11

                                Performance Units

11.1. Subject to the terms of this Section 11, the Award of Performance Units
under the Plan entitles the Participant to receive value for the units at the
end of a Performance Period to the extent provided under the Award. The number
of Performance Units earned, and value received from them, will be contingent on
the degree to which the Performance Goals established at the time of grant of
the Award are met.

11.2. The Committee shall designate the Participants to whom Performance Units
are to be granted, and the number of Performance Units to be the subject to each
such Award.

11.3. For each such Participant, the Committee will determine (a) the value of
Performance Units, which may be stated either in cash or in units representing
shares of Stock, (b) the

                                       14
<PAGE>   15
Performance Goals to be used for determining whether the Performance Units are
earned, (c) the Performance Period during which the Performance Goals will
apply, (d) the relationship between the level of achievement of the Performance
Goals and the degree to which Performance Units are earned, (e) whether, during
or after the Performance Period, any revision to the Performance Goals or
Performance Period should be made to reflect significant events or changes that
occur during the Performance Period, and (f) the number of earned Performance
Units that will be settled in cash and/or shares of Stock.

11.4. Settlement of Performance Units shall be subject to the following:

      (a) The Committee will compare the actual performance to the Performance
      Goals established for the Performance Period and determine the number of
      Performance Units as to which settlement is to be made, and the value of
      such Performance Units;

      (b) Settlement of Performance Units earned shall be wholly in cash, wholly
      in Stock or in a combination of cash and Stock, to be distributed in a
      lump sum or installments, as determined by the Committee, in its sole
      discretion; and

      (c) Shares of Stock distributed in settlement of Performance Units shall
      be subject to such vesting requirements and other conditions, if any, as
      the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, restrictions
      of the type that may be imposed with respect to Restricted Stock under
      Section 8.

11.5. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, any Award of Performance
Units which is not earned by the end of the Performance Period shall be
forfeited. If a Participant's Date of Termination occurs during a Performance
Period, the Committee may determine that the Participant will be entitled to
settlement of all or any portion or none of the Performance Units as to which he
or she would otherwise be eligible, and may accelerate the determination of the
value and settlement of such Performance Units or make such other adjustments as
the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems desirable.

                                   SECTION 12

                             Stock Purchase Program

12.1. The Committee may, from time to time, establish one or more programs under
which Participants will be permitted to purchase shares of Stock under the Plan,
and shall designate the Participants eligible to participate under such Stock
purchase programs. The purchase price for shares of Stock available under such
programs, and other terms and conditions of such programs, shall be established
by the Committee. The purchase price may not be less than 75% of the Fair Market
Value of the Stock at the time of purchase (or, in the Committee's discretion,
the average Stock value over a period determined by the Committee), and further
provided that to the extent, if any, required by the General Corporation Law of
the State of Delaware, the purchase price shall not be less than the aggregate
par value of any newly issued shares of Stock.

                                       15
<PAGE>   16
12.2. The Committee may impose such restrictions with respect to shares
purchased under this Section 12.1, as the Committee determines in its sole
discretion, to be appropriate. Such restrictions may include, without
limitations, restrictions of the type that may be imposed with respect to
Restricted Stock under Section 8.

                                   SECTION 13

                                  Merit Awards

13.1. The Committee may from time to time make an Award of Stock under the Plan
to selected Participants for such reasons and in such amounts as the Committee,
in its sole discretion, may determine. The consideration to be paid by an
Employee for any such Merit Award shall be fixed by the Committee from time to
time, but, if required by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,
shall not be less than the aggregate par value of the shares of Stock awarded to
him or her pursuant to such Merit Award.

                                   SECTION 14

                              Phantom Stock Awards

14.1. The Committee may make Phantom Stock Awards to selected Participants which
may be based solely on the value of the underlying shares of Stock, solely on
any earnings or appreciation thereon, or both. Subject to the provisions of the
Plan, the Committee shall have the sole and complete authority to determine the
number of hypothetical or target shares as to which each such Phantom Stock
Award is subject and to determine the terms and conditions of each such Phantom
Stock Award. There may be more than one Phantom Stock Award in existence at any
one time with respect to a selected Participant, and the terms and conditions of
each such Phantom Stock Award may differ from each other.

14.2. The Committee shall establish vesting or performance measures for each
Phantom Stock Award on the basis of such criteria and to accomplish such
objectives as the Committee from time to time, in its sole discretion, may
determine. Such measures may be based on years of service or periods of
affiliation, or the achievement of individual or corporate Performance Goals.
The vesting and performance measures determined by the Committee shall be
established at the time a Phantom Stock Award is made. Phantom Stock Awards may
not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, or otherwise encumbered, except as
provided in Section 17, during the Performance Period.

14.3. The Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion, the manner of
payment, which may include cash, shares of Stock or a combination of cash and
shares of Stock, in such proportions as the Committee shall determine.

