NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS INC / DE
S-3/A, 1999-05-24
TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS (NO RADIOTELEPHONE)
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<PAGE>

      AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MAY 22, 1999



                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-77819

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

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------


                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

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

                         NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

<TABLE>
<S>                               <C>                               <C>
            DELAWARE                            4813                           91-1738221
(State or Other Jurisdiction of     (Primary Standard Industrial            (I.R.S. Employer
 Incorporation or Organization)     Classification Code Number)           Identification No.)
</TABLE>

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

 500 108TH AVENUE N.E., SUITE 2200, BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON 98004, (425) 519-8900
  (Address, including ZIP code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                 the Registrant's principal executive offices)
                            ------------------------

                           R. BRUCE EASTER JR., ESQ.
                       500 108TH AVENUE N.E., SUITE 2200
                           BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON 98004
                                 (425) 519-8900
 (Name, address, including ZIP code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)
                            ------------------------

                                   COPIES TO:

<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
           BRUCE R. KRAUS, ESQ.                      ROBERT E. BUCKHOLZ, ESQ.
         WILLKIE FARR & GALLAGHER                      SULLIVAN & CROMWELL
            787 SEVENTH AVENUE                           125 BROAD STREET
         NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019                    NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10004
              (212) 728-8000                              (212) 558-4000
</TABLE>

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

    APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED OFFER TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

    If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. / /

    If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. / /

    If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.  / / ______

    If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(b)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. / / ______

    If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. / /
                            ------------------------

                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                PROPOSED
                                                         AMOUNT             PROPOSED            MAXIMUM            AMOUNT OF
        TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES                TO BE          MAXIMUM OFFERING       AGGREGATE          REGISTRATION
               TO BE REGISTERED(1)                     REGISTERED           PRICE(1)         OFFERING PRICE           FEE
<S>                                                <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>
  % Senior Notes Due 2009........................     $500,000,000            100%
  % Senior Discount Notes Due 2009...............     $432,125,000          57.854%        $  750,000,000      $   208,500(2)
</TABLE>


(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.


(2) Previously paid.

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

    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 THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID
SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                                    PART II

ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

    The following table sets forth the fees and expenses payable by the
Registrant in connection with this offering, other than underwriting discounts
and commissions. All the amounts shown are estimates, except the SEC
registration fee:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                 <C>
SEC registration fee..............................................  $ 208,500
NASD fee..........................................................     30,500
Printing fees.....................................................    125,000
Legal fees and expenses...........................................    125,000
Accounting fees and expenses......................................     20,000
Miscellaneous fees and expenses...................................     41,000
                                                                    ---------
      Total.......................................................  $ 550,000
                                                                    ---------
                                                                    ---------
</TABLE>

ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

    The Company is a Delaware corporation. In its Certificate of Incorporation,
the Company has adopted the provisions of Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware
General Corporation Law (the "Delaware Law"), which enables a corporation in its
original certificate of incorporation or an amendment thereto to eliminate or
limit the personal liability of a director for monetary damages for breach of
the director's fiduciary duty, except (i) for any breach of the director's duty
of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions
not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation
of law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the Delaware law (providing for
liability of directors for unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock
purchases or redemptions) or (iv) for any transaction from which a director will
personally receive a benefit in money, property or services to which the
director is not legally entitled.

    The Company has also adopted indemnification provisions pursuant to Section
145 of the Delaware Law, which provides that a corporation may indemnify any
persons, including officers and directors, who are, or are threatened to be
made, parties to any threatened, pending or completed legal action, suit or
proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other
than an action by or in the right of the corporation), by reason of the fact
that such person was an officer, director, employee or agent of the corporation,
or is or was serving at the request of such corporation as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise. The indemnity may
include expenses (including attorneys fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid
in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with
such action, suit or proceeding, provided such officer, director, employee or
agent acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the corporation's best interests and, with respect to criminal
proceedings, had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. A
Delaware corporation may indemnify officers or directors in an action by or in
the right of the corporation under the same conditions, except that no
indemnification is permitted without judicial approval if the officer or
director is adjudged to be liable to the corporation. Where an officer or
director is successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action
referred to above, the corporation must indemnify him against expenses
(including attorney's fees) that such officer or director actually and
reasonably incurred.

                                      II-1
<PAGE>
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

    (A) EXHIBITS:


<TABLE>
<C>          <S>
       1     Form of Underwriting Agreement.*
       3.1   Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.(1)
       3.2   By-laws of the Company.(1)
       4.1   Indenture, dated November 12, 1998, by and among NEXTLINK Communications, Inc. and
             United States Trust Company of New York, as trustee, relating to the 10 3/4% Senior
             Notes due 2009.(2)
       4.2   Indenture, dated as of April 25, 1996, by and among NEXTLINK Communications, Inc.,
             NEXTLINK Capital, Inc. and United States Trust Company of New York, as Trustee,
             relating to 12 1/2% Senior Notes due April 15, 2006, including form of global
             note.(2)
       4.3   First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 31, 1997, by and among the
             Company, NEXTLINK Communications, L.L.C., NEXTLINK Capital, Inc. and United States
             Trust Company of New York, as Trustee.(3)
       4.4   Indenture, dated September 25, 1997, between United States Trust Company, as Trustee
             and NEXTLINK Communications, Inc., relating to the 9 5/8% Senior Notes due 2007.(12)
       4.5   Indenture, dated March 3, 1998, between United States Trust Company, as Trustee and
             NEXTLINK Communications, Inc., relating to the 9% Senior Notes due 2008.(5)
       4.6   Indenture, dated November 12, 1998, by and among NEXTLINK Communications, Inc. and
             United States Trust Company of New York, as trustee, relating to the 10 3/4% Notes
             due 2008.(10)
       4.7   Certificate of Designation of Powers, Preferences and Relative, Participating,
             Optional and Other Special Rights of 6 1/2% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock
             and Qualifications, Limitations and Restrictions Thereof.(1)
       4.9   Form of stock certificate of Class A common stock(9)
       4.10  Indenture, dated April 1, 1998, between United States Trust Company, as Trustee and
             NEXTLINK Communications, Inc., relating to the 9.45% Senior Discount Notes due
             2008.(6)
       4.11  Second Supplemental Indenture, dated June 3, 1998, amending Indenture dated April
             25, 1996, by and among NEXTLINK Communications, Inc., NEXTLINK Capital, Inc. and
             United States Trust Company of New York, as Trustee.(1)
       4.12  First Supplemental Indenture, dated June 3, 1998, amending Indenture dated September
             25, 1997, by and between NEXTLINK Communications, Inc. and United States Trust
             Company of New York, as Trustee.(1)
       4.13  First Supplemental Indenture, dated June 3, 1998, amending Indenture dated March 3,
             1998, by and between NEXTLINK Communications, Inc. and United States Trust Company
             of New York, as Trustee.(1)
       4.14  First Supplemental Indenture, dated June 3, 1998, amending Indenture dated April 1,
             1998, by and between NEXTLINK Communications, Inc. and United States Trust Company
             of New York, as Trustee.(1)
       4.15  Form of Indenture, by and among NEXTLINK Communications, Inc. and United States
             Trust Company of New York, as trustee, relating to the Company's     % Senior Notes
             due 2009.*
       4.16  Form of Indenture, by and among NEXTLINK Communications, Inc. and United States
             Trust Company of Texas, as trustee, relating to the Company's     % Senior Discount
             Notes due 2009.*
       5.1   Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher.*
      10.1   Stock Option Plan of the Company, as amended.(1)
      10.2   Employee Stock Purchase Plan of the Company.(1)
      10.3   Fiber Lease and Innerduct Use Agreement, dated February 23, 1998, by and between the
             Company and Metromedia Fiber Network, Inc. (5)
      10.4   Amendment No. 1 to Fiber Lease and Innerduct Use Agreement, dated March 4, 1998, by
             and between the Company and Metromedia Fiber Network, Inc. (5)
</TABLE>


                                      II-2
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<C>          <S>
      10.5   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 14, 1999, among the Company, WNP
             Communications, Inc. and PCO Acquisition Corp. (7)
      10.6   NEXTBAND Interests Purchase Agreement, dated March 31, 1999, between Nextel Spectrum
             Acquisition Corp. and NEXTLINK Communications, Inc.(11)
      21     Subsidiaries of the Registrant.(5)
      23.1   Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
      23.2   Consent of Willkie Farr & Gallagher (included in their opinion filed as Exhibit
             5.1).*
      24     Power of Attorney (included on signature pages).
      25.1   Statement of Eligibility of the Trustee on Form T-1, relating to the    % Senior
             Notes due 2009.*
      25.2   Statement of Eligibility of the Trustee on Form T-1, relating to the    % Senior
             Discount Notes due 2009.*
</TABLE>


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


*   Filed herewith.


(1) Incorporated herein by reference to the exhibit filed with the Registration
    Statement on Form S-4 of NEXTLINK Communications, Inc. (Commission File No.
    333-53975).

(2) Incorporated herein by reference to the exhibit filed with the Registration
    Statement on Form S-4 of NEXTLINK Communications, L.L.C. (the predecessor of
    NEXTLINK Communications, Inc.) and NEXTLINK Capital, Inc. (Commission File
    No. 333-4603).

(3) Incorporated herein by reference to the exhibit filed with the Annual Report
    on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1996 of NEXTLINK
    Communications, Inc. and NEXTLINK Capital, Inc. (Commission File Nos.
    33-04603 and 333-04603-01).

(4) Incorporated here by reference to the exhibit filed with the Registration
    Statement on Form S-1 of NEXTLINK Communications, Inc. (Commission File No.
    333-32003).

(5) Incorporated herein by reference to the exhibit filed with the Annual Report
    on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1997 of NEXTLINK
    Communications, Inc. and NEXTLINK Capital, Inc. (Commission File Nos.
    333-04603 and 333-04603-01).

(6) Incorporated herein by reference to the exhibit filed with the quarterly
    report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 1998 of
    NEXTLINK Communications, Inc. (Commission File No. 000-22939).

(7) Incorporated herein by reference to the exhibits filed with the current
    report on Form 8-K filed on January 19, 1999 (Commission File No.
    000-22939).

(8) Incorporated herein by reference to the exhibits filed with the Registration
    Statement on Form S-4 of NEXTLINK Communications, Inc. (Commission File No.
    333-71749).

(9) Incorporated herein by reference to the exhibit filed with the Registration
    Statement on Form S-1 of NEXTLINK Communications, Inc. (Commission File No.
    333-32001).


(10) Incorporated herein by reference to the exhibits filed with the
    Registration Statement on Form S-4 of NEXTLINK Communications, Inc.
    (Commission File No. 333-71749).


(11) Incorporated herein by reference to the exhibits filed with the current
    report on Form 8-K filed on March 31, 1999 (Commission File No. 000-22939).

(12) Incorporated herein by reference to the exhibits filed with the
    Registration Statement on Form S-3 of NEXTLINK Communications, Inc.
    (Commission File No. 333-77577).


*   Filed herewith.


    (B) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES: NONE.

                                      II-3
<PAGE>
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.

    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 20 above, or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event
that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the
payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the Registrant 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 Registrant will, unless
in the option of their 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 Registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to
Item 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 this Registration Statement through the date
of responding to the request.

    The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes 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 this Registration Statement when it became effective.

    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

        (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
    of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part
    of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a
    form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4)
    or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
    registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

        (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
    Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of
    prospectus 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.

    The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes 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 section 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 requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies
that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements
for filing a Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City
of Bellevue, State of Washington, on the 21st day of May, 1999.


<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>  <C>
                                NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

                                By:           /s/ R. BRUCE EASTER, JR.
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                                R. Bruce Easter, Jr.
                                        VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL AND
                                                     SECRETARY
</TABLE>

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

    We, the undersigned officers and directors of NEXTLINK Communications, Inc.,
hereby severally and individually constitute and appoint Kathleen H. Iskra and
R. Bruce Easter, Jr., and each of them, as the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact
for the undersigned, in any and all capacities, with full power of substitution,
to sign any and all amendments to this Registration Statement (including
post-effective amendments), and to file the same with exhibits thereto and other
documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorney-in-fact, and each of them, full power and authority
to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be
done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or
she might or could do in person hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

    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.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          SIGNATURE                       TITLE                    DATE
- ------------------------------  --------------------------  -------------------

<C>                             <S>                         <C>
                                Chairman of the Board and
     /s/ STEVEN W. HOOPER         Chief Executive Officer
- ------------------------------    (Principal Executive         May 21, 1999
       Steven W. Hooper           Officer)

      /s/ WAYNE M. PERRY
- ------------------------------  Vice Chairman and Director     May 21, 1999
        Wayne M. Perry
</TABLE>


                                      II-5
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          SIGNATURE                       TITLE                    DATE
- ------------------------------  --------------------------  -------------------

<C>                             <S>                         <C>
                                Vice President, Chief
                                  Financial Officer and
    /s/ KATHLEEN H. ISKRA         Treasurer (Principal
- ------------------------------    Financial Officer and        May 21, 1999
      Kathleen H. Iskra           Principal Accounting
                                  Officer)

- ------------------------------  Director
        Craig O. McCaw

- ------------------------------  Director
       Dennis Weibling

    /s/ WILLIAM A. HOGLUND
- ------------------------------  Director                       May 21, 1999
      William A. Hoglund

     /s/ SHARON L. NELSON
- ------------------------------  Director                       May 21, 1999
       Sharon L. Nelson

    /s/ JEFFREY S. RAIKES
- ------------------------------  Director                       May 21, 1999
      Jeffrey S. Raikes

    /s/ GREGORY J. PARKER
- ------------------------------  Director                       May 21, 1999
      Gregory J. Parker

- ------------------------------  Director
        Nicolas Kauser
</TABLE>


                                      II-6

<PAGE>
                                                                       Exhibit 1

                          NEXTLINK Communications, Inc.


                           ___% Senior Notes Due 2009
                       ___% Senior Discount Notes Due 2009


                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                             ----------------------


                                                         New York, New York, USA
                                                      ________________  ___,1999

Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation
Chase Securities Inc.
        c/o Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
            Seven World Trade Center
                New York, New York 10048
                    United States of America

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      NEXTLINK Communications, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of
the State of Delaware (the "Company"), confirms its agreement with the
underwriters named in Schedule A hereto (the "Underwriters") with respect to the
issue and sale by the Company and the purchase by the Underwriters, acting
severally and not jointly, of an aggregate of $__________ principal amount of
the senior notes due 2009 (the "Senior Notes") and $_________ aggregate
principal amount at stated maturity of senior discount notes due 2009 (the
"Senior Discount Notes" and collectively, the "Securities").

      SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties.

      (a) Representations and Warranties by the Company. The Company represents
and warrants to each of the Underwriters as of the date hereof and as of the
Closing Time referred to in Section 2(c) hereof, and agrees with each of the
Underwriters as follows:

                  (i) Effectiveness of Registration Statement. A registration
      statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-77819) (the "Initial Registration
      Statement") in respect of the Securities has been filed

<PAGE>

      with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"); the
      Initial Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto,
      each in the form heretofore delivered to the Underwriters have been
      declared effective by the Commission in such form; other than a
      registration statement, if any, increasing the size of the offering (a
      "Rule 462(b) Registration Statement") filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under
      the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") which became
      effective upon filing, no other document with respect to the Initial
      Registration Statement has heretofore been filed with the Commission; and
      no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Initial Registration
      Statement, any post-effective amendment thereto or the Rule 462(b)
      Registration Statement, if any, has been issued and no proceeding for that
      purpose has been initiated or threatened by the Commission (any
      preliminary prospectus included in the Initial Registration Statement or
      filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(a) of the rules and
      regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act, is hereinafter called a
      "Preliminary Prospectus"; the various parts of the Initial Registration
      Statement and the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, including
      all exhibits thereto but excluding Form T-1 and including the information
      contained in the form of final Prospectus filed with the Commission
      pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the 1933 Act in accordance with Section 3(a)
      hereof and deemed by virtue of Rule 430A under the 1933 Act to be part of
      the Initial Registration Statement at the time it was declared effective,
      or such part of the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, at the
      time it became effective (each such part of a registration statement as
      amended at the time such part became effective), are hereinafter
      collectively called the "Registration Statement"; and such final
      Prospectus, in the form first filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the 1933
      Act, is hereinafter called the "Prospectus").

                  (ii) Compliance of Preliminary Prospectus with the
      Requirements of the 1933 Act. No order preventing or suspending the use of
      any Preliminary Prospectus has been issued by the Commission, and each
      Preliminary Prospectus, at the time of filing thereof, conformed in all
      material respects to the requirements of the 1933 Act and the Trust
      Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"), and the
      rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, and did not contain an
      untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
      required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
      in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
      misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall
      not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in
      conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by an
      Underwriter through Salomon Smith Barney expressly for use therein.

                  (iii) Compliance of Registration Statement and Prospectus with
      the Requirements of the 1933 Act. The Registration Statement conforms, and
      the Prospectus and any further amendments or supplements to the
      Registration Statement or the Prospectus will conform, in all material
      respects to the requirements of the 1933 Act and the Trust Indenture Act
      and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and do not and
      will not, as of the applicable effective date as to the Registration
      Statement and any amendment thereto, and as of the applicable filing date
      as to the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, contain an
      untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
      required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
      not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty
      shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and
      in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by an
      Underwriter through Salomon Smith Barney expressly for use therein.


                                      -2-
<PAGE>

                  (iv) Independent Accountants. The accountants who certified
      the financial statements included in the Prospectus are independent
      certified public accountants with respect to the Company and its
      subsidiaries within the meaning of Regulation S-X under the 1933 Act.

                  (v) Financial Statements. The financial statements, together
      with the related notes, included in the Prospectus present fairly the
      financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries at the
      dates indicated and the statement of operations, stockholders' equity and
      cash flows of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries for the
      periods specified; said financial statements have been prepared in
      conformity with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") applied
      on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved. The selected
      financial data included in the Prospectus present fairly the information
      shown therein and have been compiled on a basis consistent with that of
      the audited financial statements included in the Prospectus.

                  (vi) No Material Adverse Change in Business. Since the
      respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus,
      except as otherwise stated therein, (1) there has been no material adverse
      change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings,
      business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries
      considered as one enterprise (a "Material Adverse Effect"), whether or not
      arising in the ordinary course of business, (2) there have been no
      transactions entered into by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, other
      than those in the ordinary course of business, which are material with
      respect to the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise
      and (3) there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared,
      paid or made by the Company on any class of its capital stock, except for
      those declared, paid or made on the Company's 6 1/2% Cumulative
      Convertible Preferred Stock, including any interest and associated penalty
      payments thereon, and the Company's 14% Senior Exchangeable Redeemable
      Preferred Stock.

                  (vii) Good Standing of the Company. The Company has been duly
      organized and is validly existing as a corporation under the laws of the
      State of Delaware and has power and authority to own, lease and operate
      its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus
      and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement; and
      the Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact
      business and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which such
      qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing
      of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to
      qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse
      Effect.

                  (viii) Good Standing of Designated Subsidiaries. Each
      "significant subsidiary" of the Company (as such term is defined in Rule
      1-02 of Regulation S-X) (each a "Designated Subsidiary" and, collectively,
      the "Designated Subsidiaries") has been duly organized and is validly
      existing and in good standing, where applicable, as a corporation, limited
      liability company or limited partnership, as the case may be, under the
      laws of the jurisdiction of its formation, has power and authority to own,
      lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described
      in the Prospectus and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation, limited
      liability company or limited partnership, as the case may be, to transact
      business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such
      qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing
      of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to
      qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse
      Effect; except as otherwise disclosed in the Prospectus, all of the issued
      and outstanding capital stock or other equity interest of each Designated
      Subsidiary has been duly


                                      -3-
<PAGE>

      authorized and validly issued, is fully paid and non-assessable and at
      least 99% thereof is owned by the Company, directly or through
      subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge,
      lien, encumbrance, claim or equity; none of the outstanding shares of
      capital stock or other equity interest of the Designated Subsidiaries was
      issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights arising by
      operation of law, or under the constituting or operative document or
      agreement of any Designated Subsidiary or under any agreement to which the
      Company or any Designated Subsidiary is a party.

                  (ix) Capitalization. The authorized, issued and outstanding
      capital stock of the Company is as set forth in the Prospectus as of the
      dates indicated therein. The shares of issued and outstanding capital
      stock of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are
      fully paid and non-assessable; and none of the outstanding shares of
      capital stock of the Company was issued in violation of the preemptive or
      other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company, as applicable.

                  (x) Authorization of Underwriting Agreements. This Agreement
      has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

                  (xi) Authorization and Description of the Securities and the
      Indentures. The Securities have been duly authorized for issuance and sale
      to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement and, when issued and
      delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement against payment of the
      consideration set forth herein, will have been duly executed,
      authenticated, issued and delivered and will constitute valid and legally
      binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits provided by
      the indenture relating to the senior notes to be dated as of _________,
      1999 and by the indenture relating to the senior discount notes to be
      dated as of __________, 1999 (collectively, the "Indentures") between the
      Company and United States Trust Company of New York, as Trustee (the
      "Trustee"), under which they are to be issued, which will be substantially
      in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement; the
      Indentures have been duly authorized and duly qualified under the Trust
      Indenture Act and, when executed and delivered by the Company and the
      Trustee, will constitute a valid and legally binding instrument,
      enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to
      bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other laws of general
      applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general
      equity principles; and the Securities and the Indentures will conform in
      all material respects to the descriptions thereof in the Prospectus and
      will be in substantially the form previously delivered to the
      Underwriters.

                  (xii) Absence of Defaults and Conflicts. Neither the Company
      nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of its constituting or
      operative document or agreement or in default in the performance or
      observance of any material obligation, agreement, covenant or condition
      contained in any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or
      credit agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument to which
      the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party, or by which or any of
      them may be bound, or to which any of the property or assets of the
      Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject (collectively, "Agreements
      and Instruments") except for such defaults that would not result in a
      Material Adverse Effect; the issue and sale of the Securities, the
      execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Indentures, the
      Securities and any other agreement or instrument entered into or issued or
      to be entered into or issued by the Company in connection with the
      transactions contemplated hereby, thereby or in the Prospectus and the
      consummation of the transactions contemplated herein, therein and in the
      Prospectus (including the issuance and sale


                                      -4-
<PAGE>

      of the Securities by the Company hereunder), the compliance by the Company
      with its obligations hereunder and under the Indentures and the Securities
      have been duly authorized by all necessary action and do not and will not,
      whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both,
      conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default or a Repayment Event
      (as defined below) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any
      lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or
      any of its subsidiaries pursuant to, the Agreements and Instruments except
      for such conflicts, breaches or defaults or liens, charges or encumbrances
      that, singly or in the aggregate, would not result in a Material Adverse
      Effect, nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of
      the constituting or operative document or agreement of the Company or any
      of its subsidiaries or any applicable law, statute, rule, regulation,
      judgment, order, writ or decree of any government, government
      instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over
      the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their assets or
      properties. As used herein, a "Repayment Event" means any event or
      condition which gives the holder of any material note, debenture or other
      evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder's behalf)
      the right to require to repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a
      portion of such indebtedness by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

                  (xiii) Absence of Further Requirements. No filing with, or
      authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration,
      qualification or decree of, any court or governmental authority or agency
      is necessary or required for the performance by the Company of its
      obligations hereunder, in connection with the offering, issuance or sale
      of the Securities hereunder or the consummation of the actions
      contemplated by this Agreement or the Indentures, except the registration
      under the 1933 Act of the Securities, such as have been obtained under the
      Trust Indenture Act and such consents, approvals, authorizations,
      registrations or qualifications as may be required under state securities
      or Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the
      Securities by the Underwriters.

                  (xiv) Possession of Licenses and Permits. Except as set forth
      in or contemplated by the Prospectus with respect to systems under
      development and the offering of dial tone service, each of the Company and
      its Designated Subsidiaries has all material certificates, consents,
      exemptions, orders, permits, licenses, authorizations, franchises or other
      material approvals (each, an "Authorization") of and from, and has made
      all material declarations and filings with, all Federal, state, local and
      other governmental authorities, all self-regulatory organizations and all
      courts and other tribunals, necessary or appropriate for the Company and
      its Designated Subsidiaries to own, lease, license, use and construct its
      properties and assets and to conduct its business in the manner described
      in the Prospectus, except to the extent that the failure to obtain any
      such Authorizations or make any such declaration or filing would not,
      singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. Except as
      set forth in or contemplated by the Prospectus, all such Authorizations
      are in full force and effect with respect to the Company and its
      Designated Subsidiaries; to the best knowledge of the Company, no event
      has occurred that permits, or after notice or lapse of time could permit,
      the revocation, termination or modification of any such Authorization; the
      Company and its Designated Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material
      respects with the terms and conditions of all such Authorizations and with
      the rules and regulations of the regulatory authorities and governing
      bodies having jurisdiction with respect thereto; and, except as set forth
      in the Prospectus, the Company has no knowledge that any person is
      contesting or intends to contest the granting of any material
      Authorization; and neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
      the Indentures or the Securities, nor the consummation of the transactions
      contemplated hereby and thereby nor


                                      -5-
<PAGE>

      compliance with the terms, conditions and provisions hereof and thereof by
      the Company or any of its Designated Subsidiaries will cause any
      suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture, nonrenewal or termination
      of any Authorization.

                  (xv) Absence of Labor Dispute. No labor dispute with the
      employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries exists or, to the
      knowledge of the Company, is imminent, and the Company is not aware of any
      existing labor disturbance by the employees of any of its or any of its
      subsidiaries' principal suppliers, manufacturers, customers or
      contractors, which, in either case, would reasonably be expected to result
      in a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (xvi) Absence of Proceedings. Except as disclosed in the
      Prospectus, there is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation
      before or by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or
      foreign, now pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened
      against or affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries which could
      reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or which
      might reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the
      properties or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or the
      consummation of this Agreement or the performance by the Company of its
      obligations hereunder. The aggregate of all pending legal or governmental
      proceedings to which the Company or any subsidiary thereof is a party or
      of which any of their respective property or assets is the subject which
      are not described in the Prospectus, including ordinary routine litigation
      incidental to the business, could not reasonably be expected to result in
      a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (xvii) Possession of Intellectual Property. The Company and
      its subsidiaries own or possess, or can acquire on reasonable terms,
      adequate patents, patent rights, licenses, inventions, copyrights,
      know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable
      proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures),
      trademarks, service marks, trade names or other intellectual property
      (collectively, "Intellectual Property") necessary to carry on the business
      now operated by them, and except as otherwise described in the Prospectus
      neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice or
      is otherwise aware of any infringement of or conflict with asserted rights
      of others with respect to any Intellectual Property or of any facts or
      circumstances which would render any Intellectual Property invalid or
      inadequate to protect the interest of the Company or any of its
      subsidiaries therein, and which infringement or conflict (if the subject
      of any unfavorable decision, ruling or finding) or invalidity or
      inadequacy, singly or in the aggregate, would result in a Material Adverse
      Effect.

                  (xviii) Title to Property. The Company and its subsidiaries
      have good and marketable title to all real property owned by them and good
      title to all other properties owned by them, in each case, free and clear
      of all mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests, claims, restrictions
      or encumbrances of any kind except such as (a) are described in the
      Prospectus or (b) do not, singly or in the aggregate, materially affect
      the value of such property and do not interfere with the use made and
      proposed to be made of such property by the Company or any of its
      subsidiaries; and all of the leases and subleases material to the business
      of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, and
      under which the Company or any of its subsidiaries holds properties
      described in the Prospectus, are in full force and effect, and neither the
      Company nor any of its subsidiaries has any notice of any material claim
      of any sort that has been asserted by anyone adverse to the rights of the
      Company or any of its subsidiaries under any of the leases or subleases
      mentioned above, or


                                      -6-
<PAGE>

      affecting or questioning the rights of the Company or any subsidiary
      thereof to the continued possession of the leased or subleased premises
      under any such lease or sublease.

                  (xix) Tax Returns. The Company and its subsidiaries have filed
      all federal, state, foreign and, to the extent material, local tax returns
      that are required to be filed or have duly requested extensions thereof
      and have paid all taxes required to be paid by any of them and any related
      assessments, fines or penalties, except for any such tax, assessment, fine
      or penalty that is being contested in good faith and by appropriate
      proceedings; and adequate charges, accruals and reserves have been
      provided for in the financial statements referred to in Section 1(a)(v)
      above in respect of all federal, state, local and foreign taxes for all
      periods as to which the tax liability of the Company or any of its
      subsidiaries has not been finally determined or remains open to
      examination by applicable taxing authorities.

                  (xx) Environmental Laws. Except as described in the Prospectus
      and except such matters as would not, singly or in the aggregate, result
      in a Material Adverse Effect, (A) neither the Company nor any of its
      subsidiaries is in violation of any federal, state, local or foreign
      statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, policy or rule of common
      law or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including
      any judicial or administrative order, consent, decree or judgment,
      relating to pollution or protection of human health, the environment
      (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater,
      land surface or subsurface strata) or wildlife, including, without
      limitation, laws and regulations relating to the release or threatened
      release of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances,
      hazardous substances, petroleum or petroleum products (collectively,
      "Hazardous Materials") or to the manufacture, processing, distribution,
      use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous
      Materials (collectively, "Environmental Laws"), (B) the Company and its
      subsidiaries have all permits, authorizations and approvals required under
      any applicable Environmental Laws and are each in compliance with their
      requirements, (C) there are no pending or, to the Company's knowledge,
      threatened administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands,
      demand letters, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance or violation,
      investigation or proceedings relating to any Environmental Law against the
      Company or any of its subsidiaries and (D) there are no events or
      circumstances that would reasonably be expected to form the basis of an
      order for clean-up or remediation, or an action, suit or proceeding by any
      private party or governmental body or agency, against or affecting the
      Company or any of its subsidiaries relating to Hazardous Materials or
      Environmental Laws.

                  (xxi) Investment Company Act. The Company is not, and upon the
      issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated and the
      application of the net proceeds therefrom as described in the Prospectus
      will not be, an "investment company" or an entity "controlled" by an
      "investment company" as such terms are defined in the Investment Company
      Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").

                  (xxii) Certain Disclosures in Prospectus. The statements set
      forth in the Prospectus under the caption "Description of the Notes",
      insofar as they purport to constitute a summary of the terms of the
      Securities, and under the captions "Regulation" when considered together
      with the statements under the caption "Business-Regulatory Overview" in
      the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on March 29, 1999, which
      is incorporated in the Prospectus by reference and "Underwriting", insofar
      as they purport to describe the provisions of the laws and documents
      referred to therein, are accurate and complete in all material respects;
      and the statements set forth


                                      -7-
<PAGE>

      in the Prospectus under the caption "Material United States Federal Income
      Tax Consequences", insofar as such statements purport to summarize certain
      United States federal income and estate tax consequences of the ownership
      and dispensation of the Securities by certain U.S. Holders (as such terms
      are defined in the Prospectus) of the Securities, provide a fair summary
      of such consequences under current law.

                  (xxiii) Cuba. Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates
      does business with the government of Cuba or with any person or affiliate
      located in Cuba within the meaning of Section 517.075, Florida Statutes.

                  (xxiv) No Manipulation or Stabilization. Neither the Company
      nor, to its knowledge, any of its officers, directors or affiliates has
      taken and will take, directly or indirectly, any action which is designed
      to or which has constituted or which might reasonably be expected to cause
      or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of
      the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

      (b) Officer's Certificates. Any certificate signed by any officer of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries delivered to the Underwriters or to counsel
for the Underwriters shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the
Company to each Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby.

      SECTION 2. Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing.

      (a) Securities. On the basis of the representations and warranties herein
contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company
agrees to issue and sell to each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, and
each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase from the
Company, the Senior Notes at a purchase price of ___% of the principal amount
thereof, plus accrued interest, if any, from __________, 1999, and agrees to
purchase from the Company, the Senior Discount Notes, at a purchase price of
___% of the principal amount thereof at stated maturity, plus accrued interest,
if any, from ____, 1999 the principal amount of Securities set forth in Schedule
A opposite the name of such Underwriter.

      (b) Terms and Conditions of Sale. Upon the authorization by Salomon Smith
Barney on behalf of the Underwriters of the release of the Securities, the
several Underwriters propose to offer the Securities for sale upon the terms and
conditions set forth in the Prospectus.

      (c) Closing and Payment. (i) The Securities to be purchased by each
Underwriter hereunder, in definitive form, and in such authorized denominations
and registered in such names as Salomon Smith Barney may request upon at least
forty-eight hours' prior notice to the Company shall be delivered by or on
behalf of the Company to the Underwriters, through the facilities of the
Depository Trust Company ("DTC") (unless the Underwriters shall otherwise
instruct) for the account of such Underwriter, against payment by or on behalf
of such Underwriter of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer or certified
or official bank check or checks, payable to the order of the Company in
immediately available (same day) funds. The Company will cause the certificates
representing the Securities to be made available for checking and packaging at
least twenty-four hours prior to the Closing Time (as defined below) with
respect thereto at the offices of DTC or its designated custodian (the
"Designated Office"). The time and date of such delivery and payment shall be
10:00 a.m. on ________, 1999 or such other time and date as Salomon Smith Barney


                                      -8-
<PAGE>

and the Company may agree upon in writing, such time and date for delivery of
the Securities is herein "Closing Time".

      (ii) The documents to be delivered at the Closing Time by or on behalf of
the parties hereto pursuant to Section 5 hereof, including the cross receipt for
the Securities and any additional documents requested by the Underwriters
pursuant to Section 5(k) hereof, will be delivered at the offices of Sullivan &
Cromwell, 125 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004 (the "Closing Location"),
and the Securities will be delivered at the Designated Office, all at the
Closing Time. A meeting will be held at the Closing Location at 2:00 p.m. on the
New York Business Day next preceding the Closing Time, at which meeting the
final drafts of the documents to be delivered pursuant to the preceding sentence
will be available for review by the parties hereto. For the purposes of this
Section 2 and Section 3(a)(iii) below, "New York Business Day" shall mean each
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which
banking institutions in New York are generally authorized or obligated by law or
executive order to close.

      SECTION 3. Covenants.

      (a) Covenants of the Company. The Company covenants with each Underwriter
as follows:

      (i) Preparation of Prospectus; Notices. To prepare the Prospectus in a
form approved by the Underwriters and to file such Prospectus, properly
completed, and any supplement thereto, pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the 1933
Act not later than the Commission's close of business on the second business day
following the execution and delivery of this Agreement, or, if applicable, such
earlier time as may be required by Rule 430A(a)(3) under the 1933 Act, and to
provide evidence satisfactory to the Underwriters of such timely filing; to use
its best efforts to cause the Registration Statement, if not effective at the
time of execution of this Agreement, to become effective; prior to termination
of the offering of the Securities, to make or file no further amendment or any
supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus which shall be
disapproved by the Underwriters promptly after reasonable notice thereof; to
advise the Underwriters, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time
when the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto has been filed or
becomes effective or the Prospectus or any supplement thereto or any amended
Prospectus has been filed and to furnish the Underwriters with copies thereof;
to advise the Underwriters, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the
issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of any order preventing or
suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, of the
suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any
jurisdiction, of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for any such
purpose, or of any request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing
of the Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information; and,
in the event of the issuance of any stop order or of any order preventing or
suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus or suspending any
such qualification, promptly to use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of
such order.

      (ii) Qualifications of the Securities under State Securities Laws.
Promptly from time to time to take such action as the Underwriters may
reasonably request to qualify the Securities for offering and sale under the
securities laws of such jurisdictions as they may request and to comply with
such laws so as to permit the continuance of sales and dealings therein in such
jurisdictions for as long as may be necessary to complete the distribution of
the Securities, provided that in connection therewith the Company shall not be
required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to file a general consent to
service of process in any jurisdiction.


                                      -9-
<PAGE>

      (iii) Copies of and Amendments to Prospectus and Supplements. Prior to
12:00 noon on the New York Business Day next succeeding the date of this
Agreement and from time to time, to furnish the Underwriters with copies of the
Prospectus in New York City in such quantities as the Underwriters may
reasonably request, and, if the delivery of a Prospectus is required at any time
prior to the expiration of nine months after the time of issue of the Prospectus
in connection with the offering or sale of the Securities and if at such time
any event shall have occurred as a result of which the Prospectus as then
amended or supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made when such
Prospectus is delivered, not misleading, or, if for any other reason it shall be
necessary during such period to amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to
comply with the 1933 Act, to notify the Underwriters and upon their request to
prepare and furnish without charge to each Underwriter and to any dealer in
securities as many copies as the Underwriters may from time to time reasonably
request of an amended Prospectus or a supplement to the Prospectus which will
correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance, and in case any
Underwriter is required to deliver a Prospectus in connection with sales of any
of the Securities at any time nine months or more after the time of issue of the
Prospectus, upon the Underwriters' request but at the expense of such
Underwriter, to prepare and deliver to such Underwriter as many copies as the
Underwriters may request of an amended or supplemented Prospectus complying with
Section 10(a)(3) of the 1933 Act. The Company will advise the Underwriters
promptly of any proposal to amend or supplement the Prospectus and will not
effect such amendment or supplement without the consent of the Underwriters.
Neither the consent of the Underwriters, nor the Underwriter's delivery of any
such amendment or supplement, shall constitute a waiver of any of the conditions
set forth in Section 5 hereof.

      (iv) Earning Statement. To make generally available to its securityholders
as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than the 30th day following
the end of the fiscal quarter first occurring after the first anniversary of the
effective date of the Registration Statement (as defined in Rule 158(c) under
the 1933 Act), an earning statement of the Company and its subsidiaries (which
need not be audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act and the rules
and regulations thereunder (including, at the option of the Company, Rule 158).

      (v) Lock-Up. During the period beginning from the date hereof and
continuing to and including the date 90 days after the date of the Prospectus,
not to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of, directly or
indirectly, or announce an offering of, except as provided hereunder any debt
securities of the Company in an offering to the public (or in a private offering
where holders of the debt securities are granted rights to have such debt
securities registered under the Securities Act, or to exchange such debt
securities for other debt securities that are so registered) without the prior
written consent of Salomon Smith Barney.

      (vi) Investment Company. Not to be or become, at any time prior to the
expiration of three years after the Closing Time, an open-end investment
company, unit investment trust, closed-end investment company or face-amount
certificate company that is or is required to be registered under Section 8 of
the 1940 Act.

      (vii) Information to the Underwriters. During a period of five years from
the effective date of the Registration Statement, to furnish to the Underwriters
copies of all reports or other communications (financial or other) furnished to
shareholders, and to deliver to the Underwriters such additional information
concerning the business and financial condition of the Company as the
Underwriters may from time to time reasonably request (such financial statements
to be on a consolidated basis to the extent the accounts of the


                                      -10-
<PAGE>

Company and its subsidiaries are consolidated in reports furnished to its
stockholders generally or to the Commission).

      (viii) Use of Proceeds. To use the net proceeds received by it from the
sale of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement in the manner specified in the
Prospectus under "Use of Proceeds".

      (ix) Rule 462(b) Registration Statement. If the Company elects to rely
upon Rule 462(b), to file a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement with the
Commission in compliance with Rule 462(b) by 10:00 P.M., Washington, D.C. time,
on the date of this Agreement, and at the time of filing to either pay to the
Commission the filing fee for the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or give
irrevocable instructions for the payment of such fee pursuant to Rule 111(b)
under the 1933 Act.

      SECTION 4. Payment of Expenses.

      (a) Expenses. The Company covenants and agrees with the several
Underwriters that the Company will pay or cause to be paid the following: (i)
the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Company's counsel and accountants in
connection with the registration of the Securities under the 1933 Act and all
other expenses in connection with the preparation, printing and filing of the
Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and
amendments and supplements thereto and the mailing and delivering of copies
thereof to the Underwriters and dealers; (ii) the cost of printing or
reproducing any Agreement among Underwriters, this Agreement, the Selling
Agreement, the Indentures, the Blue Sky Memorandum, closing documents (including
any compilations thereof) and any other documents in connection with the
offering, purchase, sale and delivery of the Securities; (iii) all expenses in
connection with the qualification of the Securities for offering and sale under
state securities laws as provided in Section 3(b) hereof, including the fees and
disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with such
qualification and in connection with the Blue Sky survey, (iv) any fees charged
by securities rating services for rating the Securities, (v) the filing fees
incident to, and the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in
connection with, securing any required review by the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. of the terms of the sale of the Securities; (vi) the
cost of preparing the Securities; (vii) the cost and charges of any transfer
agent or registrar and of DTC; (viii) the fees and expenses of the Trustee and
any agent of the Trustee and the fees and disbursements of counsel for the
Trustee in connection with the Indentures and the Securities, and (ix) all other
costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder
which are not otherwise specifically provided for in this Section. It is
understood, however, that, except as provided in this Section, and Sections 6, 7
and 10(d) hereof, the Underwriters will pay all of their own costs and expenses,
including the fees of their counsel, transfer taxes on resale of any of the
Securities by them, and any advertising expenses connected with any offers they
may make.

      (b) Termination of Agreement. If this Agreement is terminated by the
Underwriters in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 or Section 9(a)(i)
hereof, the Company shall reimburse the Underwriters for all of their
out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Underwriters.

      SECTION 5. Conditions of Underwriters' Obligations. The obligations of the
several Underwriters hereunder, as to the Securities to be delivered at the
Closing Time, are subject to the accuracy, at and as of the Closing Time, of the
representations and warranties of the Company contained in Section 1 hereof or
in certificates of any officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
delivered pursuant to the


                                      -11-
<PAGE>

provisions hereof, to the performance by each of the Company of its covenants
and other obligations hereunder, and to the following further conditions:

      (a) Filing of Prospectus and Effectiveness of Registration Statement. If
the Registration Statement has not become effective prior to execution of this
Agreement, unless the Underwriters agree in writing to a later time, the
Registration Statement shall have become effective not later than (i) 6:00 p.m.
on the date of determination of the public offering price, if such determination
occurred at or prior to 3:00 p.m. on such date or (ii) 9:30 a.m. on the business
day following the day on which the public offering price was determined, if such
determination occurred after 3:00 p.m. on such date; if filing is required
pursuant to Rule 424(b), the Prospectus shall have been filed with the
Commission pursuant to such Rule within the applicable time period prescribed
for such filing by the rules and regulations under the 1933 Act and in
accordance with Section 3(a) hereof; no stop order suspending the effectiveness
of the Registration Statement or any part thereof shall have been issued and no
proceeding for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the
Commission; and all requests for additional information on the part of the
Commission shall have been complied with to the Underwriters' reasonable
satisfaction.

      (b) Opinion of Counsel for Company. At the Closing Time, the Underwriters
shall have received the favorable opinions, dated as of the Closing Time, of
Willkie Farr & Gallagher, counsel for the Company and of R. Bruce Easter, Esq.,
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company in form and
substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, to the effect set forth
in Exhibits A-1 and 2 hereto, respectively, and to such further effect as
counsel to the Underwriters may reasonably request.

      (c) Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters. At the Closing Time, the
Underwriters shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of the Closing
Time, of Sullivan & Cromwell, counsel for the Underwriters, with respect to the
incorporation of the Company, the Indentures, the validity of the Securities
being delivered at the Closing Time, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus
and such other related matters as the Underwriters may reasonably request. In
giving such opinion such counsel may rely, as to all matters governed by the
laws of jurisdictions other than the law of the State of New York and the
federal law of the United States, upon the opinions of counsel satisfactory to
the Underwriters. Such counsel may also state that, insofar as such opinion
involves factual matters, they have relied, to the extent they deem proper, upon
certificates of officers of the Company and its subsidiaries and certificates of
public officials.

      (d) Officers' Certificate. At such Closing Time, there shall not have
been, since the date hereof or since the date of the most recent financial
statements included in the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto), any
material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the
earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its
subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising from
transactions in the ordinary course of business except as set forth in the
Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto), and the Underwriters shall
have received certificates of the Chairman of the Board, the President or a Vice
President of the Company and of the chief financial or chief accounting officer
of the Company, satisfactory to the Underwriters, to the effect that, at and as
of such Closing Time, (i) they have carefully examined the Registration
Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and any supplements
thereto and this Agreement, (ii) there has been no such material adverse change,
(iii) the representations and warranties of the Company in Section 1 hereof are
true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Closing Time with the
same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of such Closing Time,
(iv) the Company has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions
on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to such Closing Time, and
(v) no stop order


                                      -12-
<PAGE>

suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and
no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or, to the Company's
knowledge, threatened.

      (e) Accountant's Comfort Letter. On the date of the Prospectus at a time
prior to the execution of this Agreement, and at 10:00 a.m. on the effective
date of any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement filed
subsequent to the date of this Agreement, the Underwriters shall have received
from Arthur Andersen LLP a letter or letters dated the respective dates of
delivery thereof, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters,
containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in
accountants' "comfort letters" to the Underwriters with respect to the financial
statements and certain financial information contained in the Prospectus.

      (f) Bring-down Comfort Letter. At the Closing Time, the Underwriters shall
have received from Arthur Andersen LLP a letter, dated as of the Closing Time,
to the effect that they reaffirm the statements made in the letter furnished
pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section 5, except that the specified date
referred to shall be a date not more than three business days prior to such
Closing Time.

      (g) No Material Adverse Change in Business. Since the respective dates as
of which information is given in the Prospectus, except as otherwise stated
therein, (1) there has been no Material Adverse Effect, whether or not arising
in the ordinary course of business, (2) there have been no transactions entered
into by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, other than those in the ordinary
course of business, which are material with respect to the Company and its
subsidiaries considered as one enterprise (3) there has been no dividend or
distribution of any kind, declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of
its capital stock, except for the 6 1/2% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock
and the 14% Senior Exchangeable Redeemable Preferred Stock, which dividend shall
be the customary dividend on such stock, and (4) there has been no change or
decrease specified in the letters referred to in Section 5(e) and 5(f) above,
the effect of which, in any case referred to in clauses (1) through (4) above,
is, in the sole judgment of the Underwriters, so material and adverse as to make
it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the
Securities as contemplated by the Registration Statement (exclusive of any
amendment thereof) and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

      (h) Maintenance of Rating. On or after the date of this Agreement, there
shall not have occurred a downgrading in the rating assigned to the Company's
debt securities or preferred stock by any nationally recognized securities
rating agency, and no such securities rating agency shall have publicly
announced that it has under surveillance or review, with possible negative
implications, its rating of any of the Company's debt securities or preferred
stock.

      (i) Delivery of Prospectuses. The Company shall have complied with the
provisions of Section 3(a)(iii) hereof with respect to the furnishing of
Prospectuses on the New York Business Day next succeeding the date of this
Agreement.

      (j) Adequate Disclosure of Litigation. There is no litigation or
governmental or other action, suit, claim, proceeding or investigation before
any court or any public, regulatory or governmental agency or body, pending or,
to the best of the Company's knowledge, threatened against the Company or any of
its subsidiaries or any of their respective officers (in their capacity as
officers of the Company or such subsidiaries) or any of the properties, assets,
business or rights of the Company or such subsidiaries which is of a character
required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement and Prospectus which is
not disclosed therein.


                                      -13-
<PAGE>

      (k) Additional Documents. At the Closing Time: (i) the Company shall have
furnished to the Underwriters such further information, certificates and
documents as the Underwriters may reasonably request; (ii) counsel for the
Underwriters shall have been furnished with such documents and opinions as they
may require for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale
of the Securities as herein contemplated, or in order to evidence the accuracy
of any of the representations or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the
conditions, herein contained; and (iii) all proceedings taken by the Company in
connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated
shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Underwriters and counsel for
the Underwriters.

      (l) Termination of Agreement. If any condition specified in this Section
shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this
Agreement may be terminated by the Underwriters by notice to the Company at any
time at or prior to the Closing Time, and such termination shall be without
liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 and
except that Sections 1, 6 and 7 shall survive any such termination and remain in
full force and effect.

      SECTION 6. Indemnification.

      (a) Indemnification of Underwriters. The Company agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless each Underwriter, the directors, officers, employees and agents of
each Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within
the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act against
any and all losses, liabilities (joint or several), claims, damages and expenses
whatsoever, to which they or any of them may become subject under the 1933 Act,
the 1934 Act or other Federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common
law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement
or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the registration
statement for the registration of the Securities as originally filed or in any
amendment thereof, or in any Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus (or any
amendment or supplement thereto), or arise out of or are based upon the omission
or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, and agrees
to reimburse each such indemnified party, as incurred, for any legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or
defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however,
that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such
loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any such untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made
therein in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to
the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Underwriters
specifically for inclusion therein. This indemnity agreement will be in addition
to any liability which the Company may otherwise have.

      (b) Indemnification of Company, Directors and Officers. Each Underwriter
severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its
directors, each of its officers who sign the Registration Statement (including
any person who, with his or her consent, is named in the Registration Statement
as about to become a director of the Company) and each person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section
20 of the 1934 Act against any and all losses, liabilities (joint or several),
claims, damages and expenses described in the indemnity contained in subsection
(a) of this Section, as incurred, but only with respect to written information
furnished to the Company by such Underwriter through Salomon Smith Barney
specifically for inclusion in the documents referred to in the foregoing
indemnity. The Company acknowledges that the statements set forth in the last
paragraph of the cover page regarding delivery of the Securities, the
stabilization legend in block capital letters on the


                                      -14-
<PAGE>

reverse of the cover page and, under the heading "Underwriting", (i) the
sentences related to concessions and reallowances and (ii) the paragraph related
to stabilization in the Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or
the Prospectus constitute the only information furnished in writing by or on
behalf of the several Underwriters for inclusion in such Preliminary Prospectus,
Registration Statement or Prospectus.

