Document:

EXHIBIT 10.17

                       AMENDMENT 1 TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

                                     PARTIES

     This Amendment 1 to Employment Agreement (this "Amendment") dated as of
January 24, 2003 is entered into by and between Telaxis Communications
Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation having its principal place of business
at 20 Industrial Drive East, South Deerfield, Massachusetts 01373 (the
"Company") and Kenneth R. Wood, an individual with an address at 14 Rocky Hill
Road, Hadley, Massachusetts 01035 (hereinafter called "Employee").

                                    RECITALS

     A. The Company and Employee are parties to an Employment Agreement, dated
as of December 19, 2000 (the "Agreement"). Capitalized terms used in this
Amendment without definition have the meanings given to those terms in the
Agreement.

     B. The parties desire to make certain changes to the Agreement.

                               TERMS OF AMENDMENT

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and conditions
contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as
follows:

     1. The third sentence of Section 2 of the Agreement is hereby amended by
replacing the current text of that sentence in its entirety with the following:

     The employment period described above is subject to earlier termination
     pursuant to Section 3.6, 3.7.2, 4 or 5.

     2. Section 3.7.1 of the Agreement is hereby amended by replacing the
current text of that section in its entirety with the following:

     Termination By Company. In the event the Company terminates Employee's
     employment under this Agreement pursuant to Section 5, the Company shall
     provide to Employee, in exchange for a release (in a form consistent with
     past practice of the Company) as to any and all claims Employee may have
     against the Company (which release, however, shall not release any claims
     relating to indemnification, contribution or insurance coverage), the
     Severance Benefits for (a) an eleven (11) month period after termination if
     termination shall occur (i) at any time prior to any Change in Control,
     (ii) after any Approved Change in Control, or (iii) more than one (1) year
     after an Unapproved Change in Control, or (b) a twenty-four (24) month
     period after termination if termination shall occur within one (1) year
     after an Unapproved Change in Control.
<PAGE>

     3. Section 3.7.2 of the Agreement is hereby amended by replacing the
current text of that section in its entirety with the following:

     Termination by Employee For Good Reason. After a Change in Control and
     provided Employee has Good Reason, Employee may terminate his employment
     under this Agreement upon fifteen (15) days written notice to the Company
     and the Company shall provide to Employee, in exchange for a release (in a
     form consistent with past practice of the Company) as to any and all claims
     Employee may have against the Company (which release, however, shall not
     release any claims relating to indemnification, contribution or insurance
     coverage), the Severance Benefits for an eleven (11) month period.

     4. Section 3.7.3(c) of the Agreement is hereby amended by replacing the
current text of that section in its entirety with the following:

     "Severance Benefits" shall mean Employee's base salary (for the applicable
     severance period) at the highest level in effect during the 90-day period
     immediately preceding the date of termination, payable in full on the last
     day of the Employment Period, less required payroll deductions.

     5. On the last day of the Employment Period, the Company shall pay Employee
(using Employee's base salary at the highest level in effect during the 90-day
period immediately preceding the date of termination) for all unpaid vacation
days Employee shall have accrued through the last day of the Employment Period,
less any required payroll deductions.

     6. Employee agrees to provide consultation and advice to the Company at
mutually acceptable times and locations for a period of up to three (3) months
following termination of employment, but in no event shall Employee be required
to provide consultation or advice to the extent that it interferes with any new
employment he has.

     7. Each of the parties agrees to execute, acknowledge, deliver and perform,
or cause to be executed, acknowledged, delivered and performed, at any time, or
from time to time, as the case may be, all such further acts, deeds,
assignments, transfers, conveyances, powers of attorney and assurances as may be
necessary or proper to carry out the provisions or intent of this Amendment.

     8. Except as specifically amended by this Amendment, the Agreement shall
remain in full force and effect.

                            [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

                                       2
<PAGE>

                                    EXECUTION

     The parties executed this Amendment as a sealed instrument as of the date
first above written, whereupon it became binding in accordance with its terms.

                                             TELAXIS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

                                            By: /s/ John L. Youngblood
                                              -------------------------------
                                             Name: John L. Youngblood
                                             Title: President and CEO

                                            /s/ Kenneth R. Wood
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Kenneth R. Wood

                                       3EXHIBIT 10.19

[TELAXIS LOGO]                                             Closing the Fiber Gap

                         20 Industrial Drive East, South Deerfield, MA 01373 USA
                        Phone (413) 665-8551 - Fax (413) 665-0089 - www.tlxs.com

                                                       January 9, 2003

Stephen L. Ward
823 Hollywood Boulevard
Crownsville, MD  21032

Dear Steve:

     We acknowledge receipt of your resignation effective January 10, 2003. In
recognition of your service to Telaxis Communications Corporation ("Telaxis")
and to assist you in your transition to new employment, we would like to offer
to you the following separation terms and benefits. Accordingly, this letter
agreement is intended to confirm our understanding and agreement with respect to
your termination of employment with Telaxis.

