ICG HOLDINGS INC
S-4/A, 1997-06-05
TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS (NO RADIOTELEPHONE)
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       AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JUNE 5, 1997
         
                                                   REGISTRATION NO. 333-24359
     ===========================================================================
                          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                ---------------------
        
                                   AMENDMENT NO. 2
         
                                         TO
                                       FORM S-4
               REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                ----------------------
                                  ICG HOLDINGS, INC.
                (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

                               ICG COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
                      (REGISTRANT WITH RESPECT TO THE GUARANTY)

              COLORADO                4813, 4899               84-1158866
              DELAWARE                4813, 4899               84-1342022
          (State or other         (Primary Standard         (I.R.S. Employer
          jurisdiction of             Industrial         Identification Number)
          incorporation or       Classification Code
           organization)               Number)

                ICG HOLDINGS, INC.                   ICG COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
               9605 E. MAROON CIRCLE                  9605 E. MAROON CIRCLE
                   P.O. BOX 6742                          P.O. BOX 6742
         ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80155-6742          ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80155-6742
                  (303) 572-5960                          (303) 572-5960

       (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                    of each registrant's principal executive offices)

                     JAMES D. GRENFELL, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
                                9605 E. MAROON CIRCLE
                                    P.O. BOX 6742
                            ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80155-6742
                                    (303) 572-5960
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                      of agent for service for each registrant)

                                   WITH A COPY TO:

                                 LEONARD GUBAR, ESQ.
                                  REID & PRIEST LLP
                                 40 WEST 57TH STREET
                              NEW YORK, NEW YORK  10019
                                    (212) 603-2000
                                ----------------------
          APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED  SALE TO THE PUBLIC:   AS
     SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE.

          IF THE SECURITIES BEING  REGISTERED ON THIS FORM ARE BEING  OFFERED IN
     CONNECTION WITH THE FORMATION OF A HOLDING COMPANY AND  THERE IS COMPLIANCE
     WITH GENERAL INSTRUCTION G, CHECK THE FOLLOWING BOX:   [ ]
                               -----------------------


          THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS  REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE
     OR  DATES  AS MAY  BE  NECESSARY  TO DELAY  ITS  EFFECTIVE  DATE UNTIL  THE
     REGISTRANT SHALL FILE  A FURTHER AMENDMENT  WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES  THAT
     THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE
     WITH SECTION  8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933,  AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THE
     REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  SHALL  BECOME  EFFECTIVE  ON   SUCH  DATE  AS  THE
     SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT  TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
     MAY DETERMINE.
     ===========================================================================

     <PAGE>

                                  ICG HOLDINGS, INC.
                                CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
                  PURSUANT TO ITEM 501(B) OF REGULATION S-K SHOWING
                              LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS OF
                                  ITEMS OF FORM S-4

          A. INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRANSACTION

     1.   Forepart of the Registration
          Statement and Outside          Facing Page of Registration Statement;
          Front Cover Page               Cross Reference Sheet; Outside Front
          of Prospectus  . . . . . . . . Cover Page of Prospectus

     2.   Inside Front and Outside
          Back Cover Page of             Inside Front Cover Page of Prospectus;
          Prospectus . . . . . . . . . . Outside Back Cover Page of Prospectus

     3.   Risk Factors, Ratio            Prospectus Summary; Risk Factors;
          of Earnings to Fixed           Summary Historical and Pro Forma
          Charges and Other Information  Financial and Statistical Information

     4.   Terms of the Transaction . . . The Exchange Offers; Description of
                                         New Notes; Description of New
                                         Preferred Stock; Certain United States
                                         Federal Income Tax Considerations

     5.   Pro Forma Financial 
          Information  . . . . . . . . . Not Applicable

     6.   Material Contracts with 
          the Company Being Acquired . . Not Applicable

     7.   Additional Information 
          Required for Reoffering 
          by Persons and Parties 
          Deemed to Be Underwriters  . . Not Applicable

     8.   Interests of Named Experts
          and Counsel  . . . . . . . . . Legal Matters; Experts

     9.   Disclosure of Commission
          Position on Indemnification
          for Securities Act Liabilities Not Applicable

          B. INFORMATION ABOUT THE REGISTRANT

     10.  Information with Respect       Prospectus Summary; Description of New
          to S-3 Registrants . . . . . . Notes; Description of New Preferred
                                         Stock

     11.  Incorporation of 
          Certain Information 
          by Reference . . . . . . . . . Information Incorporated by Reference

     12.  Information with Respect
          to S-2 or S-3 
          Registrants  . . . . . . . . . Not Applicable

     13.  Incorporation of 
          Certain Information 
          by Reference . . . . . . . . . Not Applicable

     14.  Information with 
          Respect to Registrants 
          Other Than S-3 or 
          S-2 Registrants  . . . . . . . Not Applicable

          C. INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY TO BE ACQUIRED

     15.  Information with Respect 
          to S-3 Companies . . . . . . . Not Applicable

     16.  Information with Respect 
          to S-2 or S-3 Companies  . . . Not Applicable

     17.  Information with Respect 
          to Companies Other 
          Than S-3 or S-2 Companies  . . Not Applicable

          D. VOTING AND MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

     18.  Information if 
          Proxies, Consents or
          Authorizations Are 
          to Be Solicited  . . . . . . . Not Applicable

     19.  Information if 
          Proxies, Consents or
          Authorizations Are Not 
          to Be Solicited or in 
          an Exchange Offer  . . . . . . Not Applicable

     <PAGE>
   
        
                        SUBJECT TO COMPLETION. DATED JUNE 5, 1997.
         
                                  OFFER TO EXCHANGE
                                   ALL OUTSTANDING
                        11 5/8% SENIOR DISCOUNT NOTES DUE 2007
                                         FOR
                   11 5/8% SENIOR EXCHANGE DISCOUNT NOTES DUE 2007
                                          OF
                                  ICG HOLDINGS, INC.
                                    GUARANTEED BY
                               ICG COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

                                         AND

                                  OFFER TO EXCHANGE
                                   ALL OUTSTANDING
                             EXCHANGEABLE PREFERRED STOCK
                             MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE 2008
                       (EXCHANGEABLE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDINGS)
                                         FOR
                           NEW EXCHANGEABLE PREFERRED STOCK
                             MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE 2008
                       (EXCHANGEABLE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDINGS)
                                          OF
                                  ICG HOLDINGS, INC.
                          ----------------------------------

                                 THE EXCHANGE OFFERS
                    WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME,
                         ON __________, 1997 UNLESS EXTENDED
                          ----------------------------------

          ICG Holdings, Inc., a Colorado corporation ("Holdings"), hereby offers
     upon the terms  and subject to the conditions set  forth in this Prospectus
     and the accompanying Letter of  Transmittal (the "Letter of  Transmittal"),
     (i) to exchange (the "Note Exchange Offer") its outstanding 11  5/8% Senior
     Discount Notes  due  2007  (the "Old  Notes"),  of which  an  aggregate  of
     $176,000,000 in principal  amount at maturity is outstanding as of the date
     hereof, for an equal principal amount  of newly issued 11 % Senior Exchange
     Discount  Notes  due 2007  (the  "New  Notes") and  (ii)  to  exchange (the
     "Preferred Stock  Exchange Offer")  its outstanding  Exchangeable Preferred
     Stock  (the "Old Preferred Stock") for an  equal amount of newly issued New
     Exchangeable Preferred  Stock (the  "New  Preferred Stock").  The form  and
     terms of the  New Notes will be the  same as the form and terms  of the Old
     Notes except that the New Notes will be registered under the Securities Act
     of  1933, as  amended (the  "Securities Act"),  and will  not bear  legends
     restricting the transfer thereof. The  form and terms of the New  Preferred
     Stock will be the  same as the  form and terms of  the Old Preferred  Stock
     except that the New Preferred Stock will be registered under the Securities
     Act and  will not  bear legends restricting  the transfer thereof.  The New
     Preferred Stock  will be entitled to the benefits of the Second Amended and
     Restated Articles of Incorporation of Holdings, filed with the Secretary of
     State of the  State of Colorado on March 10,  1997, governing the Preferred
     Stock  (the "Amended  Articles"). The  New  Notes will  be entitled  to the
     benefits of the Indenture, dated as of March 11, 1997,  governing the Notes
     (the  "Indenture"). The New Notes and the  Old Notes are sometimes referred
     to herein collectively  as the "Notes" or the "Senior  Discount Notes." The
     Old  Notes and the  Old Preferred  Stock are  sometimes referred  to herein
     collectively  as  the "Old  Securities,"  and the  New  Notes  and the  New
     Preferred Stock are sometimes  referred to herein collectively as  the "New
     Securities."  The New  Preferred  Stock and  the  Old Preferred  Stock  are
     sometimes  referred to herein as  the "Preferred Stock."  The Note Exchange
     Offer and  the Preferred  Stock Exchange  Offer are  sometimes collectively
     referred to herein as the "Exchange Offers." 
                               (Continued on next page)
                                     -----------

     SEE "RISK FACTORS" AT PAGE 17 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN RISKS THAT SHOULD
         BE CONSIDERED BY ELIGIBLE HOLDERS IN EVALUATING THE EXCHANGE OFFERS.
                                     -----------

       THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
          AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS
            THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
               COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
                 PROSPECTUS.  ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
                                  CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

     <PAGE>

          There will  not be any payment  of interest on the New  Notes prior to
     September 15, 2002. Interest  on the New Notes will be paid  in cash at the
     rate  of 11 5/8%  per annum on  each March 15  and September 15, commencing
     September 15, 2002, to holders of record on the immediately preceding March
     1 and  September 1,  respectively. Payment  of the New  Notes is  fully and
     unconditionally  guaranteed (the "Note  Guarantee") by  ICG Communications,
     Inc.,  a  Delaware corporation  ("ICG").  Holdings is  an  indirectly owned
     subsidiary of ICG  (ICG together  with Holdings, the  "Company"). Prior  to
     these Exchange Offers there has been no public market for any securities of
     Holdings and there can be no assurance that such a market will develop. See
     "Description of New Notes."  

          On  or after  March 15,  2002, the  New Notes  are redeemable,  at the
     option of Holdings, in whole or in part, at the redemption prices set forth
     herein plus accrued and unpaid interest to  the date of redemption.  Upon a
     Change  of  Control  (as  herein  defined),  the  Company  is  required  to
     repurchase  all of  the outstanding  Notes at  101% of  the accreted  value
     thereof plus accrued  interest to the date  of repurchase.  At March 31, 
     1997, (i) ICG had, on an unconsolidated basis, no senior indebtedness; 
     (ii) Holdings had, on an unconsolidated basis, approximately $863.4 million
     of senior indebtedness, including capital lease obligations (which amount 
     includes the New Notes); and (iii) the subsidiaries of Holdings had, on an
     unconsolidated basis, an aggregate of approximately $22.3 million of senior
     indebtedness, including capital lease obligations.

          Dividends  on the New Preferred Stock at a  rate of 14% per annum will
     be cumulative from the date  of issuance and are payable quarterly  in cash
     or, on or prior to March 15, 2002, at the option of Holdings, in additional
     shares of New Preferred Stock, on each March 15, June 15, September 15  and
     December 15, commencing  June 15, 1997. Holdings is required  to redeem the
     New Preferred Stock at the liquidation preference of $1,000 per share, plus
     accrued and  unpaid dividends on  March 15, 2008.  The New  Preferred Stock
     will  be redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of Holdings, at any
     time  on  or  after  March  15,  2002.  The  New  Preferred  Stock will  be
     exchangeable, in whole but not in part, at the option of Holdings, into 14%
     Senior Subordinated Exchange Debentures due 2008 of Holdings (the "Exchange
     Debentures"). If  issued, the  Exchange Debentures  will be redeemable,  in
     whole or in part, at the option of Holdings, at any time on or  after March
     15, 2002.  If issued, the Exchange Debentures will be senior subordinated
     obligations of Holdings, subordinated to the prior payment when due of the
     principal of, and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all
     existing and future Senior Indebtedness of Holdings, including the New 
     Notes.  ICG's guarantee of the Exchange Debentures will be senior 
     subordinated obligations of ICG, subordinated to the prior payment when
     due of the principal of, and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid 
     interest on, all existing and future Senior Guarantor Indebtedness of
     ICG, including the Note Guarantee.

          At any time on or prior to March 15, 2000, Holdings may, at its 
     option, redeem New Notes having an aggregate principal amount of up
     to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of all New Notes originally 
     issued, at a redemption price equal to 111 5/8% of the Accreted Value 
     thereof on the date of redemption, plus accrued and unpaid interest, and
     may redeem shares of New Preferred Stock having an aggregate liquidation
     preference, or Exchange Debentures, if issued, having an aggregate
     principal amount, of up to 35% of the aggregate liquidation preference of
     all shares of New Preferred Stock originally issued, at a redemption price
     equal to 114% of the liquidation preference or principal amount thereof,
     as the case may be, plus accrued and unpaid dividends or interest, as
     the case may be, with the proceeds of one or more Public Equity Offerings
     (as defined herein).

          The Company will accept for exchange  any and all Old Securities which
     are properly tendered in the  Exchange Offers prior to 5:00 p.m.,  New York
     City time, on __________, 1997 (if and as extended, the "Expiration Date").
     Tenders of Old Securities may be withdrawn at any time  prior to 5:00 p.m.,
     New  York City time,  on the Expiration  Date. The Exchange  Offers are not
     conditioned upon any minimum  number of shares of Old Preferred Stock being
     tendered for exchange. Old Notes may be tendered only in integral multiples
     of $1,000.

          Based  on a previous interpretation by the staff of the Securities and
     Exchange Commission  (the "Commission") set  forth in no-action  letters to
     third parties, the Company believes that the New Securities issued pursuant
     to the Exchange  Offers may  be offered  for resale,  resold and  otherwise
     transferred  by  a  holder thereof  (other  than  (i)  a broker-dealer  who
     purchases  such New Securities directly from the Company to resell pursuant
     to Rule 144A  or any other available exemption under  the Securities Act or
     (ii)  a person that is an  affiliate of the Company  (within the meaning of
     Rule  405  under   the  Securities  Act))   without  compliance  with   the
     registration  and prospectus  delivery  provisions of  the Securities  Act,
     provided that  the holder or  any other  such person is  acquiring the  New
     Securities in its ordinary course of business and is not participating, and
     has no arrangement  or understanding with any person to participate, in the
     distribution  of the New Securities.  Holders of Old  Securities wishing to
     accept  the Exchange  Offers  must  represent  to  the  Company  that  such
     conditions have been met.

          Each broker-dealer that  receives New Securities  for its own  account
     pursuant to the  Exchange Offers  must acknowledge that  it will deliver  a
     Prospectus  in connection  with any  resale of  such New  Securities.   The
     Letter of Transmittal states that  by so acknowledging and by delivering  a
     prospectus,  a broker-dealer  will not  be deemed  to admit  that it  is an
     "underwriter," within the meaning of the Securities Act, in connection with
     resales of New  Securities received  in exchange for  Old Securities  where
     such Old  Securities were  acquired by  such broker-dealer  as a  result of
     market-making activities  or  other trading  activities.   The Company  has
     agreed that,  for a period of  90 days after  the Expiration Date,  it will
     make this Prospectus available  to any broker-dealer for use  in connection
     with any such resale. See "Plan of Distribution."

     <PAGE>

          The  Company believes that  none of the registered  holders of the Old
     Securities is an affiliate (as such  term is defined in Rule 405 under  the
     Securities Act)  of the Company.  Prior to this  Exchange Offer, there  has
     been no public  market for the Old Securities. The  Company does not intend
     to list the New Securities  on any securities exchange or to  seek approval
     for  quotation  through any  automated quotation  system.  There can  be no
     assurance that an active market for the New Securities will develop. To the
     extent that  a market for the New Securities does develop, the market value
     of the New Securities will depend on market conditions (including yields on
     alternative  investments),  general   economic  conditions,  the  Company's
     financial  condition and other conditions.  Such conditions might cause the
     New Notes,  to the  extent that  they are actively  traded, to  trade at  a
     significant discount from face value. The Company has not entered  into any
     arrangement  or  understanding  with  any  person  to  distribute  the  New
     Securities to be received in the Exchange Offers.

          The  Company will not receive  any proceeds from  the Exchange Offers.
     The  Company has  agreed to bear  the expenses  of the  Exchange Offers. No
     underwriter is being used in connection with the Exchange Offers.  The New
     Securities have not been rated by a nationally recognized statistical 
     rating organization.

                  The date of this Prospectus is ___________, 1997.

     <PAGE>

          THIS  PROSPECTUS INCORPORATES  DOCUMENTS  BY REFERENCE  WHICH ARE  NOT
     PRESENTED HEREIN OR DELIVERED HEREWITH.  THESE DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE UPON
     REQUEST  ADDRESSED TO ICG COMMUNICATIONS, INC., 9605 E. MAROON CIRCLE, P.O.
     BOX 6742,  ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO  80155-6742, ATTENTION:   INVESTOR RELATIONS
     (TELEPHONE  NUMBER (800) 408-4253). IN  ORDER TO INSURE  TIMELY DELIVERY OF
     THE DOCUMENTS, ANY REQUEST SHOULD BE MADE BY __________, 1997.

                                AVAILABLE INFORMATION

          The  Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on
     Form  S-4  under the  Securities  Act with  respect  to the  New Securities
     offered   hereby.  As  permitted  by  the  rules  and  regulations  of  the
     Commission,  this   Prospectus  omits  certain  information,  exhibits  and
     undertakings   contained  in  the   Registration  Statement.   For  further
     information  with respect  to the  Company and  the New  Securities offered
     hereby,  reference is  made to  the Registration  Statement, including  the
     exhibits thereto and the financial statements, notes and schedules filed as
     a  part  thereof.  ICG  is  and  has  been  subject  to  the  informational
     requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange Act  of  1934, as  amended  (the
     "Exchange Act"). Summary financial information  with respect to Holdings is
     contained  in the Exchange Act  reports of ICG.  The Registration Statement
     (and the  exhibits and schedules thereto), as  well as the periodic reports
     and  other information filed by  ICG with the  Commission, may be inspected
     and copied at the Public Reference Section of the Commission  at Room 1024,
     Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,  Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the
     regional offices of  the Commission located  at 7  World Trade Center,  New
     York, New York  10007 and Suite 1400, Northwestern  Atrium Center, 500 West
     Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511.  Copies of such materials may
     be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission, Room 1024,
     Judiciary  Plaza, 450 Fifth Street,  N.W., Washington, D.C.  20549, and its
     public reference facilities in New York, New York  and Chicago, Illinois at
     the prescribed rates. Such materials may also be accessed electronically by
     means  of the Commission's home page on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov.
     Statements contained in  this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract
     or  other document  are  not necessarily  complete,  and in  each  instance
     reference is  made to the  copy of  such contract or  document filed as  an
     exhibit to  the Registration Statement, each such statement being qualified
     in all respects by such reference.  In addition, reports, proxy  statements
     and other information concerning the Company can be inspected and copied at
     the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., 31 Milk Street, 11th
     Floor, Boston, Massachusetts  02109. 

          No person is authorized in connection with any offering made hereby to
     give  any information or to make any representation other than as contained
     in this Prospectus or the accompanying Letter of Transmittal, and, if given
     or made,  such information  or representation  must not  be relied  upon as
     having been authorized  by the Company.   Neither  this Prospectus nor  the
     accompanying  Letter of Transmittal or both together constitute an offer to
     sell or a solicitation of an offer  to buy any security other than the  New
     Securities  offered hereby, nor  does it constitute  an offer to  sell or a
     solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered hereby to any person
     in  any  jurisdiction  in which  it  is  unlawful  to  make such  offer  or
     solicitation to such person. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus or the
     accompanying  Letter of  Transmittal or  both together,  nor any  sale made
     hereunder  shall  under  any   circumstances  imply  that  the  information
     contained herein is correct as of any date subsequent to the date hereof.

                        INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

          The following documents have been filed by ICG with the Commission and
     are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Prospectus:

          1.   Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year  ended September 30, 1996
               (File No. 1-11965).
          2.   Transition Report on  Form 10-K  for the  transition period  from
               October 1, 1996 to December 31, 1996 (File No. 1-11965).
          3.   Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March
               31, 1997 (File No. 1-11965).

                                      -2-
     <PAGE>

          4.   Current Report on  Form 8-K dated February 21, 1997  (File No. 1-
               11965).
          5.   Current  Report on Form 8-K dated  February 25, 1997 (File No. 1-
               11965).

          All  documents subsequently  filed  by the  Company  or ICG  with  the
     Commission pursuant to  Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d)  of the Exchange
     Act, after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the termination of this
     offering,  shall be  deemed  to  be  incorporated  by  reference  into  the
     Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is  a part and to be a part
     hereof from the date of such filing. Any statement contained  in a document
     incorporated or deemed to  be incorporated by reference in  this Prospectus
     shall  be  deemed  to  be  modified  or superseded  for  purposes  of  this
     Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or  in any other
     subsequently filed document which also  is or is deemed to  be incorporated
     by  reference in this Prospectus modifies or supersedes such statement. Any
     statement  so modified  or superseded  shall not  be deemed,  except as  so
     modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.

          The Company hereby undertakes to provide without charge to each person
     to whom this Prospectus is delivered,  upon oral or written request of such
     person,  a copy of  any and all  information that has  been incorporated by
     reference into  this Prospectus (not including exhibits  to the information
     unless such exhibits are  specifically incorporated by reference into  such
     information).  Requests  for  information  should be  addressed  to:    ICG
     Communications,  Inc.,  9605 E.  Maroon Circle,  P.O. Box  6742, Englewood,
     Colorado 80155-6742, Attention: Investor Relations (telephone  number (800)
     408-4253).

                                 --------------------

          Until  ___________, 1997  (90  days after  the  date of  the  Exchange
     Offers), all dealers offering  transactions in the New Securities,  whether
     or not participating in the  Exchange Offers, may be required to  deliver a
     Prospectus.

                                       -3-
     <PAGE>

                                  PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

          The  following  summary  is qualified  in  its  entirety  by the  more
     detailed  information appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus as well as the
     information appearing  in the  documents incorporated by  reference herein.
     Unless  the  context  otherwise  requires,  the term  "Company"  means  the
     combined business  operations of ICG  and its  subsidiaries, including  ICG
     Holdings  (Canada),  Inc. ("Holdings  (Canada)")  and  Holdings; the  terms
     "fiscal" and "fiscal year" refer to ICG's fiscal year ending September  30;
     and all  dollar amounts  are in  U.S. dollars. The  Company has  changed 
     its  fiscal year  end to  December 31  from September 30,  effective
     January 1, 1997. Industry  figures were obtained from reports  published by
     the  Federal  Communications Commission  ("FCC"),  the  U.S. Department  of
     Commerce,  Connecticut  Research (an  industry  research organization)  and
     other industry sources, which  the Company has not  independently verified.
     Certain information  contained  in  this  Prospectus with  respect  to  the
     Company's plans and  strategy for  its business and  related financing  are
     forward-looking  statements  (as  such  term  is  defined  in  the  Private
     Securities Litigation Reform Act). Such statements are subject to risks and
     uncertainties and, as a  result, actual results may differ  materially from
     those expressed in  or implied  by such forward-looking  statements. For  a
     discussion  of  important risks  of an  investment  in the  New Securities,
     including factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
     forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors."  Investors should carefully
     consider  the  information  set  forth  under  the  caption "Risk  Factors"
     including the risks relating to historical and anticipated operating losses
     and negative cash flow.

                                     THE COMPANY

          The  Company  is one  of the  largest  providers of  competitive local
     telephone  services in  the  United  States,  based  on  estimates  of  the
     industry's 1996 revenue. Competitive local exchange carriers ("CLECs") seek
     to  provide  an  alternative  to  the  incumbent  local  exchange  carriers
     ("ILECs")  for a  full range  of telecommunications  services in  the newly
     opened  regulatory environment. As a CLEC, the Company operates networks in
     three regional  clusters covering  major metropolitan statistical  areas in
     California,  Colorado and  the  Ohio Valley,  and in  three markets  in the
     Southeast. The Company is  expanding its geographic focus to  include Texas
     and Oklahoma  (and may also expand  to Arkansas and  Louisiana) through its
     recently announced  joint venture with  Central and South  West Corporation
     ("CSW") that will develop and market telecommunications services, including
     local  exchange  telephone services,  in  these markets.  The  Company also
     provides  a wide range of network systems integration services and maritime
     and international satellite transmission services. As a leading participant
     in the  rapidly growing competitive local  telecommunications industry, the
     Company has  experienced significant growth, with  total revenue increasing
     from  $59.1  million for  fiscal 1994  to $217.8  million for  the 12-month
     period ended March 31, 1997. 

        
          The Federal  Telecommunications Act  of 1996  (the "Telecommunications
     Act")   and  several  pro-competitive  state  regulatory  initiatives  have
     substantially changed the telecommunications regulatory  environment in the
     United  States. Due  to  these  regulatory  changes,  the  Company  is  now
     permitted  to  offer  all  interstate and  intrastate  telephone  services,
     including  local dial tone, and  is developing a  full set of complementary
     services  such as long distance and data transmission services. The Company
     began marketing and selling competitive local dial tone services in three
     of its primary markets:  California launched statewide in late January 
     1997, followed by Ohio in February 1997 and Colorado in March 1997.  During
     the three months ended March 31, 1997, the Company sold 17,491 local access
     lines, of which 5,371 were in service at March 31, 1997.  The Company has
     17 high capacity digital telephony switches (and one additional switch 
     located in Phoenix which will be operational through August 1997,  after
     which it will be relocated) and 15 data communications switches in 
     operation  to  support  its  services,  and  plans  to  install  additional
     telephony and data switches as demand warrants. To facilitate the expansion
     of  its services,  the  Company has  entered  into agreements  with  Lucent
     Technologies, Inc. ("Lucent"), Northern Telecom Inc. ("Nortel") and 
     Cascade Communications, Inc.  ("Cascade") to  purchase a  full range  of 
     switching  systems, fiber optic  cable,  network electronics,  software  
     and  services. See  "-Recent Developments."
         

          In conjunction with the increase of its service offerings, the Company
     is  continuing to  invest  significant  resources  to  expand  its  network
     footprint.  This expansion  is being  undertaken through  a combination  of

                                      -4-
     <PAGE>
 
     constructing owned  facilities,  entering into  long-term  agreements  with
     other telecommunications carriers and establishing strategic alliances with
     utility companies. 

     TELECOM SERVICES 

          The Company  operates networks  in  the following  markets within  its
     three regional  clusters: California  (Sacramento, San  Diego  and the  Los
     Angeles and  San Francisco metropolitan areas);  Colorado (Denver, Colorado
     Springs and Boulder);  and the Ohio  Valley (Akron, Cincinnati,  Cleveland,
     Columbus, Dayton  and Louisville). The  Company also  operates networks  in
     Birmingham,  Charlotte and Nashville.  The Company will  continue to expand
     its network  through construction,  leased facilities, and  strategic joint
     ventures, such as the recently announced  joint venture with CSW that  will
     initially serve Austin and  Corpus Christi, Texas and Tulsa,  Oklahoma. The
     joint  venture may also develop  business opportunities in  other cities in
     Texas, Oklahoma,  Arkansas and Louisiana. The  Company's operating networks
     have grown  from approximately 780 fiber  route miles at the  end of fiscal
     1994 to  approximately 2,483  fiber route  miles as of  March 31,  1997.
     Telecom Services revenue has increased from $14.9 million for fiscal 1994 
     to $129.6 million for the 12-month period ended March 31, 1997. 

          Strategy 

          The Company's objective is  to become the dominant alternative  to the
     ILEC  in the  markets  it serves.  In furtherance  of  this objective,  the
     Company  has  developed  strategies   to  leverage  its  extensive  network
     footprint,  its  considerable  expertise   in  the  provision  of  switched
     telecommunications  services, and  its  established customer  base of  long
     distance carriers.  In  addition, the  Company  has begun  to  aggressively
     market  its  broad range  of  telecommunications services  to  business end
     users. Key elements of this strategy are: 

          Expand  Service Offerings.   The Company's  focus is to provide a wide
     range  of local, long distance and data communications services to business
     and  carrier customers within the Company's service areas, with an emphasis
     on  local dial  tone  services. The  Company  believes that  customers  are
     increasingly  demanding  a  broad,   full  service  approach  to  providing
     telecommunications  services.  By  offering   a  wide  array  of  services,
     management  believes  the  Company will  be  able  to  capture high  volume
     business accounts.  To this end, the  Company plans to  complement its core
     competitive  local  exchange services  with  competitive  local toll,  long
     distance  and data  communications services  tailored to  the needs  of its
     customers. 

          Market Services  to  End  Users  and  Carriers.      The  Company  has
     historically marketed its services primarily to long distance  carriers and
     resellers and its  "first to market" advantage has enabled  it to establish
     relationships  with  such carriers  and  resellers. As  competition  in the
     provision  of  local  telephone  services  increases,  these  carriers  and
     resellers  are attempting to  expand their service  offerings by developing
     and  delivering  local telephone  services  and new  enhanced  products and
     services, which the Company  is able to provide  its carrier customers  for
     resale.  In  addition, the  Company is  expanding  its sales  and marketing
     efforts  to  include end  user  business customers.  Management  believes a
     targeted  end user  strategy can  accelerate its  penetration of  the local
     services  market and better  leverage the Company's  network investment. In
     support  of  this entrance  into  the  end  user  market,  the  Company  is
     substantially expanding  its distribution  channels  through a  significant
     increase in its direct sales force and marketing personnel. 

          Concentrate  Markets in Regional Clusters.   The Company believes that
     by focusing  on regional  clusters  it will  be  able to  more  effectively
     service its  customers' needs and  efficiently market, operate  and control
     its networks.  As a result,  the Company  has concentrated its  networks in
     regional clusters serving major  metropolitan areas in California, Colorado
     and the Ohio Valley. The Company also operates networks in the Southeast in
     Birmingham, Charlotte and Nashville. The Company is currently expanding its
     network footprint  to include  Texas and Oklahoma  (and may also  expand to
     Arkansas and Louisiana) in partnership with CSW. 

          Expand Alliances with Utilities.   The Company has  established and is
     actively  pursuing  strategic  alliances  with utility  companies  to  take
     advantage  of  their  existing  fiber optic  infrastructures  and  customer
     relationships. This approach affords the Company the opportunity to license
     or lease fiber optic facilities on a long-term basis in a more timely, cost
     effective manner  than by  constructing facilities. In  addition, utilities

                                      -5-
     <PAGE>

     possess conduit and other facilities that enable the Company to more easily
     install additional fiber  to extend  existing networks in  a given  market.
     Finally,  management  expects  these  strategic alliances  to  combine  the
     Company's expertise in providing  high quality telecommunications  services
     with the utility's name recognition and customer relationships in marketing
     telecommunications products and services to the utility's customer base. 

     NETWORK SERVICES

          Through  the  Company's  wholly  owned  subsidiary,  ICG  Fiber  Optic
     Technologies, Inc.  ("FOTI"), the  Company supplies information  technology
     services  and selected  networking  products, focusing  on network  design,
     installation, maintenance and support for a variety of end users, including
     Fortune  1000  firms  and  other large  businesses  and  telecommunications
     companies. Revenue from Network Services was $64.4 million for the 12-month
     period ended March 31, 1997. 

     SATELLITE SERVICES

          The Company's  Satellite Services  operations provide  satellite voice
     and  data  services to  major  cruise lines,  commercial  shipping vessels,
     yachts, the U.S.  Navy and offshore oil platforms. The  Company also owns a
     teleport facility which provides  international voice and data transmission
     services.  Revenue  for  the  Satellite Services  operations  (adjusted  to
     reflect the sale of certain teleport  assets) was $11.4 million for  fiscal
     1995 and $23.7 million for the 12-month period ended March 31, 1997. 

     RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

          CSW Agreement.     In  January 1997,  the  Company announced  a  joint
     venture with  CSW which will develop and market telecommunications services
     in Texas  and Oklahoma (and may also expand to Arkansas and Louisiana). The
     new  company,  CSW/ICG  ChoiceCom, L.P.  ("ChoiceCom"),  will  be based  in
     Austin, Texas and will initially serve Austin and Corpus Christi, Texas and
     Tulsa, Oklahoma with  local telephone, long distance and  data transmission
     services. ChoiceCom also expects to develop business opportunities in other
     cities in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. 

          Lucent  Agreement.    In September 1996,  the Company entered  into an
     equipment purchase  agreement with Lucent  for advanced  telecommunications
     products and services. Lucent will provide the Company with a full range of
     systems,  software and services which will be  used by the Company to build
     and expand the Company's advanced communications networks, including 5ESS -
     2000  switching systems,  synchronous  optical  network  equipment,  access
     equipment,   power   plants,   application   software   systems,   Advanced
     Intelligence Network  platforms, data  networking products and  fiber optic
     cable. Lucent has also agreed to provide  engineering, installation, onsite
     technical support and other professional services. 

        
          Cascade Agreement.   In April 1997, the Company entered into an 
     agreement with  Cascade for  the purchase of  data switching  components
     that will enable the Company to provide high-speed data connectivity to its
     customers.  The agreement  also provides  for the  purchase of  high-speed
     frame  relay and asynchronous  transfer mode  ("ATM") switching  products. 
     In  addition, the Company will utilize turnkey services from Cascade for 
     product planning and deployment of the initial product launch, including
     program management, network design, onsite operations support and training.
     The Company recently began offering its data communications services in 
     California, Colorado and Ohio. 
         

          Nortel Agreement.     In December  1996, the  Company entered into  an
     equipment and software  licensing agreement with Nortel  under which Nortel
     will provide the Company with telecommunications equipment and software. 

          Network  Expansion.     The Company  continues  to expand  its network
     footprint through several strategic  initiatives with utility companies and
     others.  These include a 30-year  agreement and two  indefeasible rights of
     use ("IRU") agreements with  the Los Angeles Department of Water  and Power
     for 105  miles of fiber  optic capacity in  Los Angeles,  including Century
     City,  West Los Angeles, Mid-Wilshire and Sherman Oaks; a 15-year agreement

                                      -6-
     <PAGE>
 
     with the  City of Burbank, California  to lease fiber optic  capacity on an
     11.5  mile network;  and  a  ten-year  agreement  and  three  ten-year  IRU
     agreements with the City of Alameda  Bureau of Electricity, under which the
     Company will have access to approximately seven miles of fiber optic cable.

     FINANCING

          In April 1996, the Company raised net  proceeds of $433.0 million from
     the issuance of 12 1/2% Senior Discount  Notes due 2006 (the "12 1/2% 
     Notes") and 14 1/4% Exchangeable Preferred Stock  Mandatorily Redeemable
     2007 (the "14 1/4% Preferred Stock") of Holdings (the "1996 Offering").

          In March  1997, Holdings  completed a  private offering  (the "Private
     Offering") of (i) the Old Notes which are guaranteed on  a senior unsecured
     basis by ICG (the "Note Guarantee"), and (ii) the Old Preferred  Stock, for
     aggregate  gross  proceeds  of  approximately  $199.9 million.  The Company
     believes  that its  liquidity will  be improved  because the Notes  and the
     Preferred Stock  do not require  the payment of  cash interest and  of cash
     dividends, respectively, prior to 2002. 

          The Preferred Stock accrues  dividends quarterly at an annual  rate of
     14% per annum. Dividends are payable  quarterly in cash or, on or  prior to
     March  15, 2002, at  the sole option  of Holdings, in  additional shares of
     Preferred Stock.
 
        
          Management believes that  the net proceeds from the  Private Offering,
     amounts expected to  be available through vendor financing arrangements and
     the funds  remaining from  the 1996  Offering will  permit  the Company  to
     expand its telecom  services business as currently planned and  to fund its
     operating deficits for approximately 17 months.
         


                                 THE EXCHANGE OFFERS

     The Note Exchange 
          Offer.......   The Company  is offering to  exchange $1,000  principal
                         amount of New Notes for each $1,000 principal amount of
                         Old Notes that are  properly tendered and accepted. The
                         Company will  issue the New Notes on  or promptly after
                         the Expiration  Date. The New  Notes will be  fully and
                         unconditionally   guaranteed   by   ICG.    There   are
                         $176,000,000  aggregate  principal  amount at  maturity
                         ($99,908,160  original   issue  price)  of   Old  Notes
                         outstanding. See "The Exchange Offers."

     The Preferred Stock
     Exchange Offer...   The  Company is offering  to exchange one  share of New
                         Preferred Stock  for each share of  Old Preferred Stock
                         that  is properly  tendered and  accepted. The  Company
                         will issue the New Preferred Stock on or promptly after
                         the Expiration  Date. There  are 100,000 shares  of Old
                         Preferred Stock outstanding. See "The Exchange Offers."
     Resale of New 
     Securities......    Based  on  an  interpretation   by  the  staff  of  the
                         Commission set  forth  in no-action  letters issued  to
                         third  parties,  including   "Exxon  Capital   Holdings
                         Corporation"  (available May 13, 1988), "Morgan Stanley
                         & Co. Incorporated" (available June 5, 1991), "Mary Kay
                         Cosmetics,  Inc." (available  June 5,  1991), "Warnaco,
                         Inc."   (available   October  11,   1991)   and  "K-III
                         Communications  Corp." (available  May  14, 1993),  the
                         Company believes that New Securities issued pursuant to
                         the Exchange Offers in  exchange for Old Securities may
                         be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred
                         by any holder thereof (other than any such holder which
                         is an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning  of
                         Rule 405 under  the Securities Act) without  compliance

                                      -7-
     <PAGE>
 
                         with   the   registration   and   prospectus   delivery
                         provisions  of the Securities  Act, provided  that such
                         New Securities  are acquired in the  ordinary course of
                         such holder's  or any other such  person's business and
                         that such  holder  or  any other  such  person  has  no
                         arrangement  or   understanding  with  any   person  to
                         participate in the distribution of such New Securities.
                         Under no circumstances may  this Prospectus be used for
                         an  offer   to  resell  or  other   retransfer  of  New
                         Securities. In  the event that the  Company's belief is
                         inaccurate,  holders of New Securities who transfer New
                         Securities  in  violation  of the  prospectus  delivery
                         provisions  of   the  Securities  Act  and  without  an
                         exemption  from  registration   thereunder  may   incur
                         liability thereunder.  The Company  does not  assume or
                         indemnify holders against such liability.  The Exchange
                         Offers are  not being  made  to, nor  will the  Company
                         accept surrenders  for exchange  from,  holders of  Old
                         Securities  (i)  in  any  jurisdiction   in  which  the
                         Exchange Offers or the  acceptance thereof would not be
                         in  compliance with the securities or  blue sky laws of
                         such jurisdiction or  (ii) if any holder is  engaged or
                         intends  to  engage  in   a  distribution  of  the  New
                         Securities.  Each  broker-dealer   that  receives   New
                         Securities  for its  own  account in  exchange for  Old
                         Securities, where such Old Securities  were acquired by
                         such  broker-dealer   as  a  result   of  market-making
                         activities   or   other   trading    activities,   must
                         acknowledge  that  it  will  deliver  a  prospectus  in
                         connection with any resale  of such New Securities. The
                         Company  has  not  entered   into  any  arrangement  or
                         understanding with  any person  to  distribute the  New
                         Securities to  be received in the  Exchange Offers. See
                         "Plan of Distribution."

     Expiration Date..   The Exchange  Offers will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York
                         City  time, on  __________,  1997 unless  extended,  in
                         which case  the term  "Expiration Date" shall  mean the
                         latest  date and time to which  the Exchange Offers are
                         extended. The Company will  accept for exchange any and
                         all Old  Securities which are properly  tendered in the
                         Exchange Offers prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time,
                         on  the  Expiration  Date. The  New  Securities  issued
                         pursuant to the Exchange Offers will be delivered on or
                         promptly after the Expiration Date.

     Conditions to the
     Exchange Offers..   The  Company may  terminate the  Exchange Offers  if it
                         determines  that  its  ability  to  proceed   with  the
                         Exchange Offers could be materially impaired due to any
                         legal  or governmental  action,  any new  law, statute,
                         rule or regulation, any  interpretation by the staff of
                         the Commission  of any  existing law, statute,  rule or
                         regulation  or  the  failure  to obtain  any  necessary
                         approvals of  governmental agencies  or holders of  the
                         Old Securities. The Company does not  expect any of the
                         foregoing conditions to occur, although there can be no
                         assurances that such conditions will not occur.

     Procedures for
     Tendering Old Notes
     and Old Preferred
     Stock...........    Each holder of Old Securities wishing to participate in
                         the Exchange  Offers must  complete, sign and  date the
                         Letter of  Transmittal,  or  a  facsimile  thereof,  in
                         accordance with  the instructions contained  herein and
                         therein, and  mail or otherwise deliver  such Letter of
                         Transmittal, or such facsimile, together with  such Old
                         Notes  or such Old Preferred Stock, as the case may be,
                         and any other required documentation to Norwest  Banks,
                         as exchange agent for the Notes (the "Exchange Agent"),
                         or  to  American Stock  Transfer  &  Trust Company,  as
                         transfer agent for  the Preferred Stock (the  "Transfer
                         Agent") at the addresses set forth herein. By executing

                                      -8-
     <PAGE>

                         the  Letter of Transmittal,  each holder will represent
                         to  the  Company  that,  among other  things,  the  New
                         Securities acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offers are
                         being obtained  in the  ordinary course of  business of
                         the  person receiving  such New Securities,  whether or
                         not  such  person has  an arrangement  or understanding
                         with any  person to participate in  the distribution of
                         such New Securities and that neither the holder nor any
                         such other person is an "affiliate," as defined in Rule
                         405 under the Securities Act, of the Company.

     Special Procedures
     for Beneficial
     Owners..........    Any  beneficial   owner   whose  Old   Securities   are
                         registered in the name  of a broker, dealer, commercial
                         bank, trust  company or other nominee and who wishes to
                         tender  such  Old  Securities  in  the  Exchange Offers
                         should  contact such  registered  holder  promptly  and
                         instruct such  registered  holder  to  tender  on  such
                         beneficial owner's  behalf.  If such  beneficial  owner
                         wishes to tender on such owner's own behalf, such owner
                         must, prior  to completing and executing  the Letter of
                         Transmittal  and delivering its  Old Securities, either
                         make  appropriate arrangements to register ownership of
                         the  Old Securities  in such  owner's name or  obtain a
                         properly  completed  bond  power  from  the  registered
                         holder. The transfer  of registered ownership may  take
                         considerable  time and may not be  able to be completed
                         prior to the Expiration Date.

     Guaranteed Delivery
          Procedures..   Holders of Old Securities who wish to  tender their Old
                         Securities and whose Old Securities are not immediately
                         available or who cannot deliver their Old Securities or
                         the Letter of Transmittal to  the Exchange Agent or the
                         Transfer  Agent,  as  the case  may  be,  prior to  the
                         Expiration  Date,  must  tender  their  Old  Securities
                         according to  the  guaranteed delivery  procedures  set
                         forth  in  "The   Exchange  Offer-Guaranteed   Delivery
                         Procedures."

     Withdrawal Rights.  Tenders of Old Securities may be withdrawn at any  time
                         prior  to  5:00  p.m.,  New  York  City  time,  on  the
                         Expiration Date.
  
     Certain Federal
     Income Tax 
     Considerations...   The exchange of New Preferred Stock for Old Preferred
                         Stock, and New Notes for Old Notes, will not constitute
                         a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  
                         As a result, holders of New Preferred Stock or New
                         Notes will not recognize any income, gain or loss with
                         respect to such exchange.  The New Notes will be, and
                         the Exchange Debentures may be, issued with original
                         issue discount ("OID") for U.S. federal income tax
                         purposes.  United States Holders of New Notes or
                         Exchange Debentures issued with OID must include such
                         OID in income on a constant yield accrual method, 
                         regardless of such holders' method of accounting.  As
                         a result, such holders will include OID in income in
                         advance of the receipt of cash attributable to that 
                         income.  For a discussion of certain U.S. federal 
                         income tax considerations relating to the exchange of
                         the  New Notes for the Old Notes and the New Preferred
                         Stock for the  Old Preferred  Stock,  see "Certain  
                         United States Federal Income Tax Considerations."

                                      -9-
     <PAGE>   

     Exchange Agent...   Norwest  Banks  is the  Exchange  Agent.  Its telephone
                         number is (612) 667-4070. The  address of the  Exchange
                         Agent is  set  forth in  "The Exchange  Offers-Exchange
                         Agent."

     Transfer Agent...   American Stock Transfer & Trust Company is the Transfer
                         Agent.  Its  telephone number  is  (212) 936-5100.  The
                         address of the Transfer  Agent is as set forth  in "The
                         Exchange Offers-Transfer Agent."

                                    THE NEW NOTES

     Aggregate Amount.   $176,000,000 principal amount at  maturity ($99,908,160
                         original  issue  price)  of  11  5/8%  Senior  Exchange
                         Discount Notes due March 15, 2007.

     Yield and Interest  From  and after March 15, 2002, the New Notes will bear
                         interest, which will be  payable in cash, at a  rate of
                         11  5/8% per annum on  each March 15  and September 15,
                         commencing September 15, 2002.

     Optional Redemption On  or  after March  15, 2002,  the  New Notes  will be
                         redeemable at the  option of Holdings,  in whole or  in
                         part, at  the redemption prices set  forth herein, plus
                         accrued and unpaid interest  to the date of redemption.
                         See "Description of New Notes-Optional Redemption."

     Optional Redemption 
     Upon Public Equity 
     Offering.........   At any time, or from time to time, on or prior to March
                         15, 2000, Holdings may, at its option, redeem New Notes
                         having a principal amount of up to 35% of the principal
                         amount  of  the  Old   Notes  initially  issued,  at  a
                         redemption  price equal  to  111 5/8%  of the  Accreted
                         Value of such New Notes on the date of redemption, with
                         the proceeds  of one  or more Public  Equity Offerings.
                         See "Description of New Notes-Optional Redemption."

     Guarantee........   The New Notes will be guaranteed on a senior, unsecured
                         basis by ICG.

     Ranking..........   The New  Notes and the  Note Guarantee will  be senior,
                         unsecured    obligations    of   Holdings    and   ICG,
                         respectively, will rank pari  passu in right of payment
                         with all existing  and future unsecured, unsubordinated
                         obligations and will  be senior in right  of payment to
                         all  existing and  future subordinated  indebtedness of
                         Holdings  and ICG.  At March 31, 1997, Holdings and
                         ICG  had,  on  an  unconsolidated  basis, approximately
                         $762.9 million of senior indebtedness (which amount
                         includes the Old Notes and the Note Guarantee),
                         including  capitalized  lease   obligations.  ICG   and
                         Holdings are each holding  companies and therefore must
                         rely upon dividend and other payments from their
                         subsidiaries to generate the funds necessary to meet
                         their obligations, including the payment of principal
                         and interest on the New Notes.  The New Notes and
                         the  Note Guarantee will be effectively subordinated to
                         all  liabilities  (including  trade  payables)  of  the
                         subsidiaries of  ICG and  Holdings and at  March 31,
                         1997,  the subsidiaries  of Holdings  had approximately
                         $94.2 million of liabilities (excluding intercompany
                         payables), including $31.5 million of indebtedness.
                         See "Risk Factors-Substantial Indebtedness; Ability to
                         Service  Debt" and "-Holding  Company  Reliance  on  
                         Subsidiaries' Funds; Priority of Creditors; 
                         Subordination of Exchange Debentures."

     Certain Covenants.  The Indenture  contains certain covenants  which, among
     
                                      -10-
     <PAGE>

                         other things, restrict the ability of ICG, Holdings and
                         their  Restricted Subsidiaries  (as defined  herein) to
                         incur additional indebtedness for, among other things,
                         the acquisition of network assets, inventory and 
                         equipment;  create liens; engage in  sale-leaseback 
                         transactions;  pay  dividends  or  make  distributions
                         in respect of  their capital stock (other  than  
                         permitted dividends with respect to the Preferred
                         Stock   and   the  14   1/4%  Preferred   Stock);  make
                         investments  or make certain other restricted payments;
                         sell assets;  create  restrictions on  the  ability  of
                         Restricted Subsidiaries to make certain payments; issue
                         or  sell  stock  of  certain  subsidiaries;  enter into
                         transactions with stockholders or affiliates; and, with
                         respect to ICG and Holdings, consolidate, merge or sell
                         all   or   substantially  all   of   its   assets.  See
                         "Description of New Notes-Covenants."

     Change of Control.  Upon a Change of  Control (as defined herein), Holdings
                         is  required to make an offer to purchase the New Notes
                         at  a purchase price  equal to  101% of  their Accreted
                         Value on the date of purchase plus accrued interest, if
                         any. See "Description  of New  Notes-Repurchase of  New
                         Notes upon a Change of Control."


                               THE NEW PREFERRED STOCK

     Preferred Stock..   100,000 shares of New Exchangeable Preferred Stock.

     Dividends........   Cumulative  at 14%  per  annum. All  dividends will  be
                         payable  quarterly in cash or, on or prior to March 15,
                         2002,  at the  sole option  of Holdings,  in additional
                         shares  of  Preferred  Stock,  on March  15,  June  15,
                         September 15  and December 15 of  each year, commencing
                         June  15, 1997.  Dividends on  the New  Preferred Stock
                         will accrue and be cumulative from the date of issuance
                         thereof. For federal income tax purposes, distributions
                         with  respect  to  the  New  Preferred  Stock  are  not
                         expected to qualify as dividends and will be treated as
                         a  return of  capital until  Holdings has  earnings and
                         profits  as determined under  applicable federal income
                         tax  principles. See  "Certain  United  States  Federal
                         Income  Tax  Considerations-Tax Consequences  to United
                         States Holders-Dividends on the New Preferred Stock."

     Liquidation 
     Preference.......   $1,000 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends.

     Voting...........   Holders of  the New Preferred Stock will have no voting
                         rights except as provided by law and as provided in the
                         Amended Articles.  In the event that  dividends are not
                         paid for any four quarters, whether or not consecutive,
                         or  upon certain  other  events  (including failure  to
                         comply with covenants and  failure to pay the mandatory
                         redemption  price  when   due),  then  the  number   of
                         directors  constituting  Holdings'  Board of  Directors
                         will be adjusted to permit the holders of the  majority
                         of  the then  outstanding New  Preferred Stock,  voting
                         separately  as a  class,  to elect  two directors.  See
                         "Description of New Preferred Stock-Voting Rights."

     Mandatory 
     Redemption.......   Holdings is required to  redeem the New Preferred Stock
                         on March 15, 2008 (subject to the legal availability of
                         funds  therefor) at  a  redemption price  equal to  the
                         liquidation   preference,   plus  accrued   and  unpaid
                         dividends to  the redemption date. See  "Description of
                         New Preferred Stock-Mandatory Redemption."

                                      -11-
     <PAGE>

     Optional Redemption On  or after March 15, 2002, the New Preferred Stock is
                         redeemable, at the  option of Holdings, in whole  or in
                         part, at  the redemption prices set  forth herein, plus
                         accrued and  unpaid dividends to  the redemption  date.
                         See  "Description  of   New  Preferred   Stock-Optional
                         Redemption."

     Optional
     Redemption Upon
     Public Equity
     Offering.........   At any time, or from time to time, on or prior to March
                         15, 2000, Holdings may, at its option, redeem shares of
                         Old  Preferred Stock  having  an aggregate  liquidation
                         preference of  up to  35% of the  aggregate liquidation
                         preference  of  all  shares   of  New  Preferred  Stock
                         originally issued  at a redemption price  equal to 114%
                         of the liquidation preference thereof, plus accrued and
                         unpaid dividends  to  the  redemption  date,  with  the
                         proceeds of  one or  more Public Equity  Offerings. See
                         "Description    of    New   Preferred    Stock-Optional
                         Redemption."

     Ranking..........   The  New Preferred Stock  will rank  (i) senior  to all
                         common stock of Holdings and to all other capital stock
                         of Holdings unless the terms of such stock expressly 
                         provide that it ranks senior to or on a parity with the
                         New Preferred Stock; (ii) on a  parity with any capital
                         stock of Holdings the  terms of which expressly provide
                         that  it will rank on  a parity with  the New Preferred
                         Stock, including the 14 1/4% Preferred Stock; and (iii)
                         junior to  all capital stock  of Holdings the  terms of
                         which expressly  provide  that  such  stock  will  rank
                         senior to the New  Preferred Stock.  Holdings is a 
                         holding company and therefore must rely upon dividend 
                         and other payments from its subsidiaries to generate
                         the funds necessary to meet its obligations, including
                         the payment of cash dividends on, and the mandatory
                         redemption price of, the New Preferred Stock.  See 
                         "Risk Factors-Substantial Indebtedness; Ability to
                         Service Debt" and "Description of New Preferred Stock-
                         Ranking."

     Optional Exchange
     Feature..........   The New  Preferred Stock is  exchangeable into Exchange
                         Debentures  at the option of Holdings, in whole but not
                         in part,  subject to (i) such  exchange being permitted
                         by  the terms  of  the Indenture,  the indenture  under
                         which the 12 1/2% Notes were issued (the "12 1/2% Notes
                         Indenture") and  the indenture under which  the 13 1/2%
                         Senior Discount Notes due  September 15, 2005 (the "13
                         1/2 Notes")  of Holdings  were issued  (the "13  1/2%
                         Notes Indenture"), and  (ii) the conditions described
                         in the Amended Articles  being satisfied. See  
                         "Description of New  Preferred  Stock-Exchange"  and
                         "Description  of Exchange Debentures."

     Certain Covenants.  The  Amended Articles contain  certain covenants which,
                         among other  things, restrict the  ability of  Holdings
                         and  its Restricted  Subsidiaries  to incur  additional
                         indebtedness  and issue preferred  stock; create liens;
                         pay dividends or make distributions in respect of their
                         capital  stock  (other  than permitted  dividends  with
                         respect  to  the  Preferred   Stock  and  the  14  1/4%
                         Preferred  Stock); make  investments  or  make  certain
                         other   restricted   payments;   sell  assets;   create
                         restrictions on the ability of  Restricted Subsidiaries
                         to  make  certain  payments;  issue or  sell  stock  of
                         Restricted Subsidiaries; enter  into transactions  with
                         stockholders or affiliates;  incur senior  subordinated
                         indebtedness;  and, with  respect  to each  of ICG  and
                         Holdings,   consolidate,   merge   or   sell   all   or
                         substantially all  of its assets.  See "Description  of
                         New Preferred Stock-Certain Covenants."

     Change of Control   Upon a Change of Control, Holdings is required to  make

                                      -12-
     <PAGE>

                         an offer  to purchase the shares of New Preferred Stock
                         at a purchase price equal  to 101% of their liquidation
                         preference on  the date  of purchase, plus  accrued and
                         unpaid  dividends  to   the  date   of  purchase.   See
                         "Description of New Preferred Stock-Change of Control."


                               THE EXCHANGE DEBENTURES

     Exchange 
     Debentures.......   14%  Senior Subordinated Exchange  Debentures due March
                         15, 2008 in  an aggregate principal amount equal to the
                         aggregate  liquidation preference  of, and  accrued but
                         unpaid   dividends   on,   the   New   Preferred  Stock
                         outstanding on the Exchange Date (as defined herein).

     Interest Payment 
          Dates.......   March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing with
                         the first  of such dates  to occur  after the  Exchange
                         Date.  On or prior to  March 15, 2002,  the Company may
                         pay  interest  on the  Exchange  Debentures by  issuing
                         additional Exchange Debentures.

     Optional 
          Redemption..   On or after March 15, 2002, the Exchange Debentures are
                         redeemable, at the  option of Holdings, in  whole or in
                         part, at  the redemption prices set  forth herein, plus
                         accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. See
                         "Description     of    Exchange     Debentures-Optional
                         Redemption."

     Optional Redemption 
     Upon Public 
     Equity Offering..   At any time, or from time to time, on or prior to March
                         15, 2000, Holdings may,  at its option, redeem Exchange
                         Debentures having  a principal  amount equal to  35% of
                         the  liquidation  preference  of  the  Preferred  Stock
                         initially issued at a redemption price equal to 114% of
                         the principal  amount thereof, plus accrued  and unpaid
                         interest to  the redemption date, with  the proceeds of
                         one or  more Public Equity Offerings.  See "Description
                         of Exchange Debentures-Optional Redemption."

     Guarantee........   ICG will guarantee the  Exchange Debentures on a senior
                         subordinated    unsecured    basis   (the    "Debenture
                         Guarantee").

     Ranking..........   The  Exchange  Debentures will  be  senior subordinated
                         Indebtedness   (as   defined   herein)   of   Holdings,
                         subordinated  to  the prior  payment  when  due of  the
                         principal  of, and  premium,  if any,  and accrued  and
                         unpaid  interest on,  all  existing and  future  Senior
                         Indebtedness (as defined herein) of Holdings (including
                         the New Notes) and senior to the prior payment when due
                         of  the principal and premium, if  any, and accrued and
                         unpaid  interest on,  all subordinated  Indebtedness of
                         Holdings.  ICG's guarantee  of the  Exchange Debentures
                         will  be  senior   subordinated  Indebtedness  of  ICG,
                         subordinated  to  the prior  payment  when  due of  the
                         principal  of, and  premium,  if any,  and accrued  and
                         unpaid  interest  on, all  existing  and future  Senior
                         Guarantor  Indebtedness  (as  defined  herein)  of  ICG
                         (including the Note Guarantee)  and senior to the prior
                         payment  when due of the principal  of, and premium, if
                         any,   and  accrued   and  unpaid   interest  on,   all
                         subordinated Indebtedness of ICG.  ICG and Holdings are
                         each holding companies and therefore must rely upon
                         dividend and other payments from their subsidiaries to
                         generate the funds necessary to meet their obligations,
                         including the payment of principal and interest on the 
                         Exchange Debentures.  See "Risk Factors-Substantial
                         Indebtedness; Ability to Service Debt."

                                      -13-
     <PAGE>

     Certain Covenants.  The  indenture under which the Exchange Debentures will
                         be  issued  (the "Exchange  Debenture  Indenture") will
                         contain  certain covenants  which, among  other things,
                         restricts  the  ability  of  ICG,  Holdings  and  their
                         Restricted    Subsidiaries    to    incur    additional
                         indebtedness for, among other things, the acquisition 
                         of network assets, inventory and equipment;  create  
                         liens;  pay  dividends  or  make  distributions in  
                         respect of their capital  stock; make investments  or
                         make certain other restricted payments;  sell  assets;
                         create restrictions  on  the  ability of Restricted 
                         Subsidiaries to make certain payments; issue or  sell
                         stock of certain subsidiaries; enter into transactions
                         with  stockholders  or affiliates;  incur  senior 
                         subordinated indebtedness; and, with  respect to each
                         of  ICG and  Holdings, consolidate, merge  or sell
                         all   or  substantially   all  of  their   assets.  See
                         "Description of Exchange Debentures-Certain Covenants."

     Registration 
     Requirements.....   The Exchange  Debentures may not be  issued unless such
                         issuance is  registered under the Securities  Act or is
                         exempt from registration.

     Change of Control.  Upon a Change of Control, Holdings  is required to make
                         an  offer  to purchase  the  Exchange  Debentures at  a
                         purchase price equal to  101% of their principal amount
                         on the date  of purchase plus accrued interest, if any.
                         See  "Description  of  Exchange   Debentures-Change  of
                         Control."

                                     RISK FACTORS

          See  "Risk  Factors,"  immediately   following  this  Summary,  for  a
     discussion of  certain  risks  that  should be  considered  by  prospective
     investors in connection with  the Exchange Offers and an  investment in the
     New  Securities, including the risks  related to historical and anticipated
     operating losses, negative cash flow and substantial indebtedness.

                                       -14-
     <PAGE>

      SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL AND STATISTICAL INFORMATION(1)
                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT STATISTICAL DATA)
     
                                               YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                                                      PRO FORMA
                                     1994         1995       1996     1996 (2)
                                    ------       ------     ------    ---------
     STATEMENT  OF  OPERATIONS
     DATA:(3)
     Revenue:
       Telecom services  . . . .   $ 14,854      32,330    87,681       87,681
       Network services  . . . .     36,019      58,778    60,116       60,116
       Satellite services(4) . .      8,121      20,502    21,297       21,297
       Other . . . . . . . . . .        118           -         -            -
                                   --------     -------   -------      -------
         Total revenue . . . . .     59,112     111,610   169,094      169,094
     Operating loss  . . . . . .    (15,226)    (46,814)  (73,252)     (73,252)
     Interest expense  . . . . .     (8,481)    (24,368)  (85,714)     (97,708)
     Minority interests,
      including preferred stock
      dividends  . . . . . . . .        435      (1,123)  (25,306)     (39,697)
     Net loss  . . . . . . . . .   $(23,868)    (76,648) (184,107)    (210,492)
     Loss per share. . . . . . .     $(1.56)      (3.25)    (6.83)       (7.81)
     Weighted average number
      of shares outstanding(5) .     15,342      23,604    26,955       26,955

     OTHER DATA:
     EBITDA(6) . . . . . . . . .    $(7,068)    (30,190)  (42,884)     (42,884)
     Net cash used by 
      operating activities . . .     (7,532)    (43,039)  (47,361)     (47,361)
     Net cash used by
      investing activities . . .    (51,452)    (71,342) (131,200)    (131,200)
     Net cash provided (used)
      by financing activities. .     49,428     377,772   360,227      552,035
     Capital expenditures(7) . .     54,921      88,495   175,148      175,148
     Ratio of earnings to
      combined fixed charges
      and preferred stock
      dividends(8) . . . . . . .          -           -         -            -

     STATISTICAL DATA:(9)
     Full time employees . . . .        714         938     1,323
      Telecom services:
       Buildings connected:
        On-net . . . . . . . . .        226         280       478
        Off-net  . . . . . . . .          -       1,095     1,589
                                   --------     -------   -------
         Total buildings connected      226       1,375     2,067
       Customer circuits in         
        service (VGEs)(11) . . .    224,072     430,535   630,697
       Operational switches:
        Telephony  . . . . . . .          1          13        14
        Frame relay. . . . . . .          -           -         -
                                    -------     -------   -------  
         Total operational 
          switches . . . . . . .          1          13        14 
       Switched minutes of use  
        (in millions)  . . . . .          2         283     1,635
       Fiber route miles:(12)
         Operational . . . . . .        323         627     2,143
         Under construction. . .          -           -         -
       Fiber strand miles:(13)
         Operational . . . . . .     14,959      27,150    70,067
         Under construction. . .          -           -         -
       Wireless route miles(14)         606         568       491
     Satellite services:
         Very small aperture           
           terminals ("VSATs") .        810         626       835
         C-Band
           installations(15) . .          -          28        48
         L-Band
           installations(16) . .          -           -       109


                                               THREE MONTHS ENDED, 
                                   -------------------------------------------
                                                                    PRO FORMA
                                   DECEMBER     MARCH     MARCH       MARCH
                                      31,        31,       31,         31,
                                     1996       1996      1997        1997(2)
                                   --------    ------    ------     ---------
     STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
     DATA:(3)
     Revenue:
       Telecom services  . . .     34,787      17,635    38,280       38,280
       Network services  . . .     15,981      13,973    17,987       17,987
       Satellite services(4) .      6,188       4,336     6,783        6,783
       Other . . . . . . . . .          -           -         -            -
                                  -------     -------   -------      -------
          Total revenue  . . .     56,956      35,944    63,050       63,050
     Operating loss  . . . . .    (27,051)    (15,823)  (40,783)     (40,783)
     Interest expense  . . . .    (24,454)    (14,217)  (25,140)     (27,503) 
     Minority interests,
      including preferred
      stock dividends  . . . .     (4,988)     (1,970)   (5,753)      (8,564) 
     Net loss  . . . . . . . .    (49,823)    (26,939)  (66,781)     (71,955)
     Loss per share. . . . . .      (1.56)      (1.04)    (2.09)       (2.25)
     Weighted average 
      number of shares 
      outstanding(5) . . . . .     31,840      25,803    31,938       31,938

     OTHER DATA:
     EBITDA(6) . . . . . . . .    (17,226)     (8,381)  (29,901)     (29,901)
     Net cash used by
      operating activities . .     (8,639)    (17,022)  (14,769)     (14,769)
     Net cash used by
      investing activities . .    (82,339)    (50,700)  (58,565)     (58,565) 
     New cash provided (used)
      by financing activities.       (170)    (23,956)  172,688      172,688  
     Capital expenditures(7) .     78,238      76,433    61,545       61,545
     Ratio of earnings to
      combined fixed charges
      and preferred stock
      dividends(8) . . . . . .          -           -         -            -

     STATISTICAL DATA:(9)
     Full time employees . . .      1,424       1,061     1,606
      Telecom services:
       Buildings connected:
        On-net . . . . . . . .        522         327       545
        Off-net. . . . . . . .      1,547(10)   1,401     1,550
                                  -------     -------   -------
         Total buildings
          connected. . . . . .      2,069       1,728     2,095
       Customer circuits in
        service (VGEs)(11) . .    748,528     510,755   816,238
       Operational switches:
        Telephony  . . . . . .         14          13        16
        Frame relay  . . . . .          1           -        10
                                  -------     -------   -------
         Total operational
          switches . . . . . .         15          13        26
       Switched minutes of use
        (in millions). . . . .        607         362       682
       Fiber route miles:(12)
        Operational  . . . . .      2,385         780     2,483
        Under construction . .          -           -       639
       Fiber strand
        miles:(13)
        Operational  . . . . .     75,490      36,310    83,334
        Under construction . .          -           -    28,310
       Wireless route
        miles(14)  . . . . . .        506         582       511
     Satellite services:
       Very small aperture
        terminals ("VSATs")           860         658       875
       C-Band
        installations(15)  . .         54          36        57
       L-Band
        installations(16)  . .        204           3       355

                              (Accompanying notes are on the following page)

                                      -15-
     <PAGE>

                                                       MARCH 31, 1997
                                                       --------------
                                                    
     BALANCE SHEET DATA:
     Cash and short-term 
        investments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $491,035
     Working capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      465,248  
     Property and equipment, 
        net  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      456,725  
     Total assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    1,089,681  
     Current portion of long-term debt 
       and capital lease obligations . . . . . . . .        8,455  
     Long-term debt and capital 
       lease obligations, less current portion . . .      882,476  
     14 1/4% Preferred Stock of Holdings 
       (redeemable) ($170.6 million 
        liquidation value) . . . . . . . . . . . . .      165,122  
     Preferred Stock of Holdings 
      (redeemable) ($100.8 million 
      liquidation value) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       96,787  
     Common Stock and additional paid-in capital . .      303,673  
     Accumulated deficit . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     (435,421) 
     Stockholders' deficit . . . . . . . . . . . . .     (131,748) 

     --------------------

     (1)  The  Summary  Historical  and  Pro  Forma  Financial  and  Statistical
          Information relates to ICG and its subsidiaries. All of ICG's business
          is conducted through Holdings and its subsidiaries and, therefore, 
          consolidated financial statements for Holdings are not being presented
          since such financial statements would not differ substantially from
          the financial statements of ICG.       
     (2)  Pro  Forma Statement of Operations Data reflects the receipt of the
          net proceeds  from the Private  Offering and  interest expense on 
          $99.9 million  gross proceeds of Senior Discount  Notes and preferred
          stock dividends on  $100.0 million liquidation preference of Preferred
          Stock,  without giving  effect  to  any increased  interest income  
          on available cash or the capitalization of any interest associated 
          with  construction  in  progress,  as if  such  events  had occurred
          at the  beginning of  the periods presented.
     (3)  During fiscal 1996, the  Company changed its method of  accounting for
          long-term telecom services contracts  to recognize revenue as services
          are provided. The effect of this change in accounting for the  periods
          presented was not significant. 
     (4)  Revenue  from Satellite  Services is  generated through  the Company's
          satellite (voice and  data) operations and,  after January 1995,  also
          includes revenue from maritime communications  operations. The Company
          completed  the sale of  four of its  teleports in March  1996, and has
          reported results of  operations from these assets through December 31,
          1995.      
     (5)  Weighted average number of shares outstanding for fiscal years 1994
          and 1995 represents Holdings (Canada) common shares outstanding.
          Weighted average number of shares outstanding for fiscal 1996
          represents Holdings (Canada) common shares outstanding for the period
          October 1, 1995 through August 2, 1996, and represents ICG Common
          Stock and Holdings (Canada) Class A common shares (owned by third 
          parties) outstanding for the period August 5, 1996 through September
          30, 1996.  Weighted average number of shares outstanding for the 
          three-month periods ended December 31, 1996 and March 31, 1997 
          represent ICG Common Stock and Holdings (Canada) Class A common 
          shares (owned by third parties) outstanding for the period October
          1, 1996 through December 31, 1996 and January 1, 1997 through March 
          31, 1997, respectively.
     (6)  EBITDA consists of operating  loss plus depreciation and amortization.
          EBITDA  is  provided because  it  is a  measure commonly  used  in the
          telecommunications   industry.  EBITDA  is  presented  to  enhance  an
          understanding of the  Company's operating results and  is not intended
          to represent cash  flow or  results of operations  in accordance  with
          generally accepted  accounting  principles ("GAAP")  for  the  periods
          indicated.  EBITDA  is  not  a  measurement  under  GAAP  and  is  not
          necessarily  comparable  with  similarly  titled  measures  of   other
          companies.  Net cash flows from operating, investing and financing
          activities as calculated according to GAAP are also presented in Other
          Data.
     (7)  Capital expenditures include assets  acquired under capital leases and
          through the issuance of debt or warrants. 
     (8)  For fiscal 1994, 1995 and 1996 and the three months ended December 31,
          1996, March 31, 1996 and 1997,  earnings were  insufficient to  cover
          combined  fixed charges and preferred stock dividends by $24.8 
          million, $77.3 million, $188.5 million and $50.6 million, $31.8 
          million and $67.8 million, respectively.  On a pro forma basis  
          giving  effect  to the  Private  Offering as  if  it  occurred at 
          the beginning of the periods presented and without giving effect to
          any increased interest income on additional available  cash  or the
          capitalization of any interest associated with  construction in 
          progress, earnings would have been  insufficient to  cover  fixed
          charges  and preferred  stock dividends  by $214.9 million and $73.0
          million for fiscal 1996 and the three months ended March 31,  1997,
          respectively.  Combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends
          consist  of interest charges and amortization of  debt  expense  and
          discount or  premium  related  to indebtedness, whether expensed or 
          capitalized, that portion of rental expense  the Company believes to
          be representative of interest (i.e., one-third of rental expense) and
          preferred stock dividends. 
     (9)  Amounts presented are for  12-month and three month periods  ended, or
          as of the end of the period presented. 
     (10) Buildings  connected  off-net  declined  from September  30,  1996  to
          December 31, 1996 due to the sale of the Company's 50% interest in the
          Phoenix joint venture. 
     (11) Customer circuits  in service is  measured in voice  grade equivalents
          ("VGEs").      
     (12) Fiber route  miles refers to the number of miles of fiber optic cable,
          including leased fiber.  As of March 31, 1997, the Company had 2,483
          fiber route miles, of  which 359 fiber route  miles were leased  under
          operating  leases.  Fiber  route miles  under  construction represents
          fiber under construction and fiber which is expected to be operational
          within six months. 
     (13) Fiber  strand miles  refers  to  the  number  of  fiber  route  miles,
          including leased fiber, along  a telecommunications path multiplied by
          the number of fiber strands along  that path.  As of March 31, 1997,
          the Company had 83,334 fiber strand miles, of which 7,080 fiber strand
          miles  were leased  under operating leases.  Fiber strand  miles under
          construction represents  fiber under  construction and fiber  which is
          expected to be operational within six months. 
     (14) Wireless  route  miles represents  the total  distance of  the digital
          microwave paths  between Company transmitters  which are  used in  the
          Company's telecom services networks. 
     (15) C-Band  installations  service cruise  ships,  U.S.  Navy vessels  and
          offshore oil platform installations.
     (16) L-Band installations service smaller maritime installations, and  both
          mobile and fixed land-based units. 
     
                                       -16-
     <PAGE>

                                     RISK FACTORS

          An investment in  the New  Securities offered hereby  involves a  high
     degree  of  risk.  The following  risk  factors,  together  with the  other
     information set forth  in this  Prospectus and appearing  in the  documents
     incorporated by reference herein,  should be considered when evaluating  an
     investment in the New Securities. 
      
     HISTORICAL AND ANTICIPATED FUTURE OPERATING LOSSES AND NEGATIVE CASH FLOW

        
          The  Company has incurred and expects to continue to incur significant
     operating and  net losses. For the  12 months ended March  31, 1997, the
     Company had revenue of  approximately $217.8 million, an operating  loss of
     approximately $110.0 million, interest expense of approximately  $105.9
     million and a net loss of approximately $239.1 million.  In conjunction 
     with the increase in its service offerings, the Company is required to
     invest significant amounts on sales, marketing, customer service and 
     engineering personnel prior to the generation of appreciable revenue.
     The Company expects to  continue to generate negative cash flow from 
     operating activities while it  emphasizes  development,  construction  
     and expansion  of  its  telecom services business  and until the  Company
     establishes a  sufficient revenue generating customer base.  As the 
     Company's customer base grows, the Company anticipates that operating
     margins and cash flow will improve as incremental revenue will exceed
     incremental operating expenses.  This is dependent upon the successful
     implementation of the Company's local dial tone, data transmission and 
     long distance strategies, increased traffic on the Company's facilities
     and actions of competitors and regulatory authorities, any or all of
     which may not occur.  The Company's operating loss,  interest expense
     and net loss are each expected to increase in the near term as a result
     of the  continuation of  the Company's  expansion  strategy.  The Company
     had  an accumulated deficit and stockholders' deficit of approximately 
     $435.4  million and $131.7 million, respectively, at March 31,  1997.
     There  can  be no  assurance  that  the  Company  will achieve  or  sustain
     profitability  or positive  cash flow  in the  future or  at any  time have
     sufficient resources  to make payments  on its indebtedness,  including the
     Notes and, if issued, the Exchange Debentures, or cash dividends on, or the
     mandatory redemption price of, the Preferred Stock. See "Summary Historical
     and Pro Forma  Financial and Statistical Information," including  the notes
     thereto.
         

     SUBSTANTIAL INDEBTEDNESS; ABILITY TO SERVICE DEBT

          The Company is more highly leveraged than its competitors. At March
     31, 1997,  (i) ICG had, on an unconsolidated basis, no senior indebtedness;
     (ii) Holdings had, on an unconsolidated basis, approximately $863.4 million
     of senior indebtedness, including capital lease obligations (which amount
     includes the New Notes); and (iii) the subsidiaries of Holdings had, on an
     unconsolidated basis, an aggregate of approximately $22.3 million of 
     senior indebtedness, including capital lease obligations.  The accretion of
     original issue discount on the Notes, the 13 1/2%  Notes and the 12 1/2% 
     Notes will  cause  an  increase in indebtedness of  approximately $506.6
     million  by March 15, 2002. In addition, the Preferred Stock and the 
     Exchange Debentures issuable in  exchange for  the  Preferred  Stock  
     may  pay  dividends  or  interest, respectively, through the issuance of
     additional shares of Preferred  Stock or Exchange Debentures, as the case
     may be, through March 15, 2002, and the 14  1/4% Preferred Stock and  the
     14 1/4%  Subordinated Exchange Debentures due May  1, 2007 (the "14  1/4%
     Exchange Debentures") issuable  in exchange for the 14 1/4% Preferred 
     Stock,  may pay dividends or interest through the issuance  of  additional
     shares  of  14 1/4%  Preferred  Stock  or 14  1/4% Exchange Debentures, 
     as  the  case  may  be,  through  May  1,  2001.  The Indenture,  the 
     Amended Articles governing the terms of the Preferred Stock and the 
     14  1/4% Preferred Stock, the  12 1/2% Notes  Indenture and the  13 1/2%
     Notes Indenture  limit,  but  do  not  prohibit,  the  incurrence  of
     additional  indebtedness  by  ICG,  Holdings and  their  subsidiaries, 
     for, among other things, the acquisition of network assets, inventory and 
     equipment.  Although  the  net proceeds  from the Private Offering  are 
     expected to  enhance liquidity and improve the Company's financial 
     flexibility in the near term, the Company's total  indebtedness, interest
     expense  and dividend  requirements will  be significantly increased as
     a result of the Private Offering. 

                                      -17-
     <PAGE>

          The  level   of  the  Company's  indebtedness   could  have  important
     consequences to holders of the Notes,  the Preferred Stock and the Exchange
     Debentures, including the  following: (i) the debt  service requirements of
     any additional indebtedness could make it more difficult for the Company to
     make payments on the Notes and to pay cash dividends  on, and the mandatory
     redemption price of, the Preferred  Stock and, if issued, to  make payments
     on  the Exchange Debentures; (ii) the ability  of the Company to obtain any
     necessary   financing  in   the   future  for   working  capital,   capital
     expenditures, debt service requirements or  other purposes may be  limited;
     (iii) a substantial portion of the Company's cash flow from  operations, if
     any, must  be dedicated  to the  payment of principal  and interest  on its
     indebtedness and  other obligations  (including dividends on  the Preferred
     Stock when required to be paid in cash) and will not be available for other
     purposes;  (iv)  the  Company's  level  of  indebtedness  could  limit  its
     flexibility  in planning for, or reacting  to, changes in its business; (v)
     the Company is more highly leveraged than all of its competitors, which may
     place it  at a competitive disadvantage; and (vi) the Company's high degree
     of indebtedness will make it more vulnerable in the event  of a downturn in
     its business. 

          The Company has been experiencing  substantial negative EBITDA and, on
     a  pro  forma  basis after  giving  effect  to  the Private  Offering,  the
     Company's  earnings  before  combined  fixed charges  and  preferred  stock
     dividend  requirements would have been insufficient to cover combined fixed
     charges and preferred stock  dividend requirements for fiscal 1996  and the
     three  months ended March 31,  1997 by approximately  $214.9 million and
     $73.0 million, respectively. In addition, for the same periods on the  same
     pro  forma basis,  the  Company's  EBITDA  minus capital  expenditures  and
     interest   expense  and   preferred   stock  dividends   would  have   been
     approximately $(339.2)  million and  $(128.4) million, respectively.  There
     can be no assurance that the Company  will be able to improve its  earnings
     before combined fixed  charges and  preferred stock dividends  or that  the
     Company  will be able to  meet its debt  service obligations, including its
     obligations on the  Notes, the Preferred Stock and, if issued, the Exchange
     Debentures. In the event the Company's  cash flow is inadequate to meet its
     obligations, the Company could face  substantial liquidity problems as  the
     Company has no revolving credit line. If the Company is  unable to generate
     sufficient cash flow or  otherwise obtain funds necessary to  make required
     payments, or  if the  Company otherwise  fails to  comply with the  various
     covenants  in its  indebtedness, it  would be  in default  under the  terms
     thereof,  which would permit the holders of such indebtedness to accelerate
     the  maturity of  such indebtedness  and could  cause defaults  under other
     indebtedness of the Company. Such defaults could result in a default on the
     Notes and, if  issued, the Exchange Debentures, and could delay or preclude
     payment of  interest or principal on the Notes and, if issued, the Exchange
     Debentures or the payment of cash dividends on, or the mandatory redemption
     price  of, the  Preferred Stock.  The ability  of the  Company to  meet its
     obligations will be dependent  upon the future performance of  the Company,
     which will be subject  to prevailing economic conditions and  to financial,
     business and other  factors, including  factors beyond the  control of  the
     Company.  See "Description  of New  Notes,"  "Description of  New Preferred
     Stock" and "Description of Exchange Debentures."


     SIGNIFICANT CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS
      
        
          The Company's  current plans for  expansion of existing  networks, the
     development of  new  networks, the  further  development of  the  Company's
     products and services  and the  continued funding of  operating losses  may
     require additional  cash from  outside sources. The  Company's arrangements
     with  utilities  require  it to  make  significant  cash  payments and  the
     development   of  the  Company's   networks  requires  significant  capital
     expenditures for  transmission equipment, switching facilities  and network
     build-out from the  utilities' fiber  backbone to end  user locations.  The
     Company  must also  purchase a  substantial amount  of equipment  and other
     assets  from vendors.  The  Company anticipates  that its  substantial cash
     requirements will continue into  the foreseeable future. Due to  the number
     of opportunities arising from  changes in the telecommunications regulatory
     environment and the cash required to take advantage of these opportunities,
     management believes that the  net proceeds from the Private  Offering, cash
     on  hand  and amounts  expected to  be  available through  vendor financing
     arrangements  will provide  sufficient funds  necessary for the  Company to
     expand its  telecom services business as currently  planned and to fund its
     operating deficits for approximately 17 months.  Additional sources of cash
     may include public  and private equity and debt financings of ICG, Holdings
     or their  subsidiaries, sales  of non-strategic assets,  capitalized leases
     and other financing arrangements. There can be no assurance that additional
     financing will be available to the Company or, if available, that it can be

                                      -18-
     <PAGE>
 
     obtained  on  terms  acceptable to  the  Company.  Failure  to obtain  such
     financing could result in  the delay or abandonment  of some or all  of the
     Company's acquisition, development  and expansion  plans and  expenditures,
     which could  have a material adverse  effect on its business  prospects and
     limit  the  Company's  ability to  make  principal  and interest  payments,
     including on the Notes and, if  issued, the Exchange Debentures, or to make
     payments  of cash dividends on,  or the mandatory  redemption price of, the
     Preferred Stock. 
         

     RISKS RELATED TO SWITCHED SERVICES STRATEGY

        
          The Company has 17  high capacity digital telephony switches  (and one
     additional switch  located in  Phoenix which  will  be operational  through
     August 1997, after which it will be relocated) and 15 data communications
     switches  in  operation  to support  its  services,  and  plans to  install
     additional  telephony and  data  switches as  demand warrants.  The Company
     began  generating switched services revenue in the fourth quarter of fiscal
     1994.  Currently, the  Company is  experiencing negative  operating margins
     from the  provision of  switched services  while its  networks  are in  the
     development  and construction phases and  while the Company  relies on ILEC
     networks to terminate and originate a significant portion of its customers'
     switched traffic. The Company expects to realize improved operating margins
     from  switched services on  a given network  when (i) increased  volumes of
     traffic are  attained and build-out enables  such traffic to  be carried on
     the  Company's  own network  instead of  ILEC  facilities, and  (ii) higher
     margin enhanced  services  are  provided  to  customers  on  the  Company's
     network.  In addition,  the Company  believes that  the unbundling  of ILEC
     services  and the  implementation  of local  telephone number  portability,
     which are mandated by the Telecommunications Act, will reduce the Company's
     costs of providing switched  services and facilitate the marketing  of such
     services.  However, the  Company's switched  services strategy has  not yet
     been profitable and may not become profitable  due to, among other factors,
     lack  of customer demand, competition from other CLECs and downward pricing
     pressure  from  the ILECs.  In addition,  to  fully implement  its switched
     services strategy,  the Company must make  significant capital expenditures
     to  provide  additional  switching  capacity,  network  infrastructure  and
     electronic  components.  There  can  be no  assurance  that  the  Company's
     switched services strategy will be successful.
         
      
     RISKS RELATED TO LOCAL SERVICES STRATEGY

          The Company is a recent entrant in the newly created competitive local
     telecommunications services  industry. The local dial  tone services market
     has  only  recently  opened  to  competition  due  to  the passage  of  the
     Telecommunications Act and subsequent  state and Federal regulatory rulings
     designed  to implement  the  Telecommunications Act.  The  Company is  also
     initiating the provision of long distance and data communications services.
     The  Company believes that offering a full-service portfolio of local, long
     distance  and data products  is the  best method  for gaining  market share
     among business customers and reducing  customer churn. However, the Company
     has only recently  begun providing local  and data communications  services
     and has not  deployed its long distance products. The  Company will have to
     make  significant operating  and capital  investments  in order  to provide
     local  dial  tone  services.  There  are  numerous  operating  complexities
     associated with providing these  services. The Company will be  required to
     develop  new products, services  and systems and  will need to  develop new
     marketing initiatives  and hire and train a new sales force responsible for
     selling  these  services.  The Company  will  also  need  to implement  the
     necessary billing  and collecting systems  for these services.  The Company
     may face significant competition from the Regional Bell Operating Companies
     ("RBOCs"),  whose core business is  providing local dial  tone service. The
     RBOCs,  who currently  are  the dominant  providers  of services  in  their
     markets,  are expected to mount  a significant competitive  response to new
     entrants  in their  market,  such  as the  Company.  The  Company may  face
     significant  competitive product  and pricing pressures  from the  RBOCs in
     these markets, as well as from other CLECs as they enter these markets. 

                                      -19-
     <PAGE>

     HOLDING COMPANY RELIANCE ON SUBSIDIARIES' FUNDS; PRIORITY OF CREDITORS; 
     SUBORDINATION OF EXCHANGE DEBENTURES

          ICG and Holdings are  each holding companies. The sole  material asset
     of  ICG consists  of the  common stock  of Holdings  (Canada) and  the sole
     material  asset  of  Holdings (Canada)  consists  of  the  common stock  of
     Holdings. The principal asset  of Holdings consists of common stock  of its
     subsidiaries. Holdings  intends to loan or contribute a substantial portion
     of  the  net  proceeds  from  the  Private  Offering  to  certain  of   its
     subsidiaries. Holdings must rely upon dividends and other payments from its
     subsidiaries  to generate  the  funds necessary  to  meet its  obligations,
     including  the payment  of  principal and  interest on  the  Notes and  the
     Exchange Debentures and the payment of cash dividends on, and the mandatory
     redemption  price of,  the Preferred  Stock.  The terms of each 
     subsidiary's existing and future indebtedness may materially limit its 
     ability to pay such dividends and other payments to ICG and Holdings.
     The  subsidiaries are  legally distinct  from Holdings and have no 
     obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay  amounts due  with respect
     to the  Notes, the  Preferred Stock  or, if issued,  the  Exchange  
     Debentures or  to  make  funds  available for  such payments.  Holdings'
     subsidiaries will  not  guarantee  the Notes  or,  if issued, the Exchange
     Debentures.  The ability of Holdings'  subsidiaries to  make  such 
     payments  to  Holdings  will  be  subject  to,  among  other things, the
     availability  of funds,  the terms  of  each subsidiary's  indebtedness and
     applicable  state laws.  In particular,  several of  Holdings' subsidiaries
     have entered into  credit facilities,  certain of which  are guaranteed  by
     ICG,  which  prohibit  or  restrict  the  payment  of  dividends  by  those
     subsidiaries to  Holdings. Claims  of creditors of  Holdings' subsidiaries,
     including trade creditors, will generally have priority as to the assets of
     such subsidiaries over  the claims of Holdings and the holders of Holdings'
     and  ICG's  indebtedness  and Preferred  Stock,  including  the Notes,  the
     Preferred  Stock and, if issued, the  Exchange Debentures. Accordingly, the
     Notes   and,  if  issued,  the  Exchange  Debentures  will  be  effectively
     subordinated  to   the  liabilities  (including  trade   payables)  of  the
     subsidiaries  of  Holdings.  At  March 31,  1997,  the  subsidiaries  of
     Holdings  had  approximately  $94.2   million  of  liabilities  (excluding
     intercompany   payables  to   Holdings),   including  $31.5   million   of
     indebtedness.  The Exchange Debentures, if issued, would be subordinate in
     right of payment  to the prior  payment in full of  the Notes, the  12 1/2%
     Notes, the  13  1/2%  Notes  and  all  other  existing  and  future  senior
     indebtedness  of the  Company. As  of March 31, 1997, ICG and Holdings had
     approximately  $707.5  million  and  $762.9  million  of  Senior  Guarantor
     Indebtedness  and Senior  Indebtedness,  respectively, outstanding.  In the
     event  of a bankruptcy  or similar proceeding  of ICG and/or  Holdings, the
     assets  of ICG  and Holdings will  be available  to pay  obligations on the
     Exchange  Debentures and  ICG's  guarantee thereof  only  after all  senior
     indebtedness  of  ICG has  been satisfied  in full,  and  there may  not be
     sufficient assets remaining  to pay the  Exchange Debentures. In  addition,
     the Exchange Debentures,  if issued, will rank pari passu  with the 14 1/4%
     Exchange Debentures, if issued. See "Description of Exchange Debentures." 

          The Notes  will be unsecured, unsubordinated  indebtedness of Holdings
     and will be  guaranteed on  an unsecured  unsubordinated basis  by ICG.  At
     March 31, 1997,  the Company had, on a  consolidated basis, an aggregate
     of  approximately   $86.9  million  of   secured  indebtedness,  including
     capitalized lease obligations. In the  event such secured indebtedness goes
     into  default  and the  holders thereof  foreclose  on the  collateral, the
     holders  of secured indebtedness  will be  entitled to  payment out  of the
     proceeds  of their  collateral prior  to any  holders of  general unsecured
     indebtedness,  including the  Notes, notwithstanding  the existence  of any
     event of default with respect to  the Notes. The Indenture also permits the
     Company to incur additional secured indebtedness, to grant additional liens
     and, on or after May 1, 2001, to pay cash dividends on the Preferred Stock,
     the 14 1/4% Preferred Stock and, if issued, to pay interest on the Exchange
     Debentures  and  the  14   1/4%  Exchange  Debentures  at  any   time.  See
     "Description  of   New  Notes-Covenants."  In  the   event  of  bankruptcy,
     liquidation  or   reorganization  of   the  Company,  holders   of  secured
     indebtedness will have a claim,  prior to the claim  of the holders of  the
     Notes,  on the  assets  of  the  Company  securing  such  indebtedness.  In
     addition, to  the extent that the value  of such collateral is insufficient
     to  satisfy  such  secured   indebtedness,  holders  of  amounts  remaining
     outstanding on  such secured indebtedness (as well  as other unsubordinated
     creditors of the Company, including holders of the 12 1/2% Notes and the 
     13 1/2% Notes) would be entitled to share pari passu with the Notes with 
     respect to any other assets of ICG  and Holdings.  Assets remaining  after
     satisfaction  of the  claims of holders of secured indebtedness may not be

                                      -20-
     <PAGE>

     sufficient to pay amounts due on any or all of the Notes then outstanding.
     Payments on the  Preferred Stock and,  if issued, the Exchange Debentures
     will also be subject to the prior claims of secured creditors. 