14.4. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee, any Award of Phantom Stock
which is not earned by the end of the Performance Period shall be forfeited. If
a Participant's Date of Termination occurs prior to the end of a Performance
Period, the Committee, in its sole

                                       16
<PAGE>   17
discretion, may determine that the Participant will be entitled to settlement of
all or a portion or none of the Phantom Stock for which he or she would
otherwise be eligible, and may accelerate the determination of the value and
settlement of Phantom Stock or make such other adjustment as the Committee, in
its sole discretion, deems desirable.

                                   SECTION 15

                    Termination of Employment or Affiliation

15.1. If a Participant's Date of Termination occurs for any reason other than
death, Disability, or Retirement, or by reason of the Participant's employment
or affiliation being terminated by the Participant's Employer for Cause, all
Awards shall be forfeited.

15.2. If a Participant's Date of Termination occurs by reason of death, all
Options and Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding immediately prior to the
Participant's Date of Termination shall immediately become exercisable and all
restrictions on Awards outstanding immediately prior to the Participant's Date
of Termination shall lapse.

15.3. If a Participant's Date of Termination occurs by reason of Disability or
Retirement or by reason of the Participant's employment or affiliation being
terminated by the Participant's Employer for any reason other than Cause, all
Options and Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding immediately prior to the
Participant's Date of Termination shall be exercisable to the extent the
Participant was entitled to exercise such Options and Stock Appreciation Rights,
as the case may be, on the Participant's Date of Termination, and the
restrictions shall lapse on the portion of any Awards outstanding immediately
prior to the Participant's Date of Termination determined in accordance with the
following sentence (except that, to the extent that such portion of any such
Award is subject to a Performance Period, such portion of the Award shall be
determined at the end of the Performance Period). The portion of the Award upon
which the restrictions shall lapse shall be a fraction, the denominator of which
shall be the total number of months of the Restricted Period applicable to the
Award and the numerator of which is the number of months of such Restricted
Period which elapsed prior to the Date of Termination.

15.4. Stock Appreciation Rights and Non-Qualified Stock Options which are or
become exercisable pursuant to Subsections 15.2 and 15.3 shall expire on the
expiration date set forth in the Award or, if earlier:

      (a) three years after the Date of Termination, if the Participant's
      termination occurs because of death, Disability, or Retirement; and

      (b) three months after the Date of Termination, if the Participant's
      employment or affiliation is terminated by the Participant's Employer for
      any reason other than Cause.

Incentive Stock Options which are or become exercisable by reason of death,
Disability or Retirement shall expire on the expiration date set forth in the
Award or, if earlier, three months after the Date of Termination. Options and
Stock Appreciation Rights which are or become

                                       17
<PAGE>   18
exercisable at the time of a Participant's death may be exercised by the
Participant's designated beneficiary or, in the absence of such designation, by
the person to whom the Participant's rights will pass by will or the laws of
descent and distribution.

15.5. Except to the extent that the Committee shall otherwise determine, if, as
a result of a sale or other transaction (other than a Change in Control), a
Participant's Employer ceases to be a Related Company (and the Participant's
Employer is or becomes an entity that is separate from the Company), the
occurrence of such transaction shall be treated as the Participant's Date of
Termination caused by the Participant's employment or affiliation being
terminated by the Participant's Employer for a reason other than Cause.

15.6. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 15, the Committee
may, with respect to any Awards of a Participant (or portion thereof) that are
outstanding immediately prior to the Participant's Date of Termination,
determine that a Participant's Date of Termination will not result in forfeiture
or other termination of the Award.

                                   SECTION 16

                              Adjustments to Awards

16.1. If the Company shall effect a reorganization, merger, consolidation or
similar event, or effect any subdivision or consolidation of shares of Stock or
other capital readjustment, payment of stock dividend, stock split, spin-off,
combination of shares or recapitalization or other increase or reduction of the
number of shares of Stock outstanding without receiving compensation therefor in
money, services or property, then the Committee shall adjust (i) the number of
shares of Stock available under the Plan, (ii) the number of shares of Stock
available under any individual or other limitations under the Plan, (iii) the
number of shares of Stock subject to outstanding Awards and (iv) the per-share
price under any outstanding Award to the extent that the Participant is required
to pay a purchase price per share with respect to the Award. All share
adjustments shall be made to the nearest full share.

16.2. If the Committee determines that an adjustment in accordance with the
foregoing provisions of Subsection 16.1 would not be fully consistent with the
purposes of the Plan or the purposes of the outstanding Awards under the Plan,
the Committee may make such other adjustment to the Awards, if any, that the
Committee determines is equitable and consistent with the purposes of the Plan
and/or the affected Awards.