      (c) Actions against Parties; Notification. Each indemnified party shall
give written notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to each indemnifying
party of any action commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be
sought hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party (i) will not
relieve it from liability under paragraph (a) or (b) above unless and to the
extent it did not otherwise learn of such action and such failure results in the
forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial rights and defenses and (ii)
will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party from any obligations to
any indemnified party other than the indemnification obligation provided in
paragraph (a) or (b) above. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to appoint
counsel of the indemnifying party's choice at the indemnifying party's expense
to represent the indemnified party in any action for which indemnification is
sought (in which case the indemnifying party shall not thereafter be responsible
for the fees and expenses of any separate counsel retained by the indemnified
party or parties except as set forth below); provided, however, that such
counsel shall be satisfactory to the indemnified party. Notwithstanding the
indemnifying party's election to appoint counsel to represent the indemnified
party in an action, the indemnified party shall have the right to employ
separate counsel (including local counsel), and the indemnifying party shall
bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such separate counsel if (i) the
use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party to represent the indemnified
party would present such counsel with a conflict of interest, (ii) the actual or
potential defendants in, or targets of, any such action include both the
indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall
have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it
and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those
available to the indemnifying party, (iii) the indemnifying party shall not have
employed counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the
indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of
such action or (iv) the indemnifying party shall authorize the indemnified party
to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party. No
indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified
parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with
respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any
governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in
respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this
Section 6 or Section 7 hereof (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual
or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i)
includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability
arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does
not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure
to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

      SECTION 7. Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in Section 6
hereof is for any reason unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an
indemnified party in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or
expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to
the aggregate amount of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses
(including legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with
investigating or defending same) incurred by such indemnified party, as
incurred, (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative
benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the
other hand from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement
(provided that in no case shall any Underwriter (except as may be provided in
any agreement among underwriters relating to the offering of the Securities) be
responsible for any amount in excess of the underwriting discount or commission
applicable to the Securities purchased by such Underwriter hereunder)


                                      -15-
<PAGE>

or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is unavailable for any reason,
in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits
referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company on
the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the
statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims,
damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.

      The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the
Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the offering of the Securities
pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective
proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Securities
pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company
and the total underwriting discount received by the Underwriters, in each case
as set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate initial
offering price of the Securities.

      The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on
the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether
any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or
alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the
Company or by the Underwriters and the parties' relative intent, knowledge,
access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or
omission.

      The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata
allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such
purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the
equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 7.

      Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no Underwriter shall be
required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total
price at which the Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public
were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such
Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

      Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no person guilty of
fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933
Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of
such fraudulent misrepresentation.

      For purposes of this Section 7, each person, if any, who controls an
Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of
the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and
each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15
of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to
contribution as the Company. The Underwriters' respective obligations to
contribute pursuant to this Section 7 are several in proportion to the number of
Securities set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule A hereto and
not joint.

      SECTION 8. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery.
All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement, or
in certificates of officers of the Company submitted pursuant hereto, shall
remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation
made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or controlling person, or by or on
behalf of the Company, and shall survive delivery of the Securities to the
Underwriters.


                                      -16-
<PAGE>

      SECTION 9. Termination of Agreement.

      (a) Termination; General. This Agreement shall be subject to termination
in the absolute discretion of the Underwriters, by notice given to the Company
prior to delivery of and payment for the Securities, if at any time prior to
such time (i) trading in the Company's Common Stock shall have been suspended by
the Commission or the NASDAQ or trading in securities generally on the New York
Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ shall have been suspended or limited or minimum
prices shall have been established on such Exchange or NASDAQ, (ii) a banking
moratorium shall have been declared either by Federal or New York State
authorities or (iii) there shall have occurred, subsequent to the signing
hereof, any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, declaration by the United
States of a national emergency or war or other calamity or crisis the effect of
which on financial markets is such as to make it, in the sole judgment of the
Underwriters, impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or
delivery of the Securities as contemplated by the Prospectus (exclusive of any
supplement thereto).

      (b) Liabilities. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section,
such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party
except as provided in Section 4 hereof, and provided further that Sections 1, 6
and 7 shall survive such termination and remain in full force and effect.

      SECTION 10. Default by One or More of the Underwriters. If any one or more
of the Underwriters shall fail to purchase and pay for any of the Securities
agreed to be purchased by such Underwriter or Underwriters hereunder and such
failure to purchase shall constitute a default in the performance of its or
their obligations under this Agreement, the remaining Underwriters shall be
obligated severally to take up and pay for (in the respective proportions which
the amount of Securities set forth opposite their names in Schedule A hereto
bears to the aggregate amount of Securities set forth opposite the names of all
the remaining Underwriters) the Securities which the defaulting Underwriter or
Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase; provided, however, that in the event
that the aggregate amount of Securities which the defaulting Underwriter or
Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase shall exceed 10% of the aggregate
amount of Securities set forth in Schedule A hereto, the remaining Underwriters
shall have the right to purchase all, but shall not be under any obligation to
purchase any, of the Securities, and if such nondefaulting Underwriters do not
purchase all of the Securities, this Agreement will terminate without liability
to any nondefaulting Underwriter or the Company. In the event of a default by
any Underwriter as set forth in this Section 10, the Closing Time shall be
postponed for such period, not exceeding five Business Days, as the Underwriters
shall determine in order that the required changes in the Registration Statement
and the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected.
Nothing contained in this Agreement shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter of
its liability, if any, to the Company and any nondefaulting Underwriter for
damages occasioned by its default hereunder.

      SECTION 11. Reliance; Notices. In all dealings hereunder, the Underwriters
shall act on behalf of each of the Underwriters, and the parties hereto shall be
entitled to act and rely upon any statement, request, notice or agreement on
behalf of any Underwriter made or given by the Underwriters jointly or by
Salomon Brothers on their behalf.

      All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be in
writing, and if to the Underwriters shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or
facsimile transmission to the Underwriters in care of Salomon Smith Barney
General Counsel (fax no. (212) 816-7071) and confirmed to Salomon Smith Barney,
388 Greenwich Street, 19th Floor, New York, New York 10013, Attention: General
Counsel; and if to the Company shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or
facsimile transmission to the address of the


                                      -17-
<PAGE>

Company set forth in the Prospectus, Attention: General Counsel; provided,
however, that any notice to an Underwriter pursuant to Section 6(c) hereof shall
be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to such
Underwriter at its address set forth in its Underwriters' Questionnaire, or
telex constituting such Questionnaire, which address will be supplied to the
Company by the Underwriters upon request. Any such statements, requests, notices
or agreements shall take effect upon receipt thereof.

      SECTION 12. Parties. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the Underwriters, the Company and their respective successors.
Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be
construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the Underwriters,
the Company and their respective successors and the controlling persons and
officers and directors referred to in Sections 6 and 7 and their heirs and legal
Underwriters, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect
of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. This Agreement and all
conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive
benefit of the Underwriters, the Company and their respective successors, and
said controlling persons and officers and directors and their heirs and legal
Underwriters, and for the benefit of no other person, firm or corporation. No
purchaser of Securities from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor
by reason merely of such purchase.

      SECTION 13. Time of the Essence. Time shall be of the essence of this
Agreement. As used herein, the term "business day" shall mean any day when the
Commission's office in Washington, D.C. is open for business.

      SECTION 14. GOVERNING LAW AND TIME. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY
AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. SPECIFIED
TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME.

      SECTION 15. Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for
convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

      SECTION 16. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by any one of
more of the parties hereto in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute
one and the same instrument.

      If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our
agreement, please sign and return to the Company a counterpart hereof, and upon
the acceptance hereof by Salomon Smith Barney, on behalf of each of the
Underwriters, this letter and such acceptance hereof shall constitute a binding
agreement between each of the Underwriters and the Company. It is understood
that your acceptance of this letter on behalf of each of the Underwriters is
pursuant to the authority set forth in a form of Agreement among


                                      -18-
<PAGE>

Underwriters, the form of which shall be submitted to the Company for
examination upon request, but without warranty on your part as to the authority
of the signers thereof.

                                         Very truly yours,

                                         NEXTLINK Communications, Inc.


                                         By
                                           -------------------------------------
                                             Name:  R. Bruce Easter, Jr.
                                             Title:  Vice President


CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED,
as of the date first above written:


Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation
Chase Securities Inc.

By:  Salomon Smith Barney Inc.


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

For themselves and on behalf of the
other Underwriters named in Schedule A hereto.
<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULE A

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Aggregate            Aggregate
                                                    Principal Amount    Principal Amount
                                                       of Senior       of Senior Discount
                                                      Notes to be         Notes to be
           Underwriter                                 Purchased           Purchased
           -----------                              ----------------   ------------------
<S>                                                 <C>                <C>
Salomon Smith Barney Inc. ........................

Goldman, Sachs & Co. .............................

Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. .........................

Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation ...........

Chase Securities Inc. ............................

        Total ....................................
</TABLE>


                                   Sch A - 1
<PAGE>

                                                                     Exhibit A-1

                   FORM OF OPINION OF WILKIE FARR & GALLAGHER
                    TO BE DELIVERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 5(b)

      (i) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a
corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware.

      (ii) The Company has power and authority to own, lease and operate its
properties and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and to
enter into and perform its obligations under the Underwriting Agreement.

      (iii) The Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact
business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such
qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of
property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or
to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

      (iv) The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company
is as set forth in the Prospectus as of the dates indicated therein; the shares
of issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized
and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; and none of the
outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company was issued in violation of
the preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company.

      (v) Each Designated Subsidiary has been duly formed and is validly
existing as a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership in
good standing, as applicable, under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
formation, and has power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties
and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus; all of the issued
and outstanding shares, membership interests or partnership interests of each
Designated Subsidiary has been duly authorized and validly issued, is fully paid
and non-assessable and, except as otherwise set forth in the Prospectus in
respect of the minority interests described therein, is owned by the Company,
directly or through subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest,
mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity.

      (vi) The Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by the Company.

      (vii) The Indentures have been duly authorized, executed and delivered;
and, assuming due execution by the Trustee, the Indentures constitute a valid
and legally binding obligation of the Company enforceable in accordance with its
terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization,
moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
creditors' rights and to general equity principles.

      (viii) The Securities have been duly authorized and executed by the
Company and authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the
Indentures and constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company
entitled to the benefits provided by the Indentures, subject, as to enforcement,
to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and
similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights
and to general equity principles. In rendering the opinion set forth in this
paragraph (viii), as to authentication we have relied solely on a certificate of
the Trustee as to the


                                     A-1-1
<PAGE>

authentication of the Securities by a duly authorized representative of the
Trustee and have assumed that the Securities so authenticated have been
delivered to you and paid for by you in accordance with the Underwriting
Agreement. The Securities and the Indentures conform in all material respects to
the descriptions thereof in the Prospectus;

      (ix) The information in the Prospectus under the caption "Description of
the Notes", to the extent that it constitutes a summary of the terms of the
Securities, and under the captions "Regulation" and "Underwriting", to the
extent that it constitutes matters of law, summaries of legal matters, or legal
conclusions, has been reviewed by us and is correct in all material respects.

      (x) The statements set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "Certain
United States Federal Income Tax Consequences", insofar as such statements
purport to summarize certain United States federal income and estate tax
consequences of the ownership and dispensation of the Securities by certain U.S.
Holders and non-U.S. Holders (as such terms are defined therein) of the
Securities, provide a fair summary of such consequences under current law.

      (xi) All descriptions in the Prospectus of contracts and other documents
to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries are a party are accurate in all
material respects; to the best of our knowledge, there are no franchises,
contracts, indentures, mortgages, loan agreements, notes, leases or other
instruments that would be required to be described in the Prospectus that are
not described or referred to in the Prospectus other than those described or
referred to therein and the descriptions thereof or references thereto are
correct in all material respects.

      (xii) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of
its charter or by-laws or other constituting or operative document or agreement
and, to the best of our knowledge, no default by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries exists in the due performance or observance of any material
obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract,
indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, note, lease or other agreement or
instrument that is described or referred to in the Prospectus.

      (xiii) No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license,
order, registration, qualification or decree of, any court or governmental
authority or agency is necessary or required for the performance by the Company
of its obligations under the Underwriting Agreement or the Indentures, in
connection with the offering, issuance or sale of the Securities hereunder or
thereunder or the consummation of the actions contemplated by the Underwriting
Agreement or the Indentures, except such as have been obtained under the 1933
Act and the Trust Indenture Act, and such consents, approvals, authorizations,
registrations or qualifications as may be required under state securities or
Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Securities
by the Underwriters.

      (xiv) The issue and sale of the Securities, the execution, delivery and
performance of the Underwriting Agreement, the Indentures and the Securities and
any other agreement or instrument entered into or issued or to be entered into
or issued by the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby, thereby or in the Prospectus, and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated herein, therein and in the Prospectus (including the issuance and
sale of the Securities by the Company hereunder), the compliance by the Company
with its obligations hereunder and thereunder have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action on the part of the Company and do not and will not,
whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both,
conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default or a Repayment Event under,
or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or


                                     A-1-2
<PAGE>

encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, pursuant to any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan
or credit agreement, note, lease, or any other agreement or instrument known to
such counsel to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by
which it or any of them may be bound, or to which any of the property or assets
of the Company or any subsidiaries thereof is subject, except for such
conflicts, breaches or defaults or liens, charges or encumbrances that, singly
or in the aggregate, would not result in a Material Adverse Effect, nor will
such action result in any violation of the provisions of the constituting or
operative document or agreement of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any
applicable law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of
any government, government instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having
jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their assets
or properties.

      (xv) The Company is not, and upon the issuance and sale of the Securities
and the application of the net proceeds therefrom will not be, an "investment
company" or an entity "controlled" by an "investment company," as such terms are
defined in the 1940 Act.

      (xvi) The Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any further
amendments and supplements thereto made by the Company prior to each Closing
Time (other than the financial statements and related schedules therein, as to
which such counsel need express no opinion) comply as to form in all material
respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder; although they do not assume any responsibility for the accuracy,
completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus, except for those referred to in subsection (ix) of
this opinion, they have no reason to believe that, as of its effective date, the
Registration Statement or any further amendment thereto made by the Company
prior to such Closing Time (other than the financial statements and related
schedules therein, as to which such counsel need express no opinion) contained
an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading or that, as if its date, the Prospectus or any further amendment or
supplement thereto made by the Company prior to such Closing Time (other than
the financial statements and related schedules therein, as to which such counsel
need express no opinion) contained an untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or that,
as of such Closing Time, either the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or
any further amendment or supplement thereto made by the Company prior to such
Closing Time (other than the financial statements and related schedules therein,
as to which such counsel need express no opinion) contains an untrue statement
of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading; and they do not know of any amendment to the Registration
Statement required to be filed or of any contracts or other documents of a
character required to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or
required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus which
are not filed or described as required.

      In rendering such opinion, such counsel (A) may rely as to matters of fact
(but not as to legal conclusions), to the extent they deem proper, on
certificates of responsible officers of the Company and public officials and (B)
may state that they express no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction
outside the United States. Such opinion shall not state that it is to be
governed or qualified by, or that it is otherwise subject to, any treatise,
written policy or other document relating to legal opinions, including, without
limitation, the Legal Opinion Accord of the ABA Section of Business Law (1991).


                                     A-1-3
<PAGE>

                                                                     Exhibit A-2

                    FORM OF OPINION OF R. BRUCE EASTER, ESQ.
                    TO BE DELIVERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 5(b)

      (i) There is not pending or, to the best of my knowledge, threatened any
action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, to which the Company or any
subsidiary thereof is a party, or to which the property of the Company or any
subsidiary thereof is subject, before or brought by any court or governmental
agency or body, which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect, or which might reasonably be expected to materially and
adversely affect the properties or assets thereof or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated in the Underwriting Agreement, the Indentures or the
Securities or the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder or
the transactions contemplated by the Prospectus.

      (ii) To the best of my knowledge and except as set forth in or
contemplated by the Prospectus with respect to systems under development, (a)
each of the Company and its Designated Subsidiaries has all Authorizations of
and from, and has made all declarations and filings with, all Federal, state,
local and other governmental authorities, all self-regulatory organizations and
all courts and other tribunals, which are necessary or appropriate for the
Company and its Designated Subsidiaries to own, lease, license, use and
construct its properties and assets and to conduct its business in the manner
described in the Prospectus, except to the extent that the failure to obtain any
such Authorizations or make any such declaration or filing would not, singly or
in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect,
(b) all such Authorizations are in full force and effect with respect to the
Company and its Designated Subsidiaries, (c) no event has occurred that permits,
or after notice or lapse of time could permit, the revocation, termination or
modification of any such Authorization and (d) the Company and its Designated
Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with the terms and
conditions of all such Authorizations and with the rules and regulations of the
regulatory authorities and governing bodies having jurisdiction with respect
thereto.

      (iii) To the best of my knowledge, neither the execution and delivery of
the Underwriting Agreement, the Indentures or the Securities, nor the
consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby
will cause any suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture, nonrenewal or
termination of any Authorization.

      In rendering such opinion, such counsel (A) may rely as to matters of fact
(but not as to legal conclusions), to the extent he deems proper, on
certificates of responsible officers of the Company and public officials and (B)
may state that he expresses no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction
outside the United States. Such opinion shall not state that it is to be
governed or qualified by, or that it is otherwise subject to, any treatise,
written policy or other document relating to legal opinions, including, without
limitation, the Legal Opinion Accord of the ABA Section of Business Law (1991).


                                     A-2-1

<PAGE>
                                                                    Exhibit 4.15

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

                          NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

                                       TO

                     UNITED STATES TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK
                                                     Trustee

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

                                    Indenture

                         Dated as of             , 1999

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

                                $

                                 % SENIOR NOTES
                                    DUE 2009

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

<PAGE>

                          NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

                 Certain Sections of this Indenture relating to
                         Sections 310 through 318 of the
                          Trust Indenture Act of 1939:

Trust Indenture                                                 Indenture
  Act Section                                                    Section
- ---------------                                                 ---------

ss. 310(a)(1)         ..........................................  609
       (a)(2)         ..........................................  609
       (a)(3)         ..........................................  Not Applicable
       (a)(4)         ..........................................  Not Applicable
       (b)            ..........................................  608
                                                                  610
ss. 311(a)            ..........................................  613
       (b)            ..........................................  613
ss. 312(a)            ..........................................  701
       (b)            ..........................................  702
       (c)            ..........................................  702
ss. 313(a)            ..........................................  703
       (b)            ..........................................  703
       (c)            ..........................................  703
       (d)            ..........................................  703
ss. 314(a)            ..........................................  704
                                                                  1018
       (b)            ..........................................  Not Applicable
       (c)(1)         ..........................................  102
       (c)(2)         ..........................................  102
       (c)(3)         ..........................................  Not Applicable
       (d)            ..........................................  Not Applicable
       (e)            ..........................................  102
ss. 315(a)            ..........................................  601
       (b)            ..........................................  602
       (c)            ..........................................  601
       (d)            ..........................................  601
       (e)            ..........................................  514
ss. 316(a)(1)(A)      ..........................................  502


- ----------
Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a
      part of the Indenture.


                                       -i-
<PAGE>

Trust Indenture                                                 Indenture
  Act Section                                                    Section
- ---------------                                                 ---------

                                                                  512
       (a)(1)(B)      ..........................................  513
       (a)(2)         ..........................................  Not Applicable
       (b)            ..........................................  508
       (c)            ..........................................  104
ss. 317(a)(1)         ..........................................  503
       (a)(2)         ..........................................  504
       (b)            ..........................................  1003
ss. 318(a)            ..........................................  107

- ----------
Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a
      part of the Indenture.


                                      -ii-
<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY.......................................................1

ARTICLE ONE Definitions and Other Provisions of General Application

SECTION 101.  Definitions ....................................................1
              Act.............................................................2
              Acquired Debt...................................................2
              Affiliate.......................................................2
              Agent Member....................................................3
              Asset Disposition...............................................3
              Attributable Value..............................................3
              Bank Credit Agreement...........................................4
              Board of Directors..............................................4
              Board Resolution................................................4
              Business Day....................................................4
              Capital Lease Obligation........................................4
              Capital Stock...................................................5
              Change of Control...............................................5
              Commission......................................................5
              Common Equity...................................................5
              Company.........................................................5
              Company Request.................................................5
              Company Order...................................................5
              Consolidated Capital Ratio......................................5
              Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges..............6
              Consolidated Income Tax Expense.................................6
              Consolidated Interest Expense...................................6
              Consolidated Net Income.........................................7
              Consolidated Net Worth..........................................7
              Consolidated Tangible Assets....................................8
              Corporate Trust Office..........................................8
              corporation.....................................................8
              Debt............................................................8
              Default.........................................................9
              Defaulted Interest..............................................9
              Depositary......................................................9
              Disqualified Stock..............................................9
              DTC............................................................10
              Eagle River....................................................10

- ----------
Note: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a
      part of the Indenture.


                                      -iii-
<PAGE>

              Eligible Institution...........................................10
              Event of Default...............................................10
              Exchange Act...................................................10
              Expiration Date................................................11
              Global Security................................................11
              Government Securities..........................................11
              Guarantee......................................................11
              Holder.........................................................12
              Incur..........................................................12
              Indenture......................................................12
              Interest Payment Date..........................................12
              Interest Rate or Currency Protection Agreement.................12
              Investment.....................................................13
              Issue Date.....................................................13
              Joint Venture..................................................13
              Lien...........................................................13
              Marketable Securities..........................................13
              Maturity.......................................................14
              Net Available Proceeds.........................................14
              Offer to Purchase..............................................15
              Officers' Certificate..........................................18
              Opinion of Counsel.............................................18
              Original Securities............................................18
              Outstanding....................................................18
              Paying Agent...................................................19
              Permitted Interest Rate or Currency Protection Agreement.......19
              Permitted Investment...........................................19
              Permitted Liens................................................20
              Person.........................................................21
              Predecessor Security...........................................21
              Preferred Dividends............................................21
              Preferred Stock................................................21
              Purchase Agreement.............................................21
              Purchase Date..................................................21
              Purchase Money Debt............................................21
              Purchasers.....................................................22
              readily marketable cash equivalents............................22
              Receivables....................................................22
              Receivables Sale...............................................22
              Redemption Date................................................22
              Redemption Price...............................................23
              Regular Record Date............................................23
              Related Person.................................................23
              Responsible Officer............................................23

- ----------
Note: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a
      part of the Indenture.


                                      -iv-
<PAGE>

              Restricted Subsidiary..........................................24
              Sale and Leaseback Transaction.................................24
              SEC Reports....................................................25
              Securities.....................................................25
              Securities Act.................................................25
              Security Register..............................................25
              Security Registrar.............................................25
              Significant Subsidiary.........................................25
              Special Record Date............................................25
              Stated Maturity................................................25
              Subordinated Debt..............................................25
              Subsidiary.....................................................27
              Successor Security.............................................27
              Telecommunications Assets......................................27
              Telecommunications Business....................................27
              Trustee........................................................27
              Trust Indenture Act............................................28
              Unrestricted Subsidiary........................................28
              Vendor Financing Facility......................................29
              Vice President.................................................29
              Voting Stock...................................................29
              Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary.............................29

SECTION 102.  Compliance Certificates and Opinions...........................29
SECTION 103.  Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.........................30
SECTION 104.  Acts of Holders; Record Dates..................................31
SECTION 105.  Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company..........................34
SECTION 106.  Notice to Holders; Waiver......................................34
SECTION 107.  Conflict with Trust Indenture Act..............................35
SECTION 108.  Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.......................35
SECTION 109.  Successors and Assigns.........................................35
SECTION 110.  Separability Clause............................................35
SECTION 111.  Benefits of Indenture..........................................35
SECTION 112.  Governing Law..................................................36
SECTION 113.  Legal Holidays.................................................36

                   ARTICLE TWO Security Forms

SECTION 201.  Forms Generally................................................36
SECTION 202.  Form of Face of Security.......................................37
SECTION 203.  Form of Reverse of Security....................................42
SECTION 204.  Additional Provisions Required in Global Security..............47
SECTION 205.  Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication................47

- ----------
Note: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a
      part of the Indenture.


                                      -v-
<PAGE>

                   ARTICLE THREE The Securities

SECTION 301.  Title and Terms................................................48
SECTION 302.  Denominations..................................................50
SECTION 303.  Execution, Authentication, Deliveryand Dating..................50
SECTION 304   Temporary Securities...........................................51
SECTION 305.  Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange............52
SECTION 306.  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities...............57
SECTION 307.  Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.................58
SECTION 308.  Persons Deemed Owners..........................................60
SECTION 309.  Cancellation...................................................61
SECTION 310.  Computation of Interest........................................60
SECTION 311.  CUSIP and ISIN Numbers.........................................60

                   ARTICLE FOUR Satisfaction and Discharge

SECTION 401.  Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture........................61
SECTION 402.  Application of Trust Money.....................................62

                   ARTICLE FIVE Remedies

SECTION 501.  Events of Default..............................................62
SECTION 502.  Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.............65
SECTION 503.  Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement
               by Trustee....................................................66
SECTION 504.  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim...............................67
SECTION 505.  Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities....68
SECTION 506.  Application of Money Collected.................................68
SECTION 507.  Limitation on Suits............................................69
SECTION 508.  Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal,
               Premium and Interest..........................................70
SECTION 509.  Restoration of Rights and Remedies.............................70
SECTION 510.  Rights and Remedies Cumulative.................................70
SECTION 511.  Delay or Omission Not Waiver...................................71
SECTION 512.  Control by Holders.............................................71
SECTION 513.  Waiver of Past Defaults........................................71
SECTION 514.  Undertaking for Costs..........................................72
SECTION 515.  Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws...............................72

                   ARTICLE SIX The Trustee

- ----------
Note: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a
      part of the Indenture.


                                      -vi-
<PAGE>

SECTION 601.  Certain Duties and Responsibilities............................73
SECTION 602.  Notice of Defaults.............................................73
SECTION 603.  Certain Rights of Trustee......................................73
SECTION 604.  Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.........75
SECTION 605.  May Hold Securities............................................75
SECTION 606.  Money Held in Trust............................................75
SECTION 607.  Compensation and Reimbursement.................................75
SECTION 608.  Disqualification; Conflicting Interests........................76
SECTION 609.  Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility........................77
SECTION 610.  Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor..............77
SECTION 611.  Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.........................79
SECTION 612.  Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business....79
SECTION 613.  Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company..........79
SECTION 614.  Appointment of Authenticating Agent............................80

        ARTICLE SEVEN Holders' Lists and Reports byTrustee and the Company

SECTION 701.  Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders......82
SECTION 702.  Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.........82
SECTION 703.  Reports by Trustee.............................................83
SECTION 704.  Reports by Company.............................................83

                   ARTICLE EIGHT Merger, Consolidation, Etc.

SECTION 801.  Mergers, Consolidations and Certain Sales of Assets............84
SECTION 802.  Successor Substituted..........................................85

                   ARTICLE NINE Supplemental Indentures

SECTION 901.  Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.............86
SECTION 902.  Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders................87
SECTION 903.  Execution of Supplemental Indentures...........................88
SECTION 904.  Effect of Supplemental Indentures..............................88
SECTION 905.  Conformity with Trust Indenture Act............................88

- ----------
Note: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a
      part of the Indenture.


                                     -vii-
<PAGE>

SECTION 906.  Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures..............88

                   ARTICLE TEN Covenants

SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest......................89
SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency.................................89
SECTION 1003. Money for Security Payments to be Held in Trust.................90
SECTION 1004. Existence ......................................................91
SECTION 1005. Maintenance of Properties and Insurance.........................92
SECTION 1006. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims...............................92
SECTION 1007. Limitation on Consolidated Debt.................................93
SECTION 1008. Limitation on Debt and Preferred Stock of Restricted
               Subsidiaries...................................................96
SECTION 1009. Limitation on Restricted Payments...............................99
SECTION 1010. Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions
               Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.............................101
SECTION 1011. Limitation on Liens............................................103
SECTION 1012. Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions..................104
SECTION 1013. Limitation on Asset Dispositions...............................104
SECTION 1014. Limitation on Issuances and Sales of Capital Stock of
               Restricted Subsidiaries.......................................107
SECTION 1015. Transactions with Affiliates and Related Persons...............107
SECTION 1016. Change of Control..............................................108
SECTION 1017. Provision of Financial Information.............................109
SECTION 1018. Statement by Officers as to Default............................110
SECTION 1019. Waiver of Certain Covenants....................................110
SECTION 1020. Limitation on Use of Proceeds..................................110

                   ARTICLE ELEVEN Redemption of Securities

SECTION 1101. Right of Redemption............................................111
SECTION 1102. Applicability of Article.......................................112
SECTION 1103. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee..........................112
SECTION 1104. Securities to Be Redeemed Pro Rata.............................112
SECTION 1105. Notice of Redemption...........................................113
SECTION 1106. Deposit of Redemption Price....................................114
SECTION 1107. Securities Payable on Redemption Date..........................114
SECTION 1108. Securities Redeemed in Part....................................115

                   ARTICLE TWELVE Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

- ----------
Note: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a
      part of the Indenture.


                                     -viii-
<PAGE>

SECTION 1201. Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance...115
SECTION 1202. Defeasance and Discharge.......................................115
SECTION 1203. Covenant Defeasance............................................116
SECTION 1204. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance................116
SECTION 1205. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to
               Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions..............119
SECTION 1206. Reinstatement..................................................120
SECTION 1207. Repayment to Company...........................................120

- ----------
Note: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a
      part of the Indenture.


                                      -ix-
<PAGE>

            INDENTURE, dated as of ________________, 1999, between NEXTLINK
Communications, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of
Delaware (the "Company"), having its principal office at 500 108th Avenue N.E.,
Suite 2200, Bellevue, Washington 98004, and United States Trust Company of New
York, duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, as
Trustee (herein called the "Trustee").

                             RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

            The Company has duly authorized the creation of an issue of
$___________ aggregate principal amount of its ___% Senior Notes due 2009 (the
"Securities") of substantially the tenor and amount hereinafter set forth, and
to provide therefor the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery
of this Indenture.

            All things necessary to make the Securities, when executed by the
Company and authenticated and delivered hereunder and duly issued by the
Company, the valid obligations of the Company, and to make this Indenture a
valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with their and its terms, have
been done.

                   NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

            For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the
Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the
equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities, as follows:

                                   ARTICLE ONE

                        Definitions and Other Provisions
                             of General Application

SECTION 101. Definitions.

            For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly
provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

            (1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to
      them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;

<PAGE>

            (2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust
      Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings
      assigned to them therein;

            (3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the
      meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting
      principles (whether or not such is indicated herein) and, except as
      otherwise herein expressly provided, the term "generally accepted
      accounting principles" with respect to any computation required or
      permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally
      accepted as consistently applied by the Company at the date of such
      computation; and

            (4) the words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of
      similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any
      particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

            Certain terms, used principally in Article Six, are defined in that
Article.

            "Act", when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning
specified in Section 104.

            "Acquired Debt" means, with respect to any specified Person, (i)
Debt of any other Person existing at the time such Person merges with or into or
consolidates with or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person
and (ii) Debt secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified
Person, which Debt was not Incurred in anticipation of, and was outstanding
prior to, such merger, consolidation or acquisition.

            "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly
or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to
direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise;
and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.

            "Agent Member" means any member of, or participant in, the
Depository.


                                      -2-
<PAGE>

            "Asset Disposition" by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
means any transfer, conveyance, sale, lease or other disposition (other than a
creation of a Lien) by such Person, (including a consolidation or merger or
other sale of any such Restricted Subsidiary with, into or to another Person in
a transaction in which such Restricted Subsidiary ceases to be a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company, but excluding a disposition by a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company or by the Company to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) of (i)
shares of Capital Stock or other ownership interests of a Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company, (including the issuance of Capital Stock by a Restricted
Subsidiary) other than as permitted by the provisions of Section 1008 or
pursuant to a transaction in compliance with Section 801, (ii) substantially all
of the assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries representing
a division or line of business (other than as part of a Permitted Investment) or
(iii) other assets or rights of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries other than (A) in the ordinary course of business or (B) that
constitutes a Restricted Payment which is permitted by the provisions of Section
1009; provided that a transaction described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) shall
constitute an Asset Disposition only if the aggregate consideration for such
transfer, conveyance, sale, lease or other disposition is equal to $5 million or
more in any 12-month period.

            "Attributable Value" means, as to any particular lease under which
any Person is at the time liable other than a Capital Lease Obligation, and at
any date as of which the amount thereof is to be determined, the total net
amount of rent required to be paid by such Person under such lease during the
initial term thereof as determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, discounted from the last date of such initial term to the
date of determination at a rate per annum equal to the discount rate which would
be applicable to a Capital Lease Obligation with like term in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. The net amount of rent required to be
paid under any such lease for any such period shall be the aggregate amount of
rent payable by the lessee with respect to such period after excluding amounts
required to be paid on account of insurance, taxes, assessments, utility,
operating and labor costs and similar charges. In the case of any lease which is
terminable by the lessee upon the payment of penalty, such net amount shall also
include the lesser of the amount of such penalty (in which case no rent shall be
considered as required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date
upon which it may be so terminated)


                                      -3-
<PAGE>

or the rent which would otherwise be required to be paid if such lease is not so
terminated. "Attributable Value" means, as to a Capital Lease Obligation, the
principal amount thereof.

            "Bank Credit Agreement" means any one or more credit agreements
(which may include or consist of revolving credits) between the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and one or more banks or other financial
institutions providing financing for the business of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries.

            "Board of Directors" means either the board of directors of the
Company or any duly authorized committee of that Board.

            "Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by
the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such
certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

            "Business Day" means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and
Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in The Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, New York are authorized or obligated by law or
executive order to close.

            "Capital Lease Obligation" of any Person means the obligation to pay
rent or other payment amounts under a lease of (or other Debt arrangements
conveying the right to use) real or personal property of such Person which is
required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease or a liability on
the face of a balance sheet of such Person in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles (a "Capital Lease"). The stated maturity of such
obligation shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due
under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated
by the lessee without payment of a penalty. The principal amount of such
obligation shall be the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on the face
of a balance sheet of such Person in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.

            "Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all shares, interests,
participations or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock or
other equity participations, including partnership interests, whether general or
limited, of such Person.


                                      -4-
<PAGE>

            "Change of Control" has the meaning specified in Section 1016.

            "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from
time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time
after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and
performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the
body performing such duties at such time.

            "Common Equity" of any Person means Capital Stock of such Person
that is not Disqualified Stock, and a "sale of Common Equity" includes any sale
of Common Equity effected by private sale or public offering.

            "Company" means the Person named as the "Company" in the first
paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such
pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter "Company"
shall mean such successor Person.

            "Company Request" or "Company Order" means a written request or
order signed in the name of the Company by (i) the Chief Executive Officer, the
President, an Executive Vice President or a Vice President of the Company, and
(ii) the Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer or Secretary of the Company, and
delivered to the Trustee.

            "Consolidated Capital Ratio" of any Person as of any date means the
ratio of (i) the aggregate consolidated principal amount of Debt (or in the case
of Debt issued at a discount the accreted amount thereof) of such Person then
outstanding (which amount of Debt shall be reduced by any amount of cash or cash
equivalent collateral securing on a perfected basis and dedicated for
disbursement exclusively to the payment of principal of and interest on such
Debt) to (ii) the aggregate consolidated Capital Stock (other than Disqualified
Stock) and paid in capital (other than in respect of Disqualified Stock) of such
Person as of such date.

            "Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges" for any period
means the Consolidated Net Income of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
for such period increased by the sum of (i) Consolidated Interest Expense of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, plus (ii) Consolidated
Income Tax Expense of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such
period, plus (iii) the consolidated depreciation and amortization expense
included in the income statement of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
for such period, plus (iv) any noncash expense


                                      -5-
<PAGE>

for such period (excluding any noncash charge to the extent that it requires an
accrual of or a reserve for cash disbursements in any future period), plus (v)
any charge related to any premium or penalty paid in connection with redeeming
or retiring any Debt prior to its stated maturity; provided, however, that there
shall be excluded therefrom the Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed
Charges (if positive) of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (calculated
separately for such Restricted Subsidiary in the same manner as provided above
for the Company) that is subject to a restriction which prevents the payment of
dividends or the making of distributions to the Company or another Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company to the extent of such restriction.

            "Consolidated Income Tax Expense" for any period means the
consolidated provision for income taxes of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries for such period calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles.

            "Consolidated Interest Expense" means for any period the
consolidated interest expense included in a consolidated income statement
(excluding interest income) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for
such period calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, including without limitation or duplication (or,
to the extent not so included, with the addition of), (i) the amortization of
Debt discounts; (ii) any payments or fees with respect to letters of credit,
bankers' acceptances or similar facilities; (iii) fees with respect to interest
rate swap or similar agreements or foreign currency hedge, exchange or similar
agreements; (iv) Preferred Dividends of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries (other than dividends paid in shares of Preferred Stock that is not
Disqualified Stock) declared and paid or payable; (v) accrued Disqualified Stock
dividends of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether or not
declared or paid; (vi) interest on Debt guaranteed by the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries; and (vii) the portion of any Capital Lease Obligation
paid or accrued during such period that is allocable to interest expense.

            "Consolidated Net Income" for any period means the consolidated net
income (or loss) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles; provided that there shall be excluded therefrom (a) the
net income (or loss) of any Person acquired by the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary of the


                                      -6-
<PAGE>

Company in a pooling-of-interests transaction for any period prior to the date
of such transaction, (b) the net income (or loss) of any Person that is not a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company except to the extent of the amount of
dividends or other distributions actually paid to the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company by such Person during such period, (c) gains or losses
on Asset Dispositions by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, (d) all
extraordinary gains and extraordinary losses, (e) the cumulative effect of
changes in accounting principles, (f) non-cash gains or losses resulting from
fluctuations in currency exchange rates, (g) any non-cash gain or loss realized
on the termination of any employee pension benefit plan and (h) the tax effect
of any of the items described in clauses (a) through (g) above; provided,
further, that for purposes of any determination pursuant to the provisions of
Section 1009 there shall further be excluded therefrom the net income (but not
net loss) of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is subject to a
restriction which prevents the payment of dividends or the making of
distributions to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to
the extent of such restriction.

            "Consolidated Net Worth" of any Person means the consolidated
stockholders' equity of such Person, determined on a consolidated basis in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, less amounts
attributable to Disqualified Stock of such Person; provided that, with respect
to the Company, adjustments following the date of this Indenture to the
accounting books and records of the Company in accordance with Accounting
Principles Board Opinions Nos. 16 and 17 (or successor opinions thereto) or
otherwise resulting from the acquisition of control of the Company by another
Person shall not be given effect to.

            "Consolidated Tangible Assets" of any Person means the total amount
of assets (less applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) which
under generally accepted accounting principles would be included on a
consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries after
deducting therefrom all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized
debt discount and expense and other like intangibles, which in each case under
generally accepted accounting principles would be included on such consolidated
balance sheet; provided that, with respect to the Company, adjustments following
the date of this Indenture to the accounting books and records of the Company in
accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinions Nos. 16 and 17 (or
successor opinions thereto) or otherwise resulting from the acquisition of
control of the Company by another Person shall not be given effect to.


                                      -7-
<PAGE>

            "Corporate Trust Office" means the principal office of the Trustee
in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New York, at which at any
particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which at the
date hereof is located at 114 West 47th Street, New York, New York 10036.

            "corporation" means a corporation, association, company, limited
liability company, joint-stock company or business trust.

            "Debt" means (without duplication), with respect to any Person,
whether recourse is to all or a portion of the assets of such Person and whether
or not contingent, (i) every obligation of such Person for money borrowed, (ii)
every obligation of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other
similar instruments, including any such obligations Incurred in connection with
the acquisition of property, assets or businesses, (iii) every reimbursement
obligation of such Person with respect to letters of credit, bankers'
acceptances or similar facilities issued for the account of such Person, (iv)
every obligation of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price
of property or services (including securities repurchase agreements but
excluding trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary
course of business which are not overdue or which are being contested in good
faith), (v) every Capital Lease Obligation of such Person, (vi) all Receivables
Sales of such Person, together with any obligation of such Person to pay any
discount, interest, fees, indemnities, penalties, recourse, expenses or other
amounts in connection therewith, (vii) all obligations to redeem Disqualified
Stock issued by such Person, (viii) every obligation under Interest Rate or
Currency Protection Agreements of such Person and (ix) every obligation of the
type referred to in clauses (i) through (viii) of another Person and all
dividends of another Person the payment of which, in either case, such Person
has Guaranteed. The "amount" or "principal amount" of Debt at any time of
determination as used herein represented by (a) any Debt issued at a price that
is less than the principal amount at maturity thereof, shall be the amount of
the liability in respect thereof determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, (b) any Receivables Sale, shall be the amount of
the unrecovered capital or principal investment of the purchaser (other than the
Company or a Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) thereof,
excluding amounts representative of yield or interest earned on such investment,
(c) any Disqualified Stock, shall be the maximum fixed redemption or repurchase


                                      -8-
<PAGE>

price in respect thereof, (d) any Capital Lease Obligation, shall be determined
in accordance with the definition thereof, or (e) any Permitted Interest Rate or
Currency Protection Agreement, shall be zero. In no event shall Debt include any
liability for taxes.

            "Default" means an event that with the passing of time or the giving
of notice or both shall constitute an Event of Default.

            "Defaulted Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 307.

            "Depositary" means, with respect to the Securities issuable or
issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, DTC for
so long as it shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, or
such successor (which shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange
Act) as the Company shall designate from time to time in an Officers'
Certificate delivered to the Trustee.

            "Disqualified Stock" of any Person means any Capital Stock of such
Person (other than Capital Stock outstanding on the Issue Date) which, by its
terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which
it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is
mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or
is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or
prior to the final Stated Maturity of the Securities (or, if earlier, the date
as of which the Securities have been paid in full); provided, however, that any
Preferred Stock which would not constitute Disqualified Stock but for provisions
thereof giving holders thereof the right to require the Company to repurchase or
redeem such Preferred Stock upon the occurrence of an asset sale or a Change of
Control occurring prior to the final Stated Maturity of the Securities shall not
constitute Disqualified Stock if the asset sale or change of control provisions
applicable to such Preferred Stock are no more favorable to the holders of such
Preferred Stock than the provisions applicable to the Securities contained in
Section 1013 or Section 1016 and such Preferred Stock specifically provides that
the Company will not repurchase or redeem any such stock pursuant to such
provisions prior to the Company's repurchase of such Securities as are required
to be repurchased pursuant to Section 1013 or Section 1016.

            "DTC" means The Depository Trust Company.


                                      -9-
<PAGE>

            "Eagle River" means Eagle River Investments, L.L.C., a limited
liability company formed under the laws of the State of Washington.

            "Eligible Institution" means a commercial banking institution that
has combined capital and surplus of not less than $500 million or its equivalent
in foreign currency, whose debt is rated "A-3" or higher, "A" or higher or "A"
or higher according to Moody's Investors Service, Inc., Standard & Poor's
Ratings Group or Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. (or such similar equivalent
rating by at least one "nationally recognized statistical rating organization"
(as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act)) respectively, at the time as
of which any investment or rollover therein is made.

            "Eligible Receivables" means, at any time, Receivables of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as evidenced on the most recent
quarterly consolidated balance sheet of the Company as at a date at least 45
days prior to such time arising in the ordinary course of business of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.

            "Event of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 501.

            "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(or any successor act) and the rules and regulations thereunder.

            "Expiration Date" has the meaning set forth in the definition of
"Offer to Purchase" in this Section 101.

            "Global Security" means a Security in the form prescribed in Section
204 evidencing all or part of the Securities, issued to the Depositary or its
nominee, and registered in the name of such Depositary or its nominee.

            "Government Securities" means direct obligations of, or obligations
guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of which obligations
or guarantee the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged and which
have a remaining weighted average life to maturity of not more than 18 months
from the date of Investment therein.

            "Guarantee" by any Person means any obligation, contingent or
otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing, or having the economic effect of
guaranteeing, any Debt of any other Person (the "primary obligor") in any
manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including, without limitation,


                                      -10-
<PAGE>

any obligation of such Person, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply
funds for the purchase or payment of) such Debt or to purchase (or to advance or
supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment of such Debt,
(ii) to purchase property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring
the holder of such Debt of the payment of such Debt, or (iii) to maintain
working capital, equity capital or other financial statement condition or
liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such
Debt (and "Guaranteed", "Guaranteeing" and "Guarantor" shall have meanings
correlative to the foregoing); provided, however, that the Guarantee by any
Person shall not include endorsements by such Person for collection or deposit,
in either case, in the ordinary course of business; and provided, further, that
the incurrence by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of a lien permitted
under clause (iv) of the second paragraph of Section 1011 shall not be deemed to
constitute a Guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary of any Purchase Money Debt
of the Company secured thereby.

            "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in
the Security Register.

            "Incur" means, with respect to any Debt or other obligation of any
Person, to create, issue, incur (by conversion, exchange or otherwise), assume,
Guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect of such Debt or other obligation
including by acquisition of Subsidiaries or the recording, as required pursuant
to generally accepted accounting principles or otherwise, of any such Debt or
other obligation on the balance sheet of such Person (and "Incurrence",
"Incurred", "Incurrable" and "Incurring" shall have meanings correlative to the
foregoing); provided, however, that a change in generally accepted accounting
principles that results in an obligation of such Person that exists at such time
becoming Debt shall not be deemed an Incurrence of such Debt and that neither
the accrual of interest nor the accretion of original issue discount shall be
deemed an Incurrence of Debt; provided, further, however, that the Company may
elect to treat all or any portion of revolving credit debt of the Company or a
Subsidiary as being incurred from and after any date beginning the date the
revolving credit commitment is extended to the Company or a Subsidiary, by
furnishing notice thereof to the Trustee, and any borrowings or reborrowings by
the Company or a Subsidiary under such commitment up to the amount of such
commitment designated by the Company as Incurred shall not be deemed to be new
Incurrences of Debt by the Company or such Subsidiary.


                                      -11-
<PAGE>

            "Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed or as it
may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures
supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof.

            "Interest Payment Date" means the Stated Maturity of an installment
of interest on the Securities.

            "Interest Rate or Currency Protection Agreement" of any Person means
any forward contract, futures contract, swap, option or other financial
agreement or arrangement (including, without limitation, caps, floors, collars
and similar agreements) relating to, or the value of which is dependent upon,
interest rates or currency exchange rates or indices.

            "Investment" by any Person means any direct or indirect loan,
advance or other extension of credit or capital contribution (by means of
transfers of cash or other property to others or payments for property or
services for the account or use of others, or otherwise) to, or purchase or
acquisition of Capital Stock, bonds, notes, debentures or other securities or
evidence of Debt issued by, any other Person, including any payment on a
Guarantee of any obligation of such other Person, but excluding any loan,
advance or extension of credit to an employee of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, accounts receivable
and other commercially reasonable extensions of trade credit.

            "Issue Date" means the date on which the Securities are first
authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

            "Joint Venture" means a corporation, partnership or other entity
engaged in one or more Telecommunications Businesses as to which the Company
(directly or through one or more Restricted Subsidiaries) exercises managerial
control and in which the Company owns (i) a 50% or greater interest, or (ii) a
30% or greater interest, together with options or other contractual rights,
exercisable not more than seven years after the Company's initial Investment in
such Joint Venture, to increase its interest to not less than 50%.

            "Lien" means, with respect to any property or assets, any mortgage
or deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, Receivables Sale, deposit
arrangement, security interest, lien, charge, easement (other than any easement
not materially impairing usefulness or marketability), encumbrance, preference,
priority or other security


                                      -12-
<PAGE>

agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever on or
with respect to such property or assets (including, without limitation, any
conditional sale or other title retention agreement having substantially the
same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

            "Marketable Securities" means: (i) Government Securities; (ii) any
time deposit account, money market deposit and certificate of deposit maturing
not more than 365 days after the date of acquisition issued by, or time deposit
of, an Eligible Institution; (iii) commercial paper maturing not more than 365
days after the date of acquisition issued by a corporation (other than an
Affiliate of the Company) 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., "A-1" or higher according to Standard & Poor's Ratings Group or "A-1" or
higher according to Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. (or such similar equivalent
rating by at least one "nationally recognized statistical rating organization"
(as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act)); (iv) any banker's
acceptances or money market deposit accounts issued or offered by an Eligible
Institution; (v) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 7 days for
Government Securities entered into with an Eligible Institution; (vi)
auction-rate preferred stocks of any corporation maturing within 90 days after
the date of acquisition by the Company thereof, having a rating of at least AA
by Standard & Poor's; and (vii) any fund investing exclusively in investments of
the types described in clauses (i) through (vi) above.

