KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS INC
10-K, 1999-03-31
COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, NEC
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 10-K

                  FOR ANNUAL AND TRANSITION REPORTS PURSUANT TO
           SECTIONS 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

(Mark One)
           |X| ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
               SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                   For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998

           |_| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
               SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                   For the transition period from      to

                        Commission File Number: 333-50475

                           KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

          DELAWARE                                        22-3545325
    (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF         (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
    (INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)

                            1545 ROUTE 206, SUITE 300
                          BEDMINSTER, NEW JERSEY 07921
          (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES, INCLUDING ZIP CODE)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (908) 470-2100

                    SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION
                               12(b) of the Act:
                                      None
                    SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION
                               12(g) of the Act:
                                      None

     Indicate by check mark  whether the  registrant:  (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. [X] Yes [ ] No

     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's  knowledge,  in definitive proxy or information  statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K [X].

     The   aggregate   market   value  of  the  voting   common  stock  held  by
non-affiliates  of  the  registrant  as of  March  24,  1999  was  approximately
$34,450,780,  based upon an estimate of the fair value  thereof by management of
the  registrant.  There is no  established  trading market for the voting common
stock of the registrant and no sales have occurred within the past sixty days.

     As of March 24,1999, 852,676 shares of the registrant's Common Stock, $0.01
par value,  were  outstanding.  There is no  established  trading market for the
Common Stock.

     DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE.  None.

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

           CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD - LOOKING STATEMENTS


     STATEMENTS  IN  THIS  ANNUAL  REPORT  ON FORM  10-K  THAT  ARE  NOT  PURELY
HISTORICAL ARE  FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 27A OF
THE  SECURITIES  ACT OF 1933 AND SECTION 21E OF THE  SECURITIES  EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934,  INCLUDING  STATEMENTS  REGARDING  THE  COMPANY'S   EXPECTATIONS,   HOPES,
INTENTIONS  OR  STRATEGIES  REGARDING  THE  FUTURE.  FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS
INCLUDE:  STATEMENTS REGARDING THE ANTICIPATED  DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION OF OUR
BUSINESS,  THE MARKETS IN WHICH OUR SERVICES ARE CURRENTLY  OFFERED,  OR WILL BE
OFFERED IN THE FUTURE,  ANTICIPATED CAPITAL  EXPENDITURES AND REGULATORY REFORM,
THE INTENT,  BELIEF OR CURRENT  EXPECTATIONS  OF THE COMPANY,  OUR  DIRECTORS OR
OFFICERS WITH RESPECT TO OUR FUTURE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE AND OTHER MATTERS, AND
OTHER  STATEMENTS   REGARDING   MATTERS  THAT  ARE  NOT  HISTORICAL  FACTS.  ALL
FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS IN THIS REPORT ARE BASED ON INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO
THE COMPANY AS OF THE DATE THIS REPORT IS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION,   AND  THE  COMPANY   ASSUMES  NO  OBLIGATION  TO  UPDATE  ANY  SUCH
FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS.  FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL  RESULTS TO DIFFER
MATERIALLY  FROM THOSE EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED BY SUCH  FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS
INCLUDE,  BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE FACTORS SET FORTH IN "ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S
DISCUSSION  AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL  CONDITION  AND RESULTS OF  OPERATIONS  --
CERTAIN FACTORS WHICH MAY AFFECT THE COMPANY'S FUTURE RESULTS."


                                     PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS.

BACKGROUND

     The initial predecessors of KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc. were founded in 1994
and 1995,  respectively,  by Harold N.  Kamine,  the  Company's  Chairman of the
Board.  These  predecessors were merged in 1996 and renamed KMC Telecom Inc. KMC
Telecom  Holdings,  Inc. was formed  during 1997  primarily to own,  directly or
indirectly,  all of the shares of its operating subsidiaries,  KMC Telecom Inc.,
KMC Telecom II, Inc., KMC Telecom III,  Inc., and KMC Telecom of Virginia,  Inc.
The principal  equity  investors in the Company  currently  include Mr.  Kamine,
Nassau Capital Partners, L.P., Newcourt Capital, Inc., CoreStates Holdings, Inc.
(an  affiliate  of  First  Union  National  Bank),   General   Electric  Capital
Corporation and Lucent Technologies, Inc.

COMPANY OVERVIEW

     The  Company  is a  facilities-based  competitive  local  exchange  carrier
providing  telecommunications  and data services in Tier III Markets (population
from  100,000 to  750,000).  The markets in which we operate  are  predominately
located in the  Southeastern and Midwestern  United States.  We target business,
government and institutional  end-users,  as well as Internet service providers,
long  distance  carriers and wireless  service  providers.  Our  objective is to
provide our customers with a complete solution for their  communications  needs.
We currently  provide  on-net local dial tone,  special  access,  private  line,
Internet access, ISDN and a variety of other advanced services and features.

     We currently operate in twenty-three Tier III Markets.  We have constructed
robust fiber optic networks in each of our markets,  typically of 25 to 35 miles
in length, which we believe allow us to insure quality services,  facilitate the
delivery of  value-added  and enhanced  services,  and  effectively  control our
costs. We currently have Lucent  Technologies  Series  5ESS(R)-type  switches in
commercial operation in twenty-two of our existing markets. We intend to install
a Lucent  switch in our  remaining  existing  network  no later  than the second
quarter  of 1999.  We also  intend to  install  Lucent  switches  in any  future
networks which we may build.  Over time, we expect to transition the majority of
our customers to our own networks by means of either unbundled  network elements
leased from the incumbent  local exchange  carrier (i.e. the  established  local
telephone  company,  such as Bell Atlantic,  BellSouth,  Ameritech or one of the
subsidiaries of GTE Corporation) or direct connections to our own networks.

     We presently  plan to construct  networks in  approximately  ten additional
Tier III  Markets.  We  currently  anticipate  that these new  networks  will be
completed and placed in commercial operation by the end of the second quarter of
2000.

BUSINESS STRATEGY

     The principal elements of our business strategy include:

     FOCUS ON TIER III  MARKETS.  We intend to operate in Tier III  Markets.  We
believe that incumbent  local  exchange  carriers tend to focus their efforts on
larger markets and generally  underserve and underinvest in Tier III Markets. We
also believe that there is generally  significantly  less competition from other
facilities-based  competitive local exchange carriers in Tier III Markets, which
allows us to gain market  share more  rapidly  than we could expect to in Tier I
and Tier II Markets.  A  facilities-based  competitive local exchange carrier is
one  which  operates  its  own  network,   including   switching  equipment  and
transmission  lines,  rather  than one  which  resells  the  services  of others
utilizing  the network of the incumbent  local  exchange  carrier.  In addition,
network  construction  is less  expensive in Tier III Markets than in Tier I and
Tier II Markets. Generally, labor costs and the costs of obtaining rights of way
are lower in Tier III Markets. Further, many Tier III Markets permit significant
aerial  deployment of fiber optic cable which is less  expensive than the buried
deployment  required  in many  Tier I and  Tier II  Markets.  We  estimate  that
approximately 70% of our fiber is deployed aerially.  We target markets which we
believe  offer  attractive   demographic,   economic,   competitive  and  demand
characteristics.  We select target markets from among the approximately 250 Tier
III Markets in the United States by first  identifying those markets that do not
yet have significant,  established  competitors to the existing  incumbent local
exchange  carrier,  and by then  reviewing the specific  demographic,  economic,
competitive and  telecommunications  demand  characteristics  of such markets to
determine  their  suitability  for the  types of  services  which we  offer.  We
estimate market demand on the basis of the concentration of potential  business,
government and  institutional  end-user  customers in the market and the general
economic prospects for the area.

         EARLY TO MARKET ADVANTAGE.  We strive to be the first  facilities-based
competitive  local exchange  carrier in a geographic area to actively market and
provide services. We believe that by effecting early entry into Tier III Markets
with  a  facilities-based  strategy,  we  will  be  able  to  limit  significant
competition from other  competitive  local exchange  carriers which may focus on
Tier III Markets where no competitive local exchange carrier has yet established
operations, although we can give no assurance in this regard.

         COMPREHENSIVE FIBER NETWORKS. We build geographically  extensive,  full
service,  facilities-based  networks.  We believe such networks  provide greater
operating  leverage,  facilitate the capture of market share,  and are likely to
deter other competitive local exchange carriers from attempting to penetrate our
markets due to the cost of constructing a competing network of equal capability.
Prior  to  both  the  initial  construction  of our  network  backbone  and  any
subsequent  network  expansion,  we perform  detailed rate of return analyses to
justify the capital expenditures  involved. In each of our existing twenty-three
markets,  we have  completed our backbone  construction  connecting the market's
central business district with outlying office parks,  large  institutions,  the
locations of long distance carriers'  transmission equipment and major incumbent
local exchange  carrier central offices.  In addition,  we intend to continue to
expand our existing networks in response to anticipated customer demand.

          LOCAL  PRESENCE.  We intend to capture  and retain  customers  through
effective local, personalized sales, marketing and customer service programs. To
this end, we:

     o    establish sales offices in each market in which we operate a network,

     o    strive to recruit  our city  directors  and sales staff from the local
          market,

     o    rely principally on a face-to-face selling approach, and

     o    support  our sales  staff with  locally  based  customer  service  and
          technical support personnel.

Most of our existing  sales  personnel are local  residents who have  previously
worked for the  incumbent  local  exchange  carrier or other  telecommunications
companies.  We believe that our "Creative  Solutions with a Hometown  Touch"(TM)
sales  approach is very  important to customers in Tier III Markets,  who do not
typically  receive  focused  local sales  contact or customer  support  from the
incumbent local exchange carrier. We seek to build long-term  relationships with
our customers by responding  rapidly and creatively to their  telecommunications
needs.

     FOCUS ON  VALUE-ADDED  ENHANCED  SERVICE.S  We believe it is  strategically
important to offer these services because:

     o    they are a competitive differentiator,

     o    they provide a substantial margin opportunity,

     o    the incumbent local exchange  carriers'  prices for these services are
          relatively high and are regulated,

     o    incumbent local exchange carriers have underinvested in facilities and
          sales force related to these services, and

     o    we are able to offer these  services  without a  significant  marginal
          cost.

     LOW   COST   CONSTRUCTION.   It  is  our   practice   to   use   innovative
"switch-in-a-box"  construction  and  deployment  techniques  for  many  of  our
networks.  Using these techniques,  transmission,  switching and power equipment
are  pre-installed  by  Lucent  Technologies,   Inc.  under  controlled  factory
conditions in portable,  weatherproof,  storm-proof concrete buildings delivered
to the Lucent  facility by our  contractor.  The  completed  buildings  are then
shipped  to  the  appropriate  city  for  final  installation,  reducing  costs,
installation risks and time to market.

     QUALITY  OPERATIONS  SUPPORT  SYSTEM.  We are  developing  a  high  quality
operations  support  system to  provide  us with  comprehensive  billing,  order
processing and customer care software for all existing and contemplated services
we  will  market.   This  system  is  designed  to  provide  us  with  a  single
"flow-through"  order form that will entail  several  components,  allowing each
order to be tracked from service provisioning through to complete  installation.
We believe that this system will allow us to quickly address  customer  concerns
and provide us with a competitive  advantage in customer  service and operations
efficiency.

     EXPERIENCED   MANAGEMENT  TEAM.  The  Company's  management  team  includes
individuals   with  over  250  years  of   experience,   collectively,   in  the
telecommunications  industry.  It is led by Harold N.  Kamine,  Chairman  of the
Board of Directors,  and Michael A. Sternberg, the Company's President and Chief
Executive  Officer.  Other members of the team include Roscoe C. Young II, Chief
Operating Officer, James D. Grenfell,  Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer and Secretary, and James L. Barwick, Senior Vice President-Technology.

SERVICES

     GENERAL.  We have historically  provided  dedicated access service and have
also resold  switched  services which we purchased from incumbent local exchange
carriers.  In December 1997, we began providing our own on-net switched services
to our customers.  For 1997 on-net  switched  services  accounted for 32% of our
revenue and resale  services  accounted for 68% of our revenue.  For 1998 on-net
switched services accounted for 37% of our revenue and resale services accounted
for 63% of our revenue.