     CERTAIN FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESTRICTIONS

          The  12 1/2%  Notes  Indenture,  the  13  1/2%  Notes  Indenture,  the
     Indenture,  the terms  of the  14 1/4%  Preferred Stock,  the terms  of the
     Preferred Stock, and,  if the 14 1/4%  Exchange Debentures or the  Exchange
     Debentures  are  issued, the  14  1/4%  Exchange  Debenture Indenture,  the
     Exchange  Debenture Indenture and other  indebtedness of the Company impose
     significant  operating  and financial  restrictions  on  the Company.  Such
     restrictions affect, and in certain cases significantly  limit or prohibit,
     among  other things,  the  ability  of  the  Company  to  incur  additional
     indebtedness for, among other things, the acquisition of network assets,
     inventory and equipment, or create  liens on  its assets, pay  dividends, 
     sell  assets, engage  in mergers or acquisitions  or make investments.  
     Failure to comply with such  covenants could limit the  ability of the 
     Company  to make other borrowings or  result in  a default thereunder,  
     in which case  the lenders will be able  to accelerate  the maturity of 
     the applicable  indebtedness.   Moreover,  the instruments  governing the
     Company's material  indebtedness contain cross-default provisions  which 
     provide that a  default under other indebtedness  will  be  considered  
     a  default  under the  indebtedness  in  question. In the event that a 
     cross-default were triggered, the maturity of substantially  all  of  
     the   Company's  approximately  $794.5  million  of indebtedness at March
     31, 1997 would be accelerated and become immediately due and payable.  
     As a result, the Company would not be able to satisfy all of  its  debt 
     obligations.  There can be  no assurance that  the Company  will  be able
     to comply with such covenants in the future. A default under such 
     indebtedness could result in  an acceleration of the Notes and,  if 
     issued, the Exchange Debentures, in which case the holders of the Notes,
     the Preferred Stock and the Exchange Debentures may not be paid in full. 

     PAYMENTS  DUE ON  INDEBTEDNESS  PRIOR TO  MATURITY  AND REDEMPTION  OF  THE
     SECURITIES; REFINANCING RISK 

        
          As of March 31,  1997, an aggregate of approximately  $77.6 million
     of capitalized lease obligations and an aggregate accreted  value of  
     approximately $707.5 million  was outstanding under the 12 1/2%  Notes 
     and 13 1/2% Notes.  The 12 1/2% Notes and  13 1/2% Notes  require payments
     of  interest to  be  made  in cash  commencing  on November  1, 2001 and 
     March 15, 2001,  respectively, and mature  on May 1, 2006 and  September 
     15, 2005, respectively, and the 14 1/4% Preferred Stock requires payments
     of dividends  to be  made in  cash commencing August  1,  2001.  As  of 
     March  31, 1997,  the Company  had  $9.3 million  of other indebtedness
     outstanding.  The Company may also have additional payment obligations
     prior to such time, the amount of which cannot presently be determined. 
     The net proceeds from the Private Offering, cash on hand  and amounts 
     expected to be available through vendor financing arrangements  will 
     provide  sufficient funds  necessary for the  Company to expand its 
     Telecom Services  business as currently planned and to  fund its operating
     deficits  for approximately  17 months. Accordingly,  the Company  may  
     have  to refinance  a substantial  amount  of indebtedness  and obtain
     substantial  additional funds prior to March 2001. The Company's ability to
     obtain  additional sources of cash will depend  on, among other things, its
     financial  condition  at the  time,  the  restrictions in  the  instruments
     governing its indebtedness and  other factors, including market conditions,
     beyond the  control of the Company. Additional  sources of cash may include
     public  and private equity and  debt financings by  ICG, Holdings and their
     subsidiaries, sales  of non-strategic assets, capitalized  leases and other
     financing arrangements. There can be no  assurance that the Company will be
     able to refinance such indebtedness, including such capitalized  leases, or
     obtain such additional funds, and  if the Company is unable to  effect such
     refinancings  or obtain  additional funds,  the Company's  ability  to make
     principal and  interest payments on  its indebtedness, including  the Notes
     (and  if issued,  the  Exchange  Debentures),  or  make  payments  of  cash
     dividends  on, or the mandatory  redemption price of,  the Preferred Stock,
     would be adversely affected. 
         

     RISKS RELATED TO RAPID EXPANSION OF BUSINESS

          The  continued  rapid  expansion  and  development  of  the  Company's
     business  will  depend on,  among other  things,  the Company's  ability to
     successfully implement its sales  and marketing strategy, evaluate markets,
     lease fiber from utilities, design fiber backbone routes, secure financing,

                                      -21-
     <PAGE>

     install facilities, acquire rights  of way and building access,  obtain any
     required  government  authorizations,  implement  interconnection  to,  and
     collocation with, facilities owned by ILECs and obtain appropriately priced
     unbundled network  elements  from the  ILECs, all  in a  timely manner,  at
     reasonable costs  and on satisfactory  terms and  conditions. In  addition,
     such  expansion may involve acquisitions  which, if made,  could divert the
     resources and management time  of the Company and require  integration with
     the  Company's  existing  networks  and service  offerings.  The  Company's
     ability  to effectively  manage  its rapid  expansion  will require  it  to
     continue to  implement and improve its operating,  financial and accounting
     systems and to expand, train and manage its employee base. The inability to
     effectively  manage its  planned expansion  could have  a material  adverse
     effect on the Company's  business, growth, financial condition  and results
     of operations. 

     COMPETITION

          The  Company  operates  in  an  increasingly  competitive  environment
     dominated  by  ILECs such  as the  RBOCs and  GTE Corporation  ("GTE"). The
     Company's current competitors include  RBOCs, GTE, independent ILECs, other
     CLECs,  network  systems  integration  service   providers,  microwave  and
     satellite     service     providers,    teleport     operators,    wireless
     telecommunications providers and private networks built by large end users.
     Potential competitors include cable  television companies, utilities, local
     telephone companies outside their current local service areas and the local
     access   operations   of   long   distance   carriers.   Consolidation   of
     telecommunications  companies, including pending mergers between certain of
     the   RBOCs,  and   the  formation  of   strategic  alliances   within  the
     telecommunications   industry,  as   well   as  the   development  of   new
     technologies,  could give rise to increased competition. One of the primary
     purposes  of   the  Telecommunications  Act  is   to  promote  competition,
     particularly  in  the  local  telephone  market.  Since  enactment  of  the
     Telecommunications Act, several telecommunications companies have indicated
     their intention  to  aggressively  expand their  ability  to  address  many
     segments of  the telecommunications  industry, including segments  in which
     the Company  participates  and expects  to participate.  For example,  AT&T
     Corp.  and MCI  Communications  Corp. are  entering  the local  markets  as
     competitors of the Company.  This may result in more  participants than can
     ultimately be successful in a given market. 

          As a recent  entrant in  the telecom services  industry, the  Company,
     like other  CLECs, has not  achieved a significant market  share. The ILECs
     have long-standing  relationships with their customers,  have the potential
     to subsidize  services with revenue from  a variety of  businesses and have
     benefitted from certain state and federal regulations that, until recently,
     favored   the   incumbent   operator   over   potential   competitors.  The
     Telecommunications Act, other recent state legislative actions, and current
     federal   and  state  regulatory  initiatives  provide  increased  business
     opportunities  for  the  Company  by  removing  or  substantially  reducing
     barriers  to local  exchange  competition. However,  these new  competitive
     opportunities   are  expected   to  be   accompanied  by   new  competitive
     opportunities for the ILECs, as the Telecommunications Act removes previous
     restrictions on  the provision of  long distance services by  the RBOCs and
     GTE. It is also  expected that increased  local competition will result  in
     increased pricing  flexibility for, and relaxation  of regulatory oversight
     of, the ILECs. If the ILECs are permitted to engage in increased volume and
     discount   pricing   practices  or   charge   CLECs   increased  fees   for
     interconnection   to  their  networks,  or  if  the  ILECs  seek  to  delay
     implementation of interconnection to  their networks, the Company's results
     of operations  and  financial condition  could  be adversely  affected.  In
     addition,  the Company  has experienced  declining access  unit  prices and
     increasing price competition which have been more than offset by increasing
     network usage.  The  Company expects  to continue  to experience  declining
     access unit prices for  the foreseeable future.  There can be no  assurance
     that the Company will be able  to achieve or maintain adequate market share
     or revenue,  or compete effectively in  any of its markets.  Certain of the
     Company's interconnection  agreements do not contain  "most favored nation"
     pricing  clauses.  The Company  believes it  is  entitled to  "most favored
     nation"  pricing  provisions under  federal law,  but  this issue  is being
     litigated.  If this litigation is  finally judicially resolved adversely to
     the Company's position, the Company will  be subject to the risk that other
     CLECs may obtain more favorable pricing  terms from ILECs. In addition, the
     success of the Company's strategy of leasing or licensing fiber optic cable
     from  utilities depends  upon  the ability  to  connect  end users  to  the
     Company's   network.   Such   connections   require   significant   capital
     expenditures, time and effort and, in some cases, end users targeted by the
     Company may already  be connected  to another competitor.  There can be  no
     assurance  regarding the number  of end users  the Company will  be able to
     connect to its network.

                                      -22-
     <PAGE>

     REGULATION

          The  Company operates  in an  industry that is  undergoing substantial
     regulatory change as a result of the passage of the Telecommunications Act.
     As a non-dominant carrier, the Company must file tariffs for its interstate
     services and its rate must be reasonable. Pursuant to authority granted  in
     the Telecommunications Act, however, the FCC has indicated its intention to
     lessen   certain  regulatory  requirements  for  providers  of  competitive
     services. In  addition, the  FCC may  have the authority,  which it  is not
     presently  exercising,  to  impose  restrictions on  foreign  ownership  of
     communications  services  providers  not  utilizing  radio facilities.  The
     Company  must obtain  and  maintain  certain  FCC  authorizations  for  its
     satellite and  wireless services.  The Company currently  provides maritime
     communication services pursuant to  an experimental license and a  grant of
     Special Temporary Authority ("STA"). The Company's experimental license has
     been renewed  by the FCC on several occasions. In January 1997, the Company
     submitted   an  application  for  the   modification  and  renewal  of  the
     experimental  license, which  was due  to expire  on  February 1,  1997. On
     January 30, 1997,  the Company  was granted the  STA. Although the  Company
     expects that  the FCC  will  issue a  permanent license,  there  can be  no
     assurance  the  Company  will be  granted  a  permanent  license, that  the
     experimental license currently being used to provide maritime services will
     be renewed for a further  term or that any license granted by  the FCC will
     not require substantial payments from the Company. 

          State regulatory  agencies regulate  the Company's provision  of local
     dial tone and  other intrastate  common carrier services.  In general,  the
     Company  is required to obtain certification from the relevant state public
     utilities commission prior to  the initiation of intrastate service  and is
     also  required to file tariffs listing the  rates, terms, and conditions of
     intrastate services  provided. In  addition, local authorities  control the
     Company's access to municipal rights of way. Any failure to maintain proper
     federal  and state tariffing or state  certification, or noncompliance with
     federal,  state or local laws or regulations, could have a material adverse
     effect on the Company.

          The  Telecommunications  Act  generally   requires  ILECs  to  provide
     interconnection  and  nondiscriminatory access  to  ILEC  networks on  more
     favorable terms than were  previously available. The Telecommunications Act
     imposes  a  variety  of  new  duties  on  the  ILECs  in  order to  promote
     competition  in  the  markets  for  local  exchange  and  access  services,
     including the duty to  negotiate in good faith with  competitors requesting
     interconnection  to the ILEC network.  However, negotiations with each ILEC
     have sometimes  involved considerable  delays and the  resulting negotiated
     agreements may not necessarily be obtained on terms and conditions that are
     acceptable to the Company. In such instances,  the Company may petition the
     proper state regulatory agency  to arbitrate disputed issues. In  addition,
     following state review  either party in the negotiations  can appeal to the
     FCC or federal  court. There can be no  assurance that the Company  will be
     able  to negotiate acceptable new interconnection  agreements with ILECs or
     that if state  regulatory authorities  impose terms and  conditions on  the
     parties  in arbitration, such  terms will be acceptable  to the Company. On
     August 8,  1996, the FCC adopted rules  and policies implementing the local
     competition  provisions  of the  Telecommunications  Act,  which rules,  in
     general,  are favorable to new  competitive entrants. The  FCC's rules have
     been  challenged in  the federal  courts of  appeals by  GTE, RBOCs,  large
     independent ILECs  and state regulatory  commissions. On October  15, 1996,
     the U.S.  Court of  Appeals for  the Eighth  Circuit issued  a stay of  the
     implementation of  certain of the  FCC's rules, to  be in effect  until the
     Court issues  a decision on the  merits of the FCC's rules.  The Court 
     stayed implementation of the  pricing provisions of  the FCC's  rules, and
     of the "most favored nation" rules, which enable new entrants to "pick and 
     choose" elements of established interconnection  agreements. The  Court's 
     stay does  not affect the implementation of the FCC's other interconnection
     rules, and  does not affect the statutory requirements  of the Tele-
     communications Act, including the  statutory requirements that ILECs 
     conduct  negotiations and enter into interconnection agreements with 
     competitive carriers.  Although the Company believes that  the  Tele-
     communications  Act and  other  state  and  federal regulatory initiatives
     that favor increased competition are advantageous to the Company,  there
     can be no  assurance that changes in  current or future state  or federal
     regulations, including changes that may result from Court review  of  the
     FCC's  interconnection  rules,  or  increased  competitive opportunities 
     resulting from such changes, will not have a material adverse effect on 
     the Company.

                                      -23-
     <PAGE>

     DEPENDENCE ON KEY CUSTOMERS

          The Company's  five largest customers accounted  for approximately 28%
     of the  Company's consolidated revenue in fiscal 1996 and 30% and 29% for 
     the three months ended December 31, 1996 and March 31, 1997, respectively.
     The loss of, or decrease  of business from, one or more of these customers
     could have a material adverse effect on  the business, financial condition
     and  results of  operations of  the Company.  While the Company actively 
     markets its products and  services, there can be no assurance  that the   
     Company will  be able to  attract new  customers or retain its existing 
     customers. 

     RISKS OF ENTRY INTO LONG DISTANCE BUSINESS

        
          In  order  to  offer its  end  user customers  a  complete  package of
     telecommunications  services, the  Company recently began offering long
     distance  services in all of its markets.  Although  the  Company has
     extensive experience  in  the  telecommunications  business,  including  an
     executive  team   with  sales,  marketing  and   long  distance  management
     expertise, the  Company has  no direct experience  providing long  distance
     services. The long  distance business is  extremely competitive and  prices
     have declined substantially in recent years and are expected to continue to
     decline.  As a  new  entrant in  the long  distance  business, the  Company
     expects  to generate low or negative gross margins and substantial start-up
     expenses  as it rolls out its  long distance service offerings. The Company
     does not expect long  distance services to  generate a material portion  of
     its revenues over the near term. 
         

          Long distance telecommunications services will involve the origination
     of  traffic from  end  user customers,  either  directly connected  to  the
     Company's  network or  through  facilities leased  from  the ILEC,  to  the
     Company's  telecommunications  switches. The  Company  will  rely on  other
     carriers to provide transmission and termination services for a majority of
     its long distance traffic and will therefore be dependent on such carriers.
     The Company is expected to enter into  resale agreements with long distance
     carriers  to  provide it  with  long distance  transmission  services. Such
     agreements typically provide for the resale of long distance services on  a
     per  minute basis (some with minimum volume commitments). Where the Company
     anticipates higher volumes of traffic, it may lease point-to-point circuits
     on a  monthly or  longer term  fixed cost basis.  The negotiation  of these
     agreements involves estimates of future supply and demand for long distance
     telecommunications  transmission  capacity  as  well as  estimates  of  the
     calling  pattern and traffic levels  of the Company's  future long distance
     customers.  Should the Company fail to meet its minimum volume commitments,
     if any, pursuant  to these resale  agreements, it may  be obligated to  pay
     underutilization charges. Likewise, the  Company may underestimate its need
     for  long distance  facilities  and therefore  be  required to  obtain  the
     necessary transmission capacity  through more expensive means. There can be
     no  assurance that  the  Company will  acquire  long distance  capacity  on
     favorable  terms or that the  Company can accurately  predict long distance
     prices and  volumes so  that it  can generate  positive gross  margins. The
     success  of the Company's  entry into  the long  distance business  will be
     dependent upon, among  other things,  the Company's ability  to select  new
     equipment  and software  and integrate  these into  its networks,  hire and
     train qualified personnel, enhance its billing, back-office and information
     systems to  accommodate  long  distance  services  and  the  acceptance  of
     potential customers of  the Company's long  distance service offerings.  If
     the Company's long distance transmission business fail to generate positive
     gross  margins or if  the Company fails  in any of  the foregoing respects,
     such failure  may have a material adverse effect on the Company's business.
     In  addition, a  majority  of the  Company's  Telecom Services  revenue  is
     derived from long distance carrier customers. The Company is subject to the
     risk that its entry into  the long distance business will adversely  affect
     its relationship with its long distance carrier customers. 

     RISKS OF ENTRY INTO DATA TRANSMISSION BUSINESS

        
          To complement  its telecommunications services offerings, the Company
     recently began offering  data transmission services in California, 
     Colorado and Ohio.  These services,  which include frame relay and  ATM,
     are targeted at the Company's existing and potential customers with 
     substantial data  communications  requirements.  Although  the  Company 
         

                                      -24-
     <PAGE>

        
     has extensive experience in the telecommunications business, including 
     an executive team with significant  telecommunications expertise, the 
     Company has  no direct experience  providing data  transmission  
     services. The  data  transmission  business is extremely competitive and 
     prices have declined substantially in recent years and are expected  to 
     continue to decline. As a new  entrant in the data transmission business,
     the  Company expects  to generate  low or  negative  gross margins and 
     substantial  start-up expenses as  it rolls out its data transmission 
     service  offerings. The Company does not  expect data transmission services
     to generate  a material portion of its  revenues over the near term. In 
     providing  these services, the Company will be  dependent  upon vendors
     for assistance in the planning  and deployment of its initial  data  
     product offerings,  as  well as  ongoing  training and  support.  The
     success of the Company's entry into the data transmission business will be 
     dependent upon, among other things, the Company's ability to select new
     equipment  and software  and integrate  these into  its networks,  hire and
     train qualified personnel, enhance its billing, back-office and information
     systems to  accommodate data transmission services  and customer acceptance
     of the  Company's service  offerings. No  assurance can be  given that  the
     Company will be successful with respect to these matters. If the Company is
     not  successful with  respect to  these matters,  there may  be a  material
     adverse effect on the Company's business. 
         

     DEPENDENCE ON BILLING, CUSTOMER SERVICE AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS

          Sophisticated  information and  processing  systems are  vital to  the
     Company's  growth  and  its  ability  to  monitor  costs,  bill  customers,
     provision customer  orders and achieve operating  efficiencies. Billing and
     information systems  for the  Company's historical  lines of business  have
     been  produced  largely  in-house  with  partial  reliance  on  third-party
     vendors.  These systems have generally met the  Company's needs due in part
     to the  Company's low volume of  bills. As the Company  commences providing
     dial  tone and long distance  services, the need  for sophisticated billing
     and information systems will  increase significantly. The Company's current
     dial  tone platform billing plans rely on delivery of products and services
     by third  party vendors. Additionally,  the Company is  developing customer
     service centers to provision  orders. Information systems are vital  to the
     success of these centers, and the information systems for these centers are
     largely being developed by third party vendors. The inability  of (i) these
     vendors to deliver proposed products and services in a timely and effective
     manner, (ii)  the Company to adequately identify all of its information and
     processing needs, or  (iii) the  Company to upgrade  systems as  necessary,
     could have a material adverse impact on the ability of the Company to reach
     its objectives, on its financial condition and results of operations and on
     its ability to  pay interest and principal on the  Notes and cash dividends
     on, and the mandatory redemption price of, the Preferred Stock. 

     RISKS RELATED TO JOINT VENTURES AND STRATEGIC ALLIANCES

          The  Company  has  formed a  joint  venture with  CSW  and  has formed
     strategic alliances with utility companies to lease fiber optic facilities.
     The  Company expects to continue  to enter into  strategic alliances, joint
     ventures and other similar arrangements in the future. The other parties to
     such  existing arrangements, and to  arrangements in which  the Company may
     subsequently  participate, may at any time have economic, business or legal
     interests  or goals  that  are inconsistent  with  those of  the  strategic
     alliance, joint venture  or similar arrangement or those of the Company. In
     addition,  a joint venture  partner may be  unable to meet  its economic or
     other obligations to the venture, which, depending  upon the nature of such
     obligations, could adversely affect the Company. 

     RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE

          The telecommunications  industry is  subject to rapid  and significant
     changes  in  technology. The  effect  of  technological changes,  including
     changes   relating  to   emerging   wireline   and  wireless   transmission
     technologies, on the business of the Company cannot be predicted. 

                                      -25-
     <PAGE>

     DEPENDENCE ON RIGHTS OF WAY AND OTHER THIRD PARTY AGREEMENTS

          The  Company  must obtain  easements,  rights of  way,  franchises and
     licenses  from  various private  parties,  including  actual and  potential
     competitors, and local governments in order to construct and maintain fiber
     optic networks.  There can  be no  assurance that  the Company will  obtain
     rights of way and franchise agreements to expand its networks or that these
     agreements will be on terms  acceptable to the Company, or that  current or
     potential competitors will not  obtain similar rights of way  and franchise
     agreements.  Because certain  of  these agreements  are  short-term or  are
     terminable  at  will, there  can  be  no assurance  that  the Company  will
     continue to have access to existing rights of way and  franchises after the
     expiration of  such  agreements.  An  important element  of  the  Company's
     strategy  is  to enter  into long-term  agreements  with utilities  to take
     advantage of their existing facilities and to license or lease their excess
     fiber capacity. The Company  has entered into contracts and  is negotiating
     letters of intent with  several utilities, however other CLECs  are seeking
     to  enter into  similar  arrangements  and have  bid  and  are expected  to
     continue  to bid  against  the  Company  for  future  licenses  or  leases.
     Furthermore,  utilities are required by state or local regulators to retain
     the  right to  "reclaim" fiber licensed  or leased  to the  Company if such
     fiber is needed for the utility's  core business. There can be no assurance
     that the  Company will be able  to obtain additional licenses  or leases on
     satisfactory  terms  or  that such  arrangements  will  not  be subject  to
     reclamation.  If a franchise, license or lease agreement was terminated and
     the Company  was forced to remove  or abandon a significant  portion of its
     network,  such  termination could  have a  material  adverse effect  on the
     Company. 

     KEY PERSONNEL

          The  efforts of  a  small  number  of  key  management  and  operating
     personnel  will largely determine the Company's success. The success of the
     Company also  depends in part  upon its ability  to hire and  retain highly
     skilled  and  qualified  operating,  marketing,   financial  and  technical
     personnel.    The   competition    for   qualified    personnel   in    the
     telecommunications industry  is intense and,  accordingly, there can  be no
     assurance  that  the  Company will  be  able  to hire  or  retain necessary
     personnel. The loss  of certain  key personnel could  adversely affect  the
     Company. 

     ORIGINAL  ISSUE   DISCOUNT;  POSSIBLE  UNFAVORABLE  TAX   AND  OTHER  LEGAL
     CONSEQUENCES FOR HOLDERS OF NOTES,  PREFERRED STOCK AND EXCHANGE DEBENTURES
     AND THE COMPANY 

          The  Notes will  be  issued  at  a  substantial  discount  from  their
     principal amount at maturity. Although cash interest will not accrue on the
     Notes prior to  March 15, 2002, and there  will be no periodic  payments of
     cash interest  on the  Notes prior  to September  15, 2002, original  issue
     discount ("OID"),  which is  the difference between  the stated  redemption
     price  at maturity and the  issue price of the Notes,  will accrue from the
     issue  date of  the  Notes.  OID  will be  includible  as  interest  income
     periodically   (including  for  periods  to  March  15,  2002)  in  a  U.S.
     noteholder's gross income for  U.S. federal income tax purposes  in advance
     of receipt of the cash payments to which the income is attributable. 

          If a  bankruptcy case is  commenced by or  against Holdings  under the
     U.S. Bankruptcy Code after the issuance of the Notes, the claim of a holder
     of a Note with respect to the principal amount thereof may be limited to an
     amount equal  to the sum  of (i) the initial  offering price and  (ii) that
     portion of  the OID that is  not deemed to constitute  "unmatured interest"
     for purposes of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Any OID that was not amortized as
     of any such bankruptcy filing would constitute "unmatured interest." 

          The  Company  does  not  presently have  any  current  or  accumulated
     earnings and profits as  determined under United States federal  income tax
     principles and it is  unlikely to have current or accumulated  earnings and
     profits in  the foreseeable future.  As a  result, until such  time as  the
     Company  does have  earnings and  profits, distributions  on  the Preferred
     Stock will be treated as a nontaxable return of capital and will be applied
     against  and reduce  the adjusted  tax basis  (but not  below zero)  on the
     Preferred Stock in the hands of each holder, thus increasing  the amount of
     any gain  (or reducing  the amount  of any loss)  which would  otherwise be

                                      -26-
     <PAGE>

     realized  by such  holder  upon the  disposition  of the  Preferred  Stock.
     Consequently, distributions with  respect to the  Preferred Stock will  not
     qualify as dividends for federal income tax purposes and, as a result, will
     be treated as a return of capital. 

          Upon  a  redemption  of  Preferred  Stock  in  exchange  for  Exchange
     Debentures,  the  holder will  have  capital  gain  or loss  equal  to  the
     difference  between the issue price of the Exchange Debentures received and
     the holder's adjusted basis  in the Preferred Stock redeemed, except to the
     extent all or a portion of the Exchange Debentures received is treated as a
     dividend payment. Because of Holdings' option through March 15, 2002 to pay
     interest  on  the  Exchange   Debentures  by  issuing  additional  Exchange
     Debentures,  any  Exchange Debentures  issued prior  to  that date  will be
     treated  as  issued  with OID,  unless  under  special  rules for  interest
     holidays the amount of  OID is treated as de minimis. Holders would have to
     accrue  all  such OID  into income  over the  entire  term of  the Exchange
     Debentures,  but would  not treat  the  receipt of  stated interest  on the
     Exchange Debentures as interest for federal income tax purposes. 

          The  Exchange Debentures may be  subject to the  rules for "applicable
     high yield discount obligations," in which case the Company's deduction for
     OID  on the  Exchange  Debentures will  be  substantially deferred,  and  a
     portion of such deduction may be disallowed. 

          For a discussion of these and  other relevant tax issues, see "Certain
     United States Federal Income Tax Considerations." 

     ABSENCE OF PUBLIC MARKET

          The Notes and the Preferred Stock are, and the Exchange Debentures, if
     issued, will be, new issues  of securities for which there is  currently no
     active  trading market.  If  any such  securities  are traded  after  their
     initial issuance, they may trade at a discount from their  initial offering
     price,  depending upon prevailing  interest rates,  the market  for similar
     securities and other factors, including general economic conditions and the
     financial condition, performance of, and prospects for the Company. 

                                 THE EXCHANGE OFFERS

     PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF THE EXCHANGE OFFERS

          The Old Securities were sold by Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (the
     "Placement Agent") on March 11,  1997 to a limited number of  institutional
     investors  (the "Purchasers").  In  connection with  the  sale of  the  Old
     Securities, the Company and the Purchasers entered into registration rights
     agreements  dated March  11,  1997 (collectively  the "Registration  Rights
     Agreements"), which require the Company (i)  to cause the Old Securities to
     be registered under the Securities Act  or (ii) to file with the Commission
     a  registration  statement under  the Securities  Act  with respect  to New
     Securities identical in all material respects to the Old Securities and  to
     use  its  best  efforts to  cause  such  registration  statement to  become
     effective  under the Securities Act. The Company is further obligated, upon
     the effectiveness of that  registration statement, to offer the  holders of
     the  Old Securities the  opportunity to  exchange their  Old Notes  and Old
     Preferred Stock for a like principal amount of New Notes and a  like number
     of  shares of  New  Preferred Stock,  respectively,  which will  be  issued
     without a restrictive legend and may  be reoffered and resold by the holder
     without restrictions or limitations under the Securities Act. Copies of the
     Registration  Rights  Agreements   have  been  filed  as  exhibits  to  the
     Registration Statement of  which this  Prospectus is a  part. The  Exchange
     Offers are being  made pursuant  to the Registration  Rights Agreements  to
     satisfy  the  Company's  obligations  thereunder. The  term  "Holder"  with
     respect  to  the  Exchange Offers  means  any  person  in  whose  name  Old
     Securities are  registered on the Company's  books or any other  person who
     has obtained a properly completed assignment from the registered holder.

                                      -27-
     <PAGE>

          In  order to  participate  in  the  Exchange  Offers,  a  Holder  must
     represent to the Company, among other  things, that (i) the New  Securities
     acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offers are being obtained in the ordinary
     course of business of the person receiving  such New Securities, whether or
     not  such person is the Holder, (ii) neither  the Holder nor any such other
     person is engaging in or  intends to engage in  a distribution of such  New
     Securities,  (iii) neither  the Holder  nor any  such  other person  has an
     arrangement  or  understanding  with  any  person  to  participate  in  the
     distribution  of such New  Securities, and (iv) neither  the Holder nor any
     such other person is an "affiliate," as defined under Rule  405 promulgated
     under the Securities Act, of the Company.  In  the event that any Holder of
     Old  Securities cannot make the requisite representations to the Company in
     order to participate in the Exchange Offers, such Holder may be entitled to
     have such  Holder's Old  Securities  registered in  a "shelf"  registration
     statement on an appropriate form pursuant to Rule 415  under the Securities
     Act.

          Based on a previous  interpretation by the staff of the Commission set
     forth  in  no-action  letters  issued to  third-parties,  including  "Exxon
     Capital  Holdings Corporation" (available May  13, 1988), "Morgan Stanley &
     Co.  Incorporated" (available  June 5,  1991), "Mary  Kay Cosmetics,  Inc."
     (available  June 5, 1991), "Warnaco, Inc." (available October 11, 1991) and
     "K-III Communications Corp." (available May 14, 1993), the Company believes
     that  the New  Securities issued  pursuant to  the Exchange  Offers may  be
     offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred  by any Holder of such
     New  Securities (other than any such Holder  which is an "affiliate" of the
     Company within the meaning  of Rule 405  under the Securities Act)  without
     compliance  with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the
     Securities  Act,  provided that  such New  Securities  are acquired  in the
     ordinary   course  of  such  Holder's  business  and  such  Holder  has  no
     arrangement  or  understanding  with  any  person  to  participate  in  the
     distribution of such New Securities. Any Holder who tenders in the Exchange
     Offers  for the  purpose  of participating  in  a distribution  of  the New
     Securities  cannot  rely  on  such  interpretation  by  the  staff  of  the
     Commission and must  comply with the  registration and prospectus  delivery
     requirements  of the Securities Act  in connection with  a secondary resale
     transaction.  Under no  circumstances may  this Prospectus  be used  for an
     offer  to resell, resale or other retransfer  of the New Securities. In the
     event  that  the  Company's  belief  is  inaccurate,  Holders  of  the  New
     Securities who  transfer  New Securities  in  violation of  the  prospectus
     delivery provisions of  the Securities  Act and without  an exemption  from
     registration thereunder may incur  liability thereunder.  The Company  does
     not assume or indemnify Holders against such liability. The Exchange Offers
     are not being made to, nor will the Company accept  surrenders for exchange
     from, Holders of Old Securities in  any jurisdiction in which the  Exchange
     Offers  or the  acceptance  thereof would  not be  in  compliance with  the
     securities or blue sky  laws of such jurisdiction. Each  broker-dealer that
     receives New Securities for its own account in exchange for Old Securities,
     where such Old  Securities were acquired by such  broker-dealer as a result
     of market-making  activities or other trading  activities, must acknowledge
     that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such New
     Securities.     The  Company  has  not  entered  into  any  arrangement  or
     understanding  with any  person  to distribute  the  New Securities  to  be
     received in the Exchange Offers. See "Plan of Distribution."

     TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFERS

          Upon  the  terms  and subject  to  the conditions  set  forth  in this
     Prospectus and in the Letters  of Transmittal, the Company will  accept any
     and all Old  Securities validly  tendered and not  withdrawn prior to  5:00
     p.m., New  York City time, on  the Expiration Date. The  Company will issue
     $1,000 principal amount of New Notes in exchange  for each $1,000 principal
     amount of outstanding Old  Notes surrendered pursuant to the  Note Exchange
     Offer.   However, Old Notes may  be tendered only in  integral multiples of
     $1,000.

          The form and terms of  the New Notes will be the same as  the form and
     terms of the Old Notes  except that the New Notes will be  registered under
     the Securities Act and hence will not bear legends restricting the transfer
     thereof. The New  Notes will evidence the same  debt as the Old  Notes. The
     New  Notes  will be  issued  under  and entitled  to  the  benefits of  the
     Indenture, which also  authorized the issuance of the Old  Notes, such that
     both  series will be treated as a single class of debt securities under the
     Indenture. The form and  terms of the New Preferred Stock  will be the same
     as the  form and  terms  of the  Old Preferred  Stock except  that the  New
     Preferred Stock will  be registered under the Securities Act and hence will
     not  bear legends restricting the transfer thereof. The New Preferred Stock

                                      -28-
     <PAGE>

     will  evidence the  same  rights, privileges  and  obligations as  the  Old
     Preferred Stock. The New Preferred Stock will be issued  under and entitled
     to the benefits of the Amended Articles which also authorized the  issuance
     of the  Old Preferred Stock,  such that  both series will  be treated  as a
     single class of equity securities under the Amended Articles.

          As  of the date  of this Prospectus,  $176,000,000 aggregate principal
     amount at maturity  of the Old  Notes and 100,000  shares of Old  Preferred
     Stock  are outstanding.  This  Prospectus,  together  with  the  Letter  of
     Transmittal, is being sent to  all registered Holders of the Old  Notes and
     Old Preferred Stock.

          The  Company intends to conduct the Exchange Offers in accordance with
     the provisions  of the  Registration Rights  Agreements and the  applicable
     requirements of  the Exchange  Act, and  the rules and  regulations of  the
     Commission thereunder. Old Notes  that are not tendered for exchange in the
     Note Exchange  Offer will remain  outstanding and  will be entitled  to the
     rights  and benefits such Holders  have under the  Indenture. Old Preferred
     Stock that is not tendered for exchange under the Preferred  Stock Exchange
     Offer will remain  outstanding and will  be entitled to  the rights as  set
     forth in the Amended Articles.

          The  Company shall  be deemed  to have  accepted validly  tendered Old
     Securities when,  as and if  the Company shall  have given oral  or written
     notice thereof to the Exchange Agent or the Transfer Agent, as the case may
     be.  The Exchange Agent will act as agent for the tendering Holders for the
     purposes of receiving the New Notes from the Company and the Transfer Agent
     will act as agent for  the tendering Holders for the purposes  of receiving
     the New Preferred Stock from the Company.

          If any tendered Old  Securities are not accepted for  exchange because
     of  an invalid  tender, the  occurrence of  certain other events  set forth
     herein or  otherwise, certificates for  any such unaccepted  Old Securities
     will  be  returned, without  expense, to  the  tendering Holder  thereof as
     promptly as practicable after the Expiration Date.

          Holders who tender  Old Securities in the Exchange Offers  will not be
     required   to  pay  brokerage  commissions  or  fees  or,  subject  to  the
     instructions in the Letter  of Transmittal, transfer taxes with  respect to
     the  exchange pursuant  to the  Exchange Offers. The  Company will  pay all
     charges and expenses, other than  certain applicable taxes described below,
     in connection with the Exchange Offers. See "-Fees and Expenses."

     EXPIRATION DATE; EXTENSIONS; AMENDMENTS

          The term "Expiration Date," shall  mean 5:00 p.m., New York  City time
     on  __________, 1997, unless the  Company, in its  sole discretion, extends
     the Exchange  Offers, in which case  the term "Expiration Date"  shall mean
     the latest date and time to which the Exchange Offers are extended.

          In  order to extend the  Exchange Offers, the  Company will notify the
     Exchange  Agent and the Transfer Agent of  any extension by oral or written
     notice and will  mail to  the registered Holders  an announcement  thereof,
     prior to 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on  the next business day after the
     then Expiration Date.

          The Company reserves the right,  in its sole discretion, (i)  to delay
     accepting any Old Securities, to extend the Exchange Offers or to terminate
     the  Exchange Offers  if any  of the  conditions set  forth below  under "-
     Conditions" shall not have been satisfied by giving  oral or written notice
     of such  delay, extension  or  termination to  the Exchange  Agent and  the
     Transfer Agent or  (ii) to amend  the terms of  the Exchange Offers  in any
     manner.  Any such delay in acceptances, extension, termination or amendment
     will  be followed  as promptly  as practicable  by oral  or written  notice
     thereof to the registered Holders. If either Exchange Offer is amended in a
     manner  determined  by the  Company to  constitute  a material  change, the
     Company  will promptly  disclose such  amendment by  means of  a prospectus
     supplement  that will  be distributed  to the  registered Holders,  and the
     Company will  extend  the Exchange  Offers  for a  period  of five  to  ten
     business days, depending  upon the  significance of the  amendment and  the

                                      -29-
     <PAGE>

     manner  of disclosure  to the  registered Holders,  if the  Exchange Offers
     would otherwise expire during such five to ten business day period.

          Without limiting the manner in which  the Company may choose to make a
     public  announcement of any  delay, extension, amendment  or termination of
     the  Exchange  Offers, the  Company shall  have  no obligation  to publish,
     advertise,  or otherwise  communicate any  such public  announcement, other
     than by making a timely release to an appropriate news agency.

          Upon  satisfaction or  waiver of  all the  conditions to  the Exchange
     Offers,  the Company will accept,  promptly after the  Expiration Date, all
     Old Securities properly tendered and will issue the New Securities promptly
     after  acceptance of the Old Securities. See "-Conditions." For purposes of
     the  Exchange Offers, the Company shall be deemed to have accepted properly
     tendered Old Securities for exchange when, as and if the Company shall have
     given oral or written notice thereof  to the Exchange Agent or the Transfer
     Agent, as the case may be.

          In all cases,  issuance of the New Securities  for Old Securities that
     are accepted for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offers will be made only
     after timely  receipt by the Exchange  Agent or the Transfer  Agent, as the
     case  may  be,  of  a  properly  completed  and  duly  executed  Letter  of
     Transmittal  and all other required documents;  provided, however, that the
     Company  reserves the absolute right to waive any defects or irregularities
     in the tender  or conditions of  the Exchange Offers.  If any tendered  Old
     Securities  are not  accepted for  any reason  set forth  in the  terms and
     conditions of  the Exchange Offers or if Old Securities are submitted for a
     greater principal amount, or a greater number of shares, respectively, than
     the Holder desires to  exchange, then such unaccepted or  non-exchanged Old
     Securities  evidencing  the unaccepted  portion,  as  appropriate, will  be
     returned without expense  to the  tendering Holder thereof  as promptly  as
     practicable after the expiration or termination of the Exchange Offers.

     CONDITIONS

          Notwithstanding  any other term  of the  Exchange Offers,  the Company
     will not be required to exchange any New Securities for  any Old Securities
     and may  terminate the  Exchange Offers  before the  acceptance of  any Old
     Securities for exchange, if:

               (a)  any action or proceeding is instituted or threatened in  any
     court or  by or before any governmental agency with respect to the Exchange
     Offers which, in the Company's reasonable judgment, might materially impair
     the ability of the Company to proceed with the Exchange Offers; or

               (b)  any law, statute, rule or regulation is proposed, adopted or
     enacted, or any existing law, statute, rule or regulation is interpreted by
     the staff of the  Commission, which, in the Company's  reasonable judgment,
     might materially  impair the  ability of  the Company  to proceed  with the
     Exchange Offers; or

               (c)  any governmental approval or approval by Holders of the  Old
     Securities has  not been obtained, which approval the Company shall, in its
     reasonable  judgment, deem necessary  for the consummation  of the Exchange
     Offers as contemplated hereby.

          If the Company  determines in its  sole discretion that  any of  these
     conditions are not satisfied, the Company may (i) refuse to  accept any Old
     Securities and return all tendered Old Securities to the tendering Holders,
     (ii)  extend the  Exchange Offers  and retain  all Old  Securities tendered
     prior to the  expiration of the Exchange  Offers, subject, however, to  the
     rights  of Holders  who  tendered such  Old  Securities to  withdraw  their
     tendered  Old Securities or  (iii) waive  such unsatisfied  conditions with
     respect  to  the  Exchange Offers  and  accept  all  properly tendered  Old
     Securities  which have  not been  withdrawn. If  such waiver  constitutes a
     material  change to the Exchange Offers, the Company will promptly disclose
     such waiver by means of a prospectus supplement that will be distributed to
     the registered Holders, and the Company will extend the Exchange Offers for
     a period of five to  ten business days, depending upon the  significance of

                                      -30-
     <PAGE>

     the  waiver and the manner of disclosure  to the registered Holders, if the
     Exchange Offers would otherwise expire during such five to ten business day
     period.

     PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING

          To tender in  the Exchange  Offers, a Holder  must complete, sign  and
     date the Letter of  Transmittal, or facsimile thereof, have  the signatures
     thereon  guaranteed if required  by the Letter of  Transmittal, and mail or
     otherwise  deliver  such Letter  of Transmittal  or  such facsimile  to the
     Exchange  Agent, with  respect to  the Notes, or  the Transfer  Agent, with
     respect to the Preferred Stock prior  to the Expiration Date.  In addition,
     either (i)  certificates for such  Old Securities  must be received  by the
     Exchange Agent or Transfer Agent, as the case may be, along with the Letter
     of Transmittal, or  (ii) a  timely confirmation of  book-entry transfer  (a
     "Book-Entry Confirmation")  of such  Old Securities,  if such  procedure is
     available, into the  Exchange Agent's  or Transfer Agent's  account at  the
     Depository Trust  Company (the "Book-Entry Transfer  Facility") pursuant to
     the procedure for book-entry  transfer described below must be  received by
     the  Exchange Agent or  Transfer Agent,  as the case  may be,  prior to the
     Expiration  Date, or  (iii)  the Holder  must  comply with  the  guaranteed
     delivery procedures  described  below.   To  be tendered  effectively,  the
     Letter of Transmittal  and other required documents must be received by the
     Exchange Agent or Transfer  Agent, as the case  may be, at the  address set
     forth below under "-Exchange Agent; Transfer Agent" prior to the Expiration
     Date.

          The tender  by a Holder which is not withdrawn prior to the Expiration
     Date will constitute an  agreement between such Holder  and the Company  in
     accordance with  the terms and subject  to the conditions set  forth herein
     and in the Letter of Transmittal.

          THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF OLD SECURITIES AND THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
     AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO  THE EXCHANGE AGENT OR TRANSFER  AGENT,
     AS THE CASE MAY BE,  IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE  HOLDER. INSTEAD OF
     DELIVERY BY MAIL,  IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT HOLDERS USE  AN OVERNIGHT OR HAND
     DELIVERY SERVICE. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ASSURE
     DELIVERY  TO THE  EXCHANGE AGENT  OR TRANSFER  AGENT, AS  THE CASE  MAY BE,
     BEFORE  THE EXPIRATION  DATE. NO  LETTER OF  TRANSMITTAL OR  OLD SECURITIES
     SHOULD  BE  SENT  TO THE  COMPANY.  HOLDERS  MAY  REQUEST THEIR  RESPECTIVE
     BROKERS, DEALERS,  COMMERCIAL BANKS, TRUST COMPANIES OR  NOMINEES TO EFFECT
     THE ABOVE TRANSACTIONS FOR SUCH HOLDERS.

          Any beneficial owner whose  Old Securities are registered in  the name
     of a broker,  dealer, commercial bank, trust  company or other  nominee and
     who  wishes to  tender should  contact the  registered Holder  promptly and
     instruct such  registered  Holder  to tender  on  such  beneficial  owner's
     behalf.  If such  beneficial  owner wishes  to tender  on such  owner's own
     behalf, such owner must,  prior to completing  and executing the Letter  of
     Transmittal  and  delivering  such  owner's  Old  Securities,  either  make
     appropriate  arrangements to  register ownership  of the Old  Securities in
     such  owner's name  or  obtain a  properly  completed assignment  from  the
     registered  Holder.   The  transfer   of  registered  ownership   may  take
     considerable time.

          Signatures on a  Letter of Transmittal or  a notice of  withdrawal, as
     the case may be, must be  guaranteed by an Eligible Institution (as defined
     below)  unless the Old Securities tendered pursuant thereto is tendered (i)
     by a  registered Holder  who has not  completed the  box entitled  "Special
     Payment Instructions" or "Special  Delivery Instructions" on the Letter  of
     Transmittal or (ii) for  the account of an Eligible Institution (as defined
     below).   In the  event that  signatures on  a Letter  of Transmittal  or a
     notice of  withdrawal, as the case  may be, are required  to be guaranteed,
     such guarantor must  be a member  firm of a registered  national securities
     exchange  or of  the National  Association of  Securities Dealers,  Inc., a
     commercial bank or trust company having  an office or correspondent in  the
     United  States or an "eligible guarantor institution" within the meaning of
     Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act (an "Eligible Institution").

                                      -31-
     <PAGE> 

          If the  Letter of Transmittal  is signed  by a person  other than  the
     registered Holder of any Old Securities listed therein, such Old Securities
     must  be endorsed  or accompanied  by a  properly completed  bond  or stock
     power, as  the  case may  be,  signed by  such  registered Holder  as  such
     registered Holder's name appears on such Old Securities.

          If the  Letter of Transmittal or  any Old Securities or  bond or stock
     powers  are  signed  by  trustees,  executors,  administrators,  guardians,
     attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary
     or representative capacity,  such persons should so  indicate when signing,
     and  unless waived by the Company,  evidence satisfactory to the Company of
     their authority to so act must be submitted with the Letter of Transmittal.

          All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
     receipt), acceptance of tendered Old  Securities and withdrawal of tendered
     Old  Securities will be  determined by the Company  in its sole discretion,
     which determination will  be final  and binding. The  Company reserves  the
     absolute right to reject  any and all Old Securities  not properly tendered
     or any  Old Securities  the Company's  acceptance of  which  would, in  the
     opinion of counsel for the Company,  be unlawful. The Company also reserves
     the right to waive  any defects, irregularities or conditions of  tender as
     to particular Old Securities. The Company's interpretation of the terms and
     conditions of the Exchange Offers (including the instructions in the Letter
     of Transmittal) will  be final and binding on all  parties.  Unless waived,
     any  defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of Old Securities
     must be cured within such time as the Company shall determine. Although the
     Company intends to notify Holders of defects or irregularities with respect
     to tenders  of Old Securities, none of the Company, the Exchange Agent, the
     Transfer Agent, or any  other person shall incur any  liability for failure
     to give such notification.  Tenders of Old Securities will not be deemed to
     have been  made until  such defects  or irregularities  have been  cured or
     waived.  Any Old Securities received by the Exchange Agent  or the Transfer
     Agent, as the case may be, that  are not properly tendered and as to  which
     the  defects  or  irregularities have  not  been cured  or  waived  will be
     returned by the Exchange Agent, or the Transfer  Agent, as the case may be,
     to  the tendering  Holders,  unless otherwise  provided  in the  Letter  of
     Transmittal, as soon as practicable following the Expiration Date.

          In addition, the Company reserves the right in its sole  discretion to
     purchase  or make  offers for  any Old  Securities that  remain outstanding
     subsequent  to  the Expiration  Date  or,  as  set  forth  above  under  "-
     Conditions,"  to terminate the Exchange Offers and, to the extent permitted
     by applicable law, purchase Old Securities in the open market, in privately
     negotiated  transactions or otherwise. The  terms of any  such purchases or
     offers could differ from the terms of the Exchange Offers.

          By  tendering, each Holder will  represent to the  Company that, among
     other  things, (i)  the New  Securities acquired  pursuant to  the Exchange
     Offers are  being obtained in the ordinary course of business of the Person
     receiving  such New Securities, whether  or not such  person is the Holder,
     (ii) neither the Holder nor any such other person is engaging in or intends
     to engage in a distribution of such New Securities (iii) neither the Holder
     nor any such  other person  has an  arrangement or  understanding with  any
     Person to participate in the distribution of such New  Securities, and (iv)
     neither the  Holder nor any such other Person is an "affiliate," as defined
     in Rule 405 of the Securities Act, of the Company.

          In  all  cases,  issuance of  New  Securities  that  are accepted  for
     exchange  pursuant to the  Exchange Offers will  be made  only after timely
     receipt by the  Exchange Agent or  Transfer Agent of certificates  for such
     Old Securities or a  timely Book-Entry Confirmation of such  Old Securities
     into the Exchange  Agent's or  Transfer Agent's account  at the  Book-Entry
     Transfer  Facility, a  properly  completed  and  duly  executed  Letter  of
     Transmittal  and  all  other  required   documents.  If  any  tendered  Old
     Securities  are not  accepted for  any reason  set forth  in the  terms and
     conditions of the Exchange Offers or  if Old Securities are submitted for a
     greater principal amount or greater  number of shares, as the case  may be,
     than the Holder desires  to exchange, such unaccepted or  non-exchanged Old
     Securities will be returned without expense to the tendering Holder thereof
     (or, in the case of Old Securities tendered by book-entry transfer into the
     Exchange  Agent's or  Transfer Agent's account  at the  Book-Entry Transfer
     Facility pursuant  to the  book-entry transfer procedures  described below,

                                      -32-
     <PAGE>

     such non-exchanged Old Securities will be credited to an account maintained
     with such Book-Entry  Transfer Facility) as  promptly as practicable  after
     the expiration or termination of the Exchange Offers.

     BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER

          Each  of the Exchange  Agent and the  Transfer Agent each  will make a
     request to establish an account  with respect to the Old Notes and  the Old
     Preferred  Stock, respectively,  at  the Book-Entry  Transfer Facility  for
     purposes of  the Exchange Offers within two business days after the date of
     this Prospectus, and any financial institution that is a participant in the
     Book-Entry Transfer Facility's systems may make book-entry delivery  of Old
     Securities by causing the Book-Entry Transfer to transfer such Old Notes or
     Old  Preferred  Stock into  the Exchange  Agent's  or the  Transfer Agent's
     account, respectively,  at the  Book-Entry Transfer Facility  in accordance
     with such Book-Entry Transfer  Facility's procedures for transfer. However,
     although delivery  of Old  Securities  may be  effected through  book-entry
     transfer  at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility, the Letter of Transmittal or
     facsimile thereof,  with any  required signature  guarantees and  any other
     required  documents, must, in  any case, be transmitted  to and received by
     the Exchange  Agent or  the Transfer  Agent, as  the  case may  be, at  the
     address  set forth below under "-Exchange Agent; Transfer Agent" "-Transfer
     Agent"  on or  prior to  the  Expiration Date  or  the guaranteed  delivery
     procedures described below must be complied with.

     GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES

          Holders who  wish to  tender their  Old Securities  and (i) whose  Old
     Securities are not immediately  available or (ii) who cannot  deliver their
     Old Securities, the Letter  of Transmittal or any other  required documents
     to the Exchange Agent  or the Transfer  Agent, as the case  may be, or  the
     Transfer Agent, as the case may be prior to the Expiration Date, may effect
     a tender if:

               (a)  The tender is made through an Eligible Institution;

               (b)   Prior to  the Expiration Date,  the Exchange  Agent or  the
     Transfer Agent,  as the case may be or the  Transfer Agent, as the case may
     be, receives from such  Eligible Institution a properly completed  and duly
     executed  Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (by facsimile transmission, mail or
     hand delivery)  setting  forth the  name  and address  of the  Holder,  the
     certificate  number(s) of  such Old Notes  or Old  Preferred Stock  and the
     principal amount  of Old Notes or  number of shares of  Old Preferred Stock
     tendered stating that  the tender  is being made  thereby and  guaranteeing
     that, within five New York Stock Exchange trading days after the Expiration
     Date,  the Letter of Transmittal  (or facsimile thereof)  together with the
     certificate(s)  representing the Old Notes  or Old Preferred  Stock and any
     other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal will be deposited  by
     the Eligible  Institution with the Exchange Agent or the Transfer Agent, as
     the case may be; and 

               (c)  Such properly completed  and executed Letter of  Transmittal
     (or facsimile  thereof), as  well  as the  certificate(s) representing  all
     tendered Old Notes  or Old Preferred Stock in proper  form for transfer and
     other documents required by the Letter  of Transmittal are received by  the
     Exchange Agent or Transfer Agent, as the case may be, within  five New York
     Stock Exchange trading days after the Expiration Date.

          Upon request to the Exchange Agent or the Transfer Agent,  as the case
     may be, a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery will be sent to Holders who wish to
     tender  their Old Notes or Old Preferred  Stock according to the guaranteed
     delivery procedures set forth above.

     WITHDRAWAL OF TENDERS

          Except  as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Old Securities may be
     withdrawn  at  any time  prior to  5:00 p.m., New  York  City time,  on the
     Expiration Date.
   
                                      -33-
     <PAGE>

          To  withdraw a  tender of  Old  Securities in  the Exchange  Offers, a
     written  or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal must be received by
     the Exchange  Agent or  the Transfer  Agent,  as the  case may  be, or  the
     Transfer  Agent, as the  case may be,  at its respective  address set forth
     herein prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on  the Expiration Date. Any
     such notice  of withdrawal must (i)  specify the name of  the person having
     deposited  the  Old Securities  to  be  withdrawn  (the "Depositor"),  (ii)
     identify  the Old  Securities to  be withdrawn  (including  the certificate
     number or),  (iii)  be signed  by  the Holder  in the  same  manner as  the
     original  signature  on  the  Letter  of  Transmittal  by  which  such  Old
     Securities were  tendered (including any required  signature guarantees) or
     be accompanied by documents of transfer sufficient to have the Trustee with
     respect to the  Old Notes, or  the Transfer Agent  with respect to  the Old
     Preferred Stock, register  the transfer of such Old Securities  in the name
     of the person withdrawing the tender and (iv) specify the name in which any
     such  Old Securities are  to be registered,  if different from  that of the
     Depositor.  All  questions   as  to  the  validity,  form  and  eligibility
     (including time  of receipt)  of such  notices will  be  determined by  the
     Company, whose determination shall be final and binding on all parties. Any
     Old  Securities  so withdrawn  will  be  deemed not  to  have  been validly
     tendered for purposes of the Exchange  Offers and no New Securities will be
     issued  with respect  thereto unless  the Old  Securities so  withdrawn are
     validly retendered. Any Old Securities which have been tendered but which 
     are not accepted for payment will be returned to the Holder thereof without
     cost to such  Holder as soon as practicable after  withdrawal, rejection of
     tender or  termination  of  the Exchange  Offers.  Properly  withdrawn  Old
     Securities may be retendered  by following one of the  procedures described
     above under "-Procedures for Tendering" at any time prior to the Expiration
     Date.

     EXCHANGE AGENT; TRANSFER AGENT

          Norwest  Banks  has  been appointed  as  Exchange  Agent  of the  Note
     Exchange  Offer.  Questions  and  requests  for  assistance,  requests  for
     additional copies of this  Prospectus or of the  Letter of Transmittal  and
     requests for Notice of Guaranteed Delivery  with respect to the exchange of
     the Old  Notes  should be  directed  to  the Exchange  Agent  addressed  as
     follows:

      By Registered Mail or Certified     By Overnight Courier:
      Mail:

      Norwest Banks                       Norwest Banks
      Corporate Trust Section             Corporate Trust Section
      P.O. Box 1517                       NorthStar East Building
      Minneapolis, MN  55480-1517         Sixth and Marquette
                                          Avenues
                                          Minneapolis, MN  55479-
                                          0113

      By Telephone:                       By Facsimile:

      (612) 667-4070                      (612) 667-4972

          American Stock  Transfer & Trust  Company has been  appointed Transfer
     Agent of the  Preferred Stock  Exchange Offer. Questions  and requests  for
     assistance, requests for additional copies of this Prospectus or the Letter
     of  Transmittal and requests for Notice of Guaranteed Delivery with respect
     to  the Old Preferred  Stock should be  addressed to the  Transfer Agent as
     follows:

      By Registered Mail, Certified              By Telephone:
      Mail or Overnight Courier:
                                                 (212) 936-5100
      American Stock Transfer &
      Trust Company                              By Facsimile:
      40 Wall Street
      New York, NY  10005                        (718) 236-4588

                                      -34-
     <PAGE>

     FEES AND EXPENSES

          The  expenses of soliciting  tenders will be paid  by the Company. The
     principal  solicitation   is  being  made  by   mail;  however,  additional
     solicitation  may be made by telecopier, telephone or in person by officers
     and regular employees of the Company and its affiliates.

          The Company has not retained any dealer-manager in connection with the
     Exchange Offers and will not make any payments to brokers-dealers or others
     soliciting acceptances of  the Exchange Offers. The Company,  however, will
     pay the Exchange Agent and the Transfer Agent reasonable and customary fees
     for  their   services  and  will   reimburse  them  for   their  reasonable
     out-of-pocket expenses in connection therewith.

          The  cash  expenses to  be incurred  in  connection with  the Exchange
     Offers will be paid by the Company and are estimated in the aggregate to be
     approximately $100,000.  Such expenses include registration  fees, fees and
     expenses of the Exchange Agent and the Transfer Agent, accounting and legal
     fees and printing costs, among others.

          The  Company will pay  all transfer taxes,  if any, applicable  to the
     exchange  of  the  Old Securities  pursuant  to  the  Exchange Offers.  If,
     however, certificates representing New  Securities for principal amounts or
     number of shares not tendered or  accepted for exchange are to be delivered
     to, or  are  to be  issued  in  the name  of,  any person  other  than  the
     registered  Holder of  Old  Securities tendered,  or  if tendered  the  Old
     Securities are registered in the name  of, any person other than the person
     signing the Letter of Transmittal, or if a transfer tax is imposed for  any
     reason  other than  the  exchange of  the Old  Securities  pursuant to  the
     Exchange  Offers, then  the  amount of  any  such transfer  taxes  (whether
     imposed on the registered Holder  or any other persons) will be  payable by
     the tendering Holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes  or
     exemption  therefrom is not submitted  with the Letter  of Transmittal, the
     amount of such  transfer taxes  will be billed  directly to such  tendering
     Holder.

                                       -35-
     <PAGE>

                               DESCRIPTION OF NEW NOTES

          The New  Notes are to be issued under  an Indenture, dated as of March
     11,  1997  (the "Senior  Discount  Notes  Indenture"), among  Holdings,  as
     issuer,  ICG,  as  guarantor (including  its  successors  and assigns,  the
     "Guarantor"), and  Norwest Bank Colorado, National  Association, as Trustee
     (the "Trustee"). A copy of the Senior Discount Notes Indenture is available
     upon  request from Holdings. The following summary of certain provisions of
     the Senior  Discount Notes Indenture does not purport to be complete and is
     subject  to, and  is qualified  in its  entirety by  reference to,  all the
     provisions  of   the  Senior   Discount  Notes  Indenture,   including  the
     definitions of certain terms therein and those terms made a part thereof by
     the  Trust Indenture Act of  1939, as amended  (the "Trust Indenture Act").
     Whenever particular  defined terms of  the Senior Discount  Notes Indenture
     not  otherwise defined  herein  are referred  to,  such defined  terms  are
     incorporated herein by reference.  References herein to "$" refers  to U.S.
     dollars. 

     GENERAL

          The New Notes  will be  unsecured senior obligations  of Holdings  and
     will mature  on March 15, 2007.  After March 15, 2002, interest  on the New
     Notes will  accrue at the rate  of 11 5/8%  per annum from the  most recent
     Interest  Payment Date  to which  interest has been  paid or  provided for,
     payable  semiannually (to  Holders of  record at  the close of  business on
     March 1 or September 1 immediately  preceding the Interest Payment Date) on
     March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing September 15, 2002. 
      
          Although  for U.S. federal income tax purposes a significant amount of
     original  issue discount, taxable as ordinary income, will be recognized by
     a  Holder of  New Notes  as such  discount is  amortized from  the date  of
     issuance of  the New Notes, Holders of New Notes  will not receive any cash
     payments of  interest  on the  New  Notes  until September  15,  2002.  See
     "Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations." 

          Principal of, premium, if any,  and interest on the New Notes  will be
     payable,  and the New Notes may be  exchanged or transferred, at the office
     or agency of Holdings  (which initially will be the corporate  trust office
     of  the Trustee at 1740 Broadway,  Denver, Colorado); provided that, at the
     option of Holdings, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to  the
     address of the Holders as such address appears in the Security Register. 
      
          The New  Notes will be issued  only in fully registered  form, without
     coupons, in denominations of $1,000 of principal amount at maturity and any
     integral multiple thereof. See "-Book Entry; Delivery and Form." No service
     charge will be  made for any  registration of transfer  or exchange of  New
     Notes, but  Holdings may require payment  of a sum sufficient  to cover any
     transfer tax  or other  similar governmental charge  payable in  connection
     therewith. 

          The Senior Discount Notes Indenture contains certain covenants which,
     among other things, restrict the ability of Holdings, ICG and their
     Restricted Subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness for, among
     other things, the acquisition of network assets, inventory and equipment.
      
          Subject  to the covenants  in their  Indebtedness and  applicable law,
     Holdings and ICG may issue  additional New Notes under the  Senior Discount
     Notes  Indenture. The New Notes,  together with any  New Notes subsequently
     issued, will be treated as a single class for all purposes under the Senior
     Discount Notes Indenture. 
      
     OPTIONAL REDEMPTION

          The New Notes will be redeemable,  at Holdings' option, in whole or in
     part,  at any time  or from time  to time, on  or after March  15, 2002 and
     prior  to maturity,  upon not  less than  30 nor  more than 60  days' prior
     notice  mailed by  first class  mail to  each Holder's  last address  as it
     appears  in  the Security  Register,  at  the following  Redemption  Prices
     (expressed in percentages  of principal amount  at maturity), plus  accrued

                                      -36-
     <PAGE>

     and unpaid interest,  if any, to the Redemption Date  (subject to the right
     of Holders of  record on the  relevant Regular  Record Date that  is on  or
     prior to the Redemption Date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment
     Date), if redeemed  during the 12-month period  commencing March 15  of the
     years set forth below: 
      
                                   Year           Percentage
                                   ----           ---------

                         2002  . . . . . . . .   105.81250%
                         2003  . . . . . . . .   102.90625%
                         2004 and thereafter .   100.00000%

          In addition, at any time on or  prior to March 15, 2000, Holdings may,
     at its  option from  time to  time, redeem  New Notes  having an  aggregate
     principal amount of  up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of all New
     Notes issued in  the Private Offering, at  a redemption price equal  to 111
     5/8% of the Accreted Value thereof on the redemption date, with proceeds of
     one or  more Public  Equity Offerings  of Common  Stock of  (A) ICG or  (B)
     Holdings,  provided  that (i),  with respect  to  a Public  Equity Offering
     referred to  in  clause (A)  above,  cash proceeds  of such  Public  Equity
     Offering in  an amount sufficient to effect the  redemption of New Notes to
     be so redeemed are contributed by ICG  to Holdings prior to such redemption
     and used  by Holdings  to effect such  redemption and (ii)  such redemption
     occurs within 180 days after consummation of such Public Equity Offering. 
      
          In the case  of any partial redemption, selection of the New Notes for
     redemption will be made by the Trustee in compliance with the  requirements
     of  the principal  national securities exchange,  if any, on  which the New
     Notes  are  listed or,  if  the New  Notes  are  not listed  on  a national
     securities exchange, on a  pro rata basis or by  lot; provided that no  New
     Note of $1,000 in principal amount at maturity or less shall be redeemed in
     part. If  any  New Note  is to  be redeemed  in  part only,  the notice  of
     redemption relating  to  such  New Note  shall  state the  portion  of  the
     principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new New Note in principal amount
     equal to  the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued  in the name of the
     Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original New Note. 

     GUARANTEE

          Holdings'   obligations  under   the   New   Notes   are   fully   and
     unconditionally guaranteed  on a senior  basis by  the Guarantor;  provided
     that the Note Guarantee shall  not be enforceable against the Guarantor  in
     an amount  in excess  of the net  worth of the  Guarantor at the  time that
     determination of such net  worth is, under applicable law,  relevant to the
     enforceability of such  Note Guarantee.  Such net worth  shall include  any
     claim of the Guarantor against Holdings for reimbursement. 

     RANKING
      
          The  New Notes  and  the  Note  Guarantee  will  be  senior  unsecured
     indebtedness of Holdings  and ICG,  respectively, will rank  pari passu  in
     right of  payment with all  existing and  future unsecured,  unsubordinated
     indebtedness  and will be  senior in right  of payment to  all existing and
     future subordinated indebtedness  of Holdings and  ICG.  ICG and Holdings
     are each holding companies and therefore must rely upon dividend and other
     payments from their subsidiaries to generate the funds necessary to meet 
     their obligations, including the payment of principal and interest on the
     New Notes.  See "Risk Factors-Substantial Indebtedness; Ability to Service
     Debt" and  "-Holding Company Reliance on  Subsidiaries' Funds;  Priority
     of Creditors;  Subordination of Exchange Debentures." 

                                      -37-
     <PAGE>
      
     CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
      
          Set  forth below is a summary of  certain of the defined terms used in
     the  covenants and other provisions of the Senior Discount Notes Indenture.
     Reference is  made  to the  Senior Discount  Notes Indenture  for the  full
     definition of all  terms as well as any other  capitalized term used herein
     for which no definition is provided. 

          "Accreted  Value"  is defined  to mean,  for  any Specified  Date, the
     amount calculated pursuant  to (i),  (ii), (iii)  or (iv)  for each  $1,000
     principal amount at maturity of New Notes: 

          (i) if the Specified Date occurs on one of the following dates (each a
     "Semi-Annual Accrual Date"), the  Accreted Value will equal the  amount set
     forth below for such Semi-Annual Accrual Date: 
      
                                                     Accreted
                        Semi-Annual Accrual Date      Value
                         -----------------------     --------
                        March 11, 1997  . . . .       $567.66
                        September 15, 1997  . .       $601.41
                        March 15, 1998  . . . .       $636.36
                        September 15, 1998  . .       $673.35
                        March 15, 1999  . . . .       $712.49
                        September 15, 1999  . .       $753.90
                        March 15, 2000  . . . .       $797.72
                        September 15, 2000  . .       $844.09
                        March 15, 2001  . . . .       $893.15
                        September 15, 2002  . .       $945.07
                        March 15, 2002  . . . .     $1,000.00

          (ii) if the Specified Date occurs before the first Semi-Annual Accrual
     Date, the Accreted Value will equal the sum of (a) the original issue price
     and (b)  an amount equal to the  product of (1) the  Accreted Value for the
     first Semi-Annual Accrual Date less  the original issue price multiplied by
     (2) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days from the issue
     date of the New Notes to the Specified Date, using a 360-day year of twelve
     30-day  months, and the denominator of which  is the number of days elapsed
     from the issue date of the New Notes to the first Semi-Annual Accrual Date,
     using a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months; 

          (iii)  if the  Specified Date occurs  between two  Semi-Annual Accrual
     Dates, the Accreted Value will equal the sum of  (a) the Accreted Value for
     the Semi-Annual Accrual Date immediately  preceding such Specified Date and
     (b)  an amount  equal to  the product  of (1)  the Accreted  Value for  the
     immediately following Semi-Annual Accrual Date less the Accreted  Value for
     the  immediately preceding  Semi-Annual Accrual  Date  multiplied by  (2) a
     fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days from the immediately
     preceding Semi-Annual Accrual Date  to the Specified Date, using  a 360-day
     year of twelve 30-day months, and the denominator of which is 180; or 
      
          (iv) if the Specified  Date occurs after the last  Semi-Annual Accrual
     Date, the Accreted Value will equal $1,000.  

          "Adjusted Consolidated Net Income" means for any period, the aggregate
     net  income (or loss) of the Guarantor  and its Restricted Subsidiaries for
     such period determined in conformity with GAAP; provided that the following
     items  shall  be excluded  in  computing Adjusted  Consolidated  Net Income
     (without duplication): (i)  the net income  of any Person  (other than  net
     income  attributable to a Restricted Subsidiary) in which any Person (other
     than the  Guarantor or  any of  its Restricted  Subsidiaries)  has a  joint
     interest and the  net income of any Unrestricted Subsidiary,  except to the
     extent of the amount  of dividends or other distributions actually  paid to
     the Guarantor or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries by such other Person or
     such Unrestricted  Subsidiary  during  such  period; (ii)  solely  for  the
     purposes of  calculating the amount of Restricted Payments that may be made
     pursuant  to  clause  (C) of  the  first  paragraph of  the  "Limitation on
     Restricted  Payments" covenant described below (and in such case, except to
     the  extent includable pursuant  to clause (i)  above), the  net income (or
     loss)  of any  Person accrued  prior to  the date  it becomes  a Restricted

                                      -38-
     <PAGE>

     Subsidiary or is  merged into or consolidated with the  Guarantor or any of
     its Restricted Subsidiaries or all or substantially all of the property and
     assets  of such  Person  are  acquired  by  the Guarantor  or  any  of  its
     Restricted Subsidiaries; (iii) the net income of any  Restricted Subsidiary
     to  the extent  that  the declaration  or payment  of dividends  or similar
     distributions by such Restricted  Subsidiary of such  net income is not  at
     the time  permitted by the  operation of the  terms of  its charter or  any
     agreement,   instrument,  judgment,   decree,  order,   statute,  rule   or
     governmental regulation applicable to  such Restricted Subsidiary; (iv) any
     gains  or losses (on  an after-tax basis) attributable  to Asset Sales; (v)
     except for purposes of  calculating the amount of Restricted  Payments that
     may  be  made  pursuant  to  clause  (C)  of  the  first  paragraph of  the
     "Limitation on  Restricted Payments"  covenant described below,  any amount
     paid  or accrued as  dividends on preferred  stock of the  Guarantor or any
     Restricted Subsidiary owned by Persons other than  the Guarantor and any of
     its  Restricted   Subsidiaries;  and  (vi)  all   extraordinary  gains  and
     extraordinary losses. 
      
          "Adjusted Consolidated  Net Tangible Assets" means the total amount of
     assets of  the Guarantor and  its Restricted Subsidiaries  (less applicable
     depreciation,  amortization and  other valuation  reserves), except  to the
     extent  resulting from write-ups of capital  assets (excluding write-ups in
     connection with accounting for acquisitions in conformity with GAAP), after
     deducting  therefrom (i) all current  liabilities of the  Guarantor and its
     Restricted   Subsidiaries  (excluding  intercompany  items)  and  (ii)  all
     goodwill, trade  names, trademarks, patents, unamortized  debt discount and
     expense  and other like intangibles, all as  set forth on the most recently
     available quarterly or annual  consolidated balance sheet of the  Guarantor
     and its Restricted Subsidiaries, prepared in conformity with GAAP.

          "Affiliate" means, as applied to any Person, any other Person directly
     or indirectly  controlling,  controlled by,  or  under direct  or  indirect
     common  control  with,  such  Person.  For  purposes  of  this  definition,
     "control" (including,  with correlative meanings, the  terms "controlling,"
     "controlled by" and "under common control with"), as applied to any Person,
     means the possession,  directly or indirectly,  of the  power to direct  or
     cause the direction of the management and policies of  such Person, whether
     through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. 
      
          "Asset Acquisition" means (i) an investment by the Guarantor or any of
     its  Restricted Subsidiaries  in any  other Person  pursuant to  which such
     Person  shall become a  Restricted Subsidiary of the  Guarantor or shall be
     merged into or  consolidated with the  Guarantor or any  of its  Restricted
     Subsidiaries;  provided that  such  Person's primary  business is  related,
     ancillary  or  complementary to  the businesses  of  the Guarantor  and its
     Restricted  Subsidiaries  on  the  date  of  such  investment  or  (ii)  an
     acquisition by the Guarantor  or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries  of the
     property  and assets of any  Person other than the  Guarantor or any of its
     Restricted Subsidiaries that constitute substantially all of a  division or
     line of  business of  such Person;  provided that the  property and  assets
     acquired are related, ancillary  or complementary to the businesses  of the
     Guarantor and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the date of such acquisition. 
      
          "Asset Sale" means any sale, transfer or other disposition  (including
     by way  of merger,  consolidation or  sale-leaseback  transactions) in  one
     transaction or  a series of related transactions by the Guarantor or any of
     its Restricted Subsidiaries  to any Person other than the  Guarantor or any
     of its Restricted  Subsidiaries of (i) all  or any of the Capital  Stock of
     any  Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) all  or substantially all  of the property
     and assets of an operating  unit or business of the Guarantor or any of its
     Restricted  Subsidiaries  or (iii)  any other  property  and assets  of the
     Guarantor or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries outside the ordinary course
     of business  of the Guarantor  or such  Restricted Subsidiary and,  in each
     case, that is  not governed by the provisions of  the Senior Discount Notes
     Indenture  applicable to mergers, consolidations and sales of assets of the
     Guarantor;  provided that the meaning of "Asset Sale" shall not include (A)
     sales or  other dispositions of  inventory, receivables  and other  current
     assets,  and (B)  dispositions of  assets of  the Guarantor  or any  of its
     Restricted   Subsidiaries,  in  substantially  simultaneous  exchanges  for
     consideration  consisting  of  any  combination  of  cash,  Temporary  Cash
     Investments  and assets that are  used or useful  in the telecommunications
     business  of  the  Guarantor  or  its  Restricted  Subsidiaries,  if   such

                                      -39-
     <PAGE>

     consideration has an aggregate fair market value substantially equal to the
     fair market  value of the  assets so  disposed of; provided,  however, that
     fair  market  value shall  be  determined in  good  faith by  the  Board of
     Directors  of  Holdings,  whose   determination  shall  be  conclusive  and
     evidenced  by a  Board Resolution  delivered to  the Trustee;  and provided
     further  that  any  cash or  Temporary  Cash  Investments  received by  the
     Guarantor or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to any transaction
     described in clause  (B) above shall be  applied in accordance with  clause
     (A) or  (B) of  the  first paragraph  of the  "Limitation  on Asset  Sales"
     covenant. 

          "Average Life" means, at any date of determination with respect to any
     debt  security, the  quotient  obtained  by dividing  (i)  the  sum of  the
     products of (a) the number of years from such date of  determination to the
     dates  of each successive scheduled principal payment of such debt security
     and (b) the amount of  such principal payment by  (ii) the sum of all  such
     principal payments. 

          "Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
     interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated, whether
     voting or non-voting) in equity of such Person, whether now outstanding  or
     issued  after the date of  the Senior Discount  Notes Indenture, including,
     without limitation, all Common Stock and preferred stock. 
      
          "Capitalized Lease" means, as applied to any Person,  any lease of any
     property  (whether real, personal or mixed) of which the discounted present
     value of  the rental obligations  of such Person  as lessee, in  conformity
     with  GAAP, is  required to  be capitalized  on the  balance sheet  of such
     Person; and  "Capitalized Lease  Obligations" means the  discounted present
     value of the rental obligations under such lease. 
      
          "Change  of Control"  means such  time  as (i)  a "person"  or "group"
     (within  the meaning  of Sections 13(d)  and 14(d)(2) of  the Exchange Act)
     becomes the ultimate "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
     Exchange Act)  of Voting Stock having more than 40%  of the voting power of
     the total  Voting Stock of  the Guarantor  on a fully  diluted basis;  (ii)
     individuals who on  the Closing Date  constitute the Board of  Directors of
     the  Guarantor (together with any new directors whose election by the Board
     of  Directors  or   whose  nomination  for  election   by  the  Guarantor's
     stockholders  was approved by a vote of at  least a majority of the members
     of  the Board of Directors  then in office  who either were  members of the
     Board of  Directors on the Closing Date or whose election or nomination for
     election was previously  so approved) cease for any  reason to constitute a
     majority of the members of  the Board of Directors then in office; or (iii)
     all  of  the Common  Stock of  Holdings is  not  beneficially owned  by the
     Guarantor. 
      
          "ChoiceCom"  means  CSW/ICG   ChoiceCom,  L.P.,  a   Delaware  limited
     partnership.
      
          "Closing Date" means  the date on which the Senior  Discount Notes are
     originally issued under the Senior Discount Notes Indenture. 
      
          "Consolidated  EBITDA" means, for any  period, the sum  of the amounts
     for  such period of (i) Adjusted Consolidated Net Income, (ii) Consolidated
     Interest  Expense,  (iii)  income taxes,  to  the  extent  such amount  was
     deducted in calculating Adjusted Consolidated Net Income (other than income
     taxes  (either  positive or  negative)  attributable  to extraordinary  and
     non-recurring gains  or  losses  or  sales of  assets),  (iv)  depreciation
     expense, to the  extent such  amount was deducted  in calculating  Adjusted
     Consolidated  Net  Income, (v)  amortization  expense, to  the  extent such
     amount was  deducted in calculating  Adjusted Consolidated Net  Income, and
     (vi)  all other non-cash  items reducing  Adjusted Consolidated  Net Income
     (other than items that will require cash payments and for  which an accrual
     or reserve is, or is required by GAAP to be, made), less all non-cash items
     increasing  Adjusted  Consolidated  Net  Income, all  as  determined  on  a
     consolidated basis for  the Guarantor  and its  Restricted Subsidiaries  in
     conformity with GAAP; provided that, if any Restricted  Subsidiary is not a
     Wholly Owned  Restricted Subsidiary,  Consolidated EBITDA shall  be reduced
     (to the extent not otherwise reduced in accordance with GAAP)  by an amount
     equal  to  (A)  the   amount  of  the  Adjusted  Consolidated   Net  Income

                                      -40-
     <PAGE>

     attributable to such Restricted Subsidiary  multiplied by (B) the  quotient
     of (1) the number of shares of outstanding Common Stock  of such Restricted
     Subsidiary not owned on the last day of such period by the Guarantor or any
     of its Restricted Subsidiaries divided by (2) the total number of shares of
     outstanding Common Stock of such  Restricted Subsidiary on the last  day of
     such period. 

          "Consolidated Interest  Expense" means, for any  period, the aggregate
     amount of  interest in respect  of Indebtedness (including  amortization of
     original issue discount on any Indebtedness and the interest portion of any
     deferred payment  obligation, calculated  in accordance with  the effective
     interest method  of accounting; all  commissions, discounts and  other fees
     and charges owed with respect to letters  of credit and bankers' acceptance
     financing;  the  net costs  associated with  Interest Rate  Agreements; and
     Indebtedness that is  Guaranteed or secured by the Guarantor  or any of its
     Restricted  Subsidiaries) and all but the principal component of rentals in
     respect of Capitalized Lease  Obligations paid, accrued or scheduled  to be
     paid or  to be  accrued by  the Guarantor  and its  Restricted Subsidiaries
     during such period; excluding, however, without duplication, (i) any amount
     of such interest  of any Restricted  Subsidiary if the  net income of  such
     Restricted  Subsidiary   is  excluded   in  the  calculation   of  Adjusted
     Consolidated  Net Income pursuant to clause (iii) of the definition thereof
     (but  only in  the same  proportion as  the net  income of  such Restricted
     Subsidiary is  excluded from the  calculation of Adjusted  Consolidated Net
     Income pursuant  to clause (iii)  of the definition  thereof) and  (ii) any
     premiums,  fees  and expenses  (and  any amortization  thereof)  payable in
     connection with the  offering of the 13 1/2% Notes  and the warrants issued
     therewith, the  12 1/2% Notes, the  14 1/4% Preferred Stock,  the New Notes
     and/or  the  Preferred Stock,  all as  determined  on a  consolidated basis
     (without taking into account  Unrestricted Subsidiaries) in conformity with
     GAAP.  

          "Consolidated  Net  Worth"  means,   at  any  date  of  determination,
     stockholders'  equity as set forth on the most recently available quarterly
     or  annual consolidated balance sheet  of the Guarantor  and its Restricted
     Subsidiaries (which shall  be as of a date  not more than 90 days  prior to
     the  date  of  such computation,  and  which shall  not  take  into account
     Unrestricted Subsidiaries),  less any  amounts  attributable to  Redeemable
     Stock  or   any  equity  security  convertible  into  or  exchangeable  for
     Indebtedness, the  cost of treasury stock  and the principal amount  of any
     promissory notes  receivable  from the  sale of  the Capital  Stock of  the
     Guarantor or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, each item to be determined
     in conformity with GAAP (excluding the effects of foreign currency exchange
     adjustments  under  Financial  Accounting   Standards  Board  Statement  of
     Financial Accounting Standards No. 52). 

          "Currency  Agreement" means  any foreign  exchange contract,  currency
     swap  agreement  or  other similar  agreement  or  arrangement  designed to
     protect  the  Guarantor  or  any of  its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  against
     fluctuations  in currency values to or under  which the Guarantor or any of
     its Restricted Subsidiaries is a party or a beneficiary on the Closing Date
     or becomes a party or a beneficiary thereafter. 

          "Default" means any event that is,  or after notice or passage of time
     or both would be, an Event of Default. 

          "FOTI"   means  ICG   Fiber  Optic   Technologies  Inc.,   a  Colorado
     corporation.

          "14 1/4%  Preferred Stock" means  the 14  1/4% Exchangeable  Preferred
     Stock mandatorily  redeemable May 1,  2007 of  Holdings, and any  shares of
     preferred stock issued as payment in kind dividends thereon. 
      
          "GAAP" means  generally accepted  accounting principles in  the United
     States of America  as in effect  as of August  8, 1995, including,  without
     limitation,  those  set forth  in the  opinions  and pronouncements  of the
     Accounting Principles Board  of the American Institute  of Certified Public
     Accountants and  statements and pronouncements of  the Financial Accounting
     Standards  Board  or  in such  other  statements by  such  other  entity as
     approved  by a significant segment of the accounting profession. All ratios
     and  computations contained in the Senior Discount Notes Indenture shall be
     computed in conformity with GAAP applied on a consistent basis, except that
     calculations  made for purposes of determining compliance with the terms of
     the  covenants and  with  other provisions  of  the Senior  Discount  Notes
     Indenture  shall be made without  giving effect to  (i) the amortization of

                                      -41-
     <PAGE>

     any expenses  incurred in connection with the offering of the 13 1/2% Notes
     and the warrants issued therewith, the 12 1/2% Notes, the 14 1/4% Preferred
     Stock,  the  New  Notes and/or  the  Preferred  Stock  and  (ii) except  as
     otherwise provided, the  amortization of any amounts required  or permitted
     by Accounting Principles Board Opinion Nos. 16 and 17. 
      
          "Guarantee"  means any  obligation,  contingent or  otherwise, of  any
     Person  directly  or  indirectly  guaranteeing any  Indebtedness  or  other
     obligation of any other Person and, without limiting  the generality of the
     foregoing, any obligation, direct or  indirect, contingent or otherwise, of
     such  Person (i) to  purchase or pay  (or advance  or supply funds  for the
     purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation of such other
     Person  (whether  arising by  virtue  of  partnership  arrangements, or  by
     agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services,
     to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise)
     or  (ii) entered  into for  purposes of  assuring in  any other  manner the
     obligee of  such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof or
     to protect  such obligee against  loss in respect  thereof (in whole  or in
     part); provided  that the term  "Guarantee" shall not  include endorsements
     for  collection or deposit  in the  ordinary course  of business.  The term
     "Guarantee" used as a verb has a corresponding meaning. 
      
          "Holdings  (Canada)"  means  ICG   Holdings  (Canada),  Inc.  and  its
     successors and assigns. 

          "ICG" means ICG Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and  its
     successors and assigns. 
      
          "Incur" means, with  respect to  any Indebtedness,  to incur,  create,
     issue, assume, Guarantee or otherwise become liable for or with respect to,
     or  become responsible for, the payment of, contingently or otherwise, such
     Indebtedness,  including an  Incurrence of  Indebtedness by  reason  of the
     acquisition of more  than 50% of the Capital Stock  of any Person; provided
     that neither  the accrual of interest  nor the accretion of  original issue
     discount  shall be  considered  an  Incurrence  of Indebtedness.  The  term
     "Incurrence" has a corresponding meaning. 

          "Indebtedness"  means, with  respect  to any  Person  at any  date  of
     determination (without  duplication), (i)  all indebtedness of  such Person
     for borrowed money, (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds,
     debentures, notes or  other similar instruments,  (iii) all obligations  of
     such Person in  respect of letters  of credit or other  similar instruments
     (including  reimbursement  obligations  with  respect  thereto),  (iv)  all
     obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of
     property or  services, which  purchase price  is due  more than  six months
     after the date of placing  such property in service or taking  delivery and
     title  thereto or the completion  of such services,  except Trade Payables,
     (v) all obligations of such Person as lessee under Capitalized Leases, (vi)
     all Indebtedness  of other Persons secured  by a Lien on any  asset of such
     Person,  whether  or  not such  Indebtedness  is  assumed  by such  Person;
     provided that  the amount of such  Indebtedness shall be the  lesser of (A)
     the  fair market value of such asset  at such date of determination and (B)
     the  amount of such Indebtedness,  (vii) all Indebtedness  of other Persons
     Guaranteed  by such Person to the extent such Indebtedness is Guaranteed by
     such  Person  and (viii)  to  the  extent not  otherwise  included in  this
     definition,  obligations  under  Currency   Agreements  and  Interest  Rate
     Agreements. The amount  of Indebtedness of any Person at  any date shall be
     the  outstanding balance at such  date of all  unconditional obligations as
     described above and,  with respect to  contingent obligations, the  maximum
     liability  upon  the  occurrence of  the  contingency  giving  rise to  the
     obligation, provided (i)  that the  amount outstanding at  any time of  any
     Indebtedness issued  with original  issue  discount is  the original  issue
     price of such Indebtedness and (ii) that Indebtedness shall not include (A)
     any amount of money borrowed, at the time of the Incurrence of  the related
     Indebtedness, for the purpose  of pre-funding any interest payable  on such
     related  Indebtedness or  (B) any  liability for  federal, state,  local or
     other taxes. 

          "Indebtedness to EBITDA Ratio" means, as at any date of determination,
     the  ratio of (i)  the aggregate amount  of Indebtedness of  the Guarantor,
     Holdings  and their Restricted Subsidiaries  on a consolidated  basis as at
     the date of determination  to (ii) the Consolidated EBITDA of the Guarantor
     for the then most recent  four full fiscal quarters for which  reports have
     been  filed pursuant  to the  "Commission Reports  and Reports  to Holders"
     covenant described  below  (such  four  full fiscal  quarter  period  being
     referred to  herein as the  "Four Quarter Period");  provided that (x)  pro

                                      -42-
     <PAGE>

     forma effect shall be given to any Indebtedness Incurred from the beginning
     of  the Four  Quarter Period  through the  Transaction Date  (including any
     Indebtedness Incurred on the Transaction  Date), to the extent  outstanding
     on  the Transaction Date, (y) if during  the period commencing on the first
     day  of  such  Four  Quarter  Period  through  the  Transaction  Date  (the
     "Reference  Period"), the  Guarantor,  Holdings or  any  of the  Restricted
     Subsidiaries  shall have engaged in any Asset Sale, Consolidated EBITDA for
     such  period  shall  be reduced  by  an  amount  equal  to the  EBITDA  (if
     positive), or increased  by an amount  equal to the  EBITDA (if  negative),
     directly attributable  to the assets  which are the  subject of such  Asset
     Sale and any  related retirement of Indebtedness as if  such Asset Sale and
     related retirement  of Indebtedness had occurred  on the first day  of such
     Reference  Period or  (z) if  during such  Reference Period  the Guarantor,
     Holdings or  any of the  Restricted Subsidiaries shall have  made any Asset
     Acquisition,  Consolidated EBITDA of the Guarantor shall be calculated on a
     pro forma basis as if such Asset Acquisition and any  related financing had
     occurred on the first day of such Reference Period. 

          "Investment"  in any Person means any direct or indirect advance, loan
     or  other extension  of credit  (including, without  limitation, by  way of
     Guarantee  or similar arrangement;  but excluding advances  to customers in
     the ordinary course of business that are, in conformity with GAAP, recorded
     as  accounts receivable  on  the  balance sheet  of  the  Guarantor or  its
     Restricted  Subsidiaries)  or capital  contribution  to  (by means  of  any
     transfer of cash or other property to others or any payment for property or
     services for the account or use  of others), or any purchase or acquisition
     of Capital  Stock, bonds,  notes, debentures or  other similar  instruments
     issued by, such Person  and shall include the  designation of a  Restricted
     Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary. For purposes of the definition of
     "Unrestricted  Subsidiary" and  the  "Limitation  on  Restricted  Payments"
     covenant described below,  (i) "Investment" shall  include the fair  market
     value  of the assets (net  of liabilities) of  any Restricted Subsidiary of
     the Guarantor at  the time that such Restricted Subsidiary of the Guarantor
     is  designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary and shall exclude the fair market
     value of the assets (net of liabilities)  of any Unrestricted Subsidiary at
     the time  that  such Unrestricted  Subsidiary  is designated  a  Restricted
     Subsidiary of the Guarantor and (ii) any property transferred to or from an
     Unrestricted  Subsidiary shall  be valued at  its fair market  value at the
     time of such transfer, in each case as determined by the Board of Directors
     in good faith. 

          "Lien" means  any mortgage,  pledge,  security interest,  encumbrance,
     lien  or charge of any kind (including, without limitation, any conditional
     sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof, any
     sale with  recourse against the seller  or any Affiliate of  the seller, or
     any agreement to give any security interest).  

          "MTN"  means Maritime  Telecommunications  Network,  Inc., a  Colorado
     corporation, and its successors. 
      
          "Net Cash  Proceeds" means  (a) with  respect to  any Asset  Sale, the
     proceeds of  such Asset  Sale  in the  form of  cash  or cash  equivalents,
     including  payments in  respect  of deferred  payment  obligations (to  the
     extent corresponding to the principal, but not interest, component thereof)
     when received in the form of cash or cash equivalents (except to the extent
     such obligations are financed or sold with recourse to the Guarantor or any
     Restricted Subsidiary of the Guarantor) and proceeds from the conversion of
     other property received when converted to cash or cash equivalents, net  of
     (i) brokerage commissions and  other fees and expenses (including  fees and
     expenses of counsel  and investment  bankers) related to  such Asset  Sale,
     (ii)  provisions for all taxes (whether or  not such taxes will actually be
     paid or are payable) as  a result of such Asset Sale without  regard to the
     consolidated  results of  operations of  the  Guarantor and  its Restricted
     Subsidiaries, taken as a  whole, (iii) payments made to  repay Indebtedness
     or any  other obligation outstanding  at the time  of such Asset  Sale that
     either (A) is secured  by a Lien on the  property or assets sold or  (B) is
     required to be paid as a result  of such sale and (iv) appropriate  amounts
     to  be provided  by  the Guarantor  or  any  Restricted Subsidiary  of  the
     Guarantor as a reserve  against any liabilities associated with  such Asset
     Sale,  including,  without  limitation, pension  and  other post-employment
     benefit  liabilities,  liabilities  related  to  environmental matters  and
     liabilities  under any  indemnification  obligations  associated with  such
     Asset Sale, all as determined in conformity with GAAP and  (b) with respect
     to any issuance or sale of Capital  Stock, the proceeds of such issuance or
     sale in the form of cash or cash equivalents, including payments in respect
     of  deferred  payment  obligations  (to  the  extent  corresponding  to the
     principal, but not interest,  component thereof) when received in  the form

                                      -43-
     <PAGE>
 
     of cash or  cash equivalents  (except to  the extent  such obligations  are
     financed  or  sold  with  recourse  to  the  Guarantor  or  any  Restricted
     Subsidiary  of the  Guarantor) and  proceeds from  the conversion  of other
     property  received when  converted  to cash  or  cash equivalents,  net  of
     attorney's  fees,  accountants' fees,  underwriters'  or placement  agents'
     fees, discounts  or commissions  and brokerage,  consultant and  other fees
     incurred in connection with  such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or
     payable as a result thereof. 