            "Maturity", when used with respect to any Security, means the date
on which the principal of such Security becomes due and payable as therein or
herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of
acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

            "Net Available Proceeds" from any Asset Disposition by any Person
means cash or readily marketable cash equivalents received (including by way of
sale or discounting of a note, installment receivable or other receivable, but
excluding any other consideration received in the form of assumption by the
acquiror of Debt or other obligations relating to such properties or assets)
therefrom by such Person, net of (i) all legal, title and recording tax
expenses, commissions and other fees and expenses Incurred and all federal,
state, provincial, foreign and local taxes (including taxes payable upon payment
or other distribution of funds from a foreign subsidiary to the Company or
another subsidiary of the Company) required to be accrued as a lia-


                                      -13-
<PAGE>

bility as a consequence of such Asset Disposition, (ii) all payments made by
such Person or its Restricted Subsidiaries on any Debt which is secured by such
assets in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon or with respect to such
assets or which must by the terms of such Lien, or in order to obtain a
necessary consent to such Asset Disposition or by applicable law, be repaid out
of the proceeds from such Asset Disposition, (iii) all distributions and other
payments made to minority interest holders in Restricted Subsidiaries of such
Person or joint ventures as a result of such Asset Disposition, (iv) appropriate
amounts to be provided by such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof, as
the case may be, as a reserve in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles against any liabilities associated with such assets and retained by
such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof, as the case may be, after such
Asset Disposition, including, without limitation, liabilities under any
indemnification obligations and severance and other employee termination costs
associated with such Asset Disposition, in each case as determined by the Board
of Directors, in its reasonable good faith judgment evidenced by a Board
Resolution filed with the Trustee; provided, however, that any reduction in such
reserve within twelve months following the consummation of such Asset
Disposition will be treated for all purposes of this Indenture and the
Securities as a new Asset Disposition at the time of such reduction with Net
Available Proceeds equal to the amount of such reduction, and (v) any
consideration for an Asset Disposition (which would otherwise constitute Net
Available Proceeds) that is required to be held in escrow pending determination
of whether a purchase price adjustment will be made, but amounts under this
clause (v) shall become Net Available Proceeds at such time and to the extent
such amounts are released to such Person.

            "Offer to Purchase" means a written offer (the "Offer") sent by the
Company by first class mail, postage prepaid, to each Holder at his address
appearing in the Security Register on the date of the Offer offering to purchase
up to the principal amount of Securities specified in such Offer at the purchase
price specified in such Offer (as determined pursuant to this Indenture). Unless
otherwise required by applicable law, the Offer shall specify an expiration date
(the "Expiration Date") of the Offer to Purchase which shall be, subject to any
contrary requirements of applicable law, not less than 30 days or more than 60
days after the date of such Offer and a settlement date (the "Purchase Date")
for purchase of Securities within five Business Days after the Expiration Date.
The Company shall notify the Trustee at least 15 Business Days (or such shorter
period as is acceptable to the Trustee) prior to the


                                      -14-
<PAGE>

mailing of the Offer of the Company's obligation to make an Offer to Purchase,
and the Offer shall be mailed by the Company or, at the Company's request, by
the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company. The Offer shall
contain information concerning the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries
which the Company in good faith believes will enable such Holders to make an
informed decision with respect to the Offer to Purchase (which at a minimum will
include (i) the most recent annual and quarterly financial statements and
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" contained in the documents required to be filed with the Trustee
pursuant to this Indenture (which requirements may be satisfied by delivery of
such documents together with the Offer), (ii) a description of material
developments in the Company's business subsequent to the date of the latest of
such financial statements referred to in clause (i) (including a description of
the events requiring the Company to make the Offer to Purchase), (iii) if
applicable, appropriate pro forma financial information concerning the Offer to
Purchase and the events requiring the Company to make the Offer to Purchase and
(iv) any other information required by applicable law to be included therein).
The Offer shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such
Holders to tender Securities pursuant to the Offer to Purchase. The Offer shall
also state:

            (a) the Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Offer to
      Purchase is being made;

            (b) the Expiration Date and the Purchase Date;

            (c) the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities
      offered to be purchased by the Company pursuant to the Offer to Purchase
      (including, if less than 100%, the manner by which such has been
      determined pursuant to Section 1013 or 1016) (the "Purchase Amount");

            (d) the purchase price to be paid by the Company for each $1,000
      aggregate principal amount of Securities accepted for payment (as
      specified pursuant to this Indenture) (the "Purchase Price");

            (e) that the Holder may tender all or any portion of the Securities
      registered in the name of such Holder and that any portion of a Security
      tendered must be tendered in an integral multiple of $1,000 principal
      amount;


                                      -15-
<PAGE>

            (f) the place or places where Securities are to be surrendered for
      tender pursuant to the Offer to Purchase;

            (g) that interest on any Security not tendered or tendered but not
      purchased by the Company pursuant to the Offer to Purchase will continue
      to accrue;

            (h) that on the Purchase Date the Purchase Price will become due and
      payable upon each Security being accepted for payment pursuant to the
      Offer to Purchase and that interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and
      after the Purchase Date;

            (i) that each Holder electing to tender a Security pursuant to the
      Offer to Purchase will be required to surrender such Security at the place
      or places specified in the Offer prior to the close of business on the
      Expiration Date (such Security being, if the Company or the Trustee so
      requires, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of
      transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed
      by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing);

            (j) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw all or any portion of
      Securities tendered if the Company (or its Paying Agent) receives, not
      later than the close of business on the Expiration Date, a telegram,
      telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the
      Holder, the principal amount of the Security the Holder tendered, the
      certificate number of the Security the Holder tendered and a statement
      that such Holder is withdrawing all or a portion of his tender;

            (k) that (a) if Securities in an aggregate principal amount less
      than or equal to the Purchase Amount are duly tendered and not withdrawn
      pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, the Company shall purchase all such
      Securities and (b) if Securities in an aggregate principal amount in
      excess of the Purchase Amount are tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to
      the Offer to Purchase, the Company shall purchase Securities having an
      aggregate principal amount equal to the Purchase Amount on a pro rata
      basis (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate so that only
      Securities in denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof shall
      be purchased);


                                      -16-
<PAGE>

            (l) that in the case of any Holder whose Security is purchased only
      in part, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and
      deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new
      Security or Securities, of any authorized denomination as requested by
      such Holder, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for
      the unpurchased portion of the Security so tendered; and

            (m) the CUSIP number or numbers of the Securities offered to be
      purchased by the Company pursuant to the Offer to Purchase.

Any Offer to Purchase shall be governed by and effected in accordance with the
Offer for such Offer to Purchase.

            "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by (i) the Chief
Executive Officer, President, an Executive Vice President or a Vice President,
and (ii) the Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary, of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee and containing the
statements provided for in Section 102. One of the officers signing an Officers'
Certificate given pursuant to Section 1018 shall be the principal executive,
financial or accounting officer of the Company.

            "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of legal counsel, who
may be counsel for the Company, and who shall be acceptable to the Trustee, and
containing the statements provided for in Section 102.

            "Outstanding", when used with respect to Securities, means, as of
the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and
delivered under this Indenture, except:

      (i) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the
      Trustee for cancellation;

      (ii) Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary
      amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent
      (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by
      the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the
      Holders of such Securities; provided that, if such Securities are to be
      redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this
      Indenture; and


                                      -17-
<PAGE>

(iii)       Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in
            exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been
            authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than
            any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been
            presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such
            Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such
            Securities are valid obligations of the Company;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Securities owned
by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the
Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be
Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected
in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice,
consent or waiver, only Securities which the Trustee knows to be so owned shall
be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may
be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the
Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such Securities and that
the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any
Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.

            "Paying Agent" means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the
principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Securities on behalf of
the Company. The Trustee is hereby authorized by the Company to act as a "Paying
Agent" for the purposes of this Indenture, until such time as the Company
notifies the Trustee in writing that such authorization is revoked.

            "Permitted Interest Rate or Currency Protection Agreement" of any
Person means any Interest Rate or Currency Protection Agreement entered into
with one or more financial institutions in the ordinary course of business that
is designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest rates or
currency exchange rates with respect to Debt Incurred and which shall have a
notional amount no greater than the payments due with respect to the Debt being
hedged thereby and not for purposes of speculation.

            "Permitted Investment" means (i) any Investment in a Joint Venture
(including the purchase or acquisition of any Capital Stock of a Joint Venture),
provided the aggregate amount of all outstanding Investments pursuant to this


                                      -18-
<PAGE>

clause (i) in Joint Ventures in which the Company owns, directly or indirectly,
a less than 50% interest shall not exceed $25 million, (ii) any Investment in
any Person as a result of which such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, or,
subject to the proviso to clause (i) of this definition, becomes a Joint Venture
of the Company, (iii) any Investment in Marketable Securities, (iv) Investments
in Permitted Interest Rate or Currency Protection Agreements, (v) Investments
made as a result of the receipt of noncash consideration from an Asset
Disposition that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 1013 of
this Indenture and (vi) other Investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed
the aggregate net proceeds received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
after the date of this Indenture from the sale or liquidation of any
Unrestricted Subsidiary or any interest therein (except to the extent that any
such amount is included in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income).

            "Permitted Liens" means (a) Liens for taxes, assessments,
governmental charges or claims which are not yet delinquent or which are being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, if a reserve or other
appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles shall have been made therefor; (b) other Liens
incidental to the conduct of the Company's and its Restricted Subsidiaries'
business or the ownership of its property and assets not securing any Debt, and
which do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of the Company's
and its Restricted Subsidiaries' property or assets when taken as a whole, or
materially impair the use thereof in the operation of its business; (c) Liens
with respect to assets of a Restricted Subsidiary granted by such Restricted
Subsidiary to the Company to secure Debt owing to the Company; (d) pledges and
deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers'
compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of statutory obligations
(including to secure government contracts); (e) deposits made to secure the
performance of tenders, bids, leases, and other obligations of like nature
incurred in the ordinary course of business (exclusive of obligations for the
payment of borrowed money); (f) zoning restrictions, servitudes, easements,
rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar charges or encumbrances incurred
in the ordinary course of business which, in the aggregate, do not materially
detract from the value of the property subject thereto or interfere with the
ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(g) Liens arising out of judgments or awards against the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary with respect to which the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary is prosecuting an appeal or proceeding for review and the Company or
such Restricted


                                      -19-
<PAGE>

Subsidiary is maintaining adequate reserves in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles; (h) any interest or title of a lessor in the
property subject to any lease other than a Capital Lease; and (i) any statutory
warehousemen's, materialmen's or other similar Liens for sums not then due and
payable (or which, if due and payable, are being contested in good faith and
with respect to which adequate reserves are being maintained to the extent
required by generally accepted accounting principles).

            "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization, government or agency or political subdivision
thereof or any other entity.

            "Predecessor Security" of any particular Security means every
previous Security issued before, and evidencing all or a portion of the same
debt as that evidenced by, such particular Security; and, for the purposes of
this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in
exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall
be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen
Security.

            "Preferred Dividends" for any Person means for any period the
quotient determined by dividing the amount of dividends and distributions paid
or accrued (whether or not declared) on Preferred Stock of such Person during
such period calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, by 1 minus the maximum statutory income tax rate then applicable to
the Company (expressed as a decimal).

            "Preferred Stock" of any Person means Capital Stock of such Person
of any class or classes (however designated) that ranks prior, as to the payment
of dividends or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of such Person, to shares of
Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.

            "Purchase Date" has the meaning set forth in the definition of
"Offer to Purchase" in this Section 101.

            "Purchase Money Debt" means (i) Acquired Debt Incurred in connection
with the acquisition of Telecommunications Assets and (ii) Debt of the Company
or of any


                                      -20-
<PAGE>

Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (including, without limitation, Debt
represented by Bank Credit Agreements, Capital Lease Obligations, Vendor
Financing Facilities, mortgage financings and purchase money obligations)
Incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the cost of
construction, acquisition or improvement by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company or any Joint Venture of any Telecommunications Assets
of the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or any Joint Venture,
and including any related notes, Guarantees, collateral documents, instruments
and agreements executed in connection therewith, as the same may be amended,
supplemented, modified or restated from time to time.

            "readily marketable cash equivalents" means (i) marketable
securities issued or directly and unconditionally guaranteed by the United
States Government or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith
and credit of the United States; (ii) marketable direct obligations issued by
any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any
such state or any public instrumentality thereof and, at the time of
acquisition, having the highest rating obtainable from either Standard & Poor's
Rating Group or Moody's Investors Service, Inc.; (iii) commercial paper maturing
no more than 180 days from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of
acquisition, having a rating of P-1 according to Moody's Investors Service,
Inc., "A-1" or higher according to Standard & Poor's Ratings Group or "A-1" or
higher according to Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. (or such similar equivalent
rating by at least one "nationally recognized statistical rating organization"
(as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act)); and (iv) certificates of
deposit or bankers' acceptance maturing within one year from the date of
acquisition thereof issued by any commercial bank organized under the laws of
the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia
having unimpaired capital and surplus of not less than $100,000,000.

            "Receivables" means receivables, chattel paper, instruments,
documents or intangibles evidencing or relating to the right to payment of money
in respect of the sale of goods or services.

            "Receivables Sale" of any Person means any sale of Receivables of
such Person (pursuant to a purchase facility or otherwise), other than in
connection with a disposition of the business operations of such Person relating
thereto or a disposition of defaulted Receivables for purpose of collection and
not as a financing arrangement.


                                      -21-
<PAGE>

            "Redemption Date", when used with respect to any Security to be
redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this
Indenture.

            "Redemption Price", when used with respect to any Security to be
redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this
Indenture.

            "Regular Record Date" for the interest payable on any Interest
Payment Date means the April 1 or October 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as
the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date.

            "Related Person" of any Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly owning (a) 10% or more of the Outstanding Common Equity of such
Person (or, in the case of a Person that is not a corporation, 10% or more of
the equity interest in such Person) or (b) 10% or more of the combined voting
power of the Voting Stock of such Person.

            "Responsible Officer", when used with respect to the Trustee, means
the chairman or any vice-chairman of the board of directors, the chairman or any
vice-chairman of the executive committee of the board of directors, the chairman
of the trust committee, the president, any vice president, the secretary, any
assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, the cashier, any
assistant cashier, any trust officer or assistant trust officer, the controller
or any assistant controller or any other officer of the Trustee customarily
performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated
officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter,
any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of
and familiarity with the particular subject.

            "Restricted Subsidiary" of the Company means any Subsidiary, whether
existing on or after the date of this Indenture, unless such Subsidiary is an
Unrestricted Subsidiary.

            "Sale and Leaseback Transaction" of any Person means an arrangement
with any lender or investor or to which such lender or investor is a party
providing for the leasing by such Person of any property or asset of such Person
which has been or is being sold or transferred by such Person more than 365 days
after the acquisition thereof or the completion of construction or commencement
of operation thereof to such lender or investor or to any person to whom funds
have been or are to be advanced by such lender or investor on the security of
such property or asset. The stated maturity of such arrangement shall be the
date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such arrangement
prior to


                                      -22-
<PAGE>

the first date on which such arrangement may be terminated by the lessee without
payment of a penalty.

            "SEC Reports" has the meaning specified in Section 704.

            "Securities" has the meaning specified in the second paragraph of
this instrument.

            "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933 and any statute
successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.

            "Security Register" and "Security Registrar" have the respective
meanings specified in Section 305(b).

            "Significant Subsidiary" means a Restricted Subsidiary that is a
"significant subsidiary" as defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act.

            "Special Record Date" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest
means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.

            "Stated Maturity", when used with respect to any Security or any
installment of interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as
the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of
interest, as the case may be, is due and payable.

            "Subordinated Debt" means Debt of the Company as to which the
payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest and other payment
obligations in respect of such Debt shall be subordinate to the prior payment in
full of the Securities to at least the following extent: (i) no payments of
principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on or otherwise due in respect of
such Debt may be permitted for so long as any default in the payment of
principal (or premium, if any) or interest on the Securities exists; (ii) in the
event that any other default that with the passing of time or the giving of
notice, or both, would constitute an Event of Default exists with respect to the
Securities, upon notice by 25% or more in principal amount of the Securities to
the Trustee, the Trustee shall have the right to give notice to the Company and
the holders of such Debt (or trustees or agents therefor) of a payment blockage,
and thereafter no payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on
or otherwise due in respect of such Debt may be made for a period of 179 days
from the date of such notice or for the period until such default has been cured


                                      -23-
<PAGE>

or waived or ceased to exist and any acceleration of the Securities has been
rescinded or annulled, whichever period is shorter (which Debt may provide that
(A) no new period of payment blockage may be commenced by a payment blockage
notice unless and until 360 days have elapsed since the effectiveness of the
immediately prior notice, (B) no nonpayment default that existed or was
continuing on the date of delivery of any payment blockage notice to such
holders (or such agents or trustees) shall be, or be made, the basis for a
subsequent payment blockage notice and (C) failure of the Company to make
payment on such Debt when due or within any applicable grace period, whether or
not on account of such payment blockage provisions, shall constitute an event of
default thereunder); and (iii) such Debt may not (x) provide for payments of
principal of such Debt at the stated maturity thereof or by way of a sinking
fund applicable thereto or by way of any mandatory redemption, defeasance,
retirement or repurchase thereof by the Company (including any redemption,
retirement or repurchase which is contingent upon events or circumstances, but
excluding any retirement required by virtue of acceleration of such Debt upon an
event of default thereunder), in each case prior to the final Stated Maturity of
the Securities or (y) permit redemption or other retirement (including pursuant
to an offer to purchase made by the Company) of such other Debt at the option of
the holder thereof prior to the final Stated Maturity of the Securities, other
than a redemption or other retirement at the option of the holder of such Debt
(including pursuant to an offer to purchase made by the Company) which is
conditioned upon a change of control of the Company pursuant to provisions
substantially similar to those of Section 1016 (and which shall provide that
such Debt will not be repurchased pursuant to such provisions prior to the
Company's repurchase of the Securities required to be repurchased by the Company
pursuant to the provisions of Section 1016.

            "Subsidiary" of any Person means (i) a corporation more than 50% of
the combined voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock of which is owned,
directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more other Subsidiaries of
such Person or by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries thereof or (ii) any
other Person (other than a corporation) in which such Person, or one or more
other Subsidiaries of such Person or such Person and one or more other
Subsidiaries thereof, directly or indirectly, has at least a majority ownership
and power to direct the policies, management and affairs thereof.

            "Successor Security" of any particular Security means every Security
issued after, and evidencing all or a


                                      -24-
<PAGE>

portion of the same debt as that evidenced by, such particular Security; and,
for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered
under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or
stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated,
destroyed, lost or stolen Security.

            "Telecommunications Assets" means all assets, rights (contractual or
otherwise) and properties, whether tangible or intangible, used or intended for
use in connection with a Telecommunications Business.

            "Telecommunications Business" means the business of (i)
transmitting, or providing services relating to the transmission of, voice,
video or data through owned or leased transmission facilities, (ii) creating,
developing or marketing communications related network equipment, software and
other devices for use in a Telecommunication Business or (iii) evaluating,
participating or pursuing any other activity or opportunity that is primarily
related to those identified in (i) or (ii) above and shall, in any event,
include all businesses in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are
engaged on the Issue Date; provided that the determination of what constitutes a
Telecommunications Business shall be made in good faith by the Board of
Directors, which determination shall be conclusive.

            "Trustee" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the first
paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such
pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter
"Trustee" shall mean such successor Trustee.

            "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in
force at the date as of which this instrument was executed; provided, however,
that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date,
"Trust Indenture Act" means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

            "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (1) any Subsidiary of the Company
designated as such by the Board of Directors as set forth below where (a)
neither the Company nor any of its other Subsidiaries (other than another
Unrestricted Subsidiary) (i) provides credit support for, or Guarantee of, any
Debt of such Subsidiary or any Subsidiary of such Subsidiary (including any
undertaking, agreement or instrument evidencing such Debt) or (ii) is directly
or indirectly liable for any Debt of such Subsidiary or any Subsidiary of such
Subsidiary, and (b) no default with


                                      -25-
<PAGE>

respect to any Debt of such Subsidiary or any Subsidiary of such Subsidiary
(including any right which the holders thereof may have to take enforcement
action against such Subsidiary) would permit (upon notice, lapse of time or
both) any holder of any other Debt of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Debt or cause the payment
thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its final scheduled maturity and
(2) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors may
designate any Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary
owns any Capital Stock of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, any
other Subsidiary of the Company which is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to
be so designated or otherwise an Unrestricted Subsidiary, provided that either
(x) the Subsidiary to be so designated has total assets of $1,000 or less or (y)
immediately after giving effect to such designation, the Company could Incur at
least $1.00 of additional Debt pursuant to the first paragraph of Section 1007
and provided, further, that the Company could make a Restricted Payment in an
amount equal to the greater of the fair market value and the book value of such
Subsidiary pursuant to Section 1009 and such amount is thereafter treated as a
Restricted Payment for the purpose of calculating the aggregate amount available
for Restricted Payments thereunder. The Board of Directors may designate any
Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary, provided that if such
Unrestricted Subsidiary has Debt outstanding at such time, either (a)
immediately after giving effect to such designation, the Company could Incur at
least $1.00 of additional Debt pursuant to the first paragraph of Section 1007
or (b) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary could Incur such Debt hereunder
(other than as Acquired Debt).

            "Vendor Financing Facility" means any agreements between the Company
or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and one or more vendors or lessors of
equipment or other capital assets to the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries (or any affiliate of any such vendor or lessor) providing financing
for the acquisition by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary of
equipment or other capital assets from any such vendor or lessor.

            "Vice President", when used with respect to the Company or the
Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a
word or words added before or after the title "vice president".

            "Voting Stock" of any Person means Capital Stock of such Person
which ordinarily has voting power for the election of directors (or persons
performing similar


                                      -26-
<PAGE>

functions) of such Person, whether at all times or only so long as no senior
class of securities has such voting power by reason of any contingency.

            "Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary" of any Person means a
Restricted Subsidiary of such Person 99% or more of the outstanding Capital
Stock or other ownership interests of which (other than directors' qualifying
shares) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly-Owned
Restricted Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more
Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiaries of such Person.

SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

            Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to
take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish
to the Trustee such certificates and opinions as may be required under the Trust
Indenture Act and under this Indenture. Each such certificate or opinion shall
be given in the form of an Officers' Certificate, if to be given by an officer
of the Company, or an Opinion of Counsel, if to be given by counsel, and shall
comply with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and any other
requirement set forth in this Indenture.

            Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a
condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include

            (1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or
      opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein
      relating thereto;

            (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination
      or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such
      certificate or opinion are based;

            (3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has
      made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to
      express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or
      condition has been complied with; and


                                      -27-
<PAGE>

            (4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such
      individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.

            In any case where several matters are required to be certified by,
or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all
such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such
Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one
such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one
or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify
or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

            Any certificate of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar
as it relates to legal matters, upon an opinion of counsel submitted therewith,
unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know,
that the opinion with respect to the matters upon which his certificate is based
is erroneous. Any opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to
factual matters, upon a certificate of an officer or officers of the Company
submitted therewith stating the information on which counsel is relying, unless
such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the
certificate with respect to such matters is erroneous.

            Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more
applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other
instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and
form one instrument.

SECTION 104. Acts of Holders; Record Dates.

            Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by
Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of
substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agent duly
appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such
action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered
to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such
instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced
thereby) are herein sometimes referred


                                      -28-
<PAGE>

to as the "Act" of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of
execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall
be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 601)
conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner
provided in this Section.

            The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such
instrument or writing pursuant to this Section 104 may be proved by the
affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public
or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying
that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the
execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity
other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also
constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution
of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the
same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

            The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security
Register.

            Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder
of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the
registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in
respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the
Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon
such Security.

            The Company may set any day as a record date for the purpose of
determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities entitled to give, make or take
any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken by
Holders of Securities, provided that the Company may not set a record date for,
and the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply with respect to, the giving
or making of any notice, declaration, request or direction referred to in the
next paragraph. If not set by the Company prior to the first solicitation of a
Holder made by any Person in respect of any such matter referred to in the
foregoing sentence, the record date for any such matter shall be the 30th day
(or, if later, the date of the most recent list of Holders required to be
provided pursuant to Section 701) prior to such first solicitation. If any


                                      -29-
<PAGE>

record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding
Securities on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to take
the relevant action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such
record date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless
taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite
principal amount of Outstanding Securities on such record date. Nothing in this
paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Company from setting a new record
date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to
this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and
with no action by any Person be cancelled and of no effect), and nothing in this
paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders
of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities on the date such
action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this
paragraph, the Company, at its own expense, shall cause notice of such record
date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be
given to the Trustee in writing and to each Holder of Securities in the manner
set forth in Section 106.

            The Trustee may set any day as a record date for the purpose of
determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities entitled to join in the giving
or making of (i) any Notice of Default, (ii) any declaration of acceleration
referred to in Section 502, (iii) any request to institute proceedings referred
to in Section 507(2) or (iv) any direction referred to in Section 512. If any
record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding
Securities on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to join
in such notice, declaration, request or direction, whether or not such Holders
remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be
effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date
by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities on such
record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Trustee
from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has
previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date
previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be cancelled
and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render
ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of
Outstanding Securities on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any
record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Trustee, at the Company's
expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders
and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to


                                      -30-
<PAGE>

the Company in writing and to each Holder of Securities in the manner set forth
in Section 106.

            With respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the
party hereto which sets such record dates may designate any day as the
"Expiration Date" and from time to time may change the Expiration Date to any
earlier or later day; provided that no such change shall be effective unless
notice of the proposed new Expiration Date is given to the other party hereto in
writing, and to each Holder of Securities in the manner set forth in Section
106, on or prior to the existing Expiration Date. If an Expiration Date is not
designated with respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the
party hereto which set such record date shall be deemed to have initially
designated the 180th day after such record date as the Expiration Date with
respect thereto, subject to its right to change the Expiration Date as provided
in this paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Expiration Date shall be
later than the 180th day after the applicable record date.

            Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take
any action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so with
regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Security or by one or
more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment
with regard to all or any part of such principal amount.

SECTION 105. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.

            Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this
Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

            (1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient
      for every purpose hereunder if delivered in writing to the Trustee at its
      Corporate Trust Office, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, or

            (2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient
      for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided)
      if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company
      addressed to the Company at the address of its principal office specified
      in the first paragraph of this instrument or at any other address
      previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.


                                      -31-
<PAGE>

SECTION 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver.

            Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event,
such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly
provided) if (i) in the case of a Global Security, in writing by facsimile
and/or by overnight mail to the Depositary, and (ii) in the case of securities
other than Global Securities, in writing and mailed, first-class postage
prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at his address as it appears in
the Security Register, not later than the latest date (if any), and not earlier
than the earliest date (if any), prescribed for the giving of such notice. In
any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail
such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder
shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Where
this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in
writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after
the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of
notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be
a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such
waiver.

            In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by
reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail,
then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall
constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

SECTION 107. Application of Trust Indenture Act.

            The Trust Indenture Act shall apply as a matter of contract to this
Indenture for purposes of interpretation, construction and defining the rights
and obligations hereunder. If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or
conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act that is required under
such Act to be a part of and govern this Indenture, the latter provision shall
control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision
of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, the latter
provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be
excluded, as the case may be.


                                      -32-
<PAGE>

SECTION 108. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

            The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents
are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

SECTION 109. Successors and Assigns.

            All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall
bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

SECTION 110. Separability Clause.

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

SECTION 111. Benefits of Indenture.

            Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied,
shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors
hereunder and the Holders of Securities, any benefit or any legal or equitable
right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

SECTION 112. Governing Law.

            This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

SECTION 113. Legal Holidays.

            In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date,
Purchase Date or Stated Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day,
then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the
Securities) payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) need not be
made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the
same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date,
Purchase Date or at the Stated Maturity, provided that no interest shall accrue
for the period from and after such Interest


                                      -33-
<PAGE>

Payment Date, Redemption Date, Purchase Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may
be.

                                   ARTICLE TWO

                                 Security Forms

SECTION 201. Forms Generally.

            The Securities and the Trustee's certificates of authentication
thereof shall be in substantially the forms set forth in this Article, with such
appropriate legends, insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations
as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters,
numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed
thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange
or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such
Securities, as evidenced by their execution of the Securities.

            The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved
or produced by any combination of these methods on steel engraved borders or may
be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing
such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

            In certain cases described elsewhere herein, the legends set forth
in Section 202 may be omitted from Securities issued hereunder.

SECTION 202. Form of Face of Security.

            [If the Security is a Global Security, insert the legends required
by Section 204 of the Indenture]

                          NEXTLINK Communications, Inc.

                            __% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2009

                                                       CUSIP NUMBER: ___________

No. ______                                                      $_______________

            NEXTLINK Communications, Inc., a corporation organized under the
laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the "Company", which term includes
any successor


                                      -34-
<PAGE>

Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby
promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum of
_____________ Dollars on June __, 2009, and to pay interest thereon from June
__, 1999 or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has
been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on June __, and December __ in
each year, commencing December __, 1999 at the rate of __% per annum, until the
principal hereof is paid or made available for payment. The interest so payable,
and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as
provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security
(or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business
on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be __________ or
_______ (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such
Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided
for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date
and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more
Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special
Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the
Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities not less than 10
days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other
lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange
on which the Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required
by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.

            In the case of a default in payment of principal and premium, if
any, upon acceleration or redemption, interest shall be payable pursuant to the
preceding paragraph on such overdue principal (and premium, if any), such
interest shall be payable on demand and, if not so paid on demand, such interest
shall itself bear interest at the rate of 1% per annum (to the extent that the
payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), and shall accrue from
the date of such demand for payment to the date payment of such interest has
been made or duly provided for, and such interest on unpaid interest shall also
be payable on demand.

            If this Security is issued in the form of a Global Security,
payments of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security
shall be made in immediately available funds to the Depositary. If this Security
is issued in certificated form, payment of the principal of (and premium, if
any) and interest on this Security will be made at the corporate trust office of
the Trustee and at the


                                      -35-
<PAGE>

office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, New York, and at any other office or agency
maintained by the Company for such purpose, in such coin or currency of the
United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment
of public and private debts; provided, however, that at the option of the
Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the
Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register.

            Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security
set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes
have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

            Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by
the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security
shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or
obligatory for any purpose.

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be
duly executed.

Dated: ___________, 1999.

                                    NEXTLINK Communications, Inc.

                                    By______________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:

Attest:


- ------------------------------
Name:
Title:


SECTION 203. Form of Reverse of Security.

            This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of Securities of the
Company designated as its __% Senior Notes Due 2009 (the "Securities") issued
under an Indenture, dated as of _____________, 1999 (herein called the
"Indenture"), between the Company and United States Trust Company of


                                      -36-
<PAGE>

New York, as trustee (herein called the "Trustee", which term includes any
successor trustee under the Indenture). The Securities are limited in aggregate
principal amount to $___________. Reference is hereby made to the Indenture and
all indentures supplemental thereto for a statement of the respective rights,
limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the
Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the
Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered.

            The Securities are subject to redemption upon not less than 30 nor
more than 60 days' notice by mail to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed at
such Holder's address appearing in the Security Register, in amounts of $1,000
or an integral multiple of $1,000, at any time on or after _______, 2004 and
prior to maturity, as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at the
following Redemption Prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount)
plus accrued and unpaid interest to but excluding the Redemption Date (subject
to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date to receive
interest due on an Interest Payment that is on or prior to the Redemption Date),
if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning June __, of each of the years
indicated below:

                                                Redemption
                               Year                Price
                               ----                -----

                               2004                 __%

                               2005                 __%

                               2006                 __%

and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to 100.000% of the principal amount,
together in the case of any such redemption with accrued interest to the
Redemption Date, but interest installments whose Stated Maturity is on or prior
to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or
one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the
relevant Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the
Indenture.

            The Securities are further subject to redemption prior to June __,
2004 only in the event that on or before November 15, 2001 the Company receives
net proceeds from a sale of its Common Equity, in which case the Company may, at
its option, use all or a portion of any such net proceeds to redeem Securities
in a principal amount of up to an aggregate amount equal to __% of the original
principal amount of


                                      -37-
<PAGE>

the Securities, provided, however, that Securities in an amount equal to at
least __% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Securities remain
Outstanding after such redemption. Such redemption must occur on a Redemption
Date within 90 days of any such sale and upon not less than 30 nor more than 60
days' notice by mail to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed at such
Holder's address appearing in the Security Register, in amounts of $1,000 or an
integral multiple of $1,000 at a Redemption Price of __% of their principal
amount plus accrued and unpaid interest of the Securities to be redeemed to but
excluding the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record to
receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the
Redemption Date).

            In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new
Security or Securities for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the
name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.

            The Securities do not have the benefit of any sinking fund
obligations.

            The Indenture provides that, subject to certain conditions, if (i) a
Change of Control occurs or (ii) certain Net Available Proceeds are available to
the Company as a result of any Asset Disposition, the Company shall be required
to make an Offer to Purchase for all or a specified portion of the Securities.

            In the event of redemption or purchase pursuant to an Offer to
Purchase of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of like
tenor for the unredeemed or unpurchased portion hereof will be issued in the
name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.

            If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the principal
of all the Securities may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the
effect provided in the Indenture.

            The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of (i)
the entire indebtedness of this Security, or (ii) certain restrictive covenants
and Events of Default with respect to this Security, in each case upon
compliance with certain conditions set forth therein.

            The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided,
the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities under the Indenture at
any


                                      -38-
<PAGE>

time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time
Outstanding. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of
specified percentages in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the
time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities, to waive
compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain
past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or
waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such
Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued
upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu
hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this
Security.

            As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the
Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding
with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or
for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given
the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default, the Holders of not
less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities shall have made
written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event
of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity, and the
Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of Outstanding Securities a direction inconsistent with such request, and
shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60 days after receipt of
such notice, request and offer of indemnity. The foregoing shall not apply to
any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any
payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the
respective due dates expressed herein.

            No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this
Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the
Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and
premium, if any) and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and
in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

            As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security
Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the
office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New
York, New York, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of
transfer in form


                                      -39-
<PAGE>

satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the
Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or
more new Securities, of authorized denominations and like tenor and for the same
aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or
transferees.

            The Securities are issuable only in registered form without coupons
in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. As provided in the
Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities are
exchangeable for a like tenor and aggregate principal amount of Securities of a
different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the
same.

            No service charge shall be made for any such registration of
transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

            Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of
transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee
may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner
hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and none of
the Company, the Trustee or any such agent shall be affected by notice to the
contrary.

            Interest on this Security shall be computed on the basis of a
360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

            All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture
shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

                       OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

            If you want to elect to have this Security purchased in its entirety
by the Company pursuant to Section 1013 or 1016 of the Indenture, check the box:

                                       |_|

            If you want to elect to have only a part of this Security purchased
by the Company pursuant to Section 1013 or 1016 of the Indenture, state the
amount: $___________

      Dated:________________             Your Signature __________________
                                              (Sign exactly as name


                                      -40-
<PAGE>

                                              appears on the other side of
                                              this Security)

Signature Guarantee:________________________________________
                    Notice: Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an "eligible
                    guarantor institution" meeting the requirements of the
                    Trustee, which requirements will include membership or
                    participation in STAMP or such other "signature guarantee
                    program" as may be determined by the Trustee in addition to,
                    or in substitution for STAMP, all in accordance with the
                    Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

SECTION 204. Additional Provisions Required in Global Security.

            Any Global Security issued hereunder shall, in addition to the
provisions contained in Sections 202 and 203, bear a legend in substantially the
following form:

            [If a Global Security, insert -- THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY
WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN
THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE
EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR A SECURITY REGISTERED, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS
SECURITY IN WHOLE OR IN PART MAY BE REGISTERED, IN THE NAME OF ANY PERSON OTHER
THAN SUCH DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES
DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.]

            [If a Global Security to be held by the Depository Trust Company,
insert -- UNLESS THIS SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF
THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ("DTC"), TO ISSUER OR ITS
AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT, AND ANY SECURITY
ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS
REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO
CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE


                                      -41-
<PAGE>

HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY A PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED
OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]

SECTION 205. Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.

            This is one of the Securities referred to in the within-mentioned
Indenture.

            United States Trust Company of New York,
                                                    as Trustee


                                              By ____________________
                                                 Authorized Signatory

                                  ARTICLE THREE

                                 The Securities

SECTION 301. Title and Terms.

            The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be
authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is limited to $___________,
except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer
of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities pursuant to Section 304,
305, 306, 906 or 1108 or in connection with an Offer to Purchase pursuant to
Section 1013 or 1016.

            The Securities shall be known and designated as the "___% Senior
Notes due 2009" of the Company. The Stated Maturity of the Securities shall be
June ___, 2009. The Securities shall bear interest at the rate of ___% per
annum, from June ___, 1999 or from the most recent Interest Payment Date
thereafter to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, as the case may
be, payable semi-annually on June ___ and December ___, commencing December ___,
1999, until the principal thereof is paid or made available for payment.

            In the case of a default in payment of principal and premium, if
any, upon acceleration or redemption, interest shall be payable pursuant to the
preceding paragraph on such overdue principal (and premium, if any), such
interest shall be payable on demand and, if not so paid on demand,


                                      -42-
<PAGE>

such interest shall itself bear interest at the rate of 1% per annum (to the
extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), and
shall accrue from the date of such demand for payment to the date payment of
such interest has been made or duly provided for, and such interest on unpaid
interest shall also be payable on demand.

            If this Security is issued in the form of a Global Security,
payments of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security
shall be made in immediately available funds to the Depositary. If the
Securities are issued in certificated form, the principal of and premium, if
any, and interest on the Securities shall be payable at the corporate trust
office of the Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New
York, maintained for such purpose and at any other office or agency maintained
by the Company for such purpose; provided, however, that at the option of the
Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the
Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register.

            The Securities shall be subject to repurchase by the Company
pursuant to an Offer to Purchase as provided in Sections 1013 and 1016.

            The Securities shall be redeemable as provided in Article Eleven.

            The Securities shall not have the benefit of any sinking fund
obligations.

            The Securities shall be subject to defeasance at the option of the
Company as provided in Article Twelve.

SECTION 302. Denominations.

            The Securities shall be issuable only in registered form without
coupons and only in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

            The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its
Chief Executive Officer, its President, its Executive Vice President or one of
its Vice Presidents and attested by its Secretary. The signature of any of these
officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile.

            Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals
who were at any time the proper


                                      -43-
<PAGE>

officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such
individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the
authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at
the date of such Securities.

            At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery
of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities executed by the Company to
the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the
authentication and delivery of such Securities; and the Trustee in accordance
with such Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities as in
this Indenture provided and not otherwise.

            Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

            No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or
be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a
certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein
executed by the Trustee by manual signature, and such certificate upon any
Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security
has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.

SECTION 304. Temporary Securities.

            Pending the preparation of definitive Securities, the Company may
execute, and upon a Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver,
temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed
or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the
tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with
such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as
the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their
execution of such Securities.

            If temporary Securities are issued, the Company will cause
definitive Securities to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the
preparation of definitive Securities, the temporary Securities shall be
exchangeable for definitive Securities upon surrender of the temporary
Securities at any office or agency of the Company designated pursuant to Section
1002, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one
or more temporary Securities, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like tenor


                                      -44-
<PAGE>

and principal amount of definitive Securities of authorized denominations. Until
so exchanged, the temporary Securities shall in all respects be entitled to the
same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities.

SECTION 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

            (a) The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office
of the Trustee a register (the register maintained in such office and in any
other office or agency designated pursuant to Section 1002 being herein
sometimes collectively referred to as the "Security Register") in which, subject
to such reasonable regulations as they may prescribe, the Company shall provide
for the registration of Securities and of transfers and exchanges of Securities.
The Trustee is hereby appointed "Security Registrar" for the purpose of
registering Securities and transfers and exchanges of Securities as herein
provided. Such Security Register shall distinguish between Original Securities
and Exchange Securities.

            Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security at an
office or agency of the Company designated pursuant to Section 1002 for such
purpose, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more
new Securities of any authorized denominations and of a like tenor and aggregate
principal amount and bearing the applicable legends set forth in Section 202.

            At the option of the Holder, Securities may be exchanged for other
Securities of any authorized denominations and of a like tenor and aggregate
principal amount and bearing the applicable legends set forth in Section 202,
upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency.
Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall
execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which
the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

            All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange
of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same
debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities
surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.


                                      -45-
<PAGE>

            Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer
or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly
endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form
satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed, by the
Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

            No service charge shall be made to the Holder for any registration
of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a
sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed
in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other
than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 305, 906 or 1108 or in accordance with
any Offer to Purchase pursuant to Section 1013 or 1016 not involving any
transfer.

            The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the
transfer of or exchange any Security during a period beginning at the opening of
business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of
Securities selected for redemption under Section 1104 and ending at the close of
business on the day of such mailing, or (ii) to register the transfer of or
exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the
unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

            The provisions of Clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4) below shall apply
only to Global Securities:

            (1) Each Global Security authenticated under this Indenture shall be
      registered in the name of the Depositary designated for such Global
      Security or a nominee thereof and delivered to such Depositary or a
      nominee thereof or custodian therefor, and each such Global Security shall
      constitute a single Security for all purposes of this Indenture.

            (2) Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Indenture, no
      Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities
      registered, and no transfer of a Global Security in whole or in part may
      be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Depositary for
      such Global Security or a nominee thereof unless (A) such Depositary (i)
      has notified the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as
      Depositary for such Global Security or (ii) has ceased to be a clearing
      agency registered under the Exchange Act, or (B) there shall have occurred
      and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to such Global
      Security.


                                      -46-
<PAGE>

            (3) Subject to Clause (2) above, any exchange of a Global Security
      for other Securities may be made in whole or in part, and all Securities
      issued in exchange for a Global Security or any portion thereof shall be
      registered in such names as the Depositary for such Global Security shall
      direct.

            (4) Every Security authenticated and delivered upon registration of
      transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Security or any
      portion thereof, whether pursuant to this Section, Section 304, 306, 906
      or 1108 or otherwise, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of,
      and shall be, a Global Security, unless such Security is registered in the
      name of a Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a
      nominee thereof.

SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

            If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company
shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange
therefor a new Security of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number
not contemporaneously outstanding.

            If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i)
evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security
and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of
them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to
the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide
purchaser, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security
of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously
outstanding.

            In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has
become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in the discretion of
the Company may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

            Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the
Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other
governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other
expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.


                                      -47-
<PAGE>

            Every new Security issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any
destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional
contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or
stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be
entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with
any and all other Securities duly issued hereunder.

            The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to
the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement
or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.

            Interest on any Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or
duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in
whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered
at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.

            Any interest (including Additional Interest) on any Security which
is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest
Payment Date (herein called "Defaulted Interest") shall (a) bear interest at the
rate per annum stated in the form of Security included herein (to the extent
that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), and (b)
forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date
by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by
the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in Clause (1) or (2)
below:

            (1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted
      Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities (or their
      respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close
      of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such
      Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following
      manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the
      amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each
      Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same
      time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of
      money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in


                                      -48-
<PAGE>

      respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements
      satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date
      of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in
      trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted
      Interest as in this Clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall
      fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted
      Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than
      10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less
      than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of
      the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the
      Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the
      expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed
      payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date
      therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each
      Holder at his address as it appears in the Security Register,
      not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice
      of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the
      Special Record Date therefor having been so mailed, such
      Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names
      the Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are
      registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date
      and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following Clause
      (2).

            (2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest
      in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the
      requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities
      may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such
      exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee
      of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause, such manner of
      payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

            Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security
delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange
for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued
and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.


                                      -49-
<PAGE>

SECTION 308. Persons Deemed Owners.

            Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer,
the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat
the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such
Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and premium, if
any, and (subject to Section 307) interest on such Security and for all other
purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and none of the
Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be
affected by notice to the contrary.

SECTION 309. Cancellation.

            All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of
transfer, exchange or pursuant to any Offer to Purchase pursuant to Section 1013
or 1016 shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered
to the Trustee and shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company may at any
time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously
authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any
manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled
by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange
for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly
permitted by this Indenture. All cancelled Securities held by the Trustee shall
be disposed of in accordance with its standard procedures or as directed by a
Company Order; provided, however, that the Trustee shall not be required to
destroy such Securities.

SECTION 310. Computation of Interest.

            Interest on the Securities shall be computed on the basis of a
360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

SECTION 311. CUSIP Numbers.

            The Company shall in issuing the Securities use CUSIP numbers, and
the Trustee shall use the applicable CUSIP number in notices of redemption or
exchange as a convenience to the Holders; provided, that any such notice may
state that no representation is made as to the accuracy or correctness of the
CUSIP number or numbers printed in the notice or on the certificates
representing the Securities and that reliance may be placed only on the other


                                      -50-
<PAGE>

identification numbers printed on the certificates representing the Securities.

                                  ARTICLE FOUR

                           Satisfaction and Discharge

SECTION 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

            This Indenture shall cease to be of further effect as to all
outstanding Securities (except as to (i) rights of registration of transfer and
exchange and the Company's right of optional redemption, (ii) substitution of
apparently mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities, (iii)
rights of holders of Securities to receive payment of principal of and premium,
if any, and interest on the Securities, (iv) rights, obligations and immunities
of the Trustee under the Indenture and (v) rights of the holders of the
Securities as beneficiaries of the Indenture with respect to any property
deposited with the Trustee payable to all or any of them), and the Trustee, on
demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments
acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when

            (1) either

                  (A) the Company will have paid or caused to be paid the
            principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities as
            and when the same will have become due and payable; or

                  (B) all outstanding Securities (except lost, stolen or
            destroyed Securities which have been replaced or paid) have been
            delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

            and the Company, in the case of (A) above, has deposited or caused
            to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the
            purpose an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire
            indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the
            Trustee for cancellation, for principal of and premium, if any, and
            interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities
            which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or
            Redemption Date, as the case may be;


                                      -51-
<PAGE>

                  (2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums
            payable hereunder by the Company;

                  (3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
            Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all
            conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the
            satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied
            with; and

                  (4) the Trustee shall have received such other documents and
            assurances as the Trustee shall have reasonably requested.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, (i) the
obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 607, (ii) substitution
of apparently mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities, (iii)
rights of holders of Securities to receive payment of principal of and premium,
if any, and interest on the Securities, (iv) rights, obligations and immunities
of the Trustee under this Indenture (including, if money shall have been
deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of Clause (1) of this
Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the last paragraph
of Section 1003), and (v) rights of holders of the Securities as beneficiaries
of this Indenture with respect to any property deposited with the Trustee
payable to all or any of them, shall survive.


SECTION 402. Application of Trust Money.

            Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all
money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in trust
and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this
Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent
(including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may
determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if
any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the
Trustee.

                                  ARTICLE FIVE

                                    Remedies

SECTION 501. Events of Default.


                                      -52-
<PAGE>

            "Event of Default", wherever used herein, means any one of the
following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it
shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant
to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation
of any administrative or governmental body):

            (1) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security when it
      becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of
      30 days; or

            (2) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any,
      on) any Security when due; or

            (3) default in the payment of principal and interest upon any
      Security required to be purchased pursuant to an Offer to Purchase
      pursuant to Sections 1013 or 1016 when due and payable; or

            (4) default in the performance, or breach, of Section 801; or

            (5) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or
      warranty of the Company in this Indenture or in any Security (other than a
      covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is
      elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), and continuance of
      such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given,
      by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the
      Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate
      principal amount of the Outstanding Securities a written notice specifying
      such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that
      such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder; or

            (6) a default or defaults under any bond(s), debenture(s), note(s)
      or other evidence(s) of Debt by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary
      of the Company or under any mortgage(s), indenture(s) or instrument(s)
      under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or
      evidenced any Debt of such type by the Company or any such Significant
      Subsidiary with a principal amount then outstanding, individually or in
      the aggregate, in excess of $10 million, whether such Debt now exists or
      shall hereafter be created, which default or defaults shall constitute a
      failure to pay such Debt when due at the final maturity thereof, or shall
      have resulted in such Debt becoming or being declared due and payable
      prior


                                      -53-
<PAGE>

      to the date on which it would otherwise have become due and payable; or

            (7) a final judgment or final judgments (not subject to appeal) for
      the payment of money are entered against the Company or any Significant
      Subsidiary in an aggregate amount in excess of $10 million by a court or
      courts of competent jurisdiction, which judgments remain undischarged or
      unstayed for a period (during which execution shall not be effectively
      stayed) of 45 days after the right to appeal all such judgments has
      expired; or

            (8) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A)
      a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or any Significant
      Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable
      Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar
      law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the Company or any Significant
      Subsidiary a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a
      petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of
      or in respect of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary under any
      applicable Federal or State law, or appointing a custodian, receiver,
      liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of
      the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or of any substantial part of
      its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs,
      and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such
      other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60
      consecutive days; or

            (9) the commencement by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary of
      a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State
      bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any
      other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the
      consent by it to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of
      the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case or
      proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency,
      reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any
      bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or the filing by
      it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief
      under any applicable Federal or State law, or the consent by it to the
      filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a
      custodian, receiver, liquidator,


                                      -54-
<PAGE>

      assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company
      or any Significant Subsidiary or of any substantial part of its property,
      or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the
      admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as
      they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company or any
      Significant Subsidiary in furtherance of any such action.