     PRIVATE LINE AND SPECIAL  ACCESS  SERVICES.  We currently  provide  various
types of on-net  dedicated  service which permit the  transmission  of voice and
data  between  two points  over  circuits  dedicated  to the  requirements  of a
particular  customer.  Private line service involves the provision of a private,
dedicated  telecommunications  connection among different  locations of the same
customer.  For these services we offer several types of dedicated  circuits that
have different  capacities.  DS-1 and DS-3 circuits are dedicated lines that can
carry up to 24 and 672 simultaneous voice and data transmissions,  respectively.
Special  access  service  involves the leasing,  to long distance  carriers,  of
private, dedicated telecommunications lines running along our networks. The long
distance carriers use these lines to connect different locations where they have
installed  transmission  equipment within the market, to connect locations where
they  have  installed  transmission  equipment  to  the  transmission  equipment
locations of other long distance carriers within the market, or to connect large
customers directly to the locations of their transmission  equipment.  For these
services we offer OC3, OC12 and OC48 circuits.  These OC-N services  provide the
fastest transmission available for carriers and large business users.

     SWITCH-BASED  SERVICES.  We have added and  continue to add  capability  to
provide local dial tone services and switched access origination and termination
services to our  networks.  Switches are  currently in  commercial  operation in
twenty-two of our existing  markets and we expect to have a switch in commercial
operation in our remaining  existing network no later than the second quarter of
1999.  Over time, we expect to  transition  the majority of our customers to our
own  networks  by means of either  unbundled  network  elements  leased from the
incumbent  local exchange  carrier or direct  connections.  We have entered into
interconnection agreements with incumbent local exchange carriers for all of our
existing networks.

     ISDN. ISDN, or integrated  services digital network,  is an internationally
agreed  upon  standard  which,   through  special  equipment,   allows  two-way,
simultaneous  voice  and data  transmission  in  digital  formats  over the same
transmission  line.  ISDN  permits  videoconferencing  over a single  line,  for
example, and also supports a multitude of value-added  networking  capabilities.
This service targets sophisticated business customers whose applications require
integration  of  services  such  as  Internet  access,  video,  voice  or  other
communications  services,  including  high speed data  transfer.  By integrating
multiple  applications,  customers receive increased capability and may not have
any increase in costs to achieve that  capability.  The principal  purchasers of
this service are currently Internet service providers.

     LONG DISTANCE.  We offer a full range of long distance  products  including
inter-LATA, intra-LATA, interstate,  international,  calling card and 800-number
services.  During the first  quarter of 1999,  we plan to introduce  KMC-branded
operator  services,  directory  services and prepaid phone cards. We offer these
services both on-net and off-net.  We offer long  distance  services on a resale
basis by entering into wholesale  agreements with various long distance carriers
to deliver these services. We believe that many of our customers will prefer the
option  of  purchasing  long  distance  services  from us as part of a  one-stop
telecommunications solution.

     CENTREX-TYPE SERVICES. We intend to provide Centrex-type services. By using
Centrex-type  services instead of a PBX (which requires the customer to purchase
and install a switching system on its own premises), customers can substantially
reduce  their  capital   expenditures   and  the  fixed  costs  associated  with
maintaining  a PBX network  infrastructure.  We currently  plan to introduce our
ClearStarsm Advantage service in all of our operational markets during the first
quarter of 1999. It has been designed to support multiple applications,  ranging
from basic  access  services to services  focused on desktop  applications.  The
basic access  service will connect to a customer's key system or PBX and will be
equipped with up to 14 features  including  call  forwarding,  speed dialing and
call transfer capabilities. More sophisticated levels of service are designed to
replace  customers'  existing  key  systems or PBXs.  At the high end of service
offerings is ClearStarsm  Advantage Plus, a packaged,  end-to-end offering which
combines all of the basic features with Basic Rate ISDN network access, advanced
feature functionality,  voice messaging and third party-provided ISDN electronic
terminal sets.

     NEW ENHANCED DATA SERVICES  OFFERINGS.  We introduced ISDN services in late
1998. We currently plan to expand our  capabilities  by  introducing  additional
enhanced data services in 1999. We believe that these  services will enhance our
ability to provide an integrated  turnkey solution to our customers' voice, data
and video transmission requirements. These enhanced services will include:

          o BASIC RATE ISDN.  Basic Rate ISDN,  or BRI,  provides  customers the
     potential of 144 kilobits of digital  communications  via a single  network
     facility  interface.  We believe it will be  attractive to small and medium
     size customers, since it provides dial-up access to the Internet, and other
     dial-up data applications,  while  simultaneously  providing the ability to
     integrate voice traffic on a single network facility.

          o PRIMARY RATE ISDN. Primary Rate ISDN, or PRI, provides customers the
     equivalent of 1.544  megabits of digital  communications  via a channelized
     T-1  type   facility,   with  23  bearer   channels   for  voice  and  data
     communications  and a 24th channel  providing network signaling and control
     for the services.  We focus our PRI sales  efforts on (i) Internet  service
     providers  who use  Primary  Rate  ISDN as a means of  supporting  customer
     access to their  operations,  and (ii)  end-user  customers who use Primary
     Rate ISDN as a network  access  facility  for PBXs and other  premise-based
     switches.

          o PORT  WHOLESALE.  Port  wholesale  terminates  a switched  data call
     directly in our central  office on behalf of an Internet  service  provider
     (for end-user  Internet  access) or other corporate  customer (for employee
     remote access). As a result, it eliminates the need for an Internet service
     provider or other corporate customer, which has many customers or employees
     accessing  its system via modems,  to maintain an equally  large  number of
     modems to permit  interface,  since that function is performed  directly in
     our central  office.  Although  port  wholesale  technology  is still under
     development,  we believe it will prove very  attractive once the technology
     is generally available.

          o HDSL. HDSL is a method of using unconditioned, copper wire pairs for
     high bit rate data  transport  for use in the "last  mile"  connecting  our
     network backbone ring to the customer's  premises.  We plan to utilize HDSL
     to provide high  bandwidth  data and video service to small and medium size
     customers.

          o FRAME  RELAY/ATM.  Frame  relay and ATM are used by some of our data
     customers as a fast data transport service for wide area networks. Today we
     resell these  services.  In the future we intend to provide these  services
     over our own  network  and utilize a third  party  provider  for  transport
     outside our network.

          o CLEAR STARSM  ADVANTAGE PLUS. This service  provides a customer with
     Centrex-type  functionality  from our central  office switch to each of the
     customer's desktops. It is a packaged, end-to-end offering which provides a
     combination of Basic Rate ISDN network  access,  advanced  Centrex  feature
     functionality,  voice messaging, ISDN terminal sets and support for premise
     wiring configuration.

We plan to remain  flexible  in  responding  to  evolving  customer  demands for
enhanced data services.

LOCAL NETWORKS

     As part of determining the economic  viability of a network in a particular
market, we review the demographic,  economic, competitive and telecommunications
demand  characteristics  of the market.  We estimate  market  demand  using data
gathered from long distance  carriers,  the Federal  Communications  Commission,
local  sources,  site visits and specific  market  studies  commissioned  by the
Company, on the basis of the concentration of potential business, government and
institutional  end-user  customers  and the general  economic  prospects for the
area.

     Once we target a market  for  development,  we design a network  to provide
access to  approximately  70% of the business  customers in that market,  either
through direct  connections to our network or through unbundled network elements
leased from the incumbent  local  exchange  carrier.  Typically,  we construct a
25-35 mile  "self-healing"  synchronous  optical network ("SONET")  architecture
backbone ring to provide  coverage of the major business  districts,  government
offices,  hospitals,  office parks and universities,  the principal locations of
the transmission  equipment of long distance  carriers  offering services in the
area, and the incumbent local exchange  carrier's central  office(s).  Following
construction of our backbone  network,  we expect to build  additional  loops to
increase the size of our addressable market.

     The  following  table  presents  information,  as  of  February  28,  1999,
concerning our existing twenty-three networks: 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               EXISTING NETWORKS
                                                                            ADDRESSABLE                          DS-0
                                           COMMERCIALLY       ROUTE         COMMERCIAL         ACCESS         EQUIVALENT
LOCATION                                 OPERATIONAL(1)(6) MILES(2)(6)      BUILDINGS(3)       LINES(4)    DEDICATED LINES(5)
- - --------                                 ----------------- -----------      ------------       --------    ------------------
<S>                                      <C>                    <C>            <C>             <C>              <C>

Huntsville, AL....................       November 1997          99             1,286           13,954           40,928
Baton Rouge, LA...................       November 1997          38             1,774            3,696            5,880
Shreveport, LA....................       December 1997          26             1,126            7,261           12,760
Corpus Christi, TX................       December 1997          49             1,105            5,804            2,713
Savannah, GA......................       December 1997          43             1,069            6,176            1,112
Madison, WI.......................       December 1997          41             1,322            2,719           11,009
Augusta, GA.......................       March 1998             37             1,023            5,910            2,911
Melbourne, FL.....................       May 1998               45             2,184            2,290            6,517
Greensboro, NC....................       September 1998         25             1,900              673                -
Winston-Salem, NC.................       September 1998         24             1,208            1,344                -
Tallahassee, FL...................       October 1998           29             1,032              922               97
Roanoke, VA.......................       November 1998          22               981              989                6
Ann Arbor, MI.....................       December 1998          23             1,355              559               28
Topeka, KS........................       December 1998          38               847              534            1,368
Fort Wayne, IN....................       December 1998          27             1,411              902              144
Eden Prairie, MN..................       December 1998          94             3,509              295                -
Daytona Beach, FL.................       December 1998          31             1,114              629               23
Fort Myers, FL....................       December 1998          23               814              509            1,344
Longview, TX......................       December 1998          31               688              150                -
Sarasota, FL......................       December 1998          24             1,200            1,670               48
Pensacola, FL.....................       December 1999          31             1,463            2,089                -
Fayetteville, NC..................       December 1999          23               822               26                -
Norfolk, VA.......................       Second Quarter 1999   149             2,505                -                -
                                                               ---            ------           ------           ------
                                         TOTAL                 972            31,738           59,101           86,888
</TABLE>

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

(1)  Refers to the date on which  testing is  completed  and the switch is first
     available to carry customer traffic.  Fiber optic networks typically become
     commercially operational for non-switched traffic in the quarter before the
     switch is available to carry customer traffic.

(2)  Represents current owned operational route miles except with respect to the
     Norfolk network (see, Note 6, below).

(3)  Addressable by either unbundled  network elements leased from the incumbent
     local  exchange  carrier or by a direct  connection  to the  Company's  own
     network.  We define a  commercial  building  as one with  greater  than ten
     employees.

(4)  Represents  all active  digital  switched  channels  provided to  customers
     either by resale via the incumbent local exchange carrier's network, direct
     connection  to the  Company's  network,  or by unbundled  network  elements
     leased from the incumbent local exchange carrier.

(5)  Represents  all  dedicated  DS-0,  DS-1 and DS-3  service  provided  by the
     Company expressed on a DS-0 basis.

(6)  The quarter  presented  for the Norfolk  network  represents  the Company's
     estimate of the calendar  quarter in which the switch for this network will
     become commercially operational,  although we can give no assurance in this
     regard. Route miles presented for the Norfolk network represents the number
     of miles  currently  estimated to be owned and  operational at the time the
     network becomes commercially operational.

     The Company's  requirements  for a planned network are  communicated to its
engineering  group which finalizes the route and completes the network's design.
Independent  construction  and  installation  contractors are selected through a
competitive bidding process.  Our own personnel negotiate required contracts and
rights-of-way  and  supervise  the  construction,  installation  and  testing of
network components prior to commencing commercial service.  Cable, equipment and
supplies  required for the networks are  available  from a variety of sources at
competitive  rates. The  construction  period for a new network varies depending
upon such  factors as the number of backbone  route miles to be  installed,  the
relative use of aerial as opposed to buried cable deployment, the initial number
of buildings  targeted for connection to the network backbone and other factors.
Based upon our experience with our operational  networks,  we believe that a new
fiber optic network can be made commercially  operational  within  approximately
six months after construction commences.

     In a typical Tier III Market,  selected  office  buildings are connected by
network  backbone  extensions  or  unbundled  network  elements  leased from the
incumbent  local exchange  carrier to one of a number of physical rings of fiber
optic cable,  which originate and terminate at our local central office.  Within
each building,  customer equipment is connected to  Company-provided  electronic
equipment where customer transmissions are digitized,  combined and converted to
an optical signal. The traffic is then transmitted  through the network backbone
to the  Company's  local  central  office where it can be routed to its ultimate
destination.