                                   SECTION 17

                     Transferability and Deferral of Awards

17.1. Awards under the Plan are not transferable except by will or by the laws
of descent and distribution. To the extent that the Participant who receives an
Award under the Plan has the right to exercise such Award, the Award may be
exercised during the lifetime to the Participant only by the Participant.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 17, the

                                       18
<PAGE>   19
Committee may permit Awards under the Plan (other than an Incentive Stock
Option) to be transferred by a Participant for no consderation to or for the
benefit of members of the Participant's Immediate Family (including, without
limitation, to a trust for the benefit of members of a Participant's Immediate
Family or to a Family partnership for the benefit of members of the
Participant's Immediate Family), subject to such limits as the Committee may
establish, provided that the transferee shall remain subject to all of the terms
and conditions applicable to such Award prior to such transfer.

17.2 The Committee may permit a Participant to elect to defer the receipt of any
payment under a Performance Unit or Phantom Stock Award under such terms and
conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine; provided
that any such deferral election must be made prior to the time the Participant
has become entitled to payment under the Performance Unit or Phantom Stock
Award.

                                   SECTION 18

                                 Award Agreement

18.1. Each Participant granted an Award pursuant to the Plan shall sign an Award
agreement which signifies the offer of the Award by the Company and the
acceptance of the Award by the Participant in accordance with the terms of the
Award and the provisions of the Plan. Each Award agreement shall reflect the
terms and conditions of the Award. Participation in the Plan shall confer no
rights to continued employment or affiliation with the Company nor shall it
restrict the right of the Company to terminate a Participant's employment or
affiliation at any time.

                                   SECTION 19

                                 Tax Withholding

19.1 All Awards and other payments under the Plan are subject to withholding of
all applicable taxes, which withholding obligations shall be satisfied (without
regard to whether the Participant has transferred an Award under the Plan) by a
cash remittance, or with the consent of the Committee, through the surrender of
shares of Stock which the Participant owns or to which the Participant is
otherwise entitled under the Plan pursuant to an irrevocable election submitted
by the Participant to the Company. The number of shares of Stock needed to be
submitted in payment of the taxes shall be determined using the Fair Market
Value as of the applicable tax date rounding down to the nearest whole share;
provided that no election to have shares of Stock withheld from an Award or
submission of shares of stock shall be effective with respect to an Award which
was transferred by a Participant in accordance with the Plan.

                                       19
<PAGE>   20
                                   SECTION 20

                                Change in Control

20.1. Subject to the provisions of Section 16 (relating to the adjustments to
Awards), and except as otherwise provided in the Plan or the agreement
reflecting the applicable Award, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control:

      (a) All outstanding Options (regardless of whether in tandem with Stock
      Appreciation Rights) shall become fully exercisable, except to the extent
      that the right to exercise the Option is subject to any restrictions
      established in connection with a Limited Stock Appreciation Right that is
      in tandem with the Option;

      (b) All outstanding Stock Appreciation Rights (regardless of whether in
      tandem with Options) shall become fully exercisable, except that if Stock
      Appreciation Rights are in tandem with an Option, and the Option is in
      tandem with a Limited Stock Appreciation Right, the right to exercise the
      Stock Appreciation Right shall be subject to any restrictions established
      in connection with the Limited Stock Appreciation Right;

      (c) All shares of Stock subject to Awards shall become fully vested; and

      (d) Performance Units may be paid out in such manner and amounts as
      determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

                                   SECTION 21

                            Termination and Amendment

21.1. The Board may suspend, terminate, modify or amend the Plan, provided that
any amendment that would (a) increase the aggregate number of shares of Stock
which may be issued under the Plan, (b) materially increase the benefits
accruing to Participants under the Plan, or (c) materially modify the
requirements as to eligibility for participation in the Plan, shall be subject
to the approval of the Company's stockholders, except that any such increase or
modification that may result from adjustments authorized by Section 16 shall not
require such approval. No suspension, termination, modification or amendment of
the Plan may terminate a Participant's existing Award or materially and
adversely affect a Participant's rights under such Award without the
Participant's consent.

                                       20<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.5

                             TRIVERGENT CORPORATION

                  AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE PLAN
                                 (June 21, 2000)

          1.Purpose. The purpose of the TriVergent Corporation Employee
Incentive Plan (formerly known as the "State Communications Employee Incentive
Plan") is to provide additional incentives to employees and others to advance
the interest of State Communications, Inc., which may be renamed TriVergent
Corporation and reincorporated as a Delaware corporation (in either case,
referred to herein as "TriVergent"), and to enable TriVergent to attract and
retain the services of other highly competent employees and others.

         2. Eligibility. Qualified Options and Non-qualified Options
(collectively, "Options") and Bonus Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Awards
(collectively, "Awards") hereunder may be granted to employees of TriVergent or
any subsidiary or affiliate of TriVergent. Non-qualified Options hereunder may
also be granted any others that the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion,
shall determine. The Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, shall also
determine the nature of the Options and Restricted Stock Awards to be granted
and the terms and provisions of such Restricted Stock Awards and Options,
subject to the limitations set forth in this Plan.