SECTION 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

            If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in
Section 501(8) or (9) with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing,
then and in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities may declare the Default
Amount of all the Securities to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in
writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any
such declaration such Default Amount and any accrued interest, together with all
other amounts due under this Indenture, shall become immediately due and
payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 501(8) or (9) with respect
to the Company occurs, the Default Amount of and any accrued interest on the
Securities then Outstanding, together with all other amounts due under this
Indenture, shall ipso facto become immediately due and payable without any
declaration or other Act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

            The "Default Amount" in respect of any particular Security as of any
particular date of acceleration shall equal the principal amount of the Security
plus accrued and unpaid interest to such date.

            At any time after such a declaration of acceleration has been made
and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due based on
acceleration has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article
provided, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may
rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

            (1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum
      sufficient to pay

                  (A) all overdue interest on all Securities,


                                      -55-
<PAGE>

                  (B) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities
            which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of
            acceleration (including any Securities required to have been
            purchased on the Purchase Date pursuant to an Offer to Purchase made
            by the Company) and interest thereon at the rate borne by the
            Securities,

                  (C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful,
            interest upon overdue interest at the applicable rate borne by the
            Securities, and

                  (D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the
            reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
            Trustee, its agents and counsel;

      and

            (2) all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of the
      principal of Securities which have become due solely by such declaration
      of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 513.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right
consequent thereon.

SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suitsfor Enforcement by Trustee.

            The Company covenants that if

            (1) default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security
      when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for
      a period of 30 days, or

            (2) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium,
      if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof or, with respect to any
      Security required to have been purchased pursuant to an Offer to Purchase
      made by the Company, at the Purchase Date thereof,

the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the
Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such
Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, and, to the extent
that


                                      -56-
<PAGE>

payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue
principal (and premium, if any) and on any overdue interest, at the rate
provided by the Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as
shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses incurred by the Trustee
under this Indenture, including the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

            If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand,
the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a
judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may
prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same
against the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities and collect the
moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of
the property of the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities, wherever
situated.

            If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in
its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the
Holders by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most
effective to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific
enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the
exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

SECTION 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

            In case of any judicial proceeding relative to the Company (or any
other obligor upon the Securities), its property or its creditors, the Trustee
shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or
otherwise, to take any and all actions authorized under the Trust Indenture Act
in order to have claims of the Holders and the Trustee allowed in any such
proceeding. In particular, the Trustee shall be authorized to collect and
receive any moneys, securities or other property payable or deliverable upon the
exchange of the Securities or upon any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or
other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by
each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the
Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to
pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the


                                      -57-
<PAGE>

Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under
Section 607.

            No provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to authorize the
Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder
any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the
Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to
vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; provided,
however, that the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election
of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a creditors or
other similar committee.

SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.

            All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the
Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession
of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating
thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in
its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall,
after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the
ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such
judgment has been recovered.

SECTION 506. Application of Money Collected.

            Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be
applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and,
in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal (or premium,
if any) or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation
thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if
fully paid:

            FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section
      607; and

            SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for
      principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities in
      respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been
      collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according
      to the amounts due and payable on such


                                      -58-
<PAGE>

      Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, respectively.

The Trustee, upon prior written notice to the Company, may fix a record date and
payment date for any payment to the Holders pursuant to this Section 506.

SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits.

            No Holder of any Security shall have any right to institute any
proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the
appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless

            (1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee
      of a continuing Event of Default;

            (2) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
      Outstanding Securities shall have made written request to the Trustee to
      institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name
      as Trustee hereunder;

            (3) such Holder or Holders have offered and, if requested, provided
      to the Trustee reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and
      liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

            (4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice,
      request and offer and, if requested, provision of indemnity has failed to
      institute any such proceeding; and

            (5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been
      given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a
      majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities;

it being understood and intended that no one or more Holders shall have any
right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of
this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holders,
or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Holders
or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein
provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all the Holders.

SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders


                                      -59-
<PAGE>

             to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest.

            Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of
any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to
receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to
Section 307) interest on such Security on the respective Stated Maturities
expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption
Date or, in the case of an Offer to Purchase made by the Company and required to
be accepted as to such Security, on the Purchase Date) and to institute suit for
the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired
without the consent of such Holder.

SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

            If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to
enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been
discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to
the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any
determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall
be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and
thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue
as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

            Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or
payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph
of Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the
Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or
remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be
cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or
now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or
employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the
concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

            No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security
to exercise any right or remedy


                                      -60-
<PAGE>

accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or
constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein.
Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the
Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed
expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

SECTION 512. Control by Holders.

            The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities shall have the right to 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, provided that

            (1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or
      with this Indenture or expose the Trustee to personal liability (as
      determined in the sole discretion of the Trustee), and

            (2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the
      Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.

The Trustee may refuse, however, to follow any direction that the Trustee, in
its sole discretion, determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of
another Holder or that may subject the Trustee to any liability or expense if
the Trustee determines, in its sole discretion, that it lacks indemnification
against such loss or expense.

SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults.

            The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Outstanding Securities may on behalf of the Holders of all the
Securities by written notice to the Trustee waive any past default hereunder and
its consequences, except a default

            (1) in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or
      interest on any Security (including any Security which is required to have
      been purchased pursuant to an Offer to Purchase which has been made by the
      Company), or

            (2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article
      Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of
      each Outstanding Security affected or


                                      -61-
<PAGE>

            (3) arising from failure to purchase any Security tendered pursuant
      to Sections 1013 and 1016.

            Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any
Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every
purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or
other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 514. Undertaking for Costs.

            In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this
Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by
it as Trustee, a court may require any party litigant in such suit to file an
undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and may assess costs against any such
party litigant, in the manner and to the extent provided in the Trust Indenture
Act; provided that neither this Section nor the Trust Indenture Act shall be
deemed to authorize any court to require such an undertaking or to make such an
assessment in any suit instituted by the Company.

SECTION 515. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.

            The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so)
that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever
claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever
enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants
or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may
lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law
and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any
power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of
every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

                                   ARTICLE SIX

                                   The Trustee

SECTION 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities.

            The duties and responsibilities of the Trustee shall be as provided
by the Trust Indenture Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this
Indenture shall


                                      -62-
<PAGE>

require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any
financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the
exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for
believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk
or liability is not reasonably assured to it. Whether or not therein expressly
so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or
affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be
subject to the provisions of this Section.

SECTION 602. Notice of Defaults.

            The Trustee shall give the Holders notice of any Default hereunder
as and to the extent provided by the Trust Indenture Act, unless such Default
has been cured or waived; provided, however, that in the case of any Default of
the character specified in Section 501(5), no such notice to Holders shall be
given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof.

SECTION 603. Certain Rights of Trustee.

            Subject to the provisions of Section 601:

            (a) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or
      refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement,
      instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order,
      bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or
      document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented
      by the proper party or parties;

            (b) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall
      be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or a Company Order and any
      resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a
      Board Resolution;

            (c) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee
      shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to
      taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless
      other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of
      bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of
      Counsel;


                                      -63-
<PAGE>

            (d) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of
      such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete
      authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or
      omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

            (e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the
      rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or
      direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such
      Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity
      against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it
      in compliance with such request or direction reasonably satisfactory to
      the Trustee;

            (f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into
      the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement,
      instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order,
      bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or
      document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further
      inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit,
      and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or
      investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and
      premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;

            (g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or
      perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or
      attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or
      negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by
      it hereunder; and

            (h) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered
      or omitted by it in good faith which the Trustee reasonably believed to
      have been authorized or within its rights or powers.

SECTION 604. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.

            The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the
Trustee's certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of
the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness.
The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or


                                      -64-
<PAGE>

sufficiency of this Indenture or the Securities. The Trustee shall not be
accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the
proceeds thereof.

SECTION 605. May Hold Securities.

            The Trustee, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar (if other than
the Trustee) or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other
capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections
608 and 613, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would
have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other
agent.

SECTION 606. Money Held in Trust.

            Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated
from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be
under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as
otherwise agreed with the Company.

SECTION 607. Compensation and Reimbursement.

            The Company agrees

            (1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation
      for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be
      limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee
      of an express trust);

            (2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the
      Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and
      advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision
      of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses
      and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense,
      disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or bad
      faith; and

            (3) to indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against,
      any loss, liability or expense (including the reasonable compensation,
      expenses and disbursements of its agents, accountants, experts and
      counsel) incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out
      of or in connection with the


                                      -65-
<PAGE>

      acceptance or administration of this trust, including the costs and
      expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company (including,
      without limitation, this Section 607) and of defending itself against any
      claim (whether asserted by any Holder or the Company) or liability in
      connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties
      hereunder. The provisions of this Section 607 shall survive any
      termination of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the
      Trustee.

            As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company
under this Section 607, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities
upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee, except funds held
in trust for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on
particular Securities. The Trustee's right to receive payment of any amounts due
under this Section 607 shall not be subordinate to any other liability or
indebtedness of the Company (even though the Securities may be so subordinated).

            When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event
of Default specified in Section 501(8) or (9) occurs, the expenses and the
compensation for such services are intended to constitute expenses of
administration under Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar Federal state or
foreign law for the relief of debtors.

SECTION 608. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.

            If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within
the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such
interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to
the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture.

SECTION 609. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

            There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a
Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and
has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 and its Corporate
Trust Office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New York. If
such Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or
to the requirements of a Federal, State, Territorial or District of Columbia
supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the
combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined
capital and surplus


                                      -66-
<PAGE>

as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time
the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this
Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect
hereinafter specified in this Article.

SECTION 610. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

            (a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a
successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the
acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee under Section 611, at which
time the retiring Trustee shall be fully discharged from its obligations
hereunder.

            (b) The Trustee may resign at any time by giving written notice
thereof to the Company. If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee
shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of
such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of
competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

            (c) The Trustee may be removed at any time by Act of the Holders of
a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities, delivered to the
Trustee and to the Company.

            (d) If at any time:

            (1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 608 after written
      request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide
      Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

            (2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 609 and
      shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by
      any such Holder, or

            (3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be
      adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its
      property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or
      control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of
      rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,


                                      -67-
<PAGE>

then, in any such case, (i) the Company, by Board Resolution, may remove the
Trustee, or (ii) subject to Section 514, any Holder who has been a bona fide
Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all
others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the
removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

            (e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of
acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, the
Company, by Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. If,
within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the
occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee shall be appointed by Act of the
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities
delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so
appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment, become the
successor Trustee and supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.
If no successor Trustee shall have been so appointed by the Company or the
Holders and accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, any Holder
who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on
behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of
competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

            (f) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each
removal of the Trustee and each appointment of a successor Trustee to all
Holders in the manner provided in Section 106. Each notice shall include the
name of the successor Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

SECTION 611. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

            Every successor Trustee appointed hereunder shall execute,
acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument
accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the
retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any
further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights,
powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on request of the
Company or the successor Trustee under Section 607, execute and deliver an
instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and
trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to
such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee


                                      -68-
<PAGE>

hereunder. Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute
any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming
to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts.

            No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time
of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under
this Article.

SECTION 612. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.

            Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or
with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger,
conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any
corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business
of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided that
such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article,
without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of
any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated,
but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger,
conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such
authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect
as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.

SECTION 613. Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company.

            If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company
(or any other obligor upon the Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the
provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against
the Company (or any such other obligor).

SECTION 614. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

            The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with
respect to the Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the
Trustee to authenticate Securities issued upon original issue and upon exchange,
registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section
306, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this
Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated
by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made


                                      -69-
<PAGE>

in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the
Trustee or the Trustee's certificate of authentication, such reference shall be
deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an
Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of
the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be
acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and
doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof
or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating
Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and
subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such
Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant
to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then
for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such
Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as
set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an
Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately
in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

            Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or
converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting
from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent
shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or
corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an
Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible
under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further
act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

            An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written
notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time
terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof
to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of
resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such
Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating
Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give notice of such
appointment in the manner provided in Section 106 to all Holders of Securities.
Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its


                                      -70-
<PAGE>

appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties
of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an
Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed
unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

            The Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to
time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section, and the
Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the
provisions of Section 607.

            If an appointment is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities
may have endorsed thereon, in lieu of the Trustee's certificate of
authentication, an alternative certificate of authentication in the following
form:

            This is one of the Securities referred to in the within-mentioned
Indenture.

                                       United States Trust Company of New York,
                                                                    As Trustee

                                       By                                      ,
                                         --------------------------------------
                                                         As Authenticating Agent

                                       By
                                         --------------------------------------
                                                            Authorized Signatory

                                  ARTICLE SEVEN

              Holders' Lists and Reports by Trustee and the Company

SECTION 701. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.

            The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee

            (a) semi-annually, not more than 15 days after each Regular Record
      Date, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the
      names and addresses of the Holders as of such Regular Record Date, and

            (b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing,
      within 30 days after the receipt by


                                      -71-
<PAGE>

      the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of
      a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;

excluding from any such list names and addresses received by the Trustee in its
capacity as Security Registrar.

SECTION 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.

            (a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is
reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most
recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names
and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security
Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in
Section 701 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

            (b) The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with
respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and the
corresponding rights and duties of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the
Trust Indenture Act.

            (c) Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same,
agrees with the Company and the Trustee that none of the Company, the Trustee or
any agent of any of them shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure
of information as to names and addresses of Holders made pursuant to the Trust
Indenture Act.

SECTION 703. Reports by Trustee.

            (a) The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning
the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to
the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant
thereto.

            (b) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such
transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon
which the Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The
Company will notify the Trustee when the Securities are listed on any stock
exchange.

SECTION 704. Reports by Company.


                                      -72-
<PAGE>

            The Company shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, and
transmit to Holders, such information, documents and other reports, and such
summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the
times and in the manner provided pursuant to such Act and in the manner set
forth in Section 1017; provided that any such information, documents or reports
required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act ("SEC Reports") shall be filed with the Trustee within 15 days
after the same is so required to be filed with the Commission. In the event the
Company shall cease to be required to file SEC Reports pursuant to the Exchange
Act, the Company will nonetheless continue to file such reports with the
Commission (unless the Commission will not accept such a filing) and the Trustee
and to furnish copies of such SEC Reports to the Holders of Securities at the
time the Company is required to file such reports with the Trustee and will make
such information available to investors who request it in writing.

                                  ARTICLE EIGHT

                           Merger, Consolidation, Etc.

SECTION 801. Mergers, Consolidations and Certain Sales of Assets.

            (a) The Company may not, in a single transaction or a series of
related transactions, (i) consolidate with or merge into any other Person or
permit any other Person to consolidate with or merge into the Company (other
than a consolidation or merger of a Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary organized
under the laws of a State of the United States into the Company), or (ii)
directly or indirectly, transfer, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of all or
substantially all of its assets (determined on a consolidated basis for the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole and provided that the
creation of a Lien on or in any of its assets shall not in and of itself
constitute the transfer, sale, lease or disposition of the assets subject to the
Lien), unless: (1) in a transaction in which the Company does not survive or in
which the Company sells, leases or otherwise disposes of all or substantially
all of its assets to any other Person, the successor entity to the Company shall
be a corporation organized under the laws of the United States of America or any
State thereof or the District of Columbia and shall


                                      -73-
<PAGE>

expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture executed and delivered to the
Trustee in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all of the Company's obligations
under this Indenture; (2) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such
transaction as if such transaction had occurred at the beginning of the last
full fiscal quarter immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction
with the appropriate adjustments with respect to the transaction being included
in such pro forma calculation and treating any Debt which becomes an obligation
of the Company or a Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been
Incurred by the Company or such Subsidiary at the time of the transaction, no
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; (3)
immediately after giving effect to such transaction, the Consolidated Net Worth
of the Company (or other successor entity to the Company) is equal to or greater
than that of the Company immediately prior to the transaction; (4) if, as a
result of any such transaction, property or assets of the Company would become
subject to a Lien prohibited by the provisions of Section 1011, the Company or
the successor entity to the Company shall have secured the Securities as
required by Section 1011; (5) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an
Officer's Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each in form and substance
satisfactory to the Trustee stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance,
transfer, lease or acquisition and, if a supplemental indenture is required in
connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture, complies with
this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to
such transaction have been complied with, and, with respect to such Officer's
Certificate, setting forth the manner of determination of the Consolidated Net
Worth in accordance with Clause (3) of Section 801, of the Company or, if
applicable, of the Successor Company as required pursuant to the foregoing.

            (b) In the event of any transaction (other than a lease) described
in and complying with the immediately preceding paragraph in which the Company
is not the surviving Person and the surviving Person assumes all the obligations
of the Company under the Securities and this Indenture pursuant to a
supplemental indenture, such surviving Person shall succeed to, and be
substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company, and the
Company will be discharged from its obligations under this Indenture and the
Securities; provided that solely for the purpose of calculating amounts under
Section 1009(3), any such surviving Person shall only be deemed to have
succeeded to and be substituted for the Company with respect to the period
subsequent to the effective time of such transaction, and the Company (before
giving effect to such


                                      -74-
<PAGE>

transaction) shall be deemed to be the "Company" for such purposes for all prior
periods.

SECTION 802. Successor Substituted.

            Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company
with or into, any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the
properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance
with Section 801, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into
which the Company is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is
made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and
power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such
successor Person had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in
the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations
and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.

                                  ARTICLE NINE

                             Supplemental Indentures

SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.

            Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by
Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter
into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the
Trustee, for any of the following purposes:

            (1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and
      the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company
      herein and in the Securities; or

            (2) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the
      Holders, or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the
      Company; or

            (3) to secure the Securities pursuant to the requirements of Section
      1011 or otherwise; or

            (4) to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this Indenture
      to such extent as shall be necessary to comply with any requirement of the
      Commission in


                                      -75-
<PAGE>

      order to maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust
      Indenture Act;

            (5) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision
      herein which may be inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to
      make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising
      under this Indenture which shall not be inconsistent with the provisions
      of this Indenture, provided that such action pursuant to this Clause (5)
      shall not adversely affect the legal rights of the Holders; or

            (6) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in
      place of certificated Securities.

SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

            With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities, by Act of said Holders
delivered to the Company and the Trustee, and consistent with Section 513, the
Company, when authorized by Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an
indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any
provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of
this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders under
this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall,
without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby,

            (1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any
      installment of interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount
      thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable thereon, or
      change the place of payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any
      Security or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the
      right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or
      after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or
      after the Redemption Date) or, in the case of an Offer to Purchase which
      has been made, on or after the applicable Purchase Date, or

            (2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding
      Securities, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such
      supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for
      any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of


                                      -76-
<PAGE>

      this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences)
      provided for in this Indenture, or

            (3) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513 or
      Section 1019, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that
      certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived
      without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected
      thereby, or

            (4) following the mailing of an Offer with respect to an Offer to
      Purchase pursuant to Section 1013 or 1016 and until the Expiration Date of
      such Offer to Purchase, modify the provisions of this Indenture with
      respect to such Offer to Purchase in a manner materially adverse to such
      Holder.

            It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section
to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it
shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

            In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any
supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of
the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive,
and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an
Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is
authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be
obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the
Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

            Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article,
this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental
indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder
of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder
shall be bound thereby.

SECTION 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.


                                      -77-
<PAGE>

            Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall
conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

            Securities authenticated and delivered after the execution of any
supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by
the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter
provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine,
new Securities so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the
Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the
Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for
Outstanding Securities.

                                   ARTICLE TEN

                                    Covenants

SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.

            The Company will duly and punctually pay the principal of and
premium, if any, and interest on the Securities in accordance with the terms of
the Securities and this Indenture.

SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

            The Company will maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New York, New York, an office or agency where Securities may be presented or
surrendered for payment, where Securities may be surrendered for registration of
transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in
respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served. The Company will
give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the
location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to
maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee
with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands
may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the
Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such
presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.


                                      -78-
<PAGE>

            The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other
offices or agencies (in or outside the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New
York, New York) where the Securities may be presented or surrendered for any or
all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided,
however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the
Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, New York for such purposes. The Company will
give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission
and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

SECTION 1003. Money for Security Payments to be Held in Trust.

            If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent, it
will, on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or
interest on any of the Securities, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit
of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and
premium, if any) or interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to
such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly
notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure so to act. As provided in
Section 504, upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceeding relative to the
Company, the Trustee shall serve as the Paying Agent for the Securities.

            Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents, it will,
prior to each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on
any Securities, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay the
principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held
in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or
interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will
promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure so to act. As
provided in Section 504, upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceeding
relative to the Company the Trustee shall serve as the Paying Agent for the
Securities.

            The Company will cause each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to
execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent
shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that
such Paying Agent will:


                                      -79-
<PAGE>

            (1) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of
      (and premium, if any) or interest on Securities in trust for the benefit
      of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such
      Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

            (2) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any
      other obligor upon the Securities) in the making of any payment of
      principal (and premium, if any) or interest;

            (3) at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the
      written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so
      held in trust by such Paying Agent; and

            (4) acknowledge, accept and agree to comply in all respects with the
      provisions of this Indenture relating to the duties, rights and
      obligations of such Paying Agent.

            The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the
satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or
by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in
trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee
upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or
such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee,
such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to
such money.

            Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then
held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium,
if any) or interest on any Security and remaining unclaimed for two years after
such principal (and premium, if any) or interest has become due and payable
shall be paid to the Company on the Company Request, or (if then held by the
Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security
shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for
payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with
respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee
thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such
Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the
expense of the Company cause to be published once, in a newspaper published in
the English language, customarily published on each Business Day and of general
circulation in the Borough of Manhattan, The


                                      -80-
<PAGE>

City of New York, New York, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that,
after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the
date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining
will be repaid to the Company.

SECTION 1004. Existence.

            Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause to be done
all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its
existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, however,
that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise
if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no
longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and that the loss
thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.

SECTION 1005. Maintenance of Properties and Insurance.

            The Company will cause all properties used or useful in the conduct
of its business or the business of any Subsidiary, to be maintained and kept in
good condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary
equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals,
replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of
the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection
therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided,
however, that nothing in this Section shall prevent the Company from
discontinuing the operation or maintenance of any of such properties if such
discontinuance is, as determined in the good faith judgment of the Board of
Directors evidenced by a Board Resolution, desirable in the conduct of its
business or, in the case of the Company, the business of any Subsidiary, and not
disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.

            The Company shall, and shall cause the Subsidiaries of the Company
to, keep at all times all of their properties which are of an insurable nature
insured against loss or damage with insurers believed by the Company to be
responsible to the extent that property of similar character is usually so
insured by corporations similarly situated and owning like properties in
accordance with good business practice.

SECTION 1006. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.


                                      -81-
<PAGE>

            The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged,
before the same shall become delinquent,

      (1) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon
the Company or any Subsidiaries of the Company or upon the income, profits or
property of the Company or any Subsidiaries, and

      (2) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid,
might by law become a lien upon the property of the Company or any Subsidiaries
of the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay
or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge
or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings.

SECTION 1007. Limitation on Consolidated Debt.

            The Company may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company to, Incur any Debt unless either

      (a) the ratio of:

            (i) the aggregate consolidated principal amount of Debt of the
Company outstanding as of the most recent available quarterly or annual balance
sheet, after giving pro forma effect to the Incurrence of such Debt and any
other Debt Incurred since such balance sheet date and the receipt and
application of the proceeds thereof

      to

            (ii) Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges for the four
full fiscal quarters next preceding the Incurrence of such Debt for which
consolidated financial statements are available, determined on a pro forma basis
as if

                  (x) any such Debt had been Incurred and the proceeds thereof
had been applied at the beginning of such four fiscal quarters;

                  (y) the net income (or loss) for such period of any Person or
related to any assets disposed of by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company prior to the end of such period had been excluded from Consolidated
Net Income; and


                                      -82-
<PAGE>

                  (z) the net income (or loss) for such period of any Person or
related to any assets acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary prior
to the end of such period had been included in Consolidated Net Income,

would be less than 5.5 to 1 for such four-quarter periods ending on or prior to
December 31, 1999 and 5.0 to 1 for such periods ending thereafter;

or

      (b) the Company's Consolidated Capital Ratio as of the most recent
available quarterly or annual balance sheet, after giving pro forma effect to
the Incurrence of such Debt, any issuance of Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) since such balance sheet date, any increase in paid
in-capital (other than in respect of Disqualified Stock) since such balance
sheet date and the Incurrence of any other Debt since such balance sheet date
and the receipt and application of the proceeds thereof, is less than 2.0 to 1.

            Notwithstanding the foregoing limitation, the Company and any
Restricted Subsidiary may Incur the following:

      (i) Debt under any one or more Bank Credit Agreements or Vendor Financing
      Facilities in an aggregate principal amount at any one time not to exceed
      the greater of:

            (x) $250 million and

            (y) 85% of the Eligible Receivables, and any renewal, extension,
refinancing or refunding thereof in an amount which, together with any principal
amount remaining outstanding or available under all Bank Credit Agreements and
Vendor Financing Facilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, plus
the amount of any premium required to be paid in connection with such
refinancing pursuant to the terms of any Bank Credit Agreement so refinanced
plus the amount of expenses incurred in connection with such refinancing, does
not exceed the aggregate principal amount outstanding or available under all
such Bank Credit Agreements and Vendor Financing Facilities of the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such renewal, extension,
refinancing or refunding;

      (ii) Purchase Money Debt Incurred to finance the construction, acquisition
      or improvement of Telecommuni-


                                      -83-
<PAGE>

      cations Assets, provided that the net proceeds of such Purchase Money Debt
      do not exceed 100% of the cost of construction, acquisition or improvement
      price of the applicable Telecommunications Assets;

      (iii) Debt owed by the Company to any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
      or Debt owed by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or a
      Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided, however, that upon either

            (x) the transfer or other disposition by such Restricted Subsidiary
or the Company of any Debt so permitted to a Person other than the Company or
another Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or

            (y) the issuance (other than directors' qualifying shares), sale,
lease, transfer or other disposition of shares of Capital Stock (including by
consolidation or merger) of such Restricted Subsidiary as a result of which the
obligor of such Debt ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary, the provisions of
this clause (iii) shall no longer be applicable to such Debt and such Debt shall
be deemed to have been Incurred at the time of such transfer or other
disposition;

      (iv) Debt Incurred to renew, extend, refinance or refund (each, a
      "refinancing") Debt outstanding at the date of this Indenture or Incurred
      pursuant to the preceding paragraph or clause (ii) of this paragraph or
      the Securities in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the
      aggregate principal amount of and accrued interest on the Debt so
      refinanced plus the amount of any premium required to be paid in
      connection with such refinancing pursuant to the terms of the Debt so
      refinanced or the amount of any premium reasonably determined by the
      Company as necessary to accomplish such refinancing by means of a tender
      offer or privately negotiated repurchase, plus the amount of expenses of
      the Company incurred in connection with such refinancing; provided,
      however, that Debt the proceeds of which are used to refinance the
      Securities or Debt which is pari passu to the Securities or debt which is
      subordinate in right of payment to the Securities shall only be permitted
      if:

            (A) in the case of any refinancing of the Securities or Debt which
is pari passu to the Securities, the refinancing Debt is made pari passu to the
Securities or subordinated to the Securities, and, in the case of any


                                      -84-
<PAGE>

refinancing of Debt which is subordinated to the Securities, the refinancing
Debt constitutes Subordinated Debt and

            (B) in either case, the refinancing Debt by its terms, or by the
terms of any agreement or instrument pursuant to which such Debt is issued,

                  (x) does not provide for payments of principal of such Debt at
the stated maturity thereof or by way of a sinking fund applicable thereto or by
way of any mandatory redemption, defeasance, retirement or repurchase thereof by
the Company (including any redemption, retirement or repurchase which is
contingent upon events or circumstances, but excluding any retirement required
by virtue of acceleration of such Debt upon any event of default thereunder), in
each case prior to the time the same are required by the terms of the Debt being
refinanced and ...... (y) does not permit redemption or other retirement
(including pursuant to an offer to purchase made by the Company) of such Debt at
the option of the holder thereof prior to the final stated maturity of the Debt
being refinanced, other than a redemption or other retirement at the option of
the holder of such Debt (including pursuant to an offer to purchase made by the
Company) which is conditioned upon a change substantially similar to the
provisions of Section 1016 or which is pursuant to provisions substantially
similar to the provisions of Section 1013;

      (v) Debt consisting of Permitted Interest Rate and Currency Protection
      Agreements;

      (vi) Debt outstanding under the Securities;

      (vii) Subordinated Debt invested by:

            (a) a group of employees of the Company, which includes the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company, who own, directly or indirectly, through an
employee stock ownership plan or arrangement, shares of the Company's Capital
Stock or

            (b) any other Person that controls the Company

                  (i) on the Issue Date or

                  (ii) after a Change of Control, provided that the Company is
not in default with respect to its obligations under Section 1016;

      (viii) Debt consisting of performance and other similar bonds and
      reimbursement obligations Incurred in the ordinary course of business
      securing the performance of contractual, franchise or license


                                      -85-
<PAGE>

      obligations of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, or in respect of a
      letter of credit obtained to secure such performance; and

      (ix) Debt not otherwise permitted to be Incurred pursuant to clauses (i)
      through (viii) above, which, together with any other outstanding Debt
      Incurred pursuant to this clause (ix), has an aggregate principal amount
      (or, in the case of Debt issued at a discount, an accreted amount
      (determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles)
      at the time of Incurrence) not in excess of $10 million at any time
      outstanding.

            For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 1007, in
the event that an item of Debt meets the criteria of more than one of the types
of Debt the Company is permitted to incur pursuant to the foregoing clauses (i)
through (ix) or the first paragraph of this Section 1007, the Company shall have
the right, in its sole discretion, to classify such item of Debt and shall only
be required to include the amount and type of such Debt under the clause or
paragraph permitting the Debt as so classified. The determination of any
particular amount of Debt under such covenant shall be made without duplication
for Guarantees or Liens supporting Debt otherwise included in the determination
of a particular amount.

SECTION 1008. Limitation on Debt and Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries.

            The Company may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
(other than a Restricted Subsidiary that has fully and unconditionally
Guaranteed the Securities on an unsubordinated basis) to Incur or suffer to
exist any Debt or issue any Preferred Stock except:

      (i) Debt or Preferred Stock outstanding on the date of this Indenture
      after giving effect to the application of the proceeds of the Securities;

      (ii) Debt Incurred or Preferred Stock issued to and held by the Company or
      a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (provided that such Debt or
      Preferred Stock is at all times held by the Company or a Restricted
      Subsidiary of the Company);

      (iii) Debt Incurred or Preferred Stock issued by a Person prior to the
      time:


                                      -86-
<PAGE>

            (A) such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company,

            (B) such Person merges into or consolidates with a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company or

            (C) another Restricted Subsidiary of the Company merges into or
consolidates with such Person (in a transaction in which such Person becomes a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company), which Debt or Preferred Stock was not
Incurred or issued in anticipation of such transaction and was outstanding prior
to such transaction;

      (iv) Debt consisting of Permitted Interest Rate and Currency Protection
      Agreements;

      (v) Debt or Preferred Stock of a Joint Venture;

      (vi) Debt under any one or more Bank Credit Agreements or Vendor Financing
      Facilities (and renewals, extensions, refinancings or refundings thereof)
      which is permitted to be outstanding under clause (i) of Section 1007;

      (vii) Debt consisting of Guarantees of the Securities;

      (viii) Debt or Preferred Stock which is exchanged for, or the proceeds of
      which are used to refinance, refund or redeem, any Debt or Preferred Stock
      permitted to be outstanding pursuant to clauses (i), (iii) and (ix) hereof
      (or any extension or renewal thereof) (for purposes hereof, a
      "refinancing"), in an aggregate principal amount, in the case of Debt, or
      with an aggregate liquidation preference, in the case of Preferred Stock,
      not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of the Debt so refinanced or
      the aggregate liquidation preference of the Preferred Stock so refinanced,
      plus the amount of any premium required to be paid in connection with such
      refinancing pursuant to the terms of the Debt or Preferred Stock so
      refinanced or the amount of any premium reasonably determined by the
      Company as necessary to accomplish such refinancing by means of a tender
      offer or privately negotiated repurchase, plus the amount of expenses of
      the Company and the Restricted Subsidiary incurred in connection therewith
      and provided the Debt or Preferred Stock incurred or issued upon such
      refinancing by its terms, or by the terms of any agreement or instrument
      pursuant to which such Debt or Preferred Stock is Incurred or issued,


                                      -87-
<PAGE>

            (x) does not provide for payments of principal or liquidation value
at the stated maturity of such Debt or Preferred Stock or by way of a sinking
fund applicable to such Debt or Preferred Stock or by way of any mandatory
redemption, defeasance, retirement or repurchase of such Debt or Preferred Stock
by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (including any
redemption, retirement or repurchase which is contingent upon events or
circumstances, but excluding any retirement required by virtue of acceleration
of such Debt upon an event of default thereunder), in each case prior to the
time the same are required by the terms of the Debt or Preferred Stock being
refinanced and

            (y) does not permit redemption or other retirement (including
pursuant to an offer to purchase made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company) of such Debt or Preferred Stock at the option of the holder
thereof prior to the stated maturity of the Debt or Preferred Stock being
refinanced, other than a redemption or other retirement at the option of the
holder of such Debt or Preferred Stock (including pursuant to an offer to
purchase made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) which is
conditioned upon the change of control of the Company pursuant to provisions
substantially similar to the provisions of Section 1016 or which is pursuant to
provisions substantially similar to the provisions of Section 1013, and
provided, further, that in the case of any exchange or redemption of Preferred
Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, such Preferred Stock may only
be exchanged for or redeemed with Preferred Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary;

      (ix) Purchase Money Debt Incurred to finance the construction, acquisition
      or improvement of Telecommunications Assets, provided that the net
      proceeds of such Purchase Money Debt do not exceed 100% of the cost of
      construction, acquisition or improvement price of the applicable
      Telecommunications Assets; and

      (x) Debt consisting of performance and other similar bonds and
      reimbursement obligations Incurred in the ordinary course of business
      securing the performance of contractual, franchise or license obligations
      of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, or in respect of a letter of
      credit obtained to secure such performance; and

      (xi) Debt not otherwise permitted to be incurred pursuant to clauses (i)
      through (x) above, which, together with any other outstanding Debt
      incurred pur-


                                      -88-
<PAGE>

      suant to this clause (xi), has an aggregate principal amount (or, in the
      case of Debt issued at a discount, an accreted amount (determined in
      accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) at the time of
      Incurrence) not in excess of $10 million at any time outstanding.

      For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 1008, in the
event that an item of Debt meets the criteria of more than one of the types of
Debt a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company is permitted to incur pursuant to
the foregoing clauses (i) through (xi), the Company shall have the right, in its
sole discretion, to classify such item of Debt and shall be only required to
include the amount and type of such Debt under the clause permitting the Debt as
so classified. The determination of any particular amount of Debt under such
covenant shall be made without duplication for Guarantees or Liens supporting
Debt otherwise included in the determination of a particular amount.

SECTION 1009. Limitation on Restricted Payments.

            The Company:

      (i) may not, directly or indirectly, declare or pay any dividend, or make
any distribution, in respect of its Capital Stock or to the holders thereof (in
their capacity as such), excluding any dividends or distributions payable solely
in shares of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) or in options,
warrants or other rights to acquire its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified
Stock);

      (ii) may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, purchase,
redeem, or otherwise retire or acquire for value:

            (a) any Capital Stock of the Company or any Related Person of the
Company;

      or

            (b) any options, warrants or rights to purchase or acquire shares of
Capital Stock of the Company or any Related Person of the Company or any
securities convertible or exchangeable into shares of Capital Stock of the
Company or any Related Person of the Company;


                                      -89-
<PAGE>

      (iii) may not make, or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to make, any
Investment in, or payment on a Guarantee of any obligation of, any Person, other
than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, except for Permitted
Investments; and

      (iv) may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, redeem,
defease, repurchase, retire or otherwise acquire or retire for value, prior to
any scheduled maturity, repayment or sinking fund payment, Debt of the Company
which is subordinate in right of payment to the Securities (each of clauses (i)
through (iv) being a "Restricted Payment")

      if:

            (1) a Default or an Event of Default shall have occurred and is
continuing; or

            (2) upon giving effect to such Restricted Payment, the Company could
not Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt pursuant to the provisions of the
first paragraph of Section 1007; or

            (3) upon giving effect to such Restricted Payment, the aggregate of
all Restricted Payments from April 25, 1996 exceeds the sum of:

                  (a) 50% of cumulative Consolidated Net Income (or, in the case
Consolidated Net Income shall be negative, less 100% of such deficit) since the
end of the last full fiscal quarter prior to April 25, 1996 through the last day
of the last full fiscal quarter ending immediately preceding the date of such
Restricted Payment; plus

                  (b) $5 million; plus

                  (c) 100% of the net reduction in Investments in any
Unrestricted Subsidiary since the end of the last full fiscal quarter prior to
April 25, 1996 resulting from payments of interest on Debt, dividends,
repayments of loans or advances, or other transfers of assets, in each case to
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company from such Unrestricted
Subsidiary (except to the extent that any such payment is included in the
calculation of Consolidated Net Income) or from redesignations of Unrestricted
Subsidiaries as Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the amount included in
this clause (c) shall not exceed the amount of Investments previously made by
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Unrestricted Subsidiary;
provided, further, that the Company or a Restricted


                                      -90-
<PAGE>

Subsidiary of the Company may make any Restricted Payment with the aggregate net
proceeds received after April 25, 1996, including the fair value of property
other than cash (determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, as
conclusively evidenced by a Board Resolution filed with the Trustee), as capital
contributions to the Company or from the issuance (other than to a Restricted
Subsidiary) of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company and
warrants, rights or options on Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of
the Company and the principal amount of Debt of the Company that has been
converted into Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock and other than by a
Restricted Subsidiary) of the Company after April 25, 1996.

            Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may

      (i) pay any dividend on Capital Stock of any class within 60 days after
the declaration thereof if, on the date when the dividend was declared, the
Company could have paid such dividend in accordance with the foregoing
provisions;

      (ii) repurchase any shares of its Common Equity or options to acquire its
Common Equity from Persons who were formerly officers or employees of the
Company, provided that the aggregate amount of all such repurchases made
pursuant to this clause (ii) shall not exceed $2 million, plus the aggregate
cash proceeds received by the Company since April 25, 1996 from issuances of its
Common Equity or options to acquire its Common Equity to members, officers,
managers, directors and employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

      (iii) the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may refinance any Debt
otherwise permitted by clause (iv) of the second paragraph of Section 1007; and

      (iv) the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may retire or repurchase
any Capital Stock or Subordinated Debt of the Company in exchange for, or out of
the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company) of, Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of
the Company. If the Company makes a Restricted Payment which, at the time of the
making of such Restricted Payment, would in the good faith determination of the
Company be permitted under this Indenture, such Restricted Payment shall be
deemed to have been made in compliance with this Indenture notwithstanding any
subsequent adjustments made in good faith to the Company financial statements
affecting Consolidated Net Income for any period.


                                      -91-
<PAGE>

      In determining the aggregate amount expended or available for Restricted
Payments in accordance with clause (3) of the first paragraph above,

            (1) no amounts expended under clauses (iii) or (iv) of the
immediately preceding paragraph shall be included,

            (2) 100% of the amounts expended under clauses (i) and (ii) of the
immediately preceding paragraph shall be included, and

            (3) no amount shall be credited in respect of issuances of Capital
Stock in transactions under clause (iv) of the immediately preceding paragraph.

SECTION 1010. Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting
              Restricted Subsidiaries.

            The Company may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary
to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or
become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company

      (i) to pay dividends (in cash or otherwise) or make any other
distributions in respect of its Capital Stock owned by the Company or any other
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or pay any Debt or other obligation owed to
the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary;

      (ii) to make loans or advances to the Company or any other Restricted
Subsidiary; or

      (iii) to transfer any of its property or assets to the Company or any
other Restricted Subsidiary.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may, and may permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, suffer to exist any such encumbrance or restriction:

            (a) pursuant to any agreement in effect on the Issue Date;

            (b) pursuant to an agreement relating to any Acquired Debt, which
encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or
assets of any Person, other than the Person so acquired and its Subsidiaries;


                                      -92-
<PAGE>

            (c) pursuant to any one or more Bank Credit Agreements or Vendor
Financing Facilities (and renewals, extensions, refinancings or refundings
thereof) which is permitted to be outstanding under clause (i) or (ii) of
Section 1007 or clause (vi) or (ix) of Section 1008, provided that such
restriction is consistent with, and not materially more restrictive (as
conclusively determined in good faith by the Chief Financial Officer of the
Company), taken as a whole, than, comparable provisions included in similar
agreements or facilities extended to comparable credits engaged in the
Telecommunications Business and provided further that, in the case of any such
Bank Credit Agreement or Vendor Financing Facility entered into by a Restricted
Subsidiary under clause (ii) of Section 1007 or clause (ix) of Section 1008,
such encumbrances or restrictions do not prohibit dividends, distributions,
loans or advances by such Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or another
Restricted Subsidiary to the extent that the failure to make such distribution,
loan or advance would result in the Company defaulting in the payment of
principal or interest on its indebtedness;

            (d) pursuant to an agreement effecting a renewal, refunding or
extension of Debt Incurred pursuant to an agreement referred to in clause (a) or
(b) above or (e) below, provided, however, that the provisions contained in such
renewal, refunding or extension agreement relating to such encumbrance or
restriction are not materially more restrictive (as conclusively determined in
good faith by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company), taken as a whole,
than the provisions contained in the agreement the subject thereof;

            (e) in the case of clause (iii) above, restrictions contained in any
security agreement (including a Capital Lease Obligation) securing Debt of the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary otherwise permitted under this Indenture, but
only to the extent such restrictions restrict the transfer of the property
subject to such security agreement;

            (f) in the case of clause (iii) above, customary nonassignment
provisions entered into in the ordinary course of business in leases and other
agreements;

            (g) any restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company imposed pursuant to an agreement which has been entered into for the
sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets
of such Restricted Subsidiary, provided that consummation of such transaction
would not result in a Default or an Event


                                      -93-
<PAGE>

of Default, that such restriction terminates if such transaction is not
consummated and that such consummation or abandonment of such transaction occurs
within one year of the date such agreement was entered into;

            (h) pursuant to applicable law or regulations;

            (i) pursuant to this Indenture and the Securities; or

            (j) any restriction on the sale or other disposition of assets or
property securing Debt as a result of a Permitted Lien on such assets or
property.

SECTION 1011. Limitation on Liens.

            The Company may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company to, Incur or suffer to exist any Lien on or with respect to any
property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired to secure any Debt without
making, or causing such Restricted Subsidiary to make, effective provision for
securing the Securities:

      (x) equally and ratably with (or prior to) such Debt as to such property
for so long as such Debt will be so secured or

      (y) in the event such Debt is Debt of the Company which is subordinate in
right of payment to the Securities, prior to such Debt as to such property for
so long as such Debt will be so secured.

The foregoing restrictions shall not apply to:

      (i) Liens existing on the Issue Date and securing Debt outstanding on the
Issue Date or securing the Securities or Liens securing Debt Incurred pursuant
to any Bank Credit Agreement or Vendor Financing Facility (whether or not such
Bank Credit Agreement or Vendor Financing Facility was outstanding on the Issue
Date);

      (ii) Liens securing Debt in an amount which, together with the aggregate
amount of Debt then outstanding or available under the Bank Credit Agreement and
Vendor Financing Facility (or under refinancings or amendments of such
agreements), does not exceed 1.5 times the Company's Consolidated Cash Flow
Available for Fixed Charges for the four full fiscal quarters preceding the
Incurrence of such Lien for which consolidated financial statements are
available, determined on a pro forma basis as if such Debt


                                      -94-
<PAGE>

had been Incurred and the proceeds thereof had been applied at the beginning of
such four fiscal quarters;

      (iii) Liens in favor of the Company or any Wholly-Owned Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company;

      (iv) Liens on real or personal property of the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company acquired, constructed or constituting improvements
made after the Issue Date to secure Purchase Money Debt which is Incurred for
the construction, acquisition and improvement of Telecommunications Assets and
is otherwise permitted under this Indenture, provided, however, that

            (a) the net proceeds of any Debt secured by such a Lien does not
exceed 100% of such purchase price or cost of construction or improvement of the
property subject to such Lien,

            (b) such Lien attaches to such property prior to, at the time of or
within 180 days after the acquisition, completion of construction or
commencement of operation of such property and

            (c) such Lien does not extend to or cover any property other than
the property (or identifiable portions thereof) acquired, constructed or
constituting the improvements made with the proceeds of such Purchase Money Debt
(it being understood and agreed that all Debt owed to any single lender or group
of lenders or outstanding under any single credit facility shall be considered a
single Purchase Money Debt, whether drawn at one time or from time to time);

      (v) Liens to secure Acquired Debt, provided, however, that

            (a) such Lien attaches to the acquired asset prior to the time of
the acquisition of such asset and

            (b) such Lien does not extend to or cover any other asset;

      (vi) Liens to secure Debt Incurred to extend, renew, refinance or refund
(or successive extensions, renewals, refinancings or refundings), in whole or in
part, Debt secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (i), (ii),
(iv) and (v) so long as such Lien does not extend to any other property and the
principal amount of Debt so secured is not increased except as otherwise
permitted under clause (iv) of Section 1007;


                                      -95-
<PAGE>

      (vii) Liens securing Debt not otherwise permitted by the foregoing clauses
(i) through (vi) in an amount not to exceed 5% of the Company's Consolidated
Tangible Assets determined as of the most recent available quarterly or annual
balance sheet; and

      (viii) Permitted Liens.

SECTION 1012. Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions.

            The Company may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary
to, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction unless

      (i) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled to Incur a
Lien to secure Debt by reason of the provisions of Section 1011, equal in amount
to the Attributable Value of the Sale and Leaseback Transaction without equally
and ratably securing the Securities; or

      (ii) the Sale and Leaseback Transaction is treated as an Asset Disposition
and all of the conditions of Section 1013 (including the provisions concerning
the application of Net Available Proceeds) are satisfied with respect to such
Sale and Leaseback Transaction, treating all of the consideration received in
such Sale and Leaseback Transaction in the same manner as consideration in
respect of an Asset Disposition for purposes of such covenant.

SECTION 1013. Limitation on Asset Dispositions.

            (a) The Company may not, and may not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, make any Asset Disposition in one or more related transactions
occurring within any 12-month period unless:

                  (i) the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may
be, receives consideration for such disposition at least equal to the fair
market value for the assets sold or disposed of as determined by the Board of
Directors in good faith and evidenced by a Board Resolution filed with the
Trustee, which determination shall be conclusive;

                  (ii) at least 75% of the consideration for such disposition
consists of:


                                      -96-
<PAGE>

                        (1) cash or readily marketable cash equivalents or the
assumption of Debt or other obligations of the Company (other than Debt that is
subordinated to the Securities) or of the Restricted Subsidiary and release from
all liability on the Debt or other obligations assumed;

                        (2) Telecommunications Assets; or

                        (3) shares of publicly-traded Voting Stock of any Person
engaged in the Telecommunications Business in the United States; and

            (iii) all Net Available Proceeds, less any amounts invested in
Telecommunications Assets (within 180 days prior to and 360 days following such
disposition), are applied within 360 days of such disposition

                        (1) first, to the permanent repayment or reduction of
Debt then outstanding under any Bank Credit Agreement or Vendor Financing
Facility, to the extent such agreements would require such application or
prohibit payments pursuant to clause (2) following,

                        (2) second, to the extent of remaining Net Available
Proceeds, to make an Offer to Purchase outstanding Securities at 100% of their
principal amount plus accrued interest to the date of purchase and, to the
extent required by the terms thereof, any other Debt of the Company that is pari
passu with the Securities at a price no greater than 100% of the principal
amount thereof plus accrued interest to the date of purchase (or 100% of the
accreted value in the case of original issue discount Debt) and

                        (3) third, to the extent of any remaining Net Available
Proceeds following the completion of the Offer to Purchase, to the repayment of
other Debt of the Company or Debt of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, to
the extent permitted under the terms thereof. To the extent any Net Available
Proceeds remain after such uses, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may
use such amounts for any purposes not prohibited by this Indenture.

            (b) The Company will mail the Offer for an Offer to Purchase
required pursuant to Section 1013(a) not more than 360 days after consummation
of the disposition referred to in Section 1013(a). The aggregate principal
amount of the Securities to be offered to be purchased pursuant to the Offer to
Purchase shall equal the Net Available Proceeds available therefor pursuant to
Clause (iii)(2) of Section 1013(a) (rounded down to the next lowest integral


                                      -97-
<PAGE>

multiple of $1,000). Each Holder shall be entitled to tender all or any portion
of the Securities owned by such Holder pursuant to the Offer to Purchase,
subject to the requirement that any portion of a Security tendered must be
tendered in an integral multiple of $1,000 principal amount.

            The Company shall not be entitled to any credit against its
obligations under this Section 1013 for the principal amount of any Securities
acquired or redeemed by the Company otherwise than pursuant to the Offer to
Purchase pursuant to this Section 1013.