          "Offer to Purchase" means an offer  to purchase New Notes by  Holdings
     from  the Holders  commenced by mailing  a notice  to the  Trustee and each
     Holder stating: (i) the covenant pursuant  to which the offer is being made
     and that all New Notes  validly tendered will be accepted for  payment on a
     pro rata basis;  (ii) the purchase  price and the  date of purchase  (which
     shall be a Business Day no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from
     the date  such notice is mailed)  (the "Payment Date"); (iii)  that any New
     Note not tendered  will continue to accrue interest pursuant  to its terms;
     (iv) that, unless Holdings defaults  in the payment of the purchase  price,
     any New Note accepted for  payment pursuant to the Offer to  Purchase shall
     cease to  accrue interest on and  after the Payment Date;  (v) that Holders
     electing to  have a New  Note purchased pursuant  to the Offer  to Purchase
     will be required to surrender the New Note, together with the form entitled
     "Option of  the Holder to  Elect Purchase" on the  reverse side of  the New
     Note completed, to the Paying Agent  at the address specified in the notice
     prior to the close  of business on  the Business Day immediately  preceding
     the Payment  Date; (vi)  that Holders  will be entitled  to withdraw  their
     election if the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business
     on  the  third  Business Day  immediately  preceding  the  Payment Date,  a
     telegram, facsimile transmission or  letter setting forth the name  of such
     Holder,  the principal  amount of New  Notes delivered  for purchase  and a
     statement that  such Holder is  withdrawing his election  to have such  New
     Notes purchased; and (vii) that Holders whose New Notes are being purchased
     only in part will be issued new New Notes equal in  principal amount to the
     unpurchased  portion of the New  Notes surrendered; provided  that each New
     Note purchased and each  new New Note issued shall be in a principal amount
     of  $1,000 or  integral multiples  thereof. On  the Payment  Date, Holdings
     shall  (i) accept for  payment on  a pro rata  basis New  Notes or portions
     thereof tendered  pursuant to an Offer  to Purchase; (ii) deposit  with the
     Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the purchase price of all New Notes or
     portions thereof so accepted; and (iii) deliver, or cause to  be delivered,
     to the Trustee all New Notes or portions thereof so  accepted together with
     an  Officers' Certificate  specifying  the New  Notes  or portions  thereof
     accepted for payment  by Holdings. The Paying Agent shall  promptly mail to
     the Holders  of New Notes  so accepted  payment in an  amount equal to  the
     purchase price, and  the Trustee  shall promptly authenticate  and mail  to
     such Holders  a new New Note  equal in principal amount  to any unpurchased
     portion of  the New Note surrendered; provided that each New Note purchased
     and each new New Note  issued shall be in  a principal amount of $1,000  or
     integral  multiples thereof. Holdings will publicly announce the results of
     an Offer to  Purchase as soon  as practicable after  the Payment Date.  The
     Trustee shall  act as the Paying  Agent for an Offer  to Purchase. Holdings
     will comply with Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities
     laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are
     applicable, in the event that Holdings  is required to repurchase New Notes
     pursuant to an Offer to Purchase. 

          "Ohio LINX" means ICG Ohio LINX, Inc., an Ohio corporation.
      
          "Permitted  Investment"  means  (i)  an  Investment  in  a  Restricted
     Subsidiary or  a Person  which will,  upon the  making of  such Investment,
     become a Restricted Subsidiary or be merged or consolidated with or into or
     transfer or convey all or substantially all its assets to, the Guarantor or
     a Restricted  Subsidiary; provided that  such person's primary  business is
     related,  ancillary or complementary to the businesses of the Guarantor and
     its  Restricted Subsidiaries  on  the  date  of  such  Investment;  (ii)  a
     Temporary Cash  Investment; (iii) payroll,  travel and similar  advances to
     cover matters  that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to
     be  treated as expenses in accordance with  GAAP; (iv) loans or advances to
     employees made in the ordinary  course of business in accordance  with past
     practice of the Guarantor or its Restricted Subsidiaries and that do not in
     the  aggregate  exceed  $2 million  at  any  time  outstanding; (v)  stock,
     obligations or securities received  in satisfaction of judgments; and  (vi)
     Investments in an amount not to exceed, at any one time outstanding, all of

                                      -44-
     <PAGE>

     the net cash proceeds received by the Guarantor from the sale of its Common
     Stock (to  a Person other than  one of its Subsidiaries)  after the Closing
     Date. 

          "Permitted Liens" means (i) Liens for taxes, assessments, governmental
     charges  or claims that  are being contested  in good faith  by appropriate
     legal  proceedings promptly  instituted  and diligently  conducted and  for
     which  a  reserve  or other  appropriate  provision,  if any,  as  shall be
     required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made; (ii) statutory Liens
     of landlords and carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, suppliers, materialmen,
     repairmen or other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business
     and with respect to amounts  not yet delinquent or being contested  in good
     faith by  appropriate legal proceedings promptly  instituted and diligently
     conducted and for  which a reserve or other appropriate  provision, if any,
     as shall  be required in conformity  with GAAP shall have  been made; (iii)
     Liens  incurred or  deposits made  in  the ordinary  course of  business in
     connection  with workers'  compensation,  unemployment insurance  and other
     types of social security;  (iv) Liens incurred or  deposits made to  secure
     the  performance   of  tenders,  bids,  leases,   statutory  or  regulatory
     obligations,  bankers'  acceptances, surety  and  appeal  bonds, government
     contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other obligations of a
     similar  nature incurred in the  ordinary course of  business (exclusive of
     obligations  for the payment of  borrowed money); (v)  easements, rights of
     way,  municipal and  zoning ordinances  and similar  charges, encumbrances,
     title defects or other irregularities that do not materially interfere with
     the ordinary course  of business of the Guarantor or  any of its Restricted
     Subsidiaries; (vi)  Liens (including extensions and  renewals thereof) upon
     real  or personal property acquired  after the Closing  Date; provided that
     (a) such Lien is  created solely for the  purpose of securing  Indebtedness
     Incurred,  in accordance  with  the "Limitation  on Indebtedness"  covenant
     described below, (1) to finance the cost (including the cost of improvement
     or construction) of the item of property or assets subject thereto and such
     Lien is created  prior to, at  the time of or  within six months  after the
     later  of  the   acquisition,  the  completion   of  construction  or   the
     commencement of  full operation of  such property  or (2) to  refinance any
     Indebtedness  previously  so  secured,  (b) the  principal  amount  of  the
     Indebtedness secured by such Lien does not exceed 100% of such cost and (c)
     any such  Lien shall not  extend to or  cover any property or  assets other
     than  such item of  property or assets  and any improvements  on such item;
     (vii)  leases or  subleases  granted  to  others  that  do  not  materially
     interfere with  the ordinary course  of business  of the Guarantor  and its
     Restricted  Subsidiaries,  taken  as  a  whole;  (viii)  Liens  encumbering
     property or  assets under  construction  arising from  progress or  partial
     payments  by a  customer of  the Guarantor  or its  Restricted Subsidiaries
     relating to such property or assets; (ix) any interest or title of a lessor
     in the  property subject to any  Capitalized Lease or operating  lease; (x)
     Liens  arising from  filing  Uniform Commercial  Code financing  statements
     regarding  leases; (xi)  Liens on  property of,  or on  shares of  stock or
     Indebtedness  of, any  corporation existing  at the  time  such corporation
     becomes, or becomes  a part  of, any Restricted  Subsidiary; provided  that
     such  Liens do  not  extend to  or  cover any  property  or  assets of  the
     Guarantor  or any Restricted Subsidiary  other than the  property or assets
     acquired;  (xii)  Liens  in  favor  of  the  Guarantor  or  any  Restricted
     Subsidiary; (xiii) Liens arising from the rendering of a final  judgment or
     order against the Guarantor  or any Restricted Subsidiary of  the Guarantor
     that  does not  give rise  to  an Event  of Default;  (xiv) Liens  securing
     reimbursement obligations with  respect to letters of credit  that encumber
     documents and other  property relating to  such letters  of credit and  the
     products  and proceeds thereof; (xv) Liens  in favor of customs and revenue
     authorities arising  as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties
     in  connection with  the  importation  of  goods; (xvi)  Liens  encumbering
     customary  initial deposits and margin  deposits, and other  Liens that are
     either within the general parameters customary in the industry and incurred
     in the ordinary  course of  business, in each  case, securing  Indebtedness
     under  Interest  Rate  Agreements   and  Currency  Agreements  and  forward
     contracts, options, future contracts, futures options or similar agreements
     or arrangements designed  to protect the Guarantor or any of its Restricted
     Subsidiaries from  fluctuations in the  price of commodities;  (xvii) Liens
     arising  out of conditional  sale, title retention,  consignment or similar
     arrangements for the sale  of goods entered into by the Guarantor or any of
     its  Restricted   Subsidiaries  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business  in
     accordance  with the  past practices  of the  Guarantor and  its Restricted
     Subsidiaries prior  to the Closing Date;  and (xviii) Liens on  or sales of
     receivables. 

          "Preferred  stock" or  "preferred stock"  means, with  respect  to any
     Person, any and all shares,  interests, participations or other equivalents
     (however  designated,  whether  voting  or  non-voting)  of  such  Person's

                                      -45-
     <PAGE>

     preferred  or preference stock, whether now outstanding or issued after the
     date of the Senior Discount Notes Indenture, including, without limitation,
     all series and classes of such preferred or preference stock. 
      
          "Preferred  Stock" means the preferred stock of Holdings issued on the
     Closing Date  and any shares of  preferred stock issued as  payment in kind
     dividends thereon.
      
          "Public Equity Offering" means a bona fide underwritten primary public
     offering  of Common  Stock of  ICG  or Holdings  pursuant  to an  effective
     registration statement under the Securities Act.  

          "Redeemable  Stock" means any class or  series of Capital Stock of any
     Person that by its terms or otherwise is (i) required  to be redeemed prior
     to the Stated Maturity of  the New Notes, (ii) redeemable at the  option of
     the holder  of such class or series  of Capital Stock at  any time prior to
     the  Stated  Maturity  of  the  New Notes  or  (iii)  convertible  into  or
     exchangeable for Capital Stock referred  to in clause (i) or (ii)  above or
     Indebtedness  having a scheduled maturity  prior to the  Stated Maturity of
     the  New Notes; provided that  any Capital Stock  that would not constitute
     Redeemable  Stock but  for provisions  thereof giving  holders thereof  the
     right to  require such Person  to repurchase  or redeem such  Capital Stock
     upon the occurrence  of an "asset  sale" or  "change of control"  occurring
     prior to  the  Stated  Maturity  of the  New  Notes  shall  not  constitute
     Redeemable  Stock if  the "asset  sale" or  "change of  control" provisions
     applicable to  such Capital Stock are  no more favorable to  the holders of
     such  Capital Stock than the  provisions contained in  "Limitation on Asset
     Sales" and  "Repurchase of New  Notes Upon  a Change of  Control" covenants
     described below  and such  Capital Stock  specifically  provides that  such
     Person  will  not repurchase  or  redeem any  such  stock pursuant  to such
     provision  prior to  the Guarantor's  repurchase of such  New Notes  as are
     required to be  repurchased pursuant to the "Limitation on Asset Sales" and
     "Repurchase  of New  Notes Upon  a Change  of Control"  covenants described
     below. 

          "Restricted Subsidiary"  means any  Subsidiary of the  Guarantor other
     than an Unrestricted Subsidiary. 

          "Significant  Subsidiary" means,  at  any date  of determination,  any
     Restricted   Subsidiary  of   the   Guarantor  that,   together  with   its
     Subsidiaries,  (i)  for  the most  recent  fiscal  year  of the  Guarantor,
     accounted for more than  10% of the consolidated revenues  of the Guarantor
     and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (ii) as of the end of such  fiscal year,
     was the owner of  more than 10% of the consolidated assets of the Guarantor
     and its Restricted  Subsidiaries, all  as set  forth on  the most  recently
     available  consolidated  financial statements  of  the  Guarantor for  such
     fiscal year. 

          "Specified Date" means any  redemption date, any date of  purchase for
     any purchase  of New Notes pursuant  to the "Limitation on  Asset Sales" or
     "Repurchase  of New  Notes upon  a Change  of Control"  covenants described
     below or any date on which the New Notes are due and payable after an Event
     of Default. 
      
          "StarCom" means  StarCom International  Optics Corporation,  a British
     Columbia corporation, and its subsidiaries. 

          "Stated  Maturity" means, (i) with  respect to any  debt security, the
     date  specified in such debt security as  the fixed date on which the final
     installment of  principal of such debt security is due and payable and (ii)
     with  respect to any  scheduled installment of principal  of or interest on
     any debt  security, the date specified  in such debt security  as the fixed
     date on which such installment is due and payable. 

          "Strategic    Investor"   means    any   Person    engaged    in   the
     telecommunications  business  which  has  a  net  worth  or  equity  market
     capitalization of at least $1 billion. 

          "Strategic Investor Subordinated Indebtedness" means  all Indebtedness
     of  Holdings owed to a Strategic Investor that is contractually subordinate
     in right of payment to  the New Notes to at least the  following extent: no
     payment of  principal  (or premium,  if any)  or interest  on or  otherwise
     payable in respect of such Indebtedness may be made (whether as a result of

                                      -46-
     <PAGE>

     a  default  or otherwise)  prior  to the  payment  in full  of  all of  the
     Guarantor's  and  Holdings'  obligations  under the  New  Notes,  provided,
     however,  that  prior  to the  payment  of  such  obligations, interest  on
     Strategic Investor Subordinated Indebtedness may be payable solely  in kind
     or in Common Stock (other than Redeemable Stock) of the Guarantor. 

          "Subsidiary"  means,  with respect  to  any  Person, any  corporation,
     association or  other  business  entity  of  which more  than  50%  of  the
     outstanding Voting Stock is  owned, directly or indirectly, by  such Person
     and one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person. 
      
          "Temporary Cash Investment"  means any  of the  following: (i)  direct
     obligations  of the  United States  of  America or  any  agency thereof  or
     obligations  fully and unconditionally  guaranteed by the  United States of
     America  or any agency thereof, (ii) time deposit accounts, certificates of
     deposit and money  market deposits maturing within 270 days  of the date of
     acquisition thereof, bankers' acceptances with maturities not exceeding 270
     days, and overnight bank deposits, in each case issued by or with a bank or
     trust company  which is organized  under the laws  of the United  States of
     America, any state thereof or any  foreign country recognized by the United
     States, and which bank or trust company has  capital, surplus and undivided
     profits  aggregating in  excess of  $100 million  (or the  foreign currency
     equivalent  thereof) and has outstanding  debt which is  rated "A" (or such
     similar  equivalent rating) or higher by at least one nationally recognized
     statistical  rating  organization  (as  defined   in  Rule  436  under  the
     Securities Act) or any  money-market fund sponsored by a  registered broker
     dealer or mutual fund distributor, (iii) repurchase obligations with a term
     of not more  than 30 days for underlying securities  of the types described
     in clause (i)  above entered  into with a  bank meeting the  qualifications
     described  in clause (ii) above,  (iv) commercial paper,  maturing not more
     than 180 days after the date of acquisition, issued by a corporation (other
     than an Affiliate  of the Guarantor)  organized and in existence  under the
     laws  of the  United States of  America, any  state thereof  or any foreign
     country recognized  by the United  States of America  with a rating  at the
     time  as  of which  any investment  therein is  made  of "P-1"  (or higher)
     according to Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or "A-1" (or higher) according
     to  Standard & Poor's Ratings Group,  and (v) securities with maturities of
     six months  or  less from  the  date of  acquisition  issued or  fully  and
     unconditionally guaranteed by any  state, commonwealth or territory  of the
     United  States  of  America, or  by  any  political  subdivision or  taxing
     authority thereof,  and rated  at least  "A" by  Standard &  Poor's Ratings
     Group or Moody's Investors Service, Inc. 

          "Trade Payables"  means,  with respect  to  any person,  any  accounts
     payable  or  any  other debt  or  monetary  obligation  to trade  creditors
     created, assumed  or Guaranteed by such  Person or any of  its Subsidiaries
     arising  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business  in  connection  with  the
     acquisition of goods or services. 

          "13 1/2%  Notes" means the 13  1/2% Senior Discount Notes  due 2005 of
     Holdings  guaranteed by  Holdings (Canada)  and ICG  on a  senior unsecured
     basis. 

          "13 1/2% Notes  Indenture" means the  Indenture dated as of  August 8,
     1995,  as amended,  among  Holdings,  Holdings  (Canada)  and  the  Trustee
     pursuant to which Holdings issued the 13 1/2% Notes. 

          "Transaction Date"  means,  with  respect  to the  Incurrence  of  any
     Indebtedness  by the Guarantor or  any of its  Restricted Subsidiaries, the
     date  such  Indebtedness  is  to  be  Incurred  and,  with  respect  to any
     Restricted Payment, the date such Restricted Payment is to be made. 

          "12 1/2%  Notes" means the 12  1/2% Senior Discount Notes  due 2006 of
     Holdings  guaranteed by  Holdings (Canada)  and ICG  on a  senior unsecured
     basis. 

          "12 1/2% Notes  Indenture" means the Indenture  dated as of  April 30,
     1996, as  amended,  among  Holdings,  Holdings  (Canada)  and  the  Trustee
     pursuant to which Holdings issued the 12 1/2% Notes. 

                                      -47-
     <PAGE>

          "Unrestricted Subsidiary"  means (i)  any Subsidiary of  the Guarantor
     that  at  the time  of determination  shall  be designated  an Unrestricted
     Subsidiary by the Board of Directors  in the manner provided below and (ii)
     any  Subsidiary of an Unrestricted  Subsidiary. The Board  of Directors may
     designate any Restricted Subsidiary  of the Guarantor (including  any newly
     acquired  or newly formed Subsidiary of the Guarantor), other than Holdings
     or   a  Subsidiary  that  has  given  a  Subsidiary  Guarantee,  to  be  an
     Unrestricted  Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary  owns any Capital Stock of,
     or  owns or  holds  any  Lien on  any  property of,  the  Guarantor or  any
     Restricted Subsidiary; provided  that either  (A) the Subsidiary  to be  so
     designated has total assets of $1,000 or less or (B) if such Subsidiary has
     assets  greater than $1,000, that such designation would be permitted under
     the "Limitation on Restricted Payments" covenant described below. The Board
     of Directors may designate  any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be  a Restricted
     Subsidiary of the Guarantor; provided that immediately after  giving effect
     to  such  designation (x)  the Guarantor  could  Incur $1.00  of additional
     Indebtedness under the  first paragraph of the "Limitation on Indebtedness"
     covenant described below and (y) no  Default or Event of Default shall have
     occurred and be continuing. Any such  designation by the Board of Directors
     shall be evidenced  to the Trustee  by promptly filing  with the Trustee  a
     copy  of the  Board  Resolution giving  effect to  such designation  and an
     Officers' Certificate  certifying that  such designation complied  with the
     foregoing provisions. 

          "Voting Stock" means, with respect to any Person, Capital Stock of any
     class  or kind  ordinarily having  the power  to vote  for the  election of
     directors, managers  or other voting members of  the governing body of such
     Person. 

          "Wholly  Owned" means, with respect  to any Subsidiary  of any Person,
     such  Subsidiary if 98%  or more of  the outstanding Capital  Stock in such
     Subsidiary (other than any  director's qualifying shares or  Investments by
     foreign nationals mandated by  applicable law) is  owned by such Person  or
     one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person. 

          "Zycom" means Zycom Corporation, an Alberta, Canada corporation.

     COVENANTS

     Limitation on Indebtedness

          (a)  Under  the terms  of  the Senior  Discount  Notes Indenture,  the
     Guarantor will not, and will not permit any of  its Restricted Subsidiaries
     to,  Incur  any Indebtedness  (other than  the  New Notes,  the Guarantor's
     Guarantee thereof and Indebtedness existing  on the Closing Date); provided
     that the Guarantor  and Holdings  may Incur Indebtedness  if, after  giving
     effect  to  the  Incurrence  of  such  Indebtedness  and  the  receipt  and
     application  of the  proceeds therefrom,  the Indebtedness to  EBITDA Ratio
     would be greater than zero and less than 5:1.   

          Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  the  Guarantor  and  any  Restricted
     Subsidiary  (except as  specified  below) may  Incur each  and  all of  the
     following: (i) Indebtedness of the Guarantor or Holdings outstanding at any
     time,  which Indebtedness  generates  gross proceeds  to  the Guarantor  or
     Holdings  of up to  $400 million, less  the gross proceeds  of Indebtedness
     permanently  repaid as  provided  under  the  "Limitation on  Asset  Sales"
     covenant described  below; provided that (A)  Indebtedness generating gross
     proceeds to the Guarantor or Holdings of up to $150 million may be Incurred
     under this clause (i) with no additional requirements and (B)  prior to, or
     contemporaneously with,  the Incurrence  of Indebtedness generating  all or
     any part  of the remaining $250 million of gross proceeds referred to under
     this clause (i), the Guarantor or Holdings shall have issued or shall issue
     preferred stock  (which has a final  stated redemption date later  than the
     Stated  Maturity  of the  13  1/2%  Notes) generating  an  amount  of gross
     proceeds equal to or  greater than the  amount of Indebtedness so  Incurred
     and  (x)  with respect  to  preferred  stock issued  on  the  same date  as
     Indebtedness Incurred under this  clause (i)(B), having a dividend  rate of

                                      -48-
     <PAGE>

     no more  than 2.75 percentage points  higher than the interest  rate on the
     Indebtedness so Incurred, and (y) with respect to preferred stock issued at
     any  other time which  will be applied  to satisfy the  criteria under this
     clause (i)(B), having  a secondary market  yield, on the  same date as  the
     Indebtedness so Incurred, which  a nationally recognized investment banking
     firm certifies to the Trustee is no more than 2.75 percentage points higher
     than the interest rate on the Indebtedness  that is being Incurred pursuant
     to this  clause (i)(B); (ii)  Indebtedness to the  Guarantor or any  of its
     Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that any subsequent issuance
     or transfer of  any Capital Stock  which results in  any such Wholly  Owned
     Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or
     any subsequent transfer of  such Indebtedness (other than to  the Guarantor
     or another Wholly  Owned Restricted  Subsidiary) shall be  deemed, in  each
     case, to constitute  an Incurrence  of such Indebtedness  not permitted  by
     this clause  (ii); (iii) Indebtedness  issued in exchange  for, or the  net
     proceeds  of  which  are used  to  refinance  or  refund, then  outstanding
     Indebtedness, other than Indebtedness Incurred under clause (i), (ii), (v),
     (vi), (viii), (ix), (xi)  or (xii) of this paragraph, and  any refinancings
     thereof in an  amount not to  exceed the amount  so refinanced or  refunded
     (plus  premiums,  accrued  interest,  fees  and  expenses);  provided  that
     Indebtedness the  proceeds of which are used to refinance or refund the New
     Notes or Indebtedness that is pari passu with, or subordinated  in right of
     payment to,  the New Notes  or the Note  Guarantee shall only  be permitted
     under this clause (iii) if (A) in case the New Notes are refinanced in part
     or the Indebtedness to be  refinanced is pari passu  with the New Notes  or
     the  Note Guarantee, such new Indebtedness, by its terms or by the terms of
     any  agreement or  instrument pursuant  to which  such new  Indebtedness is
     outstanding, is expressly made pari passu  with, or subordinate in right of
     payment to, the  remaining New Notes or the Note Guarantee, as the case may
     be, (B)  in case the Indebtedness to be refinanced is subordinated in right
     of  payment to the New Notes or  the Note Guarantee, such new Indebtedness,
     by its terms  or by the terms  of any agreement  or instrument pursuant  to
     which  such new Indebtedness is issued or remains outstanding, is expressly
     made  subordinate in  right  of  payment  to  the New  Notes  or  the  Note
     Guarantee, as the case may be, at least to the extent that the Indebtedness
     to be refinanced is subordinated to the New Notes or the Note Guarantee, as
     the case may be and (C) such new Indebtedness, determined as of the date of
     Incurrence of such  new Indebtedness, does not  mature prior to  the Stated
     Maturity of the Indebtedness to be  refinanced or refunded, and the Average
     Life of  such new Indebtedness is  at least equal to  the remaining Average
     Life of the Indebtedness to be refinanced or refunded; and provided further
     that  in  no  event  may  Indebtedness  of  the  Guarantor  or  Holdings be
     refinanced by means of any Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary of the
     Guarantor or Holdings,  as the case may be, pursuant  to this clause (iii);
     (iv) Indebtedness (A)  in respect  of performance, surety  or appeal  bonds
     provided  in the ordinary course of business, (B) under Currency Agreements
     and Interest Rate Agreements; provided that such agreements do not increase
     the  Indebtedness of the  obligor outstanding at  any time other  than as a
     result of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates or interest rates
     or  by reason of fees, indemnities and compensation payable thereunder; and
     (C) arising  from agreements  providing for indemnification,  adjustment of
     purchase price or  similar obligations,  or from Guarantees  or letters  of
     credit,  surety bonds  or  performance bonds  securing  any obligations  of
     Holdings or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to such agreements,
     in any  case Incurred in connection  with the disposition of  any business,
     assets  or Restricted  Subsidiary  of Holdings  (other  than Guarantees  of
     Indebtedness Incurred by  any Person acquiring  all or any portion  of such
     business,  assets or Restricted Subsidiary  of Holdings for  the purpose of
     financing  such  acquisition), in  a principal  amount  at maturity  not to
     exceed the gross proceeds  actually received by Holdings or  any Restricted
     Subsidiary  in connection  with such disposition;  (v) Indebtedness  of the
     Guarantor or, to the extent the proceeds referred to  below are contributed
     to Holdings, Holdings, not  to exceed, at  any one time outstanding,  twice
     the amount of Net Cash Proceeds received by the Guarantor after the Closing
     Date from the issuance and sale of its Capital Stock (other than Redeemable
     Stock); provided that such Indebtedness does not mature prior to the Stated
     Maturity of  the New  Notes and  has an Average  Life longer  than the  New
     Notes;   (vi)   Strategic   Investor   Subordinated   Indebtedness;   (vii)
     Indebtedness  of  the Guarantor  or Holdings,  to  the extent  the proceeds
     thereof are immediately used  after the Incurrence thereof to  purchase New
     Notes, 13 1/2% Notes and/or 12 1/2% Notes  tendered in an Offer to Purchase
     or an offer to  purchase, as the case may be, made as  a result of a Change
     of Control or a change  of control, as the case may be; (viii) Indebtedness
     of  any Restricted  Subsidiary of  the Guarantor  Incurred pursuant  to any
     credit agreement  (including equipment leasing or  financing agreements) of
     such Restricted Subsidiary in  effect on August 8,  1995 (or any  agreement
     refinancing  Indebtedness under such credit agreement), up to the amount of
     the  commitment under  such  credit  agreement  on  August  8,  1995;  (ix)
     Indebtedness of the Guarantor or Holdings, in an amount not  to exceed $100
     million  at  any  one time  outstanding,  consisting  of  Capitalized Lease

                                      -49-
     <PAGE>

     Obligations  with  respect to  assets  that  are  used  or  useful  in  the
     telecommunications   business   of   the  Guarantor   or   its   Restricted
     Subsidiaries;  (x) Indebtedness  Incurred  to defease  the New  Notes; (xi)
     Indebtedness  of any  Person that  becomes a  Restricted Subsidiary  of the
     Guarantor  after March  31, 1996,  which Indebtedness  exists or  for which
     there is a commitment to  lend at the time such Person becomes a Restricted
     Subsidiary and subsequent Incurrences thereof ("Acquired Indebtedness"), in
     an accreted amount not to exceed $50 million at any one time outstanding in
     the aggregate  for all  such Restricted  Subsidiaries;  provided that  such
     Acquired Indebtedness does not exceed  65% of the consideration (calculated
     by including the Acquired Indebtedness as a part of such consideration) for
     the  acquisition of  such Person;  (xii) Indebtedness  of the  Guarantor or
     Holdings,  in  an amount  not  to  exceed  $30  million  at  any  one  time
     outstanding, consisting of  letters of credit and similar arrangements used
     to   support  obligations  of  the  Guarantor  or  any  of  its  Restricted
     Subsidiaries  with respect  to the  acquisition of  (by purchase,  lease or
     otherwise), construction of, or  improvements on, assets that will  be used
     or  useful in  the  telecommunications business  of  the Guarantor  or  its
     Restricted Subsidiaries;  and (xiii)  Indebtedness Incurred to  finance the
     cost (including the cost of design, development, construction, installation
     or integration) of  assets, equipment or  inventory used or  useful in  the
     telecommunications business  of  the Guarantor  or  any of  its  Restricted
     Subsidiaries that  is acquired  by the Guarantor  or any of  its Restricted
     Subsidiaries after the Closing Date. 

          (b)  For purposes of determining any particular amount of Indebtedness
     under  this "Limitation  on  Indebtedness" covenant,  Guarantees, Liens  or
     obligations  with  respect to  letters  of  credit supporting  Indebtedness
     otherwise included in the determination of such particular amount shall not
     be  included. For purposes of determining  compliance with this "Limitation
     on Indebtedness" covenant, in the event that an item of  Indebtedness meets
     the criteria of more than one of the types of Indebtedness described in the
     above clauses, Holdings, in  its sole discretion, shall classify  such item
     of Indebtedness and only be required to include the amount and type of such
     Indebtedness in one of such clauses. 

     Limitation on Restricted Payments

          So long  as any of the  New Notes are outstanding,  the Guarantor will
     not,  and will  not  permit  any  Restricted  Subsidiary  to,  directly  or
     indirectly, (i) declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on its
     Capital  Stock held  by Persons  other  than the  Guarantor or  any of  its
     Restricted  Subsidiaries  (other than  dividends  or distributions  payable
     solely  in  shares of  its or  such  Restricted Subsidiary's  Capital Stock
     (other than Redeemable Stock) of the same class  held by such holders or in
     options, warrants or other  rights to acquire such shares of  Capital Stock
     and  other than  pro  rata dividends  or distributions  on Common  Stock of
     Restricted  Subsidiaries),  (ii)  purchase,  redeem,  retire  or  otherwise
     acquire  for value  any shares  of Capital  Stock of  the Guarantor  or any
     Restricted  Subsidiary  (including options,  warrants  or  other rights  to
     acquire  such shares  of  Capital Stock)  held by  Persons  other than  the
     Guarantor  or any of its  Wholly Owned Restricted  Subsidiaries (except for
     Capital Stock of ChoiceCom, MTN, StarCom, Ohio LINX, FOTI and  Zycom to the
     extent the  consideration therefor consists  solely of Common  Stock (other
     than  Redeemable Stock) of the Guarantor transferred in compliance with the
     Securities Act), (iii) make any voluntary or optional principal payment, or
     voluntary   or  optional   redemption,  repurchase,  defeasance   or  other
     acquisition or retirement  for value,  of Indebtedness of  Holdings or  the
     Guarantor that is subordinated in right of payment to the New Notes or  the
     Note Guarantee, as the case may be, or (iv) make any Investment, other than
     a  Permitted Investment, in any Person (such  payments or any other actions
     described  in  clauses  (i)  through (iv)  being  collectively  "Restricted
     Payments") if,  at the time  of, and after  giving effect to,  the proposed
     Restricted Payment:  (A) a Default or Event  of Default shall have occurred
     and  be continuing,  (B) the Guarantor  could not  Incur at  least $1.00 of
     Indebtedness under the first paragraph of the "Limitation  on Indebtedness"
     covenant or (C) the  aggregate amount expended for all  Restricted Payments
     (the amount so  expended, if other than  in cash, to be  determined in good
     faith  by the Board of  Directors, whose determination  shall be conclusive
     and evidenced  by a Board Resolution) after the date of the Senior Discount
     Notes Indenture shall exceed the sum of (1)  50% of the aggregate amount of
     the  Adjusted Consolidated Net Income (or, if the Adjusted Consolidated Net
     Income  is a  loss, minus  100% of  such amount)  (determined by  excluding
     income resulting from transfers of assets by the  Guarantor or a Restricted
     Subsidiary to  an Unrestricted Subsidiary)  accrued on  a cumulative  basis

                                      -50-
     <PAGE>

     during the period (taken  as one accounting period) beginning  on the first
     day of the fiscal quarter immediately following the Closing Date and ending
     on the last  day of the last fiscal quarter  preceding the Transaction Date
     for which reports have  been filed pursuant to the "Commission  Reports and
     Reports  to  Holders" covenant  plus (2)  the  aggregate Net  Cash Proceeds
     received by the Guarantor after the Closing Date from the issuance and sale
     permitted  by  the Senior  Discount Notes  Indenture  of its  Capital Stock
     (other than Redeemable  Stock) to a Person  who is not a  Subsidiary of the
     Guarantor,  or from the issuance to a Person who is not a Subsidiary of the
     Guarantor of any options, warrants or other rights to acquire Capital Stock
     of the  Guarantor (in each case,  exclusive of any Redeemable  Stock or any
     options, warrants or other rights that  are redeemable at the option of the
     holder, or are required to be redeemed, prior to the Stated Maturity of the
     New Notes) plus  (3) an amount  equal to the  net reduction in  Investments
     (other than  reductions in Permitted  Investments) in any  Person resulting
     from payments of  interest on Indebtedness, dividends,  repayments of loans
     or advances, or other transfers of assets, in each case to the Guarantor or
     any  Restricted  Subsidiary  (except to  the  extent  any  such payment  is
     included in the calculation  of Adjusted Consolidated Net Income),  or from
     redesignations  of Unrestricted  Subsidiaries  as  Restricted  Subsidiaries
     (valued in  each case as provided in  the definition of "Investments"), not
     to  exceed the amount of  Investments previously made  by the Guarantor and
     its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Person. 
      
          The foregoing provision  shall not be violated  by reason of: (i)  the
     payment  of any  dividend  within 60  days  after the  date of  declaration
     thereof if, at said date of declaration, such payment would comply with the
     foregoing paragraph;  (ii) the redemption, repurchase,  defeasance or other
     acquisition or retirement for value of Indebtedness that is subordinated in
     right  of payment to the New  Notes or the Note Guarantee,  as the case may
     be,  including premium, if  any, and accrued and  unpaid interest, with the
     proceeds of, or in  exchange for, Indebtedness Incurred under  clause (iii)
     of the second paragraph of the "Limitation on Indebtedness" covenant; (iii)
     the repurchase, redemption  or other  acquisition of Capital  Stock of  the
     Guarantor or Holdings (or options, warrants or other rights to acquire such
     Capital Stock) and  with respect to  any preferred  stock of Holdings,  the
     payment  of accrued  dividends  thereon in  exchange  for,  or out  of  the
     proceeds  of  a substantially  concurrent issuance  or  sale of,  shares of
     Capital Stock (other than  Redeemable Stock) of the Guarantor  or Holdings;
     provided that  the redemption  of any  preferred stock  and the payment  of
     accrued  dividends thereon  pursuant  to any  mandatory redemption  feature
     thereof and any  redemption of any other Capital Stock  and with respect to
     any  preferred stock, the payment of accrued dividends thereon (or options,
     warrants or other rights to acquire such Capital Stock) shall  be deemed to
     be "substantially concurrent" with  such issuance and sale if  the required
     notice with respect to such redemption is irrevocably given by a date which
     is no later than  five Business Days after receipt of  the proceeds of such
     issuance and sale and such redemption and payment is consummated within the
     period provided for  in the documents providing for  the redemption of such
     preferred stock or  the documents  governing the redemption  of such  other
     Capital Stock, as the case may  be; (iv) the acquisition of Indebtedness of
     Holdings or  the Guarantor which is subordinated in right of payment to the
     New Notes or the Note  Guarantee, as the case  may be, in exchange for,  or
     out of  the proceeds of, a substantially  concurrent offering of, shares of
     the  Capital  Stock of  the Guarantor  (other  than Redeemable  Stock); (v)
     payments or  distributions, in  the nature  of satisfaction of  dissenters'
     rights,  pursuant to  or  in connection  with  a consolidation,  merger  or
     transfer of assets that complies with the provisions of the Senior Discount
     Notes Indenture applicable to mergers, consolidations and transfers of  all
     or  substantially  all  of  the property  and  assets  of  Holdings or  the
     Guarantor;  (vi) Investments, not to  exceed $10 million  in the aggregate,
     each  evidenced  by  a senior  promissory  note  payable  to Holdings  that
     provides that it will become  due and payable prior to (or, in  the case of
     acceleration, concurrently with) any required repayment (including pursuant
     to an Offer to Purchase in connection with a  Change of Control) of the New
     Notes; (vii) Investments, not to exceed  $5 million in the aggregate,  that
     meet the  requirements of  clause (vi)  above; provided  that the  Board of
     Directors of the Guarantor shall have determined,  in good faith, that each
     such Investment under this clause (vii) will enable the Guarantor, Holdings
     or  one of their Restricted Subsidiaries to obtain additional business that
     it  might not  be able  to obtain  without the  making of  such Investment;
     (viii) with  respect to  preferred stock  permitted to  be issued and  sold
     under  the "Limitation  on  the Issuance  of  Capital Stock  of  Restricted
     Subsidiaries"  covenant, the  payment (A)  of dividends  on  such preferred
     stock in additional shares of preferred  stock and (B) of cash dividends on
     such preferred stock and accrued interest on unpaid dividends, in each case
     after  May  1, 2001;  (ix)  the repurchase,  in the  event  of a  Change of

                                      -51-
     <PAGE>

     Control, of preferred stock  of Holdings or the Guarantor  and Indebtedness
     of  Holdings  or the  Guarantor into  which such  preferred stock  has been
     exchanged;  provided  that prior  to repurchasing  such preferred  stock or
     Indebtedness,  Holdings or the  Guarantor, as the  case may be,  shall have
     made a  Change of Control Offer  to repurchase the New  Notes in accordance
     with  the terms  of the Senior  Discount Notes  Indenture (and  an offer to
     repurchase  other  Indebtedness,  if  required by  the  terms  thereof,  in
     accordance  with  the  indenture  or other  document  governing  such other
     Indebtedness) and shall have accepted and paid for any New Notes (and other
     Indebtedness) properly tendered in  connection with such Change of  Control
     Offer  for  the  New  Notes  or change  of  control  offer  for  such other
     Indebtedness; and (x) the  issuance of Indebtedness permitted to  be issued
     under  the Senior Discount Notes Indenture in exchange for preferred stock;
     provided that  the  Incurrence  of  such  Indebtedness  complies  with  the
     "Limitation on Indebtedness" covenant; provided that, except in the case of
     clauses (i) and  (iii), no Default or Event of  Default shall have occurred
     and be continuing or occur as a consequence of the  actions or payments set
     forth therein. 
      
          Each Restricted Payment permitted  pursuant to the preceding paragraph
     (other than the Restricted  Payment referred to in clauses  (ii), (viii)(A)
     and (x)  thereof), and the Net  Cash Proceeds from any  issuance of Capital
     Stock referred  to in clause (iii) or (iv) shall be included in calculating
     whether  the  conditions of  clause  (C)  of the  first  paragraph  of this
     "Limitation  on Restricted Payments" covenant have been met with respect to
     any subsequent  Restricted Payments. Notwithstanding the  foregoing, in the
     event the proceeds  of an issuance  of Capital Stock  of the Guarantor  are
     used for the redemption,  repurchase or other acquisition of the New Notes,
     or  Indebtedness that is pari  passu with the New  Notes, then the Net Cash
     Proceeds  of such  issuance shall be  included in  clause (C)  of the first
     paragraph  of this "Limitation on Restricted Payments" covenant only to the
     extent  such proceeds are not used for such redemption, repurchase or other
     acquisition of such Indebtedness. 

     Limitation on Dividend and  Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted
     Subsidiaries 

          So long  as any of the  New Notes are outstanding,  the Guarantor will
     not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary  to, create or otherwise
     cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual  encumbrance or
     restriction of any kind on the ability of any Restricted  Subsidiary to (i)
     pay dividends or make  any other distributions permitted by  applicable law
     on any Capital  Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary owned  by the Guarantor
     or any other Restricted  Subsidiary, (ii) pay any Indebtedness owed  to the
     Guarantor  or any other Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) make loans or advances
     to the Guarantor or any other Restricted Subsidiary or (iv) transfer any of
     its property or assets to the Guarantor or any other Restricted Subsidiary.

          The  foregoing  provisions  shall  not restrict  any  encumbrances  or
     restrictions: (i) existing on the Closing Date in the Senior Discount Notes
     Indenture  or any other  agreement in effect  on the Closing  Date, and any
     extensions,  refinancings,  renewals or  replacements  of  such agreements;
     provided  that the  encumbrances and  restrictions in any  such extensions,
     refinancings,  renewals  or  replacements  are no  less  favorable  in  any
     material respect to  the Holders  than those  encumbrances or  restrictions
     that are then in effect and that are being extended, refinanced, renewed or
     replaced;  (ii)  existing  under or  by  reason  of  applicable law;  (iii)
     existing  with respect  to any  Person or  the property  or assets  of such
     Person  acquired by the Guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary, existing at
     the time of  such acquisition  and not incurred  in contemplation  thereof,
     which encumbrances or restrictions are not applicable to any Person  or the
     property  or assets of any Person other than such Person or the property or
     assets of such Person so acquired; (iv)  in the case of clause (iv) of  the
     first  paragraph  of  this  "Limitation  on   Dividend  and  Other  Payment
     Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries" covenant, (A) that restrict
     in  a  customary  manner the  subletting,  assignment  or  transfer of  any
     property  or asset  that is  a  lease, license,  conveyance or  contract or
     similar  property or  asset, (B)  existing by  virtue  of any  transfer of,
     agreement  to transfer, option  or right with  respect to, or  Lien on, any
     property  or assets  of  the Guarantor  or  any Restricted  Subsidiary  not
     otherwise  prohibited by the Senior Discount Notes Indenture or (C) arising
     or  agreed  to in  the ordinary  course of  business,  not relating  to any
     Indebtedness,  and that do not,  individually or in  the aggregate, detract
     from the  value of property  or assets of  the Guarantor or  any Restricted
     Subsidiary  in any  manner  material to  the  Guarantor or  any  Restricted

                                      -52-
     <PAGE>

     Subsidiary;  (v)  with respect  to  a  Restricted  Subsidiary  and  imposed
     pursuant  to an  agreement  that has  been  entered into  for  the sale  or
     disposition  of  all  or substantially  all  of the  Capital  Stock  of, or
     property  and  assets  of,  such  Restricted  Subsidiary;  or  (vi) imposed
     pursuant to preferred  stock of  Holdings issued under  clause (vi) of  the
     "Limitation  on  the  Issuance and  Sale  of  Capital  Stock of  Restricted
     Subsidiaries"  covenant,  or  exchange  debentures  or  exchange  notes  of
     Holdings  issued in exchange therefor; provided  that such restrictions (A)
     may  include  a  prohibition   (x)  on  payments  on  Capital   Stock  upon
     liquidation,  winding-up and dissolution of Holdings and (y) on the payment
     of dividends  on and the  making of any  distribution on, or  the purchase,
     redemption, retirement or other  acquisition for value of Capital  Stock of
     Holdings if dividends  or other amounts on such  preferred stock are unpaid
     and  (B) any restrictions imposed  pursuant to preferred  stock of Holdings
     other  than pursuant to  clause (A) shall  be no more  restrictive than the
     restrictions  contained in  the Senior  Discount Notes  Indenture (assuming
     that references to  the Guarantor  in the Senior  Discount Notes  Indenture
     were replaced  with  references to  Holdings).  Nothing contained  in  this
     "Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted
     Subsidiaries"  covenant  shall  prevent  the Guarantor  or  any  Restricted
     Subsidiary from (1) creating, incurring, assuming or suffering to exist any
     Liens  otherwise permitted  in the  "Limitation on  Liens" covenant  or (2)
     restricting the  sale or other  disposition of  property or  assets of  the
     Guarantor or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that secure Indebtedness of
     the Guarantor or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries. 
      
     Limitation  on the  Issuance  and  Sale  of  Capital  Stock  of  Restricted
     Subsidiaries 

          Under  the terms of the Senior Discount Notes Indenture, the Guarantor
     will not sell, and will not  permit any Restricted Subsidiary, directly  or
     indirectly, to issue  or sell, any shares of Capital  Stock of a Restricted
     Subsidiary (including options, warrants or  other rights to purchase shares
     of such  Capital Stock)  except  (i) to  the Guarantor  or  a Wholly  Owned
     Restricted  Subsidiary; (ii)  issuances  or sales  to foreign  nationals of
     shares of Capital Stock  of foreign Restricted Subsidiaries, to  the extent
     required  by applicable law; (iii)  if, immediately after  giving effect to
     such  issuance  or  sale,  such   Restricted  Subsidiary  would  no  longer
     constitute  a Restricted Subsidiary; (iv)  with respect to  Common Stock of
     ChoiceCom, MTN,  StarCom and Zycom; provided that  the proceeds of any such
     sale under  clause (iv) shall be  applied in accordance with  clause (A) or
     (B)  of the  first paragraph  of the  "Limitation on Asset  Sales" covenant
     described below;  (v) with respect to  Common Stock of FOTI;  provided that
     FOTI shall  not retain  any net  proceeds from such  sales or  issuances in
     excess of $10 million  in the aggregate and  any net proceeds in  excess of
     such $10  million shall be  received by, or  paid promptly by  FOTI to, the
     Guarantor,  Holdings  or any  Wholly  Owned  Restricted Subsidiary  of  the
     Guarantor; and (vi) with  respect to (A) preferred stock of Holdings having
     an  initial liquidation  preference  of  up to  $250  million  and (B)  any
     preferred  stock of Holdings issued  as dividends on  such preferred stock;
     provided that such  preferred stock does  not require the  payment of  cash
     dividends prior to May 1, 2001. 

     Limitation on Issuances of Guarantees by Restricted Subsidiaries

          The Guarantor will  not permit any Restricted  Subsidiary, directly or
     indirectly, to Guarantee any Indebtedness  of Holdings or any  Indebtedness
     of the  Guarantor ("Guaranteed  Indebtedness"), unless (i)  such Restricted
     Subsidiary simultaneously executes and delivers a supplemental indenture to
     the  Senior  Discount   Notes  Indenture  providing  for   a  Guarantee  (a
     "Subsidiary  Guarantee") of  payment of  the New  Notes by  such Restricted
     Subsidiary and  (ii) such Restricted Subsidiary waives  and will not in any
     manner whatsoever  claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any rights of
     reimbursement, indemnity  or subrogation  or any  other rights against  the
     Guarantor, Holdings or  any other Restricted Subsidiary as a  result of any
     payment  by  such Restricted  Subsidiary  under  its Subsidiary  Guarantee;
     provided that this paragraph  shall not be  applicable to any Guarantee  of
     any Restricted Subsidiary that (x) existed at the time such Person became a
     Restricted Subsidiary and (y)  was not Incurred in  connection with, or  in
     contemplation  of,  such Person  becoming a  Restricted Subsidiary.  If the
     Guaranteed Indebtedness  is (A) pari passu  with the New Notes  or the Note
     Guarantee, then the Guarantee of such Guaranteed Indebtedness shall be pari
     passu  with,  or   subordinated  to,  the   Subsidiary  Guarantee  or   (B)
     subordinated to the New Notes or  the Note Guarantee, then the Guarantee of
     such  Guaranteed  Indebtedness  shall  be subordinated  to  the  Subsidiary

                                      -53-
     <PAGE>

     Guarantee  at least  to  the extent  that  the Guaranteed  Indebtedness  is
     subordinated to the New Notes or the Note Guarantee, as the case may be. 
      
          Notwithstanding  the   foregoing,  any   Subsidiary  Guarantee  by   a
     Restricted  Subsidiary  shall  provide  by  its  terms  that  it  shall  be
     automatically  and unconditionally  released  and discharged  upon (i)  any
     sale, exchange or transfer, to any Person not an Affiliate of the Guarantor
     of all  of Holdings' and each Restricted  Subsidiary's Capital Stock in, or
     all or substantially all  the assets of, such Restricted  Subsidiary (which
     sale, exchange or transfer is not  prohibited by the Senior Discount  Notes
     Indenture) or (ii) the release or discharge of the Guarantee which resulted
     in the creation of such Subsidiary Guarantee, except a discharge or release
     by or as a result of payment under such Guarantee. 

     Limitation on Transactions with Shareholders and Affiliates
      
          Under  the terms of the Senior Discount Notes Indenture, the Guarantor
     will  not, and will  not permit any  Restricted Subsidiary  to, directly or
     indirectly, enter into, renew or extend any transaction (including, without
     limitation, the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of property or assets, or
     the  rendering of any  service) with any  holder (or any  Affiliate of such
     holder) of  5% or more of  any class of  Capital Stock of the  Guarantor or
     with  any Affiliate of the  Guarantor or any  Restricted Subsidiary, except
     upon fair and reasonable terms  no less favorable to the Guarantor  or such
     Restricted  Subsidiary  than  could  be  obtained,  at  the  time  of  such
     transaction or  at the  time of  the execution of  the agreement  providing
     therefor,  in a comparable arm's-length  transaction with a  Person that is
     not such a holder or an Affiliate. 
      
          The foregoing limitation  does not limit,  and shall not apply  to (i)
     transactions (A) approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the
     Board  of  Directors or  (B)  for  which  the  Guarantor  or  a  Restricted
     Subsidiary  delivers to  the  Trustee a  written  opinion of  a  nationally
     recognized  investment banking firm stating that the transaction is fair to
     the Guarantor or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view;
     (ii)  any transaction solely  between the Guarantor  and any of  its Wholly
     Owned  Restricted Subsidiaries  or solely  between Wholly  Owned Restricted
     Subsidiaries; (iii) the payment of reasonable and customary regular fees to
     directors  of  the Guarantor,  Holdings or  Holdings  (Canada) who  are not
     employees  of  the  Guarantor,  Holdings  or Holdings  (Canada);  (iv)  any
     payments  or  other  transactions  pursuant to  any  tax-sharing  agreement
     between the Guarantor and any other Person with which the Guarantor files a
     consolidated  tax  return  or  with  which  the  Guarantor  is  part  of  a
     consolidated group for  tax purposes;  or (v) any  Restricted Payments  not
     prohibited   by   the  "Limitation   on   Restricted   Payments"  covenant.
     Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  any  transaction  covered  by  the  first
     paragraph  of  this  "Limitation  on  Transactions  with  Shareholders  and
     Affiliates"  covenant and not covered by clauses  (ii) through (iv) of this
     paragraph, the aggregate amount of which  exceeds $2 million in value, must
     be  approved or determined to be fair in  the manner provided for in clause
     (i)(A) or (B) above. 

     Limitation on Liens

          Under  the terms of the Senior Discount Notes Indenture, the Guarantor
     will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary  to, create, incur,
     assume  or suffer to exist any  Lien on any of its  assets or properties of
     any character,  or any  shares  of Capital  Stock  or Indebtedness  of  any
     Restricted Subsidiary,  without making effective  provision for all  of the
     New Notes  (or, in  the case  of  a Lien  on assets  or properties  of  the
     Guarantor, the Note Guarantee) and  all other amounts due under the  Senior
     Discount  Notes Indenture to be  directly secured equally  and ratably with
     (or,  if  the  obligation  or  liability to  be  secured  by  such  Lien is
     subordinated in  right of payment to  the New Notes or  the Note Guarantee,
     prior to) the obligation or liability secured by such Lien. 
      
          The  foregoing limitation does not apply  to (i) Liens existing on the
     Closing Date;  (ii) Liens granted after  the Closing Date on  any assets or
     Capital Stock of  Holdings (Canada),  Holdings or any  of their  Restricted
     Subsidiaries  created in favor of the Holders;  (iii) Liens with respect to
     the assets of a Restricted Subsidiary granted by such Restricted Subsidiary
     to  the Guarantor  or  a  Wholly  Owned  Restricted  Subsidiary  to  secure

                                      -54-
     <PAGE>

     Indebtedness owing to  the Guarantor or  such other Restricted  Subsidiary;
     (iv)  Liens securing  Indebtedness which  is Incurred to  refinance secured
     Indebtedness which is  permitted to be Incurred  under clause (iii)  of the
     second  paragraph of  the "Limitation  on Indebtedness"  covenant; provided
     that such Liens  do not extend  to or cover any  property or assets  of the
     Guarantor, Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary other than the property or
     assets  securing the Indebtedness being  refinanced; (v) Liens with respect
     to assets  or properties of any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary
     after the Closing Date; provided that such Liens do not  extend to or cover
     any  assets  or properties  of  the  Guarantor  or  any of  its  Restricted
     Subsidiaries other than the assets or properties of  such Person subject to
     such  Lien on  the date such  Person becomes  a Restricted  Subsidiary; and
     provided further that such  Liens are not incurred in  contemplation of, or
     in  connection with,  such  Person becoming  a Restricted  Subsidiary; (vi)
     Permitted  Liens; or (vii) Liens, solely in favor of Acquired Indebtedness,
     on  Capital Stock  of Persons  that become  Restricted Subsidiaries  of the
     Guarantor after the Closing Date. 
      
     Limitation on Sale-Leaseback Transactions

          Under  the terms of the Senior Discount Notes Indenture, the Guarantor
     will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to,  enter into any
     sale-leaseback  transaction  involving  any  of its  assets  or  properties
     whether  now  owned  or hereafter  acquired,  whereby  the  Guarantor or  a
     Restricted Subsidiary sells or transfers such assets or properties and then
     or thereafter leases  such assets or properties or any  part thereof or any
     other  assets  or  properties  which  the  Guarantor   or  such  Restricted
     Subsidiary,  as the case may be, intends  to use for substantially the same
     purpose or purposes as the assets or properties sold or transferred. 
      
          The  foregoing  restriction  does  not  apply  to  any  sale-leaseback
     transaction if (i) the lease is  for a period, including renewal rights, of
     not  in  excess of  three  years;  (ii) the  lease  secures  or relates  to
     industrial revenue  or pollution  control bonds;  (iii) the transaction  is
     between the Guarantor and any Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or between
     Wholly  Owned  Restricted  Subsidiaries;  or  (iv)  the Guarantor  or  such
     Restricted Subsidiary, within six months after the  sale or transfer of any
     assets or properties is completed, applies  an amount not less than the net
     proceeds received  from such sale in  accordance with clause (A)  or (B) of
     the first paragraph of  the "Limitation on Asset Sales"  covenant described
     below. 

     Limitation on Asset Sales
      
          Under  the terms of the Senior Discount Notes Indenture, the Guarantor
     will not, and  will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, consummate any
     Asset Sale, unless (i) the consideration  received by the Guarantor or such
     Restricted  Subsidiary is at  least equal to  the fair market  value of the
     assets  sold or  disposed of  and (ii)  at least  75% of  the consideration
     received consists of  cash or Temporary Cash Investments.  In the event and
     to the extent that the  Net Cash Proceeds received by the Guarantor  or its
     Restricted Subsidiaries from one  or more Asset Sales occurring on or after
     the  Closing Date  in any  period of  12 consecutive  months exceed  10% of
     Adjusted  Consolidated  Net  Tangible  Assets (determined  as  of  the date
     closest  to  the  commencement   of  such  12-month  period  for   which  a
     consolidated  balance  sheet  of Holdings  and  its  Subsidiaries  has been
     prepared),  then the Guarantor shall or shall cause the relevant Restricted
     Subsidiary to (i)  within six months  after the date  Net Cash Proceeds  so
     received  exceed 10% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (A) apply
     an  amount equal  to  such excess  Net Cash  Proceeds to  permanently repay
     unsubordinated Indebtedness  of the Guarantor or  Holdings, or Indebtedness
     of any Restricted  Subsidiary other than Holdings, in each  case owing to a
     Person other than the  Guarantor or any of  its Restricted Subsidiaries  or
     (B) invest an equal amount, or the amount not so applied pursuant to clause
     (A)  (or enter into  a definitive agreement committing  to so invest within
     six months after  the date of such agreement),  in property or assets  of a
     nature or type  or that  are used  in a business  (or in  a company  having
     property and assets of a nature or type, or  engaged in a business) similar
     or  related to the  nature or type  of the  property and assets  of, or the
     business  of, the Guarantor and its Restricted Subsidiaries existing on the
     date  of such  investment (as  determined  in good  faith by  the Board  of
     Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive and evidenced by a Board
     Resolution)  and (ii) apply (no later than  the end of the six-month period
     referred to in clause (i)) such excess Net Cash Proceeds (to the extent not

                                      -55-
     <PAGE>

     applied pursuant to clause (i)) as  provided in the following paragraphs of
     this  "Limitation on Asset  Sales" covenant. The amount  of such excess Net
     Cash Proceeds  required to be  applied (or to  be committed to  be applied)
     during such  six-month period as set  forth in clause (i)  of the preceding
     sentence  and not applied  as so required  by the end  of such period shall
     constitute "Excess Proceeds." 

          If, as of the first day of any calendar month, the aggregate amount of
     Excess Proceeds not theretofore subject to an Offer to Purchase pursuant to
     this  "Limitation on  Asset Sales"  covenant totals  at least  $10 million,
     Holdings must commence,  not later than the fifteenth Business  Day of such
     month,  and consummate an Offer to Purchase from  the Holders on a pro rata
     basis an aggregate Accreted Value of New Notes equal to the Excess Proceeds
     on such date, at a  purchase price equal to  101% of the Accreted Value  of
     the New Notes, plus, in each case, accrued interest (if any) to the date of
     purchase. 

     Repurchase of New Notes upon a Change of Control
      
          Holdings must commence, within 30  days of the occurrence of  a Change
     of Control,  and consummate  an Offer  to Purchase for  all New  Notes then
     outstanding,  at a  purchase  price equal  to 101%  of  the Accreted  Value
     thereof,  plus accrued interest (if any) to  the date of purchase. Prior to
     the mailing of the notice to Holders commencing such Offer to Purchase, but
     in any  event within  30 days  following  any Change  of Control,  Holdings
     covenants  to (i)  repay in  full all  indebtedness of Holdings  that would
     prohibit the repurchase of the New Notes pursuant to such Offer to Purchase
     or  (ii) obtain any requisite consents under instruments governing any such
     indebtedness  of  Holdings  to permit  the  repurchase  of  the New  Notes.
     Holdings shall first  comply with  the covenant in  the preceding  sentence
     before it  shall be  required  to repurchase  New  Notes pursuant  to  this
     "Repurchase of New Notes upon a Change of Control" covenant. 
      
          If  Holdings is unable  to repay  all of  its indebtedness  that would
     prohibit repurchase of the New Notes or is unable to obtain the consents of
     the holders of indebtedness, if any, of Holdings outstanding at the time of
     a  Change  of Control  whose consent  would be  so  required to  permit the
     repurchase  of New Notes, then  Holdings will have  breached such covenant.
     This breach will constitute  an Event of Default under the  Senior Discount
     Notes Indenture if it continues  for a period of 30 consecutive  days after
     written notice  is given to  Holdings by the  Trustee or the  Holders of at
     least 25%  in aggregate principal amount  of the New  Notes outstanding. In
     addition, the failure by Holdings to repurchase New Notes at the conclusion
     of the  Offer to Purchase will  constitute an Event of  Default without any
     waiting period or notice requirements. 
      
          There can be  no assurance  that Holdings will  have sufficient  funds
     available  at the time  of any Change  of Control to make  any debt payment
     (including repurchases of New Notes) required by the foregoing covenant (as
     well as may  be contained in  other securities of  Holdings which might  be
     outstanding  at  the  time).  The  above  covenant  requiring  Holdings  to
     repurchase the New Notes  will, unless the  consents referred to above  are
     obtained, require Holdings to repay all indebtedness then outstanding which
     by its  terms would prohibit such  New Note repurchase, either  prior to or
     concurrently with such New Note repurchase. 

     Commission Reports and Reports to Holders

          Whether or not Holdings or the  Guarantor is required to file  reports
     with the  Commission, if  any New  Notes are  outstanding Holdings  and the
     Guarantor  shall  file  with the  Commission  all  such  reports and  other
     information as  they  would be  required  to file  with  the Commission  by
     Sections  13(a) or  15(d) under  the Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934, as
     amended. See "Available Information." Holdings shall supply the Trustee and
     each Holder, or shall supply to the Trustee for forwarding  to each Holder,
     without cost to such Holder, copies of such reports or other information. 

                                      -56-
     <PAGE>
      
     Events of Default
      
          The following  events will be  defined as  "Events of Default"  in the
     Senior Discount Notes Indenture: (a) default in the payment of principal of
     (or premium, if any, on) any New Note when the same becomes due and payable
     at maturity, upon acceleration, redemption or otherwise; (b) default in the
     payment of interest on any New Note when the same becomes due  and payable,
     and such  default continues for a  period of 30  days; (c) Holdings  or the
     Guarantor defaults in the performance of  or breaches any other covenant or
     agreement  of  Holdings  or the  Guarantor  in  the  Senior Discount  Notes
     Indenture or under the New Notes and such default or breach continues for a
     period of  30 consecutive  days after  written  notice to  Holdings or  the
     Guarantor  by  the Trustee  or  the Holders  of  25% or  more  in aggregate
     principal  amount at  maturity  of the  New Notes;  (d)  there occurs  with
     respect to any issue  or issues of Indebtedness of Holdings,  the Guarantor
     or any Significant  Subsidiary having  an outstanding  principal amount  at
     maturity of $10 million or more in the aggregate for all such issues of all
     such  Persons, whether such Indebtedness  now exists or  shall hereafter be
     created,  (I) an  event of default  that has  caused the  holder thereof to
     declare  such Indebtedness  to  be  due and  payable  prior  to its  Stated
     Maturity  and such Indebtedness  has not  been discharged  in full  or such
     acceleration  has not  been rescinded or  annulled within  30 days  of such
     acceleration and/or  (II) the failure  to make a  principal payment at  the
     final (but not any interim) fixed maturity and such defaulted payment shall
     not  have been  made, waived  or extended  within 30  days of  such payment
     default; (e) any final judgment or order (not covered by insurance) for the
     payment of money  in excess of  $10 million in the  aggregate for all  such
     final   judgments  or  orders  against   all  such  Persons  (treating  any
     deductibles,  self-insurance  or retention  as  not  so covered)  shall  be
     rendered against Holdings, the Guarantor or any  Significant Subsidiary and
     shall not  be paid  or discharged,  and there  shall  be any  period of  30
     consecutive days following entry of the final judgment or order that causes
     the aggregate amount for all such final judgments or orders outstanding and
     not paid  or discharged  against all  such  Persons to  exceed $10  million
     during which  a stay  of enforcement  of such final  judgment or  order, by
     reason  of a pending  appeal or  otherwise, shall not  be in  effect; (f) a
     court having jurisdiction in the premises enters a decree or  order for (A)
     relief  in respect of Holdings, the Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary
     in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other
     similar law  now or  hereafter in  effect, (B) appointment  of a  receiver,
     liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator  or similar official
     of Holdings,  the Guarantor  or any  Significant Subsidiary  or for  all or
     substantially all of the property and assets of  Holdings, the Guarantor or
     any  Significant Subsidiary  or (C) the  winding up  or liquidation  of the
     affairs  of Holdings, the Guarantor  or any Significant  Subsidiary and, in
     each case,  such decree or order shall remain unstayed  and in effect for a
     period  of 30  consecutive  days; or  (g) Holdings,  the  Guarantor or  any
     Significant Subsidiary (A) commences a voluntary case  under any applicable
     bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect,  or
     consents to the entry of an  order for relief in an involuntary  case under
     any  such law, (B) consents to the appointment of or taking possession by a
     receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar
     official  of Holdings, the Guarantor  or any Significant  Subsidiary or for
     all  or  substantially all  of  the property  and  assets of  Holdings, the
     Guarantor  or  any  Significant  Subsidiary  or  (C)  effects  any  general
     assignment for the benefit of creditors. 
      
          If an  Event of Default (other  than an Event of  Default specified in
     clause  (f) or  (g)  above that  occurs  with respect  to  Holdings or  the
     Guarantor)  occurs  and  is  continuing under  the  Senior  Discount  Notes
     Indenture,  the  Trustee  or  the Holders  of  at  least  25% in  aggregate
     principal amount at maturity of the New Notes, then outstanding, by written
     notice  to Holdings (and  to the  Trustee if  such notice  is given  by the
     Holders), may,  and  the Trustee  at  the request  of such  Holders  shall,
     declare the Accreted  Value of, premium,  if any, and accrued  interest, if
     any, on the New Notes to be immediately due and payable. Upon a declaration
     of  acceleration,  such Accreted  Value of,  premium,  if any,  and accrued
     interest, if any, shall be  immediately due and payable. In the  event of a
     declaration of acceleration because an Event of Default set forth in clause
     (d)  above has occurred and is continuing, such declaration of acceleration
     shall  be  automatically rescinded  and annulled  if  the event  of default
     triggering such Event of Default  pursuant to clause (d) shall  be remedied
     or  cured by Holdings, the Guarantor or the relevant Significant Subsidiary
     or waived by the holders of  the relevant Indebtedness within 60 days after
     the  declaration of  acceleration  with respect  thereto.  If an  Event  of
     Default  specified  in clause  (f)  or (g)  above  occurs  with respect  to
     Holdings  or the  Guarantor, the  Accreted Value of,  premium, if  any, and
     accrued  interest, if  any, on  the New  Notes then outstanding  shall ipso
     facto become and be immediately due  and payable without any declaration or

                                      -57-
     <PAGE>

     other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. The Holders of at least
     a majority  in principal amount  of the  outstanding New  Notes by  written
     notice  to Holdings  and to the  Trustee, may  waive all  past defaults and
     rescind  and annul a declaration  of acceleration and  its consequences if,
     among other  things, (i)  all existing  Events of  Default, other than  the
     nonpayment of the Accreted Value of,  premium, if any, and accrued interest
     on  the New  Notes  that have  become  due solely  by  such declaration  of
     acceleration, have  been cured or waived and  (ii) the rescission would not
     conflict  with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction.
     For  information as  to  the waiver  of  defaults, see  "-Modification  and
     Waiver." 
      
          The Holders  of at least  a majority in aggregate  principal amount of
     the  outstanding  New Notes  may  direct  the  time, method  and  place  of
     conducting  any proceeding  for  any remedy  available  to the  Trustee  or
     exercising  any trust  or  power conferred  on  the Trustee.  However,  the
     Trustee may refuse to follow  any direction that conflicts with law  or the
     Senior Discount Notes Indenture,  that may involve the Trustee  in personal
     liability, or  that the  Trustee  determines in  good faith  may be  unduly
     prejudicial to the rights of Holders of New Notes not joining in the giving
     of such direction and may take any other action it deems proper that is not
     inconsistent with any such direction received  from Holders of New Notes. A
     Holder may  not pursue any remedy with respect to the Senior Discount Notes
     Indenture or the New Notes unless: (i) the Holder gives the Trustee written
     notice of a continuing Event of  Default; (ii) the Holders of at  least 25%
     in  aggregate  principal amount  of outstanding  New  Notes make  a written
     request  to the Trustee to pursue the  remedy; (iii) such Holder or Holders
     offer  the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any costs,
     liability or expense;  (iv) the Trustee  does not comply  with the  request
     within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and
     (v) during  such 60-day  period, the  Holders of  a  majority in  aggregate
     principal  amount of the  outstanding New Notes  do not give  the Trustee a
     direction that is inconsistent with the request. However, such  limitations
     do not apply to the right of any Holder of a New Note to receive payment of
     the principal  of, premium,  if any, or  interest on, such  New Note  or to
     bring  suit for the  enforcement of any  such payment, on  or after the due
     date  expressed in  the New  Notes, which  right shall  not be  impaired or
     affected without the consent of the Holder.  

          The Senior Discount  Notes Indenture will require  certain officers of
     Holdings and the Guarantor to certify, on or before a date not more than 90
     days  after the end of each fiscal year of the Guarantor, that a review has
     been conducted of the activities of Holdings, or the Guarantor, as the case
     may  be, and its Restricted Subsidiaries and Holdings', or the Guarantor's,
     and  its Restricted  Subsidiaries'  performance under  the Senior  Discount
     Notes  Indenture and  that Holdings  and the  Guarantor have  fulfilled all
     obligations thereunder,  or, if there has been a default in the fulfillment
     of any such  obligation, specifying  each such default  and the nature  and
     status thereof. Holdings and the Guarantor will also be obligated to notify
     the Trustee  of any default or defaults in the performance of any covenants
     or agreements under the Senior Discount Notes Indenture. 
      
     Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets
      
          Neither Holdings nor the Guarantor shall consolidate with,  merge with
     or into,  or sell, convey, transfer,  lease or otherwise dispose  of all or
     substantially  all  of  its   property  and  assets  (as  an   entirety  or
     substantially  an  entirety  in one  transaction  or  a  series of  related
     transactions) to, any Person  (other than a consolidation or merger with or
     into  a Wholly  Owned  Restricted Subsidiary  with  a positive  net  worth;
     provided  that, in  connection with  any such  merger or  consolidation, no
     consideration (other than Common Stock in the surviving Person, Holdings or
     the  Guarantor) shall  be  issued or  distributed  to the  stockholders  of
     Holdings  or the  Guarantor) or  permit any  Person to  merge with  or into
     Holdings or  the Guarantor unless: (i)  Holdings or the Guarantor  shall be
     the  continuing  Person, or  the  Person  (if other  than  Holdings  or the
     Guarantor)  formed  by such  consolidation or  into  which Holdings  or the
     Guarantor is  merged or that acquired or leased such property and assets of
     Holdings  or the  Guarantor shall  be a  corporation organized  and validly
     existing under the laws of the United States of America or any jurisdiction
     thereof and shall  expressly assume, by a  supplemental indenture, executed
     and delivered to  the Trustee, all  of the obligations  of Holdings or  the
     Guarantor, as  the case may be, under  the Senior Discount Notes Indenture;
     (ii) immediately after  giving effect  to such transaction,  no Default  or

                                      -58-
     <PAGE>

     Event of Default shall  have occurred and be continuing;  (iii) immediately
     after giving effect  to such transaction on a pro  forma basis, Holdings or
     the  Guarantor, as the  case may be,  or any Person  becoming the successor
     obligor of the  New Notes or the Note Guarantee, as  the case may be, shall
     have a Consolidated Net Worth equal to or greater than the Consolidated Net
     Worth of Holdings or the  Guarantor, as the case may be,  immediately prior
     to  such  transaction;  (iv)  immediately  after   giving  effect  to  such
     transaction on  a  pro forma  basis Holdings,  or any  Person becoming  the
     successor obligor of  the New Notes,  as the  case may be,  could Incur  at
     least $1.00 of Indebtedness under the first paragraph of the "Limitation on
     Indebtedness"  covenant;  and  (v)  Holdings delivers  to  the  Trustee  an
     Officers' Certificate (attaching the arithmetic computations to demonstrate
     compliance with clauses (iii) and (iv) above) and an Opinion of Counsel, in
     each  case stating  that such  consolidation, merger  or transfer  and such
     supplemental indenture complies with this provision and that all conditions
     precedent  provided  for  herein relating  to  such  transaction have  been
     complied with; provided, however,  that clauses (iii) and (iv) above do not
     apply if, in the good faith determination of the  Board of Directors of the
     Guarantor, whose determination  shall be evidenced  by a Board  Resolution,
     the principal purpose of  such transaction is part of a  plan to change the
     jurisdiction  of incorporation of Holdings  or the Guarantor  to a state of
     the United States; and provided further that any such transaction shall not
     have as one of its purposes the evasion of the foregoing limitations. 

     DEFEASANCE

          Defeasance  and Discharge.   The Senior Discount  Notes Indenture will
     provide that  Holdings will be deemed  to have paid and  will be discharged
     from any and all obligations  in respect of the New Notes on  the 123rd day
     after the  deposit  referred to  below, and  the provisions  of the  Senior
     Discount Notes  Indenture will no longer  be in effect with  respect to the
     New Notes (except for, among other matters, certain obligations to register
     the  transfer or  exchange of  the New  Notes, to  replace stolen,  lost or
     mutilated New  Notes, to maintain  paying agencies  and to hold  monies for
     payment in trust) if, among other things, (A) Holdings or the Guarantor has
     deposited  with  the  Trustee,  in  trust,  money  and/or  U.S.  Government
     Obligations that through the  payment of interest and principal  in respect
     thereof in  accordance with  their terms  will provide money  in an  amount
     sufficient  to pay the principal of, premium,  if any, and accrued interest
     on the New Notes on the Stated Maturity of such payments in accordance with
     the terms  of the Senior  Discount Notes Indenture  and the New  Notes, (B)
     Holdings has  delivered to the Trustee (i) either (x) an Opinion of Counsel
     to  the effect  that Holders will  not recognize  income, gain  or loss for
     federal income tax purposes as a result of Holdings' exercise of its option
     under this "Defeasance" provision and will be subject to federal income tax
     on the same amount  and in the same manner  and at the same times  as would
     have  been the  case  if such  deposit,  defeasance and  discharge had  not
     occurred, which Opinion of Counsel must be based upon (and accompanied by a
     copy of) a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service to the same effect unless
     there has been a change in applicable federal income tax law after the date
     of the  Senior Discount Notes  Indenture such  that a ruling  is no  longer
     required or (y) a ruling directed to the Trustee received from the Internal
     Revenue Service to the same effect as the aforementioned Opinion of Counsel
     and (ii)  an Opinion  of Counsel  to the  effect that  the creation  of the
     defeasance trust does  not violate the Investment  Company Act of  1940 and
     after the  passage of 123 days  following the deposit, the  trust fund will
     not be subject to the effect of Section 547 of the United States Bankruptcy
     Code or Section 15 of the New York Debtor and Creditor Law, (C) immediately
     after  giving effect to  such deposit  on a  pro forma  basis, no  Event of
     Default, or event that after the giving  of notice or lapse of time or both
     would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and  be continuing on
     the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 123rd day after
     the date of such deposit,  and such deposit shall not result in a breach or
     violation  of,  or  constitute a  default  under,  any  other agreement  or
     instrument  to which  Holdings or  the  Guarantor is  a party  or by  which
     Holdings or the  Guarantor is bound and (D)  if at such time the  New Notes
     are listed on a national securities exchange, Holdings has delivered to the
     Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the New  Notes will not be
     delisted as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge. 

          Defeasance of  Certain Covenants and  Certain Events  of Default.  The
     Senior Discount Notes Indenture further will provide that the provisions of
     the Senior  Discount  Notes Indenture  will  no longer  be in  effect  with
     respect to clauses (iii) and (iv) under "-Consolidation, Merger and Sale of

                                      -59-
     <PAGE>
 
     Assets" and all the covenants  described herein under "-Covenants,"  clause
     (c) under "-Events of Default" with  respect to such covenants and  clauses
     (iii)  and  (iv) under  "-Consolidation, Merger  and  Sale of  Assets," and
     clauses (d)  and (e) under  "Events of Default"  shall be deemed  not to be
     Events of Default, upon, among other things, the deposit  with the Trustee,
     in  trust, of  money and/or  U.S. Government  Obligations that  through the
     payment of interest  and principal  in respect thereof  in accordance  with
     their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal
     of, premium, if  any, and accrued interest on  the New Notes on  the Stated
     Maturity of  such  payments in  accordance  with the  terms of  the  Senior
     Discount  Notes  Indenture  and the  New  Notes,  the  satisfaction of  the
     provisions  described  in clauses  (B)(ii), (C)  and  (D) of  the preceding
     paragraph and  the delivery by  Holdings to  the Trustee of  an Opinion  of
     Counsel  to the  effect  that, among  other things,  the  Holders will  not
     recognize income, gain or loss for  federal income tax purposes as a result
     of  such deposit and defeasance of  certain covenants and Events of Default
     and will be subject  to federal income  tax on the same  amount and in  the
     same  manner and at  the same  times as  would have been  the case  if such
     deposit and defeasance had not occurred. 
      
          Defeasance and Certain Other Events of Default.  In the event Holdings
     exercises  its  option  to  omit  compliance  with  certain  covenants  and
     provisions of the Senior  Discount Notes Indenture with respect  to the New
     Notes as described in the immediately preceding paragraph and the New Notes
     are  declared due  and payable  because of  the occurrence  of an  Event of
     Default that remains applicable, the amount of money and/or U.S. Government
     Obligations  on deposit with the Trustee  will be sufficient to pay amounts
     due on the New  Notes at the time of  their Stated Maturity but may  not be
     sufficient  to  pay  amounts due  on  the  New Notes  at  the  time of  the
     acceleration resulting from such  Event of Default. However, Holdings  will
     remain liable for such payments and the Note Guarantee with respect to such
     payments will remain in effect. 

     MODIFICATION AND WAIVER

          Modifications and  amendments of  the Senior Discount  Notes Indenture
     may be made by Holdings, the Guarantor and the  Trustee with the consent of
     the Holders  of not less than  a majority in aggregate  principal amount at
     maturity  of the  outstanding New  Notes; provided,  however, that  no such
     modification  or amendment may, without the consent of each Holder affected
     thereby,  (i) change  the  Stated  Maturity of  the  principal  of, or  any
     installment of interest on, any New Note, (ii)  reduce the principal amount
     at maturity of,  or premium, if any, payable upon the redemption of, or the
     rate  of interest  on, any New  Note, (iii)  adversely affect  any right of
     repayment at the  option of  any Holder of  any New  Note, (iv) change  the
     currency in which principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any New
     Note is payable, (v) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement
     of  any payment  on or  after the  Stated Maturity  (or, in  the case  of a
     redemption, on or after the Redemption Date)  of any New Note, (vi) waive a
     default in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the
     New  Notes, (vii) reduce the percentage in  principal amount at maturity of
     outstanding New Notes the consent of  whose Holders is necessary for waiver
     of  compliance  with  certain  provisions  of  the  Senior  Discount  Notes
     Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults or (viii) release the Guarantor
     from its Note Guarantee. 

     NO PERSONAL  LIABILITY OF INCORPORATORS, SHAREHOLDERS, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS,
     OR EMPLOYEES 
      
          The  Senior Discount Notes Indenture provides that no recourse for the
     payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the New
     Notes  or for any claim based thereon  or otherwise in respect thereof, and
     no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of Holdings
     or  the Guarantor in the Senior Discount  Notes Indenture, or in any of the
     New  Notes or  because  of the  creation  of any  Indebtedness  represented
     thereby,  shall  be had  against  any  incorporator, shareholder,  officer,
     director, employee or controlling person of Holdings or the Guarantor or of
     any  successor Person  thereof. Each  Holder, by  accepting the  New Notes,
     waives and releases all such liability. 

                                      -60-
     <PAGE> 

     CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
      
          The Senior Discount Notes Indenture  provides that, except during  the
     continuance of  a Default, the Trustee  will not be liable,  except for the
     performance  of such duties  as are specifically  set forth  in such Senior
     Discount  Notes  Indenture. If  an  Event of  Default  has occurred  and is
     continuing,  the Trustee will use the same  degree of care and skill in its
     exercise as a  prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the
     conduct of such person's own affairs. 
      
          The  Senior  Discount Notes  Indenture  and  provisions of  the  Trust
     Indenture Act incorporated by reference therein contain  limitations on the
     rights  of the  Trustee, should  it become  a creditor  of Holdings  or the
     Guarantor, to  obtain payment of claims  in certain cases or  to realize on
     certain property  received by it in respect of any such claims, as security
     or otherwise. The  Trustee is  permitted to engage  in other  transactions;
     provided,  however, that if it  acquires any conflicting  interest, it must
     eliminate such conflict or resign. 

     BOOK ENTRY; DELIVERY AND FORM

          So long as The  Depository Trust Company  ("DTC"), or its nominee,  is
     the registered owner or holder of the Global New Note, DTC or such nominee,
     as the case may  be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the New
     Notes represented by such Global New Note for all purposes under the Senior
     Discount Notes  Indenture  and the  New Notes.  No beneficial  owner of  an
     interest in  the Global New  Note will  be able to  transfer that  interest
     except in accordance with DTC's applicable procedures, in addition to those
     provided  for under the Senior Discount Notes Indenture and, if applicable,
     those of Euroclear System ("Euroclear") and Cedel Bank S.A. ("Cedel").

          Payments of  the principal of,  and interest on, the  Global New Notes
     will be made to DTC or its nominee,  as the case may be, as the  registered
     owner  thereof. Holdings will have  no responsibility or  liability for any
     aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial
     ownership interests in the Global New Notes or for maintaining, supervising
     or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

          Holdings  expects that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment
     of principal or  interest in respect of  the  Global New Note,  will credit
     participants'  accounts with  payments  in amounts  proportionate to  their
     respective  beneficial interests in the principal amount of such Global New
     Note, as shown on the  records of DTC or its nominee. Holdings also expects
     that  payments by  participants to  owners of  beneficial interest  in such
     Global New Note held through such participants will be governed by standing
     instructions  and customary practices, as  is now the  case with securities
     held for the accounts of customers  registered in the names of nominees for
     such  customers.  Such  payments  will   be  the  responsibility  of   such
     participants.

          Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected in the ordinary
     way  in  accordance  with  DTC  rules. Transfers  between  participants  in
     Euroclear and Cedel will be effected in the ordinary way in accordance with
     their respective rules and operating procedures.

          Holdings understands that  DTC will  take any action  permitted to  be
     taken by a holder of New Notes (including the presentation of New Notes for
     exchange  as  described  below)  only  at the  direction  of  one  or  more
     participants to whose account the DTC  interests in the Global New Notes is
     credited and only  in respect of  such portion of  the aggregate  principal
     amount of New  Notes as to  which such participant  or participants has  or
     have given such  direction. However, if there is an  Event of Default under
     the New  Notes, DTC will exchange the Global New Notes for Certificated New
     Notes, which it will distribute to its participants.

          Holdings understands: DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized
     under the  laws of the State  of New York, a  "banking organization" within
     the  meaning of  New York  Banking  Law, a  member of  the Federal  Reserve
     System,  a  "clearing  corporation"  within  the  meaning  of  the  Uniform
     Commercial  Code  and  a  "Clearing  Agency"  registered  pursuant  to  the
     provisions of  Section 17A  of the  Exchange Act. DTC  was created  to hold
     securities for its participants and facilitate the clearance and settlement
     of  securities transaction  between  participants  through electronic  book

                                      -61-
     <PAGE>

     entry changes in accounts of its participants, thereby eliminating the need
     for  physical movement  of  certificates and  certain other  organizations.
     Indirect access to  the DTC system  is available to  others such as  banks,
     brokers,  dealers  and trust  companies that  clear  through or  maintain a
     custodial relationship  with a  participant, either directly  or indirectly
     ("indirect participants").

          Although DTC, Euroclear and Cedel are expected to follow the foregoing
     procedures in order to  facilitate transfers of interest in  the Global New
     Notes among  participants of  DTC, Euroclear and  Cedel, they are  under no
     obligation  to perform  or continue  to perform  such procedures,  and such
     procedures  may  be  discontinued  at  any  time.  Holdings  will  have  no
     responsibility  for the  performance by  DTC, Euroclear  or Cedel  or their
     respective  participants  or  indirect  participants  of  their  respective
     obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

          Certificated New Notes.  If DTC is at any  time unwilling or unable to
     continue as a depositary for the Global New Note and a successor depositary
     is   not  appointed  by  Holdings  within  90  days,  Holdings  will  issue
     Certificated New Notes in exchange for the Global New Note.



                                      -62-
     <PAGE>

                          DESCRIPTION OF NEW PREFERRED STOCK

          The  New  Preferred  Stock will  be  issued  pursuant  to the  Amended
     Articles. The summary  contained herein  of certain provisions  of the  New
     Preferred Stock does  not purport to  be complete and  is qualified in  its
     entirety by reference to the provisions  of the Amended Articles, a copy of
     which is available from  Holdings upon request. The definitions  of certain
     terms used in  the Amended Articles  and in the  following summary are  set
     forth below. See "-Certain Definitions." References herein to "$" refers to
     U.S. dollars. 
      
     GENERAL

        
          Holdings  is authorized to issue  1,000,000 shares of preferred stock,
     without par  value. On  the  date of  this  Prospectus, 266,647  shares  of
     preferred  stock   are  outstanding.  Holdings'  Board   of  Directors  has
     authority, without  further action by stockholders of  Holdings (Canada) or
     ICG, to  authorize  the issuance  of  classes of  such preferred  stock  of
     Holdings from time to time  in one or more series, with  such designations,
     preferences  and  relative  rights  within  the limits  prescribed  by  the
     Colorado Business Corporation  Act (the  "CBCA"), as may  be determined  by
     Holdings'  Board of  Directors.  The Board  of  Directors of  Holdings  has
     authorized the issuance of up to 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, which
     consist  of 150,000 shares of the  14 1/4% Preferred Stock, plus additional
     shares of 14 1/4% Preferred Stock which may be used to pay dividends on the
     14 1/4% Preferred Stock if  Holdings elects to pay dividends  in additional
     shares of 14 1/4% Preferred Stock and the 100,000 shares of Preferred Stock
     issued in the Private  Offering, plus additional shares of  Preferred Stock
     which  may be  used to  pay dividends  on the  Preferred Stock  if Holdings
     elects to pay dividends  in additional shares of Preferred  Stock. Holdings
     has filed the Amended Articles  with the Secretary of State of  Colorado as
     required  by Colorado law. See  "-Exchange." The New  Preferred Stock, when
     issued by Holdings and  paid for by the Placement Agent, will be fully paid
     and  non-assessable, and the holders thereof will not have any subscription
     or  preemptive  rights related  thereto.  American Stock  Transfer  & Trust
     Company, 40  Wall Street,  46th floor,  New York, New  York 10005,  will be
     transfer agent and registrar  (the "Transfer Agent") for the  New Preferred
     Stock. 
         
      
     RANKING
      
          The New Preferred  Stock will, with respect  to dividend distributions
     and  distributions  upon the  liquidation,  winding-up  and dissolution  of
     Holdings, rank (i) senior to all classes of common stock of Holdings and to
     each other class of capital stock or series of  preferred stock established
     after the date of this Memorandum by Holdings' Board of Directors the terms
     of  which do not expressly  provide that it ranks senior  to or on a parity
     with the New Preferred Stock as to dividend distributions and distributions
     upon the liquidation, winding-up  and dissolution of Holdings (collectively
     referred to with the common stock of Holdings as "Junior Securities"); (ii)
     on a parity with the 14 1/4% Preferred Stock and any class of capital stock
     or  series of preferred stock issued by Holdings established after the date
     of  this Memorandum  by Holdings'  Board of  Directors, the terms  of which
     expressly provide that such class or series will  rank on a parity with the
     New Preferred Stock as to dividend distributions and distributions upon the
     liquidation, winding-up and dissolution  of Holdings (collectively referred
     to  as  "Parity  Securities");  and  (iii)  subject  to certain  conditions
     described  below, junior  to  each  class of  capital  stock or  series  of
     preferred  stock  issued by  Holdings established  after  the date  of this
     Memorandum  by Holdings' Board of  Directors, the terms  of which expressly
     provide  that such class  or series will  rank senior to  the New Preferred
     Stock  as to  dividend  distributions and  distributions upon  liquidation,
     winding-up and dissolution of Holdings (collectively referred to as "Senior
     Securities"). The New  Preferred Stock will be  subject to the  issuance of
     series  of  Junior Securities,  Parity  Securities  and Senior  Securities;
     provided that Holdings  may not issue  any new  class of Senior  Securities
     without the approval of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of
     New Preferred Stock then outstanding, voting or consenting, as the case may
     be, separately as one class, except that without the approval of holders of
     the New Preferred Stock, Holdings may issue shares of Senior Securities (1)
     in exchange for, or the proceeds of which are used to redeem or repurchase,
     all, but not less than all, shares of New Preferred Stock then outstanding,
     or (2) in  exchange for, or  the proceeds of which  are used to  repay, any
     outstanding Indebtedness of Holdings.  Holdings is a holding company and
     
                                      -63-
     <PAGE>

     therefore must rely upon dividend and other payments from its subsidiaries 
     to generate the funds necessary to meet its obligations, including the
     payment of cash dividends on, and the mandatory redemption price of, the
     New Preferred Stock.

     DIVIDENDS
      
          Holders of New  Preferred Stock will be entitled  to receive, when, as
     and  if declared  by Holdings'  Board of  Directors,  out of  funds legally
     available  therefor,   dividends  on  the  New   Preferred  Stock,  payable
     quarterly.  All  dividends will  be cumulative,  whether  or not  earned or
     declared, on a daily basis from the  date of issuance of the New  Preferred
     Stock  and will  be payable  quarterly  in arrears  on March  15, June  15,
     September 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing on June 15, 1997. The
     Amended Articles provide that on or before March 15, 2002, Holdings may, at
     its  option,  pay  dividends  in  cash or  in  additional  fully  paid  and
     non-assessable  shares   of  New   Preferred  Stock  having   an  aggregate
     liquidation  preference equal to the amount of such dividends. However, the
     13  1/2% Notes  Indenture,  the  12 1/2%  Notes  Indenture and  the  Senior
     Discount Notes  Indenture contain limitations  on Holdings' ability  to pay
     dividends  in cash prior to May 1,  2001. The Amended Articles provide that
     after March 15, 2002, dividends may be paid only in cash. Future agreements
     of Holdings, Holdings  (Canada) or ICG  could restrict the payment  of cash
     dividends  by Holdings. If any dividend (or portion thereof) payable on any
     dividend payment date  on or before March 15, 2002 is  not declared or paid
     in full in cash or in shares  of New Preferred Stock as described above  on
     such dividend payment date,  the amount of the accrued and  unpaid dividend
     will  bear interest  at  the dividend  rate  on  the New  Preferred  Stock,
     compounding quarterly from such  dividend payment date until paid  in full.
     If any dividend (or portion  thereof) payable on any dividend  payment date
     after  March 15,  2002 is  not declared  or paid  in full  in cash  on such
     dividend payment date,  the amount of the accrued and  unpaid dividend will
     bear interest at the dividend rate on the  New Preferred Stock, compounding
     quarterly from such dividend payment date until paid in full. 
      