         3. Amount of Stock. Options and/or Awards for no more than 10,000,000
shares of TriVergent common stock ("Common Stock") may be granted pursuant to
this Plan. In the event that any Options or Awards granted under this Plan shall
terminate, expire or be canceled, new Options or Awards may be granted with
respect to the shares covered by such Options or Awards. However, to the extent
that Options or other Awards granted under this Plan are exercised or become
vested, respectively, the stock available for grant under the Plan shall be
reduced. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to
Qualified Options is 10,000,000, subject to any adjustment as provided in
Section 5(g). The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject
to Options granted to any individual during a calendar year may not exceed
2,000,000 shares, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5(g).

         4. Administration of Plan. This Plan shall be administered by the
TriVergent Board of Directors ("Board of

<PAGE>   2

Directors"); provided that in the event that the shares of Common Stock of
TriVergent become listed on a national stock exchange, this Plan shall be
administered by a committee (the "Committee") which shall consist solely of
individuals each of whom qualify as (i) an "outside director" within the meaning
of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Internal Revenue Code"), and the regulations issued thereunder or (ii) a
"nonemployee director" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3(b)(3)(i) promulgated
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").
Subject to the express provisions of the Plan, the Board (or the Committee)
shall have plenary authority, in its discretion, to administer the Plan and to
exercise all powers and authority either specifically granted to it under the
Plan or necessary and advisable in the administration of the Plan, including,
without limitation, the authority to interpret the Plan; to prescribe, amend and
rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan; to determine the terms of
all Options and Awards granted under the Plan (which need not be identical), the
purchase price of the shares covered by each award, the individuals to whom and
the time or times at which award shall be granted, whether an award shall be a
Qualified Option, a Non-qualified Option, Bonus Stock Award or Restricted Stock
Award and the number of shares covered by each award; and to make all other
necessary or advisable determinations with respect to the Plan. The
determination of the Board (or the Committee) on such matters shall be
conclusive. The Committee shall have the right at any time to delegate to the
person then serving as TriVergent's chief executive officer its authority to
take any permitted action under the Plan provided that (i) such action is not
otherwise required to be taken by a "nonemployee director" or an "outside
director" in order to comply either with Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue
Code or with Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, respectively, and (ii) such person
shall not have the right under any circumstance to grant Options to himself or
herself.

         5. Terms and Conditions of Options intended to Qualify as Incentive
Stock Options Under the Internal Revenue Code. ("Qualified Options"). All
Qualified Options approved for grant by the Board of Directors shall be
evidenced by written stock option agreements in such form as the Board of
Directors may designate. Each such agreement shall incorporate the terms of this
Plan and shall also be subject to the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code
applicable to "incentive stock options", as that term is defined in Section 422
of the Internal Revenue Code. Each Qualified Option shall be subject to the
following terms and conditions, in addition to such other terms and conditions
as the Board of Directors may deem advisable:

                                       2
<PAGE>   3

                  (a) Option Price. The option price for each share of
TriVergent Common Stock under a Qualified Option shall not be less than the fair
market value ("Fair Market Value") of such share on the date that the Qualified
Option is granted; provided, however, that a Qualified Option granted to an
employee who is a ten (10%) percent or more shareholder of TriVergent shall not
be less than one hundred and ten (110%) percent of the Fair Market Value of such
share on such date. Prior to the date on which TriVergent becomes listed on a
national stock exchange, unless the Board of Directors determines that an
appraisal by an independent appraiser must be made as of the date the Qualified
Option is granted, Fair Market Value shall be the most recent valuation of
Common Stock made for general stock transaction purposes. On and after the date
TriVergent becomes listed on a national stock exchange, Fair Market Value shall
be the average of the high and the low sales prices of a share of Common Stock
on the date of grant (or, if not a trading day, on the last preceding trading
day) as reported on the principal stock exchange on which the Common Stock is
then listed or traded. If a Qualified Option is granted after the fiscal year
end of TriVergent, but before the valuation as of such date is received, the
option price shall be determined when such valuation is received by TriVergent.
Each option agreement shall state the number of shares to which it pertains and
the option price of such shares.

                  (b) Option Period. The option agreement shall set forth the
period for which each Qualified Option is granted. It is anticipated that
Qualified Options shall be exercisable with respect to twenty (20%) percent of
the shares covered by such Qualified Option on each anniversary date of the
grant of such shares, beginning with the first anniversary date of such grant,
and shall be exercisable with respect to one hundred (100%) percent of the
shares covered by such Qualified Option after the expiration of five (5) years
from the date of grant. The Board of Directors shall have the discretion to vary
the schedule pursuant to which such Qualified Options shall be exercisable,
provided, that no Qualified Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of
(i) ten (10) years from the date of grant, with respect to an employee who is
less than a ten (10%) percent shareholder of TriVergent, or (ii) five (5) years
from the date of grant with respect to an employee who is a ten (10%) percent or
more shareholder of TriVergent.