     We are able to expand our reach in a market by collocating  equipment in an
incumbent local exchange  carrier's central office and leasing unbundled network
elements from that incumbent local exchange  carrier in order to reach customers
located in buildings which are not directly  connected to our own backbone ring.
We attempt to place  collocation  equipment in a sufficient  number of incumbent
local exchange carrier central offices to allow us to reach approximately 70% of
the business  customers  in a given  market,  either by means of such  unbundled
network  elements  or direct  connections  to our  network.  The  decision as to
whether to  collocate in a specific  central  office is based upon the number of
business  lines,  number and type of  businesses,  number of households  and the
location of the central office within the market.

     Our  networks  consist of digital  fiber optic  communications  paths which
allow  for high  speed,  high  quality  transmission  of  voice,  data and video
communications.  We typically  install backbone fiber optic cables containing 48
to 144  fiber  strands  which  have  significantly  greater  bandwidth  carrying
capacity  than  other  media.  Our OC-48  SONET  networks  support  up to 32,256
simultaneous  voice  conversations over a single pair of glass fibers. We expect
that  continuing   developments  in  compression   technology  and  multiplexing
equipment  will  increase the  capacity of each fiber,  thereby  providing  more
bandwidth carrying capacity at relatively low incremental costs.

     We currently offer  end-to-end  fully  protected  fiber services  utilizing
SONET ring  architecture  which routes customer traffic  simultaneously  in both
directions around the ring to provide  protection  against fiber cuts. If a line
is cut,  traffic can be simply reversed and sent to its  destination  around the
other side of the ring.  Back-up  electronics become operational in the event of
failure of the primary components, adding further redundancy to our systems.

     We monitor our fiber optic networks and electronics seven days per week, 24
hours  per day,  using a  combination  of local  and  national  network  control
centers.  Local  network  monitoring  is  accomplished  by means of an automatic
notification  system that monitors for any system anomaly.  This system provides
instantaneous  alarms to an on-call  network  technician  whenever an anomaly is
detected.  The local market technician is trained in network problem  resolution
and provides on-site corrective procedures when appropriate.  A national Network
Reliability Center, located in Denver, Colorado, acts as the focal point for all
of  our  operating  networks,   providing  integrated  and  centralized  network
monitoring,  and correlation  and problem  management.  The Network  Reliability
Center has access to all operating  networks and can work  independently  of the
local  systems  to  effect  repair  or  restoration   activities.   The  Network
Reliability  Center is  currently  provided  by Lucent  Technologies,  Inc. on a
contractual basis. In the future, we may develop our own national center.

     We manage our network systems both locally and centrally.  Customer service
calls and  maintenance  are  primarily  handled  through the local  offices.  In
addition,  as described above, we contract to provide  integrated  monitoring of
our networks via Lucent's National  Reliability  Center. This is accomplished by
the use of a sophisticated  integrated  management  system that is connected via
the public  network to all of our  locations,  including  our  Duluth,  Georgia,
operations center.  With this system the National  Reliability Center is capable
of accessing all available information regarding the configuration and operating
condition of any network components in use. This proactive monitoring capability
is further  augmented  by a 24 hour a day,  seven day a week call  center,  also
provided by Lucent at the National Reliability Center, that receives, tracks and
manages  all  customer  calls and issues to  satisfactory  conclusion.  The call
center works with the Company's own customer care  representatives and engineers
in the Duluth facility to ensure that timely and consistent service is provided.

SALES AND MARKETING

     We target  our sales and  marketing  activities  at two  separate  customer
groups:  retail and  wholesale.  Retail  customers  are  composed  of  business,
government and  institutional  telecommunications  and data services  end-users.
Wholesale  customers  typically  consist  of long  distance  carriers,  wireless
service   providers  and  Internet   service   providers.   We  currently   have
approximately 180 employees engaged in sales and marketing activities.

     RETAIL  CUSTOMERS.  We target  retail  customer  segments such as business,
government,  healthcare  and  educational  institutions.  We target all business
customers in our markets.

     WHOLESALE  CUSTOMERS.  We currently target the major long distance carriers
such as AT&T, MCI WorldCom and Sprint, as well as Internet service providers. We
believe that we can  effectively  compete to provide  access to these  customers
based on price, reliability,  technology, route diversity,  ease-of-ordering and
customer  service.  Historically,  long distance  carriers have paid significant
charges to  incumbent  local  exchange  carriers to access the  incumbent  local
exchange  carriers'  networks.  We provide  these  services  at a  discount.  In
addition,  to the extent that incumbent local exchange carriers begin to compete
with long  distance  carriers in  providing  long  distance  services,  the long
distance carriers have a competitive incentive to move access business away from
incumbent local exchange carriers to competitive local exchange carriers such as
the Company.  Wireless service providers, who need network backbone to back haul
calls,  are an active  customer  base, as are other  competitive  local exchange
carriers as wholesale users. Revenues from access services may decline in future
years  due  to a  change  in  pricing  proposed  by the  Federal  Communications
Commission.

     SALES  PERSONNEL.  We establish  local sales offices in each market that we
serve. Initially,  each local sales office is staffed by a City Director and two
or three salespersons with the number of sales personnel expected to increase to
between four and six as our operations in the market expand. All sales personnel
are hired locally  since we believe that  knowledge of, and contacts in, a local
market are key factors for competitive differentiation and commercial success in
a Tier III  Market.  We believe  that this local focus will help to set us apart
from the incumbent local exchange carriers, our principal competitors.

     CITY  DIRECTORS.  We  seek  to  hire  local,  seasoned   telecommunications
managers, with sales experience,  as City Directors.  City Directors assist with
the initial network  buildout and oversee the daily operations of their network,
in addition to managing  sales staff and market  development.  Daily  operations
responsibilities  include  monitoring  provisioning,  customer service,  pricing
decisions and the billing process.  A City Director works with senior management
in the strategic  planning process,  including  capital  expenditures and budget
planning.  They review the costs to bring  customers  on-net,  perform cash flow
analysis for fiber connections of new buildings to the network,  and participate
in planning fiber network extensions in their markets.

SUPPLIERS

     LUCENT. We have contracted with Lucent  Technologies,  Inc., as our primary
supplier,  to purchase switching,  transport and digital cross connect products.
Lucent has also agreed to implement and test our switches and related equipment.
In addition,  Lucent and the Company have entered into an agreement  pursuant to
which Lucent has agreed to monitor the Company's switches on an on-going basis.

     BILLING SUPPORT SYSTEMS  IMPLEMENTATION.  We have entered into an agreement
with Billing Concepts  Systems,  Inc. to provide the Company with  comprehensive
billing  functionality,  including  the ability to collect call detail  records,
message rating,  bill  calculation,  invoice  generation,  commission  tracking,
customer care and inquiry,  accounts receivable and collections management,  and
quality/revenue  assurance.  We  anticipate  that  the  agreement  with  Billing
Concepts will result in our ability to produce a single bill covering all of the
products   and  services   that  we  provide  to  a  customer.   We  have  begun
implementation of the new system and expect to have it implemented in all of our
markets by the end of 1999.

     OPERATIONAL  SUPPORT  SYSTEMS  IMPLEMENTATION.  We  have  entered  into  an
agreement with Eftia OSS Solutions Inc. to develop  operational support systems.
These systems will manage service order processing, circuit and asset inventory,
telephone number inventory and trouble  administration.  The operational support
system's capabilities will be expanded during the later phases of the project to
include  workforce  management,  local number  portability  management,  network
management,   service  bureau  interfaces  and  web-based  service  inquiry.  We
anticipate the system will automate operational support activities and provide a
means of managing  operational  performance of our business.  We have begun this
multi-phased  project  and  will be  implementing  portions  of it over the next
twelve to eighteen months.

COMPETITION

     OVERVIEW.  The  telecommunications  industry  is  highly  competitive.  Our
principal  competitors in Tier III Markets will be the incumbent  local exchange
carriers.  In most instances the incumbent local exchange  carrier is one of the
Regional  Bell  Operating  Companies  (such  as  Bell  Atlantic,   BellSouth  or
Ameritech), one of GTE Corporation's subsidiaries or one of Sprint Corporation's
subsidiaries.  Incumbent local exchange  carriers  presently have almost 100% of
the market share in those areas the Company considers its market areas.  Because
of their  relatively  small  size,  the Company  does not believe  that Tier III
Markets can profitably  support more than two competitors to the incumbent local
exchange carrier.

     Other competitors may include other  competitive  local exchange  carriers,
microwave  and satellite  carriers,  wireless  telecommunications  providers and
private networks built by large end-users.  Potential competitors (using similar
or different  technologies)  include cable television  companies,  utilities and
Regional Bell Operating Companies seeking to operate outside their current local
service  areas.  In addition,  there may be future  competition  from large long
distance  carriers,  such as AT&T and MCI  WorldCom,  which  have begun to offer
integrated local and long distance  telecommunications  services.  AT&T also has
announced its intention to offer local services using a new wireless technology.
Consolidation  of  telecommunications  companies  and the formation of strategic
alliances within the telecommunications  industry, as well as the development of
new technologies, could give rise to significant new competitors to the Company.

     Both the long  distance  business  and the data  transmission  business are
extremely competitive.  Prices in both businesses have declined significantly in
recent  years and are  expected to continue  to  decline.  In the long  distance
business,  we will  face  competition  from  large  carriers  such as AT&T,  MCI
WorldCom and Sprint. We will rely on other carriers to provide  transmission and
termination  for our long distance  traffic and  therefore  will be dependent on
such carriers.

     We expect to experience declining prices and increasing price competition.

     INCUMBENT LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIERS.  The Company's principal competitors for
local  exchange  services are the Regional  Bell  Operating  Companies,  the GTE
companies or Sprint.  As a recent entrant in the  integrated  telecommunications
services  industry,  we have not yet achieved a significant market share for any
of our services.  In  particular,  the incumbent  local  exchange  carriers have
long-standing relationships with their customers, have financial,  technical and
marketing resources  substantially  greater than those of the Company,  have the
potential  to  fund  competitive  services  with  revenues  from  a  variety  of
businesses and currently  benefit from certain  existing  regulations that favor
the incumbent  local  exchange  carriers  over the Company in certain  respects.
While recent  regulatory  initiatives,  which allow  competitive  local exchange
carriers  such as the Company to  interconnect  with  incumbent  local  exchange
carrier  facilities,  provide increased business  opportunities for the Company,
such  regulatory   initiatives  have  been  accompanied  by  increased   pricing
flexibility for, and relaxation of regulatory  oversight of, the incumbent local
exchange carriers.  If the incumbent local exchange carriers engage in increased
volume and discount  pricing  practices  or charge  competitive  local  exchange
carriers  increased  fees  for  interconnection  to  their  networks,  or if the
incumbent   local   exchange   carriers   seek  to   delay   implementation   of
interconnection to their networks, our business, financial condition and results
of operations could be adversely affected.

     To the extent that we  interconnect  with and use incumbent  local exchange
carrier  networks to serve our  customers,  we are dependent upon the technology
and  capabilities  of the  incumbent  local  exchange  carriers.  We will become
increasingly dependent on interconnection with incumbent local exchange carriers
as  switched  services  become  a  greater  percentage  of  our  business.   The
Telecommunications Act of 1996 imposes interconnection  obligations on incumbent
local exchange  carriers,  but there can be no assurance that we will be able to
obtain the  interconnection  we require at rates,  and on terms and  conditions,
that permit us to offer switched services at rates that are both competitive and
profitable.  In the event that we  experience  difficulties  in  obtaining  high
quality,  reliable  and  reasonably  priced  service  from the  incumbent  local
exchange carriers, the attractiveness of the Company's services to our customers
could be impaired.

     COMPETITIVE LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIER AND OTHER  COMPETITORS.  We will compete
from time to time with other competitive local exchange  carriers.  It is likely
that in one or more of our  markets  we will face  competition  from two or more
facilities-based  competitive local exchange carriers.  After the investment and
expense of  establishing a network and support  services in a given market,  the
marginal cost of carrying an additional call is negligible. Accordingly, in Tier
III Markets  where there are three or more  facilities-based  competitive  local
exchange  carriers,  we expect  substantial price  competition.  We believe that
operations  in  such  markets  are  likely  to be  unprofitable  for one or more
operators.

     We expect to face competition in each of our markets.  However,  we believe
that  our  commitment  to  build a  significant  network,  deploy  switches  and
establish  local sales and support  facilities at the outset in each of the Tier
III  Markets  which we target  should  reduce  the  number  of  facilities-based
competitors  and drive other entrants to focus on the resale of incumbent  local
exchange carrier service or the Company's  services,  or search for other market
opportunities.  We  believe  that  each  market  will  also see more  agent  and
distributor resale initiatives.