     1. Separation Date. Your last day of employment is January 10, 2003 (the
"Separation Date"). Except as provided elsewhere in this letter agreement, your
employment benefits will cease in accordance with the terms of the specific
benefit plans at issue on the Separation Date. Telaxis will reimburse you for
normal business expenses incurred through the Separation Date in accordance with
its normal policy. Notice of your rights with respect to continuation of health
and dental benefits will be provided under separate cover.

     2. Separation Payment. Within two (2) weeks from the Effective Date (as
described in paragraph 15 below), Telaxis will pay you the amount of One Hundred
Thirty-One Thousand Two Hundred Fifty-Two and 33/100 Dollars ($131,252.33),
which consists of seven (7) months of your present base salary, less all lawful
withholdings and deductions. The seven-month period from the Separation Date
through August 10, 2003 is called the "Separation Period."

While you acknowledge that you will be assigned no specific duties and generally
are not expected to be at Telaxis' facilities during the Separation Period, you
will make yourself available to consult with Telaxis personnel on any matters in
which you were involved during your tenure at Telaxis and to provide whatever
services are reasonably required of you by Telaxis during the Separation Period.
Telaxis will reimburse all reasonable, documented out-of-pocket expenses you
incur in providing these services.

     3. Termination of Employment Agreement. Effective as of the Separation
Date, the Employment Agreement, dated as of July 17, 2001 (the "Employment
Agreement"), between you and Telaxis is terminated and of no further force and
effect whatsoever. You specifically acknowledge that you are not entitled to any
"Severance Benefits" (as that term is defined in the Employment Agreement).

     4. Options. Your options to purchase Telaxis stock will continue to vest
until the Separation Date. On the Separation Date, all unvested stock options
will be forfeited. On that
<PAGE>

Stephen L. Ward
January 9, 2003
Page 2

date you will have vested stock options to purchase the following numbers of
shares of Telaxis stock for the following per share exercise prices pursuant to
stock option agreements with the following dates:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date of Agreement             Number of Vested Options            Exercise Price
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     7/17/01                         37,500                             .53
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     7/17/01                         25,000                             .53
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     7/17/01                         75,000                             .53
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As part of our overall agreement, you may exercise your vested options in
accordance with the terms of the appropriate stock option agreement.

     5. Insider Trading Policy. You agree to comply with the terms of the
Telaxis insider trading policy through April 10, 2003. You acknowledge that it
is your responsibility to comply at all times with all laws and regulations
relating to so-called "insider trading."

     6. Flexible Time Off. Telaxis will compensate you for all accrued unused
flexible time off. You will continue to accrue flexible time off until the
Separation Date. You will not continue to accrue flexible time off after the
Separation Date.

     7. Medical and Dental Insurance Benefit Continuation. Your medical and
dental group coverage will continue until January 31, 2003. You will be eligible
to continue those benefits under COBRA. If you elect to do so, Telaxis will pay
the COBRA premiums to continue your medical and dental insurance coverage
through August 31, 2003. If Telaxis is unable to continue coverage for any
reason (including your becoming ineligible or the benefit plans being
terminated), Telaxis' sole liability to you will be to pay you the amount
Telaxis would have paid to continue the insurance coverage. After August 31,
2003, you may elect to continue your group medical and dental coverage at your
own expense under the terms of COBRA.

     8. Telaxis Property. You may keep the laptop computer, related docking
station, and combination printer/fax machine/copier provided to you by Telaxis.
You agree and acknowledge that, on or before the Separation Date, you will
return to Telaxis all other property of Telaxis. For purposes of this paragraph,
"property of Telaxis" includes, but is not limited to, product prototypes and
mockups, keys, corporate credit cards, identification cards, equipment, books,
supplies, cellular telephones, computer programs, computers, computer files,
pictures, products, components, originals and copies of all corporate documents,
including financial records and information, and any other materials, whether
prepared by you or by others, but excludes anything owned by you individually.