         If the employee dies while in the employ of TriVergent, Qualified
Options granted under this Plan may be exercised in

                                       3
<PAGE>   4

whole or in part, but only to the extent that the employee would have been
entitled to exercise them if he had been living, for a period that does not
exceed the lesser of (i) the remaining term of such Qualified Option, or (ii)
nine (9) months after the employee's death. Any Qualified Options not exercised
within such period shall expire. Such Qualified Options may be exercised by the
executor or administrator of the employee's TriVergent or such other person as
the employee may designate in his will.

         If the employee terminates employment with TriVergent for any reason
other than death, Qualified Options may be exercised in whole or in part, but
only to the extent vested at the employee's termination for a period that does
not exceed the lesser of (i) the remaining term of such Qualified Option or (ii)
ninety (90) days after the employee's termination.

                  (c) Assignability. A Qualified Option granted pursuant to this
Plan shall be exercisable only by the employee to whom it is granted and shall
not be assignable by him otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution.

                  (d) Manner of Exercise. The Board of Directors may impose such
conditions and restrictions upon the exercise of Qualified Options as it may
deem advisable. Payment shall be made in cash or, unless otherwise prohibited in
the applicable stock option agreement, in shares of Common Stock already owned
by the holder of the option or partly in cash and partly in such shares;
provided, however, that if shares of Common Stock are to be used to satisfy the
exercise price, such shares shall have been acquired (i) at least six months
prior to the exercise date or (ii) in an open market purchase price. No shares
may be issued until full payment of the purchase price therefor has been made.
The options, to the extent vested, shall be exercisable in whole at any time or
in part from the time to time during the term of the option, but not as to less
than 100 shares (or the shares then purchasable under the option if less than
100 shares) remain available for purchase. In addition, it shall be a condition
to the obligation of TriVergent to issue or transfer shares of stock upon
exercise of a Qualified Option or upon the disposition of shares acquired
pursuant to a Qualified Option that the employee pay to TriVergent, upon its
demand, such amount as may be requested by TriVergent in order to satisfy its
obligation to withhold Federal and state income taxes with respect to such
disposition. The taxable value of the Qualified Option at the time of
disposition shall be reported to the

                                       4
<PAGE>   5

Internal Revenue Service for the year in which disposition occurs.

                  (e) Rights as a Shareholder. The holder of a Qualified Option
granted under this Plan shall not by reason thereof have any right as a
shareholder until shares of Common Stock are issued to him or her.

                  (f) Restrictions Upon Shares Issued Pursuant to Qualified
Options. Prior to an initial public offering by TriVergent shares of Common
Stock ("IPO"), all shares issued pursuant to the exercise of Qualified Options
granted hereunder shall be subject to the following restrictions, and
certificates evidencing such shares shall be appropriately legended to give
notice of such restrictions:

                    (i) If such shares are issued to an employee of TriVergent
                    and such employee's employment is terminated for any reason,
                    then, and any time within six (6) months after the
                    termination of such employee's employment, TriVergent may,
                    at its option, require such employee to sell all or any
                    portion of such shares to TriVergent at their then fair
                    market value, as defined in Section 5.(a) hereof.

                    (ii) All shares acquired pursuant to Qualified Options
                    hereunder shall be subject to a right of first refusal in
                    favor of TriVergent and may not be sold, assigned or
                    otherwise transferred unless first offered to TriVergent on
                    the same terms and conditions.

         These restrictions will cease and no longer be effective on and after
the date of an IPO.

                  (g) Adjustment in the Event of Change in Stock. In the event
of any change in the outstanding stock of TriVergent by reason of stock
dividend, stock split, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, split up or the
like, the number and kind of shares under outstanding option agreements pursuant
to this Plan and the option price as well as the maximum number of shares of
Common Stock that may be granted under the Plan, the maximum number of shares of
Common Stock that may be subject to Qualified Options and the maximum number of
shares of Common Stock that may be subject to options granted to any individual
during a calendar year shall be appropriately adjusted as determined by the
Board

                                       5
<PAGE>   6

of Directors, in its discretion, so as to preserve, but not increase, the
benefits to the holders of such Qualified Options.

                  (i) Prohibition of Tandem Options. No grant of tandem stock
options may be made, nor may Qualified Options and Non-qualified Options be
granted under any sort of arrangement where the exercise of one affects the
right to exercise the other.

                  (j) The aggregate fair market value (determined as of the time
the option is granted) of the stock with respect to which Qualified Options are
exercisable for the first time by a holder during any calendar year (under all
such plans of TriVergent and its subsidiary corporations) shall not exceed One
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000). In the event that this limit is exceeded,
any option that was intended to constitute a Qualified Option that and which is
in excess of this limitation shall automatically be converted into a
Non-qualified Option.