REGULATION

     Our  services  are subject to varying  degrees of federal,  state and local
regulation.  The Federal  Communications  Commission exercises jurisdiction over
all facilities of, and services offered by,  telecommunications  common carriers
to the extent  those  facilities  are used to provide,  originate  or  terminate
interstate or international  communications.  The state  regulatory  commissions
retain jurisdiction over the same facilities and services to the extent they are
used to originate  or terminate  intrastate  communications.  Local  governments
sometimes  impose  franchise  or licensing  requirements  on  competitive  local
exchange carriers.

     FEDERAL REGULATION

     We are  regulated  at the federal  level as a  nondominant  common  carrier
subject to minimal  regulation under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934.
The   Communications   Act   of   1934   was   substantially   amended   by  the
Telecommunications  Act of 1996,  which was signed into law by the  President on
February 8, 1996.  This  legislation  provides for  comprehensive  reform of the
nation's  telecommunications  laws and is  designed to enhance  competition  in,
among other markets, the local  telecommunications  marketplace by: (i) removing
state and local entry barriers, (ii) requiring incumbent local exchange carriers
to  provide  interconnections  to  their  facilities,   (iii)  facilitating  the
end-users'  choice to switch service  providers  from  incumbent  local exchange
carriers to  competitive  local  exchange  carriers such as the Company and (iv)
requiring access to  rights-of-way.  The legislation also is designed to enhance
the competitive position of the competitive local exchange carriers and increase
local  competition by newer  competitors such as long distance  carriers,  cable
television companies and public utility companies.  Under the Telecommunications
Act, Regional Bell Operating Companies have the opportunity to provide in-region
inter-LATA  long  distance  services  if certain  conditions  are met and are no
longer prohibited from providing certain cable television services. In addition,
the  Telecommunications  Act eliminates certain  restrictions on utility holding
companies,  thus clearing the way for them to diversify into  telecommunications
services.

     The  Telecommunications  Act specifically  requires all  telecommunications
carriers  (including  incumbent local exchange  carriers and  competitive  local
exchange carriers (such as the Company)): (i) not to prohibit or unduly restrict
resale of their services;  (ii) to provide dialing parity and  nondiscriminatory
access  to  telephone  numbers,  operator  services,  directory  assistance  and
directory  listings;  (iii) to  afford  access  to poles,  ducts,  conduits  and
rights-of-way;  and (iv) to establish reciprocal  compensation  arrangements for
the transport and termination of telecommunications.  It also requires incumbent
local  exchange  carriers and  competitive  local  exchange  carriers to provide
interconnection  for the transmission and routing of telephone  exchange service
and exchange access.  It requires  incumbent local exchange  carriers to provide
interconnection (a) at any technically feasible point within the incumbent local
exchange  carrier's  network,  (b) that is at least  equal  in  quality  to that
provided by the incumbent  local exchange  carrier to itself,  its affiliates or
any  other  party  to  which  the  incumbent  local  exchange  carrier  provides
interconnection,  and  (c)  at  rates,  terms  and  conditions  that  are  just,
reasonable and  nondiscriminatory.  Incumbent  local exchange  carriers also are
required  under  the new law to  provide  nondiscriminatory  access  to  network
elements on an unbundled basis at any technically feasible point, to offer their
local  telephone  services  for resale at  wholesale  rates,  and to  facilitate
collocation  of equipment  necessary for  competitors  to  interconnect  with or
access the unbundled network elements.

     The  Telecommunications  Act  also  removed  on a  prospective  basis  most
restrictions from AT&T and the Regional Bell Operating  Companies resulting from
the  Modified  Final  Judgement,  which was the consent  decree  entered in 1982
providing for divestiture of the Regional Bell Operating  Companies from AT&T in
1984. The  Telecommunications  Act establishes procedures under which a Regional
Bell Operating  Company can enter the market for "in-region"  inter-LATA  (i.e.,
long  distance  between  specified  areas)  services,  within  the area where it
provides  local  exchange  service.  The  Telecommunications  Act  permitted the
Regional  Bell  Operating  Companies to enter the  out-of-region  long  distance
market  immediately  upon enactment,  and Regional Bell Operating  Companies can
provide  intra-LATA long distance  services.  Before the Regional Bell Operating
Company can provide in-region inter-LATA  services,  it must obtain FCC approval
upon a showing that facilities-based  competition is present in its market, that
the Regional Bell Operating Company has entered into interconnection  agreements
in the states  where it seeks  authority,  that the  interconnection  agreements
satisfy a 14-point "checklist" of competitive requirements,  and that such entry
is in the public  interest.  To date,  such authority has not been granted,  but
requests  by  Regional  Bell  Operating  Companies  are the  subject  of pending
appeals.  The  provision  of  inter-LATA  services  by Regional  Bell  Operating
Companies  is  expected  to  reduce  the  market  share of major  long  distance
carriers,  and  consequently,  may have an  adverse  effect  on the  ability  of
competitive  local exchange  carriers to generate  access revenues from the long
distance carriers.

     FCC  RULES   IMPLEMENTING   THE  LOCAL   COMPETITION   PROVISIONS   OF  THE
TELECOMMUNICATIONS  ACT OF 1996. On August 8, 1996,  the Federal  Communications
Commission released the  Interconnection  Decision which established a framework
of minimum, national rules enabling state public service commissions and the FCC
to  begin  implementing  many  of  the  local  competition   provisions  of  the
Telecommunications  Act of 1996. The Interconnection  Decision promulgated rules
to  implement  Congress'  statutory  directive  concerning  the  interconnection
obligations  of  all  telecommunications   carriers,  including  obligations  of
competitive   local  exchange  carrier  and  incumbent  local  exchange  carrier
networks. The FCC prescribed certain minimum points of interconnection necessary
to permit  competing  carriers to choose the most  efficient  points at which to
interconnect with the incumbent local exchange carriers' networks.  The FCC also
adopted a minimum  list of  unbundled  network  elements  that  incumbent  local
exchange  carriers  must  make  available  to  competitors  upon  request  and a
methodology for states to use in establishing rates for  interconnection and the
purchase of unbundled network  elements.  The FCC also adopted a methodology for
states to use when applying the Telecommunications Act's "avoided cost standard"
for setting wholesale prices with respect to retail services.

     In July and  October  of 1997 the U.S.  Court  of  Appeals  for the  Eighth
Circuit vacated certain portions of the  Interconnection  Decision,  ruling that
the State public service commissions, not the Federal Communications Commission,
have  jurisdiction  over  the  pricing  of  interconnection,  unbundled  network
elements and resale services. The Eighth Circuit Court also ruled that the FCC's
interpretation  of Section  252(i) of the  Telecommunications  Act of 1996,  the
so-called "pick and choose" provision,  was incorrect.  The Eighth Circuit Court
held that the  Telecommunications Act allows competitive local exchange carriers
to adopt whole interconnection  agreements negotiated by other competitors,  but
not to "pick and choose"  pieces of existing  agreements.  In January 1999,  the
United States Supreme Court reversed the Eighth Circuit's  decisions,  upholding
the FCC's  authority to establish  national  pricing rules for  interconnection,
unbundled elements and resale services.  The Supreme Court also upheld the FCC's
interpretation of the "pick and choose" provisions.  However,  the Supreme Court
overturned the FCC's rules regarding what network  elements must be unbundled by
the Regional Bell Operating  Companies,  and remanded to the FCC the question of
what network elements are "necessary" to competing carriers such as the Company.
In addition, the Supreme Court's decision creates some uncertainty regarding the
legal  status  of  complaints  filed  at  the  FCC  to  enforce  interconnection
agreements. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain or
enforce interconnection agreements on terms acceptable to the Company.

     On December 31, 1997, the U.S.  District Court for the Northern District of
Texas  issued  the  SBC  Decision  finding  that  Sections  271  to  275  of the
Telecommunications  Act of 1996  are  unconstitutional.  These  sections  of the
Telecommunications Act impose restrictions on the lines of business in which the
Regional  Bell  Operating  Companies  may  engage,  including  establishing  the
conditions  the Regional Bell  Operating  Companies must satisfy before they may
provide  inter-LATA  long distance  telecommunications  services.  Under the SBC
Decision,  the  Regional  Bell  Operating  Companies  would  be able to  provide
inter-LATA  long  distance   telecommunications   services  immediately  without
satisfying the statutory  conditions.  The SBC Decision has been reversed by the
U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.  Three  Regional Bell  Operating  Companies
sought review by the U.S. Supreme Court. Petitions for certiorari were denied on
January 19, 1999. Therefore, the Regional Bell Operating Companies must continue
to comply with the statutory provisions of the  Telecommunications  Act in order
to obtain authority to provide in-region inter-LATA long distance services.

     OTHER REGULATION.  In general, the Federal Communications  Commission has a
policy of encouraging the entry of new competitors,  such as the Company, in the
telecommunications   industry   and   preventing   anti-competitive   practices.
Therefore,  the FCC has established  different levels of regulation for dominant
carriers   and    nondominant    carriers.    For   domestic    common   carrier
telecommunications  regulation,  large incumbent local exchange carriers such as
the  Regional  Bell  Operating  Companies  and  GTE  Corporation  are  currently
considered dominant carriers,  while competitive local exchange carriers such as
the Company are considered  nondominant  carriers. As a nondominant carrier, the
Company is subject to relatively minimal FCC regulation.

     o TARIFF.  As a  nondominant  carrier,  the Company may install and operate
     facilities  for the  transmission  of  domestic  interstate  communications
     without prior FCC authorization. Services of nondominant carriers have been
     subject to relatively limited  regulation by the FCC, primarily  consisting
     of the filing of tariffs and  periodic  reports  concerning  the  carrier's
     interstate  circuits  and  deployment  of  network   facilities.   However,
     nondominant  carriers like the Company must offer interstate  services on a
     nondiscriminatory  basis, at just and reasonable  rates, and remain subject
     to FCC complaint procedures.

     In October 1996, the FCC adopted an order (the  "Detariffing  Order") which
     eliminated the requirement that nondominant  interstate  carriers  maintain
     tariffs on file with the FCC for domestic  interstate  services.  The order
     provided that, after a nine-month transition period,  relationships between
     interstate  carriers and their customers would be set by contract.  Several
     parties requested  reconsideration  and/or filed appeals of the Detariffing
     Order.  On February  13, 1997,  the United  States Court of Appeals for the
     District of  Columbia  Circuit  stayed  implementation  of the  Detariffing
     Order. If the Detariffing Order becomes effective,  nondominant  interstate
     services  providers will no longer be able to rely on the filing of tariffs
     with the FCC as a means of providing  notice to customers of prices,  terms
     and conditions  under which they offer their  interstate  services.  If the
     Company  cancels its FCC tariffs as a result of the  Detariffing  Order, it
     will  need  to  implement  replacement  contracts  which  could  result  in
     substantial legal and administrative expense.

     o ACCESS CHARGES.  The FCC has granted  incumbent  local exchange  carriers
     significant  flexibility in pricing their  interstate  special and switched
     access services on a specific central office by central office basis. Under
     this pricing  scheme,  incumbent  local  exchange  carriers  may  establish
     pricing zones based on access traffic density and charge  different  prices
     for each zone. We anticipate that this pricing  flexibility  will result in
     incumbent  local  exchange  carriers  lowering their prices in high traffic
     density areas, the probable area of competition  with the Company.  We also
     anticipate  that the FCC  will  grant  incumbent  local  exchange  carriers
     increasing  pricing  flexibility  as the  number  of  interconnections  and
     competitors  increases.  On May 16,  1997,  the FCC took  action  in its CC
     Docket No. 96-262 to reform the current  interstate  access charge  system.
     The FCC adopted an order which makes  various  reforms to the existing rate
     structure for interstate  access that are designed to move access  charges,
     over time,  to more cost based rate levels and  structures.  These  changes
     will  reduce  access  charges  and will shift  charges  currently  based on
     minutes to flat-rate,  monthly per line charges. As a result, the aggregate
     amount of access charges paid by long distance carriers to access providers
     in the United States may decrease.

     The FCC also  announced that it intends in the future to issue a Report and
Order  providing  detailed rules for  implementing  a  market-based  approach to
further  access charge reform.  That process will give incumbent  local exchange
carriers  progressively  greater  flexibility  in setting  rates as  competition
develops,  gradually replacing  regulation with competition as the primary means
of setting  prices.  The FCC also adopted a  "prescriptive  safeguard"  to bring
access rates to competitive levels in the absence of competition.