          No full dividends may be declared  or paid or funds set apart for  the
     payment of  dividends on any Junior  Security or Parity Securities  for any
     period  unless full cumulative dividends  on the New  Preferred Stock shall
     have been  or contemporaneously are  declared and paid in  full or declared
     and, if payable in  cash, a sum in cash  set apart for such payment  on the
     New Preferred Stock. If full  dividends are not so paid, the  New Preferred
     Stock will share dividends pro rata with the Parity Securities. 
      
     OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
      
          The  New Preferred Stock may  be redeemed (subject  to contractual and
     other  restrictions with respect thereto  and to the  legal availability of
     funds therefor) at  any time or, from  time to time, on or  after March 15,
     2002,  in whole or in  part, at the  option of Holdings,  at the redemption
     prices  (expressed as a  percentage of the  liquidation preference thereof)
     set forth below, plus an amount in cash equal to all accumulated and unpaid
     dividends (including an amount in cash equal to a prorated dividend for the
     period from the dividend  payment date immediately prior to  the redemption
     date  to the redemption date, subject to  the right of holders of preferred
     stock on a record date to receive  dividends on a dividend payment date) if
     redeemed during the 12-month period beginning March 15 of each of the years
     set forth below: 
      

                                  Year           Percentage
                                  ----           ---------

                          2002  . . . . . . .    107.0000%
                          2003  . . . . . . .    104.6667%
                          2004  . . . . . . .    102.3333%
                          2005 and thereafter    100.0000%

                                      -64-
     <PAGE>

          In  addition, on  or prior  to March  15, 2000,  Holdings may,  at its
     option from  time to time, redeem  shares of New Preferred  Stock having an
     aggregate liquidation preference  of up to 35% of the aggregate liquidation
     preference  of all  shares of  New  Preferred Stock  issued in  the Private
     Offering, at a redemption price equal to 114% of the liquidation preference
     thereof (subject to the right of holders of New Preferred Stock on relevant
     record  dates to receive dividends due on relevant dividend payment dates),
     plus an amount in cash equal to a prorated dividend for the period from the
     dividend  payment  date immediately  prior to  the  redemption date  to the
     redemption  date, with proceeds of  one or more  Public Equity Offerings of
     Common Stock of (A) Holdings or (B) ICG, provided that (i) with respect  to
     a Public  Equity Offering referred to in clause (B) above, cash proceeds of
     such  Public  Equity  Offering  in  an  amount  sufficient  to  effect  the
     redemption of New Preferred Stock to  be so redeemed are contributed by ICG
     to Holdings  prior to such redemption  and used by Holdings  to effect such
     redemption  and  (ii)  such   redemption  occurs  within  180   days  after
     consummation of such Public Equity Offering. 

          No  optional redemption may be authorized or made unless prior thereto
     full unpaid  cumulative dividends shall have  been paid or a  sum set apart
     for such payment on the New Preferred Stock. 
      
          In the event of partial redemptions of New Preferred Stock, the shares
     to be redeemed will be determined pro rata, except that Holdings may redeem
     such shares  held by any holder of fewer  than 100 shares without regard to
     such pro rata redemption requirement. The Senior Discount  Notes Indenture,
     the 12  1/2% Notes Indenture and  the 13 1/2% Notes  Indenture restrict the
     ability  of  Holdings  to  redeem  the  New  Preferred  Stock,  and  future
     agreements may contain similar provisions.  See "Description of New Notes."
     Notice of redemption shall be mailed by first class mail at least 30 but no
     more  than  60 days  before  the  redemption date  to  each  holder of  New
     Preferred  Stock to  be  redeemed at  its  registered address.  If  any New
     Preferred Stock  is to be redeemed  in part, the notice  of redemption that
     related  to  such New  Preferred  Stock  shall  state  the portion  of  the
     liquidation  preference to be redeemed.  New shares of  New Preferred Stock
     having  an aggregate liquidation preference equal to the unredeemed portion
     will be issued  in the name of the holder thereof  upon cancellation of the
     original share of New Preferred Stock and, unless Holdings fails to pay the
     redemption  price  on  the  redemption  date,  after  the  redemption  date
     dividends  will cease  to  accrue on  the New  Preferred  Stock called  for
     redemption. 

     MANDATORY REDEMPTION
      
          The New  Preferred  Stock  will  be subject  to  mandatory  redemption
     (subject to the legal availability of  funds therefor but without regard to
     any  contractual or  other restriction  with respect  thereto) in  whole on
     March  15, 2008  at a  price,  payable in  cash, equal  to the  liquidation
     preference thereof, plus all  accumulated and unpaid dividends to  the date
     of  redemption. Future agreements of Holdings, Holdings (Canada) or ICG may
     restrict or prohibit Holdings  from redeeming the New Preferred  Stock, but
     Holdings will  be required to redeem  the New Preferred Stock  on March 15,
     2008, notwithstanding any such restriction. 
      
     CHANGE OF CONTROL
      
          Upon the occurrence of a Change  of Control, Holdings will be required
     (subject to any contractual and other restrictions with respect thereto and
     to the legal availability of funds therefor) to make an  offer (the "Change
     of Control Offer") to each holder  of New Preferred Stock to repurchase all
     or any part of  such holder's New Preferred Stock at a  cash purchase price
     equal to 101% of the liquidation preference thereof, plus an amount in cash
     equal to  all accumulated  and unpaid  dividends per share  to the  date of
     purchase (including an amount in cash equal to a prorated dividend from the
     dividend payment date  immediately preceding  the date of  purchase to  the
     date of purchase). The Change of Control Offer must be made within 30  days
     following a Change  of Control, must remain  open for at  least 30 and  not
     more than 40 days and must comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under
     the  Exchange Act and any other applicable securities laws and regulations.
     Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  Holdings will  not be  required to  make a
     Change of Control Offer if  any of the New Notes, 12 1/2% Notes  or 13 1/2%
     Notes are outstanding upon the occurrence of a Change of Control unless all
     of the New Notes, 12 1/2% Notes and 13 1/2% Notes tendered pursuant  to the

                                      -65-
     <PAGE>
 
     "Change of Control Offers" with respect thereto are repurchased as a result
     of such Change of  Control, in which case the date on  which all New Notes,
     12  1/2% Notes  and 13  1/2% Notes  (and any  other Indebtedness  or Senior
     Securities  of Holdings having provisions similar to Section 4.04(x) of the
     Senior Discount Notes Indenture) are so repurchased will, under the Amended
     Articles, be deemed to  be the date on which  such Change of Control  shall
     have occurred. 
      
          "Change  of Control"  means such  time as  (i)  a "person"  or "group"
     (within the meaning  of Sections  13(d) and 14(d)(2)  of the Exchange  Act)
     becomes the ultimate "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
     Exchange  Act) of Voting Stock having more  than 40% of the voting power of
     the total  Voting Stock of ICG  on a fully diluted  basis; (ii) individuals
     who on the Closing Date constitute  the Board of Directors of ICG (together
     with any  new directors whose election  by the Board of  Directors or whose
     nomination for election by ICG's stockholders was approved by a  vote of at
     least a majority  of the members of  the Board of Directors then  in office
     who either were members  of the Board of  Directors on the Closing  Date or
     whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease
     for any  reason to constitute  a majority of  the members  of the Board  of
     Directors then in office; or (iii) all  of the Common Stock of Holdings  is
     not beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by ICG. 

          None of the provisions in the Amended Articles relating to  a purchase
     upon a Change  of Control can  be waived by  Holdings' Board of  Directors.
     Holdings  could, in the future, enter  into certain transactions, including
     certain recapitalizations of  Holdings, that would not constitute  a Change
     of  Control, but would increase  the amount of  indebtedness outstanding at
     such  time.  If a  Change  of  Control were  to  occur,  Holdings would  be
     obligated to offer  to repurchase all of  the New Notes, the 12  1/2% Notes
     and the 13 1/2% Notes prior to making an offer to  repurchase shares of New
     Preferred Stock, and  there can  be no assurance  that Holdings would  have
     sufficient funds  to pay the purchase price for all shares of New Preferred
     Stock  that Holdings is  required to purchase.  In the  event that Holdings
     were  required  to  purchase  outstanding  shares  of  New Preferred  Stock
     pursuant to  a Change of Control Offer, Holdings expects that it would need
     to seek  third-party financing,  to the extent  it does not  have available
     funds, to meet its purchase obligations. However, there can be no assurance
     that  Holdings would  be  able  to  obtain  such  financing.  In  addition,
     Holdings'  ability to purchase  the New Preferred  Stock may be  limited by
     other then-existing agreements and by restrictions imposed by the CBCA. 

     LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE

          Upon  any  voluntary  or   involuntary  liquidation,  dissolution   or
     winding-up  of Holdings, holders of New Preferred Stock will be entitled to
     be paid, out of the assets  of Holdings available for distribution,  $1,000
     per share, plus an amount in cash equal to accumulated and unpaid dividends
     thereon  to the  date  fixed  for  liquidation, dissolution  or  winding-up
     (including an amount  equal to a prorated dividend for  the period from the
     last dividend payment date  to the date fixed for  liquidation, dissolution
     or winding-up), before any  distribution is made on any  Junior Securities,
     including,  without  limitation,  Holdings   Common  Stock.  If,  upon  any
     voluntary  or   involuntary  liquidation,  dissolution  or   winding-up  of
     Holdings, the amounts payable with  respect to the New Preferred Stock  and
     all other Parity  Securities are not paid  in full, the holders  of the New
     Preferred Stock and the Parity Securities will share equally and ratably in
     any distribution of  assets of Holdings with  respect to the  New Preferred
     Stock  and  Parity  Securities,  in  proportion  to  the  full  liquidation
     preference  and accumulated and unpaid dividends to which each is entitled.
     After  payment  of  the full  amount  of  the  liquidation preferences  and
     accumulated and unpaid dividends to which they are entitled, the holders of
     shares  of New  Preferred  Stock  will  not  be  entitled  to  any  further
     participation in any distribution of assets of Holdings. However, a merger,
     consolidation  or  sale  of  substantially all  of  Holdings'  assets  that
     complies  with   the  provisions   described  below  under   the  "Mergers,
     Consolidation  and Sale  of Assets" covenant  shall be  deemed not  to be a
     liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Holdings. 
      
          The Amended Articles do  not contain any provision requiring  funds to
     be set aside  to protect the  liquidation preference  of the New  Preferred
     Stock. The CBCA provides that no distribution to shareholders of a Colorado
     corporation (including  a  dividend  or a  purchase,  redemption  or  other

                                      -66-
     <PAGE>
 
     acquisition of shares, but  not including the payment of  dividends through
     the issuance of capital stock), may be made if, after giving effect to such
     distribution, (i) the  corporation would not  be able to  pay its debts  as
     they become due  in the usual course of business  or (ii) the corporation's
     total assets  would be less than the sum of  its total liabilities plus the
     amount that would be needed, if the corporation were to be dissolved at the
     time  of  the  distribution,  to  satisfy  the  preferential   rights  upon
     dissolution of shareholders whose preferential rights are superior to those
     receiving the distribution. A corporation's board of directors may base its
     determination  that a  distribution is  not prohibited  by the  restriction
     described in the foregoing sentence either on financial statements prepared
     on the basis  of accounting  practices and principles  that are  reasonable
     under the  circumstances or  on a  fair valuation or  other method  that is
     reasonable under the circumstances. 

     VOTING RIGHTS

          Holders of  the New  Preferred Stock will  have no voting  rights with
     respect to any  matters except as  provided by law or  as set forth  in the
     Amended Articles. The Amended Articles provide that if (i) (a) dividends on
     the New Preferred Stock are in arrears and have not been paid (or if, after
     March  15, 2002,  such  dividends have  not  been paid  in  cash) for  four
     quarterly  periods (whether  or  not consecutive),  (b)  Holdings fails  to
     discharge  any  redemption obligation  with  respect to  the  New Preferred
     Stock,  (c) a breach  or violation by Holdings  of the provisions described
     below  under "-Exchange"  occurs, or  Holdings  fails to  exchange Exchange
     Debentures  for  the  New Preferred  Stock  tendered  for  exchange on  the
     Exchange Date (as  defined below),  whether or not  Holdings satisfies  the
     conditions to  permit such exchange, (d) Holdings fails to make a Change of
     Control  Offer  or cash  payment with  respect thereto  if required  by the
     provisions set  forth above under  "-Change of  Control," (e)  a breach  or
     violation  of the  provisions  described below  under "-Certain  Covenants"
     occurs and is not remedied within 30 days after notice  thereof to Holdings
     by  holders  of 25%  or  more  of the  liquidation  preference  of the  New
     Preferred Stock then outstanding, or (f) a default occurs on the obligation
     to  pay principal of, interest on or  any other payment obligation when due
     (a  "Payment Default")  at  final  maturity,  on one  or  more  classes  of
     Indebtedness  of  Holdings  or  any Subsidiary  of  Holdings,  whether such
     Indebtedness exists on the  Closing Date or is incurred  thereafter, having
     individually or in  the aggregate  an outstanding principal  amount of  $10
     million or more, or  any other Payment Default occurs  on one or more  such
     classes  of  Indebtedness and  such class  or  classes of  Indebtedness are
     declared due and payable prior to their respective maturities, and (ii)  in
     the case of clauses  (e) and (f), such event continues for  a period of 180
     days or more, then the number of directors' constituting Holdings' Board of
     Directors will  be adjusted to  permit the holders  of the majority  of the
     then  outstanding New  Preferred Stock,  voting separately  as a  class, to
     elect  two directors.  Such voting rights  and the  term of  office of such
     elected directors  will continue until  such time as  (i) all dividends  in
     arrears on the  New Preferred Stock are paid  in full (and, in the  case of
     dividends payable with respect to any period after March 15, 2002, are paid
     in cash) and (ii) any failure, breach or default referred to in clause (b),
     (c), (d), (e) or (f)  is remedied, at which time the term  of any directors
     elected pursuant to the  provisions of this paragraph shall  terminate. For
     the  purpose of  determining  the number  of  quarterly periods  for  which
     accrued dividends have not  been paid, any accrued and unpaid dividend that
     is  subsequently paid  shall  not be  treated as  unpaid.  Each such  event
     described  in clauses  (a) through  (f) above  is referred  to herein  as a
     "Voting  Rights  Triggering Event."  Within 15  days  of the  time Holdings
     becomes aware  of the occurrence of  any default referred to  in clause (f)
     above, Holdings shall give notice thereof  to holders of the New  Preferred
     Stock at  their addresses as  they appear  on the records  of the  Transfer
     Agent. 
      
          The  Amended Articles  provide that  upon the  occurrence of  a Voting
     Rights  Triggering Event,  the number  of directors  constituting Holdings'
     Board of Directors will be increased  by two directors, whom the holders of
     the New  Preferred Stock will be  entitled to elect. Whenever  the right of
     the  holders of New  Preferred Stock  to elect  directors shall  cease, the
     number  of directors  constituting  Holdings' Board  of  Directors will  be
     restored to  the  number  of  directors  constituting  Holdings'  Board  of
     Directors  prior to  the time or  event which  entitled the  holders of New
     Preferred Stock to elect directors. 

                                      -67-
     <PAGE>

          Any vacancy occurring  in the office of a  director elected by holders
     of the New Preferred Stock may  be filled by the remaining director elected
     by  such holders unless and  until such vacancy shall be  filled by vote of
     such holders. 
      
          The Amended Articles  provide that,  except as stated  above under  "-
     Ranking,"  Holdings will not issue  any class of  Senior Securities without
     the affirmative vote or  consent of holders of at  least a majority of  the
     shares  of New Preferred Stock  then outstanding, voting  or consenting, as
     the case may be, separately as one class. The Amended Articles also provide
     that Holdings may not amend the  Amended Articles so as to affect adversely
     the specified rights,  preferences, privileges or voting  rights of holders
     of  shares of  the New  Preferred Stock  or authorize  the issuance  of any
     additional shares of New  Preferred Stock (other than  to pay dividends  in
     kind on  New Preferred Stock), without  the affirmative vote or  consent of
     the  holders  of at  least  a majority  of  the outstanding  shares  of New
     Preferred Stock, voting  or consenting, as  the case may be,  separately as
     one class; provided, however,  that the amendment of the  provisions of the
     Amended  Articles  so as  to  authorize  or  create,  or  to  increase  the
     authorized  amount of, any of  Holdings' Junior Securities  or to authorize
     the issuance of or  to authorize or create any  Parity Security (up to  the
     amount  of  authorized  preferred stock)  shall  not  be  deemed to  affect
     adversely  the voting  rights,  rights, privileges,  or preferences  of the
     holders of  shares  of New  Preferred  Stock. The  holders  of at  least  a
     majority  of the  outstanding  shares of  New  Preferred Stock,  voting  or
     consenting, as  the case may  be, separately as  one class, may  also waive
     compliance with any provision of the Amended Articles. 
      
          Under Colorado law, holders of New Preferred Stock will be entitled to
     vote as  a separate voting group  upon a proposed amendment  to the Amended
     Articles that requires a shareholder vote,  whether or not entitled to vote
     thereon by the  Amended Articles, if the  amendment would: (i) increase  or
     decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of preferred stock; (ii)
     effect an exchange or reclassification of all or part of the shares of  the
     New Preferred Stock into shares of another class or series; (iii) effect an
     exchange or reclassification, or  create the right of  exchange, of all  or
     part of  the shares of another class or series into shares of New Preferred
     Stock; (iv)  change the  designation, preferences, limitations  or relative
     rights of all or part of the shares of New Preferred  Stock; (v) change the
     shares of all or part of the New Preferred Stock into a different number of
     shares of  New Preferred Stock;  (vi) create a  new class of  shares having
     rights or preferences with respect to distributions or dissolution that are
     prior, superior, or substantially  equal to the New Preferred  Stock; (vii)
     increase the rights,  preferences, or  number of authorized  shares of  any
     class   that,  after  giving  effect  to  the  amendment,  have  rights  or
     preferences with respect to distributions or to dissolution that are prior,
     superior,  or substantially  equal to  the New  Preferred Stock;  or (viii)
     cancel or otherwise affect  rights to distributions or dividends  that have
     accumulated but have not yet been declared on all  or part of the shares of
     New Preferred Stock. Under Colorado law, if an amendment that  entitles two
     or more series of a class of shares to vote as separate voting groups would
     affect those two or more series in the same or a substantially similar way,
     the  shares of  all the  series so  affected are  instead required  to vote
     together as a single voting group rather than as separate voting groups. 
      
          In  general, except as otherwise provided in the Amended Articles, the
     voting rights described  in the  foregoing paragraph will  not apply to  an
     amendment to  the Amended Articles that  is approved by Holdings'  Board of
     Directors, without being subject to any requirement for shareholder action,
     establishing the preferences, limitations, and relative rights of any class
     or series of  Holdings preferred  stock already authorized  by the  Amended
     Articles  at  the  time of  such  amendment.  Under  the Amended  Articles,
     Holdings' Board of Directors has the authority to authorize the issuance of
     classes or series of preferred stock up  to the 1,000,000 shares authorized
     without  further action  by shareholders,  including without any  voting by
     holders  of New  Preferred Stock  under  Colorado law  as described  in the
     preceding  paragraph. See  "-General." Notwithstanding  the  foregoing, the
     Amended  Articles provide  that Holdings  will not  authorize or  issue any
     class of  Senior Securities without  the affirmative  vote of holders  of a
     majority  of  the   shares  of  Preferred  Stock  then  outstanding  voting
     separately as  a class, except as described  above under "-Ranking." See "-
     Voting Rights." 

                                      -68-
     <PAGE>

     CERTAIN COVENANTS

     Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of New Preferred Stock
      
          (a)  Under the terms of  the Amended Articles, Holdings will  not, and
     will   not  permit  any  of  its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  to,  Incur  any
     Indebtedness  (other  than  the  New Notes,  the  Exchange  Debentures  and
     Indebtedness existing on the  Closing Date) or issue any  Redeemable Stock;
     provided that Holdings may Incur Indebtedness or issue Redeemable Stock if,
     after  giving effect to the Incurrence of such Indebtedness or the issuance
     of such Redeemable  Stock and the receipt  and application of  the proceeds
     therefrom, the Indebtedness to EBITDA Ratio  would be greater than zero and
     less than 5:1. 

          Notwithstanding the  foregoing, Holdings and any Restricted Subsidiary
     (except as  specified below) may Incur  each and all of  the following: (i)
     Indebtedness of Holdings or any  Restricted Subsidiary or Redeemable  Stock
     of Holdings outstanding at any time, which Indebtedness or Redeemable Stock
     generates gross proceeds to Holdings  of up to $900 million, less  (without
     duplication)  the  gross proceeds  of  Indebtedness  permanently repaid  as
     provided under the "Limitation on Asset Sales" covenant contained in the 13
     1/2% Notes Indenture, the 12 1/2%  Notes Indenture and the Senior  Discount
     Notes Indenture; (ii)  Indebtedness to  ICG, Holdings or  any of  Holdings'
     Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that any subsequent issuance
     or transfer  of any Capital  Stock which results  in any such  Wholly Owned
     Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or
     any subsequent transfer of  such Indebtedness (other than to  ICG, Holdings
     or another Wholly  Owned Restricted  Subsidiary) shall be  deemed, in  each
     case, to constitute  an Incurrence  of such Indebtedness  not permitted  by
     this clause (ii); (iii) Indebtedness or Redeemable Stock issued in exchange
     for, or the net  proceeds of which  are used to  refinance or refund,  then
     outstanding  Indebtedness  or  Redeemable  Stock,  other  than Indebtedness
     Incurred  or Redeemable  Stock issued  under clause  (i), (ii),  (v), (vi),
     (viii), (ix), (x)  or (xi) of this paragraph, and  any refinancings thereof
     in  an amount  not to  exceed the  amount so  refinanced or  refunded (plus
     premiums, accrued interest, accrued dividends, fees and expenses); provided
     that such new Indebtedness or  Redeemable Stock, determined as of  the date
     of Incurrence of  such new  Indebtedness or issuance  of Redeemable  Stock,
     does not mature prior to the Stated  Maturity of the Indebtedness or have a
     mandatory redemption date prior to the Redeemable Stock to be refinanced or
     refunded, and the Average Life  of such new Indebtedness is at  least equal
     to the  remaining Average  Life of  the  Indebtedness to  be refinanced  or
     refunded;  and  provided  further that  in  no  event  may Indebtedness  or
     Redeemable Stock of Holdings be refinanced  by means of any Indebtedness or
     Redeemable  Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of Holdings pursuant to this
     clause  (iii); (iv) Indebtedness (A)  in respect of  performance, surety or
     appeal  bonds  provided  in the  ordinary  course  of  business, (B)  under
     Currency  Agreements  and  Interest  Rate Agreements;  provided  that  such
     agreements do not increase  the Indebtedness of the obligor  outstanding at
     any  time other  than  as  a result  of  fluctuations  in foreign  currency
     exchange  rates or interest  rates or  by reason  of fees,  indemnities and
     compensation payable thereunder; and  (C) arising from agreements providing
     for indemnification,  adjustment of purchase price  or similar obligations,
     or from Guarantees  or letters of credit, surety bonds or performance bonds
     securing  any obligations of Holdings or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
     pursuant to such  agreements, in any case  Incurred in connection with  the
     disposition of any  business, assets or  Restricted Subsidiary of  Holdings
     (other than Guarantees of Indebtedness Incurred by any Person acquiring all
     or  any  portion  of such  business,  assets  or  Restricted Subsidiary  of
     Holdings for the  purpose of  financing such acquisition),  in a  principal
     amount at  maturity not to exceed  the gross proceeds actually  received by
     Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection  with such disposition;
     (v)  Indebtedness  or  Redeemable Stock  of  Holdings,  to  the extent  the
     proceeds referred to below  are contributed to Holdings, not  to exceed, at
     any one time outstanding, twice the amount of Net Cash Proceeds received by
     ICG after the Closing Date from the issuance and sale of  its Capital Stock
     (other than  Redeemable Stock); provided  that such  Indebtedness does  not
     mature prior  to the final  mandatory redemption date of  the New Preferred
     Stock;   (vi)   Strategic   Investor   Subordinated   Indebtedness;   (vii)
     Indebtedness  or Redeemable Stock of  Holdings, to the  extent the proceeds
     thereof  are immediately used after  the Incurrence or  issuance thereof to
     purchase  New Preferred  Stock  or preferred  stock, as  the  case may  be,
     tendered in a Change of Control Offer  or a change of control offer, as the
     case may be; (viii)  Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary  of Holdings
     Incurred  pursuant to any credit agreement of such Restricted Subsidiary in
     effect on August 8,  1995 (or any agreement refinancing  Indebtedness under
     such  credit agreement),  up to  the amount  of the  commitment under  such

                                      -69-
     <PAGE>

     credit agreement  (including equipment leasing or  financing agreements) on
     August 8, 1995;  (ix) Indebtedness of Holdings, in an  amount not to exceed
     $100 million at any  one time outstanding, consisting of  Capitalized Lease
     Obligations  with respect  to  assets  that  are  used  or  useful  in  the
     telecommunications business of Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries; (x)
     Indebtedness  or Redeemable Stock of  any Person that  becomes a Restricted
     Subsidiary of Holdings  after the Closing  Date, which Indebtedness  exists
     or, with  respect to such Indebtedness  for which there is  a commitment to
     lend, at  the time such  Person becomes a  Restricted Subsidiary and,  with
     respect to such Indebtedness,  the subsequent incurrence thereof ("Acquired
     Indebtedness"), in an accreted amount not  to exceed $50 million at any one
     time  outstanding in the  aggregate for  all such  Restricted Subsidiaries;
     provided  that  such  Acquired Indebtedness  does  not  exceed  65% of  the
     consideration (calculated by including such Acquired Indebtedness as a part
     of such consideration) paid by Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries for
     the acquisition of such Person; (xi) Indebtedness of Holdings, in an amount
     not to  exceed  $30 million  at  any one  time outstanding,  consisting  of
     letters of credit and  similar arrangements used to support  obligations of
     Holdings  or any  of  its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  with  respect  to  the
     acquisition  of (by  purchase,  lease or  otherwise),  construction of,  or
     improvements   on,  assets   that   will  be   used   or  useful   in   the
     telecommunications business of Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries; and
     (xii)  Indebtedness Incurred  to finance  the cost  (including the  cost of
     design, development, construction, installation or  integration) of assets,
     equipment or inventory used or useful in the telecommunications business of
     ICG or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries that is acquired by ICG or any of
     its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Closing Date. 

          (b)  For purposes of determining any particular amount of Indebtedness
     under this "Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of New Preferred Stock"
     covenant,  Guarantees,  Liens or  obligations  with respect  to  letters of
     credit supporting  Indebtedness otherwise included in  the determination of
     such particular amount shall  not be included. For purposes  of determining
     compliance  with  this  "Incurrence of  Indebtedness  and  Issuance of  New
     Preferred  Stock" covenant, in  the event that  an item of  Indebtedness or
     Redeemable  Stock  meets the  criteria of  more than  one  of the  types of
     Indebtedness or Redeemable  Stock described in the above clauses, Holdings,
     in  its  sole  discretion, shall  classify  such  item  of Indebtedness  or
     Redeemable  Stock and only  be required to  include the amount  and type of
     such Indebtedness or Redeemable Stock in one of such clauses. 

     Limitation on Restricted Payments

          So long as  any shares  of the  New Preferred  Stock are  outstanding,
     Holdings  will not,  and  will not  permit  any Restricted  Subsidiary  to,
     directly  or  indirectly,  (i) declare  or  pay any  dividend  or  make any
     distribution  on Junior Securities held  by Persons other  than Holdings or
     any of its Restricted Subsidiaries  (other than dividends or  distributions
     payable  solely in  shares of  its or  such Restricted  Subsidiary's Junior
     Securities  (other than Redeemable  Stock) of the  same class  held by such
     holders or in options, warrants  or other rights to acquire such  shares of
     Junior Securities and  other than  pro rata dividends  or distributions  on
     Common Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries); (ii) purchase, redeem,  retire or
     otherwise acquire for value any shares  of Junior Securities of Holdings or
     any  Restricted Subsidiary (including options,  warrants or other rights to
     acquire  such shares  of  Junior Securities)  held  by Persons  other  than
     Holdings or any  of its  Wholly Owned Restricted  Subsidiaries (except  for
     Junior Securities  of ChoiceCom, MTN, StarCom, Ohio LINX, FOTI and Zycom to
     the  extent the  consideration  therefor consists  solely  of common  stock
     (other than Redeemable  Stock) of ICG or Junior Securities  of Holdings, in
     each case, transferred  in compliance  with the Securities  Act); or  (iii)
     make any Investment, other than a Permitted Investment, in any Person (such
     payments  or any other actions described in clauses (i) through (iii) being
     collectively  "Restricted Payments") if, at  the time of,  and after giving
     effect to,  the proposed Restricted  Payment: (A)  an event referred  to in
     clauses (i)(a) through (i)(f) under "Voting Rights" shall have occurred and
     be continuing, (B) Holdings could not Incur at least $1.00 of  Indebtedness
     under the first paragraph  of the "Incurrence of Indebtedness  and Issuance
     of New Preferred Stock" covenant, (C) the aggregate amount expended for all
     Restricted  Payments (the amount so expended, if  other than in cash, to be
     determined in good  faith by  the Board of  Directors, whose  determination
     shall be  conclusive and evidenced by a Board Resolution) after the date of
     the  Amended Articles  shall exceed  the sum  of (1)  50% of  the aggregate
     amount  of  the  Adjusted Consolidated  Net  Income  (or,  if the  Adjusted

                                      -70-
     <PAGE>

     Consolidated Net Income  is a loss, minus 100% of  such amount) (determined
     by excluding income  resulting from transfers  of assets  by Holdings or  a
     Restricted  Subsidiary   to  an  Unrestricted  Subsidiary)   accrued  on  a
     cumulative  basis  during  the  period (taken  as  one  accounting  period)
     beginning on  the first day of the fiscal quarter immediately following the
     Closing  Date  and ending  on  the  last day  of  the  last fiscal  quarter
     preceding the Transaction Date  for which reports have been  filed pursuant
     to the "Reports" covenant plus (2) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received
     by  Holdings after  the  Closing  Date  (x) from  the  issuance  and  sale,
     permitted  by  the  Amended  Articles,  of  Junior Securities  (other  than
     Redeemable Stock) to  a Person who is not a Subsidiary of Holdings, or from
     the  issuance  to a  Person who  is  not a  Subsidiary  of Holdings  of any
     options,  warrants or other rights to acquire Junior Securities of Holdings
     (in  each case, exclusive of any  Redeemable Stock or any options, warrants
     or other  rights that are  redeemable at the  option of the holder,  or are
     required to  be redeemed, prior to the Stated Maturity of the New Preferred
     Stock) or (y) as  a capital contribution from ICG plus  (3) an amount equal
     to the net  reduction in  Investments (other than  reductions in  Permitted
     Investments)  in  any  Person  resulting  from  payments   of  interest  on
     Indebtedness,  dividends,  repayments  of   loans  or  advances,  or  other
     transfers  of assets, in each case to Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary
     (except to  the extent any such  payment is included in  the calculation of
     Adjusted Consolidated  Net Income), or from  redesignations of Unrestricted
     Subsidiaries as Restricted Subsidiaries (valued in each case as provided in
     the definition of "Investments"),  not to exceed the amount  of Investments
     previously  made by Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Person
     or (D) dividends  on the New Preferred  Stock shall not  have been paid  in
     full as provided in the Amended Articles. 
      
          The  foregoing provision shall  not be violated by  reason of: (i) the
     payment  of  any dividend  within  60 days  after  the date  of declaration
     thereof if, at said date of declaration, such payment would comply with the
     foregoing paragraph;  (ii) the repurchase, redemption  or other acquisition
     of Junior Securities  of Holdings (or options, warrants or  other rights to
     acquire  such Junior Securities) and with respect to any Junior Securities,
     the payment  of accrued dividends thereon,  in exchange for, or  out of the
     proceeds  of  a substantially  concurrent issuance  or  sale of,  shares of
     Junior Securities (other than Redeemable Stock) of Holdings; provided  that
     the  redemption of any preferred stock pursuant to any mandatory redemption
     feature thereof and  any redemption of any other Junior  Securities and, in
     each case, the payment  of accrued dividends thereon (or  options, warrants
     or other rights to acquire such  Junior Securities) and with respect to any
     Junior Securities,  the  payment of  accrued  dividends thereon,  shall  be
     deemed to be  "substantially concurrent" with such issuance and sale if the
     required notice with  respect to such redemption is irrevocably  given by a
     date which  is  no later  than  five Business  Days  after receipt  of  the
     proceeds  of such  issuance and  sale  and such  redemption and  payment is
     consummated within the period  provided for in the document  governing such
     preferred stock or  the documents  governing the redemption  of such  other
     Junior Securities, as the case may  be; (iii) payments or distributions, in
     the  nature  of  satisfaction of  dissenters'  rights,  pursuant  to or  in
     connection with a consolidation, merger or transfer of assets that complies
     with  the  provisions  of  the  Amended  Articles  applicable  to  mergers,
     consolidations  and transfers of all  or substantially all  of the property
     and assets  of Holdings;  (iv) Investments,  not to  exceed $10  million in
     aggregate, each evidenced by  a senior promissory note payable  to Holdings
     that provides  that it will  become due and  payable prior to  any required
     repurchase (including pursuant to an Offer to Purchase in connection with a
     Change of  Control) of  the New  Preferred Stock; (v)  Investments, not  to
     exceed $5 million in  the aggregate, that meet  the requirements of  clause
     (iv) above;  provided that the  Board of  Directors of Holdings  shall have
     determined, in good faith, that each such Investment  under this clause (v)
     will  enable Holdings  or  one of  its  Restricted Subsidiaries  to  obtain
     additional business  that it might not be able to obtain without the making
     of such Investment;  (vi) with respect to Junior Securities permitted to be
     issued and sold by the "Limitation on Issuance and Sale of Capital Stock of
     Restricted Subsidiaries"  covenant, the  payment (A)  of dividends  on such
     Junior Securities in additional shares of Junior Securities and (B) of cash
     dividends on such Junior Securities in an amount not to exceed the dividend
     rate thereon and accrued interest  on unpaid dividends, in each  case after
     May 1, 2001; (vii) the repurchase, in the event of a  Change of Control, of
     Junior  Securities of Holdings and Indebtedness of Holdings into which such
     Junior Securities have been exchanged; provided that  prior to repurchasing
     such Junior Securities or  Indebtedness, Holdings shall have made  a Change
     of Control  Offer  to  repurchase the  shares  of New  Preferred  Stock  in
     accordance  with  the  terms  of  the Amended  Articles  (and  an  offer to
     repurchase  other  Indebtedness,  if  required  by the  terms  thereof,  in

                                      -71-
     <PAGE>

     accordance with  the  indenture  or  other document  governing  such  other
     Indebtedness)  and shall  have  accepted and  paid  for any  shares of  New
     Preferred Stock  (and other  Indebtedness) properly tendered  in connection
     with such Change of Control  Offer for the shares of New Preferred Stock or
     change  of  control  offer for  such  other  Indebtedness;  and (viii)  the
     issuance  of Indebtedness permitted to be issued under the Amended Articles
     in  exchange  for preferred  stock; provided  that  the Incurrence  of such
     Indebtedness complies with the "Incurrence  of Indebtedness and Issuance of
     New  Preferred Stock" covenant; provided that, except in the case of clause
     (i), no Default  or Event of Default shall have  occurred and be continuing
     or occur as a consequence of the actions or payments set forth therein. 

          Each Restricted Payment permitted  pursuant to the preceding paragraph
     (other  than the  Restricted Payments  referred to  in clauses  (vi)(A) and
     (viii) thereof),  and the  Net Cash  Proceeds from any  issuance of  Junior
     Securities referred to  in clause  (ii), shall be  included in  calculating
     whether  the conditions  of  clause  (C) of  the  first  paragraph of  this
     "Limitation  on Restricted Payments" covenant have been met with respect to
     any subsequent  Restricted Payments. Notwithstanding the  foregoing, in the
     event  the proceeds of  an issuance of  Junior Securities are  used for the
     redemption,  repurchase or other acquisition of the New Preferred Stock, or
     Parity Securities,  then the Net  Cash Proceeds  of such issuance  shall be
     included  in  clause (C)  of  the first  paragraph of  this  "Limitation on
     Restricted Payments" covenant only to the extent such proceeds are not used
     for such redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of New Preferred Stock
     or Parity Securities. 
      
     Limitation on Dividend and  Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted
     Subsidiaries 
      
          So long as any shares of New Preferred Stock are outstanding, Holdings
     will  not, and  will not  permit any  Restricted Subsidiary  to, create  or
     otherwise  cause  or suffer  to exist  or  become effective  any consensual
     encumbrance or  restriction of any  kind on the  ability of  any Restricted
     Subsidiary to (i) pay  dividends or make any other  distributions permitted
     by applicable  law on any Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary owned
     by Holdings or any  other Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) pay  any Indebtedness
     owed to  Holdings or any other  Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) make  loans or
     advances  to Holdings or any  other Restricted Subsidiary  or (iv) transfer
     any  of  its  property  or  assets  to  Holdings  or  any other  Restricted
     Subsidiary. 
      
          The  foregoing  provisions  shall  not restrict  any  encumbrances  or
     restrictions: (i) existing on the Closing Date  in any agreements in effect
     on  the  Closing  Date,  and  any  extensions,  refinancings,  renewals  or
     replacements  of  such  agreements;  provided  that  the  encumbrances  and
     restrictions in any such extensions, refinancings, renewals or replacements
     are no  less favorable in  any material respect to  the holders of  the New
     Preferred  Stock than those encumbrances  or restrictions that  are then in
     effect and that are  being extended, refinanced, renewed or  replaced; (ii)
     existing under or by reason of applicable law; (iii) existing  with respect
     to any Person or the property or assets of such Person acquired by Holdings
     or any Restricted  Subsidiary, existing at the time of such acquisition and
     not incurred  in contemplation thereof, which  encumbrances or restrictions
     are not applicable  to any Person or  the property or assets of  any Person
     other  than  such Person  or  the  property or  assets  of  such Person  so
     acquired; (iv) in the  case of clause (iv) of  the first paragraph of  this
     "Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted
     Subsidiaries"  covenant,  (A)  that  restrict  in  a customary  manner  the
     subletting,  assignment or  transfer of  any property  or asset  that is  a
     lease,  license, conveyance or contract  or similar property  or asset, (B)
     existing by virtue  of any transfer  of, agreement to  transfer, option  or
     right with respect to,  or Lien on, any  property or assets of Holdings  or
     any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise prohibited by the  Amended Articles
     or (C)  arising  or agreed  to  in the  ordinary  course of  business,  not
     relating  to  any Indebtedness,  and that  do not,  individually or  in the
     aggregate, detract from the value of  property or assets of Holdings or any
     Restricted  Subsidiary in any manner material to Holdings or any Restricted
     Subsidiary;  or (v)  with respect  to a  Restricted Subsidiary  and imposed
     pursuant  to an  agreement  that has  been  entered into  for  the sale  or
     disposition  of all  or  substantially  all of  the  Capital  Stock of,  or
     property and assets  of, such Restricted  Subsidiary. Nothing contained  in
     this  "Limitation  on Dividend  and  Other  Payment Restrictions  Affecting
     Restricted Subsidiaries" covenant shall  prevent Holdings or any Restricted
     Subsidiary from (1) creating, incurring, assuming or suffering to exist any

                                      -72-
     <PAGE>

     Liens  otherwise permitted  in the  "Limitation on  Liens" covenant  or (2)
     restricting the sale or other disposition of property or assets of Holdings
     or  any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that secure Indebtedness of Holdings
     or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries. 
      
     Limitation  on  Issuances   and  Sale  of   Capital  Stock  of   Restricted
     Subsidiaries
      
          Under the terms of  the Amended Articles, Holdings will  not sell, and
     will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to issue
     or sell, any shares of Capital  Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary (including
     options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of such Capital Stock)
     except  (i) to  Holdings  or a  Wholly  Owned Restricted  Subsidiary;  (ii)
     issuances  or sales  to foreign  nationals  of shares  of Capital  Stock of
     foreign Restricted Subsidiaries, to the extent  required by applicable law;
     (iii) if, immediately after  giving effect to such  issuance or sale,  such
     Restricted Subsidiary  would no longer constitute  a Restricted Subsidiary;
     (iv)  with respect to  Common Stock of  ChoiceCom, MTN,  StarCom and Zycom;
     provided that  the proceeds  of any  such sale under  clause (iv)  shall be
     reinvested in the business  of Holdings and its Restricted  Subsidiaries or
     used  to  repay  Indebtedness   of  Holdings  or  any  of   its  Restricted
     Subsidiaries or Senior Securities; and (v)  with respect to Common Stock of
     FOTI; provided  that FOTI shall not retain any net proceeds from such sales
     or issuances in excess of $10 million in the aggregate and any net proceeds
     in excess  of such $10  million shall be  received by, or paid  promptly by
     FOTI to, Holdings or any Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of Holdings. 

     Limitation on Transactions with Shareholders and Affiliates

          Under the  terms of the Amended Articles,  Holdings will not, and will
     not permit  any Restricted  Subsidiary to,  directly  or indirectly,  enter
     into, renew or  extend any transaction (including,  without limitation, the
     purchase, sale, lease  or exchange of property or assets,  or the rendering
     of any service) with any holder (or any Affiliate of such  holder) of 5% or
     more of any  class of Capital  Stock of Holdings or  with any Affiliate  of
     Holdings  or any  Restricted Subsidiary,  except upon  fair  and reasonable
     terms  no less  favorable to  Holdings or  such Restricted  Subsidiary than
     could be obtained, at  the time of such transaction  or at the time  of the
     execution of the agreement providing therefor, in a comparable arm's-length
     transaction with a Person that is not such a holder or an Affiliate. 

          The foregoing limitation does not limit, and shall not apply to (i) 
     transactions (A) approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the
     Board of  Directors of Holdings or  (B) for which Holdings  or a Restricted
     Subsidiary delivers to the Transfer Agent a written opinion of a nationally
     recognized  investment banking firm stating that the transaction is fair to
     Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view; (ii)
     any  transaction  solely  between Holdings  and  any  of  its Wholly  Owned
     Restricted  Subsidiaries  or   solely  between   Wholly  Owned   Restricted
     Subsidiaries; (iii) the payment of reasonable and customary regular fees to
     directors of Holdings who are not employees of  Holdings; (iv) any payments
     or other transactions pursuant  to any tax-sharing agreement (or  a similar
     agreement that is not materially adverse to the interests of holders of the
     New  Preferred  Stock) between  Holdings and  any  other Person  with which
     Holdings files a consolidated tax return  or with which Holdings is part of
     a consolidated group for  tax purposes; or (v) any Restricted  Payments not
     prohibited   by  the   "Limitation   on   Restricted  Payments"   covenant.
     Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  any  transaction  covered  by  the  first
     paragraph  of  this  "Limitation  on  Transactions  with  Shareholders  and
     Affiliates" covenant and  not covered by clauses (ii) through  (iv) of this
     paragraph, the aggregate amount of which exceeds $2  million in value, must
     be approved or determined to be  fair in the manner provided for in  clause
     (i)(A) or (B) above. 

     Limitation on Liens

          Under  the terms of the Amended  Articles, Holdings will not, and will
     not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or suffer to
     exist  any  Lien on  any  of its  assets  or properties,  now  or hereafter
     acquired, or  any  shares  of  Capital  Stock of  or  Indebtedness  of  any
     Restricted Subsidiary. 

                                      -73-
     <PAGE>
      
          The foregoing  limitation does not apply to  (i) Liens existing on the
     Closing Date;  (ii) Liens granted after  the Closing Date on  any assets or
     Capital Stock of Holdings  or its Restricted Subsidiaries created  in favor
     of the holders of the New Preferred Stock;  (iii) Liens with respect to the
     assets  of a Restricted Subsidiary granted by such Restricted Subsidiary to
     Holdings or a  Wholly Owned  Restricted Subsidiary  to secure  Indebtedness
     owing  to Holdings or such other Restricted Subsidiary; (iv) Liens securing
     Indebtedness which is  Incurred to refinance secured Indebtedness  which is
     permitted to be Incurred under clause (iii) of the second  paragraph of the
     "Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance  of New Preferred Stock" covenant;
     provided  that such Liens do not extend  to or cover any property or assets
     of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary other than the property  or assets
     securing  the Indebtedness  being  refinanced; (v)  Liens  with respect  to
     assets or properties  of any  Person that becomes  a Restricted  Subsidiary
     after the Closing Date; provided that such Liens do not extend  to or cover
     any assets or properties of Holdings or  any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
     other than the assets or properties of such  Person subject to such Lien on
     the  date such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; and provided further
     that such  Liens are  not incurred  in contemplation of,  or in  connection
     with, such Person becoming a  Restricted Subsidiary; (vi) Permitted  Liens;
     and (vii) Liens securing Indebtedness. 
      
     Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets
      
          Holdings  shall not  consolidate with,  merge with  or into,  or sell,
     convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of
     its property and assets (as an entirety or substantially an entirety in one
     transaction or a series of related transactions) to, any Person (other than
     a consolidation or merger with or into a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary
     with  a positive  net worth;  provided that,  in  connection with  any such
     merger or consolidation, no  consideration (other than Common Stock  in the
     surviving  Person  or  Holdings) shall  be  issued  or  distributed to  the
     stockholders of  Holdings)  or permit  any  Person to  merge with  or  into
     Holdings unless: (i) Holdings shall be the continuing Person, or the Person
     (if  other  than  Holdings) formed  by  such  consolidation  or into  which
     Holdings  is merged or that acquired or  leased such property and assets of
     Holdings  shall be a corporation  organized and validly  existing under the
     laws of  the United States of  America or any jurisdiction  thereof and the
     New Preferred  Stock shall  be converted into  or exchanged  for and  shall
     become  shares of  such  successor  company,  having  in  respect  of  such
     successor or  resulting company substantially the  same powers, preferences
     and  relative  participating,  optional or  other  special  rights and  the
     qualifications, limitations or restrictions  thereon that the New Preferred
     Stock had  immediately prior  to such transaction;  (ii) immediately  after
     giving effect to such  transaction, no event referred to  under clauses (a)
     through (e) under "-Voting Rights" or any default, breach or violation that
     would become such an event  after the giving of notice, the passage of time
     or both, shall  have occurred  and be continuing;  (iii) immediately  after
     giving effect  to such transaction  on a pro  forma basis, Holdings  or any
     Person  becoming the successor  issuer of the  New Preferred Stock,  as the
     case may  be, shall have a Consolidated Net Worth  equal to or greater than
     the   Consolidated  Net  Worth  of  Holdings   immediately  prior  to  such
     transaction;  (iv) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a
     pro  forma basis Holdings,  or any Person becoming  the successor issuer of
     the New Preferred Stock, as the case  may be, could Incur at least $1.00 of
     Indebtedness under the first paragraph  of the "Incurrence of  Indebtedness
     and Issuance of New Preferred Stock" covenant; and (v) Holdings delivers to
     the  Transfer  Agent an  Officers'  Certificate  (attaching the  arithmetic
     computations to demonstrate  compliance with clauses (iii)  and (iv) above)
     and an  Opinion of Counsel,  in each case stating  that such consolidation,
     merger or transfer  complies with  this provision and  that all  conditions
     precedent  provided  for herein  relating  to  such  transaction have  been
     complied with; provided, however,  that clauses (iii) and (iv) above do not
     apply if,  in the  good faith  determination of the  Board of  Directors of
     Holdings, whose determination shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution, the
     principal  purpose of  such transaction  is part  of a  plan to  change the
     jurisdiction  of  incorporation of  Holdings to  a  different state  of the
     United States; and  provided further  that any such  transaction shall  not
     have as one of its purposes the evasion of the foregoing limitations. 

                                      -74-
     <PAGE>

     Senior Subordinated Indebtedness

          So long as any shares of New Preferred Stock are outstanding, Holdings
     will not Incur any  Indebtedness, other than the Exchange  Debentures, that
     is   expressly  made  subordinated  in  right  of  payment  to  any  Senior
     Indebtedness (as defined in  the Exchange Debenture Indenture) unless  such
     Indebtedness, by  its terms and by the terms of any agreement or instrument
     pursuant to which such  Indebtedness is outstanding is expressly  made pari
     passu with, or  subordinate in right of payment to, the Exchange Debentures
     pursuant  to provisions substantially similar to those contained in Article
     Eleven of  the Exchange  Debenture Indenture;  provided that the  foregoing
     limitations shall  not apply to  distinctions between categories  of Senior
     Indebtedness  that exist by  reason of any  Liens or Guarantees  arising or
     created in respect of some but not all Senior Indebtedness. 
      
     Reports

          So long as any shares of New Preferred Stock are outstanding, Holdings
     shall  file with the Commission  the annual reports,  quarterly reports and
     the  information, documents  and  other reports  required  to be  filed  by
     Holdings with the Commission pursuant to  Sections 13 or 15 of the Exchange
     Act, whether  or  not Holdings  has  or is  required  to  have a  class  of
     securities registered under the Exchange Act, at the time it is or would be
     required to  file the same  with the Commission  and, within 15  days after
     Holdings  is or  would be  required to  file such  reports,  information or
     documents with the Commission. 

     EXCHANGE
      
          Holdings may, at the sole option of the Board of Directors (subject to
     the legal availability of funds therefor),  exchange all, but not less than
     all, of the outstanding shares of New Preferred Stock, including any shares
     of  New  Preferred Stock  issued as  payment  for dividends,  into Exchange
     Debentures  at  any  time following  the  date on  which  such  exchange is
     permitted by the terms of the Senior Discount Notes Indenture,  the 12 1/2%
     Notes  Indenture and  the 13   1/2%  Notes Indenture  and the terms  of all
     then-existing Indebtedness of  Holdings, and subject to the  conditions set
     forth in the next succeeding paragraph. Presently, the  Exchange of the New
     Preferred Stock for Exchange Debentures would be restricted by covenants in
     such indentures relating to the incurrence of Indebtedness. There can be no
     assurance that  the conditions  in such covenants  for the exchange  of New
     Preferred  Stock  for Exchange  Debentures will  be  satisfied or  that the
     exchange will occur or that future Indebtedness  of Holdings would not also
     restrict  an exchange. See "Description of New  Notes."  In order to effect
     such exchange, Holdings shall (a) if necessary to satisfy the condition set
     forth  in clause  (B) in  the following  paragraph  based upon  the written
     advice  of  counsel to  Holdings, file  a  registration statement  with the
     Commission relating to the exchange, and (b) if a registration statement is
     filed with the Commission pursuant  to clause (a), use its best  efforts to
     cause  such  registration statement  to be  declared  effective as  soon as
     practicable  by the Commission unless the opinion referred to in clause (B)
     in the following paragraph shall have been subsequently delivered. 
      
          Prior  to initiating  such  exchange, Holdings  shall certify,  to the
     satisfaction of the trustees under the 13 1/2% Notes Indenture, the 12 1/2%
     Notes Indenture and the Senior Discount Notes Indenture, that such exchange
     is permitted under such respective  Indentures. Holdings shall also provide
     such Trustees with an Officer's Certificate setting  forth with specificity
     the basis for  Holdings' conclusion that such exchange is  so permitted. In
     order to effectuate such exchange, Holdings shall send  a written notice of
     exchange by mail to each holder of record of shares of New Preferred Stock,
     which  notice shall state (i) that Holdings is exchanging the New Preferred
     Stock  into Exchange Debentures pursuant  to the Amended  Articles and (ii)
     the date  fixed for exchange (the "Exchange Date"), which date shall not be
     less than 15 days  nor more than 60 days  following the date on  which such
     notice  is  mailed  (except  as  provided  in  the  last sentence  of  this
     paragraph). On the Exchange  Date, if the  conditions set forth in  clauses
     (A)  through (E) below are satisfied and  if the exchange is then permitted
     under the Senior Discount  Notes Indenture, the 12 1/2% Notes Indenture and
     the  13 1/2% Notes Indenture,  Holdings shall issue  Exchange Debentures in
     exchange  for the New  Preferred Stock as  provided in  the next paragraph,
     provided that on  the Exchange Date:  (A) there shall be  legally available
     funds sufficient therefor (including, without limitation, legally available
     funds  sufficient  therefor  under  Section  7-106-401  (or  any  successor

                                      -75-
     <PAGE>

     provision)  of  the CBCA);  (B) a  registration  statement relating  to the
     Exchange Debentures shall have been declared effective under the Securities
     Act prior  to such  exchange  and shall  continue to  be  effective on  the
     Exchange Date  or Holdings shall have obtained a written opinion of counsel
     that  an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act
     is  available for  such exchange  and that  upon receipt  of such  Exchange
     Debentures  pursuant  to  such  exchange  made  in  accordance   with  such
     exemption, each holder of an Exchange Debenture that is not an Affiliate of
     Holdings  will not be subject to any restrictions imposed by the Securities
     Act upon  the resale  of such  Exchange Debenture,  and  such exemption  is
     relied  upon  by Holdings  for such  exchange;  (C) the  Exchange Debenture
     Indenture  and the trustee thereunder  shall have been  qualified under the
     Trust Indenture  Act of 1939,  as amended (the "Trust  Indenture Act"); (D)
     immediately after giving effect  to such exchange,  no Default or Event  of
     Default (each as defined  in the Exchange Debenture Indenture)  would exist
     under  the  Exchange  Debenture  Indenture;  and  (E)  Holdings shall  have
     delivered to the Trustee  under the Exchange Debenture Indenture  a written
     opinion  of counsel, dated the date of exchange, regarding the satisfaction
     of the conditions set forth in clauses  (A), (B) and (C). In the event that
     (i) the  issuance  of  the Exchange  Debentures  is not  permitted  on  the
     Exchange Date or (ii) any of the conditions set forth in clause (A) through
     (E)  of the  preceding sentence  are not  satisfied on  the Exchange  Date,
     Holdings shall use its  best efforts to satisfy such conditions  and effect
     such exchange as soon as practicable. 
      
          Upon  any exchange pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the holders of
     outstanding shares of  New Preferred  Stock will be  entitled to receive  a
     principal  amount of Exchange Debentures for shares of New Preferred Stock,
     the liquidation preference  of which,  plus the amount  of accumulated  and
     unpaid dividends (including  a prorated  dividend for the  period from  the
     immediately preceding dividend payment  date to the date of  exchange) with
     respect to  which, equals  such principal  amount. The  Exchange Debentures
     will be issued  in registered  form, without  coupons. Exchange  Debentures
     issued in exchange for New Preferred  Stock will be in principal amounts of
     $1,000 and integral multiples  thereof to the extent practicable,  and will
     also be issued in principal amounts less than $1,000 so that each holder of
     New  Preferred  Stock will  receive  certificates  representing the  entire
     principal  amount of  Exchange  Debentures  to  which  its  shares  of  New
     Preferred Stock entitle it, provided that  Holdings may, at the sole option
     of the  Board  of Directors,  subject  to the  restrictions in  the  Senior
     Discount Notes Indenture, the 12 1/2% Notes Indenture and the 13 1/2% Notes
     Indenture and any of its other then-existing Indebtedness, pay cash in lieu
     of issuing an Exchange Debenture in a principal amount less than $1,000. On
     and  after the  date of  exchange, dividends  will cease  to accrue  on the
     outstanding shares of New Preferred Stock, and all rights of the holders of
     New Preferred Stock (except  the right to receive the  Exchange Debentures,
     an  amount in  cash, to  the extent  applicable, equal  to the  accrued and
     unpaid  dividends to the Exchange Date, and  if Holdings so elects, cash in
     lieu  of  any Exchange  Debenture which  is  in an  amount that  is  not an
     integral multiple of $1,000) will terminate. The person entitled to receive
     the Exchange Debentures issuable upon such exchange will be treated for all
     purposes as the registered holder of such Exchange Debentures. 

          ICG  and  Holdings  will comply  with  the  provisions  of Rule  13e-4
     promulgated pursuant to the  Exchange Act in connection with  any exchange,
     to the extent applicable. 

     NEW PREFERRED STOCK BOOK ENTRY; DELIVERY AND FORM

          So long as DTC, or its nominee, is the registered owner or holder of a
     Global  New Preferred Stock  Certificate, DTC or such  nominee, as the case
     may be, will  be considered the sole  owner or holder of the  New Preferred
     Stock  represented by such Global  New Preferred Stock  Certificate for all
     purposes  under  the  Amended Articles  and  the  New  Preferred Stock.  No
     beneficial  owner  of  an  interest  in  the  Global  New  Preferred  Stock
     Certificate will be  able to  transfer that interest  except in  accordance
     with DTC's applicable procedures,  in addition to those provided  for under
     the Amended Articles.

          Payments  made  with  respect  to  the  Global  New   Preferred  Stock
     Certificate will be made  to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the
     registered owner thereof. Holdings will have no responsibility or liability
     for any aspect  of the records relating  to or payments made  on account of

                                      -76-
     <PAGE>

     beneficial ownership interests  in the  Global New Preferred  Stock or  for
     maintaining,  supervising  or  reviewing   any  records  relating  to  such
     beneficial ownership interests.

          Holdings expects that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payments
     made   with  respect  to  the  Global  New  Preferred  Stock,  will  credit
     participants'  accounts with  payments  in amounts  proportionate to  their
     respective  beneficial interests in the amount of such Global New Preferred
     Stock as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Holdings  also expects
     that  payments by  participants to  owners of  beneficial interest  in such
     Global  New Preferred Stock held through such participants will be governed
     by standing instructions and  customary practices, as is now  the case with
     securities held for  the accounts of customers  registered in the  names of
     nominees  for such customers. Such  payments will be  the responsibility of
     such participants.

          Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected in the ordinary
     way in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in same-day funds.

          The Company understands that DTC will  take any action permitted to be
     taken by a holder of New Preferred Stock (including the presentation of New
     Preferred Stock  for exchange as described below)  only at the direction of
     one  or more participants to whose account  the DTC interests in the Global
     New Preferred Stock is credited and only in respect  of such portion of the
     aggregate  liquidation preference of New  Preferred Stock as  to which such
     participant or participants has or have given such direction.

          The  Company  understands:  DTC  is a  limited  purpose  trust company
     organized under the laws of the State of New York, a "banking organization"
     within the meaning of New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve
     System,  a  "clearing  corporation"  within  the  meaning  of  the  Uniform
     Commercial  Code  and  a  "Clearing  Agency"  registered  pursuant  to  the
     provisions of  Section 17A  of the  Exchange Act. DTC  was created  to hold
     securities for its participants and facilitate the clearance and settlement
     of  securities transaction  between  participants  through electronic  book
     entry changes in accounts of its participants, thereby eliminating the need
     for  physical movement  of  certificates and  certain other  organizations.
     Indirect access to  the DTC system  is available to  others such as  banks,
     brokers,  dealers  and trust  companies that  clear  through or  maintain a
     custodial relationship  with a  participant, either directly  or indirectly
     ("indirect participants").

          Although DTC is expected  to follow the foregoing procedures  in order
     to  facilitate  transfers of  interest in  the  Global New  Preferred Stock
     Certificate among participants of DTC, it is under no obligation to perform
     or  continue to  perform  such  procedures,  and  such  procedures  may  be
     discontinued at any time.  The Company will have no responsibility  for the
     performance by  DTC or its respective participants or indirect participants
     of  its respective  obligations under  the rules  and procedures  governing
     their operations.

     CERTIFICATED NEW PREFERRED STOCK

          If DTC is at any time unwilling  or unable to continue as a depositary
     for  the Global  New  Preferred Stock  and  a successor  depositary  is not
     appointed  by Holdings within 90 days, Holdings will issue Certificated New
     Preferred Stock in exchange for the Global New Preferred Stock Certificate.

     CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

          Set  forth below  are  certain  defined  terms  used  in  the  Amended
     Articles. Reference is made to the Amended Articles for the full definition
     of such terms, as well as any other capitalized terms used herein for which
     no definition is provided. 
      
          "Adjusted  Consolidated  Net  Income"   means,  for  any  period,  the
     aggregate  net income (or loss) of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries
     for  such  period determined  in conformity  with  GAAP; provided  that the

                                      -77-
     <PAGE>

     following items  shall be excluded  in computing Adjusted  Consolidated Net
     Income (without duplication): (i) the net income of any  Person (other than
     net income attributable  to a  Restricted Subsidiary) in  which any  Person
     (other  than Holdings  or any of  its Restricted Subsidiaries)  has a joint
     interest  and the net income of any  Unrestricted Subsidiary, except to the
     extent of the  amount of dividends or other distributions  actually paid to
     Holdings or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries by such other Person or such
     Unrestricted Subsidiary during such period; (ii) solely for the purposes of
     calculating  the amount of Restricted Payments that may be made pursuant to
     clause  (C) of  the  first  paragraph  of  the  "Limitation  on  Restricted
     Payments" covenant described above (and in  such case, except to the extent
     includable  pursuant to clause (i) above), the  net income (or loss) of any
     Person accrued prior  to the date it becomes a  Restricted Subsidiary or is
     merged  into or  consolidated  with  Holdings  or  any  of  its  Restricted
     Subsidiaries or all or substantially all of the property and assets of such
     Person  are acquired  by Holdings  or any  of its  Restricted Subsidiaries;
     (iii) the  net income of any  Restricted Subsidiary to the  extent that the
     declaration  or  payment  of dividends  or  similar  distributions by  such
     Restricted Subsidiary  of such net income  is not at the  time permitted by
     the operation  of the terms  of its charter  or any agreement,  instrument,
     judgment,  decree,   order,  statute,   rule  or   governmental  regulation
     applicable to such  Restricted Subsidiary; (iv) any gains or  losses (on an
     after-tax  basis) attributable to Asset  Sales; (v) except  for purposes of
     calculating the amount of Restricted Payments that may be made pursuant  to
     clause  (C) of  the  first  paragraph  of  the  "Limitation  on  Restricted
     Payments" covenant described above, any amount paid or accrued as dividends
     on  preferred stock  of  Holdings or  any  Restricted Subsidiary  owned  by
     Persons other than  Holdings and  any of its  Restricted Subsidiaries;  and
     (vi) all extraordinary gains and extraordinary losses. 
      
          "Affiliate" means, as applied to any Person, any other Person directly
     or indirectly  controlling,  controlled by,  or  under direct  or  indirect
     common  control  with,  such  Person.  For  purposes  of  this  definition,
     "control" (including, with  correlative meanings, the  terms "controlling,"
     "controlled by" and "under common control with"), as applied to any Person,
     means  the possession,  directly or indirectly,  of the power  to direct or
     cause the direction of  the management and policies of such Person, whether
     through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. 
      
          "Asset Acquisition" means (i) an investment by Holdings or any  of its
     Restricted Subsidiaries in any  other Person pursuant to which  such Person
     shall become a Restricted Subsidiary of Holdings or shall be merged into or
     consolidated with  Holdings or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided
     that such Person's primary business  is related, ancillary or complementary
     to  the businesses of Holdings and  its Restricted Subsidiaries on the date
     of  such investment  or  (ii) an  acquisition  by Holdings  or  any of  its
     Restricted Subsidiaries of the property and assets of any Person other than
     Holdings   or  any   of  its   Restricted  Subsidiaries   that  constitutes
     substantially  all of  a  division  or line  of  business  of such  Person;
     provided  that the property and  assets acquired are  related, ancillary or
     complementary to the businesses of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries
     on the date of such acquisition. 
      
          "Asset Sale" means any sale, transfer  or other disposition (including
     by  way of  merger,  consolidation or  sale-leaseback transactions)  in one
     transaction or a series of  related transactions by Holdings or any  of its
     Restricted  Subsidiaries to any  Person other than  Holdings or any  of its
     Restricted  Subsidiaries of  (i) all  or any  of the  Capital Stock  of any
     Restricted  Subsidiary, (ii) all or  substantially all of  the property and
     assets  of an  operating  unit  or  business  of Holdings  or  any  of  its
     Restricted  Subsidiaries or (iii) any other property and assets of Holdings
     or  any of  its  Restricted Subsidiaries  outside  the ordinary  course  of
     business  of Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary and, in each case, that
     is  not governed by the provisions  described under "-Merger, Consolidation
     and Sale  of Assets;" provided that  the meaning of "Asset  Sale" shall not
     include (A) sales or other dispositions of inventory, receivables and other
     current assets,  and (B) dispositions of  assets of Holdings or  any of its
     Restricted  Subsidiaries,  in  substantially  simultaneous   exchanges  for
     consideration  consisting  of  any  combination  of  cash,  Temporary  Cash
     Investments  and assets that are  used or useful  in the telecommunications
     business of Holdings or its  Restricted Subsidiaries, if such consideration
     has an aggregate fair market  value substantially equal to the fair  market
     value of the  assets so disposed  of; provided, however,  that fair  market

                                      -78-
     <PAGE>

     value  shall  be determined  in good  faith by  the  Board of  Directors of
     Holdings, whose  determination  shall  be conclusive  and  evidenced  by  a
     resolution of the Board of Directors delivered to the Transfer Agent. 

          "Average Life" means, at any date of determination with respect to any
     debt  security, the  quotient  obtained  by dividing  (i)  the sum  of  the
     products  of (a) the number of years from such date of determination to the
     dates  of each successive scheduled principal payment of such debt security
     and  (b) the amount of such  principal payment by (ii) the  sum of all such
     principal payments. 
      
          "Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
     interests, participation or other equivalents (however designated,  whether
     voting or non-voting) in equity of such  Person, whether now outstanding or
     issued  after   the  date  of  the  Amended  Articles,  including,  without
     limitation, all Common Stock and preferred stock. 
      
          "Capitalized Lease" means, as  applied to any Person, any lease of any
     property  (whether real, personal or mixed) of which the discounted present
     value  of the rental  obligations of such  Person as  lessee, in conformity
     with  GAAP, is  required to  be capitalized  on the  balance sheet  of such
     Person; and  "Capitalized Lease  Obligations" means the  discounted present
     value of the rental obligations under any such Capitalized Lease. 

          "ChoiceCom"   means  CSW/ICG  ChoiceCom,   L.P.,  a  Delaware  limited
     partnership.
      
          "Closing  Date" means  the  date  on  which  the  Preferred  Stock  is
     originally issued under the Amended Articles. 
      
          "Consolidated  EBITDA" means, for any  period, the sum  of the amounts
     for  such period of (i) Adjusted Consolidated Net Income, (ii) Consolidated
     Interest  Expense,  (iii)  income taxes,  to  the  extent  such amount  was
     deducted in calculating Adjusted Consolidated Net Income (other than income
     taxes  (either  positive or  negative)  attributable  to extraordinary  and
     non-recurring gains  or  losses  or  sales of  assets),  (iv)  depreciation
     expense, to the  extent such  amount was deducted  in calculating  Adjusted
     Consolidated  Net  Income, (v)  amortization  expense, to  the  extent such
     amount was  deducted in calculating  Adjusted Consolidated Net  Income, and
     (vi)  all other non-cash  items reducing  Adjusted Consolidated  Net Income
     (other than items that will require cash payments and for  which an accrual
     or reserve is, or is required by GAAP to be, made), less all non-cash items
     increasing  Adjusted  Consolidated  Net  Income, all  as  determined  on  a
     consolidated  basis  for  Holdings   and  its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  in
     conformity with GAAP;  provided that, if any Restricted Subsidiary is not a
     Wholly Owned  Restricted Subsidiary,  Consolidated EBITDA shall  be reduced
     (to the extent not otherwise reduced in accordance with GAAP)  by an amount
     equal  to  (A)  the   amount  of  the  Adjusted  Consolidated   Net  Income
     attributable to such Restricted Subsidiary  multiplied by (B) the  quotient
     of (1) the number of shares of outstanding Common Stock  of such Restricted
     Subsidiary not owned on the  last day of such period by Holdings  or any of
     its Restricted  Subsidiaries divided by (2)  the total number of  shares of
     outstanding Common Stock of such  Restricted Subsidiary on the last day  of
     such period. 
      
          "Consolidated Interest  Expense" means, for any  period, the aggregate
     amount of  interest in respect  of Indebtedness (including  amortization of
     original issue discount on any Indebtedness and the interest portion of any
     deferred payment  obligation, calculated  in accordance with  the effective
     interest method  of accounting; all  commissions, discounts and  other fees
     and charges owed with  respect to letters of credit and bankers' acceptance
     financing;  the  net costs  associated with  Interest Rate  Agreements; and
     Indebtedness that  is  Guaranteed or  secured  by Holdings  or any  of  its
     Restricted  Subsidiaries) and all but the principal component of rentals in
     respect of Capitalized Lease  Obligations paid, accrued or scheduled  to be
     paid or to  be accrued by Holdings  and its Restricted  Subsidiaries during
     such  period; excluding, however,  without duplication,  (i) any  amount of
     such  interest  of any  Restricted  Subsidiary if  the net  income  of such
     Restricted  Subsidiary   is  excluded   in  the  calculation   of  Adjusted

                                      -79-
     <PAGE>
 
     Consolidated  Net Income pursuant to clause (iii) of the definition thereof
     (but  only in  the same  proportion as  the net  income of  such Restricted
     Subsidiary is  excluded from the  calculation of Adjusted  Consolidated Net
     Income pursuant  to clause (iii)  of the  definition thereof) and  (ii) any
     premiums,  fees  and expenses  (and  any amortization  thereof)  payable in
     connection with the  offering of the 13 1/2% Notes  and the warrants issued
     therewith, the  12 1/2% Notes, the  14 1/4% Preferred Stock,  the New Notes
     and/or the New Preferred Stock, all  as determined on a consolidated  basis
     (without taking into account  Unrestricted Subsidiaries) in conformity with
     GAAP. 
      
          "Consolidated  Net  Worth"  means,   at  any  date  of  determination,
     stockholders'  equity as set forth on the most recently available quarterly
     or  annual  consolidated balance  sheet  of  Holdings  and  its  Restricted
     Subsidiaries  (which shall be as of  a date not more than  90 days prior to
     the date  of  such computation,  and  which  shall not  take  into  account
     Unrestricted Subsidiaries),  less  any amounts  attributable to  Redeemable
     Stock  or   any  equity  security  convertible  into  or  exchangeable  for
     Indebtedness, the cost  of treasury stock and  the principal amount  of any
     promissory notes receivable from the sale  of the Capital Stock of Holdings
     or  any  of its  Restricted  Subsidiaries, each  item to  be  determined in
     conformity  with GAAP (excluding  the effects of  foreign currency exchange
     adjustments  under   Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  Statement  of
     Financial Accounting Standards No. 52). 
      
          "Currency  Agreement" means  any  foreign exchange  contract, currency
     swap  agreement  or  other similar  agreement  or  arrangement  designed to
     protect Holdings or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries against fluctuations
     in  currency values  to or under  which Holdings  or any  of its Restricted
     Subsidiaries is a party or a  beneficiary on the Closing Date or  becomes a
     party or a beneficiary thereafter. 

          "Event of Default" means  a Voting Rights Triggering Event  as defined
     above under "-Voting Rights." 
      
          "FOTI"   means  ICG   Fiber  Optic   Technologies  Inc.,   a  Colorado
     corporation.
      
          "14 1/4% Preferred Stock" means the 14 1/4% Exchangeable Preferred 
     Stock mandatorily redeemable May 1, 2007 of Holdings, and any shares of 
     preferred stock issued as payment in kind dividends thereon. 

          "GAAP" means  generally accepted  accounting principles in  the United
     States of  America as in  effect as of  August 8, 1995,  including, without
     limitation,  those  set forth  in the  opinions  and pronouncements  of the
     Accounting Principles Board of  the American Institute of  Certified Public
     Accountants and  statements and pronouncements of  the Financial Accounting
     Standards  Board  or in  such  other statements  by  such  other entity  as
     approved  by a significant segment of the accounting profession. All ratios
     and computations contained in the Indenture shall be computed in conformity
     with GAAP applied on a consistent  basis, except that calculations made for
     purposes of determining compliance with the terms of the covenants and with
     other provisions  of the Indenture  shall be made without  giving effect to
     (i)  the amortization  of  any expenses  incurred  in connection  with  the
     offering of the  13 1/2% Notes  and the warrants  issued therewith, the  12
     1/2%  Notes, the  14 1/4%  Preferred Stock,  the New  Notes and/or  the New
     Preferred  Stock and (ii) except as otherwise provided, the amortization of
     any amounts required  or permitted by  Accounting Principles Board  Opinion
     Nos. 16 and 17. 

          "Guarantee"  means any  obligation,  contingent or  otherwise, of  any
     Person  directly  or  indirectly  guaranteeing any  Indebtedness  or  other
     obligation of any other Person and, without  limiting the generality of the
     foregoing, any obligation, direct or indirect,  contingent or otherwise, of
     such Person  (i) to purchase  or pay  (or advance or  supply funds for  the
     purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation of such other
     Person (whether  arising  by  virtue of  partnership  arrangements,  or  by
     agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services,
     to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise)
     or  (ii) entered  into for  purposes of  assuring in  any other  manner the
     obligee  of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof or
     to  protect such obligee  against loss in  respect thereof (in  whole or in
     part); provided that  the term "Guarantee"  shall not include  endorsements
     for collection or  deposit in  the ordinary  course of  business. The  term
     "Guarantee" used as a verb has a corresponding meaning. 
      
          "Holdings" means ICG Holdings, Inc. and its successors and assigns. 

                                      -80-
     <PAGE>

          "Holdings  (Canada)"  means  ICG   Holdings  (Canada),  Inc.  and  its
     successors and assigns. 
      
          "ICG" means ICG Communications, Inc. and its successors and assigns.
      
          "Incur" means,  with respect  to any Indebtedness,  to incur,  create,
     issue, assume, Guarantee or otherwise become liable for or with respect to,
     or  become responsible for, the payment of, contingently or otherwise, such
     Indebtedness, including  an  Incurrence of  Indebtedness by  reason of  the
     acquisition  of more than 50% of the  Capital Stock of any Person; provided
     that neither the accrual  of interest nor the  accretion of original  issue
     discount shall be considered an Incurrence of Indebtedness. 
      
          "Indebtedness"  means, with  respect  to any  Person  at any  date  of
     determination (without  duplication), (i)  all indebtedness of  such Person
     for borrowed money, (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds,
     debentures, notes  or other similar  instruments, (iii) all  obligations of
     such Person in  respect of letters of  credit or other similar  instruments
     (including  reimbursement  obligations  with  respect  thereto),  (iv)  all
     obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of
     property or  services, which  purchase price  is due  more than six  months
     after  the date of placing such property  in service or taking delivery and
     title  thereto or the completion  of such services,  except Trade Payables,
     (v) all obligations of such Person as lessee under Capitalized Leases, (vi)
     all Indebtedness of other  Persons secured by a  Lien on any asset  of such
     Person,  whether  or  not such  Indebtedness  is  assumed  by such  Person;
     provided that  the amount of such  Indebtedness shall be the  lesser of (A)
     the fair market value of such asset  at such date of determination and  (B)
     the  amount of such Indebtedness,  (vii) all Indebtedness  of other Persons
     Guaranteed by such Person to the extent such Indebtedness is Guaranteed  by
     such  Person and  (viii)  to  the extent  not  otherwise included  in  this
     definition,  obligations  under  Currency  Agreements  and   Interest  Rate
     Agreements. The amount of Indebtedness  of any Person at any date  shall be
     the  outstanding balance at such  date of all  unconditional obligations as
     described above  and, with respect  to contingent obligations,  the maximum
     liability  upon  the  occurrence of  the  contingency  giving  rise to  the
     obligation, provided  (i) that  the amount outstanding  at any time  of any
     Indebtedness issued  with original  issue discount  is  the original  issue
     price of such Indebtedness and (ii) that Indebtedness shall not include (A)
     any amount of money borrowed,  at the time of the Incurrence of the related
     Indebtedness, for the purpose  of pre-funding any interest payable  on such
     related  Indebtedness or  (B) any  liability for  federal, state,  local or
     other taxes. 
      
          "Indebtedness to EBITDA Ratio" means, as at any date of determination,
     the  ratio of (i) the aggregate amount  of Indebtedness of Holdings and its
     Restricted  Subsidiaries  on  a  consolidated  basis  as  at  the  date  of
     determination (the "Transaction  Date") to (ii) the  Consolidated EBITDA of
     Holdings  for the  then most  recent four  full fiscal  quarters for  which
     reports  have been filed pursuant to the "Reports" covenant described above
     (such four full fiscal quarter period being referred to herein as the "Four
     Quarter Period"); provided that (x) pro forma effect shall be  given to any
     Indebtedness Incurred from the beginning of the Four Quarter Period through
     the  Transaction   Date  (including   any  Indebtedness  Incurred   on  the
     Transaction Date), to the  extent outstanding on the Transaction  Date, (y)
     if  during the  period commencing  on the  first day  of such  Four Quarter
     Period through the  Transaction Date (the "Reference  Period"), Holdings or
     any  of the Restricted Subsidiaries  shall have engaged  in any Asset Sale,
     Consolidated EBITDA for such period shall  be reduced by an amount equal to
     the EBITDA (if positive), or increased by an amount equal to the EBITDA (if
     negative), directly attributable  to the  assets which are  the subject  of
     such Asset Sale and any related retirement of Indebtedness as if such Asset
     Sale and related  retirement of Indebtedness had occurred  on the first day
     of such Reference Period or (z) if during such Reference Period Holdings or
     any of the Restricted  Subsidiaries shall have made any  Asset Acquisition,
     Consolidated EBITDA of Holdings shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as
     if  such Asset Acquisition  and any related  financing had  occurred on the
     first day of such Reference Period. In calculating this ratio  for purposes
     of  the Amended Articles, the  amount of outstanding  Indebtedness shall be
     deemed  to include the liquidation  preference of any  preferred stock then
     outstanding. 

                                      -81-
     <PAGE>

           "Investment" in any Person means any direct or indirect advance, loan
     or  other extension  of credit  (including, without  limitation, by  way of
     Guarantee or  similar arrangement; but  excluding advances to  customers in
     the ordinary course of business that are, in conformity with GAAP, recorded
     as accounts receivable on the  balance sheet of Holdings or its  Restricted
     Subsidiaries) or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer  of cash
     or other property to others or any payment for property or services for the
     account or use of others), or any purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock,
     bonds, notes,  debentures  or other  similar  instruments issued  by,  such
     Person and shall include  the designation of a Restricted Subsidiary  as an
     Unrestricted Subsidiary.  For purposes  of the definition  of "Unrestricted
     Subsidiary" and the "Limitation  on Restricted Payments" covenant described
     above, (i) "Investment" shall include  the fair market value of  the assets
     (net  of liabilities) of any Restricted Subsidiary  of Holdings at the time
     that such Restricted  Subsidiary of Holdings is designated  an Unrestricted
     Subsidiary and  shall exclude the fair  market value of the  assets (net of
     liabilities)  of  any  Unrestricted  Subsidiary   at  the  time  that  such
     Unrestricted Subsidiary  is designated a Restricted  Subsidiary of Holdings
     and (ii) any  property transferred  to or from  an Unrestricted  Subsidiary
     shall be  valued at its fair market value at  the time of such transfer, in
     each case as determined by the Board of Directors in good faith. 

          "Lien"  means any  mortgage,  pledge, security  interest, encumbrance,
     lien  or charge of any kind (including, without limitation, any conditional
     sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof, any
     sale with  recourse against the seller  or any Affiliate of  the seller, or
     any agreement to give any security interest). 
      
          "MTN"  means Maritime  Telecommunications  Network,  Inc., a  Colorado
     corporation, and its successors. 
      
          "Net Cash Proceeds"  means, (a) with  respect to  any Asset Sale,  the
     proceeds  of  such Asset  Sale in  the form  of  cash or  cash equivalents,
     including  payments  in respect  of  deferred payment  obligations  (to the
     extent corresponding to the principal, but not interest, component thereof)
     when received in the form of cash or cash equivalents (except to the extent
     such obligations  are financed  or sold  with recourse  to Holdings  or any
     Restricted Subsidiary  of Holdings)  and proceeds  from  the conversion  of
     other property received when converted to cash or cash equivalents,  net of
     (i) brokerage commissions and  other fees and expenses (including  fees and
     expenses of counsel  and investment  bankers) related to  such Asset  Sale,
     (ii) provisions for all taxes  (whether or not such taxes will  actually be
     paid or are  payable) as a result of such Asset  Sale without regard to the
     consolidated  results   of  operations  of  Holdings   and  its  Restricted
     Subsidiaries, taken as a  whole, (iii) payments made to  repay Indebtedness
     or any other  obligation outstanding at  the time of  such Asset Sale  that
     either (A) is secured  by a Lien on the  property or assets sold or  (B) is
     required to  be paid as a result of  such sale and (iv) appropriate amounts
     to be  provided by Holdings or  any Restricted Subsidiary of  Holdings as a
     reserve against any liabilities associated with such Asset Sale, including,
     without limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit  liabilities,
     liabilities  related to  environmental  matters and  liabilities under  any
     indemnification  obligations  associated  with  such  Asset  Sale,  all  as
     determined in  conformity with GAAP and (b) with respect to any issuance or
     sale of Capital Stock, the proceeds of such issuance or sale in the form of
     cash or cash equivalents, including payments in respect of deferred payment
     obligations  (to  the  extent  corresponding  to  the  principal,  but  not
     interest, component  thereof) when  received in  the form  of cash  or cash
     equivalents (except to  the extent  such obligations are  financed or  sold
     with recourse to  Holdings or  any Restricted Subsidiary  of Holdings)  and
     proceeds from the conversion  of other property received when  converted to
     cash  or  cash equivalents,  net  of  attorney's fees,  accountants'  fees,
     underwriters'  or  placement agents'  fees,  discounts  or commissions  and
     brokerage,  consultant  and other  fees  incurred in  connection  with such
     issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a result thereof. 

          "New Notes"  means the New Notes  Due 2007 of  Holdings, guaranteed by
     ICG on a senior unsecured basis and issued on the Closing Date.  

          "Offer to Purchase" means an offer to purchase shares of New Preferred
     Stock by  Holdings from the  Holders commenced by  mailing a notice  to the
     Transfer  Agent and each Holder stating: (i) the covenant pursuant to which
     the offer is  being made and that all shares of New Preferred Stock validly

                                      -82-
     <PAGE>

     tendered  will be  accepted  for payment  on  a pro  rata  basis; (ii)  the
     purchase price and  the date of purchase (which shall be  a Business Day no
     earlier than 30 days  nor later than 60 days  from the date such  notice is
     mailed) (the "Payment Date"); (iii) that any shares of New Preferred  Stock
     not tendered  will continue to accrue dividends pursuant to its terms; (iv)
     that, unless Holdings defaults  in the payment of  the purchase price,  any
     shares of New Preferred Stock accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer to
     Purchase shall cease to accrue dividends on and after the Payment Date; (v)
     that Holders  electing to have any shares  of New Preferred Stock purchased
     pursuant to the Offer to Purchase  will be required to surrender the shares
     of New  Preferred Stock together with a form entitled "Option of the Holder
     to Elect Purchase" (the form of which will be mailed with  such notice), to
     the Paying Agent  at the address specified in the notice prior to the close
     of business on  the Business  Day immediately preceding  the Payment  Date;
     (vi) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Paying
     Agent receives, not later than the  close of business on the third Business
     Day  immediately   preceding  the  Payment  Date,   a  telegram,  facsimile
     transmission  or  letter  setting  forth  the  name  of  such  Holder,  the
     liquidation preference of the  shares of New Preferred Stock  delivered for
     purchase and a  statement that such  Holder is withdrawing his  election to
     have such shares of  New Preferred Stock purchased; and  (vii) that Holders
     whose shares of  New Preferred Stock are being purchased  only in part will
     be  issued new  shares  of New  Preferred Stock  equal  to the  liquidation
     preference of the unpurchased portion of the  shares of New Preferred Stock
     surrendered;  provided that each share of New Preferred Stock purchased and
     each new share of New Preferred Stock issued shall be in a principal amount
     of  $1,000 or  integral multiples  thereof. On  the Payment  Date, Holdings
     shall (i) accept for  payment on a pro rata  basis shares of New  Preferred
     Stock or portions  thereof tendered pursuant to an Offer  to Purchase; (ii)
     deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the purchase price of
     all shares of  New Preferred Stock  or portions thereof,  so accepted;  and
     (iii) deliver, or cause to  be delivered, to the Transfer Agent  all shares
     of New Preferred  Stock or portions thereof,  so accepted together  with an
     Officers'  Certificate specifying  the  shares of  New  Preferred Stock  or
     portions thereof accepted for  payment by Holdings. The Paying  Agent shall
     promptly mail to the Holders of shares of New Preferred  Stock so accepted,
     payment in  an amount equal to  the purchase price, and  the Transfer Agent
     shall promptly  authenticate and  mail to  such Holders  new shares of  New
     Preferred Stock equal in liquidation preference  to any unpurchased portion
     of the shares of New Preferred Stock surrendered;  provided that each share
     of New  Preferred Stock purchased and each new share of New Preferred Stock
     issued shall  be in  a principal  amount  of $1,000  or integral  multiples
     thereof.  Holdings  will  publicly announce  the  results  of  an Offer  to
     Purchase as soon as practicable after  the Payment Date. The Transfer Agent
     shall  act as  the Paying  Agent for  an Offer  to Purchase.  Holdings will
     comply with Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws
     and  regulations thereunder  to the  extent such  laws and  regulations are
     applicable, in  the event that Holdings is required to repurchase shares of
     New Preferred Stock pursuant to an Offer to Purchase. 
      
          "Ohio LINX" means ICG Ohio LINX, Inc., an Ohio corporation.
      
          "Permitted  Investment"  means  (i)  an  Investment  in  a  Restricted
     Subsidiary  or a  Person which  will, upon  the making of  such Investment,
     become a Restricted Subsidiary or be merged or consolidated with or into or
     transfer or  convey all or substantially  all its assets to,  Holdings or a
     Restricted  Subsidiary; provided  that  such Person's  primary business  is
     related, ancillary or complementary  to the businesses of Holdings  and its
     Restricted  Subsidiaries on the date  of such Investment;  (ii) a Temporary
     Cash Investment;  (iii)  payroll,  travel and  similar  advances  to  cover
     matters that  are expected at  the time of  such advances ultimately  to be
     treated  as expenses in  accordance with  GAAP; (iv)  loans or  advances to
     employees made  in the ordinary course of  business in accordance with past
     practice of Holdings or its Restricted  Subsidiaries and that do not in the
     aggregate exceed $2 million at any time outstanding; (v) stock, obligations
     or securities received in  satisfaction of judgments; (vi)  Indebtedness of
     ICG or Holdings (Canada) owed to  Holdings, in an amount not to exceed  the
     reasonable expenses of ICG or  Holdings (Canada), as the case may  be, as a
     holding company that are  actually incurred, and  paid, by ICG or  Holdings
     (Canada); provided that such  Indebtedness of ICG or Holdings  (Canada), as
     the case may  be, is  evidenced by an  unsubordinated promissory note  that
     provides that  it will be paid prior to any mandatory redemption of the New
     Preferred  Stock  if such  payment would  be  necessary to  effectuate such
     redemption; and  (vii) Investments in an  amount not to exceed,  at any one

                                      -83-
     <PAGE>

     time  outstanding, all of the  Net Cash Proceeds  received by Holdings from
     the  sale of  Common Stock  of ICG  (to a  person other  than one  of ICG's
     Subsidiaries) after the Closing Date. 
      
          "Permitted Liens" means (i) Liens for taxes, assessments, governmental
     charges  or claims that  are being contested  in good faith  by appropriate
     legal  proceedings promptly  instituted  and diligently  conducted and  for
     which  a  reserve  or other  appropriate  provision,  if any,  as  shall be
     required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made; (ii) statutory Liens
     of landlords and carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, suppliers, materialmen,
     repairmen or other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business
     and with respect to amounts  not yet delinquent or being contested  in good
     faith by  appropriate legal proceedings promptly  instituted and diligently
     conducted and for  which a reserve or other appropriate  provision, if any,
     as shall  be required in conformity  with GAAP shall have  been made; (iii)
     Liens  incurred or  deposits made  in  the ordinary  course of  business in
     connection  with workers'  compensation,  unemployment insurance  and other
     types of social security;  (iv) Liens incurred or  deposits made to  secure
     the  performance   of  tenders,  bids,  leases,   statutory  or  regulatory
     obligations,  bankers'  acceptances, surety  and  appeal  bonds, government
     contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other obligations of a
     similar  nature incurred in the  ordinary course of  business (exclusive of
     obligations  for the payment of  borrowed money); (v)  easements, rights of
     way,  municipal and  zoning ordinances  and similar  charges, encumbrances,
     title defects or other irregularities that do not materially interfere with
     the  ordinary course  of  business of  Holdings  or any  of its  Restricted
     Subsidiaries; (vi)  Liens (including extensions and  renewals thereof) upon
     real  or personal property acquired  after the Closing  Date; provided that
     (a) such Lien is  created solely for the  purpose of securing  Indebtedness
     Incurred, in accordance  with the "Incurrence of Indebtedness  and Issuance
     of New Preferred Stock" covenant  described above, (1) to finance the  cost
     (including the cost of improvement or construction) of the item of property
     or assets subject thereto and such Lien is created prior to, at the time of
     or within six months after the later of the acquisition,  the completion of
     construction or the commencement of full  operation of such property or (2)
     to  refinance any  Indebtedness previously  so secured,  (b) the  principal
     amount of the  Indebtedness secured by  such Lien does  not exceed 100%  of
     such cost and (c) any such Lien  shall not extend to or cover any  property
     or assets other than such  item of property or assets and  any improvements
     on  such item;  (vii) leases  or subleases  granted to  others that  do not
     materially interfere with the  ordinary course of business of  Holdings and
     its  Restricted Subsidiaries, taken  as a  whole; (viii)  Liens encumbering
     property or  assets under  construction  arising from  progress or  partial
     payments  by a customer of Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries relating
     to such property or assets; (ix) any  interest or title of a lessor in  the
     property subject to  any Capitalized  Lease or operating  lease; (x)  Liens
     arising from filing Uniform  Commercial Code financing statements regarding
     leases; (xi)  Liens on property of,  or on shares of  stock or Indebtedness
     of,  any  corporation existing  at the  time  such corporation  becomes, or
     becomes a part of, any  Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such  Liens do
     not extend to or cover any property or assets of Holdings or any Restricted
     Subsidiary other than the property or assets acquired; (xii) Liens in favor
     of Holdings or  any Restricted  Subsidiary; (xiii) Liens  arising from  the
     rendering of  a final judgment or order  against Holdings or any Restricted
     Subsidiary  that does  not give rise  to an  Event of  Default; (xiv) Liens
     securing  reimbursement obligations with respect to  letters of credit that
     encumber  documents and other property  relating to such  letters of credit
     and  the products and proceeds thereof; (xv)  Liens in favor of customs and
     revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs
     duties in connection with the importation of goods; (xvi) Liens encumbering
     customary  initial deposits and margin  deposits, and other  Liens that are
     either within the general parameters customary in the industry and incurred
     in the ordinary  course of  business, in each  case, securing  Indebtedness
     under  Interest  Rate  Agreements   and  Currency  Agreements  and  forward
     contracts, options, future contracts, futures options or similar agreements
     or  arrangements  designed to  protect Holdings  or  any of  its Restricted
     Subsidiaries from fluctuations  in the price  of commodities; (xvii)  Liens
     arising out  of conditional sale,  title retention, consignment  or similar
     arrangements for the sale of goods  entered into by Holdings or any  of its
     Restricted Subsidiaries in  the ordinary course  of business in  accordance
     with the past practices  of Holdings and its Restricted  Subsidiaries prior
     to the Closing Date; and (xviii) Liens on or sales of receivables. 
      