         (6) Terms and Conditions of Non-qualified Options. All Non-qualified
Options approved for grant by the Board of Directors shall be evidenced by
written stock option agreements in such form as the Board of Directors may
designate. Each such option agreement shall incorporate the terms of this Plan
and shall be subject to the following terms and conditions, in addition to such
other terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may deem advisable:

                  (a) Option Price. The option price for each share of
TriVergent Common Stock under a Non-qualified Option shall be the fair market
value of such share, as defined in Section 5(a) hereof, subject to the authority
of the Board of Directors to designate an option price either less than or more
than such Fair Market Value; provided, however, that in no event will the option
price be less than 85% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on
the date of grant.

                  (b) Option Period. The option agreement shall set forth the
period for which each Non-qualified Option is issued. In general, subject to the
discretion of the Board of Directors to set some other period, a Non-qualified
Option may be exercised with respect to twenty (20%) percent of the shares
covered by such Non-qualified Option on each anniversary date of the grant of
such shares, beginning with the first anniversary date of such grant, and shall
be exercisable with respect to one hundred (100%) percent of the shares covered
by such Non-qualified Option after the expiration of five (5) years from the
date of grant. If the employee ceases to be employed by TriVergent, all of that

                                       6
<PAGE>   7

employee's Non-Qualified Options that have become exercisable according to the
terms of this Plan shall be exercisable for a period of sixty (60) days
following the date of termination of the employee's employment after which time
they shall expire.

                  (c) Assignability. Unless the Board (or the Committee) shall
otherwise determine, Non-qualified Options may not be transferred other than by
will or by the laws of descent and distribution. The designation of a
beneficiary by an optionee shall not constitute a transfer. With the approval of
the Board (or the Committee), a nonqualified stock option may be transferred by
gift to any member of the optionee's immediate family or a trust established for
such family members. For the purposes of this Section 6(c), "immediate family"
shall mean the spouse, children and grandchildren, parents, grandparents, form
spouses, siblings, nieces, nephews, parents-in-law, sons-in-law,
daughters-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, including adoptive or step
relationships and any person sharing the employee's household (other than as
tenant or employee).

                  (d) Manner of Exercise. The Board of Directors may impose such
conditions and restrictions upon the exercise of Non-qualified Options as it may
deem advisable. Payment shall be made as provided in Section 5(d). In addition,
it shall be a condition to the obligation of TriVergent to issue or transfer
shares of stock upon grant of a Non-qualified Option, upon exercise of a
Non-qualified Option or upon the disposition of shares acquired pursuant to a
Non-qualified Option that the individual pay to TriVergent, upon its demand,
such amount as may be requested by TriVergent in order to satisfy its obligation
to withhold Federal and state income taxes with respect to such grant, exercise
or disposition. The taxable value of the Non-qualified Option at the time of
grant, exercise or disposition, as the case may be, shall be reported to the
Internal Revenue Service for the year in which grant, exercise or disposition
occurs.

                  (e) Rights as a Shareholder. The holder of a Non-qualified
Option granted under this Plan shall not by reason thereof have any right as a
shareholder until shares of Common Stock are issued to him or her.

                  (f) Restrictions Upon Shares Issued Pursuant to Non-qualified
Options. Prior to an IPO, all shares issued pursuant to the exercise of
Non-qualified Options granted hereunder shall be subject to the following
restriction, and certificates evidencing such shares shall be appropriately
legended to give

                                       7
<PAGE>   8

notice of such restrictions:

                    (i) If such shares are issued to an employee of TriVergent
                    and such employee holder's employment is terminated for any
                    reason, or if such shares are issued to a holder who is not
                    an employee of TriVergent, then, at any time within six (6)
                    months after the termination of such employee holder's
                    employment or at any time within six (6) months after such
                    issuance of shares to a non-employee holder, TriVergent may,
                    at its option, require such holder to sell all or any
                    portion of such shares to TriVergent at their then Fair
                    Market Value, as defined in Section 5.(a) hereof.

                    (ii) All shares acquired pursuant to Non-qualified Options
                    hereunder shall be subject to a right of first refusal in
                    favor of TriVergent and may not be sold, assigned or
                    otherwise transferred unless first offered to TriVergent on
                    the same terms and conditions.

         These restrictions will cease and no longer be effective on and after
the date of an IPO.

                  (g) Adjustment in the Event of Change in Stock. In the event
of any change in the outstanding stock of TriVergent by reason of stock
dividend, stock split, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, split up or the
like, the number and kind of shares under outstanding option agreements pursuant
to this Plan and the option price shall be appropriately adjusted by the Board
of Directors, in its discretion, so as to preserve, but not increase, the
benefits to the holders of such Non-qualified Options.

         7. Terms and Conditions of Restricted Stock Awards.  Each share of
Restricted Stock which may be awarded to an employee shall be subject to the
following terms and conditions, in addition to such other terms and conditions
as the Board of Directors may deem advisable:

                  (a) Price. Shares of Restricted Stock may be sold to employees
for such price as the Board of Directors may determine or may be awarded for no
consideration other than the employee's past and future services or other
considerations, as the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, shall deem
appropriate.