     This  series of  decisions  is likely to have a  significant  impact on the
operations,  expenses,  pricing and revenue of the  Company.  The access  charge
order has been  affirmed by the Eighth  Circuit U.S.  Court of Appeals on August
19, 1998. The FCC released a Public Notice on October 6, 1998 asking the parties
to refresh the record on access charge reform.  The FCC  specifically  requested
comment  on  pricing  flexibility  proposals  submitted  by  two  Regional  Bell
Operating Companies.

     UNIVERSAL SERVICE REFORM.

     On May 8, 1997, the Federal  Communications  Commission  issued an order to
implement the provisions of the  Telecommunications  Act of 1996 relating to the
preservation  and  advancement  of universal  telephone  service.  The Universal
Service order  affirmed  Congress'  policy  principles  for universal  telephone
service,  including  quality  service,  affordable  rates,  access  to  advanced
services,  access in rural and high-cost areas,  equitable and nondiscriminatory
contributions,  specific  and  predictable  support  mechanisms  and  access  to
advanced  telecommunications  services for schools,  health care  providers  and
libraries.  The order  added  "competitive  neutrality"  to the FCC's  universal
service  principles by providing that universal  service support  mechanisms and
rules should not unfairly  advantage or disadvantage  one provider or technology
over   another.   All    telecommunications    carriers   providing   interstate
telecommunications  services,  including  the Company,  must  contribute  to the
universal service support fund. The contribution  factors for first quarter 1999
contributions  are 3.18% for the high cost and low  income  fund (to be  derived
from the  Company's  estimated  quarterly  interstate  and  international  gross
end-user  telecommunications revenue) and .58% for the schools and libraries and
healthcare  fund  (to  be  derived  from  the  Company's   estimated   quarterly
intrastate,  interstate  and  international  gross  end-user  telecommunications
revenue).

     STATE REGULATION

     The Company  believes that most, if not all, states in which it operates or
proposes to operate will require a certification or other authorization to offer
intrastate services. Many of the states in which the Company operates or intends
to operate are in the process of addressing issues relating to the regulation of
competitive local exchange carriers.  The Company will also be subject to tariff
filing requirements.

     These  certifications  generally  require a showing  that the  carrier  has
adequate  financial,  managerial  and technical  resources to offer the proposed
services in a manner consistent with the public interest.

     The Company, through its subsidiaries, KMC Telecom Inc. and KMC Telecom II,
Inc.,  has obtained  intrastate  authority  for the  provision of its  dedicated
services and a full range of local switched services and long distance services.
In most states, the Company is required to file tariffs setting forth the terms,
conditions  and prices for  services  that are  classified  as  intrastate.  The
Company,  through its subsidiaries,  KMC Telecom Inc., KMC Telecom II, Inc., and
KMC  Telecom  III,  Inc.,  plans  to  obtain  additional  state  authorities  to
accommodate its business and network expansion.

     Some states impose, in addition to tariff filing  requirements,  reporting,
customer service, and quality requirements,  as well as unbundling and universal
service requirements. In addition, the Company will be subject to the outcome of
generic  proceedings  held by  state  utility  commissions  to  determine  state
regulatory  policies  with  respect to  incumbent  local  exchange  carrier  and
competitive local exchange carrier competition,  geographic build-out, mandatory
detariffing  and other issues  relevant to competitive  local  exchange  carrier
operations.  Certain  states have adopted  specific  universal  service  funding
obligations.

     In addition to obtaining state  certifications,  we must negotiate terms of
interconnection  with the incumbent  local exchange  carrier before we can begin
providing switched services. Our executed agreements are subject to the approval
of the state  commissions.  State  commissions have approved our agreements.  We
anticipate state commission approval of our other interconnection agreements.

     We believe  that, as the degree of intrastate  competition  increases,  the
states will offer the  incumbent  local  exchange  carriers  increasing  pricing
flexibility.  This flexibility may present the incumbent local exchange carriers
with an  opportunity  to subsidize  services  that  compete  with the  Company's
services with revenues generated from non-competitive services, thereby allowing
incumbent local exchange carriers to offer competitive  services at prices below
the cost of providing  the service.  We cannot  predict the extent to which this
may occur, but it could have a material adverse effect on our business.

     We  actively  participate  in  various  regulatory  proceedings  before the
states,  the outcome of which may establish policies that affect our competitive
and/or  economic  position  in the local and other  telecommunications  services
markets.

     We also may be subject to  requirements  in certain  states to obtain prior
approval for, or notify the state commission of, any transfers of control, sales
of assets, corporate reorganizations, issuances of stock or debt instruments and
related transactions.

     Local Government  Authorizations.  We are required to obtain street use and
construction  permits and licenses  and/or  franchises to install and expand our
fiber optic networks using municipal rights of way. In some municipalities where
we have installed or anticipate  constructing  networks,  we will be required to
pay license or franchise  fees based on a percentage  of gross  revenues or on a
per linear foot basis, as well as post  performance  bonds or letters of credit.
We are actively pursuing permits,  franchises and other relevant authorities for
use of rights-of-way and utility facilities in a number of cities .

FRANCHISES AND PERMITS

     The  construction  of a network  requires  the Company to obtain  municipal
franchises  and other  permits.  These  rights  are  typically  the  subject  of
non-exclusive agreements of finite duration providing for the payment of fees or
the  provision  of  services  by  the  Company  to  the   municipality   without
compensation.  In  addition,  the Company  must secure  rights-of-way  and other
access  rights  which are  typically  provided  under  non-exclusive  multi-year
agreements, which generally contain renewal options. Generally, these rights are
obtained from utilities,  incumbent local exchange  carriers,  other competitive
local   exchange   carriers,   railroads   and  long  distance   carriers.   The
Telecommunications  Act of 1996  requires  most  utilities  to afford  access to
rights-of-way to competitive local exchange carriers on non-discriminatory terms
and conditions and at reasonable rates. However,  there can be no assurance that
delays and disputes will not occur. The Company's  agreements for  rights-of-way
and  similar  matters  generally  require  the  Company to  indemnify  the party
providing  such  rights.  Such  indemnities  could make the  Company  liable for
actions (including negligence) of the other party.

CUSTOMERS

     No single customer accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated revenues
in 1998.  Our  five  largest  customers  accounted  for 32% of our  consolidated
revenues  in 1997  and 11% of our  consolidated  revenues  in  1998.  We  expect
customer  concentration  to continue  to  decrease as we expand into  additional
markets and increase full scale marketing of an integrated  service package.  In
the near term,  however,  the loss of, or decrease of business from, one or more
of our principal customers could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations.

     Although  they  are  not  our  customers,   we  did  recognize  revenue  of
approximately $2.9 million,  or 12.9% of our 1998 revenue,  from incumbent local
exchange carriers  primarily related to reciprocal  compensation for terminating
local calls from customers of the incumbent local exchange  carriers to Internet
service providers which are our customers.  Of this amount  approximately 99% is
attributable to reciprocal  compensation due to the Company from BellSouth.  See
Item 7 "Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of  Operations  - Overview - Revenue" for a  discussion  of a dispute  which has
arisen  between  incumbent  local  exchange  carriers,  such as  BellSouth,  and
competitive local exchange  carriers,  such as the Company,  with respect to the
obligation of incumbent local exchange carriers to make reciprocal  compensation
payments to competitive  local exchange carriers with respect to the termination
of local calls to Internet service providers.

EMPLOYEES

     As of February 28, 1999, we had approximately 559 full time employees. None
of our  employees  are  represented  by a labor union or subject to a collective
bargaining  agreement,  nor have we  experienced  any work stoppage due to labor
disputes. We believe that our relations with our employees are good.

GEOGRAPHIC AREAS

     We have no foreign operations.  All of our networks are located in, and all
of our revenues are attributable to, the United States.

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES.

     The Company is  headquartered  in Bedminster,  New Jersey in  approximately
10,000 square feet of office space,  approximately 7,200 of which it leases from
Kamine  Development  Corp. (an entity  controlled by Mr.  Kamine,  the Company's
Chairman of the Board).  The lease with Kamine  Development Corp., which expires
in January  2007,  provides for a base annual rental of  approximately  $217,000
(adjusted  periodically for changes in the consumer price index), plus operating
expenses.

     The  Company  also  maintains  an  operations  center  in an  aggregate  of
approximately 41,000 square feet of leased space in Duluth, Georgia under leases
which expire at various dates from June 2001 through  February 2003. The Company
also owns or leases  facilities  in each of its  existing  markets  for  central
offices, sales offices and the location of its switches and related equipment.

     We believe that our facilities are in good condition,  are suitable for our
operations  and that,  if needed,  suitable  alternative  space would be readily
available.

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

     By letter dated August 29, 1997, the Company notified I-NET,  Inc. that the
Company  considered  I-NET to be in  default  under a Master  Telecommunications
System  Rollout  Agreement  dated as of  October  1, 1996 as a result of I-NET's
failure to provide design plans and specifications for several systems for which
it had agreed to provide such plans and  specifications,  to properly  supervise
construction of the systems or to provide personnel with the necessary expertise
to manage the projects. By letter dated October 27, 1997, I-NET demanded payment
of all amounts it alleged were due under that agreement and a related  agreement
(aggregating  $4.1  million)  and stated  that it would  invoke the  arbitration
provisions  under the  agreement if the parties could not agree as to the amount
due and payment terms on or before  November 27, 1997. By letter dated  December
1, 1997,  I-NET  extended its  deadline  for reaching  agreement to December 15,
1997. Although the Company and I-NET conducted discussions,  they were unable to
reach an agreement and, on February 12, 1998, the Company  received a demand for
arbitration  from Wang  Laboratories,  Inc., the successor to I-NET.  The demand
seeks at least  $4.1  million.  The  Company  believes  that it has  meritorious
defenses to Wang's  claims and has asserted  counterclaims  seeking in excess of
$2.5 million as a result of I-NET's defaults under the Master Telecommunications
System Rollout Agreement.  The arbitration  proceedings are currently  underway.
The Company  believes  that  resolution  of this matter will not have a material
adverse impact on its financial condition.  No assurance can be given,  however,
as to the ultimate resolution of this matter.

     The Company is from time to time involved in other litigation incidental to
the conduct of its business. There is no other pending legal proceeding to which
the  Company  is a  party,  however,  which,  in the  opinion  of the  Company's
management,  is  likely  to have a  material  adverse  effect  on the  Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations.

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

     No matters were  submitted to a vote of security  holders during the fourth
quarter of 1998.

                                     PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

     There is currently no established  trading market for the Company's  Common
Stock, $0.01 par value per share. As of March 24, 1999 there were six holders of
record of the Company's Common Stock.

     The Company has never  declared nor paid cash dividends on its Common Stock
and does not presently  anticipate paying any cash dividends on its Common Stock
in the foreseeable future. The Company currently expects that earnings,  if any,
will be retained for growth and development of the Company's business.

     The Company,  as a holding  company,  depends upon the receipt of dividends
and other cash  payments from its  operating  subsidiaries  in order to meet the
Company's  cash  requirements.  Pursuant  to the  terms of a Loan  and  Security
Agreement,  dated as of December 22, 1998, among our  subsidiaries,  KMC Telecom
Inc., KMC Telecom II, Inc., KMC Telecom  Leasing I, LLC, KMC Telecom Leasing II,
LLC and KMC Telecom of Virginia,  Inc. and a group of lenders led by First Union
National Bank and Newcourt  Commercial Finance  Corporation (the "Senior Secured
Credit  Facility"),  those  subsidiaries  are restricted in their ability to pay
dividends on their capital  stock.  Pursuant to the terms of a Loan and Security
Agreement,  dated as of February 4, 1999, among our subsidiary, KMC Telecom III,
Inc., Lucent Technologies, Inc. and the collateral agent thereunder (the "Lucent
Facility"),  KMC Telecom III, Inc. is restricted in its ability to pay dividends
on its capital stock.  The indenture  applicable to the Company's 12 1/2% Senior
Discount Notes due 2008, imposes certain restrictions upon the Company's ability
to pay dividends on its capital stock.

     Subject to the foregoing and to any restrictions  which may be contained in
future indebtedness of the Company,  the payment of cash dividends on the Common
Stock will be within the sole  discretion of the  Company's  Board of Directors,
and will depend upon the earnings,  capital  requirements and financial position
of the Company,  applicable requirements of law, general economic conditions and
other factors considered relevant by the Company's Board of Directors.