          "Preferred  stock" or  "preferred  stock" means,  with respect  to any
     Person,  any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents
     (however  designated,  whether  voting  or  non-voting)  of  such  Person's

                                      -84-
     <PAGE>

     preferred  or preference stock, whether now outstanding or issued after the
     date of the Amended Articles, including, without limitation, all series and
     classes of such preferred or preference stock. 
      
          "Public Equity Offering" means a bona fide underwritten primary public
     offering of  Common Stock  of  ICG or  Holdings  pursuant to  an  effective
     registration statement under the Securities Act. 
      
          "Redeemable Stock" means any class  or series of Capital Stock of  any
     Person that by its terms or otherwise  is (i) required to be redeemed prior
     to the mandatory redemption date of the shares of New Preferred Stock, (ii)
     redeemable at the option of the  holder of such class or series of  Capital
     Stock at any time prior  to the mandatory redemption date of  the shares of
     New  Preferred Stock, or (iii) convertible into or exchangeable for Capital
     Stock  referred to  in clause (i)  or (ii)  above or  Indebtedness having a
     scheduled maturity prior to the mandatory redemption date of the shares  of
     New  Preferred  Stock;  provided that  any  Capital  Stock  that would  not
     constitute  Redeemable  Stock but  for  provisions  thereof giving  holders
     thereof  the right  to require  such Person  to repurchase  or redeem  such
     Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a "change  of control" occurring prior
     to the mandatory redemption date of the shares of New Preferred Stock shall
     not  constitute Redeemable  Stock  if the  "change  of control"  provisions
     applicable to  such Capital Stock are  no more favorable to  the holders of
     such Capital Stock than the provisions contained in the "Change of Control"
     covenant described above and such Capital Stock specifically  provides that
     such Person will not repurchase  or redeem any such stock pursuant  to such
     provision prior to Holdings' repurchase of New Preferred Stock as described
     above under "-Change of Control." 

          "Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of Holdings other than an
     Unrestricted Subsidiary. 
      
          "Senior Discount Notes Indenture"  means the Indenture dated  as March
     11, 1997  among Holdings,  ICG and  the Trustee pursuant  to which  the New
     Notes will be issued. 
      
          "StarCom" means  StarCom International Optics  Corporation, a  British
     Columbia corporation, and its subsidiaries. 
      
          "Strategic    Investor"    means   any    Person   engaged    in   the
     telecommunications  business  which  has  a  net  worth  or  equity  market
     capitalization of at least $1 billion. 
      
          "Strategic Investor Subordinated Indebtedness" means  all Indebtedness
     of  Holdings owed to a Strategic Investor that is contractually subordinate
     in right  of payment to the shares  of New Preferred Stock  to at least the
     following extent: no payment of principal (or  premium, if any) or interest
     on  or  otherwise  payable in  respect  of such  Indebtedness  may  be made
     (whether  as a result  of a default  or otherwise) prior to  the payment in
     full of  all of  Holdings' obligations  under the  shares of New  Preferred
     Stock;  provided, however, that prior  to the payment  of such obligations,
     interest  on Strategic  Investor Subordinated  Indebtedness may  be payable
     solely in kind or in common  stock (other than Redeemable Stock) of ICG  or
     Holdings. 

          "Subsidiary"  means,  with respect  to  any  Person, any  corporation,
     association  or  other  business entity  of  which  more  than  50% of  the
     outstanding Voting Stock is  owned, directly or indirectly, by  such Person
     and one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person.  

          "Temporary Cash  Investment" means any  of the  following: (i)  direct
     obligations  of the  United  States of  America or  any  agency thereof  or
     obligations fully and  unconditionally guaranteed by  the United States  of
     America  or any agency thereof, (ii) time deposit accounts, certificates of
     deposit and money market deposits  maturing within 270 days of the  date of
     acquisition thereof, bankers' acceptances with maturities not exceeding 270
     days, and overnight bank deposits, in each case issued by or with a bank or
     trust  company which is  organized under the  laws of the  United States of
     America, any state thereof or any foreign country recognized  by the United
     States, and which bank or trust company has capital, surplus and  undivided
     profits  aggregating in  excess of  $100 million  (or the  foreign currency

                                      -85-
     <PAGE>

     equivalent thereof) and has  outstanding debt which is  rated "A" (or  such
     similar  equivalent rating) or higher by at least one nationally recognized
     statistical  rating  organization  (as  defined  in  Rule   436  under  the
     Securities Act) or any  money-market fund sponsored by a  registered broker
     dealer or mutual fund distributor, (iii) repurchase obligations with a term
     of not more than 30  days for underlying securities of the  types described
     in clause  (i) above entered  into with  a bank meeting  the qualifications
     described  in clause (ii) above,  (iv) commercial paper,  maturing not more
     than 180 days after the date of acquisition, issued by a corporation (other
     than an Affiliate of ICG) organized and in existence under the laws of  the
     United  States of  America,  any  state  thereof  or  any  foreign  country
     recognized by the United States of America with a rating at the time  as of
     which any  investment therein  is made  of "P-1"  (or higher)  according to
     Moody's  Investors Service, Inc. or "A-1" (or higher) according to Standard
     & Poor's Ratings Group, and (v) securities with maturities of six months or
     less  from  the date  of acquisition  issued  or fully  and unconditionally
     guaranteed by any  state, commonwealth or territory of the United States of
     America, or by any  political subdivision or taxing authority  thereof, and
     rated at least "A" by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group  or Moody's Investors
     Service, Inc. 
      
          "13 1/2%  Notes" means the 13  1/2% Senior Discount Notes  Due 2005 of
     Holdings  guaranteed by  ICG and  Holdings (Canada)  on a  senior unsecured
     basis. 

          "13 1/2% Notes  Indenture" means the  Indenture dated as of  August 8,
     1995, as  amended,  among  Holdings,  Holdings  (Canada)  and  the  Trustee
     pursuant to which Holdings issued the 13 1/2% Notes. 

          "Trade  Payables"  means, with  respect  to any  person,  any accounts
     payable  or  any  other debt  or  monetary  obligation  to trade  creditors
     created, assumed or Guaranteed  by such Person or  any of its  Subsidiaries
     arising  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business  in  connection  with  the
     acquisition of goods or services. 
      
          "Transaction Date"  means,  with  respect to  the  Incurrence  of  any
     Indebtedness  by  Holdings or  any of  its  Restricted Subsidiaries  or the
     issuance of any Redeemable Stock of Holdings, the date such Indebtedness is
     to be  Incurred or such  issuance is  to be made  and, with respect  to any
     Restricted Payment, the date such Restricted Payment is to be made. 
      
          "12 1/2%  Notes" means the 12  1/2% Senior Discount Notes  due 2006 of
     Holdings  guaranteed by  ICG and  Holdings (Canada)  on a  senior unsecured
     basis. 
      
          "12 1/2% Notes  Indenture" means the  Indenture dated as of  April 30,
     1996,  as  amended,  among  Holdings,  Holdings  (Canada) and  the  Trustee
     pursuant to which Holdings issued the 12 1/2% Notes. 

          "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (i) any Subsidiary of Holdings that at
     the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by
     the Board of Directors in the manner provided below and (ii) any Subsidiary
     of an Unrestricted  Subsidiary. The  Board of Directors  may designate  any
     Restricted Subsidiary of  Holdings (including any  newly acquired or  newly
     formed  Subsidiary of Holdings), other  than Holdings or  a Subsidiary that
     has given a Subsidiary  Guarantee, to be an Unrestricted  Subsidiary unless
     such Subsidiary owns any Capital Stock of, or owns or holds any Lien on any
     property of,  Holdings or any  Restricted Subsidiary; provided  that either
     (A) the Subsidiary to  be so designated has total assets  of $1,000 or less
     or  (B) if  such  Subsidiary  has assets  greater  than  $1,000, that  such
     designation  would  be  permitted   under  the  "Limitation  on  Restricted
     Payments"  covenant described above.  The Board of  Directors may designate
     any  Unrestricted Subsidiary  to be  a Restricted  Subsidiary  of Holdings;
     provided  that immediately  after  giving effect  to  such designation  (x)
     Holdings could  Incur  $1.00 of  additional  Indebtedness under  the  first
     paragraph  of the "Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of New Preferred
     Stock"  covenant described above  and (y)  no Default  or Event  of Default
     shall have occurred and be continuing. Any such designation by the Board of
     Directors  shall be evidenced to the Transfer Agent by promptly filing with
     the  Transfer Agent  a copy  of the  resolution of  the Board  of Directors
     giving effect to  such designation and an Officers'  Certificate certifying
     that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions. 
    
                                      -86-
     <PAGE>
      
          "Voting Stock" means, with respect to any Person, Capital Stock of any
     class  or kind  ordinarily having  the power  to vote  for the  election of
     directors,  managers or other voting members of  the governing body of such
     Person. 

          "Wholly  Owned" means, with respect  to any Subsidiary  of any Person,
     such  Subsidiary if 98%  or more of  the outstanding Capital  Stock in such
     Subsidiary  (other than any director's  qualifying shares or Investments by
     foreign nationals  mandated by applicable law)  is owned by such  Person or
     one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person. 

          "Zycom" means Zycom Corporation, an Alberta, Canada corporation. 


                          DESCRIPTION OF EXCHANGE DEBENTURES

          The  Exchange Debentures, if issued, will be issued under the Exchange
     Debenture Indenture  among Holdings,  ICG, as  guarantor, and  Norwest Bank
     Colorado, National Association,  as trustee  or such other  trustee as  may
     qualify under the  Trust Indenture  Act and  be selected  by Holdings  (the
     "Trustee"). A copy of the form of Exchange Debenture Indenture is available
     from  Holdings upon request. The  terms of the  Exchange Debentures include
     those stated in the Exchange Debenture Indenture and those made part of the
     Exchange  Debenture Indenture  by  reference to  the  Trust Indenture  Act.
     Prospective holders of the Exchange Debentures are referred to the Exchange
     Debenture  Indenture and the  Trust Indenture Act  for a  statement of such
     terms.  The  following  summary  of  certain  provisions  of  the  Exchange
     Debenture Indenture  does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and
     is  qualified in its entirety by reference  to, the Trust Indenture Act and
     to all of the provisions of the Exchange Debenture Indenture, including the
     definitions  of certain terms  therein and those  terms made a  part of the
     Exchange Debenture Indenture by  reference to the Trust Indenture  Act. The
     definitions of certain terms  used in the Exchange Debenture  Indenture and
     in  the following summary are set forth below under "-Certain Definitions."
     References herein to "$" refers to U.S. dollars. 
      
     GENERAL
      
          The  Exchange  Debentures will  be  general  unsecured obligations  of
     Holdings and will be limited in aggregate principal amount to the aggregate
     liquidation  preference  of the  New Preferred  Stock (including  shares of
     Preferred  Stock issued in payment  of dividends), plus  accrued and unpaid
     dividends, on  the date of  exchange of the  Preferred Stock  into Exchange
     Debentures  (plus any additional Exchange Debentures issued in lieu of cash
     interest  as described herein). The  Exchange Debentures will  be issued in
     fully  registered  form  only  in  denominations  of  $1,000  and  integral
     multiples  thereof (other  than as described  in "Description  of Preferred
     Stock-Exchange" or with respect to additional Exchange Debentures issued in
     lieu of cash interest as described herein). The Exchange Debentures will be
     senior subordinated  obligations of Holdings, subordinated  to all existing
     and future Senior Indebtedness  of Holdings and senior to  all subordinated
     obligations of Holdings. 
      
          Principal  of, and  premium,  if any,  and  interest on  the  Exchange
     Debentures  will be payable, and  the Exchange Debentures  may be presented
     for registration of transfer or exchange, at the office of the Paying Agent
     and  Registrar. At Holding's option, interest, to  the extent paid in cash,
     may be paid  by check mailed to  the registered address  of Holders of  the
     Exchange Debentures as shown  on the register for the  Exchange Debentures.
     The Trustee will initially act as Paying Agent and Registrar.  Holdings may
     change  any Paying Agent and  Registrar without prior  notice to Holders of
     the Exchange Debentures.  Holders of the Exchange Debentures must surrender
     Exchange Debentures to the Paying Agent to collect principal payments.  

                                      -87-
     <PAGE>

          The Exchange Debentures will  mature on March 15, 2008.  Each Exchange
     Debenture will bear interest from the Exchange Debenture Issue Date or from
     the most  recent interest payment date  to which interest has  been paid or
     provided for.  Interest will  be payable  semiannually in  cash (or,  on or
     prior to March 15, 2002, at  the option of Holdings, in additional Exchange
     Debentures,  subject to the  restrictions contained in  the Senior Discount
     Notes Indenture, the 12  1/2% Notes Indenture, the 13  1/2% Notes Indenture
     and any other agreement of Holdings,  Holdings (Canada) or ICG) in  arrears
     on each March 15 and September 15 commencing with the first such date after
     the Exchange Debenture Issue Date. Interest on the Exchange Debentures will
     be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve  30-day months and the
     actual number of days elapsed. 
      
          Because of Holding's option  through March 15, 2002 to pay interest on
     the  Exchange Debentures  by  issuing additional  Exchange Debentures,  any
     Exchange  Debentures issued prior  to that date  will be  treated as issued
     with OID, unless  under special rules  for interest holidays the  amount of
     OID is treated as de minimis. See "Certain United States Federal Income Tax
     Consequences." 

         The Exchange Debenture Indenture contains certain covenants which,
     among other things, restrict the ability of Holdings, ICG and their 
     Restricted Subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness for, among
     other things, the acquisition of network assets, inventory and 
     equipment.
      
          Subject to  the covenants  in their  Indebtedness and  applicable law,
     Holdings  and  ICG  may  issue  additional Exchange  Debentures  under  the
     Exchange Debenture  Indenture. The  Exchange Debentures, together  with any
     Exchange  Debentures subsequently issued, will be treated as a single class
     for all purposes under the Exchange Debenture Indenture. 

     GUARANTEE
      
          Holdings' obligations under the Exchange  Debentures will be fully and
     unconditionally  guaranteed   (the  "Debenture  Guarantee")  on   a  senior
     subordinated basis by ICG (in such context, the "Guarantor"); provided that
     the Debenture Guarantee shall  not be enforceable against the  Guarantor in
     an amount in  excess of  the net worth  of the Guarantor  at the time  that
     determination of such net worth  is, under applicable law, relevant  to the
     enforceability  of such Debenture  Guarantee. Such net  worth shall include
     any claim of the Guarantor against Holdings for reimbursement. 
      
     SUBORDINATION AND RANKING
      
          The Exchange  Debentures will  be senior subordinated  Indebtedness of
     Holdings, subordinated to  the prior payment when due of  the principal of,
     and  premium, if any, and accrued and  unpaid interest on, all existing and
     future Senior Indebtedness of Holdings, including the New Notes, and senior
     to the prior payment when due  of  the principal of, and premium, if any,
     and accrued and unpaid interest on, all subordinated Indebtedness of 
     Holdings. ICG's guarantee  of the Exchange  Debentures will be  senior 
     subordinated Indebtedness  of ICG, subordinated  to the  prior  payment 
     when due  of  the  principal of,  and premium, if  any,  and accrued  and
     unpaid  interest on, all existing and future Senior Guarantor Indebtedness
     of ICG, including the Note Guarantee, and senior to the prior payment
     when due of  the principal of, and  premium, if any and  accrued and unpaid
     interest on, all subordinated Indebtedness of ICG.  ICG and Holdings are 
     each holding companies and therefore must rely upon dividend and other
     payments from their subsidiaries to generate the funds necessary to meet
     their obligations, including the payment of principal and interest on
     the Exchange Debentures.

          Upon (a) any distribution to creditors of Holdings in a liquidation or
     dissolution  of Holdings  or in  a bankruptcy,  reorganization, insolvency,
     receivership  or similar proceeding relating to Holdings or its property or
     (b)  an assignment  for  the benefit  of creditors  or  any marshalling  of
     Holdings' assets and liabilities, the holders of Senior  Indebtedness shall
     be entitled to receive payment in full of all Obligations due in respect of

                                      -88-
     <PAGE>

     such Senior Indebtedness  (including interest after the commencement of any
     such  proceeding   at  the   rate  specified   in  the   applicable  Senior
     Indebtedness) before holders of the  Exchange Debentures shall be  entitled
     to receive any payment  with respect to the Exchange Debentures.  Until all
     Obligations  with  respect to  Senior Indebtedness  are  paid in  full, any
     distribution  to which holders of the Exchange Debentures would be entitled
     shall  be  made  to holders  of  Senior  Indebtedness. Notwithstanding  the
     foregoing,  holders of the Exchange Debentures  may receive securities that
     are subordinated, at  least to the same extent as  the Exchange Debentures,
     to Senior Indebtedness  and any  securities issued in  exchange for  Senior
     Indebtedness. 
      
          In  addition, Holdings may not make any  payment upon or in respect of
     the Exchange Debentures (except  in such subordinated securities) if  (a) a
     default in the payment of any principal, premium, if any, interest or other
     Obligations with respect to  any Designated Senior Indebtedness  occurs and
     is continuing beyond any applicable grace period (whether upon maturity, as
     a result  of acceleration or otherwise) or (b) any other default occurs and
     is  continuing  with respect  to  any Designated  Senior  Indebtedness that
     permits holders  of such Designated  Senior Indebtedness to  accelerate its
     maturity, and  Holdings and the Trustee receive a notice of such default (a
     "Payment Blockage Notice") from the holders, or from the trustee,  agent or
     other  representative  of  the  holders,  of  any  such  Designated  Senior
     Indebtedness.  Payments on the Exchange Debentures may and shall be resumed
     upon the earlier of (i) the date  upon which the default is cured or waived
     or (ii) in the case of a default referred to in clause (b) above,  179 days
     after the date on which the applicable Payment Blockage Notice is received,
     unless  the  maturity  of  any  Designated  Senior  Indebtedness  has  been
     accelerated. No  new period of payment blockage may be commenced within 360
     days after the receipt by the Trustee of any prior Payment Blockage Notice.
     No  nonpayment default  that  existed  or was  continuing  on  the date  of
     delivery of  any Payment  Blockage Notice  to the Trustee  shall be,  or be
     made,  the basis  for  a subsequent  Payment  Blockage Notice  unless  such
     default shall have been cured  or waived for a period of not  less than 180
     days.  

          Upon (a) any  distribution to  creditors of  ICG in  a liquidation  or
     dissolution  of  ICG  or   in  a  bankruptcy,  reorganization,  insolvency,
     receivership or similar  proceeding relating to ICG or  its property or (b)
     an assignment  for the  benefit of  creditors or any  marshalling of  ICG's
     assets and  liabilities, the holders of Senior Guarantor Indebtedness shall
     be entitled to receive payment in full of all Obligations due in respect of
     such  Senior   Guarantor   Indebtedness  (including   interest  after   the
     commencement of any such proceeding at the rate specified in the applicable
     Senior Guarantor  Indebtedness) before  holders of the  Exchange Debentures
     shall be  entitled to  receive any  payment with  respect  to the  Exchange
     Debentures.  Until  all  Obligations   with  respect  to  Senior  Guarantor
     Indebtedness are paid  in full, any  distribution to  which holders of  the
     Exchange Debentures would be  entitled shall be  made to holders of  Senior
     Guarantor  Indebtedness.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  holders  of the
     Exchange Debentures may receive securities  that are subordinated, at least
     to  the same  extent  as  the  Exchange  Debentures,  to  Senior  Guarantor
     Indebtedness and  any securities issued  in exchange  for Senior  Guarantor
     Indebtedness. 
      
          ICG  may not  make any  payment upon  or in  respect of  its Debenture
     Guarantee  (except  in  subordinated  securities described  in  the  second
     paragraph above) if (a) a default in the payment of any principal, premium,
     if any, interest or other Obligations with respect to any Designated Senior
     Guarantor Indebtedness occurs and is continuing beyond any applicable grace
     period (whether upon maturity, as a result of acceleration or otherwise) or
     (b) any  other  default  occurs  and  is continuing  with  respect  to  any
     Designated  Senior  Guarantor Indebtedness  that  permits  holders of  such
     Designated Senior  Guarantor Indebtedness  to accelerate its  maturity, and
     ICG and the Trustee receive a  notice of such default (a "Guarantor Payment
     Blockage Notice")  from the holders,  or from the  trustee, agent or  other
     representative of  the holders,  of  any such  Designated Senior  Guarantor
     Indebtedness.  Payments on the Exchange Debentures may and shall be resumed
     upon the earlier of (i) the date upon which  the default is cured or waived
     or (ii) in the case of a default referred  to in clause (b) above, 179 days
     after the date on which the applicable Guarantor Payment Blockage Notice is
     received,  unless   the  maturity   of  any  Designated   Senior  Guarantor
     Indebtedness has been accelerated. No new period of payment blockage may be
     commenced within  360 days after  the receipt by  the Trustee of  any prior
     Guarantor  Payment Blockage Notice.  No nonpayment default  that existed or
     was continuing on  the date of  delivery of any Guarantor  Payment Blockage

                                      -89-
     <PAGE>

     Notice  to the Trustee  shall be,  or be made,  the basis  for a subsequent
     Guarantor Payment Blockage Notice unless such default shall have been cured
     or waived for a period of not less than 180 days. 
      
          The Exchange  Debenture Indenture  will further require  that Holdings
     promptly notify holders of  Senior Indebtedness if payment on  the Exchange
     Debentures is accelerated because of an Event of Default.  

          "Designated   Senior  Indebtedness"   under  the   Exchange  Debenture
     Indenture is defined to mean the Indebtedness specified in clause (i)(A) of
     the  definition of  Senior Indebtedness  and any  Indebtedness constituting
     Senior  Indebtedness that, at the  date of determination,  has an aggregate
     principal  amount  of  at  least  $25  million  and  that  is  specifically
     designated by Holdings in the instrument creating or evidencing such Senior
     Indebtedness as "Designated Senior Indebtedness." 
      
          "Designated   Senior  Guarantor   Indebtedness"  under   the  Exchange
     Debenture Indenture is defined to mean the Indebtedness specified in clause
     (i)(A)  of   the  definition  of  Senior  Guarantor  Indebtedness  and  any
     Indebtedness constituting  Senior Guarantor Indebtedness that,  at the date
     of determination, has an aggregate principal amount of at least $25 million
     and  that is  specifically designated  by the  Guarantor in  the instrument
     creating or  evidencing such  Senior Guarantor Indebtedness  as "Designated
     Guarantor Senior Indebtedness." 

          "Senior  Guarantor   Indebtedness"  means  (i)  Indebtedness   of  the
     Guarantor under its Guarantee of the  New Notes and its Guarantee under the
     Senior Discount Notes Indenture, its Guarantee of the 13 1/2% Notes and the
     12 1/2% Notes and  its Guarantee under the 13 1/2%  Notes Indenture and the
     12 1/2% Notes Indenture and  all fees, expenses and indemnities payable  in
     connection with any of the foregoing and (ii) all other Indebtedness of the
     Guarantor  (other than  the Debenture  Guarantee), including  principal and
     interest on such Indebtedness, unless such Indebtedness, by its terms or by
     the  terms  of  any   agreement  or  instrument  pursuant  to   which  such
     Indebtedness is issued,  is pari passu  with, or  subordinated in right  of
     payment  to, the  Debenture  Guarantee;  provided  that  the  term  "Senior
     Guarantor  Indebtedness" shall  not  include (a)  any  Indebtedness of  the
     Guarantor that, when  Incurred and  without respect to  any election  under
     Section  1111(b) of the United States Bankruptcy Code, was without recourse
     to the  Guarantor, (b) any Indebtedness of the Guarantor to a Subsidiary of
     the Guarantor or to a joint venture in which the Guarantor has an interest,
     (c) any Indebtedness  of the Guarantor, to the extent  not permitted by the
     "Limitation  on  Indebtedness" or  the  "Senior Subordinated  Indebtedness"
     covenants  described  below,  (d)   any  repurchase,  redemption  or  other
     obligation  in respect  of Redeemable  Stock, (e)  any Indebtedness  to any
     employee of the Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries, (f) any liability for
     federal, state,  local or other taxes  owed or owing by  the Guarantor, (g)
     the Guarantor's  obligations with  respect to the  Convertible Subordinated
     Notes  or (h)  any trade  payables. Senior  Indebtedness will  also include
     interest  accruing subsequent to events  of bankruptcy of  the Guarantor at
     the  rate  provided for  in the  document  governing such  Senior Guarantor
     Indebtedness,  whether or not such interest is an allowed claim enforceable
     against the debtor in a bankruptcy case under federal bankruptcy law. 
      
          "Senior Indebtedness" means (i) Indebtedness of Holdings under the New
     Notes and the Senior Discount Notes Indenture, the 12 1/2% Notes and the 12
     1/2% Notes Indenture, the 13 1/2% Notes and the 13 1/2% Notes Indenture and
     all fees,  expenses and indemnities  payable in connection with  any of the
     foregoing  and  (ii) all  other Indebtedness  of  Holdings (other  than the
     Exchange   Debentures),   including   principal   and   interest  on   such
     Indebtedness, unless such Indebtedness, by its terms or by the terms of any
     agreement or instrument pursuant  to which such Indebtedness is  issued, is
     pari passu  with,  or subordinated  in right  of payment  to, the  Exchange
     Debentures; provided that the term  "Senior Indebtedness" shall not include
     (a) any Indebtedness of Holdings that, when Incurred and without respect to
     any  election under Section 1111(b)  of the United  States Bankruptcy Code,
     was without  recourse to Holdings,  (b) any  Indebtedness of Holdings  to a
     Subsidiary  of Holdings  or to  a joint  venture in  which Holdings  has an
     interest, (c) any Indebtedness of Holdings, to the extent  not permitted by
     the "Limitation on Indebtedness"  or the "Senior Subordinated Indebtedness"
     covenants  described  below,  (d)   any  repurchase,  redemption  or  other
     obligation  in respect  of Redeemable  Stock, (e)  any Indebtedness  to any
     employee of  Holdings or  any of  its Subsidiaries,  (f) any  liability for
     federal, state, local or other taxes owed  or owing by Holdings or (g)  any

                                      -90-
     <PAGE>

     trade  payables. Senior  Indebtedness will  also include  interest accruing
     subsequent to  events of bankruptcy of Holdings at the rate provided for in
     the document  governing  such  Senior Indebtedness,  whether  or  not  such
     interest is an allowed claim enforceable against the debtor in a bankruptcy
     case under federal bankruptcy law. 
      
          As  a result of the  subordination provisions described  above, in the
     event  of a liquidation or  insolvency, Holders of  the Exchange Debentures
     may  recover less ratably than other creditors  of Holdings or ICG. ICG and
     Holdings  are   expected  to   incur  substantial  amounts   of  additional
     indebtedness  in the  future, subject  to  compliance with  the limitations
     contained  in  the  Senior Discount  Notes  Indenture,  the  12 1/2%  Notes
     Indenture,  the  13  1/2%  Notes   Indenture  and  the  Exchange  Debenture
     Indenture. See  "Risk Factors-Substantial Indebtedness;  Ability to Service
     Debt" and "-Holding  Company Reliance on  Subsidiaries' Funds; Priority  of
     Creditors; Subordination of Exchange Debentures." 
      
     OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
      
          The Exchange Debentures will  be redeemable at Holdings' option  on or
     after March 15, 2002.  Thereafter, the Exchange Debentures will  be subject
     to redemption at the  option of Holdings, in whole or in  part, at any time
     upon  not less than 30 nor more than  60 days' prior notice mailed by first
     class  mail to  each Holder's last  address as  it appears  in the Security
     Register,  at the redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal
     amount) set forth below, plus  accrued and unpaid interest, if any,  to the
     applicable redemption  date (subject to  the right of Holders  of record on
     the relevant Regular Record Date that is on or prior to the redemption date
     to receive  interest due on an  Interest Payment Date),  if redeemed during
     the 12-month period beginning on March 15 of the years indicated below: 

                                   Year         Percentage
                                   ----         ----------

                               2002  . . . . .     107.0000%
                               2003  . . . . .     104.6667%
                               2004  . . . . .     102.3333%
                               2005 and        
                               thereafter. . .     100.0000%  

          In addition, at any  time on or prior to March 15, 2000, Holdings may,
     at its  option from  time to  time,  redeem Exchange  Debentures having  an
     aggregate principal amount  of up to 35%  of the liquidation  preference of
     the Preferred Stock  originally issued at a redemption price  equal to 114%
     of the principal amount thereof, with proceeds of one or more Public Equity
     Offerings of  Common Stock of  (A) Holdings or  (B) ICG, provided  that (i)
     with respect to the Public Equity Offering referred to in clause (B) above,
     cash  proceeds of  such Public Equity  Offering in an  amount sufficient to
     effect  the  redemption  of Exchange  Debentures  to  be  so  redeemed  are
     contributed  by ICG  to  Holdings  prior to  such  redemption  and used  by
     Holdings  to effect such redemption and  (ii) such redemption occurs within
     180 days after consummation of such Public Equity Offering. 

          If less than all  of the Exchange Debentures are to be redeemed at any
     time, the Trustee shall select the  Exchange Debentures to be redeemed on a
     pro rata basis, by  lot or in accordance with any other  method the Trustee
     considers fair  and  appropriate  (and  in such  manner  as  complies  with
     applicable legal and stock exchange requirements, if any); provided that no
     Exchange Debentures  with a  principal amount of  $1,000 or  less shall  be
     redeemed in part. Notice of redemption  shall be mailed by first class mail
     at least  30 but no more  than 60 days  before the redemption date  to each
     Holder of Exchange Debentures to be  redeemed at its registered address. If
     any  Exchange Debenture  is  to be  redeemed  in part  only  the notice  of
     redemption  that related to such Exchange Debenture shall state the portion
     of the  principal  amount  to be  redeemed.  A new  Exchange  Debenture  in
     principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued in the name
     of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Exchange Debenture,
     and  after  the redemption  date,  interest  will cease  to  accrue  on the
     Exchange Debentures called for redemption. 

                                      -91-
     <PAGE>
      
     REPURCHASE OF EXCHANGE DEBENTURES UPON A CHANGE OF CONTROL
      
          Upon the occurrence of a Change  of Control, Holdings will be required
     (whether or not funds are available therefor) to make an offer (the "Change
     of Control Offer") to each holder of Exchange Debentures to  repurchase all
     or any part of such  holder's Exchange Debentures at a cash  purchase price
     equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus  an amount in
     cash equal to accumulated and unpaid  interest, if any, accrued to the date
     of  purchase.  The Change  of Control  Offer must  be  made within  30 days
     following a Change  of Control, must remain  open for at  least 30 and  not
     more than 40 days and must comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under
     the  Exchange Act and any other applicable securities laws and regulations.
     Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  Holdings will  not be  required to  make a
     Change of Control  Offer if any of the New Notes,  12 1/2% Notes or 13 1/2%
     Notes are outstanding upon the occurrence of a Change of Control unless all
     of the New Notes, 12 1/2% Notes and 13  1/2% Notes tendered pursuant to the
     "Change of Control Offers" with respect thereto are repurchased as a result
     of such Change of Control, in which  case the date on which all New  Notes,
     12 1/2% Notes  and 13 1/2%  Notes (and any  other Indebtedness of  Holdings
     having provisions similar to  Section 4.04(x) of the Senior  Discount Notes
     Indenture) are so repurchased will, under the Exchange Indenture, be deemed
     to be the date on which such Change of Control shall have occurred. 
      
          "Change  of Control"  means such  time as  (i) a  "person"  or "group"
     (within the  meaning of Sections  13(d) and  14(d)(2) of the  Exchange Act)
     becomes the ultimate "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
     Exchange Act)  of Voting Stock having more than 40%  of the voting power of
     the total  Voting Stock of ICG  on a fully diluted  basis; (ii) individuals
     who on the Closing Date constitute  the Board of Directors of ICG (together
     with any  new directors whose election  by the Board of  Directors or whose
     nomination for election by ICG's stockholders was approved by a  vote of at
     least a  majority of the members of  the Board of Directors  then in office
     who either were  members of the Board  of Directors on the Closing  Date or
     whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease
     for any reason  to constitute  a majority of  the members  of the Board  of
     Directors then  in office; or (iii) all of  the Common Stock of Holdings is
     not beneficially owned by ICG. 
      
          None of the provisions in the Exchange Debenture Indenture relating to
     a  purchase upon  a Change of  Control are  waivable by  Holdings' Board of
     Directors. Holdings could, in the  future, enter into certain transactions,
     including certain recapitalizations of  Holdings, that would not constitute
     a  Change of  Control,  but  would  increase  the  amount  of  indebtedness
     outstanding at  such time. If a  Change of Control were  to occur, Holdings
     would be obligated  to offer to  repurchase all of  the New Notes,  12 1/2%
     Notes and 13  1/2% Notes prior  to making an  offer to repurchase  Exchange
     Debentures,  and there  can  be  no  assurance  that  Holdings  would  have
     sufficient funds to pay the purchase price for all the  Exchange Debentures
     that  Holdings is  required to  purchase. In the  event that  Holdings were
     required to purchase  outstanding Exchange Debentures pursuant  to a Change
     of Control Offer,  Holdings expects that it would need  to seek third-party
     financing,  to the  extent it does  not have  available funds,  to meet its
     purchase obligations.  However, there  can be  no  assurance that  Holdings
     would be able  to obtain such financing. In  addition, Holdings' ability to
     purchase  Exchange  Debentures  may   be  limited  by  other  then-existing
     agreements. 
      
     CERTAIN COVENANTS
      
      Limitation on Indebtedness
      
          (a)  Under  the  terms  of   the  Exchange  Debenture  Indenture,  the
     Guarantor will not, and will not permit  any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
     to,  Incur  any  Indebtedness  (other  than the  Exchange  Debentures,  the
     Debenture Guarantee and Indebtedness  outstanding on the Exchange Debenture
     Issue   Date);  provided  that   the  Guarantor  and   Holdings  may  Incur
     Indebtedness if, after giving effect to the Incurrence of such Indebtedness
     and the receipt and application of the proceeds therefrom, the Indebtedness
     to EBITDA Ratio would be greater than zero and less than 5:1. 

                                      -92-
     <PAGE>
      
          Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  the  Guarantor  and  any  Restricted
     Subsidiary  (except as  specified below)  may  Incur each  and  all of  the
     following: (i) Indebtedness of the Guarantor or Holdings outstanding at any
     time,  which Indebtedness  generates  gross proceeds  to  the Guarantor  or
     Holdings of  up to $900  million, less the  gross proceeds  of Indebtedness
     permanently repaid  as  provided  under the  "Limitation  on  Asset  Sales"
     covenant described  below; (ii) Indebtedness to the Guarantor or any of its
     Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that any subsequent issuance
     or transfer of  any Capital Stock  which results in  any such Wholly  Owned
     Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or
     any subsequent transfer of  such Indebtedness (other than to  the Guarantor
     or another Wholly  Owned Restricted  Subsidiary) shall be  deemed, in  each
     case, to constitute  an Incurrence  of such Indebtedness  not permitted  by
     this clause  (ii); (iii) Indebtedness  issued in  exchange for, or  the net
     proceeds  of  which  are used  to  refinance  or  refund, then  outstanding
     Indebtedness, other than Indebtedness Incurred under clause (i), (ii), (v),
     (vi), (viii), (ix),  (xi) or (xii) of this  paragraph, and any refinancings
     thereof in an  amount not to  exceed the amount  so refinanced or  refunded
     (plus  premiums,  accrued  interest,  fees  and  expenses);  provided  that
     Indebtedness the  proceeds of  which are  used to  refinance or  refund the
     Exchange  Debentures  or   Indebtedness  that  is   pari  passu  with,   or
     subordinated  in  right  of payment  to,  the  Exchange  Debentures or  the
     Debenture  Guarantee shall only be permitted under this clause (iii) if (A)
     in case the  Exchange Debentures are refinanced in part or the Indebtedness
     to  be  refinanced is  pari  passu  with  the  Exchange Debentures  or  the
     Debenture Guarantee, as  the case  may be,  such new  Indebtedness, by  its
     terms or by the terms of any agreement or instrument pursuant to which such
     new  Indebtedness is  outstanding, is  expressly made  pari passu  with, or
     subordinate  in right of payment  to, the remaining  Exchange Debentures or
     the  Debenture Guarantee, as the case may  be, (B) in case the Indebtedness
     to be  refinanced  is subordinated  in  right of  payment to  the  Exchange
     Debentures  or  the Debenture  Guarantee,  as the  case  may  be, such  new
     Indebtedness,  by its terms or by the  terms of any agreement or instrument
     pursuant to which such  new Indebtedness is issued or  remains outstanding,
     is  expressly  made  subordinate  in  right  of  payment  to  the  Exchange
     Debentures or the Debenture Guarantee, as the case may be,  at least to the
     extent  that the  Indebtedness  to be  refinanced  is subordinated  to  the
     Exchange Debentures  or the Debenture Guarantee, as the case may be and (C)
     such new Indebtedness, determined as of the date of Incurrence  of such new
     Indebtedness,  does  not  mature  prior  to  the  Stated  Maturity  of  the
     Indebtedness to be refinanced or refunded, and the Average Life of such new
     Indebtedness is  at  least equal  to  the  remaining Average  Life  of  the
     Indebtedness to be refinanced or refunded; and provided further that  in no
     event  may Indebtedness of the Guarantor or Holdings be refinanced by means
     of  any Indebtedness  of  any Restricted  Subsidiary  of the  Guarantor  or
     Holdings,  as  the  case  may  be, pursuant  to  this  clause  (iii);  (iv)
     Indebtedness (A) in respect of performance, surety or appeal bonds provided
     in  the  ordinary course  of business,  (B)  under Currency  Agreements and
     Interest Rate Agreements; provided that such agreements do not increase the
     Indebtedness of  the obligor outstanding at any time other than as a result
     of fluctuations in foreign  currency exchange rates or interest rates or by
     reason of  fees, indemnities and  compensation payable thereunder;  and (C)
     arising  from  agreements  providing  for  indemnification,  adjustment  of
     purchase price or  similar obligations,  or from Guarantees  or letters  of
     credit,  surety bonds  or  performance bonds  securing  any obligations  of
     Holdings or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to such agreements,
     in any  case Incurred in connection  with the disposition of  any business,
     assets  or Restricted  Subsidiary  of Holdings  (other  than Guarantees  of
     Indebtedness Incurred  by any Person  acquiring all or any  portion of such
     business,  assets or Restricted Subsidiary  of Holdings for  the purpose of
     financing  such  acquisition), in  a principal  amount  at maturity  not to
     exceed the gross proceeds  actually received by Holdings or  any Restricted
     Subsidiary  in connection  with such disposition;  (v) Indebtedness  of the
     Guarantor or, to the extent the proceeds referred  to below are contributed
     to Holdings, Holdings,  not to exceed,  at any one time  outstanding, twice
     the amount of Net Cash Proceeds received by the Guarantor after the Closing
     Date from the issuance and sale of its Capital Stock (other than Redeemable
     Stock); provided that such Indebtedness does not mature prior to the Stated
     Maturity of the Exchange Debentures and has an Average Life longer than the
     Exchange  Debentures; (vi)  Strategic  Investor Subordinated  Indebtedness;
     (vii) Indebtedness of the Guarantor or Holdings, to the extent the proceeds
     thereof  are  immediately used  after  the Incurrence  thereof  to purchase
     Exchange Debentures or  14 1/4%  Exchange Debentures, as  the case may  be,
     tendered in an Offer to Purchase made as a result of a Change of Control or
     a  change  of control,  as  the case  may  be; (viii)  Indebtedness  of any
     Restricted  Subsidiary of  the  Guarantor Incurred  pursuant to  any credit
     agreement  (including equipment  leasing or  financing agreements)  of such
     Restricted  Subsidiary  in  effect on  August  8,  1995  (or any  agreement

                                      -93-
     <PAGE>

     refinancing  Indebtedness under such credit agreement), up to the amount of
     the  commitment under  such  credit  agreement  on  August  8,  1995;  (ix)
     Indebtedness of the Guarantor or Holdings, in an amount not  to exceed $100
     million  at  any  one time  outstanding,  consisting  of  Capitalized Lease
     Obligations  with  respect  to assets  that  are  used  or  useful  in  the
     telecommunications  business   of   the   Guarantor   or   its   Restricted
     Subsidiaries; (x) Indebtedness incurred to defease the Exchange Debentures;
     (xi) Indebtedness of any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the
     Guarantor  after the Closing Date,  which Indebtedness exists  or for which
     there is a commitment to lend at the time such Person becomes a  Restricted
     Subsidiary,  and subsequent Incurrences  thereof ("Acquired Indebtedness"),
     in an accreted amount not to exceed $50 million at any one time outstanding
     in  aggregate for  all  such Restricted  Subsidiaries;  provided that  such
     Acquired Indebtedness does not exceed  65% of the consideration (calculated
     by including the Acquired  Indebtedness as part of such  consideration) for
     the  acquisition of  such Person;  (xii) Indebtedness  of the  Guarantor or
     Holdings,  in  an amount  not  to  exceed  $30  million  at  any  one  time
     outstanding, consisting of  letters of credit and similar arrangements used
     to   support  obligations  of  the  Guarantor  or  any  of  its  Restricted
     Subsidiaries  with respect  to the  acquisition of  (by purchase,  lease or
     otherwise), construction of, or  improvements on, assets that will  be used
     or  useful in  the  telecommunications business  of  the Guarantor  or  its
     Restricted Subsidiaries;  and (xiii)  Indebtedness Incurred to  finance the
     cost (including the cost of design, development, construction, installation
     or  integration) of assets,  equipment or inventory  used or useful  in the
     telecommunications business  of  the Guarantor  or  any of  its  Restricted
     Subsidiaries that is  acquired by  the Guarantor or  any of its  Restricted
     Subsidiaries after the Closing Date. 
      
          (b)  For purposes of determining any particular amount of Indebtedness
     under  this "Limitation  on  Indebtedness" covenant,  Guarantees, Liens  or
     obligations  with  respect to  letters  of  credit supporting  Indebtedness
     otherwise included in the determination of such particular amount shall not
     be  included. For purposes of determining  compliance with this "Limitation
     on Indebtedness" covenant, in the event that an item  of Indebtedness meets
     the criteria  of more than one  of the types of  Indebtedness or Redeemable
     Stock described in  the above  clauses, Holdings, in  its sole  discretion,
     shall classify such item  of Indebtedness or Redeemable  Stock and only  be
     required to include the amount and  type of such Indebtedness or Redeemable
     Stock in one of such clauses. 
      
      Limitation on Restricted Payments
      
          So  long  as  any of  the  Exchange  Debentures  are outstanding,  the
     Guarantor  will  not, and  will not  permit  any Restricted  Subsidiary to,
     directly  or indirectly,  (i)  declare or  pay  any  dividend or  make  any
     distribution  on its Capital  Stock (other than  dividends or distributions
     payable solely in  shares of  its or such  Restricted Subsidiary's  Capital
     Stock (other than Redeemable Stock) of  the same class held by such holders
     or in options, warrants or  other rights to acquire such shares  of Capital
     Stock) held  by Persons other than  the Guarantor or any  of its Restricted
     Subsidiaries  (and other than pro rata dividends or distributions on Common
     Stock  of  Restricted  Subsidiaries),  (ii)  purchase,  redeem,  retire  or
     otherwise acquire for value any shares of Capital Stock of the Guarantor or
     any Restricted Subsidiary  (including options, warrants or  other rights to
     acquire  such  shares of  Capital  Stock) held  by Persons  other  than the
     Guarantor  or any of its  Wholly Owned Restricted  Subsidiaries (except for
     Capital Stock of ChoiceCom, MTN, StarCom,  Ohio LINX, FOTI and Zycom to the
     extent the  consideration therefor consists  solely of Common  Stock (other
     than  Redeemable Stock) of the Guarantor transferred in compliance with the
     Securities Act), (iii) make any voluntary or optional principal payment, or
     voluntary  or  optional  redemption,   repurchase,  defeasance,  or   other
     acquisition or retirement  for value,  of Indebtedness of  Holdings or  the
     Guarantor  that is  subordinated  in  right  of  payment  to  the  Exchange
     Debentures or the Debenture Guarantee, as the case may be; or (iv) make any
     Investment, other than a Permitted Investment, in any Person (such payments
     or   any  other  actions  described  in  clauses  (i)  through  (iv)  being
     collectively  "Restricted Payments") if, at  the time of,  and after giving
     effect  to, the  proposed Restricted  Payment: (A)  a  Default or  Event of
     Default shall have occurred  and be continuing, (B) the Guarantor could not
     Incur  at least  $1.00 of  Indebtedness under  the first  paragraph of  the
     "Limitation on Indebtedness"  covenant or (C) the aggregate amount expended
     for all Restricted Payments (the amount so expended, if other than in cash,
     to   be  determined  in  good  faith  by  the  Board  of  Directors,  whose
     determination shall  be conclusive  and  evidenced by  a Board  Resolution)
     after the date of the Exchange  Debenture Indenture shall exceed the sum of

                                      -94-
     <PAGE>

     (1) 50% of  the aggregate amount  of the  Adjusted Consolidated Net  Income
     (or, if the Adjusted Consolidated  Net Income is a loss, minus 100% of such
     amount) (determined by excluding income resulting from transfers  of assets
     by  the Guarantor or a Restricted Subsidiary to an Unrestricted Subsidiary)
     accrued on a cumulative  basis during the period  (taken as one  accounting
     period)  beginning on  the  first day  of  the fiscal  quarter  immediately
     following the Closing Date  and ending on the  last day of the last  fiscal
     quarter  preceding the Transaction Date  for which reports  have been filed
     pursuant to the "Reports" covenant plus (2) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds
     received by the Guarantor after the Closing Date from the issuance and sale
     permitted by the Exchange  Debenture Indenture of its Capital  Stock (other
     than  Redeemable  Stock)  to a  Person  who  is  not  a Subsidiary  of  the
     Guarantor,  or from the issuance to a Person who is not a Subsidiary of the
     Guarantor of any options, warrants or other rights to acquire Capital Stock
     of the  Guarantor (in each case,  exclusive of any Redeemable  Stock or any
     options, warrants  or other rights that are redeemable at the option of the
     holder, or are required to be redeemed, prior to the Stated Maturity of the
     Exchange Debentures)  plus  (3) an  amount equal  to the  net reduction  in
     Investments (other than reductions in  Permitted Investments) in any Person
     resulting from payments of  interest on Indebtedness, dividends, repayments
     of  loans or advances,  or other transfers  of assets, in each  case to the
     Guarantor  or  any Restricted  Subsidiary (except  to  the extent  any such
     payment  is  included in  the  calculation  of  Adjusted  Consolidated  Net
     Income), or from redesignations  of Unrestricted Subsidiaries as Restricted
     Subsidiaries  (valued in  each  case  as  provided  in  the  definition  of
     "Investments"),  not to exceed the amount of Investments previously made by
     the Guarantor and its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Person. 

          The  foregoing provision shall  not be violated by  reason of: (i) the
     payment  of  any dividend  within  60 days  after  the date  of declaration
     thereof if, at said date of declaration, such payment would comply with the
     foregoing paragraph;  (ii) the redemption, repurchase,  defeasance or other
     acquisition or retirement for value of Indebtedness that is subordinated in
     right of payment to the Exchange Debentures  or the Debenture Guarantee, as
     the  case  may be,  including  premium,  if  any, and  accrued  and  unpaid
     interest, with the proceeds  of, or in exchange for,  Indebtedness Incurred
     under   clause  (iii)  of  the  second  paragraph  of  the  "Limitation  on
     Indebtedness"   covenant;  (iii)   the  repurchase,  redemption   or  other
     acquisition  of Capital  Stock of  the Guarantor  or Holdings  (or options,
     warrants or other rights to acquire such Capital Stock) and with respect to
     any  preferred stock, the payment of accrued dividends thereon, in exchange
     for, or out of the proceeds  of a substantially concurrent issuance or sale
     of, shares of Capital Stock (other  than Redeemable Stock) of the Guarantor
     or Holdings; provided  that the redemption of  any preferred stock and  the
     payment of accrued dividends  thereon pursuant to any mandatory  redemption
     feature thereof  and any  redemption of any  other Capital  Stock and  with
     respect  to any preferred stock,  the payment of  accrued dividends thereon
     (or options, warrants or  other rights to acquire such Capital Stock) shall
     be deemed to  be "substantially concurrent" with such issuance  and sale if
     the required notice with respect to such redemption is irrevocably given by
     a date  which is  no later  than five  Business Days  after receipt  of the
     proceeds of  such issuance  and sale  and  such redemption  and payment  is
     consummated within the period  provided for in the documents  providing for
     the  redemption  of such  preferred stock  or  the documents  governing the
     redemption  of  such other  Capital Stock,  as the  case  may be;  (iv) the
     acquisition  of  Indebtedness  of  Holdings  or   the  Guarantor  which  is
     subordinated  in right  of  payment  to  the  Exchange  Debentures  or  the
     Debenture Guarantee, as the  case may be,  in exchange for,  or out of  the
     proceeds  of, a substantially concurrent offering of, shares of the Capital
     Stock  of  the Guarantor  (other than  Redeemable  Stock); (v)  payments or
     distributions,  in  the  nature  of  satisfaction  of  dissenters'  rights,
     pursuant to or  in connection with  a consolidation, merger or  transfer of
     assets  that  complies  with  the  provisions  of  the  Exchange  Debenture
     Indenture applicable  to mergers,  consolidations and  transfers of  all or
     substantially all of the property and  assets of Holdings or the Guarantor;
     (vi) Investments, not to exceed $10 million in aggregate, each evidenced by
     a senior  promissory note payable  to Holdings that  provides that  it will
     become  due  and  payable  prior  to  (or,  in  the  case  of acceleration,
     concurrently with) any  required repayment (including pursuant  to an Offer
     to  Purchase  in  connection with  a  Change  of Control)  of  the Exchange
     Debentures; (vii) Investments, not  to exceed $5 million in  the aggregate,
     that meet the requirements of clause (vi) above; provided that the Board of
     Directors of the Guarantor shall have determined, in good faith,  that each
     such Investment under this clause (vii) will enable the Guarantor, Holdings
     or  one of their Restricted Subsidiaries to obtain additional business that
     it  might not  be able  to obtain  without the  making of  such Investment;
     (viii)  with respect to preferred stock permitted  to be issued and sold by

                                      -95-
     <PAGE>

     the  "Limitation  on  Issuance and  Sale  of  Capital  Stock of  Restricted
     Subsidiaries" covenant,  the  payment (A)  of dividends  on such  preferred
     stock in additional shares of preferred stock and (B) of  cash dividends on
     such preferred stock and accrued interest on unpaid dividends, in each case
     after  May 1,  2001;  (ix) the  repurchase,  in the  event of  a  Change of
     Control, of preferred stock  of Holdings or the Guarantor  and Indebtedness
     of Holdings  or the  Guarantor  into which  such preferred  stock has  been
     exchanged;  provided that  prior to  repurchasing  such preferred  stock or
     Indebtedness, Holdings  or the  Guarantor, as the  case may be,  shall have
     made a  Change of Control  Offer to  repurchase the Exchange  Debentures in
     accordance with the terms of the Exchange Debenture Indenture (and an offer
     to  repurchase other  Indebtedness, if  required by  the terms  thereof, in
     accordance  with  the  indenture or  other  document  governing  such other
     Indebtedness)  and shall have accepted and paid for any Exchange Debentures
     (and other Indebtedness) properly  tendered in connection with  such Change
     of Control Offer for the Exchange Debentures or change of control offer for
     such  other Indebtedness; and (x) the issuance of Indebtedness permitted to
     be  issued under the Exchange Debenture Indenture in exchange for preferred
     stock;  provided that the Incurrence of such Indebtedness complies with the
     "Limitation on Indebtedness" covenant; provided that, except in the case of
     clauses  (i) and (iii), no Default or  Event of Default shall have occurred
     and be  continuing or occur as a consequence of the actions or payments set
     forth therein. 

          Each Restricted Payment permitted  pursuant to the preceding paragraph
     (other than the Restricted  Payment referred to in clauses  (ii), (viii)(A)
     and (x)  thereof), and the Net  Cash Proceeds from any  issuance of Capital
     Stock referred to in clause (iii)  or (iv) shall be included in calculating
     whether the  conditions  of  clause (C)  of  the first  paragraph  of  this
     "Limitation  on Restricted Payments" covenant have been met with respect to
     any subsequent  Restricted Payments. Notwithstanding the  foregoing, in the
     event  the proceeds of  an issuance of  Capital Stock of  the Guarantor are
     used  for the redemption, repurchase  or other acquisition  of the Exchange
     Debentures, or  Indebtedness  that is  pari  passu with  or  senior to  the
     Exchange Debentures, then the Net  Cash Proceeds of such issuance  shall be
     included  in  clause (C)  of the  first  paragraph of  this  "Limitation on
     Restricted Payments" covenant only to the extent such proceeds are not used
     for such redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of such Indebtedness. 
      
      Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted
      Subsidiaries 
      
          So  long  as  any of  the  Exchange  Debentures  are outstanding,  the
     Guarantor  will  not, and  will not  permit  any Restricted  Subsidiary to,
     create or  otherwise  cause or  suffer  to exist  or  become effective  any
     consensual  encumbrance or  restriction of any  kind on the  ability of any
     Restricted  Subsidiary to (i) pay dividends or make any other distributions
     permitted  by  applicable  law on  any  Capital  Stock  of such  Restricted
     Subsidiary  owned by the Guarantor or any other Restricted Subsidiary, (ii)
     pay  any Indebtedness  owed  to  the  Guarantor  or  any  other  Restricted
     Subsidiary,  (iii) make  loans or  advances to the  Guarantor or  any other
     Restricted Subsidiary or (iv) transfer any of its property or assets to the
     Guarantor or any other Restricted Subsidiary. 

          The  foregoing  provisions  shall  not restrict  any  encumbrances  or
     restrictions:  (i) existing  on the  Exchange Debenture  Issue Date  in the
     Exchange  Debenture  Indenture or  any other  agreements  in effect  on the
     Exchange Debenture  Issue Date, and any  extensions, refinancings, renewals
     or  replacements of  such agreements;  provided that  the encumbrances  and
     restrictions in any such extensions, refinancings, renewals or replacements
     are no  less favorable in  any material respect  to the Holders  than those
     encumbrances or  restrictions that are  then in effect  and that are  being
     extended, refinanced, renewed or replaced; (ii) existing under or by reason
     of  applicable law;  (iii)  existing  with respect  to  any  Person or  the
     property  or  assets  of such  Person  acquired  by  the  Guarantor or  any
     Restricted Subsidiary, existing  at the  time of such  acquisition and  not
     incurred in  contemplation thereof, which encumbrances  or restrictions are
     not  applicable to any Person or the property or assets of any Person other
     than such Person or the property or assets of such Person so acquired; (iv)
     in the  case of clause (iv) of  the first paragraph of  this "Limitation on
     Dividend and  Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries"
     covenant,  (A)  that   restrict  in  a  customary  manner  the  subletting,
     assignment or transfer  of any property or asset that  is a lease, license,
     conveyance or contract or similar property or asset, (B) existing by virtue

                                      -96-
     <PAGE>

     of any transfer of, agreement to transfer, option or right with respect to,
     or  Lien on,  any property  or assets  of the  Guarantor or  any Restricted
     Subsidiary not otherwise prohibited by  the Exchange Debenture Indenture or
     (C)  arising or agreed to in the  ordinary course of business, not relating
     to any Indebtedness,  and that  do not, individually  or in the  aggregate,
     detract  from  the value  of property  or assets  of  the Guarantor  or any
     Restricted  Subsidiary in  any  manner material  to  the Guarantor  or  any
     Restricted  Subsidiary; (v)  with respect  to a  Restricted Subsidiary  and
     imposed pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into for the sale or
     disposition  of  all or  substantially  all  of the  Capital  Stock of,  or
     property  and assets  of,  such  Restricted  Subsidiary;  or  (vi)  imposed
     pursuant to preferred stock  of Holdings issued pursuant to clause  (vi) of
     the  "Limitation  on  Issuance and  Sale  of  Capital  Stock of  Restricted
     Subsidiaries"  covenant,  or  exchange  debentures  or  exchange  notes  of
     Holdings issued in  exchange therefor; provided that such  restrictions (A)
     may  include  a  prohibition   (x)  on  payments  on  Capital   Stock  upon
     liquidation,  winding-up and dissolution of Holdings and (y) on the payment
     of  dividends on and  the making of  any distribution on,  or the purchase,
     redemption,  retirement or other acquisition for value of, Capital Stock of
     Holdings if dividends or  other amounts on such preferred  stock are unpaid
     and  (B) any restrictions imposed  pursuant to preferred  stock of Holdings
     other than pursuant  to clause (A)  shall be no  more restrictive than  the
     restrictions contained  in the Exchange Debenture  Indenture (assuming that
     references  to  the Guarantor  in  the  Exchange  Debenture Indenture  were
     replaced  with   references  to   Holdings).  Nothing  contained   in  this
     "Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted
     Subsidiaries"  covenant  shall  prevent  the Guarantor  or  any  Restricted
     Subsidiary from (1) creating, incurring, assuming or suffering to exist any
     Liens  otherwise permitted  in the  "Limitation on  Liens" covenant  or (2)
     restricting  the sale  or other disposition  of property  or assets  of the
     Guarantor or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that secure Indebtedness of
     the Guarantor or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries. 
      
      Limitation   on  Issuances  and  Sale   of  Capital  Stock  of  Restricted
      Subsidiaries
      
          Under  the terms  of the Exchange  Debenture Indenture,  the Guarantor
     will  not sell, and will not permit  any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or
     indirectly, to issue or sell,  any shares of Capital Stock of  a Restricted
     Subsidiary (including options, warrants or other  rights to purchase shares
     of  such Capital  Stock) except  (i)  to the  Guarantor or  a Wholly  Owned
     Restricted  Subsidiary; (ii)  issuances or  sales  to foreign  nationals of
     shares of Capital Stock  of foreign Restricted Subsidiaries, to  the extent
     required  by applicable law; (iii)  if, immediately after  giving effect to
     such  issuance  or  sale,  such  Restricted  Subsidiary   would  no  longer
     constitute  a Restricted Subsidiary; (iv)  with respect to  Common Stock of
     ChoiceCom, MTN, StarCom and Zycom;  provided that the proceeds of  any such
     sale under  clause (iv) shall be  applied in accordance with  clause (A) or
     (B) of  the first  paragraph of  the "Limitation  on Asset  Sales" covenant
     described  below; (v) with  respect to Common Stock  of FOTI; provided that
     FOTI shall  not retain any  net proceeds  from such sales  or issuances  in
     excess of $10 million  in the aggregate and  any net proceeds in  excess of
     such $10  million shall be  received by, or  paid promptly by  FOTI to, the
     Guarantor,  Holdings  or  any  Wholly Owned  Restricted  Subsidiary  of the
     Guarantor; and (vi) with respect to (A)  preferred stock of Holdings having
     an  initial liquidation  preference  of up  to  $250  million and  (B)  any
     preferred  stock of Holdings issued  as dividends on  such preferred stock;
     provided  that such  preferred stock does  not require the  payment of cash
     dividends prior to May 1, 2001. 
      
      Limitation on Issuances of Guarantees by Restricted Subsidiaries
      
          The Guarantor will not permit  any Restricted Subsidiary, directly  or
     indirectly, to  Guarantee any Indebtedness of Holdings  or any Indebtedness
     of the  Guarantor ("Guaranteed  Indebtedness"), unless (i)  such Restricted
     Subsidiary simultaneously executes and delivers a supplemental indenture to
     the Exchange Debenture Indenture  providing for a Guarantee  (a "Subsidiary
     Guarantee") of  payment  of  the  Exchange Debentures  by  such  Restricted
     Subsidiary and (ii) such Restricted  Subsidiary waives and will not  in any
     manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of,  any rights of
     reimbursement, indemnity  or subrogation  or any  other rights  against the
     Guarantor, Holdings or any other  Restricted Subsidiary as a result of  any
     payment  by  such Restricted  Subsidiary  under  its Subsidiary  Guarantee;
     provided  that this paragraph shall  not be applicable  to any Guarantee of
     any Restricted Subsidiary that (x) existed at the time such Person became a
     Restricted Subsidiary  and (y) was not  Incurred in connection with,  or in

                                      -97-
     <PAGE>

     contemplation  of, such  Person  becoming a  Restricted Subsidiary.  If the
     Guaranteed Indebtedness is (A)  pari passu with the Exchange  Debentures or
     the Debenture Guarantee, then the Guarantee of such Guaranteed Indebtedness
     shall be pari passu with,  or subordinated to, the Subsidiary  Guarantee or
     (B)  subordinated to the  Exchange Debentures  or the  Debenture Guarantee,
     then the Guarantee of such Guaranteed Indebtedness shall be subordinated to
     the  Subsidiary  Guarantee  at least  to  the  extent  that the  Guaranteed
     Indebtedness is  subordinated to the  Exchange Debentures or  the Debenture
     Guarantee, as the case may be. 
      
          If, on or  prior to the Exchange Debenture Issue  Date, any Restricted
     Subsidiary shall have Guaranteed any Guaranteed Indebtedness, the Guarantor
     shall  cause such  Restricted Subsidiary  to grant  a Subsidiary  Guarantee
     meeting  the  requirements  of  the preceding  paragraph.  Such  Subsidiary
     Guarantee shall be granted on the Exchange Debenture Issue Date. 
      
          Notwithstanding  the   foregoing,  any   Subsidiary  Guarantee  by   a
     Restricted  Subsidiary  shall  provide  by  its  terms  that  it  shall  be
     automatically  and unconditionally  released  and discharged  upon (i)  any
     sale, exchange  or  transfer,  to  any  Person  not  an  Affiliate  of  the
     Guarantor, of  all of  Holdings' and  each Restricted Subsidiary's  Capital
     Stock  in, or  all  or substantially  all the  assets  of, such  Restricted
     Subsidiary  (which  sale, exchange  or transfer  is  not prohibited  by the
     Exchange  Debenture  Indenture) or  (ii) the  release  or discharge  of the
     Guarantee which  resulted in  the creation  of  such Subsidiary  Guarantee,
     except a  discharge or  release by  or as a  result of  payment under  such
     Guarantee. 
      
     Limitation on Transactions with Shareholders and Affiliates
      
          Under the  terms of  the Exchange  Debenture Indenture,  the Guarantor
     will not,  and will not  permit any  Restricted Subsidiary to,  directly or
     indirectly, enter into, renew or extend any transaction (including, without
     limitation, the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of property or assets, or
     the  rendering of any  service) with any  holder (or any  Affiliate of such
     holder) of 5% or  more of any  class of Capital Stock  of the Guarantor  or
     with  any Affiliate of the  Guarantor or any  Restricted Subsidiary, except
     upon fair and reasonable terms  no less favorable to the Guarantor  or such
     Restricted  Subsidiary  than  could  be  obtained,  at  the  time  of  such
     transaction  or at  the time of  the execution  of the  agreement providing
     therefor,  in a comparable arm's-length  transaction with a  Person that is
     not such a holder or an Affiliate. 
      
          The foregoing limitation  does not limit, and  shall not apply to  (i)
     transactions (A) approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the
     Board  of  Directors  or  (B)  for  which  the  Guarantor  or  a Restricted
     Subsidiary  delivers to  the  Trustee a  written  opinion of  a  nationally
     recognized  investment banking firm stating that the transaction is fair to
     the Guarantor or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view;
     (ii)  any transaction solely  between the Guarantor  and any  of its Wholly
     Owned  Restricted Subsidiaries  or solely  between Wholly  Owned Restricted
     Subsidiaries; (iii) the payment of reasonable and customary regular fees to
     directors  of  the Guarantor,  Holdings (Canada)  or  Holdings who  are not
     employees  of  the  Guarantor,  Holdings  (Canada) or  Holdings;  (iv)  any
     payments  or  other  transactions  pursuant to  any  tax-sharing  agreement
     between the Guarantor and any other Person with which the Guarantor files a
     consolidated  tax  return  or  with  which  the  Guarantor  is  part  of  a
     consolidated group for  tax purposes;  or (v) any  Restricted Payments  not
     prohibited   by  the   "Limitation   on   Restricted  Payments"   covenant.
     Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  any  transaction  covered  by  the  first
     paragraph  of  this  "Limitation  on  Transactions  with  Shareholders  and
     Affiliates" covenant  and not covered by clauses  (ii) through (iv) of this
     paragraph,  the aggregate amount of which exceeds $2 million in value, must
     be approved or determined to be  fair in the manner provided for  in clause
     (i)(A) or (B) above. 
      
      Limitation on Liens
      
          Under  the terms  of the Exchange  Debenture Indenture,  the Guarantor
     will not, and will  not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, incur,
     assume  or suffer to exist  any Lien on any of  its assets or properties of

                                      -98-
     <PAGE>

     any character,  or  any shares  of  Capital Stock  or Indebtedness  of  any
     Restricted Subsidiary,  without making effective  provision for all  of the
     Exchange Debentures (or, in  the case of a Lien on  assets or properties of
     the Guarantor, the Debenture Guarantee) and all other amounts due under the
     Exchange Debenture  Indenture to  be directly  secured equally  and ratably
     with  (or, if the  obligation or  liability to be  secured by such  Lien is
     subordinated  in right  of  payment  to  the  Exchange  Debentures  or  the
     Debenture  Guarantee, prior to) the obligation or liability secured by such
     Lien. 
      
          The foregoing limitation does not  apply to (i) Liens existing on  the
     Closing Date;  (ii) Liens granted after  the Closing Date on  any assets or
     Capital Stock of  Holdings (Canada),  Holdings or any  of their  Restricted
     Subsidiaries created in favor of the  Holders; (iii) Liens with respect  to
     the assets of a Restricted Subsidiary granted by such Restricted Subsidiary
     to  the Guarantor  or  a  Wholly  Owned  Restricted  Subsidiary  to  secure
     Indebtedness owing  to the Guarantor  or such other  Restricted Subsidiary;
     (iv) Liens  securing Indebtedness  which is  Incurred to  refinance secured
     Indebtedness which  is permitted to be  Incurred under clause  (iii) of the
     second  paragraph of  the "Limitation  on Indebtedness"  covenant; provided
     that  such Liens do not  extend to or  cover any property or  assets of the
     Guarantor, Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary other than the property or
     assets securing the  Indebtedness being refinanced; (v)  Liens with respect
     to  assets or properties of any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary
     after the Closing  Date; provided that such Liens do not extend to or cover
     any  assets  or properties  of  the  Guarantor  or  any of  its  Restricted
     Subsidiaries other than the assets or properties  of such Person subject to
     such Lien  on the date  such Person  becomes a  Restricted Subsidiary;  and
     provided further that  such Liens are not incurred  in contemplation of, or
     in  connection with,  such Person  becoming  a Restricted  Subsidiary; (vi)
     Permitted  Liens;  (vii)  Liens  securing  Senior  Indebtedness  or  Senior
     Guarantor  Indebtedness;  or (viii)  Liens,  solely  in favor  of  Acquired
     Indebtedness,  on   Capital  Stock   of  Persons  that   become  Restricted
     Subsidiaries of the Guarantor after the Closing Date. 
      
      Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets
      
          Neither Holdings nor the Guarantor shall consolidate with,  merge with
     or into,  or sell, convey, transfer,  lease or otherwise dispose  of all or
     substantially  all  of  its   property  and  assets  (as  an   entirety  or
     substantially  an  entirety  in one  transaction  or  a  series of  related
     transactions) to, any Person  (other than a consolidation or merger with or
     into  a Wholly  Owned  Restricted Subsidiary  with  a positive  net  worth;
     provided  that, in  connection with  any such  merger or  consolidation, no
     consideration (other than Common Stock in the surviving Person, Holdings or
     the  Guarantor) shall  be  issued or  distributed  to the  stockholders  of
     Holdings  or the  Guarantor) or  permit any  Person to  merge with  or into
     Holdings or  the Guarantor unless: (i)  Holdings or the Guarantor  shall be
     the  continuing  Person, or  the  Person  (if other  than  Holdings  or the
     Guarantor)  formed  by such  consolidation or  into  which Holdings  or the
     Guarantor is  merged or that acquired or leased such property and assets of
     Holdings  or the  Guarantor shall  be a  corporation organized  and validly
     existing under the laws of the United States of America or any jurisdiction
     thereof and shall  expressly assume, by a  supplemental indenture, executed
     and delivered to  the Trustee, all  of the obligations  of Holdings or  the
     Guarantor, as the case may be, and under the Exchange  Debenture Indenture;
     (ii) immediately after  giving effect  to such transaction,  no Default  or
     Event of Default shall  have occurred and be continuing;  (iii) immediately
     after giving effect  to such transaction on a pro  forma basis, Holdings or
     the  Guarantor, as the  case may be,  or any Person  becoming the successor
     obligor of the Exchange Debentures or the Debenture Guarantee, as the  case
     may be, shall have a  Consolidated Net Worth equal  to or greater than  the
     Consolidated Net  Worth of Holdings or  the Guarantor, as the  case may be,
     immediately prior to such transaction; (iv) immediately after giving effect
     to such transaction  on a pro forma basis Holdings,  or any Person becoming
     the successor obligor of the Exchange Debentures, as the case may be, could
     Incur at  least $1.00  of Indebtedness  under  the first  paragraph of  the
     "Limitation on  Indebtedness" covenant;  and (v)  Holdings delivers  to the
     Trustee an Officers' Certificate  (attaching the arithmetic computations to
     demonstrate compliance with clauses (iii) and (iv) above) and an Opinion of
     Counsel, in each case  stating that such consolidation, merger  or transfer
     and such supplemental indenture  complies with this provision and  that all
     conditions precedent provided for herein relating  to such transaction have
     been complied with; provided, however, that clauses (iii) and (iv) above do
     not apply if, in the good faith determination of  the Board of Directors of
     the   Guarantor,  whose  determination  shall   be  evidenced  by  a  Board

                                      -99-
     <PAGE>

     Resolution, the principal purpose of such  transaction is part of a plan to
     change  the jurisdiction of incorporation of Holdings or the Guarantor to a
     state of the  United States; and provided further that any such transaction
     shall  not  have as  one  of  its purposes  the  evasion  of the  foregoing
     limitations. 
      
      Limitation on Asset Sales
      
          Under the  terms of  the Exchange  Debenture Indenture, the  Guarantor
     will not, and will not permit  any Restricted Subsidiary to, consummate any
     Asset Sale, unless (i) the consideration received by  the Guarantor or such
     Restricted Subsidiary is  at least equal  to the fair  market value of  the
     assets  sold or  disposed of  and (ii)  at least  75% of  the consideration
     received consists of cash or Temporary  Cash Investments. In the event  and
     to  the extent that the Net Cash Proceeds  received by the Guarantor or its
     Restricted Subsidiaries from one or more Asset  Sales occurring on or after
     the  Closing Date  in any  period of  12 consecutive  months exceed  10% of
     Adjusted Consolidated  Net  Tangible  Assets (determined  as  of  the  date
     closest  to  the  commencement   of  such  12-month  period  for   which  a
     consolidated  balance  sheet  of  Holdings and  its  Subsidiaries  has been
     prepared),  then the Guarantor shall or shall cause the relevant Restricted
     Subsidiary to  (i) within six  months after the  date Net Cash  Proceeds so
     received  exceed 10% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (A) apply
     an amount  equal to  such excess  Net  Cash Proceeds  to permanently  repay
     unsubordinated Indebtedness  of the Guarantor or  Holdings, or Indebtedness
     of any Restricted Subsidiary other  than Holdings, in each case owing  to a
     Person other than  the Guarantor or any  of its Restricted Subsidiaries  or
     (B) invest an equal amount, or the amount not so applied pursuant to clause
     (A) (or enter into  a definitive agreement  committing to so invest  within
     six months after the  date of such agreement),  in property or assets  of a
     nature or type  or that  are used  in a business  (or in  a company  having
     property and assets of a  nature or type, or engaged in a business) similar
     or  related to the  nature or type  of the  property and assets  of, or the
     business  of, the Guarantor and its Restricted Subsidiaries existing on the
     date  of  such investment  (as determined  in good  faith  by the  Board of
     Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive and evidenced by a Board
     Resolution) and (ii)  apply (no later than the end  of the six-month period
     referred to in clause (i)) such excess Net Cash Proceeds (to the extent not
     applied pursuant to clause (i)) as provided in the following paragraphs  of
     this "Limitation  on Asset Sales" covenant.  The amount of  such excess Net
     Cash  Proceeds required to  be applied (or  to be committed  to be applied)
     during such  six-month period as set  forth in clause (i)  of the preceding
     sentence and not  applied as so  required by the  end of such period  shall
     constitute "Excess Proceeds." 
      
          If, as of the first day of any calendar month, the aggregate amount of
     Excess Proceeds not theretofore subject to an Offer to Purchase pursuant to
     this  "Limitation on  Asset Sales"  covenant totals  at least  $10 million,
     Holdings  must commence,  not  later than  the  seventy-fifth Business  Day
     following the  first day of such month, and consummate an Offer to Purchase
     from  the Holders  on a  pro rata  basis an  aggregate principal  amount of
     Exchange  Debentures  equal  to the  Excess  Proceeds  on such  date,  at a
     purchase  price equal  to 101%  of the  aggregate principal  amount of  the
     Exchange Debentures, plus, in each  case, accrued interest (if any) to  the
     date of purchase. 

     Senior Subordinated Indebtedness
      
          Neither the Guarantor nor Holdings  will incur any Indebtedness, other
     than the Exchange Debentures or the Debenture Guarantee, respectively, that
     is   expressly  made  subordinated  in  right  of  payment  to  any  Senior
     Indebtedness or Senior Guarantor Indebtedness, unless such Indebtedness, by
     its terms and by the terms of any agreement or instrument pursuant to which
     such  Indebtedness is  outstanding is  expressly made  pari passu  with, or
     subordinate  in right  of  payment  to,  the  Exchange  Debentures  or  the
     Debenture  Guarantee,  as   the  case  may   be,  pursuant  to   provisions
     substantially  similar to those contained in Article Eleven of the Exchange
     Debenture  Indenture; provided  that  the foregoing  limitations shall  not
     apply to distinctions between categories of  Senior Indebtedness that exist
     by reason of  any Liens or Guarantees arising or created in respect of some
     but not all Senior Indebtedness. 

                                      -100-
     <PAGE>
      
     Reports
      
          So long as any  Exchange Debentures are outstanding, Holdings  and the
     Guarantor shall  file with  the Commission  the  annual reports,  quarterly
     reports and the  information, documents  and other reports  required to  be
     filed by Holdings with  the Commission pursuant to Sections 13 or 15 of the
     Exchange Act, whether or not Holdings has or is required to have a class of
     securities registered under the Exchange Act, at the time it is or would be
     required to file  the same with  the Commission and,  within 15 days  after
     Holdings  is or  would  be required  to file  such reports,  information or
     documents  with the Commission,  shall mail  such reports,  information and
     documents to the Trustee and to holders of the Exchange Debentures. 
      
     EVENTS OF DEFAULT
      
          The following events  will be defined  as "Events of  Default" in  the
     Exchange  Debenture Indenture: (a) default  in the payment  of principal of
     (or  premium, if any, on) any Exchange  Debenture when the same becomes due
     and payable at maturity, upon acceleration, redemption or otherwise whether
     or  not  such payment  is  prohibited  by Article  Eleven  of  the Exchange
     Debenture Indenture; (b) default in the payment of interest on any Exchange
     Debenture when the same becomes due and payable, and such default continues
     for  a period  of 30  days whether  or  not such  payment is  prohibited by
     Article Eleven of  the Exchange  Debenture Indenture; (c)  Holdings or  the
     Guarantor defaults in the performance of or breaches  any other covenant or
     agreement  of Holdings or the Guarantor in the Exchange Debenture Indenture
     or under the Exchange Debentures and such default or breach continues for a
     period of  30 consecutive  days after  written notice  to  Holdings by  the
     Trustee or the Holders of  25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the
     Exchange Debentures; (d) there  occurs with respect to any issue  or issues
     of Indebtedness  of Holdings, the  Guarantor or any  Significant Subsidiary
     having an outstanding  principal amount at maturity of  $10 million or more
     in  the aggregate  for all such  issues of  all such  Persons, whether such
     Indebtedness now  exists or  shall hereafter  be created,  (I) an event  of
     default that has caused the holder  thereof to declare such Indebtedness to
     be  due and payable prior to its  Stated Maturity and such Indebtedness has
     not been discharged in full or  such acceleration has not been rescinded or
     annulled within  30 days of  such acceleration and/or  (II) the failure  to
     make a principal payment at the final (but not any  interim) fixed maturity
     and such  defaulted payment shall  not have  been made, waived  or extended
     within  30 days of  such payment default;  (e) any final  judgment or order
     (not covered  by insurance)  for  the payment  of money  in  excess of  $10
     million in the aggregate for all such final judgments or orders against all
     such  Persons (treating any deductibles, self-insurance or retention as not
     so  covered) shall  be  rendered against  Holdings,  the Guarantor  or  any
     Significant Subsidiary and shall not be paid or discharged, and there shall
     be any  period of 30 consecutive days following entry of the final judgment
     or  order that causes the aggregate amount  for all such final judgments or
     orders outstanding and not  paid or discharged against all  such Persons to
     exceed  $10  million during  which  a  stay of  enforcement  of such  final
     judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be
     in effect; (f) a court having  jurisdiction in the premises enters a decree
     or  order  for (A)  relief in  respect of  Holdings,  the Guarantor  or any
     Significant  Subsidiary  in  an   involuntary  case  under  any  applicable
     bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, (B)
     appointment  of  a  receiver,  liquidator,  assignee,  custodian,  trustee,
     sequestrator  or  similar  official  of  Holdings,  the  Guarantor  or  any
     Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all  of the property and
     assets of Holdings, the Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or  (C) the
     winding up or liquidation of the affairs of Holdings, the  Guarantor or any
     Significant Subsidiary and, in each case, such decree or order shall remain
     unstayed  and  in effect  for  a  period of  30  consecutive  days; or  (g)
     Holdings,  the  Guarantor or  any  Significant Subsidiary  (A)  commences a
     voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar
     law now or  hereafter in effect, or  consents to the entry of  an order for
     relief  in an  involuntary case  under any  such law,  (B) consents  to the
     appointment of  or taking possession  by a receiver,  liquidator, assignee,
     custodian,  trustee,  sequestrator or  similar  official  of Holdings,  the
     Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or for all  or substantially all of
     the  property  and assets  of Holdings,  the  Guarantor or  any Significant
     Subsidiary  or  (C)  effects any  general  assignment  for  the benefit  of
     creditors. 

          If an  Event of Default (other  than an Event of  Default specified in
     clause  (f) or  (g)  above that  occurs  with respect  to  Holdings or  the
     Guarantor) occurs and is continuing under the Exchange Debenture Indenture,

                                      -101-
     <PAGE>

     the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of
     the Exchange  Debentures, then outstanding,  by written notice  to Holdings
     (and to  the Trustee if such notice is given  by the Holders), may, and the
     Trustee  at the request of such Holders shall, declare the principal amount
     of,  premium,  if  any,  and  accrued interest,  if  any,  on  the Exchange
     Debentures  to  be  immediately due  and  payable.  Upon  a declaration  of
     acceleration, such principal amount, premium, if any, and accrued interest,
     if any, shall be immediately due and payable. In the event of a declaration
     of acceleration because an Event  of Default set forth in clause  (d) above
     has occurred and is  continuing, such declaration of acceleration  shall be
     automatically rescinded  and annulled if  the event  of default  triggering
     such Event of Default pursuant to clause (d) shall  be remedied or cured by
     Holdings, the Guarantor or the relevant Significant Subsidiary or waived by
     the  holders  of  the  relevant  Indebtedness  within  60  days  after  the
     declaration  of acceleration with respect  thereto. If an  Event of Default
     specified in clause (f) or (g) above occurs with respect to Holdings or the
     Guarantor,  the principal amount of, premium, if any, and accrued interest,
     if any, on the Exchange Debentures then outstanding shall ipso facto become
     and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or  other act on
     the part of the Trustee or any  Holder. The Holders of at least a  majority
     in principal  amount  of the  outstanding  Exchange Debentures  by  written
     notice  to Holdings  and to the  Trustee, may  waive all  past defaults and
     rescind  and annul a declaration  of acceleration and  its consequences if,
     among  other things, (i)  all existing  Events of  Default, other  than the
     nonpayment of the  principal of, premium,  if any, and accrued  interest on
     the  Exchange Debentures that have become due solely by such declaration of
     acceleration, have been cured or waived  and (ii) the rescission would  not
     conflict with any judgment or decree  of a court of competent jurisdiction.
     For  information as  to  the waiver  of  defaults, see  "-Modification  and
     Waiver." 
      
          The Holders  of at least a  majority in aggregate  principal amount of
     the outstanding Exchange Debentures  may direct the time, method  and place
     of conducting  any proceeding for  any remedy  available to the  Trustee or
     exercising  any trust  or  power conferred  on  the Trustee.  However,  the
     Trustee may refuse to follow  any direction that conflicts with law  or the
     Exchange  Debenture  Indenture, that  may involve  the Trustee  in personal
     liability, or  that the  Trustee determines  in good  faith  may be  unduly
     prejudicial to the rights of Holders  of Exchange Debentures not joining in
     the giving of such direction and may  take any other action it deems proper
     that  is not inconsistent with any  such direction received from Holders of
     Exchange Debentures. A Holder may not pursue any remedy with respect to the
     Exchange  Debenture Indenture  or the Exchange  Debentures unless:  (i) the
     Holder  gives the Trustee written notice of  a continuing Event of Default;
     (ii)  the  Holders  of  at  least 25%  in  aggregate  principal  amount  of
     outstanding  Exchange Debentures make a  written request to  the Trustee to
     pursue the remedy; (iii) such Holder or Holders offer the Trustee indemnity
     satisfactory to the Trustee  against any costs, liability or  expense; (iv)
     the  Trustee does not comply with the  request within 60 days after receipt
     of  the request  and the  offer of  indemnity; and  (v) during  such 60-day
     period, the Holders  of a  majority in  aggregate principal  amount of  the
     outstanding Exchange Debentures do not give the Trustee a direction that is
     inconsistent  with the request. However,  such limitations do  not apply to
     the  right of any Holder of an Exchange Debenture to receive payment of the
     principal  of, premium,  if  any, or  accrued  interest on,  such  Exchange
     Debenture  or to bring suit for the enforcement  of any such payment, on or
     after the due date expressed in the Exchange Debentures, which  right shall
     not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder. 

          The  Exchange Debenture  Indenture  will require  certain officers  of
     Holdings and the Guarantor to certify, on or before a date not more than 90
     days after the end of each fiscal year of the Guarantor,  that a review has
     been conducted of the activities of Holdings, or the Guarantor, as the case
     may  be, and its Restricted Subsidiaries and Holdings', or the Guarantor's,
     and its  Restricted Subsidiaries' performance under  the Exchange Debenture
     Indenture  and  that   Holdings  and  the  Guarantor  have   fulfilled  all
     obligations thereunder, or, if there has been a  default in the fulfillment
     of any such  obligation, specifying each  such default and  the nature  and
     status thereof. Holdings and the Guarantor will also be obligated to notify
     the Trustee of any default or defaults in the performance  of any covenants
     or agreements under the Exchange Debenture Indenture. 

                                      -102-
     <PAGE>

     LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

          Holdings may,  at  its option  and  at any  time,  elect to  have  its
     obligations discharged with respect  to the outstanding Exchange Debentures
     ("legal defeasance").  Such legal defeasance  means that Holdings  shall be
     deemed to have paid  and discharged the entire indebtedness  represented by
     the outstanding Exchange Debentures,  except for (a) the rights  of Holders
     of  outstanding Exchange Debentures to  receive payments in  respect of the
     principal  of,  and  premium,  if  any,  and  interest  on,  such  Exchange
     Debentures when  such payments are due,  or on the redemption  date, as the
     case  may  be,  (b) Holdings'  obligations  with  respect  to the  Exchange
     Debentures  concerning issuing temporary  Exchange Debentures, registration
     of  Exchange  Debentures, mutilated,  destroyed,  lost  or stolen  Exchange
     Debentures and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money
     for security payments held  in trust, (c) the rights, powers, trust, duties
     and immunities  of the  Trustee,  and Holdings'  obligations in  connection
     therewith and (d) the legal defeasance provisions of the Exchange Debenture
     Indenture. In  addition, Holdings may, at its option and at any time, elect
     to  have the  obligations  of Holdings  released  with respect  to  certain
     covenants that are described in the Exchange Debenture Indenture ("covenant
     defeasance")  and thereafter any  omission to comply  with such obligations
     shall  not constitute  a Default or  Event of  Default with  respect to the
     Exchange  Debentures.  In the  event  covenant  defeasance occurs,  certain
     events (not including non-payment, bankruptcy, receivership, rehabilitation
     and insolvency events) described  under "Events of Default" will  no longer
     constitute an Event of Default with respect to the Exchange Debentures. 
      
          In order to exercise  either legal defeasance or  covenant defeasance,
     (i) Holdings  must irrevocably deposit with the  Trustee, in trust, for the
     benefit  of the holders of  the Exchange Debentures,  cash in U.S. dollars,
     non-callable U.S. government obligations, or a combination thereof, in such
     amounts as  will be sufficient, in  the opinion of a  nationally recognized
     firm of independent public accountants selected by  the Trustee, to pay the
     principal  of,  and  premium, if  any,  and  interest  on, the  outstanding
     Exchange  Debentures on the stated  maturity or on  the applicable optional
     redemption date,  as the case may  be, of such principal  or installment of
     principal of, or premium, if any,  or interest on, the outstanding Exchange
     Debentures;  (ii)  in the  case of  legal  defeasance, Holdings  shall have
     delivered  to  the Trustee  an  opinion of  counsel  in  the United  States
     reasonably  acceptable  to the  Trustee  confirming that  (A)  Holdings has
     received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service
     a ruling  or (B) since  the Preferred Stock  Issue Date,  there has been  a
     change  in the  applicable federal income  tax law,  in either  case to the
     effect that, and based thereon such opinion of counsel  shall confirm that,
     the  holders of  the  outstanding Exchange  Debentures  will not  recognize
     income, gain or  loss for federal income tax  purposes as a result  of such
     legal defeasance  and will  be subject  to federal income  tax on  the same
     amounts, in the same  manner and at the same  times as would have  been the
     case if  such legal  defeasance  had not  occurred; (iii)  in  the case  of
     covenant  defeasance,  Holdings shall  have  delivered  to the  Trustee  an
     opinion  of counsel  in  the United  States  reasonably acceptable  to  the
     Trustee confirming that the holders of the outstanding Exchange  Debentures
     will not recognize income, gain or  loss for federal income tax purposes as
     a result  of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income
     tax on the same amounts, in the same manner  and at the same times as would
     have been  the case if such  covenant defeasance had not  occurred; (iv) no
     Default or  Event of Default shall  have occurred and be  continuing on the
     date of  such deposit or, insofar  as Events of Default  from bankruptcy or
     insolvency events  are concerned, at any  time in the period  ending on the
     123rd day  after the date of deposit; (v) such legal defeasance or covenant
     defeasance shall  not result in a  breach or violation of,  or constitute a
     default  under, the  Exchange  Debenture Indenture  or  any other  material
     agreement or instrument to which  Holdings is a party or by  which Holdings
     is bound;  (vi) Holdings shall have  delivered to the Trustee  an Officers'
     Certificate stating that  the deposit  was not  made by  Holdings with  the
     intent  of preferring  the holders  of Exchange  Debentures over  the other
     creditors  of Holdings or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying
     or defrauding  creditors of the Company or others; and (vii) Holdings shall
     have delivered to the  Trustee an Officers' Certificate  and an opinion  of
     counsel, each stating that  all conditions precedent relating to  the legal
     defeasance or the covenant defeasance have been complied with. 
      
     MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
      
          Modifications and  amendments of the Exchange  Debenture Indenture may
     be made by Holdings, the Guarantor and  the Trustee with the consent of the
     Holders of  not less than a  majority in aggregate principal  amount of the

                                      -103-
     <PAGE>

     outstanding   Exchange  Debentures;   provided,  however,   that  no   such
     modification or  amendment may,  without  consent of  each Holder  affected
     thereby,  (i)  change  the Stated  Maturity  of  the principal  of,  or any
     installment  of  interest  on,  any Exchange  Debenture,  (ii)  reduce  the
     principal  amount of, or  any premium, if any,  payable upon the redemption
     of, or the  rate of interest  on, any Exchange  Debenture, (iii)  adversely
     affect the right of  repayment at the option of any  Holder of any Exchange
     Debenture, (iv) change the currency in  which principal of, or premium,  if
     any, or  interest on,  any Exchange  Debenture is  payable, (v)  impair the
     right to institute suit for the enforcement of any  payment on or after the
     Stated  Maturity (or,  in  the  case  of  a redemption,  on  or  after  the
     Redemption  Date) of  any Exchange Debenture,  (vi) waive a  default in the
     payment  of principal  of, premium,  if any,  or interest  on  the Exchange
     Debenture, (vii) reduce the  percentage in principal amount  of outstanding
     Exchange Debentures the consent of whose Holders is necessary for waiver of
     compliance with certain  provisions of the Exchange Debenture  Indenture or
     for  waiver  of certain  defaults, (viii)  release  the Guarantor  from its
     Debenture Guarantee or  (ix) modify any of the provisions of Article Eleven
     of the Exchange Debenture Indenture in a manner adverse to the Holders. 
      