                                       8
<PAGE>   9

                  (b) Risk of Forfeiture. All shares of Restricted Stock shall
be forfeited and returned to TriVergent for cancellation if the employee ceases
to be employed by TriVergent for any reason prior to the scheduled lapse of such
risk of forfeiture as provided by the Board of Directors. Upon making any grant
of Restricted Stock, the Board of Directors shall determine the schedule for
lapse of such risk of forfeiture, which is anticipated to call for a lapse of
the risk of forfeiture with respect to twenty (20%) percent of such shares on
each anniversary of the grant of such shares, beginning with the first
anniversary of such grant, until none of such shares are subject to such risk of
forfeiture. The Board of Directors, however, shall have complete discretion to
determine the manner in which such risk of forfeiture shall lapse.

                  (c) Assignability.  No shares of Restricted Stock shall be
sold, assigned or transferred by an employee so long as it remains subject to a
risk of forfeiture hereunder.

                  (d) Rights as a Shareholder. A grantee, as owner of Restricted
Stock, shall have the right to vote such shares and to receive all dividends,
cash or stock, paid or delivered thereon. Such shares, however, may not be sold,
assigned, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise transferred prior to the vesting of
such shares.

                  (e) Buy Back and Right of First Refusal. If an employee leaves
the employ of TriVergent for any reason, TriVergent may, at its option, purchase
any shares of Restricted Stock which are not forfeited by reason of such
termination of employment. Such option shall lapse unless exercised within six
(6) months after such termination of employment. The purchase price shall be the
fair market value, as defined in Section 5.(a) hereof, of such shares at the
date of such termination of employment. All shares of stock awarded to employees
hereunder shall permanently be subject to a right of refusal in favor of
TriVergent and may not be sold, assigned or transferred to any person unless
first offered for sale to TriVergent upon the same terms and conditions. This
right of first refusal shall lapse on and after the date of an IPO.

                  (f) Legend.  All certificates representing shares of
Restricted Stock shall be appropriately legended to reflect the above
restrictions.

                  (g) Withholding. An employee to whom shares of Restricted
Stock are awarded shall be required to remit to

                                       9
<PAGE>   10

TriVergent, upon demand, such amounts of money as may be required by TriVergent
to satisfy Federal and TriVergent income tax withholding requirements with
respect to such Restricted Stock. The value of the Restricted Stock at the time
of vesting shall be reported to the Internal Revenue Service for the year in
which vesting occurs.

         8. Terms and Conditions of Bonus Stock Awards. All Bonus Shares which
may be awarded to an employee shall be subject to the following terms and
conditions, in addition to such other terms and conditions as the Board of
Directors may deem advisable:

                  (a) Price. Bonus Shares shall be awarded at the fair market
value of such shares at date of award, as defined in Section 5(a) hereof, and
shall be issued in the name of the grantee. The Bonus Shares shall be issued
without the payment of any cash consideration by the grantee. However, it shall
be a condition to issuance of the Bonus Shares that the grantee pay to
TriVergent, upon its demand, such amount as may be requested by TriVergent in
order to satisfy its obligation to withhold Federal and TriVergent income taxes
with respect to such grant. The value of the Bonus Shares at the time of award
shall be reported on the grantee's W-2 for the year in which the award is made.

                  (b) The Bonus Shares shall be issued against execution by the
grantee of an Award Agreement.

                  (c) Shareholder of Rights. A grantee, as owner of Bonus
Shares, shall have all of the rights of a shareholder, including the right to
vote such shares and to receive all dividends, cash or stock, paid or delivered
thereon.

                  (d) Buy Back and Right of First Refusal.  All Bonus Shares
awarded are subject to repurchase by TriVergent upon termination of the
grantee's employment, for any reason, as follows:

                    (i) If termination of employment occurs within three (3)
                    years from date of award of the Bonus Shares, the price to
                    be paid upon repurchase shall be the value of such Bonus
                    Shares at date of award, plus interest at the annual prime
                    rate less one (1%) percent during the period from date of
                    award to date of repurchase, or

                                       10
<PAGE>   11

                    (ii) If termination of employment occurs after three (3)
                    years from date of award of the Bonus Shares, the price to
                    be paid upon repurchase shall be their then fair market
                    value as defined in Section 5.(a) hereof.

                  All shares of stock awarded to employees hereunder shall
permanently be subject to a right of refusal in favor of TriVergent and may not
be sold, assigned or transferred to any person unless first offered for sale to
TriVergent upon the same terms and conditions. This right of first refusal shall
lapse on and after the date of an IPO.