     On January 29, 1998, the Company sold 460,800 units to Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated,  as  Placement  Agent.  Each unit  consisted of one 12 1/2% Senior
Discount Note due 2008, with a principal  amount at maturity of $1,000,  and one
warrant to purchase 0.21785 shares of Common Stock of the Company.  The exercise
price of the warrants is $.01 per share of Common Stock. The aggregate number of
shares of Common  Stock  subject  to the  warrants  is  100,385.  The  aggregate
offering  price of the units was  $249,965,568  and the  aggregate  underwriting
discounts and commissions were $9,998,623.  Of the aggregate net proceeds of the
offering of the units,  after  underwriting  discounts,  commissions and certain
expenses  of the  offering,  approximately  $10,446,000  was  attributed  to the
warrants. The sale of the units to the Placement Agent was made in reliance upon
the exemption from the registration  requirements of the Securities Act of 1933,
as  amended,  provided  by  Section  4(2) of that  Act,  on the  basis  that the
transaction did not involve a public  offering.  The Placement Agent agreed that
any  resales  which it made  would be made only (i) to  qualified  institutional
buyers as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities  Act, (ii) to  institutional
accredited  investors  as defined in Rule  501(a)(1),  (2), (3) or (7) under the
Securities  Act, or (iii)  outside the United  States to persons other than U.S.
persons in reliance upon Regulation S under the Securities Act.

     In September  1998, the Company granted options to purchase an aggregate of
262,500  shares of its Common Stock to employees of the Company and employees of
certain  affiliates of the Company under the 1998 Stock Purchase and Option Plan
for Key Employees of KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc. and Affiliates.  The majority of
these options were issued to replace  options to purchase shares of common stock
of the Company's subsidiary,  KMC Telecom Inc., which had been issued in earlier
years,  prior to the  organization of the Company and the  establishment  of the
present holding company structure.  No consideration was received by the Company
for the issuance of the options.  The options have various  exercise prices with
157,500 exercisable at an exercise price of $20 per share, 52,500 exercisable at
an exercise price of $30 per share, and 52,500  exercisable at an exercise price
of $40 per share.  The  issuance of the  options  was made in reliance  upon the
exemption from the  registration  requirements of the Securities Act provided by
Section  4(2) of that Act, on the basis that the  transaction  did not involve a
public offering.


<PAGE>

ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

     The  selected  financial  data set forth  below for the period from May 10,
1994 (date of inception)  to December 31, 1994 and for the years ended  December
31, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998 were derived from the audited financial statements
of the Company and its predecessors.  The data presented below should be read in
conjunction  with "Item 7.  Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" and the consolidated  financial  statements
and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Report.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      MAY 10, 1994                                                            
                                                        (DATE OF                                                              
                                                     INCEPTION) TO                                                            
                                                      DECEMBER 31,                   YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31
                                                                    ----------------------------------------------------------

                                                          1994           1995            1996          1997          1998
                                                          ----           ----            ----          ----          ----
                                                                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                                      <C>          <C>            <C>           <C>           <C>
 STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
 Revenue...........................................      $       -    $        -     $      205    $    3,417    $   22,425
 Operating expenses:
    Network operating costs........................              -             -          1,361         7,735        37,336
    Selling, general and administrative............              4         1,591          2,216         9,923        24,534
    Stock option compensation expense..............              -             -            240        13,870         7,080
    Depreciation and amortization..................              -             6            287         2,506         9,257
                                                         ---------    ----------     ----------    ----------    ---------- 
       Total operating expenses....................              4         1,597          4,104        34,034        78,207
                                                         ---------    ----------     ----------    ----------    ---------- 
 Loss from operations..............................             (4)       (1,597)        (3,899)      (30,617)      (55,782)
 Interest income...................................              -             -              -           513         8,818
 Interest expense (a)..............................              -           (23)          (596)       (2,582)      (29,789)
                                                         ---------    ----------     ----------    ----------    ---------- 
 Net loss..........................................             (4)       (1,620)        (4,495)      (32,686)      (76,753)
 Dividends and accretion on redeemable preferred
    stock..........................................              -             -              -        (8,904)      (18,285)
                                                         ---------    ----------     ----------    ----------    ---------- 
Net loss applicable to common shareholders........       $      (4)   $   (1,620)    $   (4,495)   $  (41,590)   $  (95,038)
                                                         =========    ==========     ==========    ==========    ========== 
 Net loss per common share.........................      $   (0.01)   $    (2.70)    $    (7.49)   $   (64.93)   $  (114.42)
                                                         =========    ==========     ==========    ==========    ========== 
 Weighted average common shares outstanding........            600           600            600           641           831
                                                         =========    ==========     ==========    ==========    ========== 

 Other Data:
 Capital expenditures (including acquisition)......      $       -    $    3,498     $    9,111    $   61,146    $  161,803
 EBITDA(b).........................................             (4)       (1,591)        (3,613)      (28,111)      (46,525)
 Cash used in operating activities.................              4          (779)        (2,687)       (8,676)      (33,573)
 Cash used in investing activities.................              -        (1,920)       (10,174)      (62,992)     (180,198)
 Cash provided in financing activities.............              1         2,728         14,314        85,734       219,399
 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (c)............              -             -              -             -             -
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                AS OF DECEMBER 31,
                                                     -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          1994           1995            1996          1997          1998
                                                          ----           ----            ----          ----          ----
                                                                                   (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                                   --------------
<S>                                                      <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>            <C>
 BALANCE SHEET DATA:
 Cash and cash equivalents......................         $       6    $       34     $    1,487   $   15,553     $   21,181
 Investments held for future capital expenditures                -             -              -            -         27,920
 Networks and equipment, net....................                 -         3,496         12,347       71,371        224,890
 Total assets...................................                 8         3,704         16,715       95,943        311,310
 Long-term debt.................................                 -         2,727         12,330       61,277        309,225
 Redeemable preferred stock.....................                 -             -              -       35,925         52,033
 Redeemable common stock and warrants...........                 -             -              -       11,726         22,979
 Total nonredeemable equity (deficiency)........                 (3)      (1,623)           389      (26,673)      (104,353)
</TABLE>

                    ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE ON FOLLOWING PAGE.

(a)  Excludes  capitalized  interest of (i) $37,000 for 1995,  (ii) $103,000 for
     1996,  (iii)  $854,000 for 1997 and (iv) $5.1 million for 1998.  During the
     construction  of the  Company's  networks,  the interest  costs  related to
     construction expenditures are capitalized.

(b)  EBITDA  consists of earnings  (loss)  before net  interest,  income  taxes,
     depreciation and  amortization.  EBITDA is provided because it is a measure
     commonly  used  in the  telecommunications  industry.  It is  presented  to
     enhance an  understanding  of the  Company's  operating  results and is not
     intended to represent cash flow or results of operations in accordance with
     GAAP. EBITDA is not calculated under GAAP and is not necessarily comparable
     to similarly titled measures of other companies. For a presentation of cash
     flows  calculated  under  GAAP,  see  the  Company's  historical  financial
     statements  contained in "Item 8. Financial  Statements  and  Supplementary
     Data."

(c)  The ratio of  earnings to fixed  charges is  computed  by  dividing  pretax
     income  from  continuing   operations  before  fixed  charges  (other  than
     capitalized  interest) by fixed charges.  Fixed charges consist of interest
     charges, dividend obligations and amortization of debt expense and discount
     or premium related to indebtedness,  whether  expensed or capitalized,  and
     that portion of rental expense the Company believes to be representative of
     interest.  For 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998,  earnings were insufficient
     to cover  fixed  charges by  $4,475,  $1.8  million,  $4.6  million,  $33.5
     million, and $81.9 million, respectively.

ITEM 7.   MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION  AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL  CONDITION AND
          RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

     This  Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and
Results of Operations reflects the historical results of the Company. Due to the
limited  operating  history,  startup  nature and rapid  growth of the  Company,
period-to-period  comparisons of financial data are not necessarily  indicative,
and you should not rely upon them as an indicator of the future  performance  of
the Company. The following discussion includes forward-looking statements.

OVERVIEW

     GENERAL.  We are a  facilities-based  competitive  local  exchange  carrier
providing  telecommunications and data services in Tier III Markets. The markets
in which we operate are predominately located in the Southeastern and Midwestern
United States. We target business,  government and institutional  end-users,  as
well as Internet service providers,  long distance carriers and wireless service
providers.  Our objective is to provide our customers  with a complete  solution
for their  communications  needs.  We currently  provide on-net local dial tone,
special  access,  private  line,  Internet  access,  ISDN and a variety of other
advanced services and features.

     We  have  invested   significant  capital  and  effort  in  developing  our
telecommunications  business.  This capital has been invested in the development
of our networks,  the hiring of an experienced  management team, the development
and installation of operating systems,  the introduction of services,  marketing
and sales  efforts,  and  acquisitions.  We expect  to make  increasing  capital
expenditures  to build  additional  networks,  to  expand  current  networks  to
additional  customer  buildings,  long distance  carrier  points of presence and
incumbent  local exchange  carrier central  offices,  and to broaden our service
offerings, and may consummate  acquisitions.  Proper management of the Company's
growth will  require us to maintain  cost  controls,  continue to assess  market
potential,  ensure quality  control in  implementing  our services as well as to
expand our  internal  management,  customer  care and  billing  and  information
systems, all of which will require substantial investment.

     The  development,  construction  and  expansion  of our  networks  requires
significant  capital, a large portion of which is invested before any revenue is
generated.  We have incurred,  and expect to continue to incur,  significant and
increasing operating losses, negative EBITDA and net cash outflows for operating
and investing  activities  while we expand our network  operations and build our
customer base. Based on our experience to date and that of our  competitors,  we
estimate that a new network will begin to generate  positive EBITDA within 24 to
36 months after commencement of commercial operations.  Construction periods and
operating  results will vary from network to network.  There can be no assurance
that we will be able to establish a sufficient  revenue-generating customer base
or gross margins in any particular market or on a consolidated basis.

     The facilities-based competitive local exchange carrier business is capital
intensive. We estimate that the total initial costs associated with the purchase
and installation of fiber optic cable and transmission and switching  equipment,
including capitalized engineering costs, will average approximately $8.0 million
to $10.0 million for each standard Tier III network,  depending upon the size of
the market served,  the scope and complexity of the network,  and the proportion
of  aerial  to  underground  fiber  deployment.  Our  actual  costs  could  vary
significantly  from this range. The amounts and timing of these expenditures are
subject to a variety of factors that may vary  significantly with the geographic
and  demographic  characteristics  of each market.  In addition to equipment and
construction  expenditure  requirements,  upon  commencement of the construction
phase of a network we begin to incur  direct  operating  costs for such items as
salaries and rent. As network construction progresses, we incur costs associated
with construction,  including preparation of rights-of-way, and increased sales,
marketing,  operating and administrative  expenses. We capitalize certain direct
costs related to network planning and construction costs for new networks.

     The  initial  construction  of a network  takes  approximately  six months,
depending upon the size and complexity of the network.  The time required during
the construction phase is also  significantly  influenced by the number of route
miles involved, the mix of aerial versus underground fiber deployment,  possible
delays in preparing rights-of-way, provisioning fiber optic cable and electronic
equipment,  and  required  construction  permits  and other  factors,  including
weather.

     LOCAL  SERVICES.  To facilitate our entry into local  services,  we plan to
install  switching  equipment in all of our markets.  Switches are in commercial
operation in twenty-two of our existing  markets.  We expect to have a switch in
commercial  operation in our remaining existing network no later than the second
quarter of 1999. We intend to install Lucent Technologies,  Inc. switches in any
future networks which we may build.  Once a switch is commercially  operational,
we  offer  local  dial  tone and  value-added  enhanced  services  such as ISDN,
Centrex-type,  voice mail and other custom calling  features,  and switched data
services.

     We expect operating margins to improve as switching becomes operational and
switched  services are provided  on-net,  the network is expanded  (primarily by
adding  buildings to the network),  and larger volumes of traffic are carried on
the Company's  network.  Although under the  Telecommunications  Act of 1996 the
incumbent  local  exchange  carriers  are  required  to unbundle  local  network
elements,  thereby  decreasing  operating  expenses by permitting us to purchase
only the origination and termination services we need, we cannot assure you that
such  unbundling  will be  effected  in a timely  manner  and  result  in prices
favorable to the Company.