     NO  PERSONAL LIABILITY OF INCORPORATORS, SHAREHOLDERS, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS,
     OR EMPLOYEES 
      
          The Exchange  Debenture Indenture provides  that no  recourse for  the
     payment  of the principal  of, premium, if  any, or interest on  any of the
     Exchange Debentures or for any claim based thereon  or otherwise in respect
     thereof,  and no  recourse  under  or  upon  any  obligation,  covenant  or
     agreement of Holdings or the Guarantor in the Exchange Debenture Indenture,
     or in any  of the Exchange  Debentures or  because of the  creation of  any
     Indebtedness represented  thereby, shall  be had against  any incorporator,
     shareholder, officer, director, employee  or controlling person of Holdings
     or  the Guarantor  or  of any  successor  Person thereof.  Each Holder,  by
     accepting the Exchange Debentures, waives and releases all such liability. 
      
     CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
      
          The  Exchange Debenture  Indenture  provides that,  except during  the
     continuance of  a Default, the Trustee  will not be liable,  except for the
     performance of such duties  as are specifically set forth  in such Exchange
     Debenture Indenture. If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing,
     the Trustee will use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a
     prudent person would  exercise under  the circumstances in  the conduct  of
     such person's own affairs. 
      
          The Exchange Debenture Indenture and provisions of the Trust Indenture
     Act  of  1939,  as  amended,  incorporated  by  reference  therein  contain
     limitations on  the rights of the  Trustee, should it become  a creditor of
     Holdings or the Guarantor, to obtain  payment of claims in certain cases or
     to  realize  on certain  property received  by it  in  respect of  any such
     claims, as  security or otherwise.  The Trustee is  permitted to engage  in
     other transactions; provided, however, that if it acquires  any conflicting
     interest, it must eliminate such conflict or resign. 
      
     CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
      
          Set  forth  below  are certain  defined  terms  used  in the  Exchange
     Debenture Indenture.  Reference is made to the Exchange Debenture Indenture
     for  the full definition  of such terms,  as well as  any other capitalized
     terms used herein for which no definition is provided. 

          "Adjusted  Consolidated  Net  Income"   means,  for  any  period,  the
     aggregate  net income  (or  loss)  of  the  Guarantor  and  its  Restricted
     Subsidiaries for such  period determined in conformity  with GAAP; provided
     that  the  following  items  shall   be  excluded  in  computing   Adjusted
     Consolidated  Net Income (without duplication):  (i) the net  income of any
     Person (other than net  income attributable to a Restricted  Subsidiary) in
     which  any  Person  (other than  the  Guarantor  or any  of  its Restricted
     Subsidiaries) has a  joint interest and the net income  of any Unrestricted
     Subsidiary, except  to  the extent  of  the amount  of dividends  or  other
     distributions  actually  paid to  the Guarantor  or  any of  its Restricted
     Subsidiaries by such  other Person or  such Unrestricted Subsidiary  during

                                      -104-
     <PAGE>

     such  period; (ii)  solely for  the purposes  of calculating the  amount of
     Restricted Payments  that may be made  pursuant to clause (C)  of the first
     paragraph  of the  "Limitation on  Restricted Payments"  covenant described
     above (and in such case, except to the extent includable pursuant to clause
     (i) above),  the net income  (or loss) of any  Person accrued prior  to the
     date it becomes a Restricted  Subsidiary or is merged into  or consolidated
     with the  Guarantor  or  any  of  its Restricted  Subsidiaries  or  all  or
     substantially all of the property and assets of such Person are acquired by
     the Guarantor or any of  its Restricted Subsidiaries; (iii) the net  income
     of any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration  or payment
     of dividends or similar distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary of such
     net  income is not at the  time permitted by the operation  of the terms of
     its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute,
     rule or  governmental regulation applicable to  such Restricted Subsidiary;
     (iv) any  gains or losses  (on an  after-tax basis)  attributable to  Asset
     Sales;  (v) except  for purposes  of calculating  the amount  of Restricted
     Payments that  may be made pursuant to clause (C) of the first paragraph of
     the  "Limitation  on Restricted  Payments"  covenant  described above,  any
     amount paid or accrued as dividends  on preferred stock of the Guarantor or
     any Restricted Subsidiary owned by Persons other than the Guarantor and any
     of  its Restricted  Subsidiaries;  and  (vi)  all extraordinary  gains  and
     extraordinary losses. 
      
          "Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means  the total amount of
     assets of  the Guarantor and  its Restricted Subsidiaries  (less applicable
     depreciation,  amortization and  other valuation  reserves), except  to the
     extent  resulting from write-ups of  capital assets (excluding write-ups in
     connection with accounting for acquisitions in conformity with GAAP), after
     deducting  therefrom (i) all current  liabilities of the  Guarantor and its
     Restricted  Subsidiaries  (excluding  intercompany  items)  and  (ii)   all
     goodwill, trade  names, trademarks, patents, unamortized  debt discount and
     expense and other like intangibles,  all as set forth on the  most recently
     available quarterly or annual  consolidated balance sheet of  the Guarantor
     and its Restricted Subsidiaries, prepared in conformity with GAAP. 
      
          "Affiliate" means, as applied to any Person, any other Person directly
     or  indirectly controlling,  controlled  by, or  under  direct or  indirect
     common  control  with,  such  Person.  For  purposes  of  this  definition,
     "control" (including, with  correlative meanings, the  terms "controlling,"
     "controlled by" and "under common control with"), as applied to any Person,
     means the  possession, directly or  indirectly, of  the power to  direct or
     cause the direction of the management and policies  of such Person, whether
     through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. 
      
          "Asset Acquisition" means (i) an investment by the Guarantor or any of
     its  Restricted Subsidiaries  in any  other Person  pursuant to  which such
     Person shall become  a Restricted Subsidiary of  the Guarantor or shall  be
     merged  into or consolidated  with the Guarantor  or any of  its Restricted
     Subsidiaries;  provided that  such  Person's primary  business is  related,
     ancillary  or  complementary to  the businesses  of  the Guarantor  and its
     Restricted  Subsidiaries  on  the  date  of  such  investment  or  (ii)  an
     acquisition by the Guarantor or  any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of  the
     property and assets  of any Person other  than the Guarantor or any  of its
     Restricted Subsidiaries that  constitute substantially all of a division or
     line  of business  of such  Person; provided  that the property  and assets
     acquired are related, ancillary  or complementary to the businesses  of the
     Guarantor and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the date of such acquisition. 
      
          "Asset Sale" means any sale,  transfer or other disposition (including
     by  way  of merger,  consolidation or  sale-leaseback transactions)  in one
     transaction or a series of related  transactions by the Guarantor or any of
     its Restricted Subsidiaries  to any Person other than the  Guarantor or any
     of  its Restricted Subsidiaries of  (i) all or any of  the Capital Stock of
     any  Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) all  or substantially all  of the property
     and assets of an operating unit or business of the Guarantor  or any of its
     Restricted  Subsidiaries  or (iii)  any other  property  and assets  of the
     Guarantor or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries outside the ordinary course
     of business of  the Guarantor or  such Restricted  Subsidiary and, in  each
     case, that  is not governed  by the  provisions of  the Exchange  Debenture
     Indenture  applicable to mergers, consolidations and sales of assets of the
     Guarantor; provided  that the meaning of "Asset Sale" shall not include (A)
     sales or  other dispositions  of inventory,  receivables and other  current

                                      -105-
     <PAGE>
 
     assets,  and (B)  dispositions of  assets of  the Guarantor  or any  of its
     Restricted  Subsidiaries,  in  substantially  simultaneous   exchanges  for
     consideration  consisting  of  any  combination  of  cash,  Temporary  Cash
     Investments  and assets that are  used or useful  in the telecommunications
     business  of  the  Guarantor  or   its  Restricted  Subsidiaries,  if  such
     consideration has an aggregate fair market value substantially equal to the
     fair market value  of the assets  so disposed  of; provided, however,  that
     fair market  value  shall be  determined  in good  faith  by the  Board  of
     Directors  of ICG, whose determination shall be conclusive and evidenced by
     a Board  Resolution delivered to the Trustee; and provided further that any
     cash or  Temporary Cash Investments received by the Guarantor or any of its
     Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to any transaction described in clause (B)
     above shall be  applied in accordance with  clause (A) or (B)  of the first
     paragraph of the "Limitation on Asset Sales" covenant described above. 

          "Average Life" means, at any date of determination with respect to any
     debt  security, the  quotient  obtained  by dividing  (i)  the  sum of  the
     products of (a) the number of years  from such date of determination to the
     dates  of each successive scheduled principal payment of such debt security
     and (b) the  amount of such principal  payment by (ii) the sum  of all such
     principal payments. 
      
          "Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
     interests, participation or other equivalents (however  designated, whether
     voting or non-voting) in equity of such Person, whether now  outstanding or
     issued after  the  date of  the  Exchange Debenture  Indenture,  including,
     without limitation, all Common Stock and preferred stock. 

          "Capitalized Lease" means, as applied to any Person, any lease of  any
     property  (whether real, personal or mixed) of which the discounted present
     value of the  rental obligations  of such Person  as lessee, in  conformity
     with  GAAP, is  required to  be capitalized  on the  balance sheet  of such
     Person; and  "Capitalized Lease  Obligations" means the  discounted present
     value of the rental obligations under such lease. 
      
          "ChoiceCom"  means   CSW/ICG  ChoiceCom,  L.P.,  a   Delaware  limited
     partnership. 

          "Closing  Date" means  the  date  on  which  the  Preferred  Stock  is
     originally issued under the Amended Articles. 
      
          "Consolidated  EBITDA" means, for any  period, the sum  of the amounts
     for  such period of (i) Adjusted Consolidated Net Income, (ii) Consolidated
     Interest  Expense,  (iii)  income taxes,  to  the  extent  such amount  was
     deducted in calculating Adjusted Consolidated Net Income (other than income
     taxes  (either  positive or  negative)  attributable  to extraordinary  and
     non-recurring  gains or  losses  or  sales  of assets),  (iv)  depreciation
     expense, to the  extent such  amount was deducted  in calculating  Adjusted
     Consolidated  Net Income,  (v)  amortization expense,  to  the extent  such
     amount was deducted  in calculating Adjusted  Consolidated Net Income,  and
     (vi) all  other non-cash items  reducing Adjusted  Consolidated Net  Income
     (other than  items that will require cash payments and for which an accrual
     or reserve is, or is required by GAAP to be, made), less all non-cash items
     increasing  Adjusted  Consolidated  Net  Income, all  as  determined  on  a
     consolidated  basis for the  Guarantor and  its Restricted  Subsidiaries in
     conformity with GAAP; provided that, if any Restricted Subsidiary is  not a
     Wholly Owned  Restricted Subsidiary,  Consolidated EBITDA shall  be reduced
     (to the  extent not otherwise reduced in accordance with GAAP) by an amount
     equal  to  (A)  the   amount  of  the  Adjusted  Consolidated   Net  Income
     attributable  to such Restricted Subsidiary multiplied  by (B) the quotient
     of (1)  the number of shares of outstanding Common Stock of such Restricted
     Subsidiary not owned on the last day of such period by the Guarantor or any
     of its Restricted Subsidiaries divided by (2) the total number of shares of
     outstanding  Common Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary  on the last day of
     such period. 

          "Consolidated Interest  Expense" means, for any  period, the aggregate
     amount of interest  in respect of  Indebtedness (including amortization  of
     original issue discount on any Indebtedness and the interest portion of any
     deferred payment  obligation, calculated  in accordance with  the effective
     interest method of  accounting; all commissions,  discounts and other  fees
     and charges owed with respect to letters of credit  and bankers' acceptance

                                      -106-
     <PAGE>

     financing; the  net  costs associated  with Interest  Rate Agreements;  and
     Indebtedness  that is Guaranteed or secured by  the Guarantor or any of its
     Restricted  Subsidiaries) and all but the principal component of rentals in
     respect of Capitalized Lease  Obligations paid, accrued or scheduled  to be
     paid  or to be  accrued by  the Guarantor  and its  Restricted Subsidiaries
     during such period; excluding, however, without duplication, (i) any amount
     of  such interest of  any Restricted Subsidiary  if the net  income of such
     Restricted  Subsidiary   is  excluded   in  the  calculation   of  Adjusted
     Consolidated  Net Income pursuant to clause (iii) of the definition thereof
     (but  only in  the same  proportion as  the net  income of  such Restricted
     Subsidiary is excluded  from the calculation  of Adjusted Consolidated  Net
     Income  pursuant to  clause (iii) of  the definition thereof)  and (ii) any
     premiums,  fees and  expenses  (and any  amortization  thereof) payable  in
     connection  with the offering of the 13  1/2% Notes and the warrants issued
     therewith, the  12 1/2% Notes, the  14 1/4% Preferred Stock,  the New Notes
     and/or  the  Preferred Stock,  all as  determined  on a  consolidated basis
     (without taking into account  Unrestricted Subsidiaries) in conformity with
     GAAP. 

          "Consolidated  Net  Worth"  means,   at  any  date  of  determination,
     stockholders'  equity as set forth on the most recently available quarterly
     or  annual consolidated balance sheet  of the Guarantor  and its Restricted
     Subsidiaries  (which shall be as  of a date not more  than 90 days prior to
     the  date  of  such computation,  and  which  shall not  take  into account
     Unrestricted  Subsidiaries), less  any amounts  attributable to  Redeemable
     Stock  or  any   equity  security  convertible  into  or  exchangeable  for
     Indebtedness, the cost  of treasury stock  and the principal amount  of any
     promissory notes  receivable from  the sale  of  the Capital  Stock of  the
     Guarantor or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, each item to be determined
     in conformity with GAAP (excluding the effects of foreign currency exchange
     adjustments  under  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board   Statement  of
     Financial Accounting Standards No. 52). 
      
          "Convertible Subordinated Notes" means the 8% Convertible Subordinated
     Notes and the 7% Convertible Subordinated Notes of Holdings (Canada). 
      
          "Currency  Agreement" means  any foreign  exchange  contract, currency
     swap  agreement or  other  similar  agreement  or arrangement  designed  to
     protect  the Guarantor  or  any  of  its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  against
     fluctuations in currency values to  or under which the Guarantor or  any of
     its Restricted Subsidiaries is a party or a beneficiary on the  date of the
     Exchange   Debenture  Indenture  or  becomes  a   party  or  a  beneficiary
     thereafter. 
      
          "Default" means any event that is,  or after notice or passage of time
     or both would be, an Event of Default. 
      
          "Exchange Debenture Issue Date" means the date the Exchange Debentures
     are originally issued under the Exchange Debenture Indenture. 
      
          "FOTI"   means  ICG   Fiber  Optic   Technologies  Inc.,   a  Colorado
     corporation.
      
          "14 1/4%  Exchange Debentures" means  the 14 1/4%  Senior Subordinated
     Exchange Debentures due 2007 of Holdings which may be issued upon  exchange
     of the 14 1/4% Preferred Stock by Holdings. 
      
          "14 1/4%  Preferred Stock"  means the  14 1/4%  Exchangeable Preferred
     Stock  mandatorily redeemable May  1, 2007 of  Holdings, and  any shares of
     preferred stock issued as payment in kind dividends thereon. 
      
          "GAAP" means  generally accepted  accounting principles in  the United
     States of  America as in  effect as of  August 8, 1995,  including, without
     limitation,  those  set forth  in the  opinions  and pronouncements  of the
     Accounting Principles  Board of the American Institute  of Certified Public
     Accountants and  statements and pronouncements of  the Financial Accounting
     Standards  Board  or  in such  other  statements  by such  other  entity as
     approved  by a significant segment of the accounting profession. All ratios
     and computations  contained in the  Exchange Debenture  Indenture shall  be
     computed in conformity with GAAP applied on a consistent basis, except that
     calculations  made for purposes of determining compliance with the terms of
     the covenants and with other provisions of the Exchange Debenture Indenture
     shall be made without giving effect to (i) the amortization of any expenses

                                      -107-
     <PAGE>

     incurred  in connection  with the  offering of  the 13  1/2% Notes  and the
     warrants issued therewith, the 12 1/2% Notes, the 14 1/4% Preferred Stock,
     the  New Notes  and/or the  Preferred  Stock and  (ii) except  as otherwise
     provided,  the  amortization  of  any  amounts  required  or  permitted  by
     Accounting Principles Board Opinion Nos. 16 and 17. 
      
          "Guarantee"  means any  obligation,  contingent or  otherwise, of  any
     Person  directly  or  indirectly  guaranteeing any  Indebtedness  or  other
     obligation  of any other Person and, without limiting the generality of the
     foregoing, any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise,  of
     such Person (i)  to purchase  or pay (or  advance or supply  funds for  the
     purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation of such other
     Person  (whether  arising  by virtue  of  partnership  arrangements, or  by
     agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services,
     to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise)
     or  (ii) entered  into for  purposes of  assuring in  any other  manner the
     obligee of such Indebtedness or other  obligation of the payment thereof or
     to  protect such obligee  against loss in  respect thereof (in  whole or in
     part); provided that  the term "Guarantee"  shall not include  endorsements
     for  collection or  deposit in  the ordinary course  of business.  The term
     "Guarantee" used as a verb has a corresponding meaning. 
      
          "Holdings  (Canada)"  means  ICG   Holdings  (Canada),  Inc.  and  its
     successors and assigns. 
      
          "Incur" means,  with respect  to any  Indebtedness, to  incur, create,
     issue, assume, Guarantee or otherwise become liable for or with respect to,
     or  become responsible for, the payment of, contingently or otherwise, such
     Indebtedness, including  an Incurrence  of Indebtedness  by  reason of  the
     acquisition of more than 50%  of the Capital Stock of any  Person; provided
     that  neither the accrual of  interest nor the  accretion of original issue
     discount shall  be  considered  an  Incurrence of  Indebtedness.  The  term
     "Incurrence" has a corresponding meaning. 
      
          "Indebtedness"  means, with  respect  to any  Person  at any  date  of
     determination (without  duplication), (i)  all indebtedness of  such Person
     for borrowed money, (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds,
     debentures, notes  or other similar  instruments, (iii) all  obligations of
     such Person  in respect of letters  of credit or other  similar instruments
     (including  reimbursement  obligations  with  respect  thereto),  (iv)  all
     obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of
     property  or services,  which purchase  price is due  more than  six months
     after  the date of placing such property  in service or taking delivery and
     title  thereto or the completion  of such services,  except Trade Payables,
     (v) all obligations of such Person as lessee under Capitalized Leases, (vi)
     all Indebtedness of other  Persons secured by a  Lien on any asset of  such
     Person,  whether  or  not such  Indebtedness  is  assumed  by such  Person;
     provided that  the amount of such  Indebtedness shall be the  lesser of (A)
     the fair market value  of such asset at such date  of determination and (B)
     the  amount of such Indebtedness,  (vii) all Indebtedness  of other Persons
     Guaranteed by such Person to the extent such Indebtedness is  Guaranteed by
     such Person  and  (viii)  to the  extent  not otherwise  included  in  this
     definition,  obligations  under  Currency   Agreements  and  Interest  Rate
     Agreements. The amount of Indebtedness  of any Person at any date  shall be
     the  outstanding balance at such  date of all  unconditional obligations as
     described above  and, with respect  to contingent obligations,  the maximum
     liability  upon  the  occurrence of  the  contingency  giving  rise to  the
     obligation,  provided (i)  that the amount  outstanding at any  time of any
     Indebtedness  issued with  original  issue discount  is the  original issue
     price of such Indebtedness and (ii) that Indebtedness shall not include (A)
     any  amount of money borrowed, at the time of the Incurrence of the related
     Indebtedness, for the purpose  of pre-funding any interest payable  on such
     related  Indebtedness or  (B) any  liability for  federal, state,  local or
     other taxes. 
      
          "Indebtedness to EBITDA Ratio" means, as at any date of determination,
     the ratio  of (i) the  aggregate amount of  Indebtedness of  the Guarantor,
     Holdings  and their Restricted Subsidiaries  on a consolidated  basis as at
     the Transaction Date to (ii)  the Consolidated EBITDA of the  Guarantor for
     the then most recent four full fiscal quarters for which  reports have been
     filed  pursuant to the "Reports"  covenant described above  (such four full
     fiscal  quarter  period  being referred  to  herein  as  the "Four  Quarter
     Period");  provided that  (x)  pro  forma  effect shall  be  given  to  any
     Indebtedness Incurred from the beginning of the Four Quarter Period through
     the  Transaction   Date  (including   any  Indebtedness  Incurred   on  the
     Transaction Date), to the  extent outstanding on the Transaction  Date, (y)

                                      -108-
     <PAGE>

     if  during the  period commencing  on the  first day  of such  Four Quarter
     Period  through   the  Transaction  Date  (the   "Reference  Period"),  the
     Guarantor, Holdings  or  any  of the  Restricted  Subsidiaries  shall  have
     engaged  in any  Asset Sale, Consolidated  EBITDA for such  period shall be
     reduced by an amount equal to the EBITDA (if positive),  or increased by an
     amount  equal to  the EBITDA  (if negative),  directly attributable  to the
     assets which are the subject of  such Asset Sale and any related retirement
     of  Indebtedness  as  if   such  Asset  Sale  and  related   retirement  of
     Indebtedness had occurred on the first day of such Reference  Period or (z)
     if during  such Reference  Period the  Guarantor, Holdings  or  any of  the
     Restricted Subsidiaries shall have made any Asset Acquisition, Consolidated
     EBITDA of the Guarantor shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as if such
     Asset  Acquisition and any related financing  had occurred on the first day
     of  such Reference Period.  In calculating this  ratio for purposes  of the
     Amended Articles, the amount of outstanding Indebtedness shall be deemed to
     include the liquidation preference of any preferred stock then outstanding.
      
         "Investment" in any Person means any direct or indirect advance, loan 
     or other  extension  of credit  (including,  without limitation, by way of
     Guarantee or  similar arrangement; but  excluding advances to  customers in
     the ordinary course of business that are, in conformity with GAAP, recorded
     as  accounts  receivable  on the  balance  sheet of  the  Guarantor  or its
     Restricted  Subsidiaries)  or  capital contribution  to  (by  means  of any
     transfer of cash or other property to others or any payment for property or
     services for the account or use of others), or any  purchase or acquisition
     of Capital  Stock, bonds, notes,  debentures or  other similar  instruments
     issued by, such  Person and shall  include the designation of  a Restricted
     Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary. For purposes of the definition of
     "Unrestricted  Subsidiary"  and  the "Limitation  on  Restricted  Payments"
     covenant  described above, (i)  "Investment" shall include  the fair market
     value of the  assets (net of liabilities)  of any Restricted Subsidiary  of
     the Guarantor at the time that such Restricted Subsidiary  of the Guarantor
     is  designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary and shall exclude the fair market
     value of  the assets (net of liabilities) of any Unrestricted Subsidiary at
     the  time that  such  Unrestricted Subsidiary  is  designated a  Restricted
     Subsidiary of the Guarantor and (ii) any property transferred to or from an
     Unrestricted  Subsidiary shall be  valued at its  fair market  value at the
     time of such transfer, in each case as determined by the Board of Directors
     in good faith. 
      
          "Lien"  means any  mortgage, pledge,  security  interest, encumbrance,
     lien  or charge of any kind (including, without limitation, any conditional
     sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof, any
     sale with  recourse against the seller  or any Affiliate of  the seller, or
     any agreement to give any security interest). 
      
          "MTN"  means  Maritime Telecommunications  Network,  Inc.,  a Colorado
     corporation, and its successors. 
      
          "Net Cash  Proceeds" means, (a)  with respect to  any Asset Sale,  the
     proceeds  of  such Asset  Sale in  the form  of  cash or  cash equivalents,
     including  payments  in respect  of  deferred payment  obligations  (to the
     extent corresponding to the principal, but not interest, component thereof)
     when received in the form of cash or cash equivalents (except to the extent
     such obligations are financed or sold with recourse to the Guarantor or any
     Restricted Subsidiary of the Guarantor) and proceeds from the conversion of
     other property received when  converted to cash or cash equivalents, net of
     (i) brokerage commissions and  other fees and expenses (including  fees and
     expenses of counsel  and investment  bankers) related to  such Asset  Sale,
     (ii) provisions for all taxes  (whether or not such taxes will  actually be
     paid or are payable) as  a result of such Asset Sale without  regard to the
     consolidated  results of  operations  of the  Guarantor and  its Restricted
     Subsidiaries, taken as a  whole, (iii) payments made to  repay Indebtedness
     or any other  obligation outstanding at  the time of  such Asset Sale  that
     either (A) is secured  by a Lien on the  property or assets sold or  (B) is
     required to be paid as a  result of such sale and (iv) appropriate  amounts
     to  be provided  by  the  Guarantor or  any  Restricted Subsidiary  of  the
     Guarantor as a reserve  against any liabilities associated with  such Asset
     Sale,  including,  without  limitation, pension  and  other post-employment
     benefit  liabilities,  liabilities  related  to  environmental matters  and
     liabilities  under any  indemnification  obligations  associated with  such
     Asset Sale,  all as determined in conformity with GAAP and (b) with respect
     to any issuance or sale of Capital Stock, the proceeds of such  issuance or
     sale in the form of cash or cash equivalents, including payments in respect
     of  deferred  payment  obligations  (to  the  extent corresponding  to  the

                                      -109-
     <PAGE>

     principal, but not interest,  component thereof) when received in  the form
     of cash  or cash  equivalents (except  to the extent  such obligations  are
     financed  or  sold  with  recourse  to  the  Guarantor  or  any  Restricted
     Subsidiary  of the  Guarantor) and  proceeds from  the conversion  of other
     property  received when  converted  to cash  or  cash equivalents,  net  of
     attorney's  fees,  accountants'  fees, underwriters'  or  placement agents'
     fees, discounts  or commissions  and brokerage,  consultant and other  fees
     incurred in connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid  or
     payable as a result thereof. 

          "New Notes"  means the New  Notes Due 2007 of  Holdings, guaranteed by
     ICG on a senior unsecured basis and issued on the Closing Date. 
      
          "Offer  to Purchase" means an offer to purchase Exchange Debentures by
     Holdings from  the Holders commenced by mailing a notice to the Trustee and
     each Holder stating: (i) the covenant pursuant to which the  offer is being
     made and that all Exchange Debentures validly tendered will be accepted for
     payment on  a pro  rata  basis; (ii)  the purchase  price and  the date  of
     purchase (which shall be a Business  Day no earlier than 30 days nor  later
     than 60  days from the  date such notice  is mailed) (the  "Payment Date");
     (iii)  that any  Exchange Debenture  not tendered  will continue  to accrue
     interest pursuant to its terms; (iv) that, unless Holdings  defaults in the
     payment  of the purchase price, any Exchange Debenture accepted for payment
     pursuant  to the Offer  to Purchase shall  cease to accrue  interest on and
     after  the Payment  Date; (v)  that Holders  electing to  have  an Exchange
     Debenture purchased pursuant  to the Offer to Purchase will  be required to
     surrender the Exchange Debenture, together  with the form entitled  "Option
     of the  Holder to  Elect  Purchase" on  the reverse  side  of the  Exchange
     Debenture  completed, to the Paying  Agent at the  address specified in the
     notice prior  to the  close of  business on  the  Business Day  immediately
     preceding the Payment Date; (vi) that  Holders will be entitled to withdraw
     their election  if the Paying Agent  receives, not later than  the close of
     business  on the third Business Day immediately preceding the Payment Date,
     a telegram, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of such
     Holder, the principal amount of  Exchange Debentures delivered for purchase
     and a statement that such  Holder is withdrawing his election to  have such
     Exchange  Debentures  purchased;  and  (vii) that  Holders  whose  Exchange
     Debentures  are being purchased  only in part  will be  issued new Exchange
     Debentures  equal in  principal amount  to the  unpurchased portion  of the
     Exchange  Debentures  surrendered; provided  that  each  Exchange Debenture
     purchased and each  new Exchange Debenture issued  shall be in  a principal
     amount  of $1,000  or  integral multiples  thereof.  On the  Payment  Date,
     Holdings  shall  (i)  accept for  payment  on  a  pro  rata basis  Exchange
     Debentures or portions thereof  tendered pursuant to an Offer  to Purchase;
     (ii)  deposit with the  Paying Agent money  sufficient to pay  the purchase
     price  of all  Exchange Debentures  or portions  thereof, so  accepted; and
     (iii) deliver, or cause to be  delivered, to the Trustee or Transfer Agent,
     as  the case  may  be,  all Exchange  Debentures  or  portions thereof,  so
     accepted  together with  an Officers'  Certificate specifying  the Exchange
     Debentures or portions thereof accepted for payment by Holdings. The Paying
     Agent  shall promptly  mail  to  the  Holders  of  Exchange  Debentures  so
     accepted, payment in an amount equal to the purchase price, and the Trustee
     shall  promptly  authenticate  and mail  to  such  Holders  a new  Exchange
     Debenture  equal  in principal  amount to  any  unpurchased portion  of the
     Exchange  Debenture  surrendered;  provided that  each  Exchange  Debenture
     purchased and  each new Exchange Debenture  issued shall be  in a principal
     amount  of $1,000  or integral  multiples thereof.  Holdings will  publicly
     announce  the results of an Offer to  Purchase as soon as practicable after
     the Payment Date. The Trustee shall act as the Paying Agent for an Offer to
     Purchase. Holdings  will comply with Rule 14e-1  under the Exchange Act and
     any other securities  laws and  regulations thereunder to  the extent  such
     laws and regulations are applicable, in the event that Holdings is required
     to repurchase Exchange Debentures pursuant to an Offer to Purchase. 
      
          "Ohio LINX" means ICG Ohio LINX, Inc., an Ohio corporation.
      
          "Permitted  Investment"  means  (i)  an  Investment  in  a  Restricted
     Subsidiary or  a Person  which will,  upon the  making of such  Investment,
     become a Restricted Subsidiary or be merged or consolidated with or into or
     transfer or convey all or substantially all its assets to, the Guarantor or
     a Restricted  Subsidiary; provided that  such person's primary  business is
     related,  ancillary or complementary to the businesses of the Guarantor and
     its  Restricted Subsidiaries  on  the  date  of  such  Investment;  (ii)  a
     Temporary Cash  Investment; (iii) payroll,  travel and similar  advances to

                                      -110-
     <PAGE>

     cover matters  that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to
     be  treated as expenses in accordance with  GAAP; (iv) loans or advances to
     employees made in  the ordinary course of business  in accordance with past
     practice of the Guarantor or its Restricted Subsidiaries and that do not in
     the  aggregate  exceed  $2 million  at  any  time  outstanding; (v)  stock,
     obligations or securities  received in satisfaction of  judgments; and (vi)
     Investments in an amount not to exceed, at any one time outstanding, all of
     the net cash proceeds received by the Guarantor from the sale of its Common
     Stock (to  a Person other than  one of its Subsidiaries)  after the Closing
     Date. 

          "Permitted Liens" means (i) Liens for taxes, assessments, governmental
     charges or claims  that are being  contested in  good faith by  appropriate
     legal  proceedings promptly  instituted  and diligently  conducted and  for
     which  a  reserve  or other  appropriate  provision, if  any,  as  shall be
     required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made; (ii) statutory Liens
     of landlords and carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, suppliers, materialmen,
     repairmen or other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business
     and with respect  to amounts not yet delinquent or  being contested in good
     faith by  appropriate legal proceedings promptly  instituted and diligently
     conducted and for which  a reserve or other appropriate  provision, if any,
     as shall  be required in conformity  with GAAP shall have  been made; (iii)
     Liens  incurred or  deposits made  in the  ordinary course  of business  in
     connection  with workers'  compensation, unemployment  insurance and  other
     types of  social security; (iv)  Liens incurred or deposits  made to secure
     the  performance   of  tenders,  bids,  leases,   statutory  or  regulatory
     obligations,  bankers'  acceptances, surety  and  appeal bonds,  government
     contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other obligations of a
     similar  nature incurred in the  ordinary course of  business (exclusive of
     obligations  for the payment of  borrowed money); (v)  easements, rights of
     way,  municipal and  zoning ordinances  and similar  charges, encumbrances,
     title defects or other irregularities that do not materially interfere with
     the  ordinary course of business of the  Guarantor or any of its Restricted
     Subsidiaries; (vi)  Liens (including extensions and  renewals thereof) upon
     real  or personal property acquired  after the Closing  Date; provided that
     (a) such Lien is  created solely for  the purpose of securing  Indebtedness
     Incurred,  in accordance  with  the "Limitation  on Indebtedness"  covenant
     described above, (1) to finance the cost (including the cost of improvement
     or construction) of the item of property or assets subject thereto and such
     Lien is created  prior to, at the  time of or  within six months after  the
     later   of  the  acquisition,   the  completion  of   construction  or  the
     commencement of  full operation of  such property or  (2) to refinance  any
     Indebtedness  previously  so  secured,  (b) the  principal  amount  of  the
     Indebtedness secured by such Lien does not exceed 100% of such cost and (c)
     any such  Lien shall not  extend to or  cover any property or  assets other
     than such  item of property  or assets and  any improvements on  such item;
     (vii)  leases or  subleases  granted  to  others  that  do  not  materially
     interfere  with the  ordinary course of  business of the  Guarantor and its
     Restricted  Subsidiaries,  taken  as  a  whole;  (viii)  Liens  encumbering
     property  or assets  under construction  arising  from progress  or partial
     payments  by a  customer of  the Guarantor  or its  Restricted Subsidiaries
     relating to such property or assets; (ix) any interest or title of a lessor
     in  the property subject to  any Capitalized Lease  or operating lease; (x)
     Liens  arising from  filing  Uniform Commercial  Code financing  statements
     regarding  leases; (xi)  Liens on  property of,  or on  shares of  stock or
     Indebtedness  of, any  corporation existing  at the  time such  corporation
     becomes, or becomes  a part  of, any Restricted  Subsidiary; provided  that
     such  Liens do  not  extend to  or  cover any  property  or  assets of  the
     Guarantor  or any Restricted Subsidiary  other than the  property or assets
     acquired;  (xii)  Liens  in  favor  of  the  Guarantor  or  any  Restricted
     Subsidiary; (xiii) Liens arising from the  rendering of a final judgment or
     order against the Guarantor  or any Restricted Subsidiary of  the Guarantor
     that does  not give  rise  to an  Event of  Default;  (xiv) Liens  securing
     reimbursement obligations with respect  to letters of credit that  encumber
     documents and  other property  relating to such  letters of credit  and the
     products and proceeds  thereof; (xv) Liens in favor of  customs and revenue
     authorities arising as a matter of  law to secure payment of customs duties
     in  connection  with the  importation  of  goods;  (xvi) Liens  encumbering
     customary  initial deposits and margin  deposits, and other  Liens that are
     either within the general parameters customary in the industry and incurred
     in the ordinary  course of  business, in each  case, securing  Indebtedness
     under  Interest  Rate  Agreements   and  Currency  Agreements  and  forward
     contracts, options, future contracts, futures options or similar agreements
     or arrangements designed to protect the Guarantor or any of  its Restricted
     Subsidiaries from fluctuations  in the price  of commodities; (xvii)  Liens
     arising out  of conditional sale,  title retention, consignment  or similar
     arrangements  for the sale of goods entered into by the Guarantor or any of

                                      -111-
     <PAGE>

     its  Restricted  Subsidiaries   in  the  ordinary  course  of  business  in
     accordance  with the  past practices  of the  Guarantor and  its Restricted
     Subsidiaries prior  to the Closing Date;  and (xviii) Liens on  or sales of
     receivables. 

          "Preferred  stock" or  "preferred stock"  means, with  respect to  any
     Person, any and all shares, interests,  participations or other equivalents
     (however  designated,  whether  voting  or  non-voting)  of  such  Person's
     preferred  or preference stock, whether now outstanding or issued after the
     date of  the Exchange  Debenture Indenture, including,  without limitation,
     all series and classes of such preferred or preference stock. 

          "Public Equity Offering" means a bona fide underwritten primary public
     offering of  Common Stock  of  Holdings or  ICG  pursuant to  an  effective
     registration statement under the Securities Act. 
      
          "Redeemable Stock" means any class  or series of Capital Stock of  any
     Person that by  its terms or otherwise is (i) required to be redeemed prior
     to the Stated Maturity  of the Exchange Debentures, (ii)  redeemable at the
     option of the  holder of such class or series of  Capital Stock at any time
     prior  to  the  Stated  Maturity  of  the  Exchange  Debentures,  or  (iii)
     convertible  into or exchangeable for  Capital Stock referred  to in clause
     (i) or (ii) above or Indebtedness  having a scheduled maturity prior to the
     Stated Maturity of the Exchange Debentures; provided that any Capital Stock
     that  would  not constitute  Redeemable  Stock but  for  provisions thereof
     giving holders thereof the  right to require such  Person to repurchase  or
     redeem such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of an "asset sale" or "change
     of  control" occurring  prior  to  the  Stated  Maturity  of  the  Exchange
     Debentures shall not  constitute Redeemable  Stock if the  "asset sale"  or
     "change of control" provisions applicable to such Capital Stock are no more
     favorable  to the  holders  of  such  Capital  Stock  than  the  provisions
     contained  in  "Limitation  on Asset  Sales"  and  "Repurchase  of Exchange
     Debentures upon a  Change of  Control" covenants described  above and  such
     Capital Stock specifically provides that such Person will not repurchase or
     redeem any such  stock pursuant to such provision  prior to the Guarantor's
     or Holdings'  repurchase of such Exchange Debentures, as are required to be
     repurchased  pursuant to the "Limitation on Asset Sales" and "Repurchase of
     Exchange Debentures upon a Change of Control" covenants described above. 
      
          "Restricted Subsidiary"  means any  Subsidiary of the  Guarantor other
     than an Unrestricted Subsidiary. 

          "Significant  Subsidiary" means,  at  any date  of determination,  any
     Restricted   Subsidiary  of   the   Guarantor  that,   together  with   its
     Subsidiaries,  (i)  for  the most  recent  fiscal  year  of the  Guarantor,
     accounted for more  than 10% of the consolidated  revenues of the Guarantor
     and its Restricted Subsidiaries or  (ii) as of the end of such fiscal year,
     was the owner of more than 10% of the consolidated  assets of the Guarantor
     and its  Restricted Subsidiaries,  all as  set forth  on the  most recently
     available  consolidated  financial statements  of  the  Guarantor for  such
     fiscal year. 
      
          "StarCom" means  StarCom International  Optics Corporation, a  British
     Columbia corporation, and its subsidiaries. 
      
          "Stated  Maturity" means, (i) with  respect to any  debt security, the
     date specified in such debt security  as the fixed date on which the  final
     installment of principal of such debt security is due and  payable and (ii)
     with respect to any  scheduled installment of principal  of or interest  on
     any debt  security, the date specified  in such debt security  as the fixed
     date on which such installment is due and payable. 
      
          "Strategic    Investor"   means    any    Person   engaged    in   the
     telecommunications  business  which  has  a  net  worth  or  equity  market
     capitalization of at least $1 billion. 

          "Strategic  Investor Subordinated Indebtedness" means all Indebtedness
     of  Holdings owed to a Strategic Investor that is contractually subordinate
     in right  of payment to the  Exchange Debentures to at  least the following
     extent:  no payment  of principal (or  premium, if  any) or  interest on or
     otherwise payable in respect of such Indebtedness may be made (whether as a
     result  of a default or  otherwise) prior to the payment  in full of all of

                                      -112-
     <PAGE>

     the Guarantor's  and Holdings'  obligations under the  Exchange Debentures;
     provided,  however, that prior to the payment of such obligations, interest
     on  Strategic Investor Subordinated  Indebtedness may be  payable solely in
     kind or in Common Stock (other than Redeemable Stock) of the Guarantor. 

          "Subsidiary"  means,  with respect  to  any  Person, any  corporation,
     association  or  other  business  entity of  which  more  than  50% of  the
     outstanding Voting Stock is  owned, directly or indirectly, by  such Person
     and one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person. 
      
          "Temporary Cash  Investment" means  any of  the following:  (i) direct
     obligations  of the  United  States of  America  or any  agency  thereof or
     obligations fully and  unconditionally guaranteed by  the United States  of
     America  or any agency thereof, (ii) time deposit accounts, certificates of
     deposit and money market deposits  maturing within 270 days of the  date of
     acquisition thereof, bankers' acceptances with maturities not exceeding 270
     days, and overnight bank deposits, in each case issued by or with a bank or
     trust  company which is  organized under the  laws of the  United States of
     America, any state thereof  or any foreign country recognized by the United
     States, and which bank or trust  company has capital, surplus and undivided
     profits  aggregating in  excess of  $100 million  (or the  foreign currency
     equivalent thereof) and  has outstanding debt  which is rated "A"  (or such
     similar  equivalent rating) or higher by at least one nationally recognized
     statistical  rating  organization  (as  defined   in  Rule  436  under  the
     Securities Act) or any  money-market fund sponsored by a  registered broker
     dealer or mutual fund distributor, (iii) repurchase obligations with a term
     of not more than 30  days for underlying securities of the  types described
     in  clause (i) above  entered into with  a bank meeting  the qualifications
     described  in clause (ii) above,  (iv) commercial paper,  maturing not more
     than 180 days after the date of acquisition, issued by a corporation (other
     than an  Affiliate of the Guarantor)  organized and in existence  under the
     laws of  the United  States of  America, any state  thereof or  any foreign
     country  recognized by the  United States of  America with a  rating at the
     time as  of which  any  investment therein  is made  of  "P-1" (or  higher)
     according to Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or "A-1" (or higher) according
     to Standard &  Poor's Ratings Group, and (v) securities  with maturities of
     six  months  or less  from  the date  of  acquisition issued  or  fully and
     unconditionally guaranteed by  any state, commonwealth or  territory of the
     United  States  of  America, or  by  any  political  subdivision or  taxing
     authority thereof,  and rated  at least  "A" by Standard  & Poor's  Ratings
     Group or Moody's Investors Service, Inc. 
      
          "13 1/2%  Notes" means the 13  1/2% Senior Discount Notes  Due 2005 of
     Holdings  guaranteed by  Holdings (Canada)  and ICG  on a  senior unsecured
     basis. 

          "13 1/2% Notes Indenture"  means the Indenture  dated as of August  8,
     1995,  as amended,  among  Holdings,  Holdings  (Canada)  and  the  Trustee
     pursuant to which Holdings issued the 13 1/2% Notes. 
      
          "Trade  Payables" means,  with  respect to  any  person, any  accounts
     payable  or  any  other debt  or  monetary  obligation  to trade  creditors
     created,  assumed or Guaranteed by  such Person or  any of its Subsidiaries
     arising  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business  in  connection  with  the
     acquisition of goods or services. 
      
          "Transaction  Date"  means,  with respect  to  the  Incurrence  of any
     Indebtedness  by the Guarantor or  any of its  Restricted Subsidiaries, the
     date  such Indebtedness  is  to  be  Incurred  and,  with  respect  to  any
     Restricted Payment, the date such Restricted Payment is to be made. 
      
          "12 1/2%  Notes" means the 12  1/2% Senior Discount Notes  due 2006 of
     Holdings  guaranteed by  Holdings (Canada)  and ICG  on a  senior unsecured
     basis. 
      
          "12 1/2%  Notes Indenture" means the  Indenture dated as of  April 30,
     1996,  as  amended,  among  Holdings, Holdings  (Canada)  and  the  Trustee
     pursuant to which Holdings issued the 12 1/2% Notes. 

                                      -113-
     <PAGE>
      
          "Unrestricted Subsidiary"  means (i)  any Subsidiary of  the Guarantor
     that  at  the time  of determination  shall  be designated  an Unrestricted
     Subsidiary by the Board of Directors  in the manner provided below and (ii)
     any  Subsidiary of an Unrestricted  Subsidiary. The Board  of Directors may
     designate any  Restricted Subsidiary of the Guarantor  (including any newly
     acquired  or newly formed Subsidiary of the Guarantor), other than Holdings
     or  a  Subsidiary   that  has  given  a  Subsidiary  Guarantee,  to  be  an
     Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such  Subsidiary owns any Capital  Stock of,
     or owns  or  holds  any Lien  on  any property  of,  the Guarantor  or  any
     Restricted Subsidiary; provided  that either  (A) the Subsidiary  to be  so
     designated has total assets of $1,000 or less or (B) if such Subsidiary has
     assets  greater than $1,000, that such designation would be permitted under
     the "Limitation on Restricted Payments" covenant described above. The Board
     of Directors may designate  any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be  a Restricted
     Subsidiary of  the Guarantor; provided that immediately after giving effect
     to  such  designation (x)  the Guarantor  could  Incur $1.00  of additional
     Indebtedness under the first paragraph of  the "Limitation on Indebtedness"
     covenant described above and (y) no  Default or Event of Default shall have
     occurred and be continuing. Any such  designation by the Board of Directors
     shall be evidenced  to the Trustee  by promptly filing  with the Trustee  a
     copy  of the  Board  Resolution giving  effect to  such designation  and an
     Officers' Certificate  certifying that  such designation complied  with the
     foregoing provisions. 
      
          "Voting Stock" means, with respect to any Person, Capital Stock of any
     class  or kind  ordinarily having  the power  to vote  for the  election of
     directors, managers  or other voting members of  the governing body of such
     Person. 
      
          "Wholly  Owned" means, with respect  to any Subsidiary  of any Person,
     such  Subsidiary if 98%  or more of  the outstanding Capital  Stock in such
     Subsidiary (other  than any director's qualifying shares  or Investments by
     foreign nationals  mandated by applicable law)  is owned by  such Person or
     one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person. 
      
          "Zycom" means Zycom Corporation, an Alberta, Canada corporation.



                                       -114-
     <PAGE>

               CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS


          Reid  & Priest LLP,  counsel to the  Company, has advised  the Company
     that the following summary as  to legal matters expresses their  opinion as
     to  the  material  anticipated  federal  income  tax  consequences  of  the
     purchase, ownership and  disposition of  the New Notes,  the New  Preferred
     Stock and the Exchange Debentures.  Except where noted, it  deals only with
     New  Notes, New  Preferred Stock  and Exchange  Debentures held  as capital
     assets  by United States Holders and does not deal with special situations,
     such  as  those   of  dealers  in   securities  or  currencies,   financial
     institutions,  life insurance  companies,  persons holding  New Notes,  New
     Preferred Stock or Exchange Debentures as a part of a hedging or conversion
     transaction  or  a  straddle or  United  States  Holders whose  "functional
     currency"  is not  the U.S.  dollar. Furthermore,  the discussion  below is
     based upon  the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
     (the   "Code"),  and  regulations,  including  final  Treasury  regulations
     addressing debt instruments  issued with original issue  discount (the "OID
     Regulations"),  rulings and judicial  decisions thereunder  as of  the date
     hereof, and such authorities may be repealed, revoked or modified  so as to
     result in  federal income tax  consequences different from  those discussed
     below. In addition,  the discussion  below includes certain  matters as  to
     which  Holdings has made determinations which it believes are accurate. ALL
     PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS  ARE  ADVISED  TO  CONSULT THEIR  OWN  TAX  ADVISORS
     REGARDING THE FEDERAL,  STATE, LOCAL  AND FOREIGN TAX  CONSEQUENCES OF  THE
     PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND  DISPOSITION OF  THE NEW NOTES,  THE NEW  PREFERRED
     STOCK OR THE EXCHANGE DEBENTURES.

     EXCHANGE OF NEW PREFERRED STOCK OR NEW NOTES
 
          An exchange of the New Preferred Stock for the Old Preferred Stock, or
     the  New Notes for the Old Notes  will not constitute a taxable event for
     U.S. federal income tax purposes because the New Preferred Stock will not
     be considered to differ materially in kind or extent from the Old Preferred
     Stock and  the New Notes will not be considered to  differ materially in
     kind or extent from the Old Notes. Rather, the New Preferred Stock received
     by a holder will be treated as a continuation of the Old Preferred Stock
     in  the hands  of such  holder and  the New  Notes will be treated  as a
     continuation of  the Old Notes  in the hands  of such holder.  As a result,
     holders who exchange  their Old Preferred Stock for New  Preferred Stock or
     their Old Notes for New Notes will not recognize any income, gain or loss
     for U.S. federal  income tax purposes  with respect to  such exchange.  The
     following  discussion assumes that an  exchange of New  Preferred Stock for
     Old Preferred Stock or  an exchange of New Notes for Old  Notes will not be
     treated as an exchange for federal income tax purposes.

     TAX CONSEQUENCES TO UNITED STATES HOLDERS

          As used herein, a "United States Holder" means a beneficial owner that
     is a citizen  or resident of the United States,  a corporation, partnership
     or other entity  created or organized  in or under  the laws of the  United
     States or any political subdivision thereof, an estate the income  of which
     is  subject  to United  States federal  income  taxation regardless  of its
     source, or  a trust the administration  of which is subject  to the primary
     supervision of  a court within the United States  and for which one or more
     fiduciaries  have the  authority to control  all substantial  decisions. An
     individual  may, subject to certain exceptions,  be deemed to be a resident
     (as opposed  to a non-resident  alien) of  the United States  by virtue  of
     being present in the United States on at least 31 days in the calendar year
     and for an aggregate of at least 183 days during a three-year period ending
     in the  current calendar year (counting  for such purposes all  of the days
     present  in  the  current  year,  one-third  of  the days  present  in  the
     immediately preceding year, and one-sixth of the days present in the second
     preceding  year). A "Non-United  States Holder" is  a holder that  is not a
     United States Holder.

                                       -115-
     <PAGE>

     DIVIDENDS ON THE NEW PREFERRED STOCK

          Distributions of cash or of additional New Preferred Stock on the  New
     Preferred Stock  will be treated as  dividends to United  States Holders to
     the extent of  Holdings' current  and accumulated earnings  and profits  as
     determined under  federal income  tax principles.  The amount  of Holdings'
     earnings and  profits at any time  will depend upon the  future actions and
     financial  performance  of  Holdings.  The  amount  of  a  distribution  of
     additional  New  Preferred  Stock will  equal  the  fair  market value  New
     Preferred Stock distributed on the date of the distribution.  

          Holdings has determined that it does not presently have any current or
     accumulated earnings and  profits. Consequently, unless  Holdings generates
     earnings  and profits in the future,  distributions with respect to the New
     Preferred  Stock  may  not qualify  as  dividends  for  federal income  tax
     purposes.  To the  extent that  the  amount of  a distribution  on the  New
     Preferred  Stock exceeds  Holdings'  current and  accumulated earnings  and
     profits,  such  distributions will  be treated  as  a nontaxable  return of
     capital and  will be applied against  and reduce the adjusted  tax basis of
     the New Preferred Stock in the hands of each United States Holder  (but not
     below zero), thus increasing the amount of any gain (or reducing the amount
     of any loss) which would otherwise be realized by such United States Holder
     upon the sale or other taxable disposition of such New Preferred Stock. The
     amount of any such distribution which exceeds the adjusted tax basis of the
     New  Preferred Stock  in the  hands  of the  United States  Holder will  be
     treated as capital gain and will be either long-term or short-term  capital
     gain  depending on  the United States  Holder's holding period  for the New
     Preferred Stock.

          Under  Section  243  of  the  Code, corporate  United  States  Holders
     generally will  be able  to deduct  70% of the  amount of  any distribution
     qualifying   as  a  dividend.  There  are,  however,  many  exceptions  and
     restrictions  relating  to  the  availability  of  such  dividends-received
     deduction.  Section  246A  of   the  Code  reduces  the  dividends-received
     deduction allowed to  a corporate  United States Holder  that has  incurred
     indebtedness "directly attributable" to  its investment in portfolio stock.
     Section 246(c) of the Code requires  that, in order to be eligible  for the
     dividends-received  deduction,  a  corporate   United  States  Holder  must
     generally  hold the  shares of  New Preferred  Stock for  a 46-day  minimum
     holding  period or a 91-day  period in certain  circumstances. A taxpayer's
     holding period for these purposes is suspended during any period in which a
     United States Holder  has certain options  or contractual obligations  with
     respect  to  substantially  identical stock  or  holds  one  or more  other
     positions with respect to substantially identical stock that diminishes the
     risk of loss from holding the New Preferred Stock. A  proposal in President
     Clinton's fiscal 1998 budget  plan would (i) reduce the  dividends-received
     deduction from 70% to 50%, and (ii) modify the manner in which the 46 or 91
     -day minimum holding period is determined. In addition, another proposal in
     President  Clinton's fiscal 1998 budget plan  would eliminate the dividends
     received deduction for certain limited term preferred stock such as the New
     Preferred Stock. It is unclear whether and in what form such proposals will
     be enacted.

          Under Section  1059 of  the Code a  corporate United States  Holder is
     required to reduce its tax basis (but not  below zero) in the New Preferred
     Stock by the nontaxed portion of any "extraordinary dividend" if such stock
     has not been  held for more than two years before  the earliest of the date
     such  dividend is declared, announced or agreed to. Generally, the nontaxed
     portion of  an extraordinary dividend is the amount excluded from income by
     operation of the  dividends-received deduction provisions of Section 243 of
     the  Code. An extraordinary dividend  on the New  Preferred Stock generally
     would  be a dividend that (i) equals  or exceeds 5% of the corporate United
     States Holder's adjusted tax basis in the New Preferred Stock, treating all
     dividends  having ex-dividend dates within an 85-day period as one dividend
     or (ii) exceeds  20% of the corporate  United States Holder's  adjusted tax
     basis in such stock, treating all dividends having ex-dividend dates within
     a 365-day period as one dividend. In determining whether a dividend paid on
     the  New Preferred Stock is  an extraordinary dividend,  a corporate United
     States  Holder may  elect to substitute  the fair  market value  of the New
     Preferred Stock for such United  States Holder's tax basis for  purposes of
     applying these tests, provided such fair market value is established to the
     satisfaction  of the  Secretary of Treasury  as of  the day  before the ex-
     dividend date. An extraordinary dividend also currently includes any amount

                                       -116-
     <PAGE>

     treated as a  dividend in the case of  a redemption that is  either non-pro
     rata  as to  all  stockholders  or  in  partial  liquidation  of  Holdings,
     regardless of the stockholder's  holding period and regardless of  the size
     of  the dividend,  including a  redemption pursuant  to Holdings'  right to
     redeem the New Preferred Stock for cash or exchange the New Preferred Stock
     for Exchange  Debentures.  If  any  part of  the  nontaxed  portion  of  an
     extraordinary dividend is not applied to reduce the corporate United States
     Holder's tax basis  as a result  of the limitation  on reducing such  basis
     below  zero, such part will be treated as gain upon sale or exchange of the
     New Preferred Stock. However, a proposal in President Clinton's fiscal 1998
     budget plan would require gain on the nontaxed  portion of an extraordinary
     dividend to be  recognized at the  time when the extraordinary  dividend is
     paid rather than at the time of  the sale or exchange of the New  Preferred
     Stock to the  extent the basis of the  New Preferred Stock with  respect to
     which any extraordinary dividend  is received would be reduced  below zero.
     It is  unclear whether and in  what form such legislation  will be enacted.
     Special rules exist with respect to extraordinary dividends for  "qualified
     preferred dividends."  A qualified preferred dividend is any fixed dividend
     payable  with respect to  any share of  stock which (i)  provides for fixed
     preferred dividends payable not  less frequently than annually and  (ii) is
     not  in arrears  as  to dividends  at  the time  the  United States  Holder
     acquires  such stock. A qualified  preferred dividend does  not include any
     dividend payable with respect to  any share of stock if the  actual rate of
     return of such stock exceeds 15%.  Section 1059 does not apply to qualified
     preferred  dividends if the corporate United States Holder holds such stock
     for  more than  five years. If  the United  States Holder  disposes of such
     stock before  it has been held for more than five years, the amount subject
     to  extraordinary dividend  treatment with  respect to  qualified preferred
     dividends is limited  to the excess of the  actual rate of return  over the
     stated  rate of return. Actual or stated  rates of return are the actual or
     stated dividends  expressed as a percentage of the lesser of (1) the United
     States Holder's tax basis in  such stock or (2) the liquidation  preference
     of such  stock. CORPORATE UNITED STATES HOLDERS  ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR
     TAX  ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO  THE POSSIBLE APPLICATION  OF SECTION 1059 TO
     THEIR OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE NEW PREFERRED STOCK.

          A corporate  United States Holder's liability  for alternative minimum
     tax may be  affected by the  portion of the  dividends received which  such
     corporate United  States Holder deducts  in computing taxable  income. This
     results  from the fact that corporate stockholders are required to increase
     alternative minimum taxable income by 75% of the excess of current earnings
     and  profits (with  certain adjustments)  over alternative  minimum taxable
     income (determined without regard to earnings and profit adjustments or the
     alternative tax net operating loss deduction).

     REDEMPTION PREMIUM

          Under  Section  305(c)  of  the  Code  and  the   applicable  Treasury
     regulations  thereunder, if  the redemption  price  of New  Preferred Stock
     exceeds  its  issue price,  the  difference ("redemption  premium")  may be
     taxable as a constructive distribution of additional New Preferred Stock to
     the United  States Holder (treated as a dividend to the extent of Holdings'
     current and accumulated earnings  and profits and otherwise subject  to the
     treatment described above for distributions) over a certain period. Because
     the New Preferred  Stock provides for  an optional right  of redemption  by
     Holdings at a  price in excess  of the issue  price, United States  Holders
     could be required  to recognize  such redemption premium  under a  constant
     interest rate method similar to that  described below for accruing OID (see
     "-Original  Issue  Discount")   if,  based   on  all  of   the  facts   and
     circumstances, the optional redemption is more likely than not to occur. If
     stock may be  redeemed at more than  one time, the time and  price at which
     such redemption is most likely to occur must  be determined based on all of
     the  facts and  circumstances.  Applicable Treasury  regulations provide  a
     "safe harbor" under  which a right to  redeem will not  be treated as  more
     likely than not to occur if (i) the issuer and the United States Holder are
     not related within the meaning of the Treasury regulations; (ii)  there are
     no  plans,  arrangements or  agreements  that  effectively  require or  are
     intended to compel the issuer to  redeem the stock (disregarding, for  this
     purpose, a separate mandatory  redemption) and (iii) exercise of  the right
     to redeem would not reduce the yield of the  stock, as determined under the
     Treasury regulations.  Further, the Treasury regulations  provide that such
     redemption premium is not taxable  as a constructive distribution if  it is
     solely in the nature  of a penalty for  premature redemption. A  redemption
     premium is solely in the nature of a penalty for premature redemption if it
     is paid as a result of changes in economic or market  conditions over which

                                       -117-
     <PAGE>

     neither the  issuer nor the holder have  control. Regardless of whether the
     optional redemption  is  more  likely than  not  to occur  or  whether  the
     redemption premium  is solely  in the  nature of  a  penalty for  premature
     redemption,  constructive  dividend  treatment   will  not  result  if  the
     redemption  premium  does not  exceed  a de  minimis amount.  Based  on the
     Treasury  regulations,  Holdings  intends to  take  the  position  that the
     existence  of  Holdings' optional  redemption right  does  not result  in a
     constructive distribution to the United States Holders.

     REDEMPTION AND EXCHANGE FOR EXCHANGE DEBENTURES

          A  redemption of  shares of  the New  Preferred Stock  for cash  or an
     exchange of  the New  Preferred Stock  for  Exchange Debentures  will be  a
     taxable  transaction  on  which  a  United  States  Holder  will  generally
     recognize capital gain or loss (except to the extent of amounts received on
     the exchange that  are attributable  to declared dividends,  which will  be
     treated  in the same manner as distributions described above) provided that
     the  redemption (i) results in  complete termination of  the holder's stock
     interest  in Holdings  or (ii)  results in  a  "meaningful reduction"  in a
     United States  Holder's stock  interest in  Holdings. Whether a  redemption
     will  result in a meaningful  reduction depends on  the particular holder's
     facts  and circumstances. In  determining whether a  United States Holder's
     interest in Holdings has been reduced or terminated, the holder  is deemed,
     under  the constructive ownership rules  of Section 302(c)  of the Code, to
     own  any shares  of Holdings'  stock that  are owned,  or deemed  owned, by
     certain related  persons and entities and  any shares that such  holder, or
     related  person or  entity, has  the  right to  acquire by  exercise of  an
     option. If the redemption of  the New Preferred Stock does not  result in a
     complete  termination  or meaningful  reduction,  as  described above,  the
     transaction  would be  treated  as  a  distribution  of  cash  or  Exchange
     Debentures, as  the case may be.  Such distribution will be  treated in the
     same manner  as distributions  described above. However,  corporate holders
     should  be aware  that to  the  extent such  distribution is  treated as  a
     dividend it would  be an extraordinary  dividend under Section 1059  of the
     Code.  If  the redemption  of  the New  Preferred  Stock does  result  in a
     complete  termination or meaningful reduction, the  gain or loss recognized
     on such  exchange will  generally be  equal to  the difference  between the
     amount realized by the United States Holder of the New  Preferred Stock and
     such  United States Holder's adjusted tax  basis in the New Preferred Stock
     surrendered in the redemption.

          In the case of a redemption for cash, the amount realized will be  the
     cash  received  on the  redemption.  In  the case  of  an  exchange of  New
     Preferred  Stock for Exchange Debentures, the amount realized on receipt of
     the Exchange Debenture would be equal  to the "issue price" of the Exchange
     Debenture. Thus, the amount realized  on the exchange will be equal  to the
     issue  price of  the Exchange  Debentures  plus any  cash  received on  the
     exchange (other than cash received with respect to declared dividends). The
     issue price  of an Exchange  Debenture would  be equal to  its fair  market
     value  if  as of  the  exchange date  the  Exchange Debentures  or  the New
     Preferred Stock are traded on an established securities market on or at any
     time during  the 60-day period ending  30 days after the  exchange date. If
     neither the New Preferred Stock nor  the Exchange Debentures are so traded,
     the  issue price of  the Exchange Debentures would  be the stated principal
     amount of  the Exchange Debentures provided that  the yield on the Exchange
     Debentures is  equal to or  greater than the  "applicable federal rate"  in
     effect at the time  the Exchange Debenture is issued.  If the yield on  the
     Exchange  Debentures is less than  such applicable federal  rate, its issue
     price under Section 1274 of the Code would be equal to the present value as
     of the  issue date of all  payments to be made on  the Exchange Debentures,
     discounted at the  applicable federal rate. It cannot  be determined at the
     present time whether  the New  Preferred Stock or  the Exchange  Debentures
     will  be, at the relevant time, traded  on an established securities market
     within the meaning of the OID Regulations.

          Depending upon a United  States Holder's particular circumstances, the
     tax  consequences of holding  Exchange Debentures may  be less advantageous
     than  the  tax consequences  of holding  New  Preferred Stock  because, for
     example,  payments of  interest  on the  Exchange  Debentures will  not  be
     eligible  for any  dividends-received deduction  that may  be available  to
     corporate  United  States  Holders and  because,  as  discussed below,  the
     Exchange Debentures may be issued with OID.

                                       -118-
     <PAGE>

     PAYMENTS OF INTEREST ON THE NEW NOTES AND EXCHANGE DEBENTURES

          The stated interest on a New Note and, if issued with OID, an Exchange
     Debenture will not be treated as interest for federal income  tax purposes,
     but  instead will  be subject  to  the OID  rules described  below. If  the
     Exchange Debentures are not issued with  OID, then interest on an  Exchange
     Debenture generally will be  includible in a United States  Holder's income
     as ordinary income under the Holder's method of accounting.

          In  the event ICG  makes interest payments  to a United  States Holder
     pursuant to the Note Guarantee or the Debenture Guarantee, such Holder will
     be required to include in income, as ordinary income, any such amounts.

     ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT

          The New Notes were, and the Exchange Debentures, if issued in exchange
     for  New Preferred  Stock, may  be, issued  with OID, as  further discussed
     below. United States  Holders of  New Notes or  Exchange Debentures  issued
     with  OID will be subject to special  tax accounting rules, as described in
     greater  detail below.  Holders of  such New  Notes or  Exchange Debentures
     should be  aware that they generally  must include OID in  gross income for
     federal  income tax  purposes on  an annual  basis  under a  constant yield
     accrual method. As a result, Holders  will include OID in income in advance
     of the receipt of cash attributable  to that income. However, United States
     Holders of New Notes or Exchange Debentures issued  with OID generally will
     not be  required to include separately in  income cash payments received on
     such  Notes or Debentures, even  if denominated as  interest, to the extent
     such  payments  do not  constitute  qualified stated  interest  (as defined
     below).  The New  Notes and  Exchange Debentures  issued with  OID will  be
     referred to as "Original Issue  Discount Debentures." Holdings will  report
     to  United States  Holders of New  Notes on  a timely  basis the reportable
     amount of  OID and interest income based on its understanding of applicable
     law and,  if any  Exchange Debentures  are issued  with OID, Holdings  will
     report  such  amounts  to   United  States  Holders  of   such  Debentures.
     STOCKHOLDERS  ARE  URGED  TO  CONSULT THEIR  OWN  TAX  ADVISORS  AS  TO THE
     CONSEQUENCES OF OWNING EXCHANGE DEBENTURES.

          The amount of  OID, if any, on a debt instrument  is the excess of its
     "stated redemption price at maturity" over  its "issue price," subject to a
     statutorily  defined  de minimis  exception. The  "issue  price" of  a debt
     instrument issued for cash is equal  to the first price (excluding sales to
     bond houses and brokers) at  which price a substantial amount of  such debt
     instruments are sold. The "stated  redemption price at maturity" of  a debt
     instrument  is the  sum of  its principal  amount plus  all  other payments
     required  thereunder, other  than payments  of "qualified  stated interest"
     (defined generally as  stated interest that  is unconditionally payable  in
     cash or  in property (other  than the debt  instruments of the  issuer), at
     least annually at a single fixed rate that appropriately takes into account
     the length of intervals between payments).

          Because interest on the  New Notes is not payable until  September 15,
     2002, the stated interest on the New Notes will not be treated as qualified
     stated interest. In addition, the New Notes were issued at a price that was
     less than their stated principal amount. As a result, the New Notes will be
     treated as having been issued with OID  equal to the excess of their stated
     redemption  price at  maturity  (which will  be  equal to  the  sum of  the
     principal amount plus all payments of stated interest) over the issue price
     of  the Old Notes  (which will  be equal  to the initial  price at  which a
     substantial amount of Old  Notes were sold (excluding sales  to bond houses
     and brokers)).

          Because Holdings has the option through March 15, 2002 to pay interest
     on  the Exchange Debentures  by issuing additional  Exchange Debentures, if
     any Exchange  Debentures are issued  on or prior  to that date  none of the
     stated  interest on the Exchange  Debentures would be  treated as qualified
     stated interest unless under special rules for interest holidays the amount
     of OID is treated as de minimis. Any Exchange Debentures so issued would be
     treated as having been issued with OID  equal to the excess of their stated
     redemption price  at  maturity (which  will  be equal  to  the sum  of  the
     principal amount plus  all payments  of stated interest)  over their  issue
     price (which will be as described  under the "-Redemption and Exchange  for
     Exchange Debentures", above). Any  additional Exchange Debentures issued in

                                       -119-
     <PAGE>

     lieu of cash  would not be  treated as debt  instruments separate from  the
     Exchange Debentures upon which they were issued, but instead are aggregated
     with such Exchange Debentures.

          The  right to issue additional  Exchange Debentures in  lieu of paying
     cash  interest through  March  15,  2002 is  treated  for  purposes of  the
     original issue  discount provisions of the  Code as an option  to defer the
     interest  payments  on the  Exchange  Debentures  until maturity.  Treasury
     regulations provide that in the case of a debt instrument that provides the
     issuer  with an unconditional option or options exercisable during the term
     of the debt  instrument that, if exercised, require payments  to be made on
     the  debt instrument under an  alternative payment schedule,  the yield and
     maturity  of such  debt  instrument for  purposes  of calculating  OID  are
     determined by assuming the issuer exercises or does not exercise the option
     in a manner that minimizes the yield on the debt instrument.

          If the  issue  price of  the  Exchange Debentures  is equal  to  their
     principal amount,  the yield to maturity of  the Exchange Debentures if the
     option to  pay interest  with additional  Exchange Debentures is  exercised
     will be equal  to the  yield to maturity  if the  option is not  exercised.
     Accordingly, for purposes of calculating OID,  it would be assumed that
     Holdings will  not  exercise the  option  because exercise  of the  option
     will not minimize the  yield. If the  option was in fact  subsequently 
     exercised and additional  Exchange Debentures were  issued by Holdings in 
     lieu of  cash, such additional  Exchange  Debentures  would  be aggregated
     with  the  Exchange Debentures upon which they were issued, and OID would
     be calculated for the remainder of  the term of  the Exchange  Debentures
     based upon  an adjusted issue  price which includes the principal amount
     of the additional Exchange Debentures. As a result of such exercise, 
     United States Holders of Exchange Debentures would include OID in income
     in advance of the receipt of cash, regardless of such Holders' regular 
     methods of accounting.

          If  the  issue price  of the  Exchange Debentures  is less  than their
     principal amount, the yield to maturity of the Exchange  Debentures, if the
     option to  pay interest with  additional Exchange Debentures  is exercised,
     will be less than  the yield to  maturity if the  option is not  exercised.
     Accordingly,  for purposes  of calculating  OID, it  would be  assumed that
     Holdings will exercise the option because to do so will minimize the yield.
     If Holdings does in fact exercise its option and issues additional Exchange
     Debentures  in lieu of cash,  United States Holders  of Exchange Debentures
     will include OID in income in advance of the receipt of cash, regardless of
     such Holders' regular methods of accounting. If Holdings subsequently makes
     a cash payment  instead of exercising its option and  issuing an additional
     Exchange Debenture, the cash  payment made will be treated as  a prepayment
     of  the Exchange Debentures, partially retiring such Exchange Debentures on
     a  pro rata basis on  the date of such payment.  Such retirement would be a
     taxable exchange to the Holder of the Exchange Debenture.

          If the Exchange Debentures  are issued after March 15,  2002, Holdings
     would  not have  the  option  to  pay  interest  with  additional  Exchange
     Debentures.  In such  event,  (i) all  interest  payments on  any  Exchange
     Debenture issued will  be qualified  stated interest,  (ii) the  redemption
     price at maturity of any Exchange  Debenture will be equal to its principal
     amount, and (iii) any Exchange Debenture  will therefore be issued with OID
     only to the extent  its principal amount exceeds its issue  price (provided
     that such excess is not de minimis).

          The amount  of OID includible in  income by the  initial United States
     Holder of  an Original Issue  Discount Debenture is  the sum of  the "daily
     portions" of OID with respect to  the Original Issue Discount Debenture for
     each  day during the taxable year  or portion of the  taxable year in which
     such  United States Holder held  such Debenture ("accrued  OID"). The daily
     portion is determined by allocating  to each day in any "accrual  period" a
     pro rata portion of the OID allocable to that accrual  period. The "accrual
     period" for an  Original Issue Discount Debenture may be  of any length and
     may vary  in length over the term of the Original Issue Discount Debenture,
     provided  that each  accrual period  is no  longer than  one year  and each
     scheduled payment of  principal or interest occurs on the  first day or the
     final  day of an accrual period. The amount of OID allocable to any accrual
     period is an amount equal to the excess, if  any, of (a) the product of the
     Original  Issue Discount Debenture's adjusted issue  price at the beginning
     of such accrual period and  its yield to maturity (determined on  the basis
     of  compounding at the close  of each accrual  period and properly adjusted
     for the  length of the  accrual period) over  (b) the sum  of any qualified
     stated interest allocable  to the accrual period. OID allocable  to a final

                                       -120-
     <PAGE>

     accrual period is  the difference  between the amount  payable at  maturity
     (other than a payment of qualified stated interest) and  the adjusted issue
     price at the beginning of the final accrual period. The yield of a New Note
     is,  rounded to  two decimal places,  11.62%. Special rules  will apply for
     calculating  OID for an initial  short accrual period.  The "adjusted issue
     price" of  an Original  Issue Discount  Debenture at  the beginning  of any
     accrual period is equal to its issue price increased by the accrued OID for
     each prior accrual period (determined without regard to the amortization of
     any acquisition  or bond premium,  as described below)  and reduced by  any
     payments made on such  Debenture (other than qualified stated  interest) on
     or before the first day of the accrual period.

          Both  the New Notes and the  Exchange Debentures may be redeemed prior
     to  their  Stated  Maturity at  the  option of  Holdings.  For  purposes of
     computing the yield of such instrument, Holdings will be deemed to exercise
     or not exercise its option to redeem the Original Issue Discount Debentures
     in  a manner  that  minimizes  the yield  on  the  Original Issue  Discount
     Debentures. It is not anticipated that Holdings' ability to redeem prior to
     stated maturity would affect the yield of such instrument.

          In the  event of a  change of  control, Holdings will  be required  to
     offer  to repurchase all of the New  Notes and the Exchange Debentures. The
     right of  holders to require repurchase  upon a Change of  Control will not
     affect  the  yield or  maturity  date  of the  New  Notes  or the  Exchange
     Debentures provided that, based  on all the  facts and circumstances as  of
     the issue date, the payment  schedule on such Notes or  Exchange Debentures
     that does not reflect a change of control is significantly more likely than
     not  to occur.  Holdings does  not intend  to treat  the change  of control
     provisions  of the New  Notes or the  Exchange Debentures  as affecting the
     computation  of  the  yield  to  maturity  of  any  New  Notes or  Exchange
     Debentures.

          United States  Holders may elect to treat all interest on any New Note
     or Exchange Debenture as  OID and calculate the amount includible  in gross
     income under the constant yield method described above. For the purposes of
     this  election, interest  includes stated  interest, acquisition  discount,
     OID,  de minimis  OID,  market discount,  de  minimis market  discount  and
     unstated  interest,   as  adjusted  by  any  amortizable  bond  premium  or
     acquisition  premium. The election  is to be  made for the  taxable year in
     which the United States Holder acquired the New Note or Exchange Debenture,
     and may not be revoked without  the consent of the Internal Revenue Service
     (the  "IRS"). UNITED  STATES  HOLDERS SHOULD  CONSULT  WITH THEIR  OWN  TAX
     ADVISORS ABOUT THIS ELECTION.

     MARKET DISCOUNT ON RESALE OF NEW NOTES OR EXCHANGE DEBENTURES

          If  a United States Holder purchases an Exchange Debenture (other than
     an Original  Issue Discount Debenture) for  an amount less  than its stated
     redemption price  at maturity or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount
     Debenture, for  an amount that is  less than its adjusted  issue price, the
     amount of the difference will  be treated as "market discount" for  federal
     income tax purposes,  unless such difference  is less than  a specified  de
     minimis  amount.  However,  with respect  to  a  United  States Holder  who
     purchased  a New  Note at  original issuance,  such instrument will  not be
     treated as issued with market discount unless it is purchased for less than
     its issue price and the difference between the purchase price and the issue
     price  is greater  than  a specified  de minimis  amount. Under  the market
     discount rules,  a  United States  Holder  will be  required  to treat  any
     principal payment on  a New Note or an  Exchange Debenture, or any  gain on
     the sale,  exchange, retirement or  other disposition of  a New Note  or an
     Exchange Debenture as ordinary income to  the extent of the market discount
     which  has not previously been included in  income and is treated as having
     accrued on such New Note or Exchange  Debenture at the time of such payment
     or  disposition. In addition, the  United States Holder  may be required to
     defer, until the  maturity of the New Note or the Exchange Debenture or its
     earlier disposition  in a taxable  transaction, the  deduction of all  or a
     portion of the interest  expense on any indebtedness incurred  or continued
     to purchase or carry such New Note or Exchange Debenture.

          Any  market discount will be  considered to accrue  ratably during the
     period from the date of acquisition to the maturity date of the New Note or
     the Exchange Debenture, unless the United States Holder elects to accrue on
     a constant  interest method. A United  States Holder of  a New Note  or the

                                       -121-
     <PAGE>

     Exchange Debenture may elect to include market discount in income currently
     as it accrues  (on either a ratable or constant  interest method), in which
     case the  rule described  above regarding  deferral of  interest deductions
     will  not apply.  This  election  to  include  market  discount  in  income
     currently,  once made, applies to all  market discount obligations acquired
     on or after the  first taxable year to  which the election applies  and may
     not be revoked without the consent of the IRS.

     ACQUISITION PREMIUM; AMORTIZABLE BOND PREMIUM

          A United  States  Holder that  purchases  a New  Note or  an  Exchange
     Debenture for an amount that  is greater than its adjusted issue  price but
     equal to or  less than the sum  of all amounts payable  on the New Note  or
     Exchange Debenture  after the purchase  date, other  than qualified  stated
     interest, will  be considered to have  purchased such New Note  or Exchange
     Debenture at an "acquisition premium." Under the acquisition premium rules,
     the amount of OID, if any, which such United States Holder  must include in
     its gross  income with respect to  such New Note or  Exchange Debenture for
     any taxable year will be reduced by the portion of such acquisition premium
     properly allocable to such year.

          If at  the  time the  New Preferred  Stock is  exchanged for  Exchange
     Debentures  or  at the  time a  subsequent  United States  Holder purchases
     Exchange  Debentures,  the United  States Holder's  tax  basis in  any such
     Exchange Debenture exceeds the sum of  all amounts payable on the  Exchange
     Debenture  after the exchange date  or purchase date,  other than qualified
     stated interest,  such  excess may  constitute  "premium" and  such  United
     States  Holder will not be required to  include any OID in income. A United
     States  Holder  generally  may elect  to  amortize  bond  premium over  the
     remaining term of the  Exchange Debenture on a  constant yield method.  The
     amount amortized in any  year will be treated as a  reduction of the United
     States  Holder's interest income from the  Exchange Debenture. Bond premium
     on an Exchange  Debenture held by a United States Holder that does not make
     such  an election  will decrease  the gain or  increase the  loss otherwise
     recognized  on  disposition of  the  Exchange  Debenture. The  election  to
     amortize bond premium on a  constant yield method once made applies  to all
     debt  obligations  held or  subsequently  acquired by  the  electing United
     States Holder on or after the first day of the first  taxable year to which
     the election applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS.

     REDEMPTION, SALE OR EXCHANGE OF NEW NOTES OR EXCHANGE DEBENTURES

          The adjusted tax basis of a United States Holder who receives Exchange
     Debentures in  exchange for New Preferred Stock  will, in general, be equal
     to the issue price of such Exchange Debentures, increased by OID and market
     discount  previously included  in income  by the  United States  Holder and
     reduced by  any amortized  premium and  any cash  payments on  the Exchange
     Debentures other than  qualified stated interest. A  United States Holder's
     tax basis in  a New Note will,  in general, be  the United States  Holder's
     cost  therefor, increased by OID and market discount previously included in
     income by  the United States Holder and reduced by any cash payments on the
     New Notes. Upon the redemption, sale, exchange or retirement of  a New Note
     or Exchange Debenture,  a United States Holder will recognize  gain or loss
     equal  to the difference between  the amount realized  upon the redemption,
     sale, exchange  or retirement (less any accrued  qualified stated interest,
     not previously taken  into account, which will be taxable  as such) and the
     adjusted tax basis of the New Note or Exchange Debenture. Such gain or loss
     will be capital gain or loss and  will be long-term capital gain or loss if
     at the  time of redemption,  sale, exchange or  retirement the New  Note or
     Exchange Debenture has been held for more than one year.

     APPLICABLE HIGH YIELD DISCOUNT OBLIGATIONS

          If  the yield to maturity on Original Issue Discount Debentures equals
     or  exceeds the sum  of (x)  the "applicable  federal rate"  (as determined
     under  Section 1274(d) of  the Code) in  effect for the  month in which the
     Original  Issue Discount Debentures are  issued (the "AFR")  and (y) 5% and
     the  OID on such Original  Issue Discount Debentures  is "significant," the
     Original  Issue Discount  Debentures  will be  considered "applicable  high
     yield discount obligations" ("AHYDOs") under Section 163(i) of the Code and

                                       -122-
     <PAGE>

     will be  subject to special  rules that will defer  Holdings' deduction for
     interest  (including  OID)  until  such  interest  is  actually  paid.  The
     "applicable federal rate" is 6.75% for long-term debt instruments issued in
     March 1997. 

          Moreover,  if the  yield to  maturity on  the Original  Issue Discount
     Debenture exceeds the  sum of (x) the AFR and (y)  6% (such excess shall be
     referred to  hereinafter as  the "Disqualified Yield"),  the deduction  for
     interest (including OID)  accrued on the Original Issue Discount Debentures
     will be permanently disallowed (regardless  of whether the Company actually
     pays such interest or OID  in cash or in  other property) for U.S.  federal
     income  tax purposes to the extent such  interest or OID is attributable to
     the  Disqualified   Yield  on   the  Original  Issue   Discount  Debentures
     ("Dividend-Equivalent  Interest"). For  purposes of  the dividends-received
     deduction, such Dividend-Equivalent Interest will be  treated as a dividend
     to the extent it is  deemed to have been paid out of  the Company's current
     or accumulated earnings and profits.

          Due to their maturity date, yield  to maturity, and amount of OID, the
     New  Notes will  not  be  subject to  the  applicable  high yield  discount
     obligation  rules described  above.  Because the  amount  of OID,  if  any,
     attributable to the  Exchange Debentures  will be determined  at such  time
     such Exchange Debentures are issued  and the AFR at the time  such Exchange
     Debentures   are  issued  in  exchange  for  New  Preferred  Stock  is  not
     predictable,  it is impossible to determine at  the present time whether an
     Exchange Debenture will be treated as an AHYDO.

     INFORMATION REPORTING AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING

          In general,  information reporting requirements will  apply to certain
     payments of dividends,  principal, interest,  OID, and premium  and to  the
     proceeds of sales of New Notes, Exchange Debentures and New Preferred Stock
     made to United States Holders other than certain exempt recipients (such as
     corporations). A 31% backup withholding tax will apply to such payments  if
     the  United States Holder fails to provide a taxpayer identification number
     or certification  of foreign or other  exempt status or fails  to report in
     full dividend and interest income.

          Any  amounts withheld  under  the  backup  withholding rules  will  be
     allowed as  a refund or a  credit against such United  States Holder's U.S.
     federal income tax liability provided the required information is furnished
     to the IRS.

     TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-UNITED STATES HOLDERS

     DIVIDENDS ON THE NEW PREFERRED STOCK

          Although, as  discussed above (see "Tax Consequences  to United States
     Holders--Dividends on the New  Preferred Stock"), distributions on the  New
     Preferred Stock will only be treated as dividends for United States federal
     income  tax  purposes to  the extent  of  Holdings' current  or accumulated
     earnings and  profits (as determined  under United States  tax principles),
     distributions paid to  a Non-United  States Holder of  New Preferred  Stock
     generally  will be subject to  withholding of United  States federal income
     tax at a  30% rate or such lower rate as  may be specified by an applicable
     income tax treaty. However, dividends  that are effectively connected  with
     the  conduct of a trade or business  by the Non-United States Holder within
     the United States or, if a tax treaty applies, are attributable to a United
     States permanent  establishment of  the Non-United  States Holder,  are not
     subject  to the withholding  tax, but instead are  subject to United States
     federal income tax on a net income basis at applicable graduated individual
     or  corporate rates. Any such effectively connected dividends received by a
     foreign  corporation may,  under certain  circumstances, be  subject  to an
     additional "branch profits tax" at a 30% rate or such lower  rate as may be
     specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

          Under current United States Treasury regulations, dividends paid to an
     address outside the United States are presumed to be  paid to a resident of
     such country (unless the  payor has knowledge to the contrary) for purposes
     of  the withholding  discussed above  and for  purposes of  determining the
     applicability of a tax  treaty rate. Under proposed United  States Treasury
     regulations not currently in effect, however, in the case of dividends paid
     after December 31, 1997 (December 31, 1999 in the case of dividends paid to

                                       -123-
     <PAGE>

     accounts  in existence  on or  before the date  that is  60 days  after the
     proposed  United  States  Treasury   regulations  are  published  as  final
     regulations),  a Non-United States Holder of New Preferred Stock who wishes
     to claim  the benefit  of an  applicable treaty rate  would be  required to
     satisfy applicable certification and other requirements. Currently, certain
     certification and disclosure requirements must be complied with in order to
     be  exempt from  the  withholding under  the  effectively connected  income
     exemption discussed above.

          If it is subsequently determined that some or all of  the distribution
     on the New Preferred Stock should be treated as a return of capital, a Non-
     United States Holder may obtain a refund of some or all of the tax withheld
     by filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. A Non-United States
     Holder of  New Preferred Stock eligible for a reduced rate of United States
     withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any
     excess amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim for refund with  the
     IRS.

     INTEREST AND OID ON NEW NOTES AND EXCHANGE DEBENTURES

          Subject  to the  discussion  below concerning  backup withholding,  no
     withholding  of  United States  federal income  tax  will be  required with
     respect to the payment  by the Company or any paying  agent of principal or
     interest (which for purposes of this discussion includes OID) on a New Note
     or an exchange Debenture owned by a  Non-United States Holder, provided (i)
     that the  beneficial owner does  not actually or constructively  own 10% or
     more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of Holdings
     entitled to  vote within the meaning  of Section 871(h)(3) of  the Code and
     the regulations thereunder, (ii)  the beneficial owner is not  a controlled
     foreign corporation that  is related to  Holdings through stock  ownership,
     (iii) the beneficial owner is not a bank whose receipt of interest on a New
     Note or  an Exchange Debenture is described  in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the
     Code  and  (iv) the  beneficial owner  satisfies the  statement requirement
     (described  generally below) set forth in Section 871(h) and Section 881(c)
     of the Code and the regulations thereunder.

          To satisfy the requirement  referred to in (iv) above,  the beneficial
     owner of such New Note or an Exchange Debenture, or a financial institution
     holding the New Note or an Exchange Debenture on behalf of such owner, must
     provide, in accordance with specified procedures, Holdings or its paying
     agent with a  statement to the effect  that the beneficial  owner is not  a
     U.S.  person. These requirements  will be met  if (1)  the beneficial owner
     provides his name and  address, and certifies, under penalties  of perjury,
     that he  is not a  U.S. person (which certification  may be made  on an IRS
     Form W-8 (or  successor form)) or (2)  a financial institution  holding the
     New  Note or  an  Exchange  Debenture on  behalf  of  the beneficial  owner
     certifies,  under  penalties  of  perjury,  that  such  statement  has been
     received by it and furnishes a paying agent with a copy thereof.

          Holdings will  not withhold federal income  tax on interest paid  to a
     Non-United States Holder if it receives IRS Form  4224 from that Non-United
     States  Holder, establishing that such income is effectively connected with
     the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, unless Holdings
     has  knowledge to  the  contrary. Interest  (including  OID) or  redemption
     premium paid to a Non-United States  Holder (other than a partnership) that
     is  effectively connected  with the  conduct by  the holder  of a  trade or
     business in  the United States  is generally taxed  at the  graduated rates
     that are applicable to United  States persons. In the case of  a Non-United
     States  Holder that is a corporation, such effectively connected income may
     also be subject  to the United States federal branch  profits tax (which is
     generally  imposed on a foreign corporation on the deemed repatriation from
     the United States of effectively  connected earnings and profits) at a  30%
     rate (unless the rate is reduced  or eliminated by an applicable income tax
     treaty and  the holder is a  qualified resident of the  treaty country). In
     the  case of  a partnership  that has  foreign partners (i.e.,  persons who
     would be Non-United  States Holders if they held the  New Notes or Exchange
     Debentures directly),  such effectively  connected income allocable  to the
     foreign  partner  would  generally  be  subject to  United  States  federal
     withholding tax (regardless of whether such income is, in fact, distributed
     to  such foreign  partner)  at a  35% rate,  if  the foreign  partner is  a
     corporation,  or  at  a  39.6%  rate,  if  the  foreign  partner  is not  a
     corporation. Any foreign partner of such a partnership would be entitled to
     a credit against his  United States federal income tax for his share of the
     withholding tax paid by the partnership.

                                       -124-
     <PAGE> 

     SALE,  EXCHANGE, REDEMPTION  OR OTHER  DISPOSITION OF  NEW NOTES,  EXCHANGE
     DEBENTURES AND NEW PREFERRED STOCK

          A Non-United States  Holder will  generally not be  subject to  United
     States federal  income  tax with  respect  to gain  recognized  on a  sale,
     exchange, redemption or other disposition of New Notes, Exchange Debentures
     or New  Preferred Stock unless (i) the gain is effectively connected with a
     trade or  business of the  Non-United States  Holder in the  United States,
     (ii) in  the case of  a Non-United States Holder  who is an  individual and
     holds the New Notes Exchange Debentures or New Preferred Stock as a capital
     asset,  such holder is present in the United States for 183 or more days in
     the  taxable  year of  the  sale  or other  disposition  and certain  other
     conditions are  met, (iii) the Non-United  States Holder is subject  to tax
     pursuant  to certain  provisions of  the Code  applicable to  United States
     expatriates, or (iv) in the case of the New Preferred Stock, Holdings is or
     has  been  a "U.S.  real property  holding  corporation" for  United States
     federal income tax purposes at any time within the shorter of the five-year
     period preceding  such disposition  or the  period  such Non-United  States
     Holder held the New Preferred Stock. Holdings believes that it has not been
     and  is not,  and it does  not anticipate  becoming, a  "U.S. real property
     holding corporation" for United States federal income tax purposes.

          Unless  shares of a United States corporation are treated as regularly
     traded  on  an established  securities  market  (as defined  in  applicable
     Treasury regulations), or another  exemption applies, upon a sale  or other
     disposition of such shares by a Non-United States Holder, the transferee of
     such shares would be required to withhold 10% of  the proceeds of such sale
     or  disposition  if   the  United  States  corporation   does  not  provide
     certification that it is not (and has not been during a specified period) a
     "U.S.  real property holding corporation" for  United States federal income
     tax purposes. Amounts  withheld with respect  to stock of  a United  States
     corporation  that is  not a  "U.S. real  property holding  corporation" for
     United States federal income tax purposes  may be refunded to a  Non-United
     States Holder who files an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. It is
     anticipated that the  New Preferred Stock will  not be treated as  publicly
     traded for purposes of applicable Treasury regulations.