     9. General Release of Claims. In consideration of the provision to you of
the cash payment and other benefits specified in this letter agreement, you
hereby agree and covenant not to sue and not to make any claims of any kind
against Telaxis, its past and present
<PAGE>

Stephen L. Ward
January 9, 2003
Page 3

divisions, subsidiaries, affiliates or related companies, its successors or
assigns and all past and present directors, officers, employees, shareholders,
and agents of these entities (collectively the "Releasees") before any court or
agency or other forum, and you further agree to, and hereby do, release the
Releasees up to the date of execution of this letter agreement for any claims
you may have against them, including, without limitation, any claims arising
under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act,
the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Chapter 151B of the General Laws of
Massachusetts, or any other federal or state statute, law, regulation or common
law provision governing compensation, age discrimination, or the employment
relationship. This release does not apply to any claims arising solely after the
date of execution of this letter agreement.

     10. Confidentiality. You agree to maintain the terms of this letter
agreement in strict confidence, and you agree not to release or divulge either
orally or in writing any of the terms hereof to any person, firm or entity, with
the exception of your spouse or significant other and attorney or accountant.

     11. Opportunity to Review. You acknowledge that you have been given a
reasonable period of at least twenty-one (21) days in which to consider this
letter agreement prior to signing. You acknowledge that, if you decide to
execute this letter agreement prior to the expiration of the twenty-one (21) day
period, it is solely your decision and Telaxis has not induced you to do so.

     12. Careful Review and Understanding of Agreement. You represent that you
have read carefully and fully understand the terms of this letter agreement.

     13. Opportunity to Consult with Counsel. You acknowledge and represent that
you have been advised to and, to the extent that you have wished to do so, have
consulted counsel of your choice prior to signing this letter agreement.

     14. Free and Voluntary Act. You represent that you are entering into this
letter agreement freely and voluntarily.

     15. Opportunity to Revoke; Effective Date. You will have up to seven (7)
days following your signing of this letter agreement to revoke your acceptance
by so notifying Telaxis in writing. If Telaxis does not receive a written
revocation during that seven day period, this letter agreement will
automatically take effect on the eighth (8th) day following your signing of it,
which date will be the Effective Date. Notwithstanding any other provision of
this letter agreement to the contrary, all obligations of Telaxis under this
letter agreement are contingent upon the occurrence of, and shall not bind
Telaxis until, the Effective Date.

     16. Non-Competition. You acknowledge that any agreements entered into by
you with Telaxis relating to non-competition, restrictive covenants, and
confidential and/or proprietary information remain in full force and effect.

     17. Protection of Good Name. You agree that you will not in any way
disparage or harm the name or reputation of Telaxis, or its past or present
officers, directors, employees,
<PAGE>

Stephen L. Ward
January 9, 2003
Page 4

agents or attorneys, in either their personal or official capacities, either
directly or indirectly, or otherwise portray any of the foregoing in a negative
manner.

     18. Non-Solicitation. You agree that for a period of one (1) year following
the Effective Date, you will not solicit or in any manner, directly or
indirectly, encourage employees of Telaxis to leave its employ. You further
agree that during such period you will not offer or cause to be offered,
directly or indirectly, employment to any person who was employed by Telaxis at
any time during the six (6) months prior to the Effective Date.

     19. Complete Agreement. Except as otherwise contemplated by this letter
agreement, this letter agreement represents the complete agreement between you
and Telaxis regarding your employment and separation of employment and
supersedes any prior and contemporaneous agreements, whether oral or written.

     20. Severability. Any provision of this letter agreement or attachments, if
any, which is found to be prohibited or unenforceable will be treated as
ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without
invalidating the remaining provisions hereof.

     21. Interpretation of Agreement. If any dispute regarding the
interpretation or application of this letter agreement arises, you agree that it
will be interpreted and construed for all purposes under the internal laws of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. All disputes arising under or out of this
letter agreement will be brought in courts of competent jurisdiction located
within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. You agree that any breach by you of
your obligations under this letter agreement will result in immediate and
irreparable harm to Telaxis and therefore, in addition to any other rights and
remedies available to Telaxis for any such breach, Telaxis shall be entitled to
equitable remedies, including, without limitation, specific performance and
injunctive relief.

                            [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
<PAGE>

Stephen L. Ward
January 9, 2003
Page 5

     If this letter agreement correctly sets forth our agreement with respect to
the foregoing matters please so indicate by signing below.

                                             Sincerely yours,

                                            /s/ John L. Youngblood
                                            ------------------------------------
                                             John L. Youngblood
                                             President

Agreed to and Accepted:

/s/ Stephen L. Ward
--------------------------
Stephen L. Ward

Date: January 10, 2003

                          STATE OF  Maryland                   January 10, 2003

_________________, SS.

     Then personally appeared the above named STEPHEN L. WARD, and acknowledged
the foregoing instrument to be his free act and deed before me.

                                                  /s/ Gretchen Stuecker
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Gretchen Stuecker
                                                  Notary Public
                                                  My Commission Expires:

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