         9. Change in Control Acceleration. In the event of a Change in Control
(as defined herein), (i) all outstanding Options shall immediately become
exercisable, (ii) all Bonus Shares shall cease to be subject to a right of first
refusal pursuant to Section 8 and (iii) all outstanding shares of Restricted
Stock shall vest. For purposes hereof, a "Change of Control", shall mean the
occurrence of any of the following events:

                    (i) any "person," as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and
                    14(d) of the Exchange Act (other than TriVergent or any
                    subsidiary of TriVergent, or any trustee or other fiduciary
                    holding securities under an employee benefit plan of
                    TriVergent or any subsidiary) becomes the "beneficial owner"
                    (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly
                    or indirectly, of securities of TriVergent representing
                    fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of
                    TriVergent's then outstanding securities;

                    (ii) during any period of two consecutive years beginning on
                    or after the Restatement Date (as defined in Section 12),
                    individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute
                    the Board, and any new director (other than a director
                    designated by a person who has entered into an agreement
                    with the Company to effect a transaction described in clause
                    (i), (iii) or (iv)) whose election by the Board or
                    nomination for election by TriVergent's shareholders was
                    approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the
                    directors then still in office who either were directors at
                    the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination
                    for
                                       11

<PAGE>   12
                    election was previously so approved (unless the approval of
                    the election or nomination for election of such new
                    directors was in connection with an actual or threatened
                    election or proxy contest), cease for any reason to
                    constitute at least a majority thereof;

                    (iii) the shareholders of TriVergent approve a merger or
                    consolidation of TriVergent with any other corporation,
                    other than (x) a merger or consolidation which would result
                    in the voting securities of TriVergent outstanding
                    immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by
                    remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting
                    securities of the surviving entity) more than fifty percent
                    (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities
                    of TriVergent or such surviving entity outstanding
                    immediately after such merger or consolidation or (y) a
                    merger or consolidation effected to implement a
                    recapitalization of TriVergent (or similar transaction) in
                    which no "person" (as defined above in clause (i)) acquires
                    more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power
                    of TriVergent's then outstanding securities; or

                    (iv) the shareholders of TriVergent approve a plan of
                    complete liquidation of TriVergent or an agreement for the
                    sale or disposition by TriVergent of all or substantially
                    all of TriVergent's assets or any transaction having a
                    similar effect.

                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to Options, Bonus
Shares and Restricted Stock granted or awarded on or after June 9, 2000, the
transactions contemplated by and under the Agreement and Plan of Merger by and
among Gabriel Communications, Inc., Triangle Acquisition, Inc. and State
Communications, Inc. dated as of June 9, 2000, shall not constitute a "Change in
Control". Accordingly, the provisions of this Section 9 shall not be effective
as to any such transaction with respect to any Options, Bonus Shares and
Restricted Stock granted or awarded on or after June 9, 2000.

         10. Governmental Regulations.  This Plan and the options and rights
granted hereunder shall be subject to all applicable Federal and the laws of the
State of South Carolina. TriVergent

                                       12
<PAGE>   13

shall not be required to issue stock prior to satisfaction of applicable
registration requirements or necessary qualifications.

         11. Non-Uniform Determinations. Determinations by the Board of
Directors with respect to Options, Awards, stock values and all other matters
under this Plan need not be uniform or consistent and may be made selectively
among employees, including among employees who are similarly situated, or
others, at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors.

         12. Term of the Plan. This Plan became effective on January 12, 1998
and shall terminate on January 12, 2008, or such earlier date as may be
determined by the Board of Directors. Termination of the Plan shall not affect
the rights of holders of outstanding Qualified Options, Non-qualified Options or
Restricted Stock Awards. The Plan was amended and restated as of April 19, 2000
(the "First Restatement Date") and most recently as of June 21, 2000 (the
"Restatement Date").

         13. Amendment and Termination of the Plan. This Plan may be amended or
terminated by the Board of Directors without shareholder approval; provided,
that the Board of Directors shall have no power without the approval of the
shareholders of TriVergent to increase the total number of shares that may be
issued pursuant to the Plan, or to amend the provisions of the Plan which
establish the price of Qualified Options as the fair market value at date of
grant or award. No amendment shall adversely affect the terms of an outstanding
grant of an Option Award made hereunder without the consent of the holder of
such Option or Award.

         14. Conflicting Terms.  In the event that any provision of this Plan
should conflict with any applicable provision of an agreement evidencing the
grant of an Option or Award made hereunder, the terms of the Plan provision
shall govern.

         15. Amendment Construction. No provision of this amended and restated
Plan shall apply to (i) any outstanding Qualified Option to the extent that, if
so applied, it would cause such Option to cease to qualify as an incentive stock
option under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) any outstanding
Option to the extent that, if so applied, it would necessitate, in the opinion
of TriVergent's independent accountants, a charge to TriVergent's earnings.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the last sentences of Sections
5(b) and 5(f) of the Plan as so amended (relating, respectively, to repurchase
rights and post-employment continued exercisability of Options) shall

                                       13
<PAGE>   14

not be applicable to any Qualified Option granted prior to the First Restatement
Date and the applicable provisions of Sections 5(b) and 5(f) as in effect prior
to the Restatement Date shall continue to apply to all Qualified Options granted
prior to the Restatement Date.

                                       14

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