          Gains derived by a Non-United States Holder (other than a partnership)
     from the sale or other disposition of New Notes, Exchange Debentures or New
     Preferred  Stock that  are effectively  connected with  the conduct  by the
     holder of a trade  or business in the United States are  generally taxed at
     the graduated rates  that are applicable  to United States persons.  In the
     case  of a Non-United States Holder that is a corporation, such effectively
     connected income may  also be subject to  the United States  branch profits
     tax (which  is generally  imposed on  a foreign  corporation on  the deemed
     repatriation from the  United States of effectively  connected earnings and
     profits) at  a 30% rate  (unless the rate  is reduced  or eliminated by  an
     applicable income tax treaty and the  holder is a qualified resident of the
     treaty  country). In  the case of  a partnership that  has foreign partners
     (i.e., persons who would be Non-United States Holders if they  held the New
     Notes,  Exchange  Debentures  or   New  Preferred  Stock,  directly),  such
     effectively  connected  income  allocable  to  the  foreign  partner  would
     generally be  subject to United States federal  withholding tax (regardless
     of whether such income is, in fact, distributed to such foreign partner) at
     a 35% rate, if the foreign partner is a corporation, or at a 39.6% rate, if
     the foreign partner  is not a  corporation. Any foreign  partner of such  a
     partnership would be entitled to a credit against his United States federal
     income tax for his share of the withholding tax paid by the partnership. If
     an  individual Non-United States Holder  falls under clause  (ii) above, he
     will be  subject to a  flat 30% tax  on the gain  derived from the  sale or
     other  disposition, which  may be  offset by  United States  capital losses
     recognized within the  same taxable year as such sale  or other disposition
     (notwithstanding the  fact  that he  is not  considered a  resident of  the
     United States).

                                       -125-
     <PAGE>

     FEDERAL ESTATE AND GIFT TAX

          New  Preferred Stock held by an individual Non-United States Holder at
     the time of death will be included in such holder's gross estate for United
     States  federal estate tax purposes, unless an applicable estate tax treaty
     provides otherwise.

          A New Note or  Exchange Debenture beneficially owned by  an individual
     who at the time of death is a Non-United  States Holder will not be subject
     to United States federal estate tax as a result of such individual's death,
     provided that such individual  does not actually or constructively  own 10%
     or more of the  total combined voting power of all classes  of stock of the
     Company entitled  to vote within  the meaning  of Section 871(h)(3)  of the
     Code and  provided that the interest payments with respect to such New Note
     or Exchange Debenture would  not have been, if received at the time of such
     individual's death,  effectively connected  with the  conduct  of a  United
     States trade or business by such individual.

          Any  Non-United States  Holder will  not be  subject to  United States
     federal  gift tax on  a transfer of  New Notes, Exchange  Debentures or New
     Preferred Stock, unless such  person is an individual who  is a domiciliary
     of the United States.

     INFORMATION REPORTING AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING

          No information reporting or  backup withholding will be  required with
     respect to  payments made  by Holdings  or any  paying agent to  Non-United
     States Holders if a statement described  in (iv) under "Tax Consequences to
     Non-United States  Holders-Interest  and  OID on  New  Notes  and  Exchange
     Debentures" has been received and the payor does not have  actual knowledge
     that  the beneficial  owner  is  a  United  States  person.  United  States
     information reporting and backup withholding generally will not apply under
     current law to  dividends paid to a Non-United States  Holder at an address
     outside  of  the United  States  that  is subject  to  the  30% withholding
     discussed above (or  that is not  so subject because  a tax treaty  applies
     that reduces or eliminates  such 30% withholding); provided the  payor does
     not  have definite  knowledge that  the payee  is  a United  States person.
     However,  under proposed United States Treasury regulations, in the case of
     dividends paid  after December 31, 1997  (December 31, 1999 in  the case of
     dividends paid to accounts  in existence on or  before the date that is  60
     days after the proposed United States Treasury regulations are published as
     final regulations), a Non-United  States Holder generally would be  subject
     to  backup  withholding  at  a   31%  rate,  unless  certain  certification
     procedures are complied with, either directly or through an intermediary.

          In  addition, backup  withholding and  information reporting  will not
     apply if payments of  interest or OID on a  New Note or Exchange  Debenture
     are paid or  collected by a foreign office of  a foreign custodian, nominee
     or other foreign agent on behalf of  the beneficial owner of such New  Note
     or  Exchange Debenture,  or if  a foreign  office of  a foreign  broker (as
     defined in applicable Treasury  regulations) pays the proceeds of  the sale
     of a  New Note, an Exchange Debenture  or New Preferred Stock to the owner
     thereof. If, however, such nominee, custodian, agent or broker is,  for 
     United States federal income tax purposes, a U.S. person, a controlled 
     foreign corporation or  a foreign  person that derives  50% or more  of
     its gross  income for certain periods from the conduct of a trade  or 
     business in the United States, such payments will not  be subject to 
     backup withholding but  will be subject to information reporting, unless
     (1) such custodian, nominee,  agent or broker has documentary evidence in
     its records that the beneficial owner  is not a  U.S. person  and certain
     other conditions  are met  or (2) the  beneficial  owner otherwise  
     establishes an  exemption. Temporary Treasury  regulations  provide that 
     the  Treasury is considering  whether backup withholding  will  apply 
     with respect to such  payments of interest or the proceeds of  a sale
     that are not subject  to backup withholding under the  current regulations.
     Under proposed United  States Treasury regulations not currently in effect,
     backup  withholding will not apply to such payments absent actual knowledge
     that the payee is a United States person.

                                      -126-
     <PAGE>

          The  IRS recently  proposed regulations  (the "Proposed  Regulations")
     addressing certain withholding, certification, and information rules  (some
     of which have been mentioned above) which could affect the treatment of the
     payment  of  the amounts  described above.  The Proposed  Regulations would
     require, in the  case of Exchange Debentures and New  Notes held by foreign
     partnerships, that  (i) the  certification described in  clause (iv)  under
     "Interest and OID on  New Notes and Exchange Debentures"  above be provided
     by  the  partners rather  than  by  the foreign  partnership  and (ii)  the
     partnership provide certain information, including a United States taxpayer
     identification  number.  A look-through  rule would  apply  in the  case of
     tiered partnerships.  The Proposed Regulations are proposed to be effective
     for payments made after December  31, 1997. There can be no  assurance that
     the Proposed Regulations will be adopted or as to the  provisions they will
     include  if and when adopted in temporary  or final form. Non-United States
     Holders  should consult  their tax  advisors  regarding the  application of
     these  rules  to  their  particular  situations,  the  availability  of  an
     exemption  therefrom, the  procedure for  obtaining such  an exemption,  if
     available, and  the  possible application  of  the proposed  United  States
     Treasury regulations addressing  the withholding and information  reporting
     rules.

          Payments  of  dividends,  interest or  OID  on  a  New Note,  Exchange
     Debenture or  New Preferred Stock,  paid to the  beneficial owner of  a New
     Note, Exchange Debenture or New  Preferred Stock by a United  States office
     of  a custodian,  nominee or  agent, or  the payment  by the  United States
     office of  a  broker of  the  proceeds of  sale  of a  New  Note,  Exchange
     Debenture or New Preferred Stock will be subject to both backup withholding
     and  information  reporting  unless   the  beneficial  owner  provides  the
     statement  referred to in (iv) under "Tax Consequences to Non-United States
     Holders-Interest  and OID  on New  Notes and  Exchange Debentures"  and the
     payor does not have actual knowledge that the beneficial owner  is a United
     States person or otherwise establishes an exemption.

          Any amounts  withheld  under  the backup  withholding  rules  will  be
     allowed as a  refund or a credit against such  Holder's U.S. federal income
     tax liability provided the required information is furnished to the IRS.

                                       -127-
     <PAGE>

                                 PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

          Except  as described below, a broker-dealer may not participate in the
     Exchange  Offers in connection with a distribution  of the New Notes or the
     New  Preferred Stock.  Each broker-dealer  that receives  New Notes  or New
     Preferred Stock for its  own account pursuant  to the Exchange Offers  must
     acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale
     of such  New Notes or  New Preferred Stock.  This Prospectus, as  it may be
     amended or supplemented from time  to time, may be used by  a broker-dealer
     in connection with resales of New Notes or New Preferred  Stock received in
     exchange for Old Notes or  Old Preferred Stock where such Old Notes  or Old
     Preferred  Stock were acquired as  a result of  market-making activities or
     other trading  activities. The Company has  agreed that for a  period of 90
     days after the Expiration Date, it will make this Prospectus, as amended or
     supplemented, available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any
     such resale. In addition, until ____________ __, 1997 all dealers effecting
     transactions in  the New Notes  or New Preferred  Stock may be  required to
     deliver a prospectus.

          The Company will  not receive any proceeds from any  sale of New Notes
     or New Preferred Stock by broker-dealers. New Notes or New  Preferred Stock
     received by broker-dealers for  their own account pursuant to  the Exchange
     Offers  may be sold from  time to time  in one or more  transactions in the
     over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of
     options  on the New Notes or  New Preferred Stock or  a combination of such
     methods of  resale, at market prices  prevailing at the time  of resale, at
     prices related to such  prevailing market prices or negotiated  prices. Any
     such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through  brokers or
     dealers  who may  receive  compensation  in  the  form  of  commissions  or
     concessions from any such  broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of  any such
     New Notes or New Preferred Stock. Any broker-dealer  that resells New Notes
     that  were received  by it  for its  own account  pursuant to  the Exchange
     Offers and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of such
     New  Notes or  New Preferred  Stock may  be deemed  to be  an "underwriter"
     within the meaning of the Securities Act and  any profit on any such resale
     of New Notes  or New  Preferred Stock  and any  commissions or  concessions
     received by any such persons may be deemed to  be underwriting compensation
     under  the Securities  Act.  The  Letter  of  Transmittal  states  that  by
     acknowledging  that it  will  deliver and  by  delivering a  prospectus,  a
     broker-dealer  will not  be deemed  to admit  that it  is  an "underwriter"
     within the meaning of the Securities Act.

          The Company has  agreed to pay  all expenses incident to  the Exchange
     Offers  other than commissions or concessions of any brokers or dealers and
     expenses of counsel for the holders of the New Notes or New Preferred Stock
     and will indemnify the holders of the New Notes and the New Preferred Stock
     (including  any  broker-dealers)  against  certain  liabilities,  including
     liabilities under the Securities Act.


                                    LEGAL MATTERS

          The validity  of the  New Notes,  the New Note  Guarantee and  the New
     Preferred Stock  offered hereby will be  passed upon by Reid  & Priest LLP,
     New York, New York.  


                                       EXPERTS

          The consolidated financial statements of  the Company as of  September
     30, 1995 and 1996 and  December 31, 1996, and for each of the  years in the
     three-year  period ended September 30, 1996 and  for the three month period
     ended December 31, 1996, have been  incorporated by reference herein and in
     the  Registration  Statement, in  reliance upon  the  reports of  KPMG Peat
     Marwick  LLP, independent  certified  public  accountants, incorporated  by
     reference herein,  and  upon  the authority  of  said firm  as  experts  in
     accounting and auditing. 

                                       -128-
     <PAGE>

          The reports of  KPMG Peat Marwick LLP relating  to  the Company's  
     financial statements as of  September 30, 1995 and  1996 and  December 
     31, 1996 and for each of the three  years in the three year-period
     ended September 30,  1996, and  the three-month period  ended December
     31, 1996, and related  schedule, refer to a change in  the Company's 
     method of  accounting for long-term  telecom services contracts during 
     the year ended September 30, 1996. 



                                       -129-
     <PAGE>
 
     ===========================================================================

          No person has been authorized  to give any information or to  make any
     representations other  than those  contained  in this  Prospectus, and,  if
     given or made, such information or representations must not  be relied upon
     as having been authorized.  This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to
     sell or  the solicitation of an offer to buy  any securities other than the
     securities to which it  related or any offer to sell or the solicitation of
     an offer to buy such securities in any circumstances in which such offer or
     solicitation is unlawful. Neither  the delivery of this Prospectus  nor any
     sale made hereunder shall, under  any circumstances, create any implication
     that there has been no change in the affairs of the  Company since the date
     hereof  or that the information contained herein  is correct as of any time
     subsequent to its date.



                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS



     AVAILABLE INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2

     INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2

     PROSPECTUS SUMMARY  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4

     RISK FACTORS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17 

     THE EXCHANGE OFFERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27

     DESCRIPTION OF NEW NOTES  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  36

     DESCRIPTION OF NEW PREFERRED STOCK  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  63

     DESCRIPTION OF EXCHANGE DEBENTURES  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  87

     CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL
     INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

     PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

     LEGAL MATTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

     EXPERTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
     

     ==========================================================================

     ==========================================================================







                                  ICG HOLDINGS, INC.

                               ICG COMMUNICATIONS, INC.



                                     ------------
                                      PROSPECTUS
                                     ------------



                                    __________, 1997


    
     ======================================================================
         
     <PAGE>

                                       PART II

                        INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

     ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

          As  permitted by  Section 7-3-101.5 of  the Colorado  Corporation Code
     (the "Colorado Code"),  Holdings' Second Amended  and Restated Articles  of
     Incorporation provide that Holdings  shall indemnify any and all  officers,
     directors, or  employees against expenses  incurred by them,  in connection
     with the defense of  any legal proceedings or threatened  legal proceedings
     to which such persons are made a party because of such positions if:

          (I)  He conducted himself in good faith;

          (II) He reasonably believed;

               (A)  In the case  of conduct  in his official  capacity with  the
                    corporation, that his conduct  was in the corporation's best
                    interest; or

               (B)  In  all other  cases,  that his  conduct  was at  least  not
                    opposed to the corporation's best interests; and

          (III)     In the case of any criminal proceeding, he had no reasonable
     cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.

          Holdings'    By-laws   contain    a   similar    provision   requiring
     indemnification  of Holdings' directors and officers  to the fullest extent
     authorized by the Colorado Code.

          ICG's  Certificate of  Incorporation  provides that  ICG  will to  the
     fullest extent  permitted by the  General Corporation  Law of the  State of
     Delaware, as amended from  time to time (the "GCL"), indemnify  all persons
     whom it may  indemnify pursuant  thereto. ICG's By-laws  contain a  similar
     provision requiring indemnification of ICG's  directors and officers to the
     fullest extent  authorized by  the GCL.  The GCL permits  a corporation  to
     indemnify  its  directors  and  officers (among  others)  against  expenses
     (including  attorneys'   fees),  judgments,  fines  and   amounts  paid  in
     settlement  actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with any
     action, suit  or proceeding brought (or threatened  to be brought) by third
     parties, if such directors or officers acted in good faith and  in a manner
     they reasonably believe  to be in or  not opposed to the best  interests of
     the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had
     no reasonable cause to believe their conduct  was unlawful. In a derivative
     action, i.e.,  one by or  in the right of  the corporation, indemnification
     may  be  made  for  expenses  (including  attorneys'  fees)   actually  and
     reasonably  incurred  by directors  and  officers  in  connection with  the
     defense or settlement of such action if they had acted in good faith and in
     a manner  they reasonably  believed to be  in or  not opposed  to the  best
     interests  of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made
     in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have
     been adjudged liable to the corporation  unless and only to the extent that
     the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought
     shall  determine  upon  application   that,  despite  the  adjudication  of
     liability but in  view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is
     fairly  and  reasonably entitled  to indemnity  of  such expenses.  The GCL
     further  provides that,  to the  extent  any director  or officer  has been
     successful on  the merits or  otherwise in defense  of any action,  suit or
     proceeding referred to in this paragraph, or in defense of any claim, issue
     or  matter therein,  such  person  shall  be indemnified  against  expenses
     (including attorneys'  fees) actually  and reasonably  incurred  by him  in
     connection therewith.  In  addition,  ICG's  Certificate  of  Incorporation
     contains a provision limiting the personal liability of ICG's directors for
     monetary  damages for  certain breaches  of their  fiduciary duty.  ICG has
     indemnification insurance  under which  directors and officers  are insured
     against certain liability that may incur in their capacity as such.

          See Item 22 of this Registration  Statement regarding the position  of
     the Securities  and Exchange Commission on  indemnification for liabilities
     arising under the Securities Act.

     ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES 

     (1)  Underwriting Agreement.  Not Applicable.
          ----------------------

     (2)  Plan of Acquisition, Reorganization, Arrangement, Liquidation or
          ----------------------------------------------------------------
          Succession.  None
          ----------

                                       II-1
     <PAGE>

     (3)  Articles of Incorporation.
          -------------------------

          3.1: Second  Amended and  Restated  Articles of  Incorporation of  ICG
               Holdings, Inc.+

     (4)  Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including
          ---------------------------------------------------------------
          indentures.
          -----------

          4.1: Note Purchase  Agreement, dated September  16, 1993 [Incorporated
               by reference to  Annual Report on  Form 20-F for  the year  ended
               September 30, 1993, as filed on March 31, 1994].

          4.2: Note Purchase Agreement, dated  October 27, 1993 [Incorporated by
               reference  to Annual  Report  on Form  20-F  for the  year  ended
               September 30, 1993, as filed on March 31, 1994].

          4.3: Form of Indenture  between IntelCom Group Inc. and  Bankers Trust
               Company for 7% Convertible Subordinated Redeemable Notes due 1998
               [Incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit   4.3  to  Registration
               Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-75636].

          4.4: Form of Indenture between  IntelCom Group Inc. and Bankers  Trust
               Company  for   7%   Simple  Interest   Convertible   Subordinated
               Redeemable Notes  due 1998 [Incorporated by  reference to Exhibit
               4.4 to Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-75636].

          4.5: Note  Purchase  Agreement, dated  as  of  July  14,  1995,  among
               IntelCom  Group  (U.S.A.),  Inc.,  IntelCom  Group  Inc.,  Morgan
               Stanley  Group  Inc.  ("MS  Group")  (the  "Initial  Purchaser"),
               Princes  Gate Investors,  L.P.,  Acorn Partnership I,  L.P.,  PGI
               Investments  Limited,   PGI  Sweden  AB,  and   Gregor  von  Opel
               (collectively,  together   with   the  Initial   Purchaser,   the
               "Committed Purchasers") and MS Group, as agent for the Purchasers
               (as  such term is defined therein)  [Incorporated by reference to
               Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K, as filed on August 2, 1995].

          4.6: Warrant  Agreement,  dated  as  of   July  14,  1995,  among  the
               Registrant,   the  Committed   Purchasers,  and   IntelCom  Group
               (U.S.A.), Inc.,  as Warrant  Agent [Incorporated by  reference to
               Exhibit 4.2 to Form 8-K, as filed on August 2, 1995].

          4.7: Indenture,  dated  as of  August  8, 1995,  among  IntelCom Group
               (U.S.A.), Inc.,  IntelCom Group  Inc. and Norwest  Bank Colorado,
               National Association [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to
               Quarterly  Report on  Form 10-Q  for the  quarter ended  June 30,
               1995, as filed on August 10, 1995].

          4.8: Warrant Agreement, dated  as of August  8, 1995 between  IntelCom
               Group  Inc.  and  Norwest  Bank  Colorado,  National  Association
               [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit  4.3 to Quarterly Report on
               Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1995, as filed on August
               10, 1995].

          4.9: Warrant Agreement  Amendment, dated  as of  August 8, 1995  among
               IntelCom  Group Inc.,  Morgan Stanley  Group, Inc.,  Princes Gate
               Investors,  L.P.,  IntelCom  Group  (U.S.A.),  Inc.,  and certain
               subsidiaries of  IntelCom Group  (U.S.A.), Inc.  [Incorporated by
               reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
               quarter ended June 30, 1995, as filed on August 10, 1995].

         4.10: Indenture, dated as of April 30, 1996, among  IntelCom Group
               (U.S.A.),  Inc.,  IntelCom  Group   Inc.  and  Norwest  Bank
               Colorado, National Association [Incorporated by reference to
               Exhibit 4.13 to Registration Statement on Form S-4, File No.
               333-04569].

        
         4.11: Registration Rights Agreement, dated  April 30, 1996,  among
               IntelCom  Group  (U.S.A.),  Inc.,  IntelCom  Group Inc.  and
               Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated [Incorporated by reference
               to Exhibit 4.14 to Registration Statement on Form  S-4, File
               No. 333-04569].
         
 
         4.12: Form of Old Note.+

        
         4.13: Form of New Note.+

         4.14: Form  of Letter  of  Transmittal with  respect  to the  Note
               Exchange Offer.+
         

                                       II-2
     <PAGE>

          4.15:     Indenture, dated  as of March 11, 1997,  among ICG Holdings,
                    Inc., ICG  Communications, Inc.  and Norwest Bank  Colorado,
                    National Association.+

          4.16:     Registration Rights  Agreement, dated March  11, 1997, among
                    ICG  Holdings, Inc.,  ICG  Communications,  Inc. and  Morgan
                    Stanley  &  Co.  Incorporated  with respect  to  the  Senior
                    Discount Notes.+

          4.17:     Registration  Rights Agreement, dated  March 11, 1997, among
                    ICG  Holdings, Inc. and  Morgan Stanley  & Co.  Incorporated
                    with  respect to  the Preferred Stock.+

          4.18:     Form of Old Preferred Stock Certificate.+

        
          4.19:     Form of New Preferred Stock Certificate.+

          4:20:     Form  of Letter of Transmittal with respect to the Preferred
                    Stock Exchange Offer.+
         

     (5)  Opinion regarding legality.
          ---------------------------

        
          5.1: Opinion of Reid & Priest LLP.
         


     (8)  Opinion regarding tax matters.
          ------------------------------

        
          8.1: Opinion of Reid & Priest LLP.+
         


     (10) Material Contracts.  Not Applicable.
          ------------------

     (12) Statement re Computation of Ratios.  Not Applicable.
          ----------------------------------

     (15) Letter re Unaudited Interim Financial Statements.  Not Applicable.
          ------------------------------------------------

     (23) Consents.
          --------

          23.1:     Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.

        
          23.2:     Consent of Reid & Priest LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
         

          23.3:     Consent of Connecticut  Research [Incorporated by  reference
                    to Annual Report on  Form 10-K for the year  ended September
                    30, 1994, as filed on December 27, 1994].

     (24) Power of Attorney.
          -----------------

          24.1 Power of Attorney with respect to ICG Holdings, Inc. (included on
               the signature page hereto).+

          24.2 Power  of  Attorney  with  respect to  ICG  Communications,  Inc.
               (included on the signature page hereto).+

     (25) Statement of Eligibility of Trustee.
          ------------------------------------

        
          25.1:     Form T-1  Statement of Eligibility  and Qualification  under
                    the  Trust Indenture Act  of 1939 of  Norwest Bank Colorado,
                    National Association.
         


          ______________________     
          +  Previously filed. 
        
         
    

                                       II-3
     <PAGE>

     ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS.

          Insofar  as   indemnification  for   liabilities  arising   under  the
     Securities  Act of  1933  may  be  permitted  to  directors,  officers  and
     controlling persons of the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or
     otherwise,  the  Company has  been  advised  that  in  the opinion  of  the
     Securities and  Exchange Commission such indemnification  is against public
     policy as expressed  in the Act  and is, therefore,  unenforceable. In  the
     event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
     the payment  by the  Company of  expenses incurred or  paid by  a director,
     officer or controlling  person of the Company in the  successful defense of
     any action, suit  or proceeding) is asserted  by such director, officer  or
     controlling person  in connection with the securities being registered, the
     Company will,  unless in the  opinion of  its counsel the  matter has  been
     settled  by  controlling  precedent,  submit  to  a  court  of  appropriate
     jurisdiction the  question whether such  indemnification by  it is  against
     public policy  as expressed in the  Securities Act and will  be governed by
     the final adjudication of such issue.

          The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake:

          (1)  To respond  to requests for  information that is  incorporated by
               reference into the prospectus  pursuant to Items 4, 10(b),  11 or
               13  of this  Form,  within one  business day  of receipt  of such
               request, and  to send the  incorporated documents by  first class
               mail  or other  equally prompt  means. This  includes information
               contained in documents  filed subsequent to the effective date of
               the Registration Statement through the  date of responding to the
               request;

          (2)  To supply  by means of a post-effective amendment all information
               concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired involved
               therein,  that was  not  the  subject  of  and  included  in  the
               registration statement when it became effective;

          (3)  To  file, during any  period in which  offers or sales  are being
               made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement;

                 (i)     To include any prospectus required by Section  10(a)(3)
                         of the Securities Act of 1933;

                (ii)     To  reflect  in  the  prospectus any  facts  or  events
                         arising after  the effective  date of the  registration
                         statement (or the most recent  post-effective amendment
                         thereof)  which,  individually  or  in  the  aggregate,
                         represent a  fundamental change in  the information set
                         forth in the registration statement;

               (iii)     To include any material information with respect to the
                         plan of  distribution not  previously disclosed in  the
                         registration  statement or any  material change to such
                         information in the registration statement;

          (4)  That,  for the  purpose of  determining any  liability  under the
               Securities Act of 1933,  each such post-effective amendment shall
               be  deemed to  be a  new registration  statement relating  to the
               securities offered  therein, and the offering  of such securities
               at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
               thereof.

          (5)  To  remove  from  registration   by  means  of  a  post-effective
               amendment  any of  the securities  being registered  which remain
               unsold at the termination of the offering;

          (6)  That,  for  purposes  of  determining  any  liability  under  the
               Securities Act of  1933, each filing  of the Registrant's  annual
               report  pursuant to  Section  13(a) or  15(d)  of the  Securities
               Exchange  Act of 1934 (and,  where applicable, each  filing of an
               employee benefit  plan's annual report pursuant  to Section 15(d)
               of the Securities Exchange  Act of 1934) that is  incorporated by
               reference in the registration  statement shall be deemed to  be a
               new  registration statement  relating  to the  securities offered
               therein, and the offering  of such securities at that  time shall
               be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

                                       II-4
     <PAGE>

                                      SIGNATURES

        
          Pursuant  to the requirement of the Securities Act, the Registrant has
     duly caused this  registration statement to be signed on  its behalf by the
     undersigned, thereunto duly authorized,  in the City and County  of Denver,
     State of Colorado, on June 5, 1997.
         

                                   ICG HOLDINGS, INC.


                                   By: /s/ J. Shelby Bryan
                                      -------------------------------------
                                          J. Shelby Bryan
                                          Chairman of the Board, President
                                          and Chief Executive Officer


          Pursuant  to  the requirements  of the  Securities  Act of  1933, this
     registration  statement has  been signed  by the  following persons  in the
     capacities and on the dates indicated:

               Signature                  Title                 Date
               ----------                 -----                ------
        

       /s/ J. Shelby Bryan
      ---------------------------    Chairman of the         June 5, 1997
            J. Shelby Bryan          Board, President
                                   and Chief Executive
                                    Officer (Principal
                                    executive officer)

                  *
       --------------------------     Executive Vice         June 5, 1997
           James D. Grenfell            President,
                                     Chief Financial
                                    Officer, Treasurer
                                       and Director
                                        (Principal
                                    financial officer)

                  *
       --------------------------   Vice President and       June 5, 1997
            Richard Bambach             Corporate
                                        Controller
                                        (Principal
                                   accounting officer)

                  *
       --------------------------        Director            June 5, 1997
           William J. Maxwell


       
       --------------------------        Director            
            Marc E. Maassen


                  *
       --------------------------        Director            June 5, 1997
            Mark S. Helwege

         

       * /s/ J. Shelby Bryan
       ---------------------------------
       J. Shelby Bryan, Attorney-in-Fact
     

                                       II-5
     <PAGE>

                                     SIGNATURES

             
               Pursuant  to   the  requirements  of  the   Securities  Act,  the
     Registrant  has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its
     behalf  by  the undersigned,  thereunto duly  authorized,  in the  City and
     County of Denver, State of Colorado, on June 5, 1997.
         
     

                                             ICG COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

                                             By: /s/ J. Shelby Bryan
                                                ----------------------------
                                                  J. Shelby Bryan
                                                  President, Chief Executive
                                                  Officer and Director
     
          Pursuant  to  the requirements  of the  Securities  Act of  1933, this
     Registration  Statement has  been signed  by the  following persons  in the
     capacities and on the dates indicated.

      Signature                          Title                 Date
      ---------                          ------                -----
        
     
                    *                    Chairman of the
      --------------------------------   Board of Directors    June 5, 1997
      William J. Laggett


       /s/ J. Shelby Bryan               President, Chief
      ---------------------------------  Executive Officer     June 5, 1997
      J. Shelby Bryan                    and Director
                                         (Principal executive
                                         officer)

                    *
      --------------------------------   Executive Vice
      James D. Grenfell                  President, Chief      June 5, 1997
                                         Financial Officer
                                         and Treasurer
                                         (Principal financial
                                         officer)


                    *                    Vice President and    June 5, 1997
      ---------------------------------  Corporate Controller
      Richard Bambach                    (Principal
                                         accounting officer)

      
      ---------------------------------  Director              
      Harry R. Herbst


                    *
     ---------------------------------  Director              June 5, 1997
      Jay E. Ricks


                    * 
      ---------------------------------  Director              June 5, 1997
      Stan McLelland


                    *
      ---------------------------------  Director              June 5, 1997
      Leontis Teryazos

         

      * /s/ J. Shelby Bryan
      ---------------------------------
      J. Shelby Bryan, Attorney-in-Fact
     

                                       II-6
     <PAGE>


     Exhibit Index                                                  
     -------------                                                  
                 
 
     (5)  Opinion regarding legality.
          --------------------------

          5.1:      Opinion of Reid & Priest LLP.
         

    (23)  Consents.
          ---------

          23.1:     Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.

        
          23.2:     Consent of Reid & Priest LLP (included
                    in Exhibit 5.1).

    (25)  Statement of Eligibility of Trustee.
          -----------------------------------

          25.1:     Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification
                    under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of Norwest
                    Bank Colorado, National Association.
         
  



                                      II-7
     



                                                                EXHIBIT 5.1

                                  REID & PRIEST LLP
                                 40 West 57th Street
                               New York, NY  10019-4097
                                Telephone 212 603-2000
                                   Fax 212 603-2001

                                                             (212) 603-2000


                                                New York, New York
                                                June 5, 1997


             ICG Communications, Inc.
             ICG Holdings, Inc.
             9605 East Maroon Circle
             Englewood, CO  80112

                       Re:  ICG HOLDINGS, INC.; ICG COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4
                            REGISTRATION NO. 333-24359
                            --------------------------------------------

             Ladies and Gentlemen:

                       As counsel for ICG Holdings, Inc., a Colorado
             corporation ("Holdings"), we have been requested to furnish
             our opinion as to matters hereinafter set forth in
             connection with the proposed issuance by Holdings of (i)
             $176,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 11 5/8%
             Senior Exchange Discount Notes due 2007 (the "Exchange
             Notes"), under an Indenture dated March 11, 1997, among
             Holdings, ICG Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
             and Norwest Bank Colorado, National Association (the
             "Trustee"), in exchange for its outstanding 11 5/8% Senior
             Discount Notes due 2007 (the "Note Exchange Offer"), and
             (ii) 100,000 shares of New Exchangeable Preferred Stock
             (the "New Preferred Stock") in exchange for its outstanding
             Exchangeable Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Stock Exchange
             Offer").  The issuance of the Exchange Notes pursuant to
             the Note Exchange Offer and the issuance of the New
             Preferred Stock pursuant to the Preferred Stock Exchange
             Offer will be registered under the Securities Act of 1933,
             as amended (the "Act"), pursuant to a registration
             statement on Form S-4, as amended (Registration No.
             333-24359) (the "Registration Statement"), which
             Registration Statement sets forth the terms and conditions
             of the Note Exchange Offer and the Preferred Stock Exchange
             Offer.  In connection herewith, we have examined the Second
             Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws

     <PAGE>

             ICG Communications, Inc.
             ICG Holdings, Inc.
             June 5, 1997
             Page 2



             of Holdings and the minutes of the Board of Directors of
             Holdings with respect to the registration of the Exchange
             Notes and the New Preferred Stock, and the issuance of the
             Exchange Notes and the New Preferred Stock.  We have also
             examined such other documents, records, certificates of
             public officials and such matters of law as we have deemed
             necessary or appropriate for the purpose of rendering this
             opinion.

                       We are members of the bar of the State of New
             York and are not licensed or admitted to practice law in
             any other jurisdiction.  Accordingly, we have not reviewed
             and we express no opinion with respect to the laws of any
             jurisdiction other than the State of New York.  In
             connection with the opinions expressed herein, we have
             relied upon, as to matters involving the application of
             laws of Colorado, the opinion letter of Sherman & Howard
             dated the date hereof.

                       Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion
             that:

                       1.   When the Exchange Notes are duly executed by
             Holdings and authenticated by the Trustee in accordance
             with the terms of the Indenture and issued in accordance
             with the terms of the Note Exchange Offer, the Exchange
             Notes will be duly authorized and constitute valid and
             binding obligations of Holdings.

                       2.   When the New Preferred Stock is issued in
             accordance with the terms of the Preferred Stock Exchange
             Offer, the New Preferred Stock will be validly issued,
             fully paid and non-assessable shares of preferred stock of
             Holdings.

                       We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion
             as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the
             reference to this firm appearing in the Prospectus under
             the heading "Legal Matters."  In giving the foregoing
             consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the
             category of persons whose consent is required under Section
             7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Securities
             and Exchange Commission thereunder.

                                                Very truly yours,

                                                /s/ Reid & Priest LLP





                           CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
                           -------------------------------





          THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
          ICG COMMUNICATIONS, INC.:


          We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration
          statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-24359) of ICG Communications,
          Inc., of our reports relating to the consolidated balance sheets
          of ICG Communications, Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 30,
          1995 and 1996 and December 31, 1996, and the related consolidated
          statements of operations, stockholders' equity (deficit), and
          cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended
          September 30, 1996, and the three-month period ended December 31,
          1996, and the related financial statement schedule, and to the
          reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the
          prospectus.

          Our report refers to a change during the year ended September 30,
          1996 in the Company's method of accounting for long-term telecom
          services contracts.


                                                  /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

                                                  KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP


          Denver, Colorado
          June 4, 1997






                          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    -------------

                                      FORM T - 1

                               STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                      UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
                       CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

                Check if an application to determine eligibility of a
                  Trustee pursuant to Section 305(b)(2)____________

                                ----------------------

                             NORWEST BANK COLORADO, N.A.
                 (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

               NOT APPLICABLE                             84-0187632     
          (Jurisdiction of incorporation or            ------------------
           Organization if not a U.S. national         (I.R.S. Employer
           bank)                                        Identification No.)

               1740 BROADWAY
               DENVER, COLORADO                             80274-8693
          (Address of principal executive office)           (Zip Code)

                             NORWEST BANK COLORADO, N.A.
                          ATTN::  CORPORATE TRUST DEPARTMENT
                                    1740 BROADWAY
                                DENVER, CO  80274-8693
                                     303-863-6247
              (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

                                   ----------------

                                  ICG HOLDINGS, INC.
                (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)  
           
               COLORADO                                   84-1158866
          (State or other jurisdiction of              (I.R.S. Employer
           incorporation or organization)               Identification No.)

          9605 E. MAROON CIRCLE
          P.O. BOX 6742 
          ENGLEWOOD, CO                                     80155-6742
          (Address of principal executive office)           (Zip Code)

                                   ---------------

          ICG HOLDINGS, INC. 11 5/8% SENIOR DISCOUNT NOTES DUE MARCH 15, 2007

          <PAGE>

        ITEM 1.   GENERAL INFORMATION

                  Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

                  (a)  Name and address of each examining or supervising
                       authority to which it is subject.

                  Name                                    Address
                  ----                                    -------

                  Comptroller of the Currency             Washington, D.C.
                  Federal Reserve Bank of Denver          Denver, Colorado
                  Federal Deposit Insurance
                    Corporation                           Dallas, Texas
                  National Bank Examiners - 
                    Western District                      Denver, Colorado

                  (b)  Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust
                       powers.

                            Yes.

        ITEM 2.   AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR.

                  If the Obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe such
                  affiliation.

                            None.

        ITEM 3.   VOTING SECURITIES OF THE TRUSTEE.

                  (a)  Furnish the following information as to each class of
                       voting securities of the trustee.

                            As of  May 9, 1997  
                                 --------------
                                 (within 31 days)

                  Col. A                        Col. B
                  ------                        ------
                  Title of Class                Amount Outstanding
                  --------------                ------------------

                            Not Applicable

        ITEM 4.   TRUSTEESHIPS UNDER OTHER INDENTURES.

                  If the trustee is a trustee under another indenture under
                  which any other securities, or certificates of interest or
                  participation in any other securities, of the obligor are
                  outstanding, furnish the following information:

                  (a)  Title of the securities outstanding under each such
                       other indenture.

                            ICG Holdings, Inc. 13.5% Senior Discount Notes Due
                            September 15, 2005 and Warrants

                            ICG Holdings, Inc. 12 1/2% Senior Discount Notes
                            Due May 1, 2006

                  (b)  A brief statement of the facts relied upon as a basis
                       for the claim that no conflicting interest within the
                       meaning of Section 310(b)(1) of the Act arises as a
                       result of the trusteeship under any such other
                       indentures, including a statement as to how the
                       indenture securities will rank as compared with the
                       securities under such other indentures.

                            Not applicable, neither bond issue is in default.

        ITEM 5.   INTERLOCKING DIRECTORATES AND SIMILAR RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE
                  OBLIGOR OR UNDERWRITERS.

                  If the trustee or any of the directors or executive officers
                  of the trustee is a director, officer, partner, employee,
                  appointee, or representative of the obligor or of any
                  underwriter for the obligor, identify each such person
                  having any such connection and state the nature of each such
                  connection.

                            Not applicable.

        ITEM 6.   VOTING SECURITIES OF THE TRUSTEE OWNED BY THE OBLIGOR OR ITS
                  OFFICIALS.

                  Furnish the following information as to the voting
                  securities of the trustee owned beneficially by the obligor
                  and each director, partner and executive officer of the
                  obligor:

                            As of  May 9, 1997  
                                 ---------------
                                (within 31 days)

          Col. A              Col. B              Col. C         Col. D  
        ----------          -----------         ----------     ----------
                                                               Percentage of
                                                               Voting
                                                               Securities
                                                               Represented
                                                Amount Owned   by Amount Given
        Name of Owner       Title of Class      Beneficially   In Col. C      
        -------------       --------------      -------------  ---------------

                            None

        ITEM 7.   VOTING SECURITIES OF THE TRUSTEE OWNED BY THE UNDERWRITERS
                  OR THEIR OFFICIALS.

                  Furnish the following information as to the voting
                  securities of the trustee owned beneficially by each
                  underwriter for the obligor and each director, partner, and
                  executive officer of each such underwriter:

                            As of  May 9, 1997
                                 --------------
                                (within 31 days)

          Col. A              Col. B              Col. C              Col. D  
        ----------          ----------          ----------          ----------
                                                                    Percentage
                                                                    of Voting
                                                                    Securities
                                                                    Represented
                                                                    by Amount
                                                Amount Owned        Given
        Name of Owner       Title of Class      Beneficially        in Col. C 
        -------------       --------------      ------------        ----------

                            None

        ITEM 8.   SECURITIES OF THE OBLIGOR OWNED OR HELD BY THE TRUSTEE.

                  Furnish the following information as to securities of the
                  obligor owned beneficially or held as collateral security
                  for obligations in default by the trustee:

                            As of  May 9, 1997 
                                 --------------
                                 (within 31 days)

          Col. A              Col. B              Col. C              Col. D  
        ----------          ----------          ----------          ----------
                                                Amount Owned
                                                Beneficially or     Percentage
                            Whether the         Held as             of Class
                            Securities are      Collateral          Represented
                            Voting or           Security for        by Amount
        Title of            Nonvoting           Obligations in      Given in
        Class               Securities          Default             Col. C
        --------            -------------       --------------      ----------

                            None

        ITEM 9.   SECURITIES OF UNDERWRITERS OWNED OR HELD BY THE TRUSTEE.

                  If the trustee owns beneficially or holds as collateral
                  security for obligations in default any securities of an
                  underwriter for the obligor, furnish the following
                  information as to each class of securities of such
                  underwriter, any of which are so owned or held by the
                  trustee:

                            As of  May 9, 1997
                                 --------------
                                 (within 31 days)

          Col. A              Col. B              Col. C              Col. D
        ----------          ----------          ----------          ----------
                                                Amount Owned
                                                Beneficially        Percentage
                                                or Held as          of Class
                                                Collateral          Securities
        Name of                                 Security for        Represented
        Issuer and                              Obligations         by Amount
        Title of            Amount              in Default          Given in
        Class               Outstanding         by Trustee          Col. C
        ----------          -----------         ------------        ----------

                            None

        ITEM 10.  OWNERSHIP OR HOLDINGS BY THE TRUSTEE OF VOTING SECURITIES OF
                  CERTAIN AFFILIATES OR SECURITY HOLDERS OF THE OBLIGOR.

                  If the trustee owns beneficially or holds as collateral
                  security for obligations in default any voting securities of
                  a person who, to the knowledge of the trustee (1) owns 10
                  percent or more of the voting securities of the obligor or
                  (2) is an affiliate, other than a subsidiary, of the
                  obligor, furnish the following information as to the voting
                  securities of such person:

                            As of  May 9, 1997 
                                 --------------
                                 (within 31 days)

          Col. A              Col. B              Col. C              Col. D
        ----------          ----------          ----------          ----------
                                                Amount Owned
                                                Beneficially        Percentage
                                                or Held as          of Class
                                                Collateral          Securities
        Name of                                 Security for        Represented
        Issuer and                              Obligations         by Amount
        Title of            Amount              in Default          Given in
        Class               Outstanding         by Trustee          Col. C
        ----------          -----------         -------------       ----------

                            None

        ITEM 11.  OWNERSHIP OR HOLDINGS BY THE TRUSTEE OF ANY SECURITIES OF A
                  PERSON OWNING 50 PERCENT OR MORE OF THE VOTING SECURITIES OF
                  THE OBLIGOR.

                  If the Trustee owns beneficially or holds as collateral
                  security for obligations in default any securities of a
                  person who, to the knowledge of the trustee, owns 50 percent
                  or more of the voting securities of the obligor, furnish the
                  following information as to each class of securities of such
                  person, any of which are so owned or held by the trustee:

                            As of  May 9, 1997 
                                 --------------
                                 (within 31 days)

          Col. A              Col. B              Col. C              Col. D
        ----------          ----------          ----------          ----------
                                                Amount Owned
                                                Beneficially        Percentage
                                                or Held as          of Class
                                                Collateral          Securities
        Name of                                 Security for        Represented
        Issuer and                              Obligations         by Amount
        Title of            Amount              in Default          Given in
        Class               Outstanding         by Trustee          Col. C
        ----------          -----------         -------------       ----------

                            None

        ITEM 12.  INDEBTEDNESS OF THE OBLIGOR TO THE TRUSTEE.

                  Except as noted in the instructions, if the obligor is
                  indebted to the trustee, furnish the following information:

                    Col. A                   Col. B            Col. C     
                  -----------              ----------        ---------

                  Nature of                Amount
                  Indebtedness             Outstanding       Date Due 
                  ------------             -----------       ---------

                  Standby Letter
                   of Credit               $232,000          December 31, 1997
                  Standby Letter
                   of Credit               $ 66,500          June 28, 1997
                  Standby Letter
                   of Credit               $118,000          June 28, 1997
                  Equipment Finance
                   Lease                   $ 84,400          September, 1998

        ITEM 13.  DEFAULTS BY THE OBLIGOR.

                  (a)  State whether there is or has been a default with
                       respect to the securities under this indenture. 
                       Explain the nature of any such default.

                            None.

                  (b)  If the trustee is a trustee under another indenture
                       under which any other securities, or certificates of
                       interest or participation in any other securities, of
                       the obligor are outstanding, or is trustee for more
                       than one outstanding series of securities under the
                       indenture, state whether there has been a default under
                       any such indenture or series. identify the indenture or
                       series affected, and explain the nature of any such
                       default.

                            None.

        ITEM 14.  AFFILIATIONS WITH THE UNDERWRITERS.

                  If any underwriter is an affiliate of the trustee, describe
                  each such affiliation. 

                            Not applicable.

        ITEM 15.  FOREIGN TRUSTEE.

                  Identify the order or rule pursuant to which the foreign
                  trustee is authorized to act as sole trustee under
                  indentures qualified or to be qualified under the Act.

                            Not applicable.

        ITEM 16.  LIST OF EXHIBITS.

                  List below all exhibits filed as a part of this statement of
                  eligibility.

                  1.   A copy of the articles of association of the trustee as
                       now in effect.

                  2.   A copy of the authorization of the trustee to exercise
                       corporate trust powers.

                  3.   A copy of the existing bylaws of the trustee, or
                       instruments corresponding thereto.

                  4.   A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee
                       published pursuant to law or the requirements of its
                       supervising or examining authority.

        <PAGE>


                                      SIGNATURE



                  Pursuant to the requirements of the Trustee Indenture Act of
        1939 the trustee, Norwest Bank Colorado, N.A., organized and existing
        under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this
        statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the
        undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City and County of
        Denver, and State of Colorado on the 9th day of May, 1997.


                                           NORWEST BANK COLORADO, N.A.


                                           By:   /s/ Amy E. Buck      
                                              -------------------------
                                                Amy E. Buck
                                                Vice President

        <PAGE>



                                  CONSENT OF TRUSTEE



        Pursuant to the requirements of Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture
        Act of 1939, in connection with the issue of ICG Holdings, Inc. 11
        5/8% Senior Discount Notes Due March 15, 2007 we hereby consent that
        reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial, or District
        authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and
        Exchange Commission upon request therefore.


                                           NORWEST BANK COLORADO, N.A.


                                           By:    /s/ Amy E. Buck     
                                              ------------------------
                                                 Amy E. Buck
                                                 Vice President



        Dated:  May 9, 1997

     <PAGE>
                                      EXHIBIT 1


                               ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
                                          OF
                     NORWEST BANK COLORADO, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


               FIRST. The title of this Association shall be Norwest Bank
          Colorado, National Association; the Association in conjunction
          with its said legal name may also use Norwest Bank Colorado, N.A.

               SECOND. The main office of this Association shall be in the
          City of Denver, County of Denver, State of Colorado. The general
          business of the Association shall be conducted at its main office
          and its branches, if any.

               THIRD. The Board of Directors of this Association shall
          consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons,
          the exact number to be fixed and determined from time to time by
          resolution of a majority of the full Board of Directors or by
          resolution of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting
          thereof.

               Each director, during the full term of his or her
          directorship, shall own a minimum of $1,000 par value of stock of
          this Association or an equivalent interest, as determined by the
          Comptroller of the Currency, in any company which has control
          over this Association within the meaning of Section 2 of the Bank
          Holding Company Act of 1956.

               The Board of Directors, by the vote of a majority of the
          full Board, may, between annual meetings of shareholders, fill
          vacancies created by the death, incapacity or resignation of any
          director and by the vote of a majority of the full Board may
          also, between annual meetings of shareholders, increase the
          membership of the Board by not more than four members and by like
          vote appoint qualified persons to fill the vacancies created
          thereby; provided, however, that at no time shall there be more
          than twenty-five directors of this Association; and provided
          further, however, that not more than two members may be added to
          the Board of Directors in the event that the total number of
          directors last elected by shareholders was fifteen or less.

               FOURTH.  The annual meeting of the shareholders for the
          election of directors and the transaction of whatever other
          business may be brought before said meeting shall be held at the
          main office, or such other place as the Board of Directors may
          designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in the
          Bylaws, but if no election is held on that day, it may be held on
          any subsequent day according to the provisions of law; and all
          elections shall be held according to such lawful regulations as
          may be prescribed by the Board of Directors.

     <PAGE>

               FIFTH.  The amount of capital stock of this Association
          shall be One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000), divided into
          1,000,000 shares of common stock of the par value of One Hundred
          Dollars ($100.00) each; but said capital stock may be increased
          or decreased from time to time, in accordance with the provisions
          of the laws of the United States.

               No holder of shares of the capital stock of any class of
          this Association shall have any preemptive or preferential right
          of subscription to any shares of any class of stock of this
          Association, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any
          obligations convertible into stock of this Association, issued or
          sold, nor any right of subscription to any thereof other than
          such, if any, as the Board of Directors, in its discretion, may
          from time to time determine and at such price as the Board of
          Directors may from time to time fix.

               The Association, at any time and from time to time, may
          authorize and issue debt obligations, whether or nor
          subordinated, without the approval of the shareholders.

               SIXTH.  The Board of Directors shall appoint one of its
          members President of this Association, who shall act as Chairman
          of the Board, unless the Board appoints another director to act
          as Chairman. In the event the Board of Directors shall appoint a
          President and a Chairman, the Board shall designate which person
          shall act as the chief executive officer of this Association. The
          Board of Directors shall have the power to appoint one or more
          Vice Presidents and to appoint a Cashier and such other officers
          and employees as may be required to transact the business of this
          Association.

               The Board of Directors shall have the power to define the
          duties of the officers and employees of this Association; to fix
          the salaries to be paid to them; to dismiss them; to require
          bonds from them and to fix the penalty thereof, to regulate the
          manner in which the increase of the capital of this Association
          shall be made; to manage and administer the business and affairs
          of this Association; to make all Bylaws that it may be lawful for
          them to make; and generally to do and perform all acts that it
          may be legal for a Board of Directors to do and perform.

               SEVENTH.  The Board of Directors shall have the power to
          change the location of the main office to any other place within
          the limits of the City of Denver, without the approval of the
          shareholders but subject to the approval of the Comptroller of
          the Currency; and shall have the power to establish or change the
          location of any branch or branches of this Association to any
          other location, without the approval of the shareholders but
          subject to the approval of the Comptroller of the Currency.

               EIGHTH.  The corporate existence of this Association shall
          continue until terminated in accordance with the laws of the
          United States.

                                      -2-
     <PAGE>

               NINTH.  The Board of Directors, the Chairman, the President,
          or any one or more shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not
          less than 25 percent of the stock of this Association, may call a
          special meeting of shareholders at any time. Unless otherwise
          provided by the laws of the United States, a notice of the time,
          place, and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the
          shareholders shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid,
          mailed at least ten days prior to the date of such meeting to
          each shareholder of record at his or her address as shown upon
          the books of this Association. Any action required or permitted
          to be taken at an annual or special meeting of the shareholders
          of the Association may be taken without prior written notice and
          without any meeting if such action is taken by written action,
          containing a waiver of notice, signed by all of the shareholders
          entitled to vote on that action.

               TENTH.  To the extent permitted by applicable law and
          regulation:

                    (a)    Elimination of Certain Liability of Directors. A
                           ---------------------------------------------
          director of the Association shall not be personally liable to the
          Association or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach
          of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any
          breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Association or
          its shareholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or
          which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of
          law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation
          Law, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived
          an improper personal benefit.

               (b)(1) Right to Indemnification. Each person who was or is
                      ------------------------
          made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is
          involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
          criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a
          "proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person
          of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a
          director or officer of the Association or is or was serving at
          the request of the Association as a director, officer, employee
          or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint
          venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with
          respect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of such
          proceeding is alleged action or inaction in an official capacity
          as a director, officer, employee, or agent or in any other
          capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent,
          shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Association to the
          fullest extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporation
          Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the
          case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such
          amendment permits the Association to provide broader
          indemnification rights than said law permitted the Association to
          provide prior to such amendment), against all expense, liability
          and loss (including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, ERISA
          excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in
          settlement except to the extent prohibited by 12 CFR 7.5217(b))
          reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection
          therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to a person
          who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and
          shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and
          administrators; provided, however, that the Association shall
          indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection
          with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only

                                      -3-
     <PAGE>

          if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board
          of Directors of the Association. The right to indemnification
          conferred in this paragraph (b) shall be a contract right and
          shall include the right to be paid by the Association the
          expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of
          its final disposition; provided, however, that, if the Delaware
          General Corporation Law requires, the payment of such expenses
          incurred by a director of officer in his or her capacity as a
          director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which
          service was or is rendered by such person while a director or
          officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee
          benefit plan) in advance of the final disposition of a
          proceeding, shall be made only upon delivery to the Association
          of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such director or officer,
          to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be
          determined that such director of officer is not entitled to be
          indemnified under this paragraph (b) or otherwise. The
          Association may, by action of its Board of Directors, provide
          indemnification to employees and agents of the Association with
          the same scope and effect as the foregoing indemnification of
          directors and officers.

               (2) Non-Exclusivity of Rights.  The right to indemnification
                   -------------------------
          and the payment of expenses incurred in defending a proceeding in
          advance of its final disposition conferred in this paragraph (b)
          shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may
          have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the
          Articles of Association, by-law, agreement, vote of shareholders
          or disinterested directors or otherwise.

               (3) Insurance.  Except to the extent prohibited by 12 CFR
                   ---------
          7.5217(d), the Association may maintain insurance, at its
          expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or
          agent of the Association or another corporation, partnership,
          joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any such
          expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Association would
          have the power to indemnify such person against such expense,
          liability or loss under the Delaware General Corporation Law.

               ELEVENTH. These Articles of Association may be amended at
          any regular or special meeting of the shareholders by the
          affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of
          this Association, unless the vote of the holders of a greater
          amount of stock is required by law, and in that case by the vote
          of holders of such greater amount.

                                      -4-
     <PAGE>

                                      EXHIBIT 2

          ----------------------------------------------------------------
          Comptroller of the Currency
          Administrator of National Banks
          ----------------------------------------------------------------
          Midwestern District Office
          2345 Grand Avenue, Suite 700       I hereby certify that this is
          Kansas City, Missouri  64108       a True and Correct copy of the
                                             foregoing instrument which is
                                             still in force and effect.
                                                Norwest Bank Colorado, N.A.
          January 3, 1994
                                                By:    /s/ Amy E. Buck      
                                                   ------------------------

          Mr. Terence W. Chase
          Manager, External Reporting
          Norwest Corporation
          Sixth and Marquette
          Minneapolis, Minnesota  55479

          Dear Mr. Chase:

          This letter is the official certification of the Office of the
          Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to consolidate Norwest Bank
          Arapahoe, National Association, Englewood, CO (Charter No.
          17017); Norwest Bank Arvada, National Association, Arvada CO
          (Charter No. 16747); Norwest Bank Aurora, National Association,
          Aurora, CO (Charter No. 21822); Norwest Bank Aurora-City Center,
          National Association, Aurora, CO (Charter No. 18034); Norwest
          Bank Aurora-South, National Association, Aurora, CO (Charter No.
          21824);  Norwest Bank Bear Valley, National Association, Denver,
          CO (Charter No. 15332);  Norwest Bank Broomfield, National
          Association, Broomfield, CO (Charter No. 21825); Norwest Bank
          Buckingham Square, National Association, Aurora, CO (Charter No.
          16244); Norwest Bank Cherry Creek, National Association, Denver,
          CO (Charter No. 17361); Norwest Bank Highlands Ranch, National
          Association, Highlands Ranch, CO (Charter No. 17887); Norwest
          Bank Lakewood, National Association, Lakewood, CO (Charter No.
          15079); Norwest Bank Littleton, National Association, Littleton,
          CO (Charter No. 21829); Norwest Bank Monaco, National
          Association, Denver, CO (Charter No. 16475); Norwest Bank
          Northglenn, National Association, Northglenn, CO (Charter No.
          15203); Norwest Bank Southglenn, National Association, Littleton,
          CO (Charter No. 15433); Norwest Bank Southwest Plaza, National
          Association, Littleton, CO (Charter No. 17088) into Norwest Bank
          Denver, National Association, Denver, CO, effective January 1,
          1994.  The resulting bank title is "Norwest Bank Colorado,
          National Association" and the Charter Number is 3269.

          This letter is also the official OCC certification for Norwest
          Bank Colorado, National Association to increase its common stock
          to $50,000,000 as of January 1, 1994.

          Sincerely,

          /s/ Ellen Tanner Shepherd
          Ellen Tanner Shepherd
          Corporate Manager                                      [SEAL]    

     <PAGE>

          ----------------------------------------------------------------
          Comptroller of the Currency
          Administrator of National Banks
          ----------------------------------------------------------------
          Washington, D.C. 20219



                                     CERTIFICATE
                                     -----------

          I, Stephen R. Steinbrink, Acting Comptroller of the Currency, do
          hereby certify that:

          1.   The Comptroller of the Currency, pursuant to Revised
          Statutes 324, et seq., as amended, 12 U.S.C. 1, et seq., as
          amended, has possession, custody and control of all records
          pertaining to the chartering, regulation and supervision of all
          National Banking Associations.

          2.   Effective April 27, 1992 the titles of the attached Thirty
          Seven National Banking Associations, located in the State of
          Colorado were changed as shown on the attached Exhibit A.


                                        IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have

                                        hereunto subscribed my name and

                                        caused my seal of office to be

                                        affixed to these presents at the

                                        Treasury Department, in the City of

                                        Washington and District of

                                        Columbia, this 14th day of May,

                                        1992.

          [SEAL]
                                          /s/ Stephen R. Steinbrink        
                                        -----------------------------------
                                        Acting Comptroller of the Currency

          I hereby certify that this is a True and
          Correct copy of the foregoing instrument
          which is still in full force and effect.
               Northwest Bank Denver, N.A.

               By:    /s/ Amy E. Buck          
                  -----------------------------

     <PAGE>


   Legal Name Prior                             Legal Name Effective
   to April 27, 1982             Charter #         April 27, 1992
   -----------------             ---------      --------------------
   United Bank of Academy          17891        Norwest Bank of Academy
    Place National Association                   Place, National Association
   United Bank of Arapahoe         17017        Norwest Bank of Arapahoe,
    National Association                         National Association
   United Bank of Arvada           16747        Norwest Bank of Arvada,
    National Association                         National Association
   United Bank of Aurora           21822        Norwest Bank of Aurora,
    National Association                         National Association
   United Bank of Aurora-City      18034        Norwest Bank of Aurora-City
    Center National Association                  Center, National Association
   United Bank of Aurora-South     21824        Norwest Bank of Aurora-South,
    National Association                         National Association
   United Bank of Bear Valley      15332        Norwest Bank of Bear Valley,
    National Association                         National Association
   United Bank of Boulder          2355         Norwest Bank of Boulder,
    National Association                         National Association
   United Bank of Brighton         21831        Norwest Bank, of Brighton, 
    National Association                         National Association
   United Bank of Broomfield       21825        Norwest Bank of Broomfield,
    National Association                         National Association
   United Bank of Buckingham       16244        Norwest Bank of Buckingham 
    Square National Association                  Square, National Association
   United Bank of Cherry Creek     17361        Norwest Bank of Cherry Creek,
    National Association                         National Association
   United Bank of Colorado         8572         Norwest Bank of Colorado
    Springs National Association                 Springs, National Association
   United Bank of Colorado         15378        Norwest Bank of Colorado 
    Springs-East National                        Springs-East, National 
    Association                                  Association
   United Bank of Delta            15321        Norwest Bank of Delta, 
    National Association                         National Association
   United Bank of Denver           3269         Norwest Bank of Denver, 
    National Association                         National Association
   United Bank of Durango          18761        Norwest Bank of Durango, 
    National Association                         National Association
   United Bank of Fort Collins     7837         Norwest Bank of Fort Collins,
    National Association                         National Association
   United Bank of Fort Collins-    16909        Norwest Bank of Fort Collins-
    South National Association                   South, National Association
   United Bank of Garden of the    18762        Norwest Bank of Garden of the
    Gods National Association                    Gods, National Association
   United Bank of Grand            15317        Norwest Bank of Grand
    Junction National Association                Junction, National Association
   United Bank of Grand            18749        Norwest Bank of Grand 
    Junction-Downtown National                   Junction-Downtown, National
    Association                                  Association
   United Bank of Greeley          3148         Norwest Bank of Greeley,
    National Association                         National Association
   United Bank of Highlands        17887        Norwest Bank of Highlands
    Ranch National Association                   Ranch, National Association
   United Bank of Lakewood         15079        Norwest Bank of Lakewood, 
    National Association                         National Association
   United Bank of LaSalle          15275        Norwest Bank of LaSalle,
    National Association                         National Association
   United Bank of Littleton        21829        Norwest Bank of Littleton, 
    National Association                         National Association
   United Bank of Longmont         17481        Norwest Bank of Longmont, 
    National Association                         National Association
   United Bank of Monaco           16475        Norwest Bank of Monaco, 
    National Association                         National Association
   United Bank of Montrose         4007         Norwest Bank of Montrose, 
    National Association                         National Association
   United Bank of Northglenn       15203        Norwest Bank of Northglenn, 
    National Association                         National Association
   United Bank of Pueblo           21776        Norwest Bank of Pueblo, 
    National Association                         National Association
   United Bank of Southglenn       15433        Norwest Bank of Southglenn, 
    National Association                         National Association
   United Bank of Southwest        17088        Norwest Bank of Southwest 
    Plaza National Association                   Plaza, National Association
   United Bank of Steamboat        14400        Norwest Bank of Steamboat 
    Springs National Association                 Springs, National Association
   United Bank of Sterling         21827        Norwest Bank of Sterling, 
    National Association                         National Association
   United Bank of Sunset Park      15003        Norwest Bank of Sunset Park, 
    National Association                         National Association


  <PAGE>

          ----------------------------------------------------------------
          Comptroller of the Currency
          Administrator of National Banks
          ----------------------------------------------------------------
          Washington, D.C. 20219

                          CERTIFICATION OF FIDUCIARY POWERS
                          ---------------------------------

               I, Dean E. Miller, Deputy Comptroller for Trust and

          Securities, do hereby certify that the records in this Office

          evidence that the United Bank of Denver National Association,

          Denver, Colorado, was granted, under the hand and seal of the

          Comptroller, the right to act in all fiduciary capacities

          authorized under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved

          September 28, 1962, 76 Stat. 668, 12 USC 92a.  I further certify

          that the authority so granted remains in full force and effect.


                                        IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have

                                        hereunto subscribed my name and

                                        caused the seal of Office of the

                                        Comptroller of the Currency to be

                                        affixed to these presents at the

                                        Treasury Department, in the City of

                                        Washington and District of Columbia

                                        this second day of October, 1984.

          [SEAL]                             /s/ Dean E. Miller

                                                 Dean E. Miller
                                               Deputy Comptroller
                                             for Trust and Securities

                                        The foregoing is a true and
                                        complete copy of a document which
                                        is in our files.
                                        United Bank of Denver N.A.

     <PAGE>

                                      EXHIBIT 3

                     NORWEST BANK COLORADO, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

                                       BY-LAWS
                                       -------


                                      ARTICLE I
                                      ---------

                               MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
                               ------------------------

               SECTION 1.1  ANNUAL MEETING.  The regular annual meeting of
                            --------------
          the shareholders for the election of directors and the
          transaction of whatever other business may properly come before
          the meeting shall be held on the third thursday of January of
          each year at such time and place as the Board of Directors may
          designate.  If for any cause the annual meeting of shareholders
          for the election of directors is not held on the date fixed in
          this by-law, such meeting may be held on some other day, notice
          thereof having been given in accordance with the requirements of
          Section 5149, United States Revised Statutes, and the meeting
          conducted according to the provisions of these by-laws.

               SECTION 1.2  SPECIAL MEETING.  Except as otherwise
                            ---------------
          specifically provided by statute, special meetings of
          shareholders may be called for any purpose at any time by the
          Board of Directors, by the Chief Executive Officer, by the
          President, or by any one or more shareholders owning in the
          aggregate not less than 25 percent of the then outstanding
          shares, as provided in Article Ninth of the Articles of
          Association.

               SECTION 1.3  NOTICE OF MEETINGS.  A notice of each annual or
                            ------------------
          special shareholders' meeting, setting forth the time, place, and
          purpose of the meeting, shall be given, by first-class mail,
          postage prepaid, to each shareholder of record at least ten days
          prior to the date on which such meeting is to be held; but any
          failure to mail such notice of any annual meeting, or any
          irregularity therein, shall not affect the validity of such
          annual meeting or of any of the proceedings thereat. 
          Notwithstanding anything in these by-laws to the contrary, a
          valid shareholders' meeting may be held without notice whenever
          notice thereof shall be waived in writing by all shareholders, or
          whenever all shareholders shall be present or represented at the
          meeting.

               SECTION 1.4  QUORUM.  The holders of a majority of the stock
                            ------
          issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in
          person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all
          meetings of the shareholders for the transaction of business, and
          may transact any business except such as may, under the
          provisions of law, the Articles of Association, or these by-laws,
          require the vote of holders of a greater number of shares.  If,
          however, such majority shall not be present or represented at any
          meeting of the shareholders, the shareholders entitled to vote
          thereat, present in person or by proxy, shall have power to

     <PAGE>

          adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than
          announcement at the meeting, until such time as the Board of
          Directors may determine.

               SECTION 1.5  PROXIES AND VOTING RIGHTS.  At each meeting of
                            -------------------------
          the shareholders each shareholder having the right to vote shall
          be entitled to vote in person or by proxy appointed by an
          instrument in writing subscribed by such shareholder, which proxy
          shall be valid for that meeting or any adjournments thereof,
          shall be dated, and shall be filed with the records of the
          meeting.  No officer or employee of this Association may act as
          proxy.  Each shareholder shall have one vote for each share of
          stock having voting power which is registered in his name on the
          books of the Association.  Voting for the election of directors
          and voting upon any other matter  which may be brought before any
          shareholders' meeting may, but need not, be by ballot, unless
          voting by ballot be requested by shareholder present at the
          meeting.

               SECTION 1.6  PROCEEDINGS AND RECORDS.  The Chairman of the
                            -----------------------
          Board shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders or, in
          case of his absence or inability to act, the President or, in
          case of the absence or inability to act of both of them, any
          Executive Vice President may preside at any such meeting.  The
          presiding officer shall appoint a person to act as secretary of
          each shareholders' meeting; provided, however, that the
          shareholders may appoint some other person to preside at their
          meetings or to act as secretary thereof.  A record of all
          business transacted shall be made of each shareholders' meeting
          showing, among other things, the names of the shareholders
          present and the number of shares of stock held by each, the names
          of the shareholders represented by proxy and the number of shares
          held by each, the names of the proxies, the number of shares
          voted on each motion or resolution and the number of shares voted
          for each candidate for director.  This record shall be entered in
          the minute book of the Association and shall be subscribed by the
          secretary of the meeting.


                                      ARTICLE II
                                      ----------

                                      DIRECTORS
                                      ---------

               SECTION 2.1  BOARD OF DIRECTORS.  The Board of Directors 
                            ------------------
          (hereinafter referred to as the "Board") shall have power to
          manage and administer the business and affairs of the
          Association.  Except as expressly limited by law, all corporate
          powers of the Association shall be vested in and may be exercised
          by the Board. 

               SECTION 2.2  NUMBER AND QUALIFICATIONS.  The Board shall
                            -------------------------
          consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons,
          the exact number within such minimum and maximum limits to be
          fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a
          majority of the full Board or by resolution of the shareholders
          at any meeting thereof; provided, however, that a majority of the
          full Board may not increase the number of directors to a number

                                      -2-
     <PAGE>

          which (i) exceeds by more than two the number of directors last
          elected by shareholders where such number was fifteen or less;
          and (ii) exceeds by more than four the number of directors last
          elected by shareholders where such number was sixteen or more,
          but in no event shall the number of directors exceed twenty-five.

               Each director shall, during the full term of his
          directorship, be a citizen of the United States, and at least
          two-thirds of the directors shall have resided in the State of
          Colorado, or within one hundred miles of the location of the
          office of the Association, for at least one year immediately
          preceding their election, and shall be residents of such state or
          within a one-hundred-mile territory of the location of the
          Association during their continuance in office.  Each director,
          during the full term of his directorship, shall own a minimum of
          $1,000 par value of stock of this Association or an equivalent
          interest, as determined by the Comptroller of the Currency, in
          any company which has control over this Association within the
          meaning of Section 2 of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as
          amended.

               SECTION 2.3  ORGANIZATION MEETING.  A meeting of the newly 
                            --------------------
          elected Board shall be held at the main office of this
          Association, without notice, immediately following the
          adjournment of the annual meeting of the shareholders, or at such
          other time and at such other place to which said meeting may be
          adjourned.  No business shall be transacted at any such meeting
          until a majority of the directors elected shall have taken an
          oath of office as prescribed by law, and no director elected
          shall participate in the business transacted at any such meeting
          of the Board until he shall have taken said oath. If at any such
          meeting there is not a quorum of the directors present who shall
          have taken the oath of office, the members present may adjourn
          the meeting from time to time until a quorum is secured.  At such
          meeting of the newly elected Board, if a quorum is present, the
          directors may elect officers for the ensuing year and transact
          any and all business which may be brought before them.

               SECTION 2.4  REGULAR MEETINGS.  The regular meetings of the
                            ----------------
          Board shall be held, without notice other than by this by-law, on
          the third Thursday of ever other month, at such time and place as
          the Board may designate.  If the day fixed for a regular meeting
          falls upon a bank or legal holiday, the meeting shall be held on
          the next succeeding banking business day or on such other date
          specified by the Board, in which case notice shall be given to
          each director as provided in Section 2.6.

               SECTION 2.5  SPECIAL MEETINGS.  Special meetings of the 
                            ----------------
          Board may be called by the Chairman of the Board, the President,
          or the Secretary, and shall be called at the request of one-third
          or more of the directors.

               SECTION 2.6  NOTICE OF MEETINGS.  Each member of the Board 
                            ------------------
          shall be given not less than one day's notice by telephone,
          telegram, letter, or in person, stating the time and place of any
          regular or special meeting; such notice may, but need not, state
          the purpose of said meeting.  Notwithstanding anything in these
          by-laws to the contrary, a valid directors' meeting may be held

                                      -3-
     <PAGE>

          without notice whenever notice thereof shall be waived in writing
          by all of the directors, or whenever all of the directors are
          present at the meeting.

               SECTION 2.7  QUORUM AND VOTING.  A majority of the directors
                            -----------------
          shall constitute a quorum at all directors' meetings.  Except
          where the vote of a greater number of directors is required by
          the Articles of Association, these by-laws or under provisions of
          law, the vote of a majority of the directors at a meeting at
          which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to transact
          business.

               SECTION 2.8  PROCEEDINGS AND RECORD.  The Chairman of the 
                            ----------------------
          Board, if such officer shall have been designated by the Board,
          shall preside at all meetings thereof, and in his absence or
          inability to act (or if there shall be no Chairman of the Board)
          the President, and in his absence or inability to act, any other
          director appointed chairman of the meeting pro tempore, shall
          preside at meetings of the directors.  The Secretary, any
          Assistant Secretary, or any other person appointed by the Board,
          shall act as secretary of the Board and shall keep accurate
          minutes of all meetings.

               SECTION 2.9  VACANCIES.  Any vacancy in the Board may be
                            ---------
          filled by appointment at any regular or special meeting of the
          Board by the remaining directors in accordance with the laws of
          the United States, and any director so appointed shall hold his
          place until the next election.


                                     ARTICLE III
                                     -----------

                               COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
                               -----------------------

               SECTION 3.1  EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.  The Board may appoint
                            -------------------
          annually or more often an Executive Committee consisting of three
          or more directors.  In the event an Executive Committee is
          appointed, the Executive Committee shall have the power to
          approve, review, and delegate authority to make loans and
          otherwise extend credit and to purchase and sell bills, notes,
          bonds, debentures and other legal investments and to establish
          and review general loan and investment policies.  In addition,
          when the Board is not in session, the Executive Committee shall
          have the power to exercise all powers of the Board, except those
          that cannot legally be delegated by the Board.  The Executive
          Committee shall keep minutes of its meetings, and such minutes
          shall be submitted at the next regular meeting of the Board at
          which a quorum is present.

               SECTION 3.2  TRUST COMMITTEES.  The Board shall appoint a
                            ----------------
          Trust Audit Committee, whose members shall be directors of the
          Association who have no direct or indirect responsibility for the
          trust function.  This Committee shall, at least once during each
          calendar year and within fifteen months of the last such audit,
          make suitable audits of the Trust Department or cause suitable
          audits to be made by auditors responsible only to the Board and

                                      -4-
     <PAGE>

          at such time shall ascertain and report to the Board whether said
          Department has been administered in accordance with applicable
          laws and regulations and sound fiduciary principles.  Every
          report to the Board under this section, together with the action
          taken thereon, shall be noted in the minutes of the Board.  The
          Board shall from time to time appoint such other committees of
          such membership and with such powers and duties as it is required
          to appoint under the provisions of Regulation 9 issued by the
          Comptroller of the Currency relating to the trust powers of
          national banks, or any amendments thereto, and may appoint such
          other committees of such membership and with such powers and
          duties as the Board may provide and as are permitted by said
          Regulation 9, or any amendments thereto.

               SECTION 3.3  OTHER COMMITTEES.  The Board, by a majority
                            ----------------
          vote of the whole Board, may create from its own members or (to
          the extent permitted by applicable statutes, laws and
          regulations) from its own members and/or officers or employees of
          the Association such other committees as it may from time to time
          deem necessary, and may designate the name and term of existence
          and prescribe the duties thereof.

               SECTION 3.4  PROCEEDINGS AND RECORD.  Each committee
                            ----------------------
          appointed by the Board may hold regular meetings at such time or
          times as may be fixed by the Board or by the committee itself. 
          Special meetings of any committee may be called by the chairman
          or vice chairman or any two members thereof.  The Board may, at
          the time of the appointment of any committee, designate alternate
          or advisory members, designate its chairman, vice chairman, and
          secretary, or any one or more thereof, and the committee itself
          may appoint such of said officers as have not been so designated
          by the Board if they deem such appointment necessary or
          advisable.  The secretary may but need not be a member of the
          committee.  The Board may at any time prescribe or change the
          number of members whose presence is required to constitute a
          quorum at any or all meetings of a committee.  The quorum so
          prescribed need not be a majority of the members of the
          committee. If no quorum is prescribed by the Board, the presence
          of a majority of the members of the committee shall be required
          to constitute a quorum.  Each committee shall keep such records
          of its meetings and proceedings as may be required by law or
          applicable regulations and may keep such additional records of
          its meetings and proceedings as it deems necessary or advisable,
          and each committee may make such rules of procedure for the
          conduct of its own meetings and the method of discharge of its
          duties as it deems advisable.  Each committee appointed by the
          Board may appoint subcommittees composed of its own members or
          other persons and may rely on information furnished to it by such
          subcommittees or by statistical or other fact-finding departments
          or employees of this Association, provided that final action
          shall be taken in each case by the committee.


                                      ARTICLE IV
                                      ----------

                                OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
                                ----------------------

                                      -5-
     <PAGE>

               SECTION 4.1  APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS.  The Board shall
                            -----------------------
          appoint a President, one or more Executive Vice Presidents, one
          or more office Presidents, one or more Senior Vice Presidents,
          one or more Vice Presidents, and a Secretary, and may appoint a
          Chairman of the Board and such other officers as from time to
          time may appear to the Board to be required or desirable to
          transact the business of the Association.  Only directors shall
          be eligible for appointment as President or Chairman of the
          Board.  If a director other than the President is appointed
          Chairman of the Board, the Board shall designate either of these
          two officers as the chief executive officer of this Association. 
          The chief executive officer may appoint other officers below the
          rank of Vice President by filing a written notice of such officer
          appointments with the Secretary.  

               SECTION 4.2  TENURE OF OFFICE.  Officers shall hold their
                            ----------------
          respective offices for the current year for which they are
          appointed unless they resign, become disqualified or are removed. 
          Any officer appointed by the Board may be removed at any time by
          the affirmative vote of a majority of the full Board or in
          accordance with authority granted by the Board.  During the year
          between its organization meetings, the Board may appoint
          additional officers and shall promptly fill any vacancy occurring
          in any office required to be filled.

               SECTION 4.3  CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.  The chief executive
                            -----------------------
          officer shall supervise the carrying out of policies adopted or
          approved by the Board, shall have general executive powers as
          well as the specific powers conferred by these by-laws; and shall
          also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from
          time to time may be conferred upon or assigned to him by the
          Board.  

               SECTION 4.4  SECRETARY OR ASSISTANT SECRETARY.  The 
                            --------------------------------
          Secretary or any Assistant Secretary shall attend to the giving
          of all notices required by these by-laws to be given; shall be
          custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents and papers of
          the Association; shall provide for the keeping of proper records
          of all transactions of the Association; shall have and may
          exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law,
          regulation or practice, to the Office of Secretary, or imposed by
          these by-laws; and shall also perform such other duties as may be
          assigned from time to time by the Board.

               SECTION 4.5  GENERAL AUTHORITY AND DUTIES.  Officers shall
                            ----------------------------
          have the general powers and duties customarily vested in the
          office of such officers of a corporation and shall also exercise
          such powers and perform such duties as may be prescribed by the
          Articles of Association, by these by-laws, or by the laws or
          regulations governing the conduct of the business of national
          banking associations, and shall exercise such other powers and
          perform such other duties not inconsistent with the Articles of
          Association, these by-laws or laws or regulations as may be
          conferred upon or assigned to them by the Board or the chief
          executive officer.

                                      -6-
     <PAGE>

               SECTION 4.6  EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS.  Subject to the authority
                            --------------------
          of the Board, the chief executive officer, or any other officer
          of the Association authorized by him, may appoint or dismiss all
          or any employees and agents and prescribe their duties and the
          conditions of their employment, and from time to time fix their
          compensation.

               SECTION 4.7  BONDS OF OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.  The officers
                            -------------------------------
          and employees of this Association shall give bond with security
          to be approved by the Board in such penal sum as the Board shall
          require, conditioned for the faithful and honest discharge of
          their respective duties and for the faithful application and
          accounting of all monies, funds and other property which may come
          into their possession or may be entrusted to their care or placed
          in their hands.  In the discretion of the Board in lieu of having
          individual bonds for each officer and employee, there may be
          substituted for the bonds provided for herein a blanket bond
          covering all officers and employees providing coverage in such
          amounts and containing such conditions and stipulations as shall
          be approved by the chief executive officer of this Association
          but subject to the supervision and control of the Board.


                                      ARTICLE V
                                      ---------

                             STOCK AND STOCK CERTIFICATES
                             ----------------------------

               SECTION 5.1  TRANSFERS. Shares of stock shall be
                            ---------
          transferable only on the books of the Association upon surrender
          of the certificate for cancellation, and a transfer book shall be
          kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded.

               SECTION 5.2  STOCK CERTIFICATES.  Certificates of stock
                            ------------------
          shall be signed by the chief executive officer, the President, or
          any Executive Vice President and the Secretary, or any Assistant
          Secretary, or any other officer appointed by the Board for that
          purpose, and shall be sealed with the corporate seal.  Each
          certificate shall recite on its face that the stock represented
          thereby is transferable only upon the books of the Association
          properly endorsed, and shall meet the requirements of Section
          5139, United States Revised Statutes, as amended.

               SECTION 5.3  DIVIDENDS.  Transfers of stock shall not be 
                            ---------
          suspended preparatory to the declaration of dividends and, unless
          an agreement to the contrary shall be expressed in the
          assignments, dividends shall be paid to the shareholders in whose
          name the stock shall stand at the time of the declaration of the
          dividends or on such record date as may be fixed by the Board.

               SECTION 5.4  LOST CERTIFICATES.  In the event of loss or
                            -----------------
          destruction of a certificate of stock, a new certificate may be
          issued in its place upon proof of such loss or destruction and
          upon receipt of an acceptable bond or agreement of indemnity as
          maybe required by the Board.

                                      -7-
     <PAGE>

                                      ARTICLE VI
                                      ----------

                                    CORPORATE SEAL
                                    --------------

               SECTION 6.1  FORM.  The corporate seal of the Association
                            ----
          shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Association.

               SECTION 6.2  AUTHORITY TO IMPRESS.  The chief executive
                            ---------------------
          officer, the President, the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary,
          or other officer designated by the Board, shall have authority to
          impress or affix the corporate seal to any document requiring
          such seal, and to attest the same.


                                     ARTICLE VII
                                     -----------

                               MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
                               ------------------------

               SECTION 7.1  BANKING HOURS.  The days and hours during which
                            --------------
          this Association shall be open for business shall be fixed from
          time to time by the Board, the chief executive officer, or the
          President, consistent with national and state laws governing
          banking and business transactions.

               SECTION 7.2  EXECUTION OF WRITTEN INSTRUMENTS.  All
                            ---------------------------------
          instruments, documents, or agreements relating to or affecting
          the property or business and affairs of this Association, or of
          this Association when acting in any representative or fiduciary
          capacity, shall be executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or
          accepted in behalf of this Association by the chief executive
          officer, the President, any Executive Vice President, any office
          President, any Senior Vice President, any Vice President, the
          Secretary, any Assistant Vice President, any Assistant
          Secretary,or by such other officer, officers, employees, or
          designated signers, as the Board may from time to time direct.

               SECTION 7.3  RECORDS.  The Articles of Association, these 
                            -------
          by-laws, and any amendments thereto, and the proceedings of all
          regular and special meetings of the directors and of the
          shareholders shall be recorded in appropriate minute books
          provided for the purpose.  The minutes of each meeting shall be
          signed by the person appointed to act as secretary of the
          meeting.

               SECTION 7.4  FISCAL YEAR.  The fiscal year of the
                            ------------
          Association shall be the calendar year.


                                      -8-
     <PAGE>

                                     ARTICLE VIII
                                     ------------

                                       BY-LAWS
                                       -------

               SECTION 8.1  INSPECTION.  A copy of these by-laws, with all 
                            -----------
          amendments thereto, shall at all times be kept in a convenient
          place at the main office of the Association, and shall be open
          for inspection to all shareholders during banking hours.

               SECTION 8.2  AMENDMENTS.  These by-laws may be changed or
                            -----------
          amended at any regular or special meeting of the Board by a vote
          of a majority of the full Board or at any regular or special
          meeting of shareholders by the vote of the holders of a majority
          of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat.

                                      -9-
     <PAGE>

                     NORWEST BANK COLORADO, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

                   MARCH 16, 1995 MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

                         ACTION: APPROVE AMENDMENT TO BYLAWS
                         -----------------------------------


                                      ARTICLE II
                                      ----------

                                      DIRECTORS
                                      ---------

               SECTION 2.10 MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE.  Unless otherwise
                            ---------------------
          provided by the articles of association, one or more members of
          the board of directors may participate in a meeting of the board
          by teleconference or by similar communications equipment by which
          all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at
          the same time.  Such participation shall constitute presence in
          person at the meeting.

               SECTION 2.11 ACTION WITHOUT A MEETING.  Any action required
                            ------------------------
          or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the directors may be
          taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth
          the action so taken, shall be signed by all of the directors. 
          Such consent (which may be signed in counterparts) shall have the
          same force and effect as a unanimous vote of the directors and
          may be stated as such in any document.  Unless the consent
          specifies a different effective date, action taken herein is
          effective when all directors have signed the consent.  All
          consents signed pursuant to this Section 2.11 shall be delivered
          to the secretary of the bank for inclusion in the minutes or for
          filing with the bank records.

     <PAGE>
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4

                            CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF INCOME

       ALL REPORT OF INCOME SCHEDULES ARE TO BE REPORTED ON A CALENDAR YEAR-TO-
     DATE BASIS IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.


                            SCHEDULE RI--INCOME STATEMENT

                                                                     FOR THE
                                                                     PERIOD
                                                                   JANUARY 1,
                                                                     1996 TO
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      1996
                                                                    --------
                                                                    (Year-to-
                                                                      date)
     1.   Interest income:
        a.   Interest and fee income on loans:
          (1)  In domestic offices:
             (a)  Loans secured by real estate . . . . . . . .  $120,996
             (b)  Loans to depository institutions . . . . . .     8,479
             (c)  Loans to finance agricultural production and     7,915
                  other loans to farmers . . . . . . . . . . .
             (d)  Commercial and industrial loans  . . . . . .    77,275
             (e)  Acceptances of other banks . . . . . . . . .        36
             (f)  Loans to individuals for household, family,
                  and other personal expenditures:
               (1)  Credit cards and related plans . . . . . .    11,192
               (2)  Other  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    68,113
             (g)  Loans to foreign governments and official
                  institutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         2
             (h)  Obligations (other than securities and leases)
                  of states and political subdivisions in the
                  U.S.:
               (1)  Taxable obligations  . . . . . . . . . . .         0
               (2)  Tax-exempt obligations . . . . . . . . . .     1,238
             (i)  All other loans in domestic offices  . . . .        65
          (2)  In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement
               subsidiaries, and IBFs  . . . . . . . . . . . .         0
        b.   Income from lease financing receivables:
          (1)  Taxable leases  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        39
          (2)  Tax-exempt leases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         0
        c.   Interest income on balances due from depository
             institutions:(1)                                         13
          (1)  In domestic offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
          (2)  In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement
               subsidiaries, and IBFs  . . . . . . . . . . . .         0
        d.   Interest and dividend income on securities:
          (1)  U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Government
               agency and corporation obligations  . . . . . .   188,396
          (2)  Securities issued by states and political
               subdivisions in the U.S.:
             (a)  Taxable securities . . . . . . . . . . . . .       251
             (b)  Tax-exempt securities  . . . . . . . . . . .     2,647
          (3)  Other domestic debt securities  . . . . . . . .       711
          (4)  Foreign debt securities . . . . . . . . . . . .         0
          (5)  Equity securities (including investments in
               mutual funds) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       553

      ----------------------------
      (1) Includes interest income on time certificates of deposit not 
          held for trading.

     <PAGE>
                                                                     FOR THE
                                                                     PERIOD
                                                                   JANUARY 1,
                                                                     1996 TO
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      1996
                                                                    --------
                                                                    (Year-to-
                                                                      date)

        e.   Interest income from trading assets . . . . . . .         0
        f.   Interest income on federal funds sold and
             securities purchased under agreements to resell in
             domestic offices of the bank and of its Edge and
             Agreement subsidiaries, and in IBFs . . . . . . .    17,342
        g.   Total interest income (sum of items 1.a through
             1.f)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   505,263
     2.   Interest expense:
        a.   Interest on deposits:
          (1)  Interest on deposits in domestic offices:
             (a)  Transaction accounts (NOW accounts, ATS
                  accounts, and telephone and preauthorized
                  transfer accounts) . . . . . . . . . . . . .    16,426
             (b)  Nontransaction accounts:
               (1)  Money market deposit accounts (MMDAs)  . .    39,044
               (2)  Other savings deposits . . . . . . . . . .    26,254
               (3)  Time certificates of deposit of $100,000 or   
                    more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    15,319
               (4)  All other time deposits  . . . . . . . . .    58,784
          (2)  Interest on deposits in foreign offices, edge
               and agreement subsidiaries, and IBFS  . . . . .     3,769
        b.   Expense of federal funds purchased and securities
             sold under agreements to repurchase in domestic
             offices of the bank and of its edge and agreement
             subsidiaries, and in IBFs . . . . . . . . . . . .     5,723
        c.   Interest on demand notes issued to the U.S.
             Treasury, trading liabilities, and other borrowed
             money . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         0
        d.   Interest on mortgage indebtedness and obligations
             under capitalized leases  . . . . . . . . . . . .       122
        e.   Interest on subordinated notes and debentures . .       687
                                                                 -------
        f.   Total interest expense (sum of items 2.a through
             2.e)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   166,128
                                                                ========
     3.   Net interest income (item 1.g minus 2.f) . . . . . .   339,135
                                                                ========
     4.   Provisions:
        a.   Provision for loan and lease losses . . . . . . .     8,946
        b.   Provision for allocated transfer risk . . . . . .         0
     5.   Noninterest income:
        a.   Income from fiduciary activities  . . . . . . . .    29,116
        b.   Service charges on deposit accounts in domestic
             offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    55,743
        c.   Trading revenue (must equal Schedule RI, sum of
             Memorandum items 8.a through 8.d) . . . . . . . .         1
        d.   Other foreign transaction gains (losses)  . . . .       281
        e.   Not applicable  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        --
        f.   Other noninterest income:
          (1)  Other fee income  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    28,672
          (2)  All other noninterest income  . . . . . . . . .     9,569
        g.   Total noninterest income (sum of items 5.a through
             5.f)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   123,382
     6. a.   Realized gains (losses) on held-to maturity
             securities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         (10)

     -----------------------------
     * Describe on Schedule RI-E Explanations.

                                      -2-
     <PAGE>

                    SCHEDULE RI--INCOME STATEMENT (continued)

                                                                     FOR THE
                                                                     PERIOD
                                                                   JANUARY 1,
                                                                     1996 TO
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      1996
                                                                    --------
                                                                    (Year-to-
                                                                      date)


        b.   Realized gains (losses) on available-for-sale
             securities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    11,887
     7.   Noninterest expense:
        a.   Salaries and employee benefits  . . . . . . . . .   131,069
        b.   Expenses of premises and fixed assets (net of
             rental income) (excluding salaries and employee
             benefits and mortgage interest) . . . . . . . . .    49,541
        c.   Other noninterest expense*  . . . . . . . . . . .   150,314
                                                                --------
        d.   Total noninterest expense (sum of items 7.a through
             7.c)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   330,924
                                                                ========
     8.   Income (loss) before income taxes and extraordinary
          items and other adjustments (item 3 plus or minus
          items 4.a, 4.b, 5.g, 6.a., 6.b, and 7.d) . . . . . .   134,524
     9.   Applicable income taxes (on item 8)  . . . . . . . .    46,715
                                                                --------
     10.  Income (loss) before extraordinary items and other
          adjustments (item 8 minus 9) . . . . . . . . . . . .    87,809
                                                                ========
     11.  Extraordinary items and other adjustments:
        a.   Extraordinary items and other adjustments, gross of
             income taxes* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         0
        b.   Applicable income taxes (on item 11.a)* . . . . .         0
        c.   Extraordinary items and other adjustments, net of
             income taxes (item 11.a minus 11.b) . . . . . . .         0
                                                                --------
     12.  Net income (loss) (sum of items 10 and 11.c) . . . .    87,809
                                                                ========

     Memoranda
     ---------------------------------------------------------
     1.   Interest expense incurred to carry tax-exempt
          securities, loans, and leases acquired after August
          7, 1986, that is not deductible for federal income
          tax purposes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       171
     2.   Income from the sale and servicing of mutual funds
          and annuities in domestic offices (included in
          Schedule RI, item 8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       424
     3.-4.  Not applicable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        --
     5.   Number of full-time equivalent employees on payroll    (Number)
          at end of current period (round to nearest whole
          number)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     3,607
     6.   Not applicable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        --
     7.   If the reporting bank has restated its balance sheet
          as a result of applying push down accounting this
          calendar year, report the date of the bank's          MM DD YY
          acquisition  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  00/00/00
     8.   Trading revenue (from cash instruments and off-
          balance sheet derivative instruments) (sum of
          Memorandum items 8.a through 8.d must equal Schedule
          RI, item 5.c):
        a.   Interest rate exposures . . . . . . . . . . . . .         0
        b.   Foreign exchange exposures  . . . . . . . . . . .         1
        c.   Equity security and index exposures . . . . . . .         0
        d.   Commodity and other exposures . . . . . . . . . .         0

     -----------------------------
     *  Describe on Schedule RI-E Explanations.