            (c) Not later than the date of the Offer with respect to an Offer to
Purchase pursuant to this Section 1013, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee
an Officers' Certificate as to

                  (i) the Purchase Amount,

                  (ii) the allocation of the Net Available Proceeds from the
Asset Disposition pursuant to which such Offer is being made, including, if
amounts are invested in Telecommunication Assets, the amount of the assets
acquired and

                  (iii) the compliance of such allocation with the provisions of
Section 1013(a).

            The Company and the Trustee shall perform their respective
obligations specified in the Offer for the Offer to Purchase. On or prior to the
Purchase Date, the Company shall

      (i) accept for payment (on a pro rata basis, if necessary) Securities or
portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Offer,

      (ii) deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its
own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) money
sufficient to pay the purchase price of all Securities or portions thereof so
accepted and

      (iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee all Securities so
accepted together with an Officers' Certificate stating the Securities or
portions thereof accepted for payment by the Company. The Paying Agent (or the
Company, if so acting) shall promptly mail or deliver to Holders of Securities
so accepted payment in an amount equal to the purchase price, and the Trustee
shall promptly authenticate and mail or deliver to such Holders a new


                                      -98-
<PAGE>

Security of like tenor equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of
the Security surrendered. Any Security not accepted for payment shall be
promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof.

            (d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 1013 shall not apply
to any Asset Disposition which constitutes a transfer, conveyance, sale, lease
or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company's properties or
assets within the meaning of Section 801 hereof.

SECTION 1014. Limitation on Issuances and Sales of Capital Stock of Restricted
              Subsidiaries.

            The Company may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company to, issue, transfer, convey, sell or otherwise dispose of any shares
of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or securities
convertible or exchangeable into, or options, warrants, rights or any other
interest with respect to, Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company to any person other than the Company or a Wholly-Owned Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company except

      (i) in a transaction that complies with the provisions of Section 1013;

      (ii) if required, the issuance, transfer, conveyance, sale or other
disposition of directors' qualifying shares;

      (iii) in a transaction in which, or in connection with which, the Company
or a Restricted Subsidiary acquires at the same time sufficient Capital Stock of
such Restricted Subsidiary to at least maintain the same percentage ownership
interest it had prior to such transaction;

      (iv) constituting the issuance of Preferred Stock permitted by the
provisions of Section 1008; and

      (v) Disqualified Stock issued in exchange for, or upon conversion of, or
the proceeds of the issuance of which are used to redeem, refinance, replace or
refund shares of Disqualified Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary, provided that
the amounts of the redemption obligations of such Disqualified Stock shall not
exceed the amounts of the redemption obligations of, and such Disqualified Stock
shall have redemption obligations no earlier than those required by, the
Disqualified Stock being exchanged, converted, redeemed, refinanced, replaced or
refunded.


                                      -99-
<PAGE>

SECTION 1015. Transactions with Affiliates and Related Persons.

            The Company may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company to, enter into any transaction (or series of related transactions)
with an Affiliate or Related Person of the Company (other than the Company or a
Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company), including any Investment,
but excluding transactions pursuant to employee compensation arrangements
approved by the Board of Directors, either directly or indirectly, unless such
transaction is on terms no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary than those that could reasonably be obtained in a comparable
arm's-length transaction with an entity that is not an Affiliate or Related
Person and is in the best interests of such Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary. For any transaction that involves in excess of $1 million but less
than or equal to $15 million, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company shall
determine that the transaction satisfies the above criteria and shall evidence
such a determination by an Officer's Certificate filed with the Trustee. For any
transaction that involves in excess of $15 million, the Company shall also
either

      (x) obtain the approval of the transaction from the Board of Directors
including a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors or

      (y) obtain an opinion from a nationally recognized investment bank or
other expert with experience in appraising the terms and conditions, taken as a
whole, of the type of transaction (or series of related transactions) for which
the opinion is required stating that such transaction (or series of related
transactions) is on terms and conditions, taken as a whole, no less favorable to
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that could be obtained in a
comparable arm's-length transaction with an entity that is not an Affiliate or
Related Person of the Company, which opinion shall be filed with the Trustee.
This covenant shall not apply to Investments by an Affiliate or a Related Person
of the Company in the Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.

SECTION 1016. Change of Control.


                                     -100-
<PAGE>

            (a) Within 30 days of the occurrence of a Change of Control, the
Company will be required to make an Offer to Purchase all Outstanding Securities
at a purchase price equal to 101% of their principal amount plus accrued and
unpaid interest to the date of purchase.

            (b) The Company and Trustee shall perform their respective
obligations specified in the Offer for the Offer to Purchase. On or prior to the
Purchase Date, the Company shall

                  (i) accept for payment Securities or portions thereof tendered
pursuant to the Offer,

                  (ii) deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company is
acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in
Section 1003) money sufficient to pay the purchase price of all Securities or
portions thereof so accepted and

                  (iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee all
Securities so accepted together with an Officers' Certificate stating the
Securities or portions thereof accepted for payment by the Company. The Paying
Agent shall promptly mail or deliver to Holders of Securities so accepted
payment in an amount equal to the purchase price, and the Trustee shall promptly
authenticate and mail or deliver to such Holders a new Security or Securities
equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Security surrendered
as requested by the Holder. Any Security not accepted for payment shall be
promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof.

            (c) A "Change of Control" will be deemed to have occurred at such
time as either

                  (a) any Person or any Persons acting together that would
constitute a "group" (a "Group") for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange
Act, or any successor provision thereto (other than Eagle River, Mr. Craig O.
McCaw and their respective Affiliates or an underwriter engaged in a firm
commitment underwriting on behalf of the Company), shall beneficially own
(within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor
provision thereto) more than 50% of the aggregate voting power of all classes of
Voting Stock of the Company; or

                  (b) neither Mr. Craig O. McCaw nor any person designated by
him to the Company as acting on his behalf shall be a director of the Company;
or


                                     -101-
<PAGE>

                  (c) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals
who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors (together
with any new directors whose election by the Board of Directors or whose
nomination for election by the shareholders of the Company was proposed by a
vote of a majority of the directors of the Company then still in office who were
either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination
for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a
majority of the Board of Directors then in office.

            (d) In the event that the Company makes an Offer to Purchase the
Securities, the Company intends to comply with any applicable securities laws
and regulations, including any applicable requirements of Section 14(e) of, and
Rule 14e-1 under, the Exchange Act.

            (e) Unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Purchase
Price, any Security accepted for payment pursuant to an Offer to Purchase shall
cease to accrue interest after the Purchase Date.

SECTION 1017. Provision of Financial Information.

            The Company has agreed to file with the Trustee, within 15 days
after it files them with the Commission, copies of the SEC Reports. In the event
the Company shall cease to be required to file SEC Reports pursuant to the
Exchange Act, the Company will nevertheless continue to file such reports with
the Commission (unless the Commission will not accept such a filing) and the
Trustee. The Company will furnish copies of the SEC Reports to the Holders of
Securities at the time the Company is required to file the same with the Trustee
and will make such information available to investors who request it in writing.

SECTION 1018. Statement by Officers as to Default.

            (a) The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after
the end of each quarter of each fiscal year of the Company ending after the date
hereof, an Officers' Certificate, stating whether or not to the best knowledge
of the signers thereof the Company is in default in the performance and
observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture and
if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such defaults


                                     -102-
<PAGE>

and the nature and status thereof of which they may have knowledge.

            (b) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, as soon as possible
and in any event within 10 days after the Company becomes aware of the
occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default, an Officers' Certificate setting
forth the details of such Default or Event of Default and the action which the
Company proposes to take with respect thereto.

SECTION 1019. Waiver of Certain Covenants.

            The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any
covenant or condition set forth in Sections 1004 to 1017, inclusive, if before
or after the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities shall, by Act of such
Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive
compliance with such covenant or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to
or affect such covenant or condition except to the extent so expressly waived,
and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company
and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such covenant or condition shall
remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 1020. Limitation on Use of Proceeds.

            The Company will apply the net proceeds received from the issuance
and sale of the Securities (the "Securities Net Proceeds") toward the
construction, improvement, and acquisition by the Company or one or more
Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company or Joint Ventures of Telecommunications
Assets of the Company, such Restricted Subsidiaries or Joint Ventures (or will
advance such net proceeds to such Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company or
Joint Ventures for such purpose); provided, however, pending such application,
the Securities Net Proceeds may be invested in Marketable Securities.

                                 ARTICLE ELEVEN

                            Redemption of Securities

SECTION 1101. Right of Redemption.

            (a) The Securities may be redeemed prior to June o, 2004 only in the
event that on or before June o, 2004 the Company receives net proceeds from a
sale of its


                                     -103-
<PAGE>

Common Equity, in which case the Company may, at its option, use all or a
portion of any such net proceeds to redeem Securities in a principal amount of
up to an aggregate amount equal to _% of the original principal amount of the
Securities provided, however, that Securities in an amount equal to at least _%
of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes remain outstanding after
such redemption. Such redemption must occur on a Redemption Date within 90 days
of any such sale and upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice by mail
to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed at such Holder's address appearing
in the Security Register, in amounts of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000
at a Redemption Price of _% of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, to but excluding the Redemption Date (subject to the right of
Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date to receive interest due on
an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date).

            (b) The Securities further may be redeemed, as a whole or in part,
at the election of the Company, at any time on or after June _, 2004 and prior
to maturity, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice by mail to each
Holder of Securities to be redeemed at such Holder's address appearing in the
Security Register, in amounts of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000, at
the Redemption Prices specified in the form of Security hereinbefore set forth,
together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date
(subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date
to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the
Redemption Date).

SECTION 1102. Applicability of Article.

            Redemption of Securities at the election of the Company, as
permitted or required by any provision of this Indenture, shall be made in
accordance with such provision and this Article.

SECTION 1103. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

            The election of the Company to redeem any Securities pursuant to
Section 1101 shall be evidenced by Board Resolution. In case of any redemption
at the election of the Company of less than all the Securities, the Company
shall, at least 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company
(unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the
Trustee in writing of such


                                     -104-
<PAGE>

Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities to be redeemed. In the
case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction
on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this
Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers' Certificate
evidencing compliance with such restriction.

SECTION 1104. Securities to Be Redeemed Pro Rata.

            If less than all the Securities are to be redeemed in any
redemption, the Securities to be redeemed shall be selected by the Trustee by
prorating, as nearly as may be practicable, the principal amount of Securities
to be redeemed. In any proration pursuant to this Section, the Trustee shall
make such adjustments, reallocations and eliminations as it shall deem proper
(and in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities
exchange, if any, on which the Securities are listed) to the end that the
principal amount of Securities so prorated shall be $1,000 or a multiple
thereof, by increasing or decreasing or eliminating the amount which would be
allocable to any Holder on the basis of exact proportion by an amount not
exceeding $1,000. The Trustee in its discretion may determine the particular
Securities (if there are more than one) registered in the name of any Holder
which are to be redeemed, in whole or in part.

            The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and each Security
Registrar (other than the Trustee) in writing of the Securities selected for
redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption,
the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

            For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise
requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate,
in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the
portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be
redeemed.

SECTION 1105. Notice of Redemption.

            Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage
prepaid, mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption
Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at such Holder's address
appearing in the Security Register.


                                     -105-
<PAGE>

            All notices of redemption shall state:

            (1) the Redemption Date,

            (2) the Redemption Price,

            (3) whether the redemption is being made pursuant to Section 1101(a)
      or (b) and, if being made pursuant to Section 1101(a), a brief statement
      setting forth the Company's right to effect such redemption and the
      Company's basis therefor,

            (4) if less than all the Outstanding Securities are to be redeemed,
      the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption of any
      Securities, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be
      redeemed,

            (5) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due
      and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and that interest
      thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date,

            (6) the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered
      for payment of the Redemption Price,

            (7) that in the case that a Security is only redeemed in part, the
      Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to
      the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or
      Securities in an aggregate amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the
      Security,

            (8) the aggregate principal amount of Securities being redeemed, and

            (9) the CUSIP number or numbers of the Securities being redeemed.

            Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of
the Company shall be given by the Company or, if request is made to the Trustee
no less than 35 days prior to the Redemption Date, by the Trustee in the name
and at the expense of the Company.

SECTION 1106. Deposit of Redemption Price.

            Prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the
Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying
Agent, segregate and


                                     -106-
<PAGE>

hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money sufficient to pay
the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest
Payment Date) accrued and unpaid interest on, all the Securities which are to be
redeemed on that date.

SECTION 1107. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

            Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities
so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the
Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the
Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued and
unpaid interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of
any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security
shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued and
unpaid interest to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that installments of
interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be
payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor
Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record
Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

            If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon
surrender thereof for redemption, the principal (and premium, if any) shall,
until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate provided by the
Security.

SECTION 1108. Securities Redeemed in Part.

            Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be
surrendered at an office or agency of the Company designated for that purpose
pursuant to Section 1002 (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due
endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney
duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee
shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service
charge, a new Security or Securities of like tenor, of any authorized
denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to
and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so
surrendered. If a Global Security is so surrendered, such new Security shall
also be a Global Security.


                                     -107-
<PAGE>

                                 ARTICLE TWELVE

                       Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

SECTION 1201. Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

            The Company may, at its option by Board Resolution at any time
(subject to 10-day prior written notification to the Trustee), elect to have
either Section 1202 or Section 1203 applied to the Outstanding Securities upon
compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article Twelve.

SECTION 1202. Defeasance and Discharge.

            Upon the Company's exercise of the option provided in Section 1201
applicable to this Section, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged
from its obligations with respect to the Outstanding Securities on the date the
conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, "defeasance"). For this
purpose, such defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and
discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the Outstanding Securities and
to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this
Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the
expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the
same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated
or discharged hereunder:

      (A) the rights of Holders of Outstanding Securities to receive, solely
from the trust fund described in Section 1204 and as more fully set forth in
such Section, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest on such Securities when such payments are due,

      (B) the Company's obligations with respect to such Securities under
Sections 304, 305, 306, 1002 and 1003,

      (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee
hereunder and

      (D) this Article Twelve. Subject to compliance with this Article Twelve,
the Company may exercise its option under this Section 1202 notwithstanding the
prior exercise of its option under Section 1203.

SECTION 1203. Covenant Defeasance.


                                     -108-
<PAGE>

            Upon the Company's exercise of the option provided in Section 1201
applicable to this Section

                  (i) the Company shall be released from its obligations under
Sections 1005 through 1017, inclusive, and Clauses (3) and (4) of Section 801,

                  (ii) the occurrence of an event specified in Sections 501(3),
501(4) (with respect to Clauses (3) and (4) of Section 801), and 501 (5) (with
respect to Sections 1005 through 1017, inclusive) shall not be deemed to be an
Event of Default, on and after the date the conditions set forth below are
satisfied (hereinafter, "covenant defeasance"). For this purpose, such covenant
defeasance means that the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no
liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such
Section or Article, whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference
elsewhere herein to any such Section or Article or by reason of any reference in
any such Section or Article to any other provision herein or in any other
document, but the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be
unaffected thereby.

SECTION 1204. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

            The following shall be the conditions to application of either
Section 1202 or Section 1203 to the Outstanding Securities:

            (1) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be
      deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of
      making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and
      dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities,

                  (A) money in an amount, or

                  (B) U.S. Government Obligations which through the scheduled
payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their
terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment,
money in an amount, or

                  (C) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a
nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants expressed
in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and


                                     -109-
<PAGE>

discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee to pay and discharge, the
principal of, premium, if any, and each installment of interest on the
Securities on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of interest
on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the
terms of this Indenture and of such Securities. For this purpose, "U.S.
Government Obligations" means securities that are

      (x) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of
which its full faith and credit is pledged or

      (y) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an
agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which
is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the
United States of America, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable
at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt
issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as
custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific
payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligation held
by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt,
provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to
make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary
receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S.
Government Obligation or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the
U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depositary receipt.

            (2) No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
      continuing on the date of such deposit or, insofar as subsections 501(8)
      and (9) are concerned, at any time during the period ending on the 91st
      day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this
      condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such
      period).

            (3) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not cause the
      Trustee to have a conflicting interest as defined in Section 608 and for
      purposes of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to any securities of the
      Company.

            (4) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a
      breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or
      any other agreement or


                                     -110-
<PAGE>

      instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.

            (5) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
      Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
      precedent provided for relating to either the defeasance under Section
      1202 or the covenant defeasance under Section 1203 (as the case may be)
      have been complied with.

            (6) In the case of an election under Section 1202, the Company shall
      have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that

      (x) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the
Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or

      (y) since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in the
applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based
thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of the Outstanding
Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax
purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge 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 deposit, defeasance and discharge
had not occurred.

            (7) In the case of an election under Section 1203, the Company shall
      have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the
      Holders of the Outstanding Securities will not recognize income, gain or
      loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and
      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.

            (8) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of
      Counsel to the effect that such deposit and defeasance or covenant
      defeasance shall not result in the trust arising from such deposit
      constituting an investment company as defined in the Investment Company
      Act of 1940, as amended, or such trust shall be qualified under such act
      or exempt from regulation thereunder.

SECTION 1205. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in
              Trust;


                                     -111-
<PAGE>

              Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

            Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all
money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited
with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee--collectively, for purposes of
this Section 1205, the "Trustee") pursuant to Section 1204 in respect of the
Securities shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with
the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either
directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own
Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities,
of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium,
if any) and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds
except to the extent required by law.

            The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee
or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations
deposited pursuant to Section 1204 or the principal and interest received in
respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for
the account of the Holders of the Outstanding Securities.

            Anything in this Article Twelve to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company
Request any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in
Section 1204 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized accounting firm
expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in
excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to
effect an equivalent defeasance or covenant defeasance.

SECTION 1206. Reinstatement.

            If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in
accordance with Section 1202 or 1203 by reason of any order or judgment of any
court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting
such application, then the Company's obligations under this Indenture and the
Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred
pursuant to this Article Twelve until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent
is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 1202 and 1203;
provided, however, that if the Company makes any payment of principal of (and
premium, if any) any Security following the reinstatement of its obligations,
the


                                     -112-
<PAGE>

Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to
receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or the Paying Agent.

SECTION 1207. Repayment to Company.

            Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then
held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if
any, or interest on any Security and remaining unclaimed for two years after
such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable
shall be paid to the Company on its written request or (if then held by the
Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such security
shall thereafter, as a creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof,
and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust
money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon
cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being
required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to
be published once, in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national
edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date
specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such
notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining
will be repaid to the Company.

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

            This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each
of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such
counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.


                                     -113-
<PAGE>

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to
be duly executed and attested, and the Trustee has caused its seal to be
hereunto affixed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written.

                                        NEXTLINK Communications, Inc.

                                        By
                                           ------------------------------
                                           Name: R. Bruce Easter, Jr.
                                           Title: Vice President, General
                                                   Counsel and Secretary

Attest:


- ------------------------
Name:
Title:

                                        UNITED STATES TRUST COMPANY
                                          OF NEW YORK

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

[SEAL]

Attest:

- ------------------------
Name:
Title:
<PAGE>

STATE OF WASHINGTON  )   ss.:
COUNTY OF            )

            On this __th day of ________, 1999, before me personally appeared R.
Bruce Easter, Jr., to me known, who, being duly sworn, did depose and say that
he is the Vice President of NEXTLINK Communications, Inc., one of the
corporations described in and which executed the foregoing instrument, and duly
acknowledged to me that he executed the same by authority of the Board of
Directors of said corporation.


                                                  ------------------------------
                                                           Notary Public

STATE OF NEW YORK  )   ss.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK )

            On this __th day of ________, 1999, before me personally appeared ,
to me known, who, being duly sworn, did depose and say that she is the Vice
President of United States Trust Company of New York, one of the corporations
described in and which executed the foregoing instrument, and duly acknowledged
to me that she executed the same by authority of the Board of Directors of said
corporation.


                                                  ------------------------------
                                                           Notary Public

<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 4.16

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

                          NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

                                       TO

                     UNITED STATES TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK
                                                    Trustee


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


                                    Indenture

                        Dated as of                , 1999


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


                             $


                             % SENIOR DISCOUNT NOTES
                                    DUE 2009

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

                          NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

                 Certain Sections of this Indenture relating to
                         Sections 310 through 318 of the
                          Trust Indenture Act of 1939:

Trust Indenture                                                    Indenture
  Act Section                                                       Section
- ---------------                                                    ---------

ss. 310(a)(1)        ...........................................      609
       (a)(2)        ...........................................      609
       (a)(3)        ...........................................      Not
                                                                      Applicable
       (a)(4)        ...........................................      Not
                                                                      Applicable
       (b)           ...........................................      608
                                                                      610
ss. 311(a)           ...........................................      613
       (b)           ...........................................      613
ss. 312(a)           ...........................................      701
       (b)           ...........................................      702
       (c)           ...........................................      702
ss. 313(a)           ...........................................      703
       (b)           ...........................................      703
       (c)           ...........................................      703
       (d)           ...........................................      703
ss. 314(a)           ...........................................      704
                                                                      1018
       (b)           ...........................................      Not
                                                                      Applicable
       (c)(1)        ...........................................      102
       (c)(2)        ...........................................      102
       (c)(3)        ...........................................      Not
                                                                      Applicable
       (d)           ...........................................      Not
                                                                      Applicable
       (e)           ...........................................      102
ss. 315(a)           ...........................................      601
       (b)           ...........................................      602
       (c)           ...........................................      601
       (d)           ...........................................      601
       (e)           ...........................................      514
ss. 316(a)(1)(A)     ...........................................      502

- ----------

      Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to
            be a part of the Indenture.


                                      -i-
<PAGE>

Trust Indenture                                                    Indenture
  Act Section                                                       Section
- ---------------                                                    ---------

                                                                      512
       (a)(1)(B)     ...........................................      513
       (a)(2)        ...........................................      Not
                                                                      Applicable
       (b)           ...........................................      508
       (c)           ...........................................      104
ss. 317(a)(1)        ...........................................      503
       (a)(2)        ...........................................      504
       (b)           ...........................................      1003
ss. 318(a)           ...........................................      107

- ----------

      Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to
            be a part of the Indenture.


                                      -ii-
<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY........................................................1

      ARTICLE ONE Definitions and Other Provisions of General Application

SECTION 101.   Definitions.....................................................1
               Accreted Value..................................................2
               Acquired Debt...................................................2
               Act.............................................................3
               Affiliate.......................................................3
               Agent Member....................................................3
               Asset Disposition...............................................3
               Attributable Value..............................................4
               Bank Credit Agreement...........................................4
               Board of Directors..............................................4
               Board Resolution................................................4
               Business Day....................................................5
               Capital Lease Obligation........................................5
               Capital Stock...................................................5
               Change of Control...............................................5
               Commission......................................................5
               Common Equity...................................................5
               Company.........................................................5
               Company Request.................................................6
               Company Order...................................................6
               Consolidated Capital Ratio......................................6
               Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges..............6
               Consolidated Income Tax Expense.................................7
               Consolidated Interest Expense...................................7
               Consolidated Net Income.........................................7
               Consolidated Net Worth..........................................8
               Consolidated Tangible Assets....................................8
               Corporate Trust Office..........................................8
               corporation.....................................................9
               Debt............................................................9
               Default........................................................10
               Defaulted Interest.............................................10
               Depositary.....................................................10
               Disqualified Stock.............................................10
               DTC............................................................10

- ----------

      Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to
            be a part of the Indenture.


                                      -iii-
<PAGE>

               Eagle River....................................................11
               Eligible Institution...........................................11
               Event of Default...............................................11
               Exchange Act...................................................11
               Eligible Receivables...........................................11
               Expiration Date................................................11
               Global Security................................................11
               Government Securities..........................................11
               Guarantee......................................................12
               Holder.........................................................12
               Incur..........................................................12
               Indenture......................................................13
               Interest Payment Date..........................................13
               Interest Rate or Currency Protection Agreement.................13
               Investment.....................................................13
               Issue Date.....................................................13
               Joint Venture..................................................13
               Lien...........................................................14
               Marketable Securities..........................................14
               Maturity.......................................................14
               Net Available Proceeds.........................................15
               Offer to Purchase..............................................16
               Officers' Certificate..........................................18
               Opinion of Counsel.............................................19
               Outstanding....................................................19
               Paying Agent...................................................20
               Permitted Interest Rate or Currency Protection Agreement.......20
               Permitted Investment...........................................20
               Permitted Liens................................................21
               Person.........................................................22
               Predecessor Security...........................................22
               Preferred Dividends............................................22
               Preferred Stock................................................22
               Purchase Date..................................................22
               Purchase Money Debt............................................22
               readily marketable cash equivalents............................23
               Receivables....................................................23
               Receivables Sale...............................................23
               Redemption Date................................................24
               Redemption Price...............................................24
               Regular Record Date............................................24
               Related Person.................................................24
               Responsible Officer............................................24
               Restricted Subsidiary..........................................24

- ----------

      Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to
            be a part of the Indenture.


                                      -iv-
<PAGE>

               Sale and Leaseback Transaction.................................24
               SEC Reports....................................................25
               Securities.....................................................25
               Securities Act.................................................25
               Security Register..............................................25
               Security Registrar.............................................25
               Significant Subsidiary.........................................25
               Special Record Date............................................25
               Stated Maturity................................................25
               Subordinated Debt..............................................25
               Subsidiary.....................................................27
               Successor Security.............................................27
               Telecommunications Assets......................................27
               Telecommunications Business....................................27
               Trustee........................................................27
               Trust Indenture Act............................................28
               Unrestricted Subsidiary........................................28
               Vendor Financing Facility......................................29
               Vice President.................................................29
               Voting Stock...................................................29
               Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary.............................29

SECTION 102.   Compliance Certificates and Opinions...........................29
SECTION 103.   Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.........................30
SECTION 104.   Acts of Holders; Record Dates..................................31
SECTION 105.   Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company..........................34
SECTION 106.   Notice to Holders; Waiver......................................34
SECTION 107.   Application of Trust Indenture Act.............................35
SECTION 108.   Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.......................36
SECTION 109.   Successors and Assigns.........................................36
SECTION 110.   Separability Clause............................................36
SECTION 111.   Benefits of Indenture..........................................36
SECTION 112.   Governing Law..................................................36
SECTION 113.   Legal Holidays.................................................36

                           ARTICLE TWO Security Forms

SECTION 201.   Forms Generally................................................37
SECTION 202.   Form of Face of Security.......................................37
SECTION 203.   Form of Reverse of Security....................................40
SECTION 204.   Additional Provisions Required in Global Security..............45
SECTION 205.   Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication................46

                          ARTICLE THREE The Securities

- ----------

      Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to
            be a part of the Indenture.


                                       -v-
<PAGE>

SECTION 301.   Title and Terms................................................46
SECTION 302.   Denominations..................................................48
SECTION 303.   Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.................48
SECTION 304    Temporary Securities...........................................49
SECTION 305.   Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange............49
SECTION 306.   Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities...............52
SECTION 307.   Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.................53
SECTION 308.   Persons Deemed Owners..........................................55
SECTION 309.   Cancellation...................................................55
SECTION 310.   Computation of Interest........................................55
SECTION 311.   CUSIP Numbers..................................................55

                     ARTICLE FOUR Satisfaction and Discharge

SECTION 401.   Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture........................56
SECTION 402.   Application of Trust Money.....................................57

                              ARTICLE FIVE Remedies

SECTION 501.   Events of Default..............................................58
SECTION 502.   Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.............60
SECTION 503.   Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by
                 Trustee......................................................62
SECTION 504.   Trustee May File Proofs of Claim...............................63
SECTION 505.   Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities....64
SECTION 506.   Application of Money Collected.................................64
SECTION 507.   Limitation on Suits............................................64
SECTION 508.   Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium
                 and Interest.................................................65
SECTION 509.   Restoration of Rights and Remedies.............................66
SECTION 510.   Rights and Remedies Cumulative.................................66
SECTION 511.   Delay or Omission Not Waiver...................................66
SECTION 512.   Control by Holders.............................................67
SECTION 513.   Waiver of Past Defaults........................................67
SECTION 514.   Undertaking for Costs..........................................68
SECTION 515.   Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws...............................68

                             ARTICLE SIX The Trustee

- ----------

      Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to
            be a part of the Indenture.


                                      -vi-
<PAGE>

SECTION 601.   Certain Duties and Responsibilities............................69
SECTION 602.   Notice of Defaults.............................................69
SECTION 603.   Certain Rights of Trustee......................................69
SECTION 604.   Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.........71
SECTION 605.   May Hold Securities............................................71
SECTION 606.   Money Held in Trust............................................71
SECTION 607.   Compensation and Reimbursement.................................72
SECTION 608.   Disqualification; Conflicting Interests........................73
SECTION 609.   Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility........................73
SECTION 610.   Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor..............73
SECTION 611.   Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.........................75
SECTION 612.   Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business....76
SECTION 613.   Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company..........76
SECTION 614.   Appointment of Authenticating Agent............................76

       ARTICLE SEVEN Holders' Lists and Reports by Trustee and the Company

SECTION 701.   Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders......78
SECTION 702.   Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.........79
SECTION 703.   Reports by Trustee.............................................79
SECTION 704.   Reports by Company.............................................80

                    ARTICLE EIGHT Merger, Consolidation, Etc.

SECTION 801.   Mergers, Consolidations and Certain Sales of Assets............80
SECTION 802.   Successor Substituted..........................................82

                      ARTICLE NINE Supplemental Indentures

SECTION 901.   Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.............82
SECTION 902.   Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders................85
SECTION 903.   Execution of Supplemental Indentures...........................85
SECTION 904.   Effect of Supplemental Indentures..............................85
SECTION 905.   Conformity with Trust Indenture Act............................85
SECTION 906.   Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.............85

- ----------

      Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to
            be a part of the Indenture.


                                      -vii-
<PAGE>

                              ARTICLE TEN Covenants

SECTION 1001.  Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.....................86
SECTION 1002.  Maintenance of Office or Agency................................86
SECTION 1003.  Money for Security Payments to be Held in Trust................87
SECTION 1004.  Existence......................................................89
SECTION 1005.  Maintenance of Properties and Insurance........................89
SECTION 1006.  Payment of Taxes and Other Claims..............................89
SECTION 1007.  Limitation on Consolidated Debt................................90
SECTION 1008.  Limitation on Debt and Preferred Stock of Restricted
                 Subsidiaries.................................................94
SECTION 1009.  Limitation on Restricted Payments..............................97
SECTION 1010.  Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions
                 Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries............................99
SECTION 1011.  Limitation on Liens...........................................101
SECTION 1012.  Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions.................102
SECTION 1013.  Limitation on Asset Dispositions..............................103
SECTION 1014.  Limitation on Issuances and Sales of Capital Stock of
                 Restricted Subsidiaries.....................................105
SECTION 1015.  Transactions with Affiliates and Related Persons..............106
SECTION 1016.  Change of Control.............................................107
SECTION 1017.  Provision of Financial Information............................108
SECTION 1018.  Statement by Officers as to Default...........................109
SECTION 1019.  Waiver of Certain Covenants...................................109
SECTION 1020.  Limitation on Use of Proceeds.................................109

                     ARTICLE ELEVEN Redemption of Securities

SECTION 1101.  Right of Redemption...........................................110
SECTION 1102.  Applicability of Article......................................111
SECTION 1103.  Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.........................111
SECTION 1104.  Securities to Be Redeemed Pro Rata............................111
SECTION 1105.  Notice of Redemption..........................................112
SECTION 1106.  Deposit of Redemption Price...................................113
SECTION 1107.  Securities Payable on Redemption Date.........................113
SECTION 1108.  Securities Redeemed in Part...................................114

                ARTICLE TWELVE Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

- ----------

      Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to
            be a part of the Indenture.


                                     -viii-
<PAGE>

SECTION 1201.  Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance..114
SECTION 1202.  Defeasance and Discharge......................................115
SECTION 1203.  Covenant Defeasance...........................................115
SECTION 1204.  Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance...............116
SECTION 1205.  Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held
                 in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions....................118
SECTION 1206.  Reinstatement.................................................119
SECTION 1207.  Repayment to Company..........................................119

- ----------

      Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to
            be a part of the Indenture.


                                      -ix-
<PAGE>

            INDENTURE, dated as of ________________, 1999, between NEXTLINK
Communications, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of
Delaware (the "Company"), having its principal office at 500 108th Avenue N.E.,
Suite 2200, Bellevue, Washington 98004, and United States Trust Company of New
York, duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, as
Trustee (herein called the "Trustee").

                             RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

            The Company has duly authorized the creation of an issue of
$___________ aggregate principal amount of its ___% Senior Discount Notes due
2009 (the "Securities") of substantially the tenor and amount hereinafter set
forth, and to provide therefor the Company has duly authorized the execution and
delivery of this Indenture.

            All things necessary to make the Securities, when executed by the
Company and authenticated and delivered hereunder and duly issued by the
Company, the valid obligations of the Company, and to make this Indenture a
valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with their and its terms, have
been done.

            NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

            For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the
Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the
equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities, as follows:

                                   ARTICLE ONE

                        Definitions and Other Provisions
                             of General Application

SECTION 101. Definitions.

            For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly
provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

            (1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to
      them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;
<PAGE>

            (2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust
      Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings
      assigned to them therein;

            (3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the
      meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting
      principles (whether or not such is indicated herein) and, except as
      otherwise herein expressly provided, the term "generally accepted
      accounting principles" with respect to any computation required or
      permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally
      accepted as consistently applied by the Company at the date of such
      computation; and

            (4) the words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of
      similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any
      particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

            Certain terms, used principally in Article Six, are defined in that
Article.

            "Accreted Value" means, as of any date prior to June __, 2004, an
amount per $1,000 principal amount at maturity of Securities that is equal to
the sum of

      (a) the offering price ($_______ per $1,000 principal amount at maturity
of Securities) of such Securities and

      (b) the portion of the excess of the principal amount of such Securities
over such offering price which shall have been amortized on a daily basis and
compounded semi-annually on each June __ and December ___ at the rate of ___%
per annum from the date of original issue of the Securities through the date of
determination computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months,
and as of any date on or after June __, 2004, the principal amount of each
Security.

            "Acquired Debt" means, with respect to any specified Person,

      (i) Debt of any other Person existing at the time such Person merges with
or into or consolidates with or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of such
specified Person and

      (ii) Debt secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such
specified Person, which Debt was not


                                      -2-
<PAGE>

Incurred in anticipation of, and was outstanding prior to, such merger,
consolidation or acquisition.

            "Act", when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning
specified in Section 104.

            "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly
or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to
direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise;
and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.

            "Agent Member" means any member of, or participant in, the
Depository.

            "Asset Disposition" by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
means any transfer, conveyance, sale, lease or other disposition (other than a
creation of a Lien) by such Person, (including a consolidation or merger or
other sale of any such Restricted Subsidiary with, into or to another Person in
a transaction in which such Restricted Subsidiary ceases to be a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company, but excluding a disposition by a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company or by the Company to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) of

      (i) shares of Capital Stock or other ownership interests of a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company, (including the issuance of Capital Stock by a
Restricted Subsidiary) other than as permitted by the provisions of Section 1008
or pursuant to a transaction in compliance with Section 801,

      (ii) substantially all of the assets of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries representing a division or line of business (other than
as part of a Permitted Investment) or

      (iii) other assets or rights of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries other than

            (A) in the ordinary course of business or

            (B) that constitutes a Restricted Payment which is permitted by the
provisions of Section 1009; provided that a transaction described in clauses
(i), (ii) and (iii) shall


                                      -3-
<PAGE>

constitute an Asset Disposition only if the aggregate consideration for such
transfer, conveyance, sale, lease or other disposition is equal to $5 million or
more in any 12-month period.

            "Attributable Value" means, as to any particular lease under which
any Person is at the time liable other than a Capital Lease Obligation, and at
any date as of which the amount thereof is to be determined, the total net
amount of rent required to be paid by such Person under such lease during the
initial term thereof as determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, discounted from the last date of such initial term to the
date of determination at a rate per annum equal to the discount rate which would
be applicable to a Capital Lease Obligation with like term in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. The net amount of rent required to be
paid under any such lease for any such period shall be the aggregate amount of
rent payable by the lessee with respect to such period after excluding amounts
required to be paid on account of insurance, taxes, assessments, utility,
operating and labor costs and similar charges. In the case of any lease which is
terminable by the lessee upon the payment of penalty, such net amount shall also
include the lesser of the amount of such penalty (in which case no rent shall be
considered as required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date
upon which it may be so terminated) or the rent which would otherwise be
required to be paid if such lease is not so terminated. "Attributable Value"
means, as to a Capital Lease Obligation, the principal amount thereof.

            "Bank Credit Agreement" means any one or more credit agreements
(which may include or consist of revolving credits) between the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and one or more banks or other financial
institutions providing financing for the business of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries.

            "Board of Directors" means either the board of directors of the
Company or any duly authorized committee of that Board.

            "Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by
the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such
certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

            "Business Day" means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and
Friday which is not a day on which


                                      -4-
<PAGE>

banking institutions in The Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New York
are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

            "Capital Lease Obligation" of any Person means the obligation to pay
rent or other payment amounts under a lease of (or other Debt arrangements
conveying the right to use) real or personal property of such Person which is
required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease or a liability on
the face of a balance sheet of such Person in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles (a "Capital Lease"). The stated maturity of such
obligation shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due
under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated
by the lessee without payment of a penalty. The principal amount of such
obligation shall be the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on the face
of a balance sheet of such Person in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.

            "Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all shares, interests,
participations or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock or
other equity participations, including partnership interests, whether general or
limited, of such Person.

            "Change of Control" has the meaning specified in Section 1016.

            "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from
time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time
after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and
performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then
the body performing such duties at such time.

            "Common Equity" of any Person means Capital Stock of such Person
that is not Disqualified Stock, and a "sale of Common Equity" includes any sale
of Common Equity effected by private sale or public offering.

            "Company" means the Person named as the "Company" in the first
paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such
pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter "Company"
shall mean such successor Person.

            "Company Request" or "Company Order" means a written request or
order signed in the name of the Company by (i) the Chief Executive Officer, the
President, an Executive Vice President or a Vice President of the Company,


                                      -5-
<PAGE>

and (ii) the Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer or Secretary of the Company, and
delivered to the Trustee.

            "Consolidated Capital Ratio" of any Person as of any date means the
ratio of

      (i) the aggregate consolidated principal amount of Debt (or in the case of
Debt issued at a discount the accreted amount thereof) of such Person then
outstanding (which amount of Debt shall be reduced by any amount of cash or cash
equivalent collateral securing on a perfected basis and dedicated for
disbursement exclusively to the payment of principal of and interest on such
Debt) to

      (ii) the aggregate consolidated Capital Stock (other than Disqualified
Stock) and paid in capital (other than in respect of Disqualified Stock) of such
Person as of such date.

            "Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges" for any period
means the Consolidated Net Income of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
for such period increased by the sum of

      (i) Consolidated Interest Expense of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries for such period, plus

      (ii) Consolidated Income Tax Expense of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries for such period, plus

      (iii) the consolidated depreciation and amortization expense included in
the income statement of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such
period, plus

      (iv) any noncash expense for such period (excluding any noncash charge to
the extent that it requires an accrual of or a reserve for cash disbursements in
any future period), plus

      (v) any charge related to any premium or penalty paid in connection with
redeeming or retiring any Debt prior to its stated maturity; provided, however,
that there shall be excluded therefrom the Consolidated Cash Flow Available for
Fixed Charges (if positive) of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
(calculated separately for such Restricted Subsidiary in the same manner as
provided above for the Company) that is subject to a restriction which prevents
the payment of dividends or the making of distributions to the Company or
another Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the extent of such restriction.


                                      -6-
<PAGE>

            "Consolidated Income Tax Expense" for any period means the
consolidated provision for income taxes of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries for such period calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles.

            "Consolidated Interest Expense" means for any period the
consolidated interest expense included in a consolidated income statement
(excluding interest income) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for
such period calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, including without limitation or duplication (or,
to the extent not so included, with the addition of),

      (i) the amortization of Debt discounts;

      (ii) any payments or fees with respect to letters of credit, bankers'
acceptances or similar facilities;

      (iii) fees with respect to interest rate swap or similar agreements or
foreign currency hedge, exchange or similar agreements;

      (iv) Preferred Dividends of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
(other than dividends paid in shares of Preferred Stock that is not Disqualified
Stock) declared and paid or payable;

      (v) accrued Disqualified Stock dividends of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, whether or not declared or paid;

      (vi) interest on Debt guaranteed by the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries; and

      (vii) the portion of any Capital Lease Obligation paid or accrued during
such period that is allocable to interest expense.

            "Consolidated Net Income" for any period means the consolidated net
income (or loss) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles; provided that there shall be excluded therefrom

      (a) the net income (or loss) of any Person acquired by the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in a pooling-of-interests transaction for
any period prior to the date of such transaction,


                                      -7-
<PAGE>

      (b) the net income (or loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company except to the extent of the amount of dividends or
other distributions actually paid to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company by such Person during such period,

      (c) gains or losses on Asset Dispositions by the Company or its Restricted
Subsidiaries,

      (d) all extraordinary gains and extraordinary losses,

      (e) the cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles,

      (f) non-cash gains or losses resulting from fluctuations in currency
exchange rates,

      (g) any non-cash gain or loss realized on the termination of any employee
pension benefit plan and

      (h) the tax effect of any of the items described in clauses (a) through
(g) above; provided, further, that for purposes of any determination pursuant to
the provisions of Section 1009 there shall further be excluded therefrom the net
income (but not net loss) of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is
subject to a restriction which prevents the payment of dividends or the making
of distributions to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
to the extent of such restriction.

            "Consolidated Net Worth" of any Person means the consolidated
stockholders' equity of such Person, determined on a consolidated basis in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, less amounts
attributable to Disqualified Stock of such Person; provided that, with respect
to the Company, adjustments following the date of this Indenture to the
accounting books and records of the Company in accordance with Accounting
Principles Board Opinions Nos. 16 and 17 (or successor opinions thereto) or
otherwise resulting from the acquisition of control of the Company by another
Person shall not be given effect to.

            "Consolidated Tangible Assets" of any Person means the total amount
of assets (less applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) which
under generally accepted accounting principles would be included on a
consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries after
deducting therefrom all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized
debt discount and expense and other like intangibles, which in each case under
generally accepted accounting principles would be included


                                      -8-
<PAGE>

on such consolidated balance sheet; provided that, with respect to the Company,
adjustments following the date of this Indenture to the accounting books and
records of the Company in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinions
Nos. 16 and 17 (or successor opinions thereto) or otherwise resulting from the
acquisition of control of the Company by another Person shall not be given
effect to.

            "Corporate Trust Office" means the principal office of the Trustee
in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New York, at which at any
particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which at the
date hereof is located at 114 West 47th Street, New York, New York 10036.

            "corporation" means a corporation, association, company, limited
liability company, joint-stock company or business trust.

            "Debt" means (without duplication), with respect to any Person,
whether recourse is to all or a portion of the assets of such Person and whether
or not contingent,

      (i) every obligation of such Person for money borrowed,

      (ii) every obligation of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes
or other similar instruments, including any such obligations Incurred in
connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses,

      (iii) every reimbursement obligation of such Person with respect to
letters of credit, bankers' acceptances or similar facilities issued for the
account of such Person,

      (iv) every obligation of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred
purchase price of property or services (including securities repurchase
agreements but excluding trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising
in the ordinary course of business which are not overdue or which are being
contested in good faith),

      (v) every Capital Lease Obligation of such Person,

      (vi) all Receivables Sales of such Person, together with any obligation of
such Person to pay any discount, interest, fees, indemnities, penalties,
recourse, expenses or other amounts in connection therewith,

      (vii) all obligations to redeem Disqualified Stock issued by such Person,


                                      -9-
<PAGE>

      (viii) every obligation under Interest Rate or Currency Protection
Agreements of such Person and

      (ix) every obligation of the type referred to in clauses (i) through
(viii) of another Person and all dividends of another Person the payment of
which, in either case, such Person has Guaranteed.

The "amount" or "principal amount" of Debt at any time of determination as used
herein represented by

      (a) any Debt issued at a price that is less than the principal amount at
maturity thereof, shall be the amount of the liability in respect thereof
determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,

      (b) any Receivables Sale, shall be the amount of the unrecovered capital
or principal investment of the purchaser (other than the Company or a
Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) thereof, excluding amounts
representative of yield or interest earned on such investment,

      (c) any Disqualified Stock, shall be the maximum fixed redemption or
repurchase price in respect thereof,

      (d) any Capital Lease Obligation, shall be determined in accordance with
the definition thereof, or

      (e) any Permitted Interest Rate or Currency Protection Agreement, shall be
zero. In no event shall Debt include any liability for taxes.

            "Default" means an event that with the passing of time or the giving
of notice or both shall constitute an Event of Default.

            "Defaulted Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 307.

            "Depositary" means, with respect to the Securities issuable or
issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, DTC for
so long as it shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, or
such successor (which shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange
Act) as the Company shall designate from time to time in an Officers'
Certificate delivered to the Trustee.

            "Disqualified Stock" of any Person means any Capital Stock of such
Person (other than Capital Stock


                                      -10-
<PAGE>

outstanding on the Issue Date) which, by its terms (or by the terms of any
security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon
the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a
sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the
holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the final Stated Maturity of
the Securities (or, if earlier, the date as of which the Securities have been
paid in full); provided, however, that any Preferred Stock which would not
constitute Disqualified Stock but for provisions thereof giving holders thereof
the right to require the Company to repurchase or redeem such Preferred Stock
upon the occurrence of an asset sale or a Change of Control occurring prior to
the final Stated Maturity of the Securities shall not constitute Disqualified
Stock if the asset sale or change of control provisions applicable to such
Preferred Stock are no more favorable to the holders of such Preferred Stock
than the provisions applicable to the Securities contained in Section 1013 or
Section 1016 and such Preferred Stock specifically provides that the Company
will not repurchase or redeem any such stock pursuant to such provisions prior
to the Company's repurchase of such Securities as are required to be repurchased
pursuant to Section 1013 or Section 1016.

            "DTC" means The Depository Trust Company.

            "Eagle River" means Eagle River Investments, L.L.C., a limited
liability company formed under the laws of the State of Washington.

            "Eligible Institution" means a commercial banking institution that
has combined capital and surplus of not less than $500 million or its equivalent
in foreign currency, whose debt is rated "A-3" or higher, "A" or higher or "A"
or higher according to Moody's Investors Service, Inc., Standard & Poor's
Ratings Group or Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. (or such similar equivalent
rating by at least one "nationally recognized statistical rating organization"
(as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act)) respectively, at the time as
of which any investment or rollover therein is made.

            "Eligible Receivables" means, at any time, Receivables of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as evidenced on the most recent
quarterly consolidated balance sheet of the Company as at a date at least 45
days prior to such time arising in the ordinary course of business of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.


                                      -11-
<PAGE>

            "Event of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 501.

            "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(or any successor act) and the rules and regulations thereunder.

            "Expiration Date" has the meaning set forth in the definition of
"Offer to Purchase" in this Section 101.

            "Global Security" means a Security in the form prescribed in Section
204 evidencing all or part of the Securities, issued to the Depositary or its
nominee, and registered in the name of such Depositary or its nominee.

            "Government Securities" means direct obligations of, or obligations
guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of which obligations
or guarantee the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged and which
have a remaining weighted average life to maturity of not more than 18 months
from the date of Investment therein.

            "Guarantee" by any Person means any obligation, contingent or
otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing, or having the economic effect of
guaranteeing, any Debt of any other Person (the "primary obligor") in any
manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including, without limitation, any
obligation of such Person,

      (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or
payment of) such Debt or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the
purchase of) any security for the payment of such Debt,

      (ii) to purchase property, securities or services for the purpose of
assuring the holder of such Debt of the payment of such Debt, or

      (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or other financial
statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the
primary obligor to pay such Debt (and "Guaranteed", "Guaranteeing" and
"Guarantor" shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing); provided,
however, that the Guarantee by any Person shall not include endorsements by such
Person for collection or deposit, in either case, in the ordinary course of
business; and provided, further, that the incurrence by a Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company of a lien permitted under clause (iv) of the second paragraph of
Section 1011 shall not be deemed to constitute a Guarantee by such Restricted


                                      -12-
<PAGE>

Subsidiary of any Purchase Money Debt of the Company secured thereby.

            "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in
the Security Register.

            "Incur" means, with respect to any Debt or other obligation of any
Person, to create, issue, incur (by conversion, exchange or otherwise), assume,
Guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect of such Debt or other obligation
including by acquisition of Subsidiaries or the recording, as required pursuant
to generally accepted accounting principles or otherwise, of any such Debt or
other obligation on the balance sheet of such Person (and "Incurrence",
"Incurred", "Incurrable" and "Incurring" shall have meanings correlative to the
foregoing); provided, however, that a change in generally accepted accounting
principles that results in an obligation of such Person that exists at such time
becoming Debt shall not be deemed an Incurrence of such Debt and that neither
the accrual of interest nor the accretion of original issue discount shall be
deemed an Incurrence of Debt; provided, further, however, that the Company may
elect to treat all or any portion of revolving credit debt of the Company or a
Subsidiary as being incurred from and after any date beginning the date the
revolving credit commitment is extended to the Company or a Subsidiary, by
furnishing notice thereof to the Trustee, and any borrowings or reborrowings by
the Company or a Subsidiary under such commitment up to the amount of such
commitment designated by the Company as Incurred shall not be deemed to be new
Incurrences of Debt by the Company or such Subsidiary.