     REVENUE. Historically, we have derived our revenue primarily from resale of
switched services,  along with special access,  private line and Internet access
services  provided on our facilities.  Future  revenues will include  increasing
amounts of on-net switch-based services,  long distance services and value-added
enhanced  services,  such as  ISDN,  Centrex-type  services,  BRI,  PRI and port
wholesale. The Company maintains interconnection agreements with incumbent local
exchange carriers in each state in which it operates.  Among other things, these
contracts govern the reciprocal amounts to be billed by competitive carriers for
terminating  local  traffic of Internet  service  providers  in each state.  The
Regional  Bell  Operating  Companies  have advised  competitive  local  exchange
carriers, such as the Company, that they do not consider calls in the same local
calling area which are placed by their  customers to competitive  local exchange
carrier  customers which are Internet service  providers to be local calls under
the interconnection agreements. The Regional Bell Operating Companies claim that
these calls  should be  classified  as exchange  access  calls,  even though the
Federal  Communications  Commission  exempted  local calls for Internet  service
providers from payment of access charges.  The Regional Bell Operating Companies
claim that, as a result,  they do not owe any compensation to competitive  local
exchange  carriers for  transporting  and terminating  these calls. The Regional
Bell  Operating  Companies have  threatened to withhold,  and in many cases have
withheld, reciprocal compensation to competitive local exchange carriers for the
transport and  termination of these calls.  During 1998, the Company  recognized
revenue from incumbent local exchange carriers of approximately $2.9 million, or
12.9% of 1998 revenue,  for these services.  Payments of approximately  $135,000
were received from the incumbent local exchange carriers during 1998. Management
believes  reciprocal  compensation  for Internet  traffic to be an industry-wide
matter that will  ultimately  be resolved on a  state-by-state  basis.  To date,
twenty-nine  state  commissions have ruled on the issue and found that incumbent
local exchange carriers must pay compensation to competitive  carriers for local
calls to Internet service providers located on competitive carriers' networks. A
number of other state commissions currently have proceedings pending to consider
this matter. The Federal  Communications  Commission has concluded that calls to
Internet  service  providers are interstate  calls and are therefore exempt from
local  termination   charges.   However,  the  FCC  also  stated  that  existing
interconnection  agreements  providing  for  such  termination  charges  must be
honored by the  incumbent  local  exchange  carriers.  The Company  accounts for
reciprocal  compensation with the incumbent local exchange  carriers,  including
the activity  associated with the disputed Internet service provider traffic, as
local  traffic  pursuant  to  the  terms  of  its  interconnection   agreements.
Accordingly, revenue is recognized in the period that the traffic is terminated.
The   circumstances   surrounding  the  dispute  are  considered  by  management
periodically  in  determining  whether  reserves  against  unpaid  balances  are
warranted.  As of December 31, 1998, no reserves have been considered  necessary
by management.

     OPERATING  EXPENSES.  Our principal  operating  expenses consist of network
operating costs,  selling,  general and  administrative  expenses,  stock option
compensation  expense,  depreciation  and  amortization,  and interest  expense.
Network  operating costs include charges from incumbent local exchange  carriers
for resale services,  termination and unbundled network element charges; charges
from long distance carriers for resale of long distance  services;  salaries and
benefits  associated with network operations,  billing and information  services
and customer care personnel;  franchise fees and other costs,  including  direct
city administration  costs. Network operating costs also include a percentage of
both our intrastate and  interstate  revenues which we pay as universal  service
fund charges.  Selling,  general and  administrative  expenses  consist of sales
personnel and support costs,  corporate and finance personnel and support costs,
legal and accounting  expenses.  Depreciation and amortization  includes charges
related to plant,  property and equipment and amortization of intangible assets,
including  franchise  acquisition costs. We expect depreciation and amortization
expense to increase  as we place  additional  networks  into  service.  Interest
expense  includes  interest charges on our 12 1/2% Senior Discount Notes and our
Senior Secured Credit Facility and, in the future, will include interest charges
on the Lucent Facility.  Interest expense also includes amortization of deferred
financing costs. Interest expense will increase  substantially in future periods
as a result of the issuance of the 12 1/2% Senior  Discount  Notes and increased
borrowings  under the expanded  Senior  Secured  Credit  Facility and the Lucent
Facility, discussed below, to finance network build-out.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

1998 COMPARED TO 1997

     REVENUE.  Revenue increased from $3.4 million for 1997 to $22.4 million for
1998.  This increase is primarily  attributable to the fact that for 1998 we had
eight systems in commercial  operation  during the entire period,  as well as 14
additional  systems  which became  commercially  operational  at various  points
during the period, as compared to 1997 when we had only one system in commercial
operation  during  the  entire  period,  with 7  systems  becoming  commercially
operational  at various  points  during the  period.  In  addition,  each of our
networks  that was  commercially  operational  during 1997  generated  increased
revenues during 1998.  Revenue for 1997 and 1998 included $2.3 million and $14.2
million  (including  $2.9 million of revenue  from  reciprocal  compensation  in
1998), respectively,  of revenue derived from resale of switched services and an
aggregate of $1.1 million and $8.2  million,  respectively,  of revenue  derived
from on-net special access, private line and switched services.

     NETWORK OPERATING COSTS. Network operating costs increased from $7.7
million in 1997 to $37.3 million in 1998. This increase of  approximately  $29.6
million was due primarily to the increase in the number of systems in commercial
operation in 1998 and the related increases of $14.5 million in costs associated
with providing resale and unbundled  network element  services,  $5.3 million in
personnel  costs,  $1.6 million in consulting and  professional  services costs,
$3.4 million in contracted network support costs, and $1.1 million in facilities
related  costs,  $1.0 million in travel  related costs and $2.7 million in other
direct operating costs.

     Costs  associated with providing  on-net services were greater than revenue
generated  from on-net  services  because we were required to hire personnel and
staff local offices prior to generating revenue and obtaining sufficient revenue
volume to cover such fixed operating costs.

     Costs  associated  with  providing  resale  services  are greater  than the
revenues  currently  generated  because of narrow  discounts  on ongoing  resale
services  provided to us by the incumbent  local  exchange  carriers and because
initial  installation  charges by the incumbent local exchange carrier to us are
greater than our installation  charges to our customers.  Resale is primarily an
interim  strategy for us to create a backlog of customers to be  transitioned to
our  on-net  switched  facilities  once  our own  switches  become  commercially
operational.

     SELLING,  GENERAL  AND  ADMINISTRATIVE   EXPENSES.   Selling,  general  and
administrative  expenses increased from $9.9 million in 1997 to $24.5 million in
1998.  This increase of  approximately  $14.6 million  resulted  primarily  from
increases of $8.5 million in personnel  costs,  $900,000 in  professional  costs
(consisting primarily of legal costs), and $1.2 million in travel related costs,
as well as increases in other  marketing  and general and  administrative  costs
aggregating approximately $4.0 million.

     STOCK OPTION COMPENSATION  EXPENSE.  Stock option  compensation  expense, a
non-cash  charge,  decreased from $13.9 million in 1997 to $7.1 million in 1998.
This decrease  reflects  reduced  charges in 1998 related to changes in the fair
value of the Company's  Common Stock and lower  amortization  expense related to
the vesting  terms of the options  during 1998, as compared to the level of such
charges in 1997. The expense charge for 1998 includes the net effect of a credit
resulting from the termination of the KMC Telecom Inc. stock option plan,  which
was substantially  offset by a charge related to the adoption of the KMC Telecom
Holdings, Inc. stock option plan in September 1998.

     DEPRECIATION  AND  AMORTIZATION.   Depreciation  and  amortization  expense
increased  from $2.5 million for 1997 to $9.3  million for 1998,  primarily as a
result of depreciation expense associated with the greater number of networks in
commercial  operation during 1998, as well as higher  amortization of intangible
assets.

     INTEREST EXPENSE. Interest expense increased from $2.6 million in 1997
to $29.8 million in 1998. This increase resulted  primarily from the issuance of
the 12 1/2%  Senior  Discount  Notes  during the first  quarter  of 1998,  which
generated  interest  expense of $29.6  million in 1998, as well as the increased
expense  attributable to the higher level of borrowings under the predecessor to
the Senior Secured Credit Facility in 1998. The Company capitalized  interest of
$5.1 million related to network  construction  projects during 1998 and $854,000
during 1997.

     NET LOSS.  For the reasons  stated  above,  net loss  increased  from $32.7
million for 1997 to $76.8 million for 1998.

1997 COMPARED TO 1996

     REVENUE. Revenue increased from $205,000 for 1996 to $3.4 million for 1997.
Revenue increased primarily because we began aggressively marketing our services
in our first  market,  Huntsville,  Alabama,  which  generated  $1.6  million of
revenue for 1997.  In  addition,  the network in  Melbourne,  Florida,  which we
purchased  during 1997,  and the six other  systems  which  became  commercially
operational  during  1997,  generated  an  aggregate  of $1.8 million in revenue
during 1997.  Furthermore,  we initiated marketing efforts in May 1997 in all of
the markets in which our  networks  had become  commercially  operational  or in
which we were  constructing  networks.  For 1997,  out of total revenues of $3.4
million,  we derived  $2.3  million  from resale of switched  services  and $1.1
million from special  access and private line  services,  of which  $943,000 was
generated by on-net services.

     NETWORK  OPERATING  COSTS.  Network  operating  costs  increased  from $1.4
million for 1996 to $7.7 million for 1997.  The  increase  was due  primarily to
costs of $2.4  million  associated  with hiring  personnel  and  staffing  local
offices, $1.8 million in selling, customer care, insurance, facilities and other
direct  operating  costs and $2.1  million in costs  associated  with  providing
resale services which we initiated in May 1997.

     Costs  associated with providing  on-net services were greater than revenue
generated  from on-net  services  because we were required to hire personnel and
staff local offices prior to generating revenue and obtaining sufficient revenue
volume to cover such fixed operating costs.

     Costs  associated  with  providing  resale  services  are greater  than the
revenues  currently  generated  because of narrow  discounts  on ongoing  resale
services  provided to us by the incumbent  local  exchange  carriers and because
initial  installation  charges by the incumbent local exchange carrier to us are
greater than our installation  charges to our customers.  Resale is primarily an
interim  strategy for us to create a backlog of customers to be  transitioned to
our  on-net  switched  facilities  once  our own  switches  become  commercially
operational.

     SELLING,  GENERAL  AND  ADMINISTRATIVE   EXPENSES.   Selling,  general  and
administrative expenses increased from $2.2 million for 1996 to $9.9 million for
1997.  The increase was due primarily to increases of $4.3 million  attributable
to  hiring  additional  personnel  in all  categories,  particularly  in  senior
management and sales and marketing,  $1.1 million in consulting costs (primarily
related  to  marketing  services),   and  $1.2  million  in  legal  expenditures
(primarily   incurred  in  connection  with  vendor   contracts  and  regulatory
activities).  We expect that selling,  general and administrative  expenses will
continue  to  increase  in  absolute  terms as we continue to expand our network
services  and  marketing  activities,  but that they will  decline as an overall
percentage of revenue.

     STOCK OPTION COMPENSATION  EXPENSE.  Stock option  compensation  expense, a
non-cash  charge,  increased from $240,000 in 1996 to $13.9 million in 1997. The
increase  was due  primarily  to an  increase  in the fair value of KMC  Telecom
Inc.'s common stock.

     DEPRECIATION  AND  AMORTIZATION.  Depreciation  and  amortization  expenses
increased  from  $287,000  for  1996 to $2.5  million  for  1997.  The  increase
reflected  the six networks  that became  commercially  operational  and the one
network  that  was  purchased  during  1997 as well as  higher  amortization  of
intangible assets.

     INTEREST EXPENSE. Interest expense increased from $596,000 for 1996 to $2.6
million for 1997, primarily  reflecting  borrowings under the predecessor to the
Senior  Secured  Credit  Facility in 1997, as well as  amortization  of deferred
financing  costs of $561,000.  We  capitalized  interest of $854,000  related to
network  construction  projects during 1997.  Interest  expense will continue to
increase as a result of the issuance of the 12 1/2% Senior Discount Notes and to
the extent that we  increase  our  borrowings  under the Senior  Secured  Credit
Facility.

     NET LOSS.  For the  reasons  stated  above,  net loss  increased  from $4.5
million for 1996 to $32.7 million for 1997.