                                      -3-
     <PAGE>

                   SCHEDULE RI--INCOME STATEMENTS (continued)

                                                                     FOR THE
                                                                     PERIOD
                                                                   JANUARY 1,
                                                                     1996 TO
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      1996
                                                                    --------
                                                                    (Year-to-
                                                                      date)

     9.   Impact on income of off-balance sheet derivatives
          held for purposes other than trading:
        a.   Net increase (decrease) to interest income  . . .         0

        b.   Net (increase) decrease to interest expense . . .   (10,336)
        c.   Other (noninterest) allocations . . . . . . . . .         0
     10.  Credit losses on off-balance sheet derivatives (see          
          instructions)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         0 



                                      -4-
     <PAGE>

                            CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF INCOME

       ALL REPORT OF INCOME SCHEDULES ARE TO BE REPORTED ON A CALENDAR YEAR-TO-
     DATE BASIS IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.


                       SCHEDULE RI-A--CHANGES IN EQUITY CAPITAL

                                                                     FOR THE
                                                                     PERIOD
                                                                   JANUARY 1,
                                                                     1996 TO
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      1996
                                                                    --------
                                                                    (Year-to-
                                                                      date)
     Indicate decreases and losses in parentheses.

     1.   Total equity capital originally reported in the
          December 31, 1995, Reports of Condition and Income .  $375,906
     2.   Equity capital adjustments from amended Reports of
          Income, net* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         0
     3.   Amended balance end of previous calendar year (sum of
          items 1 and 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   375,906
     4.   Net income (loss) (must equal Schedule RI, item 12)     87,809
     5.   Sale, conversion, acquisition, or retirement of
          capital stock, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     4,479
     6.   Changes incident to business combinations, net . . .     5,448
     7.   LESS:  Cash dividends declared on preferred stock  .         0
     8.   LESS:  Cash dividends declared on common stock . . .    59,000
     9.   Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles
          from prior years* (see instructions for this
          schedule)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         0
     10.  Corrections of material accounting errors from prior
          years* (see instructions for this schedule)  . . . .         0
     11.  Change in net unrealized holding gains (losses) on
          available-for-sale securities  . . . . . . . . . . .   (17,202)
     12.  Foreign currency translation adjustments . . . . . .         0
     13.  Other transactions with parent holding company* (not
          included in items 5, 7, or 8 above)  . . . . . . . .         0
                                                                --------
     14.  Total equity capital end of current period (sum of
          items 3 through 13) (must equal Schedule RC, item 28) $397,440
                                                                ========

     -----------------------------
     *  Describe on Schedule RI-E--Explanations. 

                                      -5-
     <PAGE>

                            CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF INCOME

                  ALL REPORT OF INCOME SCHEDULES ARE TO BE REPORTED 
              ON A CALENDAR YEAR-TO-DATE BASIS IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.


                    SCHEDULE RI-B--CHARGE-OFFS AND RECOVERIES AND 
                    CHANGES IN ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES

               PART I.  CHARGE-OFFS AND RECOVERIES ON LOANS AND LEASES

     Part I excludes charge-offs and recoveries through the allocated transfer
     risk reserve.

                                                     (COLUMN A)    (COLUMN B)
                                                     CHARGE-OFFS   RECOVERIES
                                                     -----------   ----------
                                                     (Calendar year-to-date)
                                                     ------------------------
     1.   Loans secured by real estate:
        a.   To U.S. addresses (domicile)  . . . . .   $1,355       $2,705
        b.   To non-U.S. addresses (domicile)  . . .        0            0
     2.   Loans to depository institutions and
          acceptances of other banks:
        a.   To U.S. banks and other U.S. depository
             institutions  . . . . . . . . . . . . .        0            0
        b.   To foreign banks  . . . . . . . . . . .        0            0
     3.   Loans to finance agricultural production
          and other loans to farmers . . . . . . . .      153           90
     4.   Commercial and industrial loans:
        a.   To U.S. addresses (domicile)  . . . . .    4,176        2,160
        b.   To non-U.S. addresses (domicile)  . . .        0            0
     5.   Loans to individuals for household, family,
          and other personal expenditures:
        a.   Credit cards and related plans  . . . .        0            0
        b.   Other (includes single payment,
             installment, and all student loans) . .   15,608        2,432
     6.   Loans to foreign governments and official
          institutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        0            0
     7.   All other loans  . . . . . . . . . . . . .    1,446          456
     8.   Lease financing receivables:
        a.   Of U.S. addresses (domicile)  . . . . .        0            0
        b.   Of non-U.S. addresses (domicile)  . . .        0            0
                                                     --------     --------
     9.   Total (sum of items 1 through 8) . . . . .  $22,738       $7,892
                                                     ========     ========

                                      -6-
     <PAGE>

                            CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF INCOME

                  ALL REPORT OF INCOME SCHEDULES ARE TO BE REPORTED 
              ON A CALENDAR YEAR-TO-DATE BASIS IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.


                               SCHEDULE RI-B--CONTINUED

                                  PART I. CONTINUED

                                                        (COLUMN A)  (COLUMN B)
                                                       CHARGE-OFFS  RECOVERIES
                                                       -----------  ----------
                                                       (Calendar year-to-date)
                                                       -----------------------
     Memoranda
     -----------------------------------------------
     1.-3.  Not applicable . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $--          $--
     4.   Loans to finance commercial real estate,
          construction, and land development
          activities (not secured by real estate)
          included in Schedule RI-B, part I, items 4
          and 7, above . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       0            0
     5.   Loans secured by real estate in domestic
          offices (included in Schedule RI-B, part I,
          item 1 above):
        a.   Construction and land development . . .     211          499
        b.   Secured by farmland . . . . . . . . . .       0           48
        c.   Secured by 1-4 family residential
             properties:
          (1)  Revolving, open-end loans secured by
               1-4 family residential properties and
               extended under lines of credit  . . .     294           44
          (2)  All other loans secured by 1-4 family
               residential properties  . . . . . . .    1688          938
        d.   Secured by multifamily (5 or more)            0            0
             residential properties  . . . . . . . .
        e.   Secured by nonfarm nonresidential
             properties  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     162        1,176

               PART II. CHANGES IN ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES

                                                                     FOR THE
                                                                     PERIOD
                                                                   JANUARY 1,
                                                                     1996 TO
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      1996
                                                                    --------
                                                                    (Year-to-
                                                                      date)
     1.   Balance originally reported in the December 31, 1995,
          Reports of Condition and Income  . . . . . . . . . .   $81,711
     2.   Recoveries (must equal part I, item 9, column B
          above) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     7,892
     3.   LESS:  Charge-offs (must equal part I, item 9, column
          A above) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    22,738
     4.   Provision for loan and lease losses (must equal
          Schedule RI, item 4.a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     8,946
     5.   Adjustments*  (see instructions for this                 7,275
          schedule)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  --------
     6.   Balance end of current period (sum of items 1 through
          5) (must equal Schedule RC, item 4.b)  . . . . . . .   $83,086
                                                                ========

              SCHEDULE RI-C--APPLICABLE INCOME TAXES BY TAXING AUTHORITY

     1.   Federal  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       46,715
     2.   State and local  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
     3.   Foreign  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
     4.   Total (sum of items 1 through 3) (must equal sum of
          Schedule RI, items 9 and 11.b) . . . . . . . . . . .       46,715
     5.   Deferred portion of item 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . .       17,874

     -----------------------------
     *  Describe on Schedule RI-E--Explanations.

                                      -7-
     <PAGE>

                            CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF INCOME

                  ALL REPORT OF INCOME SCHEDULES ARE TO BE REPORTED 
              ON A CALENDAR YEAR-TO-DATE BASIS IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.


                 SCHEDULE RI-D--INCOME FROM INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS

               PART I.  ESTIMATED INCOME FROM INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS


     For all banks with foreign offices, Edge or Agreement subsidiaries, or IBFs
     where international operations account for more than 10 percent of total
     revenues, total assets, or net income.

                                                                     FOR THE
                                                                     PERIOD
                                                                   JANUARY 1,
                                                                     1996 TO
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      1996
                                                                    --------
                                                                    (Year-to-
                                                                      date)
     1.   Interest income and expense booked at foreign
          offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs:
        a.   Interest income booked  . . . . . . . . . . . . .         N/A
        b.   Interest expense booked . . . . . . . . . . . . .         N/A
        c.   Net interest income booked at foreign offices, Edge
             and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs (item 1.a
             minus 1.b)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         N/A
     2.   Adjustments for booking location of international
          operations:
        a.   Net interest income attributable to international
             operations booked at domestic offices . . . . . .         N/A
        b.   Net interest income attributable to domestic
             business booked at foreign offices  . . . . . . .         N/A
        c.   Net booking location adjustment (item 2.a minus
             2.b)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         N/A
     3.   Noninterest income and expense attributable to
          international operations:
        a.   Noninterest income attributable to international
             operations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         N/A
        b.   Provision for loan and lease losses attributable to
             international operations  . . . . . . . . . . . .         N/A
        c.   Other noninterest expense attributable to
             international operations  . . . . . . . . . . . .         N/A
        d.   Net noninterest income (expense) attributable to
             international operations (item 3.a minus 3.b and
             3.c)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         N/A
     4.   Estimated pretax income attributable to international
          operations before capital allocation adjustment (sum
          of items 1.c, 2.c, and 3.d)  . . . . . . . . . . . .         N/A
     5.   Adjusted to pretax income for internal allocations to
          international operations to reflect the effects of
          equity capital on overall bank funding costs . . . .         N/A
     6.   Estimated pretax income attributable to international
          operations after capital allocation adjustment (sum
          of items 4 and 5)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         N/A
     7.   Income taxes attributable to income from
          international operations as estimated in item 6  . .         N/A
     8.   Estimated net income attributable to international
          operations (item 6 minus 7)  . . . . . . . . . . . .         N/A

     Memorandum
     ---------------------------------------------------------
     1.   Intracompany interest income included in item 1.a
          above  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         N/A
     2.   Intracompany interest expense included in item 1.b
          above  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         N/A

                                      -8-
     <PAGE>

                            CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF INCOME

                  ALL REPORT OF INCOME SCHEDULES ARE TO BE REPORTED 
              ON A CALENDAR YEAR-TO-DATE BASIS IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.


                               SCHEDULE RI-D--CONTINUED

        PART II.  SUPPLEMENTARY DETAILS ON INCOME FROM INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS
        REQUIRED BY THE DEPARTMENTS OF COMMERCE AND TREASURY FOR PURPOSES OF THE
        U.S. INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTS AND THE U.S. NATIONAL INCOME AND PRODUCT
        ACCOUNTS


                                                                     FOR THE
                                                                     PERIOD
                                                                   JANUARY 1,
                                                                     1996 TO
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      1996
                                                                    --------
                                                                    (Year-to-
                                                                      date)

     1.   Interest income booked at IBFs . . . . . . . . . . .         N/A
     2.   Interest expense booked at IBFs  . . . . . . . . . .         N/A
     3.   Noninterest income attributable to international
          operations booked at domestic offices (excluding
          IBFs):
        a.   Gains (losses) and extraordinary items  . . . . .         N/A
        b.   Fees and other noninterest income . . . . . . . .         N/A
     4.   Provision for loan and lease losses attributable to
          international operations booked at domestic offices
          (excluding IBFs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         N/A
     5.   Other noninterest expense attributable to
          international operations booked at domestic offices
          (excluding IBFs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         N/A

                                      -9-
     <PAGE>

                            CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF INCOME

                  ALL REPORT OF INCOME SCHEDULES ARE TO BE REPORTED 
              ON A CALENDAR YEAR-TO-DATE BASIS IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.


                             SCHEDULE RI-E--EXPLANATIONS

     Schedule RI-E is to be completed each quarter on a calendar year-to-date
     basis.


     Detail all adjustments in Schedule RI-A and RI-B, all extraordinary items
     and other adjustments in Schedule RI, and all significant items of other
     noninterest income and other noninterest expense in Schedule RI.  (See
     instructions for details.)

                                                                     FOR THE
                                                                     PERIOD
                                                                   JANUARY 1,
                                                                     1996 TO
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      1996
                                                                    --------
                                                                    (Year-to-
                                                                      date)
     1. All other noninterest income (from Schedule RI, item
        5.f.(2))
        Report amounts that exceed 10% of Schedule RI, item
        5.f.(2):
        a.   Net gains on other real estate owned  . . . . . .   $    0
        b.   Net gains on sales of loans . . . . . . . . . . .        0
        c.   Net gains on sales of premises and fixed assets .        0
        d.   ATM Processing Revenue  . . . . . . . . . . . . .    2,672
        e.
        f.
     2. Other noninterest expense (from Schedule RI, item
        7.c):
        a.   Amortization expense of intangible assets . . . .        0
        Report amounts that exceed 10% of Schedule RI, item 7.c:
        b.   Net losses on other real estate owned . . . . . .        0
        c.   Net losses on sales of loans  . . . . . . . . . .        0
        d.   Net losses on sales of premises and fixed assets         0
        Itemize and describe the three largest other amounts
        that exceed 10% of Schedule RI, item 7.c:
        e.   Computer Processing Fees  . . . . . . . . . . . .   12,237
        f.   Forward Contracting Fees  . . . . . . . . . . . .   10,336
        g.
     3. Extraordinary items and other adjustments (from
        Schedule RI, item 11.a) and applicable income tax
        effect (from Schedule RI, item 11.b) (itemize and
        describe all extraordinary items and other
        adjustments):
        a. (1)
           (2)  Applicable income tax effect
        b. (1)
           (2)  Applicable income tax effect
        c. (1)
           (2)  Applicable income tax effect
     4. Equity capital adjustments from amended Reports of
        Income (from Schedule RI-A, item 2)
        (itemize and describe all adjustments):
        a.
        b.

                                      -10-
     <PAGE>

                    SCHEDULE RI-E--EXPLANATIONS (continued)

                                                                     FOR THE
                                                                     PERIOD
                                                                   JANUARY 1,
                                                                     1996 TO
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      1996
                                                                    --------
                                                                    (Year-to-
                                                                      date)

     5. Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles
        from prior years (from Schedule RI-A, item 9)
        (itemize and describe all changes in accounting
        principles):
        a.
        b.
     6. Corrections of material accounting errors from prior
        years (from Schedule RI-A, item 10)
        (itemize and describe all corrections):
        a.
        b.
     7. Other transactions with parent holding company (from
        Schedule RI-A, item 13)
        (itemize and describe all such transactions):
        a.
        b.
     8. Adjustments to allowance for loan and lease losses
        (from Schedule RI-B, part II, item 5) (itemize and
        describe all such transactions):
        a.   Merge of assets from affiliate 1/96 and 7/96  . .    7,275
        b.
     9. Other explanations (the space below is provided for
        the bank to briefly describe, at its option, any
        other significant items affecting the Report of
        Income):
        No comment
        Other explanations (please type or print clearly):


                                      -11-
     <PAGE>

                            CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF INCOME

                  ALL REPORT OF INCOME SCHEDULES ARE TO BE REPORTED 
              ON A CALENDAR YEAR-TO-DATE BASIS IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.


                             SCHEDULE RC-C--BALANCE SHEET

               CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION FOR INSURED COMMERCIAL
               AND STATE-CHARTERED SAVINGS BANKS FOR DECEMBER 31, 1996


     All schedules are to be reported in thousands of dollars.  Unless otherwise
     indicated, report the amount outstanding as of the last business day of the
     quarter.

                                                                     FOR THE
                                                                     PERIOD
                                                                   JANUARY 1,
                                                                     1996 TO
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      1996
                                                                    --------
                                                                    (Year-to-
                                                                      date)
     ASSETS
     1.   Cash and balances due from depository institutions
          (from Schedule RC-A):
        a.   Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and
             coin (1)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $  911,301
        b.   Interest-bearing balances (2) . . . . . . . . . .        250  
     2.   Securities:
        a.   Held-to-maturity securities (from Schedule RC-B,
             column A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
        b.   Available-for-sale securities (from Schedule RC-B,
             column D) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2,242,845
     3.   Federal funds sold and securities purchased under
          agreements to resell in domestic offices of the bank
          and of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in
          IBFs:
        a.   Federal funds sold  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    570,505
        b.   Securities purchased under agreements to resell .          0
     4.   Loans and lease financing receivables:
        a.   Loans and leases, net of unearned income (from
             Schedule RC-C)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3,949,963
        b.   LESS:  Allowance for loan and lease losses  . . .     83,086
        c.   LESS:  Allocated transfer risk reserve  . . . . .          0
        d.   Loans and leases, net of unearned income,
             allowance, and reserve (item 4.a minus 4.b 
             and 4.c)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3,866,877
     5.   Trading assets (from Schedule RC-D)  . . . . . . . .          4
     6.   Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized
          leases)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    111,612
     7.   Other real estate owned (from Schedule RC-M) . . . .        428
     8.   Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and
          associated companies (from Schedule RC-M)  . . . . .          0
     9.   Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances
          outstanding  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      2,367
     10.  Intangible assets (from Schedule RC-M) . . . . . . .        119
     11.  Other assets (from Schedule RC-F)  . . . . . . . . .    150,031
                                                                 --------
     12.  Total assets (sum of items 1 through 11) . . . . . . $7,856,335
                                                                 ========

     -----------------------------
     (1)  Includes cash items in process of collection and unposted debits.

     (2)  Includes time certificates of deposit not held for trading.

                                      -12-
     <PAGE>

                     SCHEDULE RC-C--BALANCE SHHET (continued)

                                                                  FOR THE
                                                                  PERIOD
                                                                 JANUARY 1, 
                                                                  1996 TO
                                                                DECEMBER 31,
                                                                   1996
                                                                ------------
                                                                 (Year-to-
                                                                   date)
    LIABILITIES
     13.  Deposits:
        a.   In domestic offices (sum of totals of columns A and
             C from Schedule RC-E, part I) . . . . . . . . . . $7,041,294
          (1)  Noninterest-bearing (1) . . . . . . . . . . . .  2,291,735
          (2)  Interest-bearing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4,749,559
        b.   In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement
             subsidiaries, and IBFs (from Schedule RC-E,
             part II)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    145,559
          (1)  Noninterest-bearing . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
          (2)  Interest-bearing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    145,559
     14.  Federal funds purchased and securities sold under
          agreements to repurchase in domestic offices of the
          bank and of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and
          in IBFs:
        a.   Federal funds purchased . . . . . . . . . . . . .     77,435
        b.   Securities sold under agreements to repurchase  .     21,240
     15.a.   Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury  . . . .          0
        b.   Trading liabilities (from Schedule RC-D)  . . . .          3
     16.  Other borrowed money:
        a.   With a remaining maturity of one year or less . .     12,918
        b.   With a remaining maturity of more than one year .          0
     17.  Mortgage indebtedness and obligations under
          capitalized leases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        194
     18.  Bank's liability on acceptances executed and
          outstanding  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      2,367
     19.  Subordinated notes and debentures  . . . . . . . . .     42,000
     20.  Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G) . . . . . . .    115,885
                                                               ----------
     21.  Total liabilities (sum of items 13 through 20) . . . $7,458,895
                                                               ==========
     22.  Limited-life preferred stock and related surplus . . $        0 
     EQUITY CAPITAL
     23.  Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus  . . .          0
     24.  Common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    100,000
     25.  Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred
          stock) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    204,057
     26.a.   Undivided profits and capital reserves  . . . . .     89,762
        b.   Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-
             for-sale securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      3,621
     27.  Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments           0
                                                               ----------
     28.  Total equity capital (sum of items 23 through 27)  .    397,440
                                                               ==========
     29.  Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock, and
          equity capital (sum of items 21, 22, and 28) . . . . $7,856,335
                                                               ==========

     -----------------------------
     (1)  Includes total demand deposits and noninterest-bearing time and
          savings deposits.

                                      -13-
    <PAGE>

                    SCHEDULE RC-C--BALANCE SHEET (continued)

                                                                     FOR THE
                                                                     PERIOD
                                                                   JANUARY 1,
                                                                     1996 TO
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      1996
                                                                    --------
                                                                    (Year-to-
                                                                      date)

     Memorandum
     ---------------------------------------------------------
     TO BE REPORTED ONLY WITH THE MARCH REPORT OF CONDITION.

     1.   Indicate in the box at the right the number of the       Number
          statement below that best describes the most                N/A
          comprehensive level of auditing work performed for
          the bank by independent external auditors as of any
          date during 1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
      1   =  Independent audit of the bank   4   =  Directors' examination of
             conducted in accordance with           the bank performed by other
             generally accepted auditing            external auditors (may be
             standards by a certified               required by state
             public accounting firm which           chartering authority)
             submits a report on the bank
      2   =  Independent audit of the        5   =  Review of the bank's
             bank's parent holding company          financial statements by
             conducted in accordance with           external auditors
             generally accepted auditing
             standards by a certified        6   =  Compilation of the bank's
             public accounting firm which           financial statements by
             submits a report on the                external auditors
             consolidated holding company
             (but not on the bank
             separately)
      3   =  Directors' examination of the   7   =  Other audit procedures
             bank conducted in accordance           (excluding tax
             with generally accepted              preparation work)
             auditing standards by a
             certified public accounting     8   =  No external audit work
             firm (may be required by
             state chartering authority)


                                      -14-
     <PAGE>

                            CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF INCOME

                  ALL REPORT OF INCOME SCHEDULES ARE TO BE REPORTED 
              ON A CALENDAR YEAR-TO-DATE BASIS IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.


          SCHEDULE RC-A--CASH AND BALANCES DUE FROM DEPOSITORY INSTITUTIONS

     Exclude assets held for trading.

                                                        (COLUMN A)   (COLUMN B)
                                                       CONSOLIDATED   DOMESTIC
                                                           BANK       OFFICES
                                                         --------     --------
                                                        (Calendar year-to-date)
                                                       ------------------------

     1.   Cash items in process of collection,
          unposted debits, and currency and coin . .    $847,914  $      --
        a.   Cash items in process of collection and
             unposted debits . . . . . . . . . . . .          --    701,786
        b.   Currency and coin . . . . . . . . . . .          --    146,128
     2.   Balances due from depository institutions
          in the U.S.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          --     24,662
        a.   U.S. branches and agencies of foreign
             banks (including their IBFs)  . . . . .           0         --
        b.   Other commercial banks in the U.S. and
             other depository institutions in the U.S.
             (including their IBFs)  . . . . . . . .      24,662         --
     3.   Balances due from banks in foreign
          countries and foreign central banks  . . .          --        252
        a.   Foreign branches of other U.S. banks  .           0         --
        b.   Other banks in foreign countries and
             foreign central banks . . . . . . . . .         252         --
     4.   Balances due from Federal Reserve Banks  .      38,723     38,723
                                                        --------   --------
     5.   Total (sum of items 1 through 4) (total of
          column A must equal Schedule RC, sum of
          items 1.a and 1.b) . . . . . . . . . . . .    $911,551   $911,551
                                                        ========   ========

     Memorandum
     -----------------------------------------------
     1.   Noninterest-bearing balances due from commercial banks in
          the U.S. (included in item 2, column B above)  . . . . .   24,662


                                      -15-
     <PAGE>

                            CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF INCOME

                  ALL REPORT OF INCOME SCHEDULES ARE TO BE REPORTED 
              ON A CALENDAR YEAR-TO-DATE BASIS IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.


                              SCHEDULE RC-B--SECURITIES


     Exclude assets held for trading.


                                 HELD-TO-MATURITY    AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
                                 ----------------    ------------------
                               (COLUMN A)           (COLUMN C) (COLUMN D)
                               AMORTIZED (COLUMN B)  AMORTIZED    FAIR
                                  COST   FAIR VALUE    COST     VALUE(1)
                                --------  --------   --------   --------
                                        (Calendar year-to-date)
                                ----------------------------------------

     1.   U.S. Treasury
          securities . . . . .    $0         $0   $   36,745  $  36,903
     2.   U.S. Government
          agency and
          corporation
          obligations (exclude
          mortgage-backed
          securities):
        a.   Issued by U.S.
             Government
             agencies(2) . . .     0          0           68        69
        b.   Issued by U.S.
             Government-
             sponsored
             agencies(3) . . .     0          0       10,333    10,235
     3.   Securities issued by
          states and political
          subdivisions in the
          U.S.:
        a.   General
             obligations . . .     0          0       22,247    22,810
        b.   Revenue
             obligations . . .     0          0       14,229    14,531
        c.   Industrial
             development and
             similar
             obligations . . .     0          0            0         0
     4.   Mortgage-backed securities (MBS):
        a.   Pass-through securities:
          (1)  Guaranteed by
               GNMA  . . . . .     0          0      127,509   129,224
          (2)  Issued by FNMA
               and FHLMC . . .     0          0    2,004,422 2,007,345
          (3)  Other pass-
               through             0          0        3,353     3,353
               securities  . .
        b.   Other mortgage-
             backed securities
             (include CMOs,
             REMICs, and
             stripped MBS):

     -----------------------------

     (1)  Includes equity securities without readily determinable fair 
          values at historical cost in item 6.c, column D.

     (2)  Includes Small Business Administration "Guaranteed Loan Pool
          Certificates," U.S. Maritime Administration obligations for 
          Export-Import Bank participation certificates.

     (3)  Includes obligations (other than mortgage-backed securities) 
          issued by the Farm Credit System, the Federal Home Loan Bank 
          System, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal 
          National Mortgage Association, the Financing Corporation, 
          Resolution Funding Corporation, the Student Loan Marketing 
          Association, and the Tennessee Valley Authority.


                                      -16-
     <PAGE>

                       SCHEDULE RC-B--SECURITIES (continued)


                                 HELD-TO-MATURITY    AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
                                 ----------------    ------------------
                               (COLUMN A)           (COLUMN C) (COLUMN D)
                               AMORTIZED (COLUMN B)  AMORTIZED    FAIR
                                  COST   FAIR VALUE    COST     VALUE(1)
                                --------  --------   --------   --------

          (1)  Issued or
               guaranteed by
               FNMA, FHLMC, or
               GNMA  . . . . .     0          0        2,667     2,640
          (2)  Collateralized
               by MBS issued
               or guaranteed
               by FNMA, FHLMC,
               or GNMA . . . .     0          0          989     1,028
          (3)  All other
               mortgage-backed
               securities  . .     0          0        1,268     1,268
     5.   Other debt
          securities:
        a.   Other domestic
             debt securities .     0          0        3,529     3,528
        b.   Foreign debt
             securities  . . .     0          0            0         0
     6.   Equity securities:
        a.   Investments in
             mutual funds  . .    --         --            0         0
        b.   Other equity
             securities with
             readily
             determinable fair
             values  . . . . .    --         --          822       818
        c.   All other equity
             securities  . . .    --         --        9,093     9,093
                            --------   --------     --------  --------
     7.   Total (sum of items
          1 through 6) (total
          of column A must
          equal Schedule RC,
          item 2.a) (total of
          column D must equal
          Schedule RC, item
          2.b) . . . . . . . .    $0         $0   $2,237,274  $2,242,345
                            ========   ========   ==========  ==========

     -----------------------------

     (1)  Includes equity securities without readily determinable 
          fair values at historical cost in item 6.c, column D.

                                      -17-
     <PAGE>

                     SCHEDULE RC-B--SECURITIES (continued)

                                                           FOR THE
                                                           PERIOD
                                                         JANUARY 1,
                                                           1996 TO
                                                        DECEMBER 31,
                                                            1996
                                                        ------------
                                                          (Year-to-
                                                            date)

     Memoranda
     -----------------------------------------------
     1.   Pledged securities(2)  . . . . . . . . . .  $  98,425
     2.   Maturity and repricing data for debt
          securities (2), (3), (4) (excluding
          those in nonaccrual status):
        a.   Fixed rate debt securities with a            5,813
             remaining maturity of:
          (1)  Three months or less  . . . . . . . .
          (2)  Over three months through 12 months .     38,935
          (3)  Over one year through five years  . .     32,664
          (4)  Over five years . . . . . . . . . . .  1,957,803
          (5)  Total fixed rate debt securities (sum
               of Memorandum items 2.a.(1) through    2,035,215
               2.a.(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
        b.   Floating rate debt securities with a
             repricing frequency of:                    128,815
          (1)  Quarterly or more frequently  . . . .
          (2)  Annually or more frequently, but less     68,904
               frequently than quarterly . . . . . .
          (3)  Every five years or more frequently,           0
               but less frequently than annually . .
          (4)  Less frequently than every five years          0
          (5)  Total floating rate debt securities
               (sum of Memorandum items 2.b.(1)         197,719
               through 2.b.(4))  . . . . . . . . . .  ---------  
        c.   Total debt securities (sum of Memorandum
             items 2.a.(5) and 2.b.(5)) (must equal
             total debt securities from Schedule RC-B,
             sum of items 1 through 5, columns A and  
             D, minus nonaccrual debt securities
             included in Schedule RC-N, item 9,       2,232,934
             column C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  =========
     3.   Not applicable . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         --
     4.   Held-to-maturity debt securities
          restructured and in compliance with                 
          modified terms (included in Schedule RC-B,
          items 3 through 5, column A, above)  . . .          0
     5.   Not applicable . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         --
     6.   Floating rate debt securities with a
          remaining maturity of one year or less (2),     
          (4) (included in Memorandum items 2.b.(1)
          through 2.b.(4) above) . . . . . . . . . .      1,504
     7.   Amortized cost of held-to-maturity
          securities sold or transferred to
          available-for-sale or trading securities            
          during the calendar year-to-date (report
          the amortized cost at date of sale or
          transfer)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
     8.   High-risk mortgage securities (included in
          the held-to-maturity and available-for-sale
          accounts in Schedule RC-B, item 4.b):             
        a.   Amortized cost  . . . . . . . . . . . .        996
        b.   Fair value  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      1,001
     9.   Structured notes (included in the held-to-
          maturity and available-for-sale accounts in
          Schedule RC-B, items 2, 3 and 5):               
        a.   Amortized cost  . . . . . . . . . . . .      2,631
        b.   Fair value  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      2,598


     -----------------------------


     (2)  Includes held-to-maturity securities at amortized cost and 
          available-for-sale securities at fair value.

     (3)  Exclude equity securities, e.g., investments in mutual funds, 
          Federal Reserve stock, common stock, and preferred stock.

     (4)  Memorandum items 2 and 6 are not applicable to savings banks
          that must complete supplemental Schedule RC-J.

                                      -18-
     <PAGE>

                            CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF INCOME

                  ALL REPORT OF INCOME SCHEDULES ARE TO BE REPORTED 
              ON A CALENDAR YEAR-TO-DATE BASIS IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.


                 SCHEDULE RC-C--LOANS AND LEASE FINANCING RECEIVABLES

                              PART I.  LOANS AND LEASES


     Do not deduct the allowance for loan and lease losses from amounts reported
     in this schedule.  Report total loans and leases, net of unearned income. 
     Exclude assets held for trading.

                                                        (COLUMN A)   (COLUMN B)
                                                       CONSOLIDATED   DOMESTIC
                                                           BANK       OFFICES
                                                         --------     --------
                                                        (Calendar year-to-date)
                                                        -----------------------

     1.   Loans secured by real estate . . . . . . .  $1,750,477         --
        a.   Construction and land development . . .          --    167,237
        b.   Secured by farmland (including farm
             residential and other improvements) . .          --     25,866
        c.   Secured by 1-4 family residential
             properties:
          (1)  Revolving, open-end loans secured by
               1-4 family residential properties and
               extended under lines of credit  . . .          --    141,692
          (2)  All other loans secured by 1-4 family
               residential properties:
             (a)  Secured by first liens . . . . . .          --    489,929
             (b)  Secured by junior liens  . . . . .          --    447,308
        d.   Secured by multifamily (5 or more)
             residential properties  . . . . . . . .          --     25,882
        e.   Secured by nonfarm nonresidential
             properties  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          --    452,563
     2.   Loans to depository institutions:
        a.   To commercial banks in the U.S. . . . .          --    100,320
          (1)  To U.S. branches and agencies of
               foreign banks . . . . . . . . . . . .           0         --
          (2)  To other commercial banks in the U.S.     100,320         --
        b.   To other depository institutions in the       
             U.S.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       8,251      8,251
        c.   To banks in foreign countries . . . . .          --        463
          (1)  To foreign branches of other U.S.
               banks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           0         --
          (2)  To other banks in foreign countries .         463         --
     3.   Loans to finance agricultural production
          and other loans to farmers . . . . . . . .      88,278     88,278
     4.   Commercial and industrial loans:
        a.   To U.S. addresses (domicile)  . . . . .     617,664    617,664
        b.   To non-U.S. addresses (domicile)  . . .          24         24
     5.   Acceptances of other banks:
        a.   Of U.S. banks . . . . . . . . . . . . .           0          0
        b.   Of foreign banks  . . . . . . . . . . .           0          0
     6.   Loans to individuals for household, family,
          and other personal expenditures (i.e.,
          consumer loans) (includes purchased paper)          --  1,254,581
        a.   Credit cards and related plans (includes
             check credit and other revolving credit
             plans)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      95,825         --
        b.   Other (includes single payment,
             installment, and all student loans) . .   1,158,756         --

                                      -19-
     <PAGE>

         SCHEDULE RC-C--LOANS AND LEASE FINANCING RECEIVABLES (continued)


                                                        (COLUMN A)   (COLUMN B)
                                                       CONSOLIDATED   DOMESTIC
                                                           BANK       OFFICES
                                                         --------     --------
                                                        (Calendar year-to-date)
                                                        -----------------------

     7.   Loans to foreign governments and official
          institutions (including foreign central              
          banks) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           0          0
     8.   Obligations (other than securities and
          leases) of states and political
          subdivisions in the U.S. (includes nonrated  
          industrial development obligations)  . . .      12,776     12,776
     9.   Other loans  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     118,302         --
        a.   Loans for purchasing or carrying
             securities (secured and unsecured)  . .          --     10,481
        b.   All other loans (exclude consumer loans)         --    107,821
     10.  Lease financing receivables (net of
          unearned income) . . . . . . . . . . . . .          --        193
        a.   Of U.S. addressees (domicile) . . . . .         193         --
        b.   Of non-U.S. addressees (domicile) . . .           0         --
                                                        --------   --------
     11.  LESS:  Any unearned income on loans
          reflected in items 1-9 above . . . . . . .       1,366      1,366
                                                        --------   --------
     12.  Total loans and leases, net of unearned
          income (sum of items 1 through 10 minus
          item 11) (total of column A must equal
          Schedule RC, item 4.a) . . . . . . . . . .  $3,949,963 $3,949,963
                                                        ========   ========
     Memorandum
     -----------------------------------------------
     1.   Commercial paper included in Schedule RC-C,
          part I, above  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $        0   $      0
     2.   Loans and leases restructured and in
          compliance with modified terms (included in
          Schedule RC-C, part I, above and not
          reported as past due or nonaccrual in
          Schedule RC-N, Memorandum item 1):
        a.   Loans secured by real estate:
          (1)  To U.S. addressees (domicile) . . . .           0
          (2)  To non-U.S. addressees (domicile) . .           0
        b.   All other loans and all lease financing
             receivables (exclude loans to individuals
             for household, family, and other personal
             expenditures) . . . . . . . . . . . . .           0
        c.   Commercial and industrial loans to and
             lease financing receivables of non-U.S.
             addressees (domicile) included in
             Memorandum item 2.b above . . . . . . .           0
     3.   Maturity and repricing data for loans and
          leases (1) (excluding those in nonaccrual
          status):
        a.   Fixed rate loans and leases with a       $  769,266
             remaining maturity of:
          (1)  Three months or less  . . . . . . . .
          (2)  Over three months through 12 months .     142,075
          (3)  Over one year through five years  . .   1,075,154
          (4)  Over five years . . . . . . . . . . .     774,263
                                                        --------

     -----------------------------

     (1)  Memorandum item 3 is not applicable to savings banks that must
          complete supplemental Schedule RC-J.

                                      -20-
     <PAGE>

         SCHEDULE RC-C--LOANS AND LEASE FINANCING RECEIVABLES (continued)


                                                        (COLUMN A)   (COLUMN B)
                                                       CONSOLIDATED   DOMESTIC
                                                           BANK       OFFICES
                                                         --------     --------
                                                        (Calendar year-to-date)
                                                        -----------------------

          (5)  Total fixed rate loans and leases (sum
               of Memorandum items 3.a.(1) through    $2,760,758
               3.a.(4))  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    ========
        b.   Floating rate loans with a repricing
             frequency of:                            
          (1)  Quarterly or more frequently  . . . .  $1,075,758
          (2)  Annually or more frequently, but less
               frequently than quarterly . . . . . .      19,195
          (3)  Every five years or more frequently,
               but less frequently than annually . .           0
          (4)  Less frequently than every five years           0
                                                        --------
          (5)  Total floating rate loans (sum of
               Memorandum items 3.b.(1) through
               3.b.(4))  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $1,094,987
                                                        ========
        c.   Total loans and leases (sum of Memorandum
             items 3.a.(5) and 3.b.(5)) (must equal
             the sum of total loans and leases, net,
             from Schedule RC-C, part I, item 12, plus
             unearned income from Schedule RC-C, part
             I, item 11 minus total nonaccrual loans
             and leases from Schedule RC-N, sum of
             items 1 through 8, column C)  . . . . .  $3,855,745
                                                        ========
        d.   Floating rate loans with a remaining
             maturity of one year or less (included in
             Memorandum items 3.b.(1) through 3.b.(4)
             above)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        $  0
                                                        ========
     4.   Loans to finance commercial real estate,
          construction, and land development
          activities (not secured by real estate)
          included in Schedule RC-C, part I, items 4
          and 9, column A, page RC-6 (2) . . . . . .    $      0
     5.   Loans and leases held for sale (included in
          Schedule RC-C, part I, above)  . . . . . .           0
     6.   Adjustable rate closed-end loans secured by
          first liens on 1-4 family residential
          properties (included in Schedule RC-C, part
          I, item 1.c.(2)(a), column B, page RC-6) . $   190,730
                                                        ========

     -----------------------------
     (2)  Exclude loans secured by real estate that are included in
          Schedule RC-C, part I, item 1, column A.

                                      -21-
     <PAGE>

                            CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF INCOME

                  ALL REPORT OF INCOME SCHEDULES ARE TO BE REPORTED 
              ON A CALENDAR YEAR-TO-DATE BASIS IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.


                    SCHEDULE RC-D--TRADING ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

     Schedule RC-D is to be completed only by banks with $1 billion or more in
     total assets or with $2 billion or more in par/notional amount of off-
     balance sheet derivative contracts (as reported in Schedule RC-L, items
     14.a through 14.e, columns A through D).

                                                                     FOR THE
                                                                     PERIOD
                                                                   JANUARY 1,
                                                                     1996 TO
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      1996
                                                                    --------
                                                                    (Year-to-
                                                                      date)
     ASSETS
     1.   U.S. Treasury securities in domestic offices . . . .      $0
     2.   U.S. Government agency and corporation obligations in
          domestic offices (exclude mortgage-backed securities)      0
     3.   Securities issued by states and political
          subdivisions in the U.S. in domestic offices . . . .       0
     4.   Mortgage-backed securities (MBS) in domestic offices:
        a.   Pass-through securities issued or guaranteed by
             FNMA, FHLMC, or GNMA  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       0
        b.   Other mortgage-backed securities issued or
             guaranteed by FNMA, FHLMC, or GNMA (include CMOs,       0
             REMICs, and stripped MBS) . . . . . . . . . . . .
        c.   All other mortgage-backed securities  . . . . . .       0
     5.   Other debt securities in domestic offices  . . . . .       0
     6.   Certificates of deposit in domestic offices  . . . .       0
     7.   Commercial paper in domestic offices . . . . . . . .       0
     8.   Bankers acceptances in domestic offices  . . . . . .       0
     9.   Other trading assets in domestic offices . . . . . .       0
     10.  Trading assets in foreign offices  . . . . . . . . .       0
     11.  Revaluation gains on interest rate, foreign exchange
          rate, and other commodity and equity contracts:
        a.   In domestic offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       0
        b.   In foreign offices  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       0
     12.  Total trading assets (sum of items 1 through 11)
          (must equal Schedule RC, item 5) . . . . . . . . . .      $0
                                                                    ==
     LIABILITIES
     13.  Liability for short positions  . . . . . . . . . . .       0
     14.  Revaluation losses on interest rate, foreign exchange
          rate, and other commodity and equity contracts . . .       3
                                                                    --
     15.  Total trading liabilities (sum of items 13 and 14)
          (must equal Schedule RC, item 15.b)  . . . . . . . .      $3
                                                                    ==

                                      -22-
     <PAGE>

                            CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF INCOME

                  ALL REPORT OF INCOME SCHEDULES ARE TO BE REPORTED 
              ON A CALENDAR YEAR-TO-DATE BASIS IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.


                          SCHEDULE RC-E--DEPOSIT LIABILITIES

                        PART I.  DEPOSITS IN DOMESTIC OFFICES

                                                          NONTRANSACTION
                                  TRANSACTION ACCOUNTS       ACCOUNTS
                               ------------------------   --------------

                                (COLUMN A)
                                   TOTAL      (COLUMN B)    (COLUMN C)
                                TRANSACTION  MEMO: TOTAL    TOTAL NON-
                                 ACCOUNTS       DEMAND     TRANSACTION
                                (INCLUDING     DEPOSITS      ACCOUNTS
                               TOTAL DEMAND  (INCLUDED IN   (INCLUDING
                                 DEPOSITS)    COLUMN A)       MMDAS)
                                 --------      --------      --------
                                        (Calendar year-to-date)
                                 -------------------------------------

     Deposits of:
     1.   Individuals,
          partnerships, and
          corporations . . . .$2,487,964    $1,877,697     $3,851,993
     2.   U.S. Government  . .    17,805        17,805              0
     3.   States and political
          subdivisions in the
          U.S. . . . . . . . .   207,814       131,622         62,246
     4.   Commercial banks in
          the U.S. . . . . . .   172,390       172,390              0
     5.   Other depository
          institutions in the
          U.S. . . . . . . . .     7,490         7,490              0
     6.   Banks in foreign
          countries  . . . . .    29,119        29,199              0
     7.   Foreign governments
          and official
          institutions
          (including foreign
          central banks) . . .         0             0        141,861
     8.   Certified and
          official checks  . .    55,612        55,612             --
                                --------      --------       --------
     9.   Total (sum of items
          1 through 8) (sum of
          columns A and C must
          equal Schedule RC,
          item 13.a) . . . . .$2,978,194    $2,291,735     $4,063,100
                              ==========    ==========     ==========


                                                                     FOR THE
                                                                     PERIOD
                                                                   JANUARY 1,
                                                                     1996 TO
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      1996
                                                                    --------
                                                                    (Calendar
     Memorandum                                                   year-to-date)
     --------------------------------------------------------
     1.   Selected components of total deposits (i.e., sum of
          item 9, columns A and C):
        a.   Total Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and
             Keogh Plan Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    228,106
        b.   Total brokered deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
        c.   Fully insured brokered deposits (included in
             Memorandum item 1.b above):
          (1)  Issued in denominations of less than $100,000 .          0
          (2)  Issued either in denominations of $100,000 or in
               denominations greater than $100,000 and
               participated out by the broker in share of
               $100,000 or less  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
        d.   Maturity data for brokered deposits:
          (1)  Brokered deposits issued in denominations of
               less than $100,000 with a remaining maturity of
               one year or less (included in Memorandum item
               1.c.(1) above . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0

                                      -23-
     <PAGE>

                 SCHEDULE RC-E--DEPOSIT LIABILITIES (continued)

                                                                     FOR THE
                                                                     PERIOD
                                                                   JANUARY 1,
                                                                     1996 TO
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      1996
                                                                    --------
                                                                   (Calendar
                                                                 year-to-date)
          Memorandum
          ----------------------------------------------------
          (2)  Brokered deposits issued in denominations of
               $100,000 or more with a remaining maturity of
               one year or less (included in Memorandum item
               1.b above)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
        e.   Preferred deposits (uninsured deposits of states
             and political subdivisions in the U.S. reported in
             item 3 above which are secured or collateralized as
             required under state law) . . . . . . . . . . . .    235,982
     2.   Components of total nontransaction accounts (sum of
          Memorandum items 2.a through 2.d must equal item 9,
          column C above):
        a.   Savings deposits:
          (1)  Money market deposit accounts (MMDAs) . . . . .  1,612,646
          (2)  Other savings deposits (excludes MMDAs) . . . .  1,049,547
        b.   Total time deposits of less than $100,000 . . . .  1,021,287
        c.   Time certificates of $100,000 or more . . . . . .    237,759
        d.   Open-account time deposits of $100,000 or more  .    141,861
     3.   All NOW accounts (included in column A above)  . . .    675,004
     4.   Not applicable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         --
     5.   Maturity and repricing data for time deposits of less
          than $100,000 (sum of Memorandum items 5.a.(1)
          through 5.b.(3) must equal Memorandum item 2.b
          above):(1) 
        a.   Fixed rate time deposits of less than $100,000 with
             a remaining maturity of:
          (1)  Three months or less  . . . . . . . . . . . . .    245,097
          (2)  Over three months through 12 months . . . . . .    507,418
          (3)  Over one year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    268,772
        b.   Floating rate time deposits of less than $100,000
             with a repricing frequency of:
          (1)  Quarterly or more frequently  . . . . . . . . .          0
          (2)  Annually or more frequently, but less frequently         0
               than quarterly  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
          (3)  Less frequently than annually . . . . . . . . .          0
        c.   Floating rate time deposits of less than $100,000
             with a remaining maturity of one year or less
             (included in Memorandum items 5.b.(1) through
             5.b.(3) above)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
     6.   Maturity and repricing data for time deposits of
          $100,000 or more (i.e., time certificate of deposit
          of $100,000 or more and open-account time deposits of
          $100,000 or more) (sum of Memorandum items 6.a.(1)
          through 6.b.(4) must equal the sum of Memorandum
          items 2.c and 2.d above):(1)
        a.   Fixed rate time deposits of $100,000 or more with a
             remaining maturity of:
          (1)  Three months or less  . . . . . . . . . . . . .    253,192
          (2)  Over three months through 12 months . . . . . .     98,004
          (3)  Over one year through five years  . . . . . . .     27,961
          (4)  Over five years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        463

     -----------------------------

     (1)  Memorandum items 5 and 6 are not applicable to savings banks 
          that must complete supplemental Schedule RC-J.

                                      -24-
     <PAGE>

                 SCHEDULE RC-E--DEPOSIT LIABILITIES (continued)

                                                                     FOR THE
                                                                     PERIOD
                                                                   JANUARY 1,
                                                                     1996 TO
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      1996
                                                                    --------
                                                                    (Calendar
     Memorandum                                                   year-to-date)
     --------------------------------------------------------- 
        b.   Floating rate time deposits of $100,000 or more
             with a repricing frequency of:
          (1)  Quarterly or more frequently  . . . . . . . . .          0
          (2)  Annually or more frequently, but less frequently
               than quarterly  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
          (3)  Every five years or more frequently, but less
               frequently than
             annually  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
          (4)  Less frequently than every five years . . . . .          0
        c.   Floating rate time deposits of $100,000 ore more
             with a remaining maturity of one year or less
             (included in Memorandum items 6.b.(1) through              
             6.b.(4) above)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0


                                      -25-
     <PAGE>

                            CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF INCOME

                  ALL REPORT OF INCOME SCHEDULES ARE TO BE REPORTED 
              ON A CALENDAR YEAR-TO-DATE BASIS IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.


                          SCHEDULE RC-E--DEPOSIT LIABILITIES

         PART II.  DEPOSITS IN FOREIGN OFFICES (INCLUDING EDGE AND AGREEMENT
                   SUBSIDIARIES AND IBFS)


                                                                     FOR THE
                                                                     PERIOD
                                                                   JANUARY 1,
                                                                     1996 TO
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      1996
                                                                    --------
                                                                    (Year-to-
                                                                      date)

     1.   Individuals, partnerships, and corporations  . . . .   $145,559
     2.   U.S. banks (including IBFs and foreign branches of
          U.S. banks)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
     3.   Foreign banks (including U.S. branches and agencies
          of foreign banks, including their IBFs)  . . . . . .          0
     4.   Foreign governments and official institutions                 0
          (including foreign central banks)  . . . . . . . . .
     5.   Certified and official checks  . . . . . . . . . . .          0
     6.   All other deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
                                                                 --------
     7.   Total (sum of items 1 through 6) (must equal Schedule
          RC, item 13.b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $145,559
                                                                 ========

     Memorandum
     ---------------------------------------------------------
     1.   Time deposits with a remaining maturity of one year
          or less (included in Part II, item 7 above)  . . . .     10,052

                             SCHEDULE RC-F--OTHER ASSETS

     1.   Income earned, not collected on loans  . . . . . . .   $ 22,256
     2.   Net deferred tax assets(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . .     39,036
     3.   Excess residential mortgage servicing fees receivable         0
     4.   Other (itemize and describe amounts that exceed 25%
          of this item)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     88,739
                                                                 --------
        a.   Accrued Inc Rec Pass-thru Securities  . . . . . .     12,504
        b.   Accrued Inc Rec Pass-thru Securities  . . . . . .      9,460
        c.
     5.   Total (sum of items 1 through 4) (must equal Schedule
          RC, item 11) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $150,031
                                                                 ========

     Memorandum
     ---------------------------------------------------------
     1.   Deferred tax assets disallowed for regulatory capital
          purposes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0

                           SCHEDULE RC-G--OTHER LIABILITIES

     1. a.   Interest accrued and unpaid on deposits in
             domestic offices(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $ 18,281
        b.   Other expenses accrued and unpaid (includes accrued
             income taxes payable) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     79,337
     2.   Net deferred tax liabilities(2)  . . . . . . . . . .          0
     3.   Minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries . . .          0

     -----------------------------

     (1)  See discussion of deferred income taxes in Glossary entry on
          "income taxes."

     (2)  For savings banks, include "dividends" accrued and unpaid on 
          deposits.

                                     -26-
     <PAGE>


     4.   Other (itemize and describe amounts that exceed 25%
          of this item)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     18,267
        a.   Accrued PostRetirement Medical  . . . . . . . . .    $ 6,675
                                                                 --------
        b.
        c.
     5.   Total (sum of items 1 through 4) (must equal Schedule
          RC, item 20) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $115,885
                                                                 ========


                                      -27-
     <PAGE>

                            CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF INCOME

                  ALL REPORT OF INCOME SCHEDULES ARE TO BE REPORTED 
              ON A CALENDAR YEAR-TO-DATE BASIS IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.


           SCHEDULE RC-H--SELECTED BALANCE SHEET ITEMS FOR DOMESTIC OFFICES


                                                                     FOR THE
                                                                     PERIOD
                                                                   JANUARY 1,
                                                                     1996 TO
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      1996
                                                                    --------
                                                                    (Year-to-
                                                                      date)
     1.   Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances
          outstanding  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      2,367
     2.   Bank's liability on acceptances executed and
          outstanding  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      2,367
     3.   Federal funds sold and securities purchased under
          agreements to resell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    570,505
     4.   Federal funds purchased and securities sold under
          agreements to repurchase . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     98,675
     5.   Other borrowed money . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     12,913
          EITHER
     6.   Net due from own foreign offices, Edge and Agreement
          subsidiaries, and IBFs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        N/A
          OR
     7.   Net due to own foreign offices, Edge and Agreement
          subsidiaries, and IBFs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    145,559
                                                               ----------
     8.   Total assets (excludes net due from foreign offices,
          Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs) . . . . . $7,856,335
                                                               ==========
     9.   Total liabilities (excludes net due to foreign
          offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs)  $6,891,407
                                                               ==========

     ITEMS 10-17 INCLUDE HELD-TO-MATURITY AND AVAILABLE-FOR-
     SALE SECURITIES IN DOMESTIC OFFICES.
     10.  U.S. Treasury securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     36,903
     11.  U.S. Government agency and corporation obligations
          (exclude mortgage-backed securities) . . . . . . . .     10,304
     12.  Securities issued by states and political
          subdivisions in the U.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     37,341
     13.  Mortgage-backed securities (MBS):
        a.   Pass-through securities:
          (1)  Issued or guaranteed by FNMA, FHLMC, or GNMA  .  2,136,569
          (2)  Other pass-through securities . . . . . . . . .      3,353
        b.   Other mortgage-backed securities (include CMOs,
             REMICs, and stripped MBS):
          (1)  Issued or guaranteed by FNMA, FHLMC, or GNMA  .      2,640
          (2)  All other mortgage-backed securities  . . . . .      2,296
     14.  Other domestic debt securities . . . . . . . . . . .      3,528
     15.  Foreign debt securities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
     16.  Equity securities:
        a.   Investments in mutual funds . . . . . . . . . . .          0
        b.   Other equity securities with readily determinable
             fair values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        818
        c.   All other equity securities . . . . . . . . . . .      9,093
                                                               ----------
     17.  Total held-to-maturity and available-for-sale
          securities (sum of items 10 through 16)  . . . . . . $2,242,845
                                                               ==========
     Memorandum (to be completed only by banks with IBFs and
     other "foreign" offices)
     ---------------------------------------------------------
        EITHER
     1.   Net due from the IBF of the domestic offices of the
          reporting bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        397

                                      -28-
     <PAGE>


        OR
     2.   Net due to the IBF of the domestic offices of the
          reporting bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        N/A



                                      -29-
     <PAGE>

                            CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF INCOME

                  ALL REPORT OF INCOME SCHEDULES ARE TO BE REPORTED 
              ON A CALENDAR YEAR-TO-DATE BASIS IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.

                SCHEDULE RC-I--SELECTED ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OF IBFS

         To be completed only by banks with IBFs and other "foreign" offices.

                                                                     FOR THE
                                                                     PERIOD
                                                                   JANUARY 1,
                                                                     1996 TO
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      1996
                                                                    --------
                                                                    (Year-to-
                                                                      date)
     1.   Total IBF assets of the consolidated bank (component
          of Schedule RC, item 12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     397
     2.   Total IBF loans and lease financing receivables
          (component of Schedule RC-C, part I, item 12, column
          A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       0
     3.   IBF commercial and industrial loans (component of
          Schedule RC-C, part I, item 4, column A) . . . . . .       0
     4.   Total IBF liabilities (component of Schedule RC, item
          21)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       0
     5.   IBF deposit liabilities due to banks, including other
          IBFs (component of Schedule RC-E, part II, items 2
          and 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       0
     6.   Other IBF deposit liabilities (component of Schedule
          RC-E, part II, items 1, 4, 5, and 6) . . . . . . . .       0

                         SCHEDULE RC-K--QUARTERLY AVERAGES(1)
                                                                     FOR THE
                                                                     PERIOD
                                                                   JANUARY 1,
                                                                     1996 TO
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      1996
                                                                    --------
                                                                    (Year-to-
                                                                      date)
     1.   Interest-bearing balances due from depository
          institutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $    1,248
     2.   U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Government agency
          and corporation obligations(2) . . . . . . . . . . .  2,541,237
     3.   Securities issued by states and political
          subdivisions in the U.S.(2)  . . . . . . . . . . . .     46,790
     4. a.   Other debt securities(2)  . . . . . . . . . . . .      9,556
        b.   Equity securities(3) (includes investments in
             mutual funds and Federal Reserve stock) . . . . .      9,969
     5.   Federal funds sold and securities purchased under
          agreements to resell in domestic offices of the bank
          and of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in
          IBFs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    581,458
     6.   Loans:
        a.   Loans in domestic offices:
          (1)  Total loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3,505,468
          (2)  Loans secured by real estate  . . . . . . . . .  1,697,938
          (3)  Loans to finance agricultural production and        81,950
               other loans to farmers  . . . . . . . . . . . .
          (4)  Commercial and industrial loans . . . . . . . .    704,741
          (5)  Loans to individuals for household, family, and
               other personal expenditures . . . . . . . . . .    645,138

     -----------------------------

     (1)  For all items, banks have the option of reporting either (1) an
          average of daily figures for the quarter, or (2) an average of
          weekly figures (i.e., the Wednesday of each week of the quarter).

     (2)  Quarterly averages for all debt securities should be based on
          amortized cost.

     (3)  Quarterly averages for all equity securities should be based on
          historical cost.

                                      -30-
     <PAGE>

                 SCHEDULE RC-K--QUARTERLY AVERAGES (continued)

                                                                   FOR THE
                                                                   PERIOD
                                                                  JANUARY 1,
                                                                   1996 TO
                                                                  DECEMBER 1,
                                                                    1996
                                                                 ----------
                                                                  (Year-to-
                                                                    date)

        b.   Total loans in foreign offices, Edge and Agreement
             subsidiaries, and IBFs  . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
     7.   Trading assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
     8.   Lease financing receivables (net of unearned income)        187
                                                               ----------
     9.   Total assets(4)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,413,858
                                                               ==========
     LIABILITIES
     10.  Interest-bearing transaction accounts in domestic
          offices (NOW accounts, ATS accounts, and telephone
          and preauthorized transfer accounts) (exclude demand
          deposits)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    547,903
     11.  Nontransaction accounts in domestic offices:
        a.   Money market deposit accounts (MMDAs) . . . . . .  1,577,003
        b.   Other savings deposits  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1,082,527
        c.   Time certificates of deposits of $100,000 or more    311,937
        d.   All other time deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1,211,162
     12.  Interest-bearing deposits in foreign offices, Edge
          and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs . . . . . . . .    114,287
     13.  Federal funds purchased and securities sold under
          agreements to repurchase in domestic offices of the
          bank and of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and
          in IBFs  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    116,357
     14.  Other borrowed money . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     11,229

     -----------------------------

     (4)  The quarterly average for total assets should reflect all debt
          securities (not held for trading) at amortized cost, equity 
          securities with readily determinable fair values at the lower 
          of cost or fair value, and equity securities without readily 
          determinable fair values at historical cost.

                                      -31-
     <PAGE>

                            CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF INCOME

                  ALL REPORT OF INCOME SCHEDULES ARE TO BE REPORTED 
              ON A CALENDAR YEAR-TO-DATE BASIS IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.

                        SCHEDULE RC-L--OFF-BALANCE SHEET ITEMS

     Please read carefully the instructions for the preparation of Schedule RC-
     L.  Some of the amounts reported in Schedule RC-L are regarded as volume
     indicators and not necessarily as measures of risk.

                                                                     FOR THE
                                                                     PERIOD
                                                                   JANUARY 1,
                                                                     1996 TO
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      1996
                                                                    --------
                                                                    (Year-to-
                                                                      date)
     1.   Unused comments:
        a.   Revolving, open-end lines secured by 1-4 family
             residential properties, e.g., home equity lines .    188,786
        b.   Credit card lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
        c.   Commercial real estate, construction, and land
             development:
          (1)  Commitments to fund loans secured by real estate   138,457
          (2)  Commitments to fund loans not secured by real
               estate  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         76
        d.   Securities underwriting . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
        e.   Other unused commitments  . . . . . . . . . . . .  1,479,818
     2.   Financial standby letters of credit and foreign
          office guarantees  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     37,671
        a.   Amount of financial standby letters of credit
             conveyed to others  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
     3.   Performance standby letters of credit and foreign
          office guarantees  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      7,735
        a.   Amount of performance standby letters of credit
             conveyed to others  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
     4.   Commercial and similar letters of credit . . . . . .        120
     5.   Participations in acceptances (as described in the
          instructions) conveyed to others by the reporting
          bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
     6.   Participations in acceptances (as described in the
          instructions) acquired by the reporting
          (nonaccepting) bank  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
     7.   Securities borrowed  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    139,149
     8.   Securities lent (including customers' securities lent
          where the customer is indemnified against loss by the
          reporting bank)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1,059,277
     9.   Loans transferred (i.e., sold or swapped) with
          recourse that have been treated as sold for Call
          Report purposes:
        a.   FNMA and FHLMC residential mortgage loan pools:
          (1)  Outstanding principal balance of mortgages
               transferred as of the report date . . . . . . .          0
          (2)  Amount of recourse exposure on these mortgages
               as of the report date . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
        b.   Private (nongovernment-issued or -guaranteed)
             residential mortgage loan pools:
          (1)  Outstanding principal balance of mortgages
               transferred as of the report date . . . . . . .          0
          (2)  Amount of recourse exposure on these mortgages
               as of the report date . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
        c.   Farmer Mac agricultural mortgage loan pools:
          (1)  Outstanding principal balance of mortgages
               transferred as of the report date . . . . . . .          0
          (2)  Amount of recourse exposure on these mortgages
               as of the report date . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
        d.   Small business obligations transferred with
             recourse under Section 208 of the Riegle Community
             Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994:
          (1)  Outstanding principal balance of small business
               obligations transferred as of the report date .          0
          (2)  Amount of retained recourse on these obligations
               as of the report date . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0

                                      -32-
     <PAGE>

               SCHEDULE RC-L--OFF-BALANCE SHEET ITEMS (continued)

                                                                     FOR THE
                                                                     PERIOD
                                                                   JANUARY 1,
                                                                     1996 TO
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      1996
                                                                    --------
                                                                    (Year-to-
                                                                      date)
     10.  When-issued securities:
        a.   Gross commitments to purchase . . . . . . . . . .          0
        b.   Gross commitments to sell . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
     11.  Spot foreign exchange contracts  . . . . . . . . . .         32
     12.  All other off-balance sheet liabilities (exclude off-
          balance sheet derivatives) (itemize and describe each
          component of this item over 25% of Schedule RC, item
          28, "Total equity capital")  . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
        a.
        b.
        c.
        d.
     13.  All other off-balance sheet assets (exclude off-
          balance sheet derivatives) (itemize and describe each
          component of this item over 25% of Schedule RC, item
          28, "Total equity capital")  . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
        a.
        b.
        c.
        d.


                               (COLUMN A)(COLUMN B) (COLUMN C) (COLUMN D)
                                INTEREST   FOREIGN    EQUITY   COMMODITY
                                  RATE    EXCHANGE  DERIVATIVE AND OTHER
                               CONTRACTS  CONTRACTS  CONTRACTS CONTRACTS
                                --------  --------   --------   --------
         Off-balance Sheet              (Calendar year-to-date)
            Derivatives         ----------------------------------------
        Position Indicators
     ------------------------
     14.  Gross amounts (e.g.,
          notional amounts)
          (for each column,
          sum of items 14.a
          through 14.e must
          equal sum of items
          15, 16.a, and 16.b):
        a.   Futures contracts       0        0          0         0
        b.   Forward contracts       0      260          0         0
        c.   Exchange-traded
             option contracts:
          (1)  Written options       0        0          0         0
          (2)  Purchased
               options . . . .       0        0          0         0
        d.   Over-the-counter
             option contracts:
          (1)  Written options       0        0          0         0
          (2)  Purchased
               options . . . .       0        0          0         0
        e.   Swaps . . . . . .       0        0          0         0
                                  ----     ----       ----      ----
     15.  Total gross notional
          amount of derivative
          contracts held for
          trading  . . . . . .       0      260          0         0
                                  ====     ====       ====      ====
     16.  Total gross notional
          amount of derivative
          contracts held for
          purposes other than
          trading:
        a.   Contracts marked
             to market . . . .       0        0          0         0
                                  ====     ====       ====      ====
        b.   Contracts not
             marked to market        0        0          0         0
                                  ====     ====       ====      ====

                                      -33-
     <PAGE>

                SCHEDULE RC-L--OFF-BALANCE SHEET ITEMS (continued)


                               (COLUMN A)(COLUMN B) (COLUMN C) (COLUMN D)
                                INTEREST   FOREIGN    EQUITY   COMMODITY
                                  RATE    EXCHANGE  DERIVATIVE AND OTHER
                               CONTRACTS  CONTRACTS  CONTRACTS CONTRACTS
                                --------  --------   --------   --------
         Off-balance Sheet              (Calendar year-to-date)
            Derivatives         ----------------------------------------
        Position Indicators
     ------------------------
     17.  Gross fair values of
          derivative
          contracts:
        a.   Contracts held
             for trading: 
          (1)  Gross positive
               fair value  . .       0        0          0         0
          (2)  Gross negative
               fair value  . .       0        3          0         0
        b.   Contracts held
             for purposes
             other than
             trading that are
             marked to market:
          (1)  Gross positive                 
               fair value  . .       0        0          0         0
          (2)  Gross negative
               fair value  . .       0        0          0         0
        c.   Contracts held
             for purposes
             other than
             trading that are
             not marked to
             market:
          (1)  Gross positive
               fair value  . .       0        0          0         0
          (2)  Gross negative
               fair value  . .       0        0          0         0


                                                                     FOR THE
                                                                     PERIOD
                                                                   JANUARY 1,
                                                                     1996 TO
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      1996
                                                                    --------
                                                                    (Year-to-
                                                                      date)
     Memoranda
     ---------------------------------------------------------
     1.-2.  Not applicable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        --
     3.   Unused commitments with an original maturity
          exceeding one year that are reported in Schedule RC-
          L, items 1.a through 1.e, above (report only the
          unused portions of commitments that are fee paid or
          otherwise legally binding) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,044,892
        a.   Participations in commitments with an original
             maturity exceeding one year conveyed to others  .   211,022
     4.   To be completed only by banks with $1 billion or more
          in total assets:
        Standby letters of credit and foreign office guarantees
        (both financial and performance) issued to non-U.S.
        addressees (domicile) included in Schedule RC-L, items 2
        and 3, above . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         0
     5.   Installment loans to individuals for household,
          family, and other personal expenditures that have
          been securitized and sold without recourse (with
          servicing retained), amounts outstanding by type of
          loan:
        a.   Loans to purchase private passenger automobiles (to
             be completed for the September report only) . . .       N/A
        b.   Credit cards and related plans (TO BE COMPLETED
             QUARTERLY)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    74,949
        c.   All other consumer installment credit (including
             mobile home loans) (to be completed for the
             September report only)  . . . . . . . . . . . . .       N/A

                                      -39-
     <PAGE>

                            CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF INCOME

                  ALL REPORT OF INCOME SCHEDULES ARE TO BE REPORTED 
              ON A CALENDAR YEAR-TO-DATE BASIS IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.

                               SCHEDULE RC-M--MEMORANDA


                                                                     FOR THE
                                                                     PERIOD
                                                                   JANUARY 1,
                                                                     1996 TO
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      1996
                                                                    --------
                                                                    (Year-to-
                                                                      date)
     1.   Extensions of credit by the reporting bank to its
          executive officers, directors, principal
          shareholders, and their related interests as of the
          report date:
        a.   Aggregate amount of all extensions of credit to all
             executive officers, directors, principal
             shareholders, and their related interests . . . .  $   1,399
        b.   Number of executive officers, directors, and
             principal shareholders to whom the amount of all
             extensions of credit by the reporting bank
             (including extensions of credit to related
             interests) equals or exceeds the lesser of $500,000
             or 5 percent of total capital as defined for this     Number
             purpose in agency regulations . . . . . . . . . .          2
     2.   Federal funds sold and securities purchased under
          agreements to resell with U.S. branches and agencies
          of foreign banks(1) (included in Schedule RC, items
          3.a and 3.b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
     3.   Not applicable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         --
     4.   Outstanding principal balance of 1-4 family
          residential mortgage loans serviced for others
          (include both retained servicing and purchased
          servicing):
        a.   Mortgages serviced under a GNMA contract  . . . .          0
        b.   Mortgages serviced under a FHLMC contract:
          (1)  Serviced with recourse to servicer  . . . . . .          0
          (2)  Serviced without recourse to servicer . . . . .          0
        c.   Mortgages serviced under a FNMA contract:
          (1)  Serviced under a regular option contract  . . .          0
          (2)  Serviced under a special option contract  . . .          0
        d.   Mortgages serviced under other servicing contracts         0
     5.   To be completed only by banks with $1 billion or more
          in total assets:
        Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances
        outstanding (sum of items 5.a and 5.b must equal
        Schedule RC, item 9):
        a.   U.S. addressees (domicile)  . . . . . . . . . . .      2,367
        b.   Non-U.S. addressees (domicile)  . . . . . . . . .          0
     6.   Intangible assets:
        a.   Mortgage servicing rights . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
        b.   Other identifiable intangible assets:
          (1)  Purchased credit card relationships . . . . . .          0
          (2)  All other identifiable intangible assets  . . .          0
        c.   Goodwill  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        119
                                                                 --------
        d.   Total (sum of items 6.a through 6.c ) (must equal
             Schedule RC, item 10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        119
                                                                 ========
        e.   Amount of intangible assets (included in
             item 6.b.(2) above) that have been grandfathered or
             are otherwise qualifying for regulatory capital
             purposes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0

     -----------------------------

     (1)  Do not report federal funds sold and securities purchased under 
          agreements to resell with other commercial banks in the U.S. in 
          this item.

                                      -35-
     <PAGE> 

                           SCHEDULE RC-M (continued)

                                                                     FOR THE
                                                                     PERIOD
                                                                   JANUARY 1,
                                                                     1996 TO
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      1996
                                                                    --------
                                                                    (Year-to-
                                                                      date)

     7.   Mandatory convertible debt, net of common or
          perpetual preferred stock dedicated to redeem the
          debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
     8. a.  Other real estate owned:
          (1)  Direct and indirect investments in real estate
               ventures  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
          (2)  All other real estate owned:
             (a)  Construction and land development in domestic
                  offices  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
             (b)  Farmland in domestic offices . . . . . . . .          0
             (c)  1-4 family residential properties in domestic
                  offices  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        428
             (d)  Multifamily (5 or more) residential properties
                  in domestic offices  . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
             (e)  Nonfarm nonresidential properties in domestic
                  office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
             (f)  In foreign offices . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
                                                                 --------
          (3)  Total (sum of items 8.a.(1) and 8.a.(2)  (must
               equal Schedule RC, item 7)  . . . . . . . . . .        428
                                                                 ========
        b.   Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and
             associated companies:
          (1)  Direct and indirect investments in real estate
               ventures  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
          (2)  All other investments in unconsolidated
               subsidiaries and associated companies . . . . .          0
          (3)  Total (sum of items 8.b.(1) and 8.b.(2))  (must
               equal Schedule RC, item 8)  . . . . . . . . . .          0
                                                                 --------
        c.   Total assets of unconsolidated subsidiaries and
             associated companies  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
                                                                 ========
     9.   Noncumulative perpetual preferred stock and related
          surplus included in Schedule RC, item 23, "Perpetual
          preferred stock and related surplus" . . . . . . . .          0
     10.  Mutual fund and annuity sales in domestic offices
          during the quarter (include proprietary, private
          label, and third party products):
        a.   Money market funds  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1,367,503
        b.   Equity securities funds . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
        c.   Debt securities funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
        d.   Other mutual funds  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     24,701
        e.   Annuities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     13,015
        f.   Sales of proprietary mutual funds and annuities
             (included in items 10.a through 10.e above) . . .    987,124

     Memorandum
     ---------------------------------------------------------
     1.   Interbank holdings of capital instruments (to be
          completed for the December report only):
        a.   Reciprocal holdings of banking organizations'
             capital instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
        b.   Nonreciprocal holdings of banking organizations'
             capital instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0

                                      -36-
     <PAGE>

                            CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF INCOME

                  ALL REPORT OF INCOME SCHEDULES ARE TO BE REPORTED 
              ON A CALENDAR YEAR-TO-DATE BASIS IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.

        SCHEDULE RC-N--PAST DUE AND NONACCRUAL LOANS, LEASES, AND OTHER ASSETS

     The FFIEC regards the information reported in all of Memorandum item 1, in
     items 1 through 10, column A, and in Memorandum items 2 through 4, column
     A, as confidential.

                                (COLUMN A)   (COLUMN B)
                                 PAST DUE    PAST DUE 90
                                30 THROUGH     DAYS OR
                                89 DAYS AND   MORE AND
                                   STILL        STILL     (COLUMN C)
                                 ACCRUING     ACCRUING    NONACCRUAL
                                -----------   --------    ----------
                                      (Calendar year-to-date)
                                ------------------------------------
     1.   Loans secured by
          real estate:
        a.   To U.S.
             addressees
             (domicile)  . .  $15,587          $564       $2,516
        b.   To non-U.S.
             addressees
             (domicile)  . .        0             0            0
     2.   Loans to depository
          institutions and
          acceptance of other
          banks:
        a.   To U.S. banks
             and other U.S.
             depository
             institutions  .        0             0            0
        b.   To foreign banks       0             0            0
     3.   Loans to finance
          agricultural
          production and
          other loans to
          farmers  . . . . .    1,156           797            7
     4.   Commercial and
          industrial loans:
        a.   To U.S.
             addressees
             (domicile)  . .   12,299         1,815        1,549
        b.   To non-U.S.
             addressees
             (domicile)  . .        0             0            0
     5.   Loans to
          individuals for
          household, family,
          and other personal
          expenditures:
        a.   Credit cards and
             related plans .    1,566           472            0
        b.   Other (includes
             single payment,
             installment, and
             all student
             loans)  . . . .   15,406         5,173           14
     6.   Loans to foreign
          governments and
          official
          institutions . . .        0             0            0
     7.   All other loans  .       98           555        1,498
     8.   Lease financing
          receivables:
        a.   Of U.S.
             addressees
             (domicile)  . .        0             0            0
        b.   Of non-U.S.
             addressees
             (domicile)  . .        0             0            0
     9.   Debt securities and
          other assets
          (exclude other real
          estate owned and
          other repossessed
          assets)  . . . . .        0             0            0
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------

     Amounts reported in items 1 through 8 above include guaranteed
     and unguaranteed portions of past due and nonaccrual loans and
     leases.  Report in item 10 below certain guaranteed loans and
     leases that have already been included in the amounts reported
     in items 1 through 8.
     10.  Loans and leases
          reported in items 1
          through 8 above
          which are wholly or
          partially
          guaranteed by the
          U.S. Government  .        0             0            0

                                      -37-
     <PAGE> 


                                (COLUMN A)   (COLUMN B)
                                 PAST DUE    PAST DUE 90
                                30 THROUGH     DAYS OR
                                89 DAYS AND   MORE AND
                                   STILL        STILL     (COLUMN C)
                                 ACCRUING     ACCRUING    NONACCRUAL
                                -----------   --------    ----------
                                      (Calendar year-to-date)
                                ------------------------------------

        a.   Guaranteed
             portion of loans
             and leases
             included in
             item 10 above .        0             0            0
     Memoranda
     -----------------------
     1.   Restructured loans
          and leases included
          in Schedule RC-N,
          items 1 through 8,
          above (and not
          reported in
          Schedule RC-C,
          part I, Memorandum
          item 2)  . . . . .        0             0            0
     2.   Loans to finance
          commercial real
          estate,
          construction, and
          land development
          activities (not
          secured by real
          estate) included in
          Schedule RCN,
          items 4 and 7,
          above  . . . . . .        0             0            0
     3.   Loans secured by
          real estate in
          domestic offices
          (included in
          Schedule RCN,
          item 1 above):
        a.   Construction and
             land development   3,908             7        1,138
        b.   Secured by
             farmland  . . .      531             0            0
        c.   Secured by 1-4
             family
             residential
             properties:
          (1)  Revolving,
               open-end loans
               secured by 1-4
               family
               residential
               properties and
               extended under
               lines of
               credit  . . .    1,109           116           29
          (2)  All other
               loans secured
               by 1-4 family
               residential
               properties  .    4,998           441          392
        d.   Secured by
             multifamily (5
             or more)
             residential
             properties  . .        0             0           58
        e.   Secured by
             nonfarm
             nonresidential
             properties  . .    5,041             0          899


                                (COLUMN A)   (COLUMN B)
                                PAST DUE 30  PAST DUE 90
                                THROUGH 89     DAYS OR
                                   DAYS         MORE
                                 --------     --------
                                (Calendar year-to-date)
                                -----------------------
     4.   Interest rate,
          foreign exchange
          rate, and other
          commodity and
          equity contracts:
        a.   Book value of
             amounts carried
             as assets . . .        0             0
        b.   Replacement cost
             of contracts
             with a positive
             replacement cost       0             0

                                      -38-
     <PAGE>

                            CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF INCOME

                  ALL REPORT OF INCOME SCHEDULES ARE TO BE REPORTED 
              ON A CALENDAR YEAR-TO-DATE BASIS IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.

             SCHEDULE RC-O--OTHER DATA FOR DEPOSIT INSURANCE ASSESSMENTS

                                                                     FOR THE
                                                                     PERIOD
                                                                   JANUARY 1,
                                                                     1996 TO
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      1996
                                                                    --------
                                                                    (Year-to-
                                                                      date)
     1.   Unposted debits (see instructions):
        a.   Actual amount of all unposted debits  . . . . . .       N/A
          OR
        b.   Separate amount of unposted debits:
          (1)  Actual amount of unposted debits to demand
               deposits  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    25,425
          (2)  Actual amount of unposted debits to time and
               savings deposits(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         0
     2.   Unposted credits (see instructions):
        a.   Actual amount of all unposted credits . . . . . .         0
          OR
        b.   Separate amount of unposted credits:
          (1)  Actual amount of unposted debits to demand
               deposits  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       N/A
          (2)  Actual amount of unposted credits to time and
               savings deposits(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       N/A
     3.   Uninvested trust funds (cash) held in bank's own
          trust department (not included in total deposits in
          domestic offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         0
     4.   Deposits of consolidated subsidiaries in domestic
          offices and in insured branches in Puerto Rico and
          U.S. territories and possessions (not included in
          total deposits:
        a.   Demand deposits of consolidated subsidiaries  . .     6,860
        b.   Time and savings deposits(1) of consolidated
             subsidiaries  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         0
        c.   Interest accrued and unpaid on deposits of
             consolidated subsidiaries . . . . . . . . . . . .         0
     5.   Deposits in insured branches in Puerto Rico and U.S.
          territories and possessions:
        a.   Demand deposits in insured branches (included in
             Schedule RCE, Part II)  . . . . . . . . . . . . .         0
        b.   Time and savings deposits(1) in insured branches
             (included in Schedule RCE, Part II) . . . . . . .         0
        c.   Interest accrued and unpaid on deposits in insured
             branches (included in Schedule RC-G, item 1.b)  .         0
     Item 6 is not applicable to state nonmember banks that
     have not been authorized by the Federal Reserve to act as
     pass-through correspondents.

     6.   Reserve balances actually passed through to the
          Federal Reserve by the reporting bank on behalf of
          its respondent depository institutions that are also
          reflected as deposit liabilities of the reporting
          bank:
        a.   Amount reflected in demand deposits (included in
             Schedule RC-E, item 4 or 5, column B  . . . . . .         0
        b.   Amount reflected in time and savings deposits(1)
             (included in Schedule RCE, item 4 or 5, column A or
             C, but not column B)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         0
     7.   Unamortized premiums and discounts on time and
          savings deposits:(1)
        a.   Unamortized premiums  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         0

        b.   Unamortized discounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         0
                                                                --------

     -----------------------------
  
     (1)  For FDIC insurance assessment purposes, "time and savings 
          deposits" consists of nontransaction accounts and all
          transaction accounts other than demand deposits.

                                      -39-
     <PAGE>

                            SCHEDULE RC-O (continued)

                                                                     FOR THE
                                                                     PERIOD
                                                                   JANUARY 1,
                                                                     1996 TO
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      1996
                                                                    --------
                                                                    (Year-to-
                                                                      date)
     8.   To be completed by banks with "Oakar deposits."
          Total "Adjusted Attributable Deposits" of all
          institutions acquired under Section 5(d)(3) of the
          Federal Deposit Insurance Act (from most recent FDIC
          Oakar Transaction Worksheet(s))  . . . . . . . . . .     807,172
                                                                  ========
     9.   Deposits in lifeline accounts  . . . . . . . . . . .          --
     10.  Benefit-responsive "Depository Institution Investment
          Contracts" (included in total deposits in domestic
          offices) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           0
     11.  Adjustments to demand deposits in domestic offices
          reported in Schedule RCE for certain reciprocal
          demand balances:
        a.   Amount by which demand deposits would be reduced if
             reciprocal demand balances between the reporting
             bank and savings associations were reported on a
             net basis rather than a gross basis in Schedule RCE         0
        b.   Amount by which demand deposits would be increased
             if reciprocal demand balances between the reporting
             bank and U.S. branches and agencies of foreign
             banks were reported on a gross basis rather than a
             net basis in Schedule RCE . . . . . . . . . . . .           0
        c.   Amount by which demand deposits would be reduced if
             cash items in process of collection were included
             in the calculation of net reciprocal demand
             balances between the reporting bank and the
             domestic offices of U.S. banks and savings
             associations in Schedule RCE  . . . . . . . . . .           0

     Memoranda (to be completed each quarter except as noted)
     ---------------------------------------------------------
     1.   Total deposits in domestic offices of the bank (sum
          of Memorandum items 1.a.(1) and 1.b.(1) must equal
          Schedule RC, item 13.a):
        a.   Deposit accounts of $100,000 or less:
          (1)  Amount of deposit accounts of $100,000 or less    4,242,160
          (2)  Number of deposit accounts of $100,000 or less       Number
               (to be completed for the June report only)  . .         N/A
        b.   Deposit accounts of more than $100,000:
          (1)  Amount of deposit accounts of more than $100,000  2,799,134
                                                                    Number
          (2)  Number of deposit accounts of more than $100,000      7,671
     2.   Estimated amount of uninsured deposits in domestic
          offices of the bank:
        a.   An estimate of your bank's uninsured deposits can
             be determined by multiplying the number of deposit
             accounts of more than $100,000 reported in
             Memorandum item 1.b.(2) above by $100,000 and
             subtracting the result from the amount of deposit
             accounts of more than $100,000 reported in
             Memorandum item 1.b.(1) above.
            Indicate in the appropriate box at the right whether
            your bank has a method or procedure for determining a  YES   NO
            better estimate of uninsured deposits than the
            estimate described above . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       [X]
        b.   If the box marked YES has been checked, report the
             estimate of uninsured deposits determined by using
             your bank's method or procedures  . . . . . . . .         N/A

                                      -40-
     <PAGE>

                            CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF INCOME

                  ALL REPORT OF INCOME SCHEDULES ARE TO BE REPORTED 
              ON A CALENDAR YEAR-TO-DATE BASIS IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.

                          SCHEDULE RC-R--REGULATORY CAPITAL

     This schedule must be completed by all banks as follows:  Banks that
     reported total assets of $1 billion or more in Schedule RC, item 12, for
     June 30, 1995, must complete items 2 through 9 and Memoranda items 1 and 2.
     Banks with assets of less than $1 billion must complete items 1 through 3
     below or Schedule RCR in its entirety, depending on their response to
     item 1 below.

     1.   Test for determining the extent to which Schedule RCR must be
          completed.  To be completed only by banks with total assets of less
          than $1 billion.  Indicate in the appropriate box at the right whether
          the bank has total capital greater than or equal to eight percent of
          adjusted total assets
             For purposes of this test, adjusted total assets equals total 
          assets less cash, U.S. Treasuries, U.S. Government agency obligations,
          and 80 percent of U.S. Government-sponsored agency obligations plus
          the allowance for loan and lease losses and selected off-balance 
          sheet items as reported on Schedule RCL (see instructions).
             If the box marked YES has been checked, then the bank only has to
          complete items 2 and 3 below.  If the box marked NO has been checked,
          the bank must complete the remainder of this schedule.
             A NO response to item 1 does not necessarily mean that the bank's
          actual risk-based capital ratio is less than eight percent or that 
          the bank is not in compliance with the risk-based capital guidelines.

     NOTE: ALL BANKS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE ITEMS 2 AND 3 BELOW.  SEE OPTIONAL
     WORKSHEET FOR ITEMS 3.A THROUGH 3.F.

                                                 (COLUMN A)
                                                SUBORDINATED  (COLUMN B)
                                                DEBT(1) AND      OTHER
                                                INTERMEDIATE   LIMITED-
                                                    TERM         LIFE
                                                 PREFERRED      CAPITAL
                                                   STOCK      INSTRUMENTS
                                                  --------     --------
                                                 (Calendar year-to-date)
                                                 -----------------------   
     2.   Subordinated debt(1) and other
          limited-life capital instruments
          (original weighted average maturity
          of at least vie years) with a
          remaining maturity of:
        a.   One year or less  . . . . . . . .         0            0
        b.   Over one year through two years .         0            0
        c.   Over two years through three
             years . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         0            0
        d.   Over three years through four
             years . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         0            0
        e.   Over four years through five
             years . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         0            0
        f.   Over five years . . . . . . . . .    42,000            0
     3.   Amounts used in calculating
          regulatory capital ratios (report
          amounts determined by the bank for
          its own internal regulatory capital
          analyses):
        a.   Tier 1 capital  . . . . . . . . .        --      393,700
        b.   Tier 2 capital  . . . . . . . . .        --      102,638
        c.   Total risk-based capital  . . . .        --      496,338
        d.   Excess allowance for loan and
             lease losses  . . . . . . . . . .        --       22,453
        e.   Risk-weighted assets (net of all
             deductions, including
           excess allowance) . . . . . . . . .        --    4,828,573
        f.   "Average total assets" (net of
             all assets deducted from 
           Tier L capital) (2)   . . . . . . .        --    7,413,837

     -----------------------------

     (1)  Exclude mandatory convertible debt reported in Schedule RC-M,
          item 7.

     (2)  Do not deduct excess allowance for loan and lease losses.

                                      -41-
     <PAGE>

                  SCHEDULE RC-R--REGULATORY CAPITAL (continued)

                                                              (COLUMN B)
                                                                CREDIT
                                                 (COLUMN A)   EQUIVALENT
                                                   ASSETS      AMOUNT OF
     Items 4-9 and Memoranda items 1 and 2 are  RECORDED ON   OFF-BALANCE
     to be completed by banks that answered NO  THE BALANCE      SHEET
     to item 1 above and by banks with total       SHEET       ITEMS(3)
     assets of $1 billion or more.                --------     --------
                                                 (Calendar year-to-date)
                                                 ----------------------- 

     4.   Assets and credit equivalent amounts
          of off-balance sheet items assigned
          to the Zero percent risk category:
        a.   Assets recorded on the balance
             sheet:
          (1)  Securities issued by, other
               claims on, and claims
               unconditionally guaranteed by,
               the U.S. Government and its
               agencies and other OECD central
               governments . . . . . . . . . .   173,377           --
          (2)  All other . . . . . . . . . . .   184,851           --
        b.   Credit equivalent amount of off-
             balance sheet items . . . . . . .        --            0

     -----------------------------

     (3)  Do not report in column B the risk-weighted amount of assets
          reported in column A.

                                      -42-
     <PAGE>   

                 SCHEDULE RC-C--REGULATORY CAPITAL (continued)

                                                              (COLUMN B)
                                                                CREDIT
                                                 (COLUMN A)   EQUIVALENT
                                                   ASSETS     AMOUNT OF 
                                                RECORDED ON  OFF-BALANCE
                                                THE BALANCE     SHEET
                                                   SHEET       ITEMS(1)
                                                -----------    ---------
                                                (Calandar-year-to-date)
                                                ------------------------ 
     5.   Assets and credit equivalent amounts
          of off-balance sheet items assigned
          to the 20 percent risk category:
        a.   Assets recorded on the balance
             sheet:
          (1)  Claims conditionally guaranteed
               by the U.S. Government and its
               agencies and other OECD central
               governments . . . . . . . . . .   541,677           --
          (2)  Claims collateralized by
               securities issued by the U.S.
               Government and its agencies and
               other OECD central governments;
               by securities issued by U.S.
               Government-sponsored agencies;
               and by cash on deposit  . . . .    40,282           --
          (3)  All other . . . . . . . . . . . 3,449,336           --
        b.   Credit equivalent amount of off-
             balance sheet items . . . . . . .        --    1,099,194
     6.   Assets and credit equivalent amounts
          of off-balance sheet items assigned
          to the 50 percent risk category:
        a.   Assets recorded on the balance
             sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   525,891           --
        b.   Credit equivalent amount of off-
             balance sheet items . . . . . . .        --       17,032
     7.   Assets and credit equivalent amounts
          of off-balance sheet items assigned
          to the 100 percent risk category:
        a.   Assets recorded on the balance
             sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,018,436           --
        b.   Credit equivalent amoutn fo off- 
             balance sheet items . . . . . . .        --      535,505

     8.   On-balance sheet asset values
          excluded from the calculation of the
          risk-based capital ratio(2)  . . . .     5,571           --
                                                --------     --------
     9.   Total assets recorded on the balance
          sheet (sum of items 4.a, 5.a, 6.a,
          7.a, and 8, column (A) (must equal
          Schedule RC, item 12 plus items 4.b
          and 4.c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,939,421           --
                                               =========     ========

     -----------------------------

     (1)  Do not report in column B the risk-weighted amount of assets reported
          in column A.

     (2)  Include the difference between the fair value and the amortized cost
          of available-for-sale securities in item 8 and report the amortized
          cost of these securities in items 4 through 7 above.  Item 8 also
          includes on-balance sheet asset values portions thereof) of off-
          balance sheet interest rate, foreign exchange rate, and commodity
          contracts and those contract futures contracts) not subject to risk-
          based capital.  Exclude from item 8 margin accounts and accrued
          receivables as of any portion of the allowance for loan and lease
          losses in excess of the amount that may be included in Tier 2 
          capital.

                                      -43-
     <PAGE>

                   SCHEDULE RC-R--REGULATORY CAPITAL (continued)


                                                                     FOR THE
                                                                     PERIOD
                                                                   JANUARY 1,
                                                                     1996 TO
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      1996
                                                                    --------
                                                                    (Year-to-
                                                                      date)
     Memoranda
     ---------------------------------------------------------
     1.   Current credit exposure across all off-balance sheet
          derivative contracts covered by the risk-based
          capital standards  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        0

                                  WITH A REMAINING MATURITY OF
                                  ----------------------------
                                           (COLUMN B)
                                            OVER ONE
                               (COLUMN A)     YEAR    (COLUMN C)
                                ONE YEAR    THROUGH    OVER FIVE
                                OR LESS    FIVE YEARS    YEARS
                                --------    --------   --------
                                    (Calendar year-to-date)
                                -------------------------------

     2.   Notional principal
          amounts of off-
          balance sheet
          derivative
          contracts:
        a.   Interest rate
             contracts(3)  .       0           0           0
        b.   Foreign exchange
             contracts . . .       0           0           0
        c.   Gold contracts        0           0           0
        d.   Other precious
             metals contracts      0           0           0
        e.   Other commodity
             contracts . . .       0           0           0
        f.   Equity
             derivative
             contracts . . .       0           0           0

     ------------------------------
     
     (3)  Exclude foreign exchange contracts with an original maturity of 14
          days or less and all futures contracts.

                                      -44-
 



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