            "Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed or as it
may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures
supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof.

            "Interest Payment Date" means the Stated Maturity of an installment
of interest on the Securities.

            "Interest Rate or Currency Protection Agreement" of any Person means
any forward contract, futures contract, swap, option or other financial
agreement or arrangement (including, without limitation, caps, floors, collars
and similar agreements) relating to, or the value of which is dependent upon,
interest rates or currency exchange rates or indices.

            "Investment" by any Person means any direct or indirect loan,
advance or other extension of credit or


                                      -13-
<PAGE>

capital contribution (by means of transfers of cash or other property to others
or payments for property or services for the account or use of others, or
otherwise) to, or purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, bonds, notes,
debentures or other securities or evidence of Debt issued by, any other Person,
including any payment on a Guarantee of any obligation of such other Person, but
excluding any loan, advance or extension of credit to an employee of the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business,
accounts receivable and other commercially reasonable extensions of trade
credit.

            "Issue Date" means the date on which the Securities are first
authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

            "Joint Venture" means a corporation, partnership or other entity
engaged in one or more Telecommunications Businesses as to which the Company
(directly or through one or more Restricted Subsidiaries) exercises managerial
control and in which the Company owns

      (i) a 50% or greater interest, or

      (ii) a 30% or greater interest, together with options or other contractual
rights, exercisable not more than seven years after the Company's initial
Investment in such Joint Venture, to increase its interest to not less than 50%.

            "Lien" means, with respect to any property or assets, any mortgage
or deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, Receivables Sale, deposit
arrangement, security interest, lien, charge, easement (other than any easement
not materially impairing usefulness or marketability), encumbrance, preference,
priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or
nature whatsoever on or with respect to such property or assets (including,
without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement
having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

            "Marketable Securities" means:

      (i) Government Securities;

      (ii) any time deposit account, money market deposit and certificate of
deposit maturing not more than 365 days after the date of acquisition issued by,
or time deposit of, an Eligible Institution;

      (iii) commercial paper maturing not more than 365 days after the date of
acquisition issued by a corporation (other


                                      -14-
<PAGE>

than an Affiliate of the Company) 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., "A-1" or higher according to Standard & Poor's Ratings Group or
"A-1" or higher according to Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. (or such similar
equivalent rating by at least one "nationally recognized statistical rating
organization" (as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act));

      (iv) any banker's acceptances or money market deposit accounts issued or
offered by an Eligible Institution;

      (v) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 7 days for
Government Securities entered into with an Eligible Institution;

      (vi) auction-rate preferred stocks of any corporation maturing within 90
days after the date of acquisition by the Company thereof, having a rating of at
least AA by Standard & Poor's; and

      (vii) any fund investing exclusively in investments of the types described
in clauses (i) through (vi) above.

            "Maturity", when used with respect to any Security, means the date
on which the principal of such Security becomes due and payable as therein or
herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of
acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

            "Net Available Proceeds" from any Asset Disposition by any Person
means cash or readily marketable cash equivalents received (including by way of
sale or discounting of a note, installment receivable or other receivable, but
excluding any other consideration received in the form of assumption by the
acquiror of Debt or other obligations relating to such properties or assets)
therefrom by such Person, net of

      (i) all legal, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and other
fees and expenses Incurred and all federal, state, provincial, foreign and local
taxes (including taxes payable upon payment or other distribution of funds from
a foreign subsidiary to the Company or another subsidiary of the Company)
required to be accrued as a liability as a consequence of such Asset
Disposition,

      (ii) all payments made by such Person or its Restricted Subsidiaries on
any Debt which is secured by such assets in accordance with the terms of any
Lien upon or with respect to such assets or which must by the terms of such
Lien, or


                                      -15-
<PAGE>

in order to obtain a necessary consent to such Asset Disposition or by
applicable law, be repaid out of the proceeds from such Asset Disposition,

      (iii) all distributions and other payments made to minority interest
holders in Restricted Subsidiaries of such Person or joint ventures as a result
of such Asset Disposition,

      (iv) appropriate amounts to be provided by such Person or any Restricted
Subsidiary thereof, as the case may be, as a reserve in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles against any liabilities associated with
such assets and retained by such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof, as
the case may be, after such Asset Disposition, including, without limitation,
liabilities under any indemnification obligations and severance and other
employee termination costs associated with such Asset Disposition, in each case
as determined by the Board of Directors, in its reasonable good faith judgment
evidenced by a Board Resolution filed with the Trustee; provided, however, that
any reduction in such reserve within twelve months following the consummation of
such Asset Disposition will be treated for all purposes of this Indenture and
the Securities as a new Asset Disposition at the time of such reduction with Net
Available Proceeds equal to the amount of such reduction, and (v) any
consideration for an Asset Disposition (which would otherwise constitute Net
Available Proceeds) that is required to be held in escrow pending determination
of whether a purchase price adjustment will be made, but amounts under this
clause

      (v) shall become Net Available Proceeds at such time and to the extent
such amounts are released to such Person.

            "Offer to Purchase" means a written offer (the "Offer") sent by the
Company by first class mail, postage prepaid, to each Holder at his address
appearing in the Security Register on the date of the Offer offering to purchase
up to the principal amount of Securities specified in such Offer at the purchase
price specified in such Offer (as determined pursuant to this Indenture). Unless
otherwise required by applicable law, the Offer shall specify an expiration date
(the "Expiration Date") of the Offer to Purchase which shall be, subject to any
contrary requirements of applicable law, not less than 30 days or more than 60
days after the date of such Offer and a settlement date (the "Purchase Date")
for purchase of Securities within five Business Days after the Expiration Date.
The Company shall notify the Trustee at least 15 Business Days (or such shorter
period as is acceptable to the Trustee) prior to the


                                      -16-
<PAGE>

mailing of the Offer of the Company's obligation to make an Offer to Purchase,
and the Offer shall be mailed by the Company or, at the Company's request, by
the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company. The Offer shall
contain information concerning the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries
which the Company in good faith believes will enable such Holders to make an
informed decision with respect to the Offer to Purchase (which at a minimum will
include (i) the most recent annual and quarterly financial statements and
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" contained in the documents required to be filed with the Trustee
pursuant to this Indenture (which requirements may be satisfied by delivery of
such documents together with the Offer), (ii) a description of material
developments in the Company's business subsequent to the date of the latest of
such financial statements referred to in clause (i) (including a description of
the events requiring the Company to make the Offer to Purchase), (iii) if
applicable, appropriate pro forma financial information concerning the Offer to
Purchase and the events requiring the Company to make the Offer to Purchase and
(iv) any other information required by applicable law to be included therein).
The Offer shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such
Holders to tender Securities pursuant to the Offer to Purchase. The Offer shall
also state:

            (a) the Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Offer to
      Purchase is being made;

            (b) the Expiration Date and the Purchase Date;

            (c) the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities
      offered to be purchased by the Company pursuant to the Offer to Purchase
      (including, if less than 100%, the manner by which such has been
      determined pursuant to Section 1013 or 1016) (the "Purchase Amount");

            (d) the purchase price to be paid by the Company for each $1,000
      aggregate principal amount of Securities accepted for payment (as
      specified pursuant to this Indenture) (the "Purchase Price");

            (e) that the Holder may tender all or any portion of the Securities
      registered in the name of such Holder and that any portion of a Security
      tendered must be tendered in an integral multiple of $1,000 principal
      amount;


                                      -17-
<PAGE>

            (f) the place or places where Securities are to be surrendered for
      tender pursuant to the Offer to Purchase;

            (g) that interest on any Security not tendered or tendered but not
      purchased by the Company pursuant to the Offer to Purchase will continue
      to accrue;

            (h) that on the Purchase Date the Purchase Price will become due and
      payable upon each Security being accepted for payment pursuant to the
      Offer to Purchase and that interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and
      after the Purchase Date;

            (i) that each Holder electing to tender a Security pursuant to the
      Offer to Purchase will be required to surrender such Security at the place
      or places specified in the Offer prior to the close of business on the
      Expiration Date (such Security being, if the Company or the Trustee so
      requires, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of
      transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed
      by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing);

            (j) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw all or any portion of
      Securities tendered if the Company (or its Paying Agent) receives, not
      later than the close of business on the Expiration Date, a telegram,
      telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the
      Holder, the principal amount of the Security the Holder tendered, the
      certificate number of the Security the Holder tendered and a statement
      that such Holder is withdrawing all or a portion of his tender;

            (k) that (a) if Securities in an aggregate principal amount less
      than or equal to the Purchase Amount are duly tendered and not withdrawn
      pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, the Company shall purchase all such
      Securities and (b) if Securities in an aggregate principal amount in
      excess of the Purchase Amount are tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to
      the Offer to Purchase, the Company shall purchase Securities having an
      aggregate principal amount equal to the Purchase Amount on a pro rata
      basis (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate so that only
      Securities in denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof shall
      be purchased);


                                      -18-
<PAGE>

            (l) that in the case of any Holder whose Security is purchased only
      in part, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and
      deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new
      Security or Securities, of any authorized denomination as requested by
      such Holder, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for
      the unpurchased portion of the Security so tendered; and

            (m) the CUSIP number or numbers of the Securities offered to be
      purchased by the Company pursuant to the Offer to Purchase.

Any Offer to Purchase shall be governed by and effected in accordance with the
Offer for such Offer to Purchase.

            "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by (i) the Chief
Executive Officer, President, an Executive Vice President or a Vice President,
and (ii) the Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary, of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee and containing the
statements provided for in Section 102. One of the officers signing an Officers'
Certificate given pursuant to Section 1018 shall be the principal executive,
financial or accounting officer of the Company.

            "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of legal counsel, who
may be counsel for the Company, and who shall be acceptable to the Trustee, and
containing the statements provided for in Section 102.

            "Outstanding", when used with respect to Securities, means, as of
the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and
delivered under this Indenture, except:

      (i) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the
      Trustee for cancellation;

      (ii) Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary
      amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent
      (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by
      the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the
      Holders of such Securities; provided that, if such Securities are to be
      redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this
      Indenture; and


                                      -19-
<PAGE>

      (iii) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in
      exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated
      and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities
      in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof
      satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser
      in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Securities owned
by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the
Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be
Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected
in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice,
consent or waiver, only Securities which the Trustee knows to be so owned shall
be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may
be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the
Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such Securities and that
the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any
Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.

            "Paying Agent" means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the
principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Securities on behalf of
the Company. The Trustee is hereby authorized by the Company to act as a "Paying
Agent" for the purposes of this Indenture, until such time as the Company
notifies the Trustee in writing that such authorization is revoked.

            "Permitted Interest Rate or Currency Protection Agreement" of any
Person means any Interest Rate or Currency Protection Agreement entered into
with one or more financial institutions in the ordinary course of business that
is designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest rates or
currency exchange rates with respect to Debt Incurred and which shall have a
notional amount no greater than the payments due with respect to the Debt being
hedged thereby and not for purposes of speculation.

            "Permitted Investment" means

      (i) any Investment in a Joint Venture (including the purchase or
acquisition of any Capital Stock of a Joint


                                      -20-
<PAGE>

Venture), provided the aggregate amount of all outstanding Investments pursuant
to this clause (i) in Joint Ventures in which the Company owns, directly or
indirectly, a less than 50% interest shall not exceed $25 million,

      (ii) any Investment in any Person as a result of which such Person becomes
a Restricted Subsidiary, or, subject to the proviso to clause (i) of this
definition, becomes a Joint Venture of the Company,

      (iii) any Investment in Marketable Securities,

      (iv) Investments in Permitted Interest Rate or Currency Protection
Agreements,

      (v) Investments made as a result of the receipt of noncash consideration
from an Asset Disposition that was made pursuant to and in compliance with
Section 1013 of this Indenture and

      (vi) other Investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed the aggregate
net proceeds received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after the date
of this Indenture from the sale or liquidation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary or
any interest therein (except to the extent that any such amount is included in
the calculation of Consolidated Net Income).

            "Permitted Liens" means

      (a) Liens for taxes, assessments, governmental charges or claims which are
not yet delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings, if a reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be
required in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles shall have
been made therefor;

      (b) other Liens incidental to the conduct of the Company's and its
Restricted Subsidiaries' business or the ownership of its property and assets
not securing any Debt, and which do not in the aggregate materially detract from
the value of the Company's and its Restricted Subsidiaries' property or assets
when taken as a whole, or materially impair the use thereof in the operation of
its business;

      (c) Liens with respect to assets of a Restricted Subsidiary granted by
such Restricted Subsidiary to the Company to secure Debt owing to the Company;

      (d) pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in
connection with workers' compensation,


                                      -21-
<PAGE>

unemployment insurance and other types of statutory obligations (including to
secure government contracts);

      (e) deposits made to secure the performance of tenders, bids, leases, and
other obligations of like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business
(exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money);

      (f) zoning restrictions, servitudes, easements, rights-of-way,
restrictions and other similar charges or encumbrances incurred in the ordinary
course of business which, in the aggregate, do not materially detract from the
value of the property subject thereto or interfere with the ordinary conduct of
the business of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

      (g) Liens arising out of judgments or awards against the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary with respect to which the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary is prosecuting an appeal or proceeding for review and the Company or
such Restricted Subsidiary is maintaining adequate reserves in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles;

      (h) any interest or title of a lessor in the property subject to any lease
other than a Capital Lease; and

      (i) any statutory warehousemen's, materialmen's or other similar Liens for
sums not then due and payable (or which, if due and payable, are being contested
in good faith and with respect to which adequate reserves are being maintained
to the extent required by generally accepted accounting principles).

            "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization, government or agency or political subdivision
thereof or any other entity.

            "Predecessor Security" of any particular Security means every
previous Security issued before, and evidencing all or a portion of the same
debt as that evidenced by, such particular Security; and, for the purposes of
this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in
exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall
be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen
Security.


                                      -22-
<PAGE>

            "Preferred Dividends" for any Person means for any period the
quotient determined by dividing the amount of dividends and distributions paid
or accrued (whether or not declared) on Preferred Stock of such Person during
such period calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, by 1 minus the maximum statutory income tax rate then applicable to
the Company (expressed as a decimal).

            "Preferred Stock" of any Person means Capital Stock of such Person
of any class or classes (however designated) that ranks prior, as to the payment
of dividends or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of such Person, to shares of
Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.

            "Purchase Date" has the meaning set forth in the definition of
"Offer to Purchase" in this Section 101.

            "Purchase Money Debt" means

      (i) Acquired Debt Incurred in connection with the acquisition of
Telecommunications Assets and

      (ii) Debt of the Company or of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
(including, without limitation, Debt represented by Bank Credit Agreements,
Capital Lease Obligations, Vendor Financing Facilities, mortgage financings and
purchase money obligations) Incurred for the purpose of financing all or any
part of the cost of construction, acquisition or improvement by the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or any Joint Venture of any
Telecommunications Assets of the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company or any Joint Venture, and including any related notes, Guarantees,
collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection
therewith, as the same may be amended, supplemented, modified or restated from
time to time.

            "readily marketable cash equivalents" means (i) marketable
securities issued or directly and unconditionally guaranteed by the United
States Government or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith
and credit of the United States; (ii) marketable direct obligations issued by
any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any
such state or any public instrumentality thereof and, at the time of
acquisition, having the highest rating obtainable from either Standard & Poor's
Rating Group or Moody's Investors Service, Inc.; (iii) commercial paper maturing
no more than 180 days from the


                                      -23-
<PAGE>

date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having a rating of
P-1 according to Moody's Investors Service, Inc., "A-1" or higher according to
Standard & Poor's Ratings Group or "A-1" or higher according to Duff & Phelps
Credit Rating Co. (or such similar equivalent rating by at least one "nationally
recognized statistical rating organization" (as defined in Rule 436 under the
Securities Act)); and (iv) certificates of deposit or bankers' acceptance
maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof issued by any
commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any
state thereof or the District of Columbia having unimpaired capital and surplus
of not less than $100,000,000.

            "Receivables" means receivables, chattel paper, instruments,
documents or intangibles evidencing or relating to the right to payment of money
in respect of the sale of goods or services.

            "Receivables Sale" of any Person means any sale of Receivables of
such Person (pursuant to a purchase facility or otherwise), other than in
connection with a disposition of the business operations of such Person relating
thereto or a disposition of defaulted Receivables for purpose of collection and
not as a financing arrangement.

            "Redemption Date", when used with respect to any Security to be
redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this
Indenture.

            "Redemption Price", when used with respect to any Security to be
redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this
Indenture.

            "Regular Record Date" for the interest payable on any Interest
Payment Date means the April 1 or October 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as
the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date.

            "Related Person" of any Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly owning

      (a) 10% or more of the Outstanding Common Equity of such Person (or, in
the case of a Person that is not a corporation, 10% or more of the equity
interest in such Person) or

      (b) 10% or more of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock of such
Person.


                                      -24-
<PAGE>

            "Responsible Officer", when used with respect to the Trustee, means
the chairman or any vice-chairman of the board of directors, the chairman or any
vice-chairman of the executive committee of the board of directors, the chairman
of the trust committee, the president, any vice president, the secretary, any
assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, the cashier, any
assistant cashier, any trust officer or assistant trust officer, the controller
or any assistant controller or any other officer of the Trustee customarily
performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated
officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter,
any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of
and familiarity with the particular subject.

            "Restricted Subsidiary" of the Company means any Subsidiary, whether
existing on or after the date of this Indenture, unless such Subsidiary is an
Unrestricted Subsidiary.

            "Sale and Leaseback Transaction" of any Person means an arrangement
with any lender or investor or to which such lender or investor is a party
providing for the leasing by such Person of any property or asset of such Person
which has been or is being sold or transferred by such Person more than 365 days
after the acquisition thereof or the completion of construction or commencement
of operation thereof to such lender or investor or to any person to whom funds
have been or are to be advanced by such lender or investor on the security of
such property or asset. The stated maturity of such arrangement shall be the
date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such arrangement
prior to the first date on which such arrangement may be terminated by the
lessee without payment of a penalty.

            "SEC Reports" has the meaning specified in Section 704.

            "Securities" has the meaning specified in the second paragraph of
this instrument.

            "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933 and any statute
successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.

            "Security Register" and "Security Registrar" have the respective
meanings specified in Section 305(b).

            "Significant Subsidiary" means a Restricted Subsidiary that is a
"significant subsidiary" as defined in


                                      -25-
<PAGE>

Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.

            "Special Record Date" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest
means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.

            "Stated Maturity", when used with respect to any Security or any
installment of interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as
the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of
interest, as the case may be, is due and payable.

            "Subordinated Debt" means Debt of the Company as to which the
payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest and other payment
obligations in respect of such Debt shall be subordinate to the prior payment in
full of the Securities to at least the following extent:

      (i) no payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on or
otherwise due in respect of such Debt may be permitted for so long as any
default in the payment of principal (or premium, if any) or interest on the
Securities exists;

      (ii) in the event that any other default that with the passing of time or
the giving of notice, or both, would constitute an Event of Default exists with
respect to the Securities, upon notice by 25% or more in principal amount of the
Securities to the Trustee, the Trustee shall have the right to give notice to
the Company and the holders of such Debt (or trustees or agents therefor) of a
payment blockage, and thereafter no payments of principal of (or premium, if
any) or interest on or otherwise due in respect of such Debt may be made for a
period of 179 days from the date of such notice or for the period until such
default has been cured or waived or ceased to exist and any acceleration of the
Securities has been rescinded or annulled, whichever period is shorter (which
Debt may provide that

            (A) no new period of payment blockage may be commenced by a payment
blockage notice unless and until 360 days have elapsed since the effectiveness
of the immediately prior notice,

            (B) no nonpayment default that existed or was continuing on the date
of delivery of any payment blockage notice to such holders (or such agents or
trustees) shall be, or be made, the basis for a subsequent payment blockage
notice and


                                      -26-
<PAGE>

            (C) failure of the Company to make payment on such Debt when due or
within any applicable grace period, whether or not on account of such payment
blockage provisions, shall constitute an event of default thereunder); and

      (iii) such Debt may not (x) provide for payments of principal of such Debt
at the stated maturity thereof or by way of a sinking fund applicable thereto or
by way of any mandatory redemption, defeasance, retirement or repurchase thereof
by the Company (including any redemption, retirement or repurchase which is
contingent upon events or circumstances, but excluding any retirement required
by virtue of acceleration of such Debt upon an event of default thereunder), in
each case prior to the final Stated Maturity of the Securities or (y) permit
redemption or other retirement (including pursuant to an offer to purchase made
by the Company) of such other Debt at the option of the holder thereof prior to
the final Stated Maturity of the Securities, other than a redemption or other
retirement at the option of the holder of such Debt (including pursuant to an
offer to purchase made by the Company) which is conditioned upon a change of
control of the Company pursuant to provisions substantially similar to those of
Section 1016 (and which shall provide that such Debt will not be repurchased
pursuant to such provisions prior to the Company's repurchase of the Securities
required to be repurchased by the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section
1016.

            "Subsidiary" of any Person means

      (i) a corporation more than 50% of the combined voting power of the
outstanding Voting Stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by such
Person or by one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and
one or more Subsidiaries thereof or

      (ii) any other Person (other than a corporation) in which such Person, or
one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person or such Person and one or more
other Subsidiaries thereof, directly or indirectly, has at least a majority
ownership and power to direct the policies, management and affairs thereof.

            "Successor Security" of any particular Security means every Security
issued after, and evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced
by, such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any
Security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in
lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or


                                      -27-
<PAGE>

stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated,
destroyed, lost or stolen Security.

            "Telecommunications Assets" means all assets, rights (contractual or
otherwise) and properties, whether tangible or intangible, used or intended for
use in connection with a Telecommunications Business.

            "Telecommunications Business" means the business of

      (i) transmitting, or providing services relating to the transmission of,
voice, video or data through owned or leased transmission facilities,

      (ii) creating, developing or marketing communications related network
equipment, software and other devices for use in a Telecommunication Business or

      (iii) evaluating, participating or pursuing any other activity or
opportunity that is primarily related to those identified in (i) or (ii) above
and shall, in any event, include all businesses in which the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries are engaged on the Issue Date; provided that the determination
of what constitutes a Telecommunications Business shall be made in good faith by
the Board of Directors, which determination shall be conclusive.

            "Trustee" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the first
paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such
pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter
"Trustee" shall mean such successor Trustee.

            "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in
force at the date as of which this instrument was executed; provided, however,
that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date,
"Trust Indenture Act" means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

            "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means

      (1) any Subsidiary of the Company designated as such by the Board of
Directors as set forth below where

            (a) neither the Company nor any of its other Subsidiaries (other
than another Unrestricted Subsidiary)


                                      -28-

<PAGE>

                  (i) provides credit support for, or Guarantee of, any Debt of
such Subsidiary or any Subsidiary of such Subsidiary (including any undertaking,
agreement or instrument evidencing such Debt) or

                  (ii) is directly or indirectly liable for any Debt of such
Subsidiary or any Subsidiary of such Subsidiary, and

            (b) no default with respect to any Debt of such Subsidiary or any
Subsidiary of such Subsidiary (including any right which the holders thereof may
have to take enforcement action against such Subsidiary) would permit (upon
notice, lapse of time or both) any holder of any other Debt of the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Debt or cause the
payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its final scheduled
maturity and

      (2) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors
may designate any Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such
Subsidiary owns any Capital Stock of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property
of, any other Subsidiary of the Company which is not a Subsidiary of the
Subsidiary to be so designated or otherwise an Unrestricted Subsidiary, provided
that either

            (x) the Subsidiary to be so designated has total assets of $1,000 or
less or

            (y) immediately after giving effect to such designation, the Company
could Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt pursuant to the first paragraph of
Section 1007 and provided, further, that the Company could make a Restricted
Payment in an amount equal to the greater of the fair market value and the book
value of such Subsidiary pursuant to Section 1009 and such amount is thereafter
treated as a Restricted Payment for the purpose of calculating the aggregate
amount available for Restricted Payments thereunder. The Board of Directors may
designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary, provided
that if such Unrestricted Subsidiary has Debt outstanding at such time, either

                  (a) immediately after giving effect to such designation, the
Company could Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt pursuant to the first
paragraph of Section 1007 or


                                      -29-
<PAGE>

                  (b) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary could Incur such
Debt hereunder (other than as Acquired Debt).

            "Vendor Financing Facility" means any agreements between the Company
or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and one or more vendors or lessors of
equipment or other capital assets to the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries (or any affiliate of any such vendor or lessor) providing financing
for the acquisition by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary of
equipment or other capital assets from any such vendor or lessor.

            "Vice President", when used with respect to the Company or the
Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a
word or words added before or after the title "vice president".

            "Voting Stock" of any Person means Capital Stock of such Person
which ordinarily has voting power for the election of directors (or persons
performing similar functions) of such Person, whether at all times or only so
long as no senior class of securities has such voting power by reason of any
contingency.

            "Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary" of any Person means a
Restricted Subsidiary of such Person 99% or more of the outstanding Capital
Stock or other ownership interests of which (other than directors' qualifying
shares) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly-Owned
Restricted Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more
Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiaries of such Person.

SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

            Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to
take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish
to the Trustee such certificates and opinions as may be required under the Trust
Indenture Act and under this Indenture. Each such certificate or opinion shall
be given in the form of an Officers' Certificate, if to be given by an officer
of the Company, or an Opinion of Counsel, if to be given by counsel, and shall
comply with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and any other
requirement set forth in this Indenture.

            Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a
condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include


                                      -30-
<PAGE>

            (1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or
      opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein
      relating thereto;

            (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination
      or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such
      certificate or opinion are based;

            (3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has
      made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to
      express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or
      condition has been complied with; and

            (4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such
      individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.

            In any case where several matters are required to be certified by,
or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all
such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such
Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one
such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one
or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify
or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

            Any certificate of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar
as it relates to legal matters, upon an opinion of counsel submitted therewith,
unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know,
that the opinion with respect to the matters upon which his certificate is based
is erroneous. Any opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to
factual matters, upon a certificate of an officer or officers of the Company
submitted therewith stating the information on which counsel is relying, unless
such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the
certificate with respect to such matters is erroneous.

               Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or
more applications, requests, consents, certifi-


                                      -31-
<PAGE>

cates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may,
but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

SECTION 104. Acts of Holders; Record Dates.

            Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by
Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of
substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agent duly
appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such
action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered
to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such
instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced
thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the Holders signing
such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of
a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this
Indenture and (subject to Section 601) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and
the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section.

            The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such
instrument or writing pursuant to this Section 104 may be proved by the
affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public
or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying
that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the
execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity
other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also
constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution
of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the
same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

            The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security
Register.

            Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder
of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the
registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in
respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the
Company in reliance thereon,


                                      -32-
<PAGE>

whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.

            The Company may set any day as a record date for the purpose of
determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities entitled to give, make or take
any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken by
Holders of Securities, provided that the Company may not set a record date for,
and the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply with respect to, the giving
or making of any notice, declaration, request or direction referred to in the
next paragraph. If not set by the Company prior to the first solicitation of a
Holder made by any Person in respect of any such matter referred to in the
foregoing sentence, the record date for any such matter shall be the 30th day
(or, if later, the date of the most recent list of Holders required to be
provided pursuant to Section 701) prior to such first solicitation. If any
record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding
Securities on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to take
the relevant action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such
record date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless
taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite
principal amount of Outstanding Securities on such record date. Nothing in this
paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Company from setting a new record
date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to
this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and
with no action by any Person be cancelled and of no effect), and nothing in this
paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders
of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities on the date such
action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this
paragraph, the Company, at its own expense, shall cause notice of such record
date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be
given to the Trustee in writing and to each Holder of Securities in the manner
set forth in Section 106.

            The Trustee may set any day as a record date for the purpose of
determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities entitled to join in the giving
or making of (i) any Notice of Default, (ii) any declaration of acceleration
referred to in Section 502, (iii) any request to institute proceedings referred
to in Section 507(2) or (iv) any direction referred to in Section 512. If any
record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding
Securities on such record date, and no other


                                      -33-
<PAGE>

Holders, shall be entitled to join in such notice, declaration, request or
direction, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date;
provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or
prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal
amount of Outstanding Securities on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph
shall be construed to prevent the Trustee from setting a new record date for any
action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this
paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with
no action by any Person be cancelled and of no effect), and nothing in this
paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders
of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities on the date such
action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this
paragraph, the Trustee, at the Company's expense, shall cause notice of such
record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date
to be given to the Company in writing and to each Holder of Securities in the
manner set forth in Section 106.

            With respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the
party hereto which sets such record dates may designate any day as the
"Expiration Date" and from time to time may change the Expiration Date to any
earlier or later day; provided that no such change shall be effective unless
notice of the proposed new Expiration Date is given to the other party hereto in
writing, and to each Holder of Securities in the manner set forth in Section
106, on or prior to the existing Expiration Date. If an Expiration Date is not
designated with respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the
party hereto which set such record date shall be deemed to have initially
designated the 180th day after such record date as the Expiration Date with
respect thereto, subject to its right to change the Expiration Date as provided
in this paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Expiration Date shall be
later than the 180th day after the applicable record date.

            Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take
any action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so with
regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Security or by one or
more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment
with regard to all or any part of such principal amount.

SECTION 105.  Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.


                                      -34-
<PAGE>

            Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this
Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

            (1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient
      for every purpose hereunder if delivered in writing to the Trustee at its
      Corporate Trust Office, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, or

            (2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient
      for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided)
      if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company
      addressed to the Company at the address of its principal office specified
      in the first paragraph of this instrument or at any other address
      previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.

SECTION 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver.

            Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event,
such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly
provided) if (i) in the case of a Global Security, in writing by facsimile
and/or by overnight mail to the Depositary, and (ii) in the case of securities
other than Global Securities, in writing and mailed, first-class postage
prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at his address as it appears in
the Security Register, not later than the latest date (if any), and not earlier
than the earliest date (if any), prescribed for the giving of such notice. In
any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail
such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder
shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Where
this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in
writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after
the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of
notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be
a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such
waiver.

            In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by
reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail,
then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the


                                      -35-
<PAGE>

Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

SECTION 107. Application of Trust Indenture Act.

            The Trust Indenture Act shall apply as a matter of contract to this
Indenture for purposes of interpretation, construction and defining the rights
and obligations here under. If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or
conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act that is required under
such Act to be a part of and govern this Indenture, the latter provision shall
control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision
of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, the latter
provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be
excluded, as the case may be.

SECTION 108. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

            The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents
are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

SECTION 109. Successors and Assigns.

            All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall
bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

SECTION 110. Separability Clause.

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

SECTION 111. Benefits of Indenture.

            Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied,
shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors
hereunder and the Holders of Securities, any benefit or any legal or equitable
right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.


                                      -36-
<PAGE>

SECTION 112. Governing Law.

            This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

SECTION 113. Legal Holidays.

            In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date,
Purchase Date or Stated Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day,
then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the
Securities) payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) need not be
made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the
same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date,
Purchase Date or at the Stated Maturity, provided that no interest shall accrue
for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date,
Purchase Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be.

                                   ARTICLE TWO

                                 Security Forms

SECTION 201. Forms Generally.

            The Securities and the Trustee's certificates of authentication
thereof shall be in substantially the forms set forth in this Article, with such
appropriate legends, insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations
as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters,
numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed
thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange
or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such
Securities, as evidenced by their execution of the Securities.

            The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved
or produced by any combination of these methods on steel engraved borders or may
be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing
such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

            In certain cases described elsewhere herein, the legends set forth
in Section 202 may be omitted from Securities issued hereunder.


                                      -37-
<PAGE>

SECTION 202. Form of Face of Security.

            [If the Security is a Global Security, insert the legends required
by Section 204 of the Indenture]

            THIS NOTE WAS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT. FOR PURPOSES OF
SECTIONS 1272, 1273 AND 1275 OF THE UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986,
AS AMENDED, THE ISSUE PRICE OF THIS SECURITY IS ______% OF ITS PRINCIPAL AMOUNT,
THE AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT IS $_______ PER $1,000 OF STATED FACE
AMOUNT, THE ISSUE DATE IS JUNE __, 1999 AND THE YIELD TO MATURITY IS ____%.

                          NEXTLINK Communications, Inc.

                       __% SENIOR DISCOUNT NOTES DUE 2009

                                                       CUSIP NUMBER: ___________

No. ______                                                      $_______________

            NEXTLINK Communications, Inc., a corporation organized under the
laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the "Company", which term includes
any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value
received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the
principal sum of _____________ Dollars on June __, 2009, and to pay interest
thereon from June __, 1999 or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to
which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on June __, and
December __ in each year, commencing December __, 1999 at the rate of __% per
annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment. The
interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest
Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose
name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the
close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be
__________ or _______ (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next
preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid
or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such
Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this
Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of
business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to
be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities
not


                                      -38-
<PAGE>

less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in
any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities
exchange on which the Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be
required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.

            The principal of this Security shall not accrue interest until June
__, 2004, except in the case of a default in payment of principal and premium,
if any, upon acceleration or redemption, in which case interest shall be payable
pursuant to the preceding paragraph on such overdue principal (and premium, if
any), such interest shall be payable on demand and, if not so paid on demand,
such interest shall itself bear interest at the rate of __% per annum (to the
extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), and
shall accrue from the date of such demand for payment to the date payment of
such interest has been made or duly provided for, and such interest on unpaid
interest shall also be payable on demand.

            If this Security is issued in the form of a Global Security,
payments of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security
shall be made in immediately available funds to the Depositary. If this Security
is issued in certificated form, payment of the principal of (and premium, if
any) and interest on this Security will be made at the corporate trust office of
the Trustee and at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that
purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New York, and at any
other office or agency maintained by the Company for such purpose, in such coin
or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal
tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that at the
option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the
address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the
Security Register.

            Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security
set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes
have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

            Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by
the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security
shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or
obligatory for any purpose.


                                      -39-
<PAGE>

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be
duly executed.

Dated: ___________, 1999.

                                    NEXTLINK Communications, Inc.

                                    By______________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:
Attest:

- ------------------------------
Name:
Title:


SECTION 203. Form of Reverse of Security.

            This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of Securities of the
Company designated as its __% Senior Discount Notes Due 2009 (the "Securities")
issued under an Indenture, dated as of _____________, 1999 (herein called the
"Indenture"), between the Company and United States Trust Company of New York,
as trustee (herein called the "Trustee", which term includes any successor
trustee under the Indenture). The Securities are limited in aggregate principal
amount to $___________. Reference is hereby made to the Indenture and all
indentures supplemental thereto for a statement of the respective rights,
limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the
Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the
Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered.

            The Securities are subject to redemption upon not less than 30 nor
more than 60 days' notice by mail to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed at
such Holder's address appearing in the Security Register, in amounts of $1,000
or an integral multiple of $1,000, at any time on or after _________, 2004 and
prior to maturity, as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at the
following Redemption Prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount)
plus accrued and unpaid interest to but excluding


                                      -40-
<PAGE>

the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant
Regular Record Date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment that is on or
prior to the Redemption Date), if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning
June __, of each of the years indicated below:

                                   Redemption
Year                                 Price
- ----                               ----------
2004                                    __%
2005                                    __%
2006                                    __%

and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to 100.000% of the principal amount,
together in the case of any such redemption with accrued interest to the
Redemption Date, but interest installments whose Stated Maturity is on or prior
to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or
one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the
relevant Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the
Indenture.

            The Securities are further subject to redemption prior to June __,
2004 only in the event that on or before November 15, 2001 the Company receives
net proceeds from a sale of its Common Equity, in which case the Company may, at
its option, use all or a portion of any such net proceeds to redeem Securities
in a principal amount of up to an aggregate amount equal to __% of the original
principal amount of the Securities, provided, however, that Securities in an
amount equal to at least __% of the original aggregate principal amount of the
Securities remain Outstanding after such redemption. Such redemption must occur
on a Redemption Date within 90 days of any such sale and upon not less than 30
nor more than 60 days' notice by mail to each Holder of Securities to be
redeemed at such Holder's address appearing in the Security Register, in amounts
of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 at a Redemption Price of __% of the
Accreted Value of the Securities to be redeemed to but excluding the Redemption
Date (subject to the right of Holders of record to receive interest due on an
Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date).

            In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new
Security or Securities for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the
name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.


                                      -41-
<PAGE>

            The Securities do not have the benefit of any sinking fund
obligations.

            The Indenture provides that, subject to certain conditions, if (i) a
Change of Control occurs or (ii) certain Net Available Proceeds are available to
the Company as a result of any Asset Disposition, the Company shall be required
to make an Offer to Purchase for all or a specified portion of the Securities.

            In the event of redemption or purchase pursuant to an Offer to
Purchase of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of like
tenor for the unredeemed or unpurchased portion hereof will be issued in the
name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.

            If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the principal
of all the Securities may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the
effect provided in the Indenture.

            The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of (i)
the entire indebtedness of this Security, or (ii) certain restrictive covenants
and Events of Default with respect to this Security, in each case upon
compliance with certain conditions set forth therein.

            The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided,
the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities under the Indenture at
any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time
Outstanding. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of
specified percentages in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the
time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities, to waive
compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain
past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or
waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such
Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued
upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu
hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this
Security.

            As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the
Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding
with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or


                                      -42-
<PAGE>

for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given
the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default, the Holders of not
less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities shall have made
written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event
of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity, and the
Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of Outstanding Securities a direction inconsistent with such request, and
shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60 days after receipt of
such notice, request and offer of indemnity. The foregoing shall not apply to
any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any
payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the
respective due dates expressed herein.

            No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this
Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the
Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and
premium, if any) and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and
in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

            As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security
Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the
office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New
York, New York, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of
transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly
executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and
thereupon one or more new Securities, of authorized denominations and like tenor
and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated
transferee or transferees.

            The Securities are issuable only in registered form without coupons
in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. As provided in the
Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities are
exchangeable for a like tenor and aggregate principal amount of Securities of a
different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the
same.

            No service charge shall be made for any such registration of
transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.


                                      -43-
<PAGE>

            Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of
transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee
may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner
hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and none of
the Company, the Trustee or any such agent shall be affected by notice to the
contrary.

            Interest on this Security shall be computed on the basis of a
360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

            All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture
shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

                       OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

            If you want to elect to have this Security purchased in its entirety
by the Company pursuant to Section 1013 or 1016 of the Indenture, check the box:

                                       |_|

            If you want to elect to have only a part of this Security purchased
by the Company pursuant to Section 1013 or 1016 of the Indenture, state the
amount: $___________


Date:_________________          Your Signature _________________________________
                                               (Sign exactly as name appears on
                                               the other side of this Security)

Signature Guarantee:            ________________________________________________
                                Notice: Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an
                                "eligible guarantor institution" meeting the
                                requirements of the Trustee, which requirements
                                will include membership or participation in
                                STAMP or such other "signature guarantee
                                program" as may be determined by the Trustee in
                                addition to, or in substitution for STAMP, all
                                in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act
                                of 1934, as amended.


                                      -44-
<PAGE>

SECTION 204. Additional Provisions Required in Global Security.

            Any Global Security issued hereunder shall, in addition to the
provisions contained in Sections 202 and 203, bear a legend in substantially the
following form:

            [If a Global Security, insert _______ THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL
SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS
REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY
NOT BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR A SECURITY REGISTERED, AND NO TRANSFER
OF THIS SECURITY IN WHOLE OR IN PART MAY BE REGISTERED, IN THE NAME OF ANY
PERSON OTHER THAN SUCH DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED
CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.]

            [If a Global Security to be held by the Depository Trust Company,
insert -- UNLESS THIS SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF
THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ("DTC"), TO ISSUER OR ITS
AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT, AND ANY SECURITY
ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS
REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO
CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY A PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE
& CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]

SECTION 205. Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.

            This is one of the Securities referred to in the within-mentioned
Indenture.

                    United States Trust Company of New York,
                                                            as Trustee

                                                     By ________________________
                                                        Authorized Signatory


                                      -45-
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE THREE

                                 The Securities

SECTION 301. Title and Terms.

            The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be
authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is limited to $___________,
except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer
of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities pursuant to Section 304,
305, 306, 906 or 1108 or in connection with an Offer to Purchase pursuant to
Section 1013 or 1016.

            The Securities shall be known and designated as the "__% Senior
Discount Notes due 2009" of the Company. The Stated Maturity of the Securities
shall be June __, 2009. The Securities shall bear interest at the rate of __%
per annum, from June __, 2004 or from the most recent Interest Payment Date
thereafter to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, as the case may
be, payable semi-annually on June __ and December __, commencing December __,
1999, until the principal thereof is paid or made available for payment.

            In the case of a default in payment of principal and premium, if
any, upon acceleration or redemption, interest shall be payable pursuant to the
preceding paragraph on such overdue principal (and premium, if any), such
interest shall be payable on demand and, if not so paid on demand, such interest
shall itself bear interest at the rate of 1% per annum (to the extent that the
payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), and shall accrue from
the date of such demand for payment to the date payment of such interest has
been made or duly provided for, and such interest on unpaid interest shall also
be payable on demand.

            If this Security is issued in the form of a Global Security,
payments of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security
shall be made in immediately available funds to the Depositary. If the
Securities are issued in certificated form, the principal of and premium, if
any, and interest on the Securities shall be payable at the corporate trust
office of the Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New
York, maintained for such purpose and at any other office or agency maintained
by the Company for such purpose; provided, however, that at the option of the
Company payment of interest may be made by


                                      -46-
<PAGE>

check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall
appear in the Security Register.

            The Securities shall be subject to repurchase by the Company
pursuant to an Offer to Purchase as provided in Sections 1013 and 1016.

            The Securities shall be redeemable as provided in Article Eleven.

            The Securities shall not have the benefit of any sinking fund
obligations.

            The Securities shall be subject to defeasance at the option of the
Company as provided in Article Twelve.

SECTION 302. Denominations.

            The Securities shall be issuable only in registered form without
coupons and only in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

            The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its
Chief Executive Officer, its President, its Executive Vice President or one of
its Vice Presidents and attested by its Secretary. The signature of any of these
officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile.

            Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals
who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company,
notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such
offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not
hold such offices at the date of such Securities.

            At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery
of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities executed by the Company to
the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the
authentication and delivery of such Securities; and the Trustee in accordance
with such Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities as in
this Indenture provided and not otherwise.

            Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.


                                      -47-
<PAGE>

            No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or
be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a
certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein
executed by the Trustee by manual signature, and such certificate upon any
Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security
has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.

SECTION 304. Temporary Securities.

            Pending the preparation of definitive Securities, the Company may
execute, and upon a Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver,
temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed
or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the
tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with
such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as
the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their
execution of such Securities.

            If temporary Securities are issued, the Company will cause
definitive Securities to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the
preparation of definitive Securities, the temporary Securities shall be
exchangeable for definitive Securities upon surrender of the temporary
Securities at any office or agency of the Company designated pursuant to Section
1002, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one
or more temporary Securities, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like tenor and principal amount
of definitive Securities of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the
temporary Securities shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits
under this Indenture as definitive Securities.

SECTION 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

            (a) The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office
of the Trustee a register (the register maintained in such office and in any
other office or agency designated pursuant to Section 1002 being herein
sometimes collectively referred to as the "Security Register") in which, subject
to such reasonable regulations as they may prescribe, the Company shall provide
for the registration of Securities and of transfers and exchanges of Securities.
The Trustee is hereby appointed "Security


                                      -48-
<PAGE>

Registrar" for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers and exchanges
of Securities as herein provided. Such Security Register shall distinguish
between Original Securities and Exchange Securities.

            Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security at an
office or agency of the Company designated pursuant to Section 1002 for such
purpose, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more
new Securities of any authorized denominations and of a like tenor and aggregate
principal amount and bearing the applicable legends set forth in Section 202.

            At the option of the Holder, Securities may be exchanged for other
Securities of any authorized denominations and of a like tenor and aggregate
principal amount and bearing the applicable legends set forth in Section 202,
upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency.
Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall
execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which
the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

            All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange
of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same
debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities
surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

            Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer
or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly
endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form
satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed, by the
Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

            No service charge shall be made to the Holder for any registration
of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a
sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed
in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other
than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 305, 906 or 1108 or in accordance with
any Offer to Purchase pursuant to Section 1013 or 1016 not involving any
transfer.

            The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the
transfer of or exchange any Security during a


                                      -49-
<PAGE>

period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the
mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities selected for redemption under
Section 1104 and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or
(ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for
redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security
being redeemed in part.

            The provisions of Clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4) below shall apply
only to Global Securities:

                (1) Each Global Security authenticated under this Indenture
        shall be registered in the name of the Depositary designated for such
        Global Security or a nominee thereof and delivered to such Depositary or
        a nominee thereof or custodian therefor, and each such Global Security
        shall constitute a single Security for all purposes of this Indenture.

                (2) Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Indenture, no
        Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities
        registered, and no transfer of a Global Security in whole or in part may
        be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Depositary for
        such Global Security or a nominee thereof unless (A) such Depositary (i)
        has notified the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as
        Depositary for such Global Security or (ii) has ceased to be a clearing
        agency registered under the Exchange Act, or (B) there shall have
        occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to such
        Global Security.

                (3) Subject to Clause (2) above, any exchange of a Global
        Security for other Securities may be made in whole or in part, and all
        Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security or any portion
        thereof shall be registered in such names as the Depositary for such
        Global Security shall direct.

                (4) Every Security authenticated and delivered upon registration
        of transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Security or
        any portion thereof, whether pursuant to this Section, Section 304, 306,
        906 or 1108 or otherwise, shall be authenticated and delivered in the
        form of, and shall be, a Global Security, unless such Security is
        registered in the name of a Person other than the Depositary for such
        Global Security or a nominee thereof.

SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.


                                      -50-
<PAGE>

            If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company
shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange
therefor a new Security of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number
not contemporaneously outstanding.

            If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i)
evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security
and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of
them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to
the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide
purchaser, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security
of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously
outstanding.

            In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has
become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in the discretion of
the Company may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

            Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the
Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other
governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other
expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

            Every new Security issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any
destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional
contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or
stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be
entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with
any and all other Securities duly issued hereunder.

            The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to
the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement
or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.

            Interest on any Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or
duly provided for, on any Interest Pay-


                                      -51-
<PAGE>

ment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or
more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the
Regular Record Date for such interest.

            Any interest (including Additional Interest) on any Security which
is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest
Payment Date (herein called "Defaulted Interest") shall (a) bear interest at the
rate per annum stated in the form of Security included herein (to the extent
that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), and (b)
forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date
by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by
the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in Clause (1) or (2)
below:

            (1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest
      to the Persons in whose names the Securities (or their respective
      Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a
      Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which
      shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the
      Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid
      on each Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same
      time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal
      to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted
      Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such
      deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when
      deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to
      such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee
      shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest
      which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to
      the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the
      receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee
      shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the
      name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed
      payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to
      be mailed, first-class postage


                                      -52-
<PAGE>

      prepaid, to each Holder at his address as it appears in the Security
      Register, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice
      of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record
      Date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid
      to the Persons in whose names the Securities (or their respective
      Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such
      Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the
      following Clause (2).

            (2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any
      other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any
      securities exchange on which the Securities may be listed, and upon such
      notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the
      Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause,
      such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

            Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security
delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange
for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued
and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

SECTION 308. Persons Deemed Owners.

            Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer,
the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat
the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such
Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and premium, if
any, and (subject to Section 307) interest on such Security and for all other
purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and none of the
Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be
affected by notice to the contrary.

SECTION 309. Cancellation.

            All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of
transfer, exchange or pursuant to any Offer to Purchase pursuant to Section 1013
or 1016 shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be


                                      -53-
<PAGE>

delivered to the Trustee and shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company may
at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously
authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any
manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled
by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange
for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly
permitted by this Indenture. All cancelled Securities held by the Trustee shall
be disposed of in accordance with its standard procedures or as directed by a
Company Order; provided, however, that the Trustee shall not be required to
destroy such Securities.

SECTION 310. Computation of Interest.

            Interest on the Securities shall be computed on the basis of a
360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

SECTION 311. CUSIP Numbers.

            The Company shall in issuing the Securities use CUSIP numbers, and
the Trustee shall use the applicable CUSIP number in notices of redemption or
exchange as a convenience to the Holders; provided, that any such notice may
state that no representation is made as to the accuracy or correctness of the
CUSIP number or numbers printed in the notice or on the certificates
representing the Securities and that reliance may be placed only on the other
identification numbers printed on the certificates representing the Securities.

                                  ARTICLE FOUR

                           Satisfaction and Discharge

SECTION 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

            This Indenture shall cease to be of further effect as to all
outstanding Securities (except as to (i) rights of registration of transfer and
exchange and the Company's right of optional redemption, (ii) substitution of
apparently mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities, (iii)
rights of holders of Securities to receive payment of principal of and premium,
if any, and interest on the Securities, (iv) rights, obligations and immunities
of the Trustee under the Indenture and (v) rights of the holders of the
Securities as beneficiaries of the Indenture with respect to any property
deposited with the Trustee


                                      -54-
<PAGE>

payable to all or any of them), and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense
of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and
discharge of this Indenture, when

            (1) either

                  (A) the Company will have paid or caused to be paid the
            principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities as
            and when the same will have become due and payable; or

                  (B) all outstanding Securities (except lost, stolen or
            destroyed Securities which have been replaced or paid) have been
            delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

            and the Company, in the case of (A) above, has deposited or caused
            to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the
            purpose an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire
            indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the
            Trustee for cancellation, for principal of and premium, if any, and
            interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities
            which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or
            Redemption Date, as the case may be;

            (2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable
      hereunder by the Company;

            (3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
      Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
      precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge
      of this Indenture have been complied with; and

            (4) the Trustee shall have received such other documents and
      assurances as the Trustee shall have reasonably requested.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, (i) the
obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 607, (ii) substitution
of apparently mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities, (iii)
rights of holders of Securities to receive payment of principal of and premium,
if any, and interest on the Securities, (iv) rights, obligations and immunities
of the Trustee under this Indenture (including, if money shall have been
deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of


                                      -55-
<PAGE>

Clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and
the last paragraph of Section 1003), and (v) rights of holders of the Securities
as beneficiaries of this Indenture with respect to any property deposited with
the Trustee payable to all or any of them, shall survive.

SECTION 402. Application of Trust Money.

            Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all
money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in trust
and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this
Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent
(including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may
determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if
any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the
Trustee.

                                  ARTICLE FIVE

                                    Remedies

SECTION 501. Events of Default.

            "Event of Default", wherever used herein, means any one of the
following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it
shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant
to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation
of any administrative or governmental body):

            (1) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security when it
      becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of
      30 days; or

            (2) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any,
      on) any Security when due; or

            (3) default in the payment of principal and interest upon any
      Security required to be purchased pursuant to an Offer to Purchase
      pursuant to Sections 1013 or 1016 when due and payable; or

            (4) default in the performance, or breach, of Section 801; or


                                      -56-
<PAGE>

            (5) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or
      warranty of the Company in this Indenture or in any Security (other than a
      covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is
      elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), and continuance of
      such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given,
      by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the
      Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate
      principal amount of the Outstanding Securities a written notice specifying
      such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that
      such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder; or

            (6) a default or defaults under any bond(s), debenture(s), note(s)
      or other evidence(s) of Debt by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary
      of the Company or under any mortgage(s), indenture(s) or instrument(s)
      under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or
      evidenced any Debt of such type by the Company or any such Significant
      Subsidiary with a principal amount then outstanding, individually or in
      the aggregate, in excess of $10 million, whether such Debt now exists or
      shall hereafter be created, which default or defaults shall constitute a
      failure to pay such Debt when due at the final maturity thereof, or shall
      have resulted in such Debt becoming or being declared due and payable
      prior to the date on which it would otherwise have become due and payable;
      or

            (7) a final judgment or final judgments (not subject to appeal) for
      the payment of money are entered against the Company or any Significant
      Subsidiary in an aggregate amount in excess of $10 million by a court or
      courts of competent jurisdiction, which judgments remain undischarged or
      unstayed for a period (during which execution shall not be effectively
      stayed) of 45 days after the right to appeal all such judgments has
      expired; or

            (8) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A)
      a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or any Significant
      Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable
      Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar
      law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the Company or any Significant
      Subsidiary a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a
      petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of
      or in respect of the Company or any


                                      -57-
<PAGE>

      Significant Subsidiary under any applicable Federal or State law, or
      appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee,
      sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or any Significant
      Subsidiary or of any substantial part of its property, or ordering the
      winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such
      decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and
      in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

            (9) the commencement by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary of
      a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State
      bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any
      other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the
      consent by it to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of
      the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case or
      proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency,
      reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any
      bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or the filing by
      it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief
      under any applicable Federal or State law, or the consent by it to the
      filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a
      custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other
      similar official of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or of any
      substantial part of its property, or the making by it of an assignment for
      the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in writing of its
      inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of
      corporate action by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in
      furtherance of any such action.

SECTION 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

            If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in
Section 501(8) or (9) with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing,
then and in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities may declare the Default
Amount of all the Securities to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in
writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any
such declaration such Default Amount and any accrued


                                      -58-
<PAGE>

interest, together with all other amounts due under this Indenture, shall become
immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 501(8)
or (9) with respect to the Company occurs, the Default Amount of and any accrued
interest on the Securities then Outstanding, together with all other amounts due
under this Indenture, shall ipso facto become immediately due and payable
without any declaration or other Act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

            The "Default Amount" in respect of any particular Security as of any
particular date of acceleration on or before June __, 2004 shall equal the
Accreted Value of the Security on such date and as of any particular date of
acceleration thereafter, shall equal the principal amount of the Security plus
accrued and unpaid interest to such date.

            At any time after such a declaration of acceleration has been made
and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due based on
acceleration has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article
provided, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may
rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

            (1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum
      sufficient to pay

                  (A) all overdue interest on all Securities,

                  (B) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities
            which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of
            acceleration (including any Securities required to have been
            purchased on the Purchase Date pursuant to an Offer to Purchase made
            by the Company) and interest thereon at the rate borne by the
            Securities,

                  (C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful,
            interest upon overdue interest at the applicable rate borne by the
            Securities, and

                  (D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the
            reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
            Trustee, its agents and counsel;

      and


                                      -59-
<PAGE>

            (2) all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of the
      principal of Securities which have become due solely by such declaration
      of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 513.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right
consequent thereon.

SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

            The Company covenants that if

            (1) default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security
      when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for
      a period of 30 days, or

            (2) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium,
      if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof or, with respect to any
      Security required to have been purchased pursuant to an Offer to Purchase
      made by the Company, at the Purchase Date thereof,

the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the
Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such
Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, and, to the extent
that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any
overdue principal (and premium, if any) and on any overdue interest, at the rate
provided by the Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as
shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses incurred by the Trustee
under this Indenture, including the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

            If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand,
the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a
judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may
prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same
against the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities and collect the
moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of
the property of the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities, wherever
situated.


                                      -60-
<PAGE>

            If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in
its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the
Holders by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most
effective to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific
enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the
exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

SECTION 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

            In case of any judicial proceeding relative to the Company (or any
other obligor upon the Securities), its property or its creditors, the Trustee
shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or
otherwise, to take any and all actions authorized under the Trust Indenture Act
in order to have claims of the Holders and the Trustee allowed in any such
proceeding. In particular, the Trustee shall be authorized to collect and
receive any moneys, securities or other property payable or deliverable upon the
exchange of the Securities or upon any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or
other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by
each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the
Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to
pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other
amounts due the Trustee under Section 607.

            No provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to authorize the
Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder
any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the
Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to
vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; provided,
however, that the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election
of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a creditors or
other similar committee.

SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.

            All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the
Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession
of any of the Securities or


                                      -61-
<PAGE>

the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such
proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee
of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the
payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of
the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders
of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

SECTION 506. Application of Money Collected.

            Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be
applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and,
in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal (or premium,
if any) or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation
thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if
fully paid:

            FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section
      607; and

            SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for
      principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities in
      respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been
      collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according
      to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal (and
      premium, if any) and interest, respectively.

The Trustee, upon prior written notice to the Company, may fix a record date and
payment date for any payment to the Holders pursuant to this Section 506.

SECTION 507.  Limitation on Suits.

               No Holder of any Security shall have any right to institute any
proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the
appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless

            (1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee
      of a continuing Event of Default;

            (2) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
      Outstanding Securities shall have made written request to the Trustee to
      institute


                                      -62-
<PAGE>

      proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee
      hereunder;

            (3) such Holder or Holders have offered and, if requested, provided
      to the Trustee reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and
      liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

            (4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice,
      request and offer and, if requested, provision of indemnity has failed to
      institute any such proceeding; and

            (5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been
      given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a
      majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities;

it being understood and intended that no one or more Holders shall have any
right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of
this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holders,
or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Holders
or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein
provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all the Holders.

SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and
             Interest.

            Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of
any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to
receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to
Section 307) interest on such Security on the respective Stated Maturities
expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption
Date or, in the case of an Offer to Purchase made by the Company and required to
be accepted as to such Security, on the Purchase Date) and to institute suit for
the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired
without the consent of such Holder.

SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

            If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to
enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been
discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to
the


                                      -63-
<PAGE>

Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any
determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall
be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and
thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall
continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

            Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or
payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph
of Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the
Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or
remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be
cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or
now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or
employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the
concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

            No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security
to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair
any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or
an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law
to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as
often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case
may be.

SECTION 512. Control by Holders.

            The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities shall have the right to 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, provided that

            (1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or
      with this Indenture or expose the Trustee to personal liability (as
      determined in the sole discretion of the Trustee), and


                                      -64-
<PAGE>

            (2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the
      Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.

The Trustee may refuse, however, to follow any direction that the Trustee, in
its sole discretion, determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of
another Holder or that may subject the Trustee to any liability or expense if
the Trustee determines, in its sole discretion, that it lacks indemnification
against such loss or expense.

SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults.

            The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Outstanding Securities may on behalf of the Holders of all the
Securities by written notice to the Trustee waive any past default hereunder and
its consequences, except a default

            (1) in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or
      interest on any Security (including any Security which is required to have
      been purchased pursuant to an Offer to Purchase which has been made by the
      Company), or

            (2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article
      Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of
      each Outstanding Security affected or

            (3) arising from failure to purchase any Security tendered pursuant
      to Sections 1013 and 1016.

            Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any
Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every
purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or
other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 514. Undertaking for Costs.

            In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this
Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by
it as Trustee, a court may require any party litigant in such suit to file an
undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and may assess costs against any such
party litigant, in the manner and to the extent provided in the Trust Indenture
Act; provided that neither this Section nor the Trust Indenture Act shall


                                      -65-
<PAGE>

be deemed to authorize any court to require such an undertaking or to make such
an assessment in any suit instituted by the Company.

SECTION 515. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.

            The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so)
that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever
claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever
enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants
or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may
lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law
and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any
power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of
every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

                                   ARTICLE SIX

                                   The Trustee

SECTION 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities.

            The duties and responsibilities of the Trustee shall be as provided
by the Trust Indenture Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this
Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise
incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder,
or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable
grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against
such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. Whether or not therein
expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct
or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be
subject to the provisions of this Section.

SECTION 602. Notice of Defaults.

            The Trustee shall give the Holders notice of any Default hereunder
as and to the extent provided by the Trust Indenture Act, unless such Default
has been cured or waived; provided, however, that in the case of any Default of
the character specified in Section 501(5), no such notice to


                                      -66-
<PAGE>

Holders shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof.

SECTION 603. Certain Rights of Trustee.

            Subject to the provisions of Section 601:

            (a) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or
      refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement,
      instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order,
      bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or
      document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented
      by the proper party or parties;

            (b) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall
      be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or a Company Order and any
      resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a
      Board Resolution;

            (c) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee
      shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to
      taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless
      other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of
      bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of
      Counsel;

            (d) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of
      such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete
      authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or
      omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

            (e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the
      rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or
      direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such
      Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity
      against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it
      in compliance with such request or direction reasonably satisfactory to
      the Trustee;

            (f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into
      the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement,
      instrument,


                                      -67-
<PAGE>

      opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond,
      debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or
      document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further
      inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit,
      and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or
      investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and
      premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;

            (g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or
      perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or
      attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or
      negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by
      it hereunder; and

            (h) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered
      or omitted by it in good faith which the Trustee reasonably believed to
      have been authorized or within its rights or powers.

SECTION 604. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.

            The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the
Trustee's certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of
the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness.
The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this
Indenture or the Securities. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or
application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.

SECTION 605.  May Hold Securities.

            The Trustee, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar (if other than
the Trustee) or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other
capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections
608 and 613, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would
have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other
agent.

SECTION 606. Money Held in Trust.

            Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated
from other funds except to the extent


                                      -68-
<PAGE>

required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any
money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Company.

SECTION 607. Compensation and Reimbursement.

            The Company agrees

            (1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation
      for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be
      limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee
      of an express trust);

            (2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the
      Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and
      advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision
      of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses
      and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense,
      disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or bad
      faith; and

            (3) to indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against,
      any loss, liability or expense (including the reasonable compensation,
      expenses and disbursements of its agents, accountants, experts and
      counsel) incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out
      of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust,
      including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the
      Company (including, without limitation, this Section 607) and of defending
      itself against any claim (whether asserted by any Holder or the Company)
      or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its
      powers or duties hereunder. The provisions of this Section 607 shall
      survive any termination of this Indenture and the resignation or removal
      of the Trustee.

            As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company
under this Section 607, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities
upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee, except funds held
in trust for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on
particular Securities. The Trustee's right to receive payment of any amounts due
under this Section 607 shall not be subordinate to any other liability or
indebted-


                                      -69-
<PAGE>

ness of the Company (even though the Securities may be so subordinated).

            When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event
of Default specified in Section 501(8) or (9) occurs, the expenses and the
compensation for such services are intended to constitute expenses of
administration under Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar Federal state or
foreign law for the relief of debtors.

SECTION 608. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.

            If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within
the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such
interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to
the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture.

SECTION 609. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

            There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a
Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and
has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 and its Corporate
Trust Office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New York. If
such Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or
to the requirements of a Federal, State, Territorial or District of Columbia
supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the
combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined
capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so
published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance
with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner
and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

SECTION 610. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

            (a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a
successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the
acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee under Section 611, at which
time the retiring Trustee shall be fully discharged from its obligations
hereunder.


                                      -70-
<PAGE>

            (b) The Trustee may resign at any time by giving written notice
thereof to the Company. If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee
shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of
such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of
competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

            (c) The Trustee may be removed at any time by Act of the Holders of
a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities, delivered to the
Trustee and to the Company.

            (d) If at any time:

            (1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 608 after written
      request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide
      Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

            (2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 609 and
      shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by
      any such Holder, or

            (3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be
      adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its
      property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or
      control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of
      rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

then, in any such case, (i) the Company, by Board Resolution, may remove the
Trustee, or (ii) subject to Section 514, any Holder who has been a bona fide
Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all
others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the
removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

            (e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of
acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, the
Company, by Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. If,
within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the
occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee shall be appointed by Act of the
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities
delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so
appointed shall, forthwith upon its


                                      -71-
<PAGE>

acceptance of such appointment, become the successor Trustee and supersede the
successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee shall have
been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the
manner hereinafter provided, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a
Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others
similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the
appointment of a successor Trustee.

            (f) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each
removal of the Trustee and each appointment of a successor Trustee to all
Holders in the manner provided in Section 106. Each notice shall include the
name of the successor Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

SECTION 611. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

            Every successor Trustee appointed hereunder shall execute,
acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument
accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the
retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any
further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights,
powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on request of the
Company or the successor Trustee under Section 607, execute and deliver an
instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and
trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to
such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee
hereunder. Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute
any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming
to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts.

            No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time
of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under
this Article.

SECTION 612. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.

            Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or
with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger,
conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any
corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business
of the Trustee, shall be the successor


                                      -72-
<PAGE>

of the Trustee hereunder, provided that such corporation shall be otherwise
qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of
any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case
any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee
then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such
authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities
so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself
authenticated such Securities.

SECTION 613. Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company.

            If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company
(or any other obligor upon the Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the
provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against
the Company (or any such other obligor).

SECTION 614. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

            The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with
respect to the Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the
Trustee to authenticate Securities issued upon original issue and upon exchange,
registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section
306, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this
Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated
by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the
authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee's
certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include
authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent
and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an
Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the
Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business
under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the
District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent,
having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject
to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such
Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant
to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then
for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such
Authenticating


                                      -73-
<PAGE>

Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its
most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating
Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this
Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and
with the effect specified in this Section.

            Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or
converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting
from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent
shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or
corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an
Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible
under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further
act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

            An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written
notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time
terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof
to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of
resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such
Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating
Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give notice of such
appointment in the manner provided in Section 106 to all Holders of Securities.
Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder
shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor
hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent.
No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the
provisions of this Section.

            The Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to
time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section, and the
Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the
provisions of Section 607.

            If an appointment is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities
may have endorsed thereon, in lieu of the Trustee's certificate of
authentication, an alternative certificate of authentication in the following
form:


                                      -74-
<PAGE>

            This is one of the Securities referred to in the within-mentioned
Indenture.

                                       United States Trust Company of New York,
                                                                     As Trustee

                                       By......................................,
                                                         As Authenticating Agent

                                       By.......................................
                                                            Authorized Signatory

                                  ARTICLE SEVEN

              Holders' Lists and Reports by Trustee and the Company

SECTION 701. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.

            The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee

            (a) semi-annually, not more than 15 days after each Regular Record
      Date, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the
      names and addresses of the Holders as of such Regular Record Date, and

            (b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing,
      within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a
      list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior
      to the time such list is furnished;

excluding from any such list names and addresses received by the Trustee in its
capacity as Security Registrar.

SECTION 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.

            (a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is
reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most
recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names
and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security
Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list


                                      -75-
<PAGE>

furnished to it as provided in Section 701 upon receipt of a new list so
furnished.

            (b) The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with
respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and the
corresponding rights and duties of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the
Trust Indenture Act.

            (c) Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same,
agrees with the Company and the Trustee that none of the Company, the Trustee or
any agent of any of them shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure
of information as to names and addresses of Holders made pursuant to the Trust
Indenture Act.

SECTION 703. Reports by Trustee.

            (a) The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning
the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to
the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant
thereto.

            (b) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such
transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon
which the Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The
Company will notify the Trustee when the Securities are listed on any stock
exchange.

SECTION 704. Reports by Company.

            The Company shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, and
transmit to Holders, such information, documents and other reports, and such
summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the
times and in the manner provided pursuant to such Act and in the manner set
forth in Section 1017; provided that any such information, documents or reports
required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act ("SEC Reports") shall be filed with the Trustee within 15 days
after the same is so required to be filed with the Commission. In the event the
Company shall cease to be required to file SEC Reports pursuant to the Exchange
Act, the Company will nonetheless continue to file such reports with the
Commission (unless the Commission will not accept such a filing) and the Trustee
and to furnish copies of such SEC Reports to the Holders of Securities at the
time


                                      -76-
<PAGE>

the Company is required to file such reports with the Trustee and will make such
information available to investors who request it in writing.

                                  ARTICLE EIGHT

                           Merger, Consolidation, Etc.

SECTION 801. Mergers, Consolidations and Certain Sales of Assets.

            (a) The Company may not, in a single transaction or a series of
related transactions, (i) consolidate with or merge into any other Person or
permit any other Person to consolidate with or merge into the Company (other
than a consolidation or merger of a Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary organized
under the laws of a State of the United States into the Company), or (ii)
directly or indirectly, transfer, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of all or
substantially all of its assets (determined on a consolidated basis for the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole and provided that the
creation of a Lien on or in any of its assets shall not in and of itself
constitute the transfer, sale, lease or disposition of the assets subject to the
Lien), unless: (1) in a transaction in which the Company does not survive or in
which the Company sells, leases or otherwise disposes of all or substantially
all of its assets to any other Person, the successor entity to the Company shall
be a corporation organized under the laws of the United States of America or any
State thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume, by a
supplemental indenture executed and delivered to the Trustee in form
satisfactory to the Trustee, all of the Company's obligations under this
Indenture; (2) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction as
if such transaction had occurred at the beginning of the last full fiscal
quarter immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction with the
appropriate adjustments with respect to the transaction being included in such
pro forma calculation and treating any Debt which becomes an obligation of the
Company or a Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred
by the Company or such Subsidiary at the time of the transaction, no Default or
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; (3) immediately after
giving effect to such transaction, the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company (or
other successor entity to the Company) is equal to or greater than that of the
Company immediately prior to the


                                      -77-
<PAGE>

transaction; (4) if, as a result of any such transaction, property or assets of
the Company would become subject to a Lien prohibited by the provisions of
Section 1011, the Company or the successor entity to the Company shall have
secured the Securities as required by Section 1011;(5) the Company has delivered
to the Trustee an Officer's Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each in form
and substance satisfactory to the Trustee stating that such consolidation,
merger, conveyance, transfer, lease or acquisition and, if a supplemental
indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental
indenture, complies with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein
provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with, and, with
respect to such Officer's Certificate, setting forth the manner of determination
of the Consolidated Net Worth in accordance with Clause (3) of Section 801, of
the Company or, if applicable, of the Successor Company as required pursuant to
the foregoing.

            (b) In the event of any transaction (other than a lease) described
in and complying with the immediately preceding paragraph in which the Company
is not the surviving Person and the surviving Person assumes all the obligations
of the Company under the Securities and this Indenture pursuant to a
supplemental indenture, such surviving Person shall succeed to, and be
substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company, and the
Company will be discharged from its obligations under this Indenture and the
Securities; provided that solely for the purpose of calculating amounts under
Section 1009(3), any such surviving Person shall only be deemed to have
succeeded to and be substituted for the Company with respect to the period
subsequent to the effective time of such transaction, and the Company (before
giving effect to such transaction) shall be deemed to be the "Company" for such
purposes for all prior periods.

SECTION 802. Successor Substituted.

            Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company
with or into, any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the
properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance
with Section 801, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into
which the Company is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is
made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and
power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such
successor Person had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in
the case of


                                      -78-
<PAGE>

a lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and
covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.

                                  ARTICLE NINE

                             Supplemental Indentures

SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.

            Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by
Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter
into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the
Trustee, for any of the following purposes:

            (1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and
      the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company
      herein and in the Securities; or

            (2) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the
      Holders, or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the
      Company; or

            (3) to secure the Securities pursuant to the requirements of Section
      1011 or otherwise; or

            (4) to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this Indenture
      to such extent as shall be necessary to comply with any requirement of the
      Commission in order to maintain the qualification of this Indenture under
      the Trust Indenture Act;

            (5) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision
      herein which may be inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to
      make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising
      under this Indenture which shall not be inconsistent with the provisions
      of this Indenture, provided that such action pursuant to this Clause (5)
      shall not adversely affect the legal rights of the Holders; or

            (6) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in
      place of certificated Securities.

SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.


                                      -79-
<PAGE>

            With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities, by Act of said Holders
delivered to the Company and the Trustee, and consistent with Section 513, the
Company, when authorized by Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an
indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any
provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of
this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders under
this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall,
without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby,

            (1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any
      installment of interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount
      thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable thereon, or
      change the place of payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any
      Security or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the
      right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or
      after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or
      after the Redemption Date) or, in the case of an Offer to Purchase which
      has been made, on or after the applicable Purchase Date, or

            (2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding
      Securities, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such
      supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for
      any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or
      certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this
      Indenture, or

            (3) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513 or
      Section 1019, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that
      certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived
      without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected
      thereby, or

            (4) following the mailing of an Offer with respect to an Offer to
      Purchase pursuant to Section 1013 or 1016 and until the Expiration Date of
      such Offer to Purchase, modify the provisions of this Indenture with
      respect to such Offer to Purchase in a manner materially adverse to such
      Holder.

            It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section
to approve the particular form of any


                                      -80-
<PAGE>

proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall
approve the substance thereof.

SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

            In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any
supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of
the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive,
and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an
Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is
authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be
obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the
Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

            Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article,
this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental
indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder
of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder
shall be bound thereby.

SECTION 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.

            Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall
conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

            Securities authenticated and delivered after the execution of any
supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by
the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter
provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine,
new Securities so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the
Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the
Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for
Outstanding Securities.


                                      -81-
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE TEN

                                    Covenants

SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.

            The Company will duly and punctually pay the principal of and
premium, if any, and interest on the Securities in accordance with the terms of
the Securities and this Indenture.

SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

            The Company will maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New York, New York, an office or agency where Securities may be presented or
surrendered for payment, where Securities may be surrendered for registration
of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in
respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served. The Company will
give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the
location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to
maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee
with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands
may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the
Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such
presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

            The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other
offices or agencies (in or outside the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New
York, New York) where the Securities may be presented or surrendered for any or
all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided,
however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the
Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, New York for such purposes. The Company will
give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission
and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

SECTION 1003. Money for Security Payments to be Held in Trust.

            If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent, it
will, on or before each due date of the


                                      -82-
<PAGE>

principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any of the Securities,
segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a
sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so
becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed
of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its
action or failure so to act. As provided in Section 504, upon any bankruptcy or
reorganization proceeding relative to the Company, the Trustee shall serve as
the Paying Agent for the Securities.

            Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents, it will,
prior to each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on
any Securities, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay the
principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held
in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or
interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will
promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure so to act. As
provided in Section 504, upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceeding
relative to the Company the Trustee shall serve as the Paying Agent for the
Securities.

            The Company will cause each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to
execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent
shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that
such Paying Agent will:

            (1) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of
      (and premium, if any) or interest on Securities in trust for the benefit
      of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such
      Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

            (2) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any
      other obligor upon the Securities) in the making of any payment of
      principal (and premium, if any) or interest;

            (3) at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the
      written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so
      held in trust by such Paying Agent; and

            (4) acknowledge, accept and agree to comply in all respects with the
      provisions of this Indenture relating to the duties, rights and
      obligations of such Paying Agent.


                                      -83-
<PAGE>

            The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the
satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or
by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in
trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee
upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or
such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee,
such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to
such money.

            Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then
held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium,
if any) or interest on any Security and remaining unclaimed for two years after
such principal (and premium, if any) or interest has become due and payable
shall be paid to the Company on the Company Request, or (if then held by the
Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security
shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for
payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with
respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee
thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such
Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the
expense of the Company cause to be published once, in a newspaper published in
the English language, customarily published on each Business Day and of general
circulation in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New York, notice
that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein,
which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any
unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

SECTION 1004. Existence.

            Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause to be done
all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its
existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, however,
that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise
if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no
longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and that the loss
thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.

SECTION 1005. Maintenance of Properties and Insurance.


                                      -84-
<PAGE>

            The Company will cause all properties used or useful in the conduct
of its business or the business of any Subsidiary, to be maintained and kept in
good condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary
equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals,
replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of
the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection
therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided,
however, that nothing in this Section shall prevent the Company from
discontinuing the operation or maintenance of any of such properties if such
discontinuance is, as determined in the good faith judgment of the Board of
Directors evidenced by a Board Resolution, desirable in the conduct of its
business or, in the case of the Company, the business of any Subsidiary, and not
disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.

            The Company shall, and shall cause the Subsidiaries of the Company
to, keep at all times all of their properties which are of an insurable nature
insured against loss or damage with insurers believed by the Company to be
responsible to the extent that property of similar character is usually so
insured by corporations similarly situated and owning like properties in
accordance with good business practice.

SECTION 1006. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.

            The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged,
before the same shall become delinquent,

      (1) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon
the Company or any Subsidiaries of the Company or upon the income, profits or
property of the Company or any Subsidiaries, and

      (2) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid,
might by law become a lien upon the property of the Company or any Subsidiaries
of the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay
or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge
or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings.

SECTION 1007. Limitation on Consolidated Debt.


                                      -85-
<PAGE>

            The Company may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company to, Incur any Debt unless either:

      (a) the ratio of:

            (i) the aggregate consolidated principal amount of Debt of the
Company outstanding as of the most recent available quarterly or annual balance
sheet, after giving pro forma effect to the Incurrence of such Debt and any
other Debt Incurred since such balance sheet date and the receipt and
application of the proceeds thereof

      to

            (ii) Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges for the four
full fiscal quarters next preceding the Incurrence of such Debt for which
consolidated financial statements are available, determined on a pro forma basis
as if

                  (x) any such Debt had been Incurred and the proceeds thereof
had been applied at the beginning of such four fiscal quarters;

                  (y) the net income (or loss) for such period of any Person or
related to any assets disposed of by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company prior to the end of such period had been excluded from Consolidated
Net Income; and

                  (z) the net income (or loss) for such period of any Person or
related to any assets acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary prior
to the end of such period had been included in Consolidated Net Income,

would be less than 5.5 to 1 for such four-quarter periods ending on or prior to
December 31, 1999 and 5.0 to 1 for such periods ending thereafter;

or

      (b) the Company's Consolidated Capital Ratio as of the most recent
available quarterly or annual balance sheet, after giving pro forma effect to
the Incurrence of such Debt, any issuance of Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) since such balance sheet date, any increase in paid
in-capital (other than in respect of Disqualified Stock) since such balance
sheet date and the Incurrence of any other Debt since such balance sheet date
and the receipt and application of the proceeds thereof, is less than 2.0 to 1.


                                      -86-
<PAGE>

            Notwithstanding the foregoing limitation, the Company and any
Restricted Subsidiary may Incur the following:

            (i) Debt under any one or more Bank Credit Agreements or Vendor
      Financing Facilities in an aggregate principal amount at any one time not
      to exceed the greater of:

                  (x) $250 million and

                  (y) 85% of the Eligible Receivables, and any renewal,
extension, refinancing or refunding thereof in an amount which, together with
any principal amount remaining outstanding or available under all Bank Credit
Agreements and Vendor Financing Facilities of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, plus the amount of any premium required to be paid in connection
with such refinancing pursuant to the terms of any Bank Credit Agreement so
refinanced plus the amount of expenses incurred in connection with such
refinancing, does not exceed the aggregate principal amount outstanding or
available under all such Bank Credit Agreements and Vendor Financing Facilities
of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such
renewal, extension, refinancing or refunding;

            (ii) Purchase Money Debt Incurred to finance the construction,
      acquisition or improvement of Telecommunications Assets, provided that
      the net proceeds of such Purchase Money Debt do not exceed 100% of the
      cost of construction, acquisition or improvement price of the applicable
      Telecommunications Assets;

            (iii) Debt owed by the Company to any Restricted Subsidiary of the
      Company or Debt owed by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the
      Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided, however, that
      upon either

                  (x) the transfer or other disposition by such Restricted
Subsidiary or the Company of any Debt so permitted to a Person other than the
Company or another Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or

                  (y) the issuance (other than directors' qualifying shares),
sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of shares of Capital Stock (including
by consolidation or merger) of such Restricted Subsidiary as a result of which
the obligor of such Debt ceases to be a Restricted


                                      -87-
<PAGE>

Subsidiary, the provisions of this clause (iii) shall no longer be applicable to
such Debt and such Debt shall be deemed to have been Incurred at the time of
such transfer or other disposition;

      (iv) Debt Incurred to renew, extend, refinance or refund (each, a
      "refinancing") Debt outstanding at the date of this Indenture or Incurred
      pursuant to the preceding paragraph or clause (ii) of this paragraph or
      the Securities in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the
      aggregate principal amount of and accrued interest on the Debt so
      refinanced plus the amount of any premium required to be paid in
      connection with such refinancing pursuant to the terms of the Debt so
      refinanced or the amount of any premium reasonably determined by the
      Company as necessary to accomplish such refinancing by means of a tender
      offer or privately negotiated repurchase, plus the amount of expenses of
      the Company incurred in connection with such refinancing; provided,
      however, that Debt the proceeds of which are used to refinance the
      Securities or Debt which is pari passu to the Securities or debt which is
      subordinate in right of payment to the Securities shall only be permitted
      if:

            (A) in the case of any refinancing of the Securities or Debt which
is pari passu to the Securities, the refinancing Debt is made pari passu to the
Securities or subordinated to the Securities, and, in the case of any
refinancing of Debt which is subordinated to the Securities, the refinancing
Debt constitutes Subordinated Debt and

            (B) in either case, the refinancing Debt by its terms, or by the
terms of any agreement or instrument pursuant to which such Debt is issued,

                  (x) does not provide for payments of principal of such Debt at
the stated maturity thereof or by way of a sinking fund applicable thereto or by
way of any mandatory redemption, defeasance, retirement or repurchase thereof by
the Company (including any redemption, retirement or repurchase which is
contingent upon events or circumstances, but excluding any retirement required
by virtue of acceleration of such Debt upon any event of default thereunder), in
each case prior to the time the same are required by the terms of the Debt being
refinanced and (y) does not permit redemption or other retirement (including
pursuant to an offer to purchase made by the Company) of such Debt at the option
of the holder thereof prior to the final stated maturity of the Debt being
refinanced, other than a redemption or other retirement at the option of the
holder of such Debt (including pursuant to an offer to purchase made by the
Company) which is conditioned upon a change substantially


                                      -88-
<PAGE>

similar to the provisions of Section 1016 or which is pursuant to provisions
substantially similar to the provisions of Section 1013;

      (v) Debt consisting of Permitted Interest Rate and Currency Protection
      Agreements;

      (vi) Debt outstanding under the Securities;

      (vii) Subordinated Debt invested by:

            (a) a group of employees of the Company, which includes the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company, who own, directly or indirectly, through an
employee stock ownership plan or arrangement, shares of the Company's Capital
Stock or

            (b) any other Person that controls the Company

                  (i) on the Issue Date or

                  (ii) after a Change of Control, provided that the Company is
not in default with respect to its obligations under Section 1016;

      (viii) Debt consisting of performance and other similar bonds and
      reimbursement obligations Incurred in the ordinary course of business
      securing the performance of contractual, franchise or license obligations
      of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, or in respect of a letter of
      credit obtained to secure such performance; and

      (ix) Debt not otherwise permitted to be Incurred pursuant to clauses (i)
      through (viii) above, which, together with any other outstanding Debt
      Incurred pursuant to this clause (ix), has an aggregate principal amount
      (or, in the case of Debt issued at a discount, an accreted amount
      (determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles)
      at the time of Incurrence) not in excess of $10 million at any time
      outstanding.

            For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 1007, in
the event that an item of Debt meets the criteria of more than one of the types
of Debt the Company is permitted to incur pursuant to the foregoing clauses (i)
through (ix) or the first paragraph of this Section 1007, the Company shall have
the right, in its sole discretion, to classify such item of Debt and shall only
be required to include the amount and type of such Debt under the clause or


                                      -89-
<PAGE>

paragraph permitting the Debt as so classified. The determination of any
particular amount of Debt under such covenant shall be made without duplication
for Guarantees or Liens supporting Debt otherwise included in the determination
of a particular amount.

SECTION 1008. Limitation on Debt and Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries.

            The Company may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
(other than a Restricted Subsidiary that has fully and unconditionally
Guaranteed the Securities on an unsubordinated basis) to Incur or suffer to
exist any Debt or issue any Preferred Stock except:

      (i) Debt or Preferred Stock outstanding on the date of this Indenture
      after giving effect to the application of the proceeds of the Securities;

      (ii) Debt Incurred or Preferred Stock issued to and held by the Company or
      a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (provided that such Debt or
      Preferred Stock is at all times held by the Company or a Restricted
      Subsidiary of the Company);

      (iii) Debt Incurred or Preferred Stock issued by a Person prior to the
      time:

                  (A) such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company,

                  (B) such Person merges into or consolidates with a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company or

                  (C) another Restricted Subsidiary of the Company merges into
or consolidates with such Person (in a transaction in which such Person becomes
a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company), which Debt or Preferred Stock was not
Incurred or issued in anticipation of such transaction and was outstanding prior
to such transaction;

      (iv) Debt consisting of Permitted Interest Rate and Currency Protection
      Agreements;

      (v) Debt or Preferred Stock of a Joint Venture;

      (vi) Debt under any one or more Bank Credit Agreements or Vendor
      Financing Facilities (and renewals, extensions, refinancings or refundings
      thereof) which


                                      -90-
<PAGE>

      is permitted to be outstanding under clause (i) of Section 1007;

      (vii) Debt consisting of Guarantees of the Securities;

      (viii) Debt or Preferred Stock which is exchanged for, or the proceeds of
      which are used to refinance, refund or redeem, any Debt or Preferred Stock
      permitted to be outstanding pursuant to clauses (i), (iii) and (ix) hereof
      (or any extension or renewal thereof) (for purposes hereof, a
      "refinancing"), in an aggregate principal amount, in the case of Debt, or
      with an aggregate liquidation preference, in the case of Preferred Stock,
      not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of the Debt so refinanced or
      the aggregate liquidation preference of the Preferred Stock so refinanced,
      plus the amount of any premium required to be paid in connection with such
      refinancing pursuant to the terms of the Debt or Preferred Stock so
      refinanced or the amount of any premium reasonably determined by the
      Company as necessary to accomplish such refinancing by means of a tender
      offer or privately negotiated repurchase, plus the amount of expenses of
      the Company and the Restricted Subsidiary incurred in connection therewith
      and provided the Debt or Preferred Stock incurred or issued upon such
      refinancing by its terms, or by the terms of any agreement or instrument
      pursuant to which such Debt or Preferred Stock is Incurred or issued,

            (x) does not provide for payments of principal or liquidation value
at the stated maturity of such Debt or Preferred Stock or by way of a sinking
fund applicable to such Debt or Preferred Stock or by way of any mandatory
redemption, defeasance, retirement or repurchase of such Debt or Preferred Stock
by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (including any
redemption, retirement or repurchase which is contingent upon events or
circumstances, but excluding any retirement required by virtue of acceleration
of such Debt upon an event of default thereunder), in each case prior to the
time the same are required by the terms of the Debt or Preferred Stock being
refinanced and

            (y) does not permit redemption or other retirement (including
pursuant to an offer to purchase made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company) of such Debt or Preferred Stock at the option of the holder
thereof prior to the stated maturity of the Debt or Preferred Stock being
refinanced, other than a redemption or other retirement at the option of the
holder of such Debt or


                                      -91-
<PAGE>

Preferred Stock (including pursuant to an offer to purchase made by the Company
or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) which is conditioned upon the change
of control of the Company pursuant to provisions substantially similar to the
provisions of Section 1016 or which is pursuant to provisions substantially
similar to the provisions of Section 1013, and provided, further, that in the
case of any exchange or redemption of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company, such Preferred Stock may only be exchanged for or redeemed with
Preferred Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary;

      (ix) Purchase Money Debt Incurred to finance the construction, acquisition
      or improvement of Telecommunications Assets, provided that the net
      proceeds of such Purchase Money Debt do not exceed 100% of the cost of
      construction, acquisition or improvement price of the applicable
      Telecommunications Assets; and

      (x) Debt consisting of performance and other similar bonds and
      reimbursement obligations Incurred in the ordinary course of business
      securing the performance of contractual, franchise or license obligations
      of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, or in respect of a letter of
      credit obtained to secure such performance; and

      (xi) Debt not otherwise permitted to be incurred pursuant to clauses (i)
      through (x) above, which, together with any other outstanding Debt
      incurred pursuant to this clause (xi), has an aggregate principal amount
      (or, in the case of Debt issued at a discount, an accreted amount
      (determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles)
      at the time of Incurrence) not in excess of $10 million at any time
      outstanding.

      For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 1008, in the
event that an item of Debt meets the criteria of more than one of the types of
Debt a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company is permitted to incur pursuant to
the foregoing clauses (i) through (xi), the Company shall have the right, in its
sole discretion, to classify such item of Debt and shall be only required to
include the amount and type of such Debt under the clause permitting the Debt as
so classified. The determination of any particular amount of Debt under such
covenant shall be made without duplication for Guarantees or Liens supporting
Debt otherwise included in the determination of a particular amount.


                                      -92-
<PAGE>

SECTION 1009. Limitation on Restricted Payments.

            The Company:

      (i) may not, directly or indirectly, declare or pay any dividend, or make
any distribution, in respect of its Capital Stock or to the holders thereof (in
their capacity as such), excluding any dividends or distributions payable solely
in shares of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) or in options,
warrants or other rights to acquire its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified
Stock);

      (ii) may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, purchase,
redeem, or otherwise retire or acquire for value:

            (a) any Capital Stock of the Company or any Related Person of the
Company;

      or

            (b) any options, warrants or rights to purchase or acquire shares of
Capital Stock of the Company or any Related Person of the Company or any
securities convertible or exchangeable into shares of Capital Stock of the
Company or any Related Person of the Company;

      (iii) may not make, or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to make, any
Investment in, or payment on a Guarantee of any obligation of, any Person, other
than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, except for Permitted
Investments; and

      (iv) may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, redeem,
defease, repurchase, retire or otherwise acquire or retire for value, prior to
any scheduled maturity, repayment or sinking fund payment, Debt of the Company
which is subordinate in right of payment to the Securities (each of clauses (i)
through (iv) being a "Restricted Payment")

      if:

            (1) a Default or an Event of Default shall have occurred and is
continuing; or

            (2) upon giving effect to such Restricted Payment, the Company could
not Incur at least $1.00 of additional


                                      -93-
<PAGE>

Debt pursuant to the provisions of the first paragraph of Section 1007; or

            (3) upon giving effect to such Restricted Payment, the aggregate of
all Restricted Payments from April 25, 1996 exceeds the sum of:

                  (a) 50% of cumulative Consolidated Net Income (or, in the case
Consolidated Net Income shall be negative, less 100% of such deficit) since the
end of the last full fiscal quarter prior to April 25, 1996 through the last day
of the last full fiscal quarter ending immediately preceding the date of such
Restricted Payment; plus

                  (b) $5 million; plus

                  (c) 100% of the net reduction in Investments in any
Unrestricted Subsidiary since the end of the last full fiscal quarter prior to
April 25, 1996 resulting from payments of interest on Debt, dividends,
repayments of loans or advances, or other transfers of assets, in each case to
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company from such Unrestricted
Subsidiary (except to the extent that any such payment is included in the
calculation of Consolidated Net Income) or from redesignations of Unrestricted
Subsidiaries as Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the amount included in
this clause (c) shall not exceed the amount of Investments previously made by
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Unrestricted Subsidiary;
provided, further, that the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
may make any Restricted Payment with the aggregate net proceeds received after
April 25, 1996, including the fair value of property other than cash (determined
in good faith by the Board of Directors, as conclusively evidenced by a Board
Resolution filed with the Trustee), as capital contributions to the Company or
from the issuance (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of Capital Stock
(other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company and warrants, rights or options
on Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company and the
principal amount of Debt of the Company that has been converted into Capital
Stock (other than Disqualified Stock and other than by a Restricted Subsidiary)
of the Company after April 25, 1996.

            Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may

      (i) pay any dividend on Capital Stock of any class within 60 days after
the declaration thereof if, on the date when the dividend was declared, the
Company could have paid such dividend in accordance with the foregoing
provisions;


                                      -94-
<PAGE>

      (ii) repurchase any shares of its Common Equity or options to acquire its
Common Equity from Persons who were formerly officers or employees of the
Company, provided that the aggregate amount of all such repurchases made
pursuant to this clause (ii) shall not exceed $2 million, plus the aggregate
cash proceeds received by the Company since April 25, 1996 from issuances of its
Common Equity or options to acquire its Common Equity to members, officers,
managers, directors and employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

      (iii) the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may refinance any Debt
otherwise permitted by clause (iv) of the second paragraph of Section 1007; and
(iv) the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may retire or repurchase any
Capital Stock or Subordinated Debt of the Company in exchange for, or out of the
proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company) of, Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of
the Company. If the Company makes a Restricted Payment which, at the time of the
making of such Restricted Payment, would in the good faith determination of the
Company be permitted under this Indenture, such Restricted Payment shall be
deemed to have been made in compliance with this Indenture notwithstanding any
subsequent adjustments made in good faith to the Company financial statements
affecting Consolidated Net Income for any period.

      In determining the aggregate amount expended or available for Restricted
Payments in accordance with clause (3) of the first paragraph above,

      (1) no amounts expended under clauses (iii) or (iv) of the immediately
preceding paragraph shall be included,

      (2) 100% of the amounts expended under clauses (i) and (ii) of the
immediately preceding paragraph shall be included, and

      (3) no amount shall be credited in respect of issuances of Capital Stock
in transactions under clause (iv) of the immediately preceding paragraph.

SECTION 1010. Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting
              Restricted Subsidiaries.

      The Company may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to,
directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become
effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company


                                      -95-
<PAGE>

      (i) to pay dividends (in cash or otherwise) or make any other
distributions in respect of its Capital Stock owned by the Company or any other
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or pay any Debt or other obligation owed to
the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary;

      (ii) to make loans or advances to the Company or any other Restricted
Subsidiary; or

      (iii) to transfer any of its property or assets to the Company or any
other Restricted Subsidiary.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may, and may permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, suffer to exist any such encumbrance or restriction:

            (a) pursuant to any agreement in effect on the Issue Date;

            (b) pursuant to an agreement relating to any Acquired Debt, which
encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or
assets of any Person, other than the Person so acquired and its Subsidiaries;

            (c) pursuant to any one or more Bank Credit Agreements or Vendor
Financing Facilities (and renewals, extensions, refinancings or refundings
thereof) which is permitted to be outstanding under clause (i) or (ii) of
Section 1007 or clause (vi) or (ix) of Section 1008, provided that such
restriction is consistent with, and not materially more restrictive (as
conclusively determined in good faith by the Chief Financial Officer of the
Company), taken as a whole, than, comparable provisions included in similar
agreements or facilities extended to comparable credits engaged in the
Telecommunications Business and provided further that, in the case of any such
Bank Credit Agreement or Vendor Financing Facility entered into by a Restricted
Subsidiary under clause (ii) of Section 1007 or clause (ix) of Section 1008,
such encumbrances or restrictions do not prohibit dividends, distributions,
loans or advances by such Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or another
Restricted Subsidiary to the extent that the failure to make such distribution,
loan or advance would result in the Company defaulting in the payment of
principal or interest on its indebtedness;

            (d) pursuant to an agreement effecting a renewal, refunding or
extension of Debt Incurred pursuant to an agreement referred to in clause (a) or
(b) above or (e)


                                      -96-
<PAGE>

below, provided, however, that the provisions contained in such renewal,
refunding or extension agreement relating to such encumbrance or restriction are
not materially more restrictive (as conclusively determined in good faith by the
Chief Financial Officer of the Company), taken as a whole, than the provisions
contained in the agreement the subject thereof;

      (e) in the case of clause (iii) above, restrictions contained in any
security agreement (including a Capital Lease Obligation) securing Debt of the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary otherwise permitted under this Indenture, but
only to the extent such restrictions restrict the transfer of the property
subject to such security agreement;

      (f) in the case of clause (iii) above, customary nonassignment provisions
entered into in the ordinary course of business in leases and other agreements;

      (g) any restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
imposed pursuant to an agreement which has been entered into for the sale or
disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets of such
Restricted Subsidiary, provided that consummation of such transaction would not
result in a Default or an Event of Default, that such restriction terminates if
such transaction is not consummated and that such consummation or abandonment of
such transaction occurs within one year of the date such agreement was entered
into;

      (h) pursuant to applicable law or regulations;

      (i) pursuant to this Indenture and the Securities; or

      (j) any restriction on the sale or other disposition of assets or property
securing Debt as a result of a Permitted Lien on such assets or property.

SECTION 1011. Limitation on Liens.

            The Company may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company to, Incur or suffer to exist any Lien on or with respect to any
property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired to secure any Debt without
making, or causing such Restricted Subsidiary to make, effective provision for
securing the Securities:


                                      -97-
<PAGE>

      (x) equally and ratably with (or prior to) such Debt as to such property
for so long as such Debt will be so secured or

      (y) in the event such Debt is Debt of the Company which is subordinate in
right of payment to the Securities, prior to such Debt as to such property for
so long as such Debt will be so secured.

The foregoing restrictions shall not apply to:

      (i) Liens existing on the Issue Date and securing Debt outstanding on the
Issue Date or securing the Securities or Liens securing Debt Incurred pursuant
to any Bank Credit Agreement or Vendor Financing Facility (whether or not such
Bank Credit Agreement or Vendor Financing Facility was outstanding on the Issue
Date);

      (ii) Liens securing Debt in an amount which, together with the aggregate
amount of Debt then outstanding or available under the Bank Credit Agreement and
Vendor Financing Facility (or under refinancings or amendments of such
agreements), does not exceed 1.5 times the Company's Consolidated Cash Flow
Available for Fixed Charges for the four full fiscal quarters preceding the
Incurrence of such Lien for which consolidated financial statements are
available, determined on a pro forma basis as if such Debt had been Incurred and
the proceeds thereof had been applied at the beginning of such four fiscal
quarters;

      (iii) Liens in favor of the Company or any Wholly-Owned Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company;

      (iv) Liens on real or personal property of the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company acquired, constructed or constituting improvements
made after the Issue Date to secure Purchase Money Debt which is Incurred for
the construction, acquisition and improvement of Telecommunications Assets and
is otherwise permitted under this Indenture, provided, however, that

            (a) the net proceeds of any Debt secured by such a Lien does not
exceed 100% of such purchase price or cost of construction or improvement of the
property subject to such Lien,

            (b) such Lien attaches to such property prior to, at the time of or
within 180 days after the acquisition, completion of construction or
commencement of operation of such property and


                                      -98-
<PAGE>

            (c) such Lien does not extend to or cover any property other than
the property (or identifiable portions thereof) acquired, constructed or
constituting the improvements made with the proceeds of such Purchase Money Debt
(it being understood and agreed that all Debt owed to any single lender or group
of lenders or outstanding under any single credit facility shall be considered a
single Purchase Money Debt, whether drawn at one time or from time to time);

      (v) Liens to secure Acquired Debt, provided, however, that

            (a) such Lien attaches to the acquired asset prior to the time of
the acquisition of such asset and

            (b) such Lien does not extend to or cover any other asset;

      (vi) Liens to secure Debt Incurred to extend, renew, refinance or refund
(or successive extensions, renewals, refinancings or refundings), in whole or in
part, Debt secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (i), (ii),
(iv) and (v) so long as such Lien does not extend to any other property and the
principal amount of Debt so secured is not increased except as otherwise
permitted under clause (iv) of Section 1007;

      (vii) Liens securing Debt not otherwise permitted by the foregoing clauses
(i) through (vi) in an amount not to exceed 5% of the Company's Consolidated
Tangible Assets determined as of the most recent available quarterly or annual
balance sheet; and

      (viii) Permitted Liens.

SECTION 1012. Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions.

            The Company may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary
to, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction unless

      (i) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled to Incur a
Lien to secure Debt by reason of the provisions of Section 1011, equal in amount
to the Attributable Value of the Sale and Leaseback Transaction without equally
and ratably securing the Securities; or


                                      -99-
<PAGE>

      (ii) the Sale and Leaseback Transaction is treated as an Asset Disposition
and all of the conditions of Section 1013 (including the provisions concerning
the application of Net Available Proceeds) are satisfied with respect to such
Sale and Leaseback Transaction, treating all of the consideration received in
such Sale and Leaseback Transaction in the same manner as consideration in
respect of an Asset Disposition for purposes of such covenant.

SECTION 1013. Limitation on Asset Dispositions.

            (a) The Company may not, and may not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, make any Asset Disposition in one or more related transactions
occurring within any 12-month period unless:

      (i) the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives
consideration for such disposition at least equal to the fair market value for
the assets sold or disposed of as determined by the Board of Directors in good
faith and evidenced by a Board Resolution filed with the Trustee, which
determination shall be conclusive;

      (ii) at least 75% of the consideration for such disposition consists of:

            (1) cash or readily marketable cash equivalents or the assumption of
Debt or other obligations of the Company (other than Debt that is subordinated
to the Securities) or of the Restricted Subsidiary and release from all
liability on the Debt or other obligations assumed;

            (2) Telecommunications Assets; or

            (3) shares of publicly-traded Voting Stock of any Person engaged in
the Telecommunications Business in the United States; and (iii) all Net
Available Proceeds, less any amounts invested in Telecommunications Assets
(within 180 days prior to and 360 days following such disposition), are applied
within 360 days of such disposition

                  (1) first, to the permanent repayment or reduction of Debt
then outstanding under any Bank Credit Agreement or Vendor Financing Facility,
to the extent such agreements would require such application or prohibit
payments pursuant to clause (2) following,

                  (2) second, to the extent of remaining Net Available Proceeds,
to make an Offer to Purchase outstanding Securities at 100% of their Accreted
Value (if such Offer to


                                     -100-
<PAGE>

Purchase is made on or before June __, 2004) or 100% of their principal amount
plus accrued interest to the date of purchase (if such Offer to Purchase is made
thereafter) and, to the extent required by the terms thereof, any other Debt of
the Company that is pari passu with the Securities at a price no greater than
100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest to the date of
purchase (or 100% of the accreted value in the case of original issue discount
Debt) and

                  (3) third, to the extent of any remaining Net Available
Proceeds following the completion of the Offer to Purchase, to the repayment of
other Debt of the Company or Debt of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, to
the extent permitted under the terms thereof. To the extent any Net Available
Proceeds remain after such uses, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may
use such amounts for any purposes not prohibited by this Indenture.

            (b) The Company will mail the Offer for an Offer to Purchase
required pursuant to Section 1013(a) not more than 360 days after consummation
of the disposition referred to in Section 1013(a). The aggregate principal
amount of the Securities to be offered to be purchased pursuant to the Offer to
Purchase shall equal the Net Available Proceeds available therefor pursuant to
Clause (iii)(2) of Section 1013(a) (rounded down to the next lowest integral
multiple of $1,000). Each Holder shall be entitled to tender all or any portion
of the Securities owned by such Holder pursuant to the Offer to Purchase,
subject to the requirement that any portion of a Security tendered must be
tendered in an integral multiple of $1,000 principal amount.

            The Company shall not be entitled to any credit against its
obligations under this Section 1013 for the principal amount of any Securities
acquired or redeemed by the Company otherwise than pursuant to the Offer to
Purchase pursuant to this Section 1013.

            (c) Not later than the date of the Offer with respect to an Offer to
Purchase pursuant to this Section 1013, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee
an Officers' Certificate as to

      (i) the Purchase Amount,

      (ii) the allocation of the Net Available Proceeds from the Asset
Disposition pursuant to which such Offer is being made, including, if amounts
are invested in Telecommunication Assets, the amount of the assets acquired and


                                     -101-
<PAGE>

      (iii) the compliance of such allocation with the provisions of Section
1013(a).

            The Company and the Trustee shall perform their respective
obligations specified in the Offer for the Offer to Purchase. On or prior to the
Purchase Date, the Company shall

      (i) accept for payment (on a pro rata basis, if necessary) Securities or
portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Offer,

      (ii) deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its
own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) money
sufficient to pay the purchase price of all Securities or portions thereof so
accepted and

      (iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee all Securities so
accepted together with an Officers' Certificate stating the Securities or
portions thereof accepted for payment by the Company. The Paying Agent (or the
Company, if so acting) shall promptly mail or deliver to Holders of Securities
so accepted payment in an amount equal to the purchase price, and the Trustee
shall promptly authenticate and mail or deliver to such Holders a new Security
of like tenor equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the
Security surrendered. Any Security not accepted for payment shall be promptly
mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof.

            (d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 1013 shall not
apply to any Asset Disposition which constitutes a transfer, conveyance, sale,
lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company's
properties or assets within the meaning of Section 801 hereof.

SECTION 1014. Limitation on Issuances and Sales of Capital Stock of Restricted
              Subsidiaries.

            The Company may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company to, issue, transfer, convey, sell or otherwise dispose of any shares
of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or securities
convertible or exchangeable into, or options, warrants, rights or any other
interest with respect to, Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company to any person other than the Company or a Wholly-Owned Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company except


                                     -102-
<PAGE>

      (i) in a transaction that complies with the provisions of Section 1013;

      (ii) if required, the issuance, transfer, conveyance, sale or other
disposition of directors' qualifying shares;

      (iii) in a transaction in which, or in connection with which, the Company
or a Restricted Subsidiary acquires at the same time sufficient Capital Stock of
such Restricted Subsidiary to at least maintain the same percentage ownership
interest it had prior to such transaction;

      (iv) constituting the issuance of Preferred Stock permitted by the
provisions of Section 1008; and

      (v) Disqualified Stock issued in exchange for, or upon conversion of, or
the proceeds of the issuance of which are used to redeem, refinance, replace or
refund shares of Disqualified Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary, provided that
the amounts of the redemption obligations of such Disqualified Stock shall not
exceed the amounts of the redemption obligations of, and such Disqualified Stock
shall have redemption obligations no earlier than those required by, the
Disqualified Stock being exchanged, converted, redeemed, refinanced, replaced or
refunded.

SECTION 1015. Transactions with Affiliates and Related Persons.

            The Company may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company to, enter into any transaction (or series of related transactions)
with an Affiliate or Related Person of the Company (other than the Company or a
Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company), including any Investment,
but excluding transactions pursuant to employee compensation arrangements
approved by the Board of Directors, either directly or indirectly, unless such
transaction is on terms no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary than those that could reasonably be obtained in a comparable
arm's-length transaction with an entity that is not an Affiliate or Related
Person and is in the best interests of such Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary. For any transaction that involves in excess of $1 million but less
than or equal to $15 million, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company shall
determine that the transaction satisfies the above criteria and shall evidence
such a determination by an Officer's Certificate filed with the Trustee. For any


                                     -103-
<PAGE>

transaction that involves in excess of $15 million, the Company shall also
either

      (x) obtain the approval of the transaction from the Board of Directors
including a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors or

      (y) obtain an opinion from a nationally recognized investment bank or
other expert with experience in appraising the terms and conditions, taken as a
whole, of the type of transaction (or series of related transactions) for which
the opinion is required stating that such transaction (or series of related
transactions) is on terms and conditions, taken as a whole, no less favorable to
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that could be obtained in a
comparable arm's-length transaction with an entity that is not an Affiliate or
Related Person of the Company, which opinion shall be filed with the Trustee.
This covenant shall not apply to Investments by an Affiliate or a Related Person
of the Company in the Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.

SECTION 1016. Change of Control.

            (a) Within 30 days of the occurrence of a Change of Control, the
Company will be required to make an Offer to Purchase all Outstanding Securities
at a purchase price equal to 101% of their Accreted Value (if such Offer to
Purchase is made on or prior to June __, 2004) or 101% of their principal amount
plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase (if such Offer to
Purchase is consummated thereafter).

            (b) The Company and Trustee shall perform their respective
obligations specified in the Offer for the Offer to Purchase. On or prior to the
Purchase Date, the Company shall

      (i) accept for payment Securities or portions thereof tendered pursuant to
the Offer,

      (ii) deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its
own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) money
sufficient to pay the purchase price of all Securities or portions thereof so
accepted and

      (iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee all Securities so
accepted together with an Officers'


                                     -104-
<PAGE>

Certificate stating the Securities or portions thereof accepted for payment by
the Company. The Paying Agent shall promptly mail or deliver to Holders of
Securities so accepted payment in an amount equal to the purchase price, and the
Trustee shall promptly authenticate and mail or deliver to such Holders a new
Security or Securities equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of
the Security surrendered as requested by the Holder. Any Security not accepted
for payment shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder
thereof.

            (c) A "Change of Control" will be deemed to have occurred at such
time as either

                  (a) any Person or any Persons acting together that would
constitute a "group" (a "Group") for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange
Act, or any successor provision thereto (other than Eagle River, Mr. Craig O.
McCaw and their respective Affiliates or an underwriter engaged in a firm
commitment underwriting on behalf of the Company), shall beneficially own
(within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor
provision thereto) more than 50% of the aggregate voting power of all classes of
Voting Stock of the Company; or

                  (b) neither Mr. Craig O. McCaw nor any person designated by
him to the Company as acting on his behalf shall be a director of the Company;
or

                  (c) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals
who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors (together
with any new directors whose election by the Board of Directors or whose
nomination for election by the shareholders of the Company was proposed by a
vote of a majority of the directors of the Company then still in office who were
either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination
for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a
majority of the Board of Directors then in office.

            (d) In the event that the Company makes an Offer to Purchase the
Securities, the Company intends to comply with any applicable securities laws
and regulations, including any applicable requirements of Section 14(e) of, and
Rule 14e-1 under, the Exchange Act.

            (e) Unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Purchase
Price, any Security accepted for payment pursuant to an Offer to Purchase shall
cease to accrue interest after the Purchase Date.


                                     -105-
<PAGE>

SECTION 1017. Provision of Financial Information.

            The Company has agreed to file with the Trustee, within 15 days
after it files them with the Commission, copies of the SEC Reports. In the event
the Company shall cease to be required to file SEC Reports pursuant to the
Exchange Act, the Company will nevertheless continue to file such reports with
the Commission (unless the Commission will not accept such a filing) and the
Trustee. The Company will furnish copies of the SEC Reports to the Holders of
Securities at the time the Company is required to file the same with the
Trustee and will make such information available to investors who request it in
writing.

SECTION 1018. Statement by Officers as to Default.

            (a) The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after
the end of each quarter of each fiscal year of the Company ending after the date
hereof, an Officers' Certificate, stating whether or not to the best knowledge
of the signers thereof the Company is in default in the performance and
observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture and
if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature
and status thereof of which they may have knowledge.

            (b) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, as soon as possible
and in any event within 10 days after the Company becomes aware of the
occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default, an Officers' Certificate setting
forth the details of such Default or Event of Default and the action which the
Company proposes to take with respect thereto.

SECTION 1019. Waiver of Certain Covenants.

            The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any
covenant or condition set forth in Sections 1004 to 1017, inclusive, if before
or after the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities shall, by Act of such
Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive
compliance with such covenant or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to
or affect such covenant or condition except to the extent so expressly waived,
and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company
and the duties of


                                     -106-
<PAGE>

the Trustee in respect of any such covenant or condition shall remain in full
force and effect.

SECTION 1020. Limitation on Use of Proceeds.

            The Company will apply the net proceeds received from the issuance
and sale of the Securities (the "Securities Net Proceeds") toward the
construction, improvement, and acquisition by the Company or one or more
Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company or Joint Ventures of Telecommunications
Assets of the Company, such Restricted Subsidiaries or Joint Ventures (or will
advance such net proceeds to such Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company or
Joint Ventures for such purpose); provided, however, pending such application,
the Securities Net Proceeds may be invested in Marketable Securities.

                                 ARTICLE ELEVEN

                            Redemption of Securities

SECTION 1101. Right of Redemption.

            (a) The Securities may be redeemed prior to June __, 2004 only in
the event that on or before June __, 2004 the Company receives net proceeds from
a sale of its Common Equity, in which case the Company may, at its option, use
all or a portion of any such net proceeds to redeem Securities in a principal
amount of up to an aggregate amount equal to __% of the original principal
amount of the Securities provided, however, that Securities in an amount equal
to at least __% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes remain
outstanding after such redemption. Such redemption must occur on a Redemption
Date within 90 days of any such sale and upon not less than 30 nor more than 60
days' notice by mail to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed at such
Holder's address appearing in the Security Register, in amounts of $1,000 or an
integral multiple of $1,000 at a Redemption Price of __% of the Accreted Value
of the Securities, if any, to but excluding the Redemption Date.

            (b) The Securities further may be redeemed, as a whole or in part,
at the election of the Company, at any time on or after June __, 2004 and prior
to maturity, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice by mail to each
Holder of Securities to be redeemed at such Holder's address appearing in the
Security Register, in amounts of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000, at
the Redemption


                                     -107-
<PAGE>

Prices specified in the form of Security hereinbefore set forth, together with
accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (subject to
the right of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date to receive
interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the Redemption
Date).

SECTION 1102. Applicability of Article.

            Redemption of Securities at the election of the Company, as
permitted or required by any provision of this Indenture, shall be made in
accordance with such provision and this Article.

SECTION 1103. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

            The election of the Company to redeem any Securities pursuant to
Section 1101 shall be evidenced by Board Resolution. In case of any redemption
at the election of the Company of less than all the Securities, the Company
shall, at least 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company
(unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the
Trustee in writing of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of
Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to
the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of
such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the
Trustee with an Officers' Certificate evidencing compliance with such
restriction.

SECTION 1104. Securities to Be Redeemed Pro Rata.

            If less than all the Securities are to be redeemed in any
redemption, the Securities to be redeemed shall be selected by the Trustee by
prorating, as nearly as may be practicable, the principal amount of Securities
to be redeemed. In any proration pursuant to this Section, the Trustee shall
make such adjustments, reallocations and eliminations as it shall deem proper
(and in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities
exchange, if any, on which the Securities are listed) to the end that the
principal amount of Securities so prorated shall be $1,000 or a multiple
thereof, by increasing or decreasing or eliminating the amount which would be
allocable to any Holder on the basis of exact proportion by an amount not
exceeding $1,000. The Trustee in its discretion may determine the particular
Securities (if there are more


                                     -108-
<PAGE>

than one) registered in the name of any Holder which are to be redeemed, in
whole or in part.

            The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and each Security
Registrar (other than the Trustee) in writing of the Securities selected for
redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption,
the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

            For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise
requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate,
in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the
portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be
redeemed.

SECTION 1105. Notice of Redemption.

            Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage
prepaid, mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption
Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at such Holder's address
appearing in the Security Register.

            All notices of redemption shall state:

            (1) the Redemption Date,

            (2) the Redemption Price,

            (3) whether the redemption is being made pursuant to Section 1101(a)
      or (b) and, if being made pursuant to Section 1101(a), a brief statement
      setting forth the Company's right to effect such redemption and the
      Company's basis therefor,

            (4) if less than all the Outstanding Securities are to be redeemed,
      the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption of any
      Securities, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be
      redeemed,

            (5) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due
      and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and that interest
      thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date,

            (6) the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered
      for payment of the Redemption Price,


                                     -109-
<PAGE>

            (7) that in the case that a Security is only redeemed in part, the
      Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to
      the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or
      Securities in an aggregate amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the
      Security,

            (8) the aggregate principal amount of Securities being redeemed, and

            (9) the CUSIP number or numbers of the Securities being redeemed.

            Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of
the Company shall be given by the Company or, if request is made to the Trustee
no less than 35 days prior to the Redemption Date, by the Trustee in the name
and at the expense of the Company.

SECTION 1106. Deposit of Redemption Price.

            Prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the
Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying
Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of
money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption
Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued and unpaid interest on, all the
Securities which are to be redeemed on that date.

SECTION 1107. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

            Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities
so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the
Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the
Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued and
unpaid interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of
any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security
shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued and
unpaid interest to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that installments of
interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be
payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor
Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record
Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.


                                     -110-
<PAGE>

            If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon
surrender thereof for redemption, the principal (and premium, if any) shall,
until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate provided by the
Security.

SECTION 1108. Securities Redeemed in Part.

            Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be
surrendered at an office or agency of the Company designated for that purpose
pursuant to Section 1002 (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due
endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney
duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee
shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service
charge, a new Security or Securities of like tenor, of any authorized
denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to
and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so
surrendered. If a Global Security is so surrendered, such new Security shall
also be a Global Security.

                                 ARTICLE TWELVE

                       Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

SECTION 1201. Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

            The Company may, at its option by Board Resolution at any time
(subject to 10-day prior written notification to the Trustee), elect to have
either Section 1202 or Section 1203 applied to the Outstanding Securities upon
compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article Twelve.

SECTION 1202. Defeasance and Discharge.

            Upon the Company's exercise of the option provided in Section 1201
applicable to this Section, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged
from its obligations with respect to the Outstanding Securities on the date the
conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, "defeasance"). For this
purpose, such defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and
discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the Outstanding


                                     -111-
<PAGE>

Securities and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities
and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at
the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the
same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated
or discharged hereunder:

      (A) the rights of Holders of Outstanding Securities to receive, solely
from the trust fund described in Section 1204 and as more fully set forth in
such Section, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest on such Securities when such payments are due,

      (B) the Company's obligations with respect to such Securities under
Sections 304, 305, 306, 1002 and 1003,

      (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee
hereunder and

      (D) this Article Twelve. Subject to compliance with this Article Twelve,
the Company may exercise its option under this Section 1202 notwithstanding the
prior exercise of its option under Section 1203.

SECTION 1203. Covenant Defeasance.

            Upon the Company's exercise of the option provided in Section 1201
applicable to this Section

      (i) the Company shall be released from its obligations under Sections 1005
through 1017, inclusive, and Clauses (3) and (4) of Section 801,

      (ii) the occurrence of an event specified in Sections 501(3), 501(4) (with
respect to Clauses (3) and (4) of Section 801), and 501 (5) (with respect to
Sections 1005 through 1017, inclusive) shall not be deemed to be an Event of
Default, on and after the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied
(hereinafter, "covenant defeasance"). For this purpose, such covenant defeasance
means that the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in
respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section or
Article, whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere
herein to any such Section or Article or by reason of any reference in any such
Section or Article to any other provision herein or in any other document, but
the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.


                                     -112-
<PAGE>

SECTION 1204. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

            The following shall be the conditions to application of either
Section 1202 or Section 1203 to the Outstanding Securities:

            (1) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be
      deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of
      making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and
      dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities,

            (A) money in an amount, or

            (B) U.S. Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment
of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will
provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, money in an
amount, or

            (C) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a
nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants expressed
in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and
discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee to pay and discharge, the
principal of, premium, if any, and each installment of interest on the
Securities on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of interest
on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the
terms of this Indenture and of such Securities. For this purpose, "U.S.
Government Obligations" means securities that are

      (x) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of
which its full faith and credit is pledged or

      (y) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an
agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which
is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the
United States of America, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable
at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt
issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as
custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific
payment of principal of or interest on


                                     -113-
<PAGE>

any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of
the holder of such depositary receipt, provided that (except as required by law)
such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable
to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the
custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment
of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such
depositary receipt.

            (2) No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
      continuing on the date of such deposit or, insofar as subsections 501(8)
      and (9) are concerned, at any time during the period ending on the 91st
      day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this
      condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such
      period).

            (3) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not cause the
      Trustee to have a conflicting interest as defined in Section 608 and for
      purposes of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to any securities of the
      Company.

            (4) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a
      breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or
      any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by
      which it is bound.

            (5) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
      Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
      precedent provided for relating to either the defeasance under Section
      1202 or the covenant defeasance under Section 1203 (as the case may be)
      have been complied with.

            (6) In the case of an election under Section 1202, the Company
      shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that

            (x) the Company has received from, or there has been published by,
the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or

            (y) since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in the
applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based
thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of the Outstanding
Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax
purposes as a result of such deposit,


                                     -114-
<PAGE>

defeasance and discharge 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 deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred.

            (7) In the case of an election under Section 1203, the Company
      shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect
      that the Holders of the Outstanding Securities will not recognize income,
      gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit
      and 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.

            (8) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of
      Counsel to the effect that such deposit and defeasance or covenant
      defeasance shall not result in the trust arising from such deposit
      constituting an investment company as defined in the Investment Company
      Act of 1940, as amended, or such trust shall be qualified under such act
      or exempt from regulation thereunder.

SECTION 1205. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in
              Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

            Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all
money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited
with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee--collectively, for purposes of
this Section 1205, the "Trustee") pursuant to Section 1204 in respect of the
Securities shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with
the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either
directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own
Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities,
of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium,
if any) and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds
except to the extent required by law.

            The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee
or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations
deposited pursuant to Section 1204 or the principal and interest received in
respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge


                                     -115-
<PAGE>

which by law is for the account of the Holders of the Out standing Securities.

            Anything in this Article Twelve to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company
Request any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in
Section 1204 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized accounting firm
expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in
excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to
effect an equivalent defeasance or covenant defeasance.

SECTION 1206. Reinstatement.

            If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in
accordance with Section 1202 or 1203 by reason of any order or judgment of any
court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting
such application, then the Company's obligations under this Indenture and the
Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred
pursuant to this Article Twelve until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent
is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 1202 and 1203;
provided, however, that if the Company makes any payment of principal of (and
premium, if any) any Security following the reinstatement of its obligations,
the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities
to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or the Paying Agent.

SECTION 1207. Repayment to Company.

            Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then
held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if
any, or interest on any Security and remaining unclaimed for two years after
such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable
shall be paid to the Company on its written request or (if then held by the
Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such security
shall thereafter, as a creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof,
and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust
money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon
cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being
required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to
be published once, in


                                     -116-
<PAGE>

the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that
such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which
shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or
publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid
to the Company.

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

            This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each
of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such
counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.


                                     -117-
<PAGE>

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to
be duly executed and attested, and the Trustee has caused its seal to be
hereunto affixed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written.

                                        NEXTLINK Communications, Inc.


                                        By
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name: R. Bruce Easter, Jr.
                                           Title: Vice President, General
                                                  Counsel and Secretary

Attest:


- -------------------------------------
Name:
Title:

                                        UNITED STATES TRUST COMPANY
                                          OF NEW YORK


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

[SEAL]

Attest:


- -------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
<PAGE>

STATE OF WASHINGTON  )
                         ss.:
COUNTY OF            )

            On this __th day of ________, 1999, before me personally appeared R.
Bruce Easter, Jr., to me known, who, being duly sworn, did depose and say that
he is the Vice President of NEXTLINK Communications, Inc., one of the
corporations described in and which executed the foregoing instrument, and duly
acknowledged to me that he executed the same by authority of the Board of
Directors of said corporation.


                                        ----------------------------------------
                                                     Notary Public

STATE OF NEW YORK  )
                       ss.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK )

            On this __th day of ________, 1999, before me personally appeared
______________, to me known, who, being duly sworn, did depose and say that she
is the Vice President of United States Trust Company of New York, one of the
corporations described in and which executed the foregoing instrument, and duly
acknowledged to me that she executed the same by authority of the Board of
Directors of said corporation.


                                        ----------------------------------------
                                                     Notary Public


<PAGE>
                                                                     Exhibit 5.1


                            Willkie Farr & Gallagher
                               787 Seventh Avenue
                               New York, NY 10019







May 21, 1999



NEXTLINK Communications, Inc.
500 108th Avenue N.E., Suite 2200
Bellvue, WA 98004



Re:      NEXTLINK Communications, Inc.
         Senior Notes due 2009 and
         Senior Discount Notes due 2009
         ------------------------------


Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel for NEXTLINK Communications, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the filing by the Company with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") of a registration
statement (as amended, the "Registration Statement") on Form S-3 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to the proposed issuance by the
Company of its Senior Notes due 2009 (the "Senior Notes") and its Senior
Discount Notes due 2009 (the "Senior Discount Notes" and together with the
Senior Notes, the "Securities").

         The Senior Notes and the Senior Discount Notes will be issued pursuant
to two indentures between the Company and the United States Trust Company, as
trustee (respectively, the "Senior Notes Indenture" and the "Senior Discount
Notes Indenture"), each of which will be filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein have
the meanings ascribed thereto in the Senior Notes Indenture and the Senior
Discount Notes Indenture.

         In connection with this opinion, we have examined and relied upon such
records, documents, certificates and other instruments as in our judgment are
necessary or appropriate to form the basis for the opinions set forth herein. In
our examinations, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal
capacity of natural persons signing or delivering any instrument, the
authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to
original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic
copies and the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents.


<PAGE>

         Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Senior Notes and
the Senior Discount Notes, when duly issued, authenticated and delivered in
accordance with the provisions of the Senior Notes Indenture and the Senior
Discount Notes Indenture, respectively, will constitute valid and binding
obligations of the Company.

         We do not express any opinion with respect to matters governed by any
laws other than the laws of the State of New York and the federal laws of the
United States of America.

         We know that we may be referred to as counsel who has passed upon the
validity of the issuance of the Securities on behalf of the Company in the
Registration Statement filed with the Commission, and we hereby consent to such
use of our name in said Registration Statement and to the filing of this opinion
with said Registration Statement as Exhibit 5.1 thereto.

Very truly yours,


/s/ Willkie Farr & Gallagher


<PAGE>

                       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) _______

                           --------------------------
                     UNITED STATES TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK
               (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

               New York                                         13-3818954
   (Jurisdiction of incorporation or                        (I. R. S. Employer
organization if not a U.S. national bank)                 Identification Number)

         114 West 47th Street                                    10036-1532
          New York,  New York                                    (Zip Code)
        (Address of principal
          executive offices)

                           --------------------------
                          NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
               (Exact name of OBLIGOR as specified in its charter)

               Washington                                        91-1738221
     (State or other jurisdiction of                         (I. R. S. Employer
      incorporation or organization)                         Identification No.)

          155 108th Avenue, NW                                       98004
          Bellevue, Washington                                    (Zip code)
(Address of principal executive offices)

                           --------------------------
                             % Senior Notes due 2009
                       (Title of the indenture securities)

================================================================================
<PAGE>
                                      -2-

                                     GENERAL

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.

                Federal Reserve Bank of New York (2nd District), New York, New
                    York (Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System).
                Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,  Washington,  D. C.
                New York State Banking Department, Albany, New York

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

                        The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust
                        powers.


2.      AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR

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

        None.

3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14 and 15.

        The obligor is currently not in default under any of its outstanding
        securities for which United States Trust Company of New York is Trustee.
        Accordingly, responses to Items 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
        and 15 of Form T-1 are not required under General Instruction B.

16.     LIST OF EXHIBITS

        T-1.1-- Organization Certificate, as amended, issued by the State of New
                York Banking Department to transact business as a Trust Company,
                is incorporated by reference to Exhibit T-1.1 to Form T-1 filed
                on September 15, 1995 with the Commission pursuant to the Trust
                Indenture Act of 1939, as amended by the Trust Indenture Reform
                Act of 1990 (Registration No. 33-97056).

        T-1.2-- Included in Exhibit T-1.1.

        T-1.3-- Included in Exhibit T-1.1.


<PAGE>
                                      - 3 -


16.     LIST OF EXHIBITS (continued)

        T-1.4-- The By-laws of the United States Trust Company of New York, as
                amended, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit T-1.4 to Form
                T-1 filed on September 15, 1995 with the Commission pursuant to
                the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended by the Trust
                Indenture Reform Act of 1990 (Registration No. 33-97056).

        T-1.6-- The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the
                Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended by the Trust Indenture
                Reform Act of 1990.

        T-1.7-- A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee pursuant
                to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining
                authority.

                                      NOTE

        As of May 21, 1999, the trustee had 2,999,020 shares of Common Stock
        outstanding, all of which are owned by its parent company, U. S. Trust
        Corporation. The term "trustee" in Item 2, refers to each of United
        States Trust Company of New York and its parent company, U. S. Trust
        Corporation.

        In answering Item 2 in this statement of eligibility, as to matters
        peculiarly within the knowledge of the obligor or its directors, the
        trustee has relied upon information furnished to it by the obligor and
        will rely on information to be furnished by the obligor and the trustee
        disclaims responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such
        information.

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

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the
        trustee, United States Trust Company of New York, a corporation
        organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, has duly
        caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the
        undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of New York, and
        State of New York, on the 21st day of May, 1999.

        UNITED STATES TRUST COMPANY OF
              NEW YORK, Trustee

By:
        ------------------------------
        Patricia Gallagher
        Assistant Vice President

<PAGE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT T-1.6

        The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.

                     United States Trust Company of New York
                              114 West 47th Street
                               New York, NY 10036


September 1, 1995



Securities and Exchange Commission 450 5th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC  20549

Gentlemen:

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939,
as amended by the Trust Indenture Reform Act of 1990, and subject to the
limitations set forth therein, United States Trust Company of New York ("U.S.
Trust") hereby consents that reports of examinations of U.S. Trust by Federal,
State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities
to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request therefor.


Very truly yours,


UNITED STATES TRUST COMPANY
         OF NEW YORK



By:      ---------------------
         /s/ Gerard F. Ganey
         Senior Vice President

<PAGE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT T-1.7

                     UNITED STATES TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CONDITION
                                 MARCH 31, 1999
                                ($ IN THOUSANDS)

ASSETS
Cash and Due from Banks                                               $  139,755

Short-Term Investments                                                    85,326

Securities, Available for Sale                                           528,160

Loans                                                                  2,081,103
Less:  Allowance for Credit Losses                                        17,114
                                                                      ----------
      Net Loans                                                        2,063,989
Premises and Equipment                                                    57,765
Other Assets                                                             125,780
                                                                      ----------
      TOTAL ASSETS                                                    $3,000,775
                                                                      ==========

LIABILITIES
Deposits:
      Non-Interest Bearing                                            $  623,046
      Interest Bearing                                                 1,875,364
                                                                      ----------
         Total Deposits                                                2,498,410

Short-Term Credit Facilities                                             184,281
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities                                 126,652
                                                                      ----------
      TOTAL LIABILITIES                                               $2,809,343
                                                                      ==========

STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
Common Stock                                                              14,995
Capital Surplus                                                           53,041
Retained Earnings                                                        121,759
Unrealized Gains on Securities
     Available for Sale (Net of Taxes)                                     1,637
                                                                      ----------

TOTAL STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY                                               191,432
                                                                      ----------
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY                        $3,000,775
                                                                      ==========

I, Richard E. Brinkmann, Managing Director & Comptroller of the named bank do
hereby declare that this Statement of Condition has been prepared in conformance
with the instructions issued by the appropriate regulatory authority and is true
to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Richard E. Brinkmann, Managing Director & Controller

May 18, 1999

<PAGE>

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

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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

                                    FORM T-1

    STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY AND QUALIFICATION 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)

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

                        U.S. TRUST COMPANY OF TEXAS, N.A.
               (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

                                                                 75-2353745
   (State of incorporation                                    (I.R.S. employer
   if not a national bank)                                   identification No.)

  2001 Ross Ave, Suite 2700                                        75201
        Dallas, Texas                                           (Zip Code)
    (Address of trustee's
principal executive offices)

                               Compliance Officer
                        U.S. Trust Company of Texas, N.A.
                            2001 Ross Ave, Suite 2700
                               Dallas, Texas 75201
                                 (214) 754-1200
            (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

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

                          NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
               (Exact name of OBLIGOR as specified in its charter)

               Washington                                        91-1738221
     (State or other jurisdiction of                         (I. R. S. Employer
     incorporation or organization)                          Identification No.)

          155 108th Avenue, NW                                       98004
          Bellevue, Washington                                    (Zip code)
(Address of principal executive offices)

                           --------------------------
                        % Senior Discount Notes due 2009
                       (Title of the indenture securities)

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


<PAGE>

                                     GENERAL

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.

          Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas (11th District), Dallas, Texas
                   (Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System)
          Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Dallas, Texas
          The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Dallas, Texas

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

               The Trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

2.   AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR AND UNDERWRITERS.

     If the obligor or any underwriter for the obligor is an affiliate of the
     Trustee, describe each such affiliation.

     None.

3.   VOTING SECURITIES OF THE TRUSTEE.

     Furnish the following information as to each class of voting securities of
     the Trustee:

                               As of May 21, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Col A.                                Col B.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Title of Class                      Amount Outstanding
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Capital Stock - par value $100 per share            5,000 shares

4.   TRUSTEESHIPS UNDER OTHER INDENTURES.

     Not Applicable

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

     Not Applicable


<PAGE>



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

     Not Applicable

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

     Not Applicable

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

     Not Applicable

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

     Not Applicable

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

     Not Applicable

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.

     Not Applicable

12.  INDEBTEDNESS OF THE OBLIGOR TO THE TRUSTEE.

     Not Applicable

13.  DEFAULTS BY THE OBLIGOR.

     Not Applicable

14.  AFFILIATIONS WITH THE UNDERWRITERS.

     Not Applicable

15.  FOREIGN TRUSTEE.

     Not Applicable

16.  LIST OF EXHIBITS.

     T-1.1-    A copy of the Articles of Association of U.S. Trust Company of
               Texas, N.A.; incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit T-1.1
               filed with Form T-1 Statement, Registration No. 22-21897.

<PAGE>

16.  (con't.)

         T-1.2 -      A copy of the certificate of authority of the Trustee to
                      commence business; incorporated herein by reference to
                      Exhibit T-1.2 filed with Form T-1 Statement, Registration
                      No. 22-21897.

         T-1.3 -      A copy of the authorization of the Trustee to exercise
                      corporate trust powers; incorporated herein by reference
                      to Exhibit T-1.3 filed with Form T-1 Statement,
                      Registration No. 22-21897.

         T-1.4 -      A copy of the By-laws of the U.S. Trust Company of
                      Texas, N.A., as amended to date; incorporated herein by
                      reference to Exhibit T-1.4 filed with Form T-1 Statement,
                      Registration No. 22-21897.

         T-1.6 -      The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of
                      the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

         T-1.7 -      A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee
                      published pursuant to law or the requirements of its
                      supervising or examining authority.

                                      NOTE

As of May 21, 1999, the Trustee had 5,000 shares of Capital Stock outstanding,
all of which are owned by U.S. T.L.P.O. Corp. As of May 21, 1999, U.S. T.L.P.O.
Corp. had 35 shares of Capital Stock outstanding, all of which are owned by U.S.
Trust Corporation. U.S. Trust Corporation had outstanding 18,597,534 shares of
$1 par value Common Stock as of May 21, 1999.

The term "Trustee" in Items 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 refers to each of U.S
Trust Company of Texas, N.A., U.S. T.L.P.O. Corp. and U.S. Trust Corporation.

In as much as this Form T-1 is filed prior to the ascertainment by the Trustee
of all the facts on which to base responsive answers to Items 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10
and 11, the answers to said Items are based upon incomplete information. Items
2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11 may, however, be considered correct unless amended by
an amendment to this Form T-1.

In answering any items in this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification which
relates to matters peculiarly within the knowledge of the obligors or their
directors or officers, or an underwriter for the obligors, the Trustee has
relied upon information furnished to it by the obligors and will rely on
information to be furnished by the obligors or such underwriter, and the Trustee
disclaims responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information.


                                 ---------------
<PAGE>

                                    SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 the Trustee, U.S
Trust Company of Texas, N.A., a national banking association organized under the
laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of
eligibility and qualification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Dallas, and State of Texas on the
21st day of May, 1999.

                                              U.S. Trust Company
                                              of Texas, N.A., Trustee


                                              By:  /s/ Pat Gallagher
                                                  ------------------------
                                                    Authorized Officer



<PAGE>

                               CONSENT OF TRUSTEE

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of
1939 as amended in connection with the proposed issue of NEXTLINK
Communications, Inc., Senior Discount Notes, we hereby consent that reports of
examination by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be
furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon
request therefore.



                                              U.S. Trust Company of Texas, N.A.


                                              By:  /s/ Pat Gallagher
                                                  ------------------------
                                                    Authorized Officer


<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                                               <C>

                                                                  Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
                                                                  OMB Number:  7100-0036
                                                                  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
                                                                  OMB Number:  3064-005
                                                                  Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council                OMB Number:  1557-0081
                                                                  Expires March 31, 2001
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  (1)
                                                                  Please Refer to Page I, Table of
                                                                  Contents, for the required
                                                                  disclosure of estimated burden.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

CONSOLIDATED REPORTS OF CONDITION AND
INCOME FOR A BANK WITH DOMESTIC
OFFICES ONLY AND TOTAL ASSETS OF LESS
THAN $100 MILLION OR MORE BUT LESS THAN
$300 MILLION - - FFIEC 033

REPORT AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS MARCH 31, 1999                        (19990331)
                                                                     (RCRI 9999)

This report is required by law: 12 U.S.C. Section ss. 324 (State member banks);
12 U.S.C. Section ss. 1817 (State nonmember banks); and 12 U.S.C. Section ss.
161 (National banks).

This report form is to be filed by banks with domestic offices only. Banks with
branches and consolidated subsidiaries in U.S. territories and possessions, Edge
or Agreement subsidiaries, foreign branches, consolidated foreign subsidiaries,
or International Banking Facilities must file FFIEC 031.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE: The Reports of Condition and Income must be signed by an authorized
officer and the Report of Condition must be attested to by not less than two
directors (trustees) for State nonmember banks and three directors for State
member and National Banks.

I,      Alfred B. Childs, Managing Director
  ----------------------------------------------------
  Name and Title of  Officer Authorized to Sign Report

of the named bank do hereby declare that these Reports of Condition and Income
(including the supporting schedules) have been prepared in conformance with the
instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and are true
to the best of my knowledge and belief.

/s/         Alfred B. Childs
  ----------------------------------------------
  Signature of Officer Authorized to Sign Report

April 21, 1999
- --------------------------
Date of Signature

The Reports of Condition and Income are to be prepared in accordance with
Federal regulatory authority instructions. NOTE: these instructions may in some
cases differ from generally accepted accounting principles.

We, the undersigned directors (trustees), attest to the correctness of this
Report of Condition (including the supporting schedules) and declare that it has
been examined by us and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been
prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal
regulatory authority and is true and correct.

/s/ Stuart M. Pearman
- -------------------------
 Director (Trustee)


/s/ J. T. More, Jr.
- -------------------------
 Director (Trustee)


/s/ Arthur White
- -------------------------
 Director (Trustee

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

SUBMISSION OF REPORTS

Each bank must prepare its Reports of Condition and Income either:

(a)     in electronic form and then file the computer data file directly with
        the banking agencies' collection agent, Electronic Data Systems
        Corporation (EDS), by modem or on computer diskette; or

(b)     in hard-copy (paper) form and arrange for another party to convert the
        paper report to electronic form. That party (if other than EDS) must
        transmit the bank's computer data file to EDS.

For electronic filing assistance, contact EDS Call Report Services, 2150 North
Prospect Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202, telephone (800) 255-1571.

To fulfill the signature and attestation requirement for the Reports of
Condition and Income for this report date, attach this signature page to the
hard-copy record of the completed report that the bank places in its files.

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

FDIC Certificate Number    33217              US TRUST COMPANY OF TEXAS,
                        ------------          NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
                        (RCRI 9050)           ---------------------------------
                                              Legal Title of Bank (TEXT 9010)


                                              DALLAS___________________________
                                              City (TEXT 9130)

                                              TX___________        75201_______
                                              State Abbrev.        Zip Code.

   Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Federal Deposit Insurance
             Corporation, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                   <C>              <C>             <C>                    <C>
U.S. TRUST COMPANY OF TEXAS, N.A.     Call Date:       3/31/1999       State #: 48-6797       FFIEC  033
2001 ROSS AVENUE, SUITE 2700          Vendor ID:               D        Cert #:   33217       RC-1
DALLAS, TX  75201                     Transit #:        11101765
                                                                                              ----------
                                                                                                   9
                                                                                              ----------

CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION FOR INSURED COMMERCIAL
AND STATE-CHARTERED SAVINGS BANKS FOR MARCH 31, 1999

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.

SCHEDULE RC - BALANCE SHEET
                                                                                                     C200
                                                                                                 DOLLAR
AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS
ASSETS
 1.     Cash and balances due from depository institutions:                                            RCON
                                                                                                                ----------
        a.     Noninterest-bearing     balances    and    currency    and    coin  ______   _______    0081         1,297  1.a
        (1,2)__________________
                                                                                                                ----------
        b.                Interest                bearing                balances  ______   _______    0071           696  1.b
        (3)____________________________________________
                                                                                                                ----------
 2.     Securities:
                                                                                                                ----------
        a.  Held-to-maturity securities (from Schedule RC-B, column                ______   _______    1754             0  2.a
        A)_______________
                                                                                                                ----------
        b.   Available-for-sale    securities   (from   Schedule   RC-B,   column  ______   _______    1773       131,683  2.b
        D)______________
                                                                                                                ----------
 3.     Federal  funds sold (4) and  securities  purchased  under  agreements  to                      1350         6,000  3
        resell:
                                                                                                                ----------
 4.     Loans and lease financing receivables:                                     RCON
                                                                                            --------
        a.  Loans  and   leases,   net  of   unearned   income   (from   Schedule   2122     22,709                        4.a
        RC-C)____________
                                                                                            --------
        b.       LESS:       Allowance       for       loan       and       lease   3123        260                        4.b
        losses_______________________________
                                                                                            --------
        c.           LESS:            Allocated           transfer           risk   3128          0                        4.c
        reserve___________________________________
                                                                                            --------
                                                                                                                ----------
        d.  Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and reserve                           RCON
                                                                                                       ----
             (item             4.a            minus            4.b            and  ______   _______    2125        22,249  4.d
        4.c)_____________________________________________
                                                                                                                ----------
 5.     Trading                                                                    ______   _______    3545             0  5.
        assets____________________________________________________________
                                                                                                                ----------
 6.     Premises      and      fixed      assets      (including      capitalized  ______   _______    2145           917  6.
        leases)______________________
                                                                                                                ----------
 7.     Other        real        estate        owned        (from        Schedule  ______   _______    2150             0  7.
        RC-M)______________________________
                                                                                                                ----------
 8.     Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies
        (from Schedule RC-M)_____________________________________________________  ______   _______    2130             0  8.
                                                                                                                ----------
 9.     Customers'      liability     to     this     bank     on     acceptances  ______   _______    2155             0  9.
        outstanding__________________
                                                                                                                ----------
10.     Intangible               assets              (from               Schedule  ______   _______    2143         1,950  10.
        RC-M)____________________________________
                                                                                                                ----------
11.     Other                assets                (from                 Schedule  ______   _______    2160         2,527  11.
        RC-F)_________________________________________
                                                                                                                ----------
12.     Total        assets       (sum       of       items       1       through  ______   _______    2170       167,519  12.
        11)____________________________________
                                                                                                                ----------
</TABLE>


(1) Includes cash items in process of collection and unposted debits. (2)
Included time certificates of deposit not held for trading.


<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                   <C>              <C>             <C>                    <C>
U.S. TRUST COMPANY OF TEXAS, N.A.     Call Date:       3/31/1999       State #: 48-6797       FFIEC  033
2001 ROSS AVENUE, SUITE 2700          Vendor ID:               D        Cert #:   33217       RC-1
DALLAS, TX  75201                     Transit #:        11101765
                                                                                              ----------
                                                                                                   9
                                                                                              ----------
                                                                                                                  ---------------
                                                                                                                        10
                                                                                                                  ---------------

SCHEDULE RC - CONTINUED
                                                              _________________                  DOLLAR
AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS
LIABILITIES
13.     Deposits:
        a.  In domestic offices (sum of totals of                                                      RCON
                                                                                                                ----------
             columns         A         and        C         from         Schedule   RCON               2200       141,618  13.a
        RC-E)___________________________________
                                                                                                                ----------
                                                                                            --------
             (1)  Noninterest-bearing                                               6631      8,794                        13.a.1
        (1)_____________________________________________
                                                                                            --------
             (2)  Interest-bearing                                                  6636    132,824                        13.a.2
           ---------------------------------------------
                                                                                            --------
        b.    In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs (1)
        Noninterest-bearing________________________________________________
              (2)
        Interest-bearing___________________________________________________
                                                                                                                ----------
14.     Federal  funds  purchased(2)  and  securities  sold under  agreements  to                      RCON             0  14
                                                                                                       ----
        repurchase:                                                                                    2800
                                                                                                                ----------
15.     a.        Demand        notes        issued       to       the       U.S.  ______   _______    2840             0  15.a
        Treasury_________________________________________________________________
                                                                                                                ----------
        b.                                                                Trading  ______   _______    3548             0  15.b
        liabilities______________________________________________________

16. Other borrowed money:
                                                                                                                ----------
        A.     WITH    A     REMAINING     MATURITY     OF    ONE     YEAR     OR  ______   _______    2332             0  16.a
        LESS_____________________________________________________________________
                                                                                                                ----------
        B.  WITH A  REMAINING  MATURITY  OF MORE  THAN  ONE  YEAR  THROUGH  THREE  ______   _______    A547         2,000  16.b
        YEARS____________________________________________________________________
                                                                                                                ----------
        C.    WITH    A     REMAINING     MATURITY    OF    MORE    THAN    THREE  ______   _______    A548         1,000  16.c
        YEARS____________________________________________________________________
17.     Not applicable
                                                                                                                ----------
18.     Bank's       liability       on       acceptances       executed      and  ______   _______    2920             0  18.
        outstanding______________________________________________________________
                                                                                                                ----------
19.     Subordinated                           notes                          and  ______   _______    3200             0  19.
        debentures_______________________________________________________________
                                                                                                                ----------
20.     Other               liabilities               (from              Schedule  ______   _______    2930         2,317  20.
        RC-G)______________________________________
                                                                                                                ----------
21.     Total       liabilities      (sum      of      items      13      through  ______   _______    2948       146,935  21.
        20)______________________________________________________________________
                                                                                                                ----------
22.     Not applicable
EQUITY CAPITAL

23.     Perpetual          preferred          stock          and          related                      RCON
                                                                                                       ----
        surplus__________________________________________________________________  ______   ______     3838       7,000  23.
                                                                                                               ---------
24.     Common stock___________________________________________________________    ______   ______     3230         500  24.
                                                                                                               ---------
25.     Surplus     (exclude     all     surplus     related     to     preferred
        stock)____________________________________________________________________ ______   ______     3839       8,384  25.
                                                                                                               ---------
26.     a.           Undivided            profits           and           capital
        reserves__________________________________________________________________ ______   ______     3632       4,406  26.a
                                                                                                               ---------
        b.  Net   unrealized   holding  gains   (losses)  on   available-for-sale
        securities________________________________________________________________ ______   ______     8434         294  26.b
                                                                                                               ---------
27.     Cumulative            foreign            currency             translation
        adjustments______________________________________________________________
                                                                                                               ---------
28.     Total     equity     capital     (sum     of     items     23     through
        27)____________________________                                            ______   ______     3210      20,584  28.
                                                                                                               ---------
29.     Total   liabilities   and   equity   capital   (sum  of   items   21  and
        28)___________________                                                     ______   ______     2257     167,519  29.
                                                                                                               ---------

MEMORANDUM
   TO BE REPORTED ONLY WITH THE MARCH REPORT OF CONDITION.
     NUMBER
                                                                                                                ---------
 1.  Indicate in the box at the right the number of the  statement  below that best  describes  the most
      comprehensive level of auditing work performed for the bank by independent  external auditors               6724     1  M.1
     as      of                          any            date  during 1998
                                                                                                                ---------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

1=      Independent audit of the bank conducted in accordance with generally
        accepted auditing standards by certified public accounting firm which
        submits a report on the bank

2=      Independent audit of the bank's parent holding company conducted in
        accordance with generally accepted auditing standards by a certified
        public accounting firm which submits a report on the consolidated
        holding company (but not on the bank separately)

3=      Directors' examination of the bank conducted in accordance with
        generally accepted auditing standards by a certified public accounting
        firm (may be required by state chartering authority)

4=      Directors' examination of the bank performed by other external auditors
        (may be required by state chartering authority)

5=      Review of the bank's financial statements by external auditors

6=      Compilation of the bank's financial statements by external auditors

7=      Other audit procedures (excluding tax preparation work)

8=      No external audit work


(1) Includes total demand deposits and noninterest-bearing time and savings
    deposits.

(2) Includes limited-life preferred stock and related surplus.


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