STOCK COMPENSATION PLAN

     During 1996 and 1997, KMC Telecom Inc., now one of the Company's  principal
operating subsidiaries, granted options to purchase shares of KMC Telecom Common
Stock  pursuant to its 1996 Stock  Purchase and Option Plan for Key Employees of
KMC Telecom Inc. and Affiliates  (the "KMC Telecom Stock Option Plan").  On June
26,  1998,  the  Board of  Directors  of the  Company  adopted,  effective  upon
stockholder approval,  the 1998 Stock Purchase and Option Plan for Key Employees
of KMC Telecom  Holdings,  Inc. and  Affiliates  which  authorizes  the grant of
options to purchase  Common Stock of the Company (the "KMC Holdings Stock Option
Plan").  During the third quarter of 1998,  the Company  replaced the options to
purchase KMC Telecom Common Stock previously granted under the KMC Telecom Stock
Option Plan,  with options to purchase Common Stock of the Company granted under
the KMC  Holdings  Stock Option Plan and granted  options to certain  additional
employees of the Company.  The Company,  upon  cancellation  of the  outstanding
options  under the KMC Telecom  Stock  Option Plan,  reversed  all  compensation
expense previously recorded with respect to such options.  Additionally,  to the
extent the fair value of the Common  Stock of the Company  exceeds the  exercise
price of the options  granted  under the KMC Holdings  Stock  Option  Plan,  the
Company will recognize  compensation  expense related to such options over their
vesting period.  The net effect of the  cancellation of the options  outstanding
under the KMC Telecom  Stock Option Plan and the grant of options  under the KMC
Holdings  Stock  Option  Plan  resulted in a credit to  compensation  expense of
approximately $600,000 in 1998.

     Certain  provisions  in the  stock  option  awards  granted  under  the KMC
Holdings  Stock  Option  Plan will  necessitate  that such  awards be treated as
variable  stock  compensation  awards  pursuant to Accounting  Principles  Board
Opinion No. 25.  Accordingly,  compensation  expense will be charged or credited
periodically through the date of exercise or cancellation of such stock options,
based on  changes  in the value of the  Company's  stock as well as the  vesting
schedule of such options.  These compensation charges or credits are non-cash in
nature,  but could  have a  material  effect on the  Company's  future  reported
results of operations.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     We have  incurred  significant  operating and net losses as a result of the
development  and  operation  of our  networks.  We expect  that such losses will
continue,  as we emphasize the  development,  construction  and expansion of our
networks  and build  our  customer  base,  and that we will  generate  operating
losses. As a result,  cash provided by operations will not be sufficient to fund
the  expansion of our networks and service  capabilities.  We have  financed our
operating losses and capital  expenditures with equity invested by our founders,
preferred stock  placements,  credit facility  borrowings and the 12 1/2% Senior
Discount Notes.

     In February,  1999, we issued 25,000 shares of Series E Senior  Redeemable,
Exchangeable,  PIK Preferred Stock, 40,000 shares of Series F Senior Redeemable,
Exchangeable,  PIK Preferred Stock and warrants to purchase 24,660 shares of our
Common Stock for aggregate gross proceeds of $65.0 million.

     In February 1999, our subsidiary, KMC Telecom III, Inc., which will own the
approximately  ten  additional  networks which we currently plan to construct by
the end of the second quarter of 2000,  entered into a secured vendor  financing
facility  with Lucent  Technologies,  Inc. (the "Lucent  Facility").  Under this
facility,  KMC Telecom III, Inc. will be permitted to borrow, subject to certain
conditions,  up to an aggregate of $600.0  million,  primarily  for the purchase
from Lucent of switches and other  telecommunications  equipment. At the present
time, only $125.0 million is available under this facility. An additional $125.0
million will become available when KMC Telecom III, Inc.  receives an additional
$35.0 million of funded equity or qualified  intercompany  loans,  as defined in
the facility.  The balance of $350.0 million will become available only upon (a)
additional  lenders agreeing to participate in the facility so that Lucent's own
aggregate  commitment  does  not  exceed  $250.0  million  and (b)  the  Company
satisfying  certain other  requirements,  the most  significant  of which is the
Company  raising,  and  contributing  to KMC Telecom III,  Inc., at least $300.0
million from the sale of high yield debt or equity.

     In December  1998,  we  refinanced  and expanded our $70.0  million  senior
secured credit facility with Newcourt  Commercial Finance Corporation (which was
formerly known as AT&T Commercial Finance Corporation). Under the refinanced and
expanded facility,  which is with a group of lenders led by First Union National
Bank  and  Newcourt  Finance  (the  "Senior  Secured  Credit   Facility"),   our
subsidiaries KMC Telecom Inc., KMC Telecom II, Inc., KMC Telecom Leasing I, LLC,
KMC Telecom  Leasing II, LLC and KMC Telecom of  Virginia,  Inc.,  which own our
existing  twenty-three  networks,  are permitted to borrow up to an aggregate of
$250.0 million,  subject to certain conditions,  for the purchase of fiber optic
cable,  switches  and  other  telecommunications  equipment  and,  once  certain
financial  conditions are met, for working  capital and other general  corporate
purposes.

     In January 1998,  the Company sold 460,800 units,  each unit  consisting of
one 12 1/2%  Senior  Discount  Note due 2008,  with an  aggregate  principal  at
maturity of $1,000,  and one warrant to purchase  0.21785 shares of Common stock
at an  exercise  price of $.01 per  share.  The  gross and net  proceeds  of the
offering were approximately $250.0 million and $236.4 million, respectively. The
12 1/2% Senior Discount Notes are unsecured,  unsubordinated  obligations of KMC
Telecom Holdings, Inc. and mature on February 15, 2008.

     Net cash  provided  by  financing  activities  from  borrowings  and equity
issuances was $219.4  million for 1998. The Company's net cash used in operating
and investment activities was $213.8 million for 1998.

     The  Company  made  capital  expenditures  of $9.1  million in 1996,  $61.1
million in 1997 (including the acquisition of the Melbourne, Florida network for
a purchase  price of $2.0  million)  and $161.8  million  in 1998.  The  Company
currently plans to make additional capital  expenditures of approximately $200.0
million during 1999. Continued  significant capital expenditures are expected to
be made  thereafter.  The majority of these  expenditures is expected to be made
for network  construction and the purchase of switches and related  equipment to
facilitate  the offering of the  Company's  services.  In addition,  the Company
expects to continue to incur operating  losses while it expands its business and
builds its customer base. Actual capital  expenditures and operating losses will
depend on  numerous  factors,  including  the  nature of  future  expansion  and
acquisition  opportunities and factors beyond the Company's  control,  including
economic conditions,  competition,  regulatory developments and the availability
of capital.

     At December 31, 1998 the Company had  outstanding  commitments  aggregating
approximately  $30.6  million  related to the  purchase of fiber optic cable and
telecommunications equipment as well as engineering services,  principally under
the Company's agreements with Lucent Technologies, Inc.

     At  December  31,  1998,  the  Company  had $41.4  million of  indebtedness
outstanding under the Senior Secured Credit Facility,  and had $208.6 million in
borrowing capacity  available under the Senior Secured Credit Facility,  subject
to certain conditions.

     We believe that our cash,  investments held for future capital expenditures
and borrowings available under the Senior Secured Credit Facility and the Lucent
Facility,  together with the net proceeds from our February 1999 issuance of our
Series E and Series F Senior Redeemable, Exchangeable, PIK Preferred Stock, will
be sufficient to meet our liquidity needs through the completion of our existing
twenty-three  networks and the approximately ten additional  networks  currently
planned for completion by the end of the second quarter of 2000, although we can
give  no  assurance  in  this  regard.  Thereafter,  the  Company  will  require
additional  financing.  However,  in  the  event  that  our  plans  change,  the
assumptions  upon  which  our plans are  based  prove  inaccurate,  we expand or
accelerate  our business  plan or we determine to consummate  acquisitions,  the
foregoing sources of funds may prove insufficient to complete all such networks,
and we may be  required  to seek  additional  financing.  Additional  sources of
financing  may  include  public  or  private  equity or debt  financings  by the
Company, capitalized leases and other financing arrangements.

     Pursuant  to  certain  provisions  of our Series A  Cumulative  Convertible
Preferred Stock and Series C Cumulative  Convertible Preferred Stock, we may not
increase the authorized  number of shares of our preferred stock or common stock
without  the consent of the  holders of  two-thirds  of the shares of both those
series. The Company has only three million shares of common stock authorized. We
can give no assurance that additional financing will be available to the Company
or, if  available,  that it can be obtained on a timely basis and on  acceptable
terms or within the limitations contained in our Senior Secured Credit Facility,
the Lucent  Facility,  the indenture  applicable to our 12 1/2% Senior  Discount
Notes,  the terms of our preferred stock or any future  financing  arrangements.
Failure to obtain such  financing  could result in the delay or  abandonment  of
some or all of our development and expansion plans and expenditures, which would
have a material adverse effect on our business,  financial condition and results
of operations. Such a failure could also limit our ability to make principal and
interest  payments on our  outstanding  indebtedness  and meet our  dividend and
redemption  obligations  with respect to our preferred stock. The Company has no
working  capital or other credit  facility under which it may borrow for working
capital and other general corporate purposes. We can give no assurance that such
financing  will be  available  to the  Company  in the  future or that,  if such
financing  were  available,  it  would be  available  on  terms  and  conditions
acceptable to the Company.

     As of December 31, 1998, the Company and its  subsidiaries had consolidated
net  operating  loss  carryforwards  for United  States  income tax  purposes of
approximately  $59.0 million which expire through 2013. Under Section 382 of the
Internal  Revenue  Code  of  1986,  as  amended,  if the  Company  undergoes  an
"ownership  change," its ability to use its  pre-ownership  change net operating
loss carryforwards (net operating loss carryforwards accrued through the date of
the ownership  change) would generally be limited annually to an amount equal to
the  product  of  (i)  the  long-term  tax-exempt  rate  for  ownership  changes
prescribed  monthly  by the  Treasury  Department  and  (ii)  the  value  of the
Company's  outstanding  equity immediately before the ownership change excluding
certain capital contributions. Any allowable portion of the pre-ownership change
net operating loss  carryforwards  that is not used in a particular taxable year
following the ownership  change could be carried  forward to subsequent  taxable
years until the net operating loss carryforwards expire,  usually 15 years after
they are  generated.  As a result  of the  cumulative  effect  of  issuances  of
preferred  and common stock  through  September  22, 1997,  KMC Telecom Inc. has
undergone an ownership change.

     For  financial  reporting  purposes,   the  Company  has  an  aggregate  of
approximately $109.0 million of loss carryforwards and net temporary differences
at December  31, 1998.  At existing tax rates the future  benefit of these items
approximates $42.0 million. A valuation  allowance has been established equal to
the entire net tax  benefit  associated  with all  carryforwards  and  temporary
differences at December 31, 1998 as their realization is uncertain.

YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE

     Similar to all businesses,  the Company may be affected by the inability of
certain computer software to distinguish  between the years 1900 and 2000 due to
a  commonly-used  programming  convention.  Unless such programs are modified or
replaced  prior to January 1, 2000,  calculations  based on date  arithmetic  or
logical operations performed by such programs may be incorrect.

     Management's  plan to address the effect of the Year 2000 issue  focuses on
the following  areas:  applications  systems  (including  the Company's  billing
system and financial software), infrastructure (including personal computers and
servers used throughout the Company),  and other third party business  partners,
vendors  and  suppliers.  Management's  analysis  and  review of these  areas is
comprised  primarily  of  the  following  phases:  developing  an  inventory  of
hardware,  software and embedded chips;  assessing the degree to which each area
is currently  compliant  with Year 2000  requirements;  performing  renovations,
repairs  and  replacements  as needed to attain  compliance;  testing  to ensure
compliance;  and,  developing a contingency  plan for each area if the Company's
initial efforts to attain compliance are either unsuccessful or untimely.

     Management  completed the inventory  and  assessment  phases of the project
during the fourth quarter of 1998. The renovation,  repair and replacement phase
and the testing phase have commenced;  however,  the Company expects to continue
these phases throughout 1999.

     Further,  the  Company is  currently  in the  process of  implementing  new
billing  software  systems,  operational  software  systems  and  financial  and
personnel software systems.  Although these  implementations were made necessary
by the expansion of the Company's business and were not directly related to Year
2000  issues,  they have  enabled the Company to utilize new  software for these
purposes which the respective suppliers have certified as Year 2000 compliant.

     Costs  incurred  to  date  have  primarily  consisted  of  labor  from  the
redeployment of existing  information  services and operational  resources.  The
Company expects to spend  approximately  $150,000 for these Year 2000 compliance
efforts  which will be  expensed as  incurred.  Such amount does not include the
costs of the new  billing  software,  operational  software  and  financial  and
personnel  software  systems  which  are  being  implemented  as a result of the
expansion of the Company's business.

     If the software applications of the local exchange carriers,  long distance
carriers  or others on whose  services  the  Company  depends  or with which the
Company's  systems  interact  are not Year 2000  compliant,  it could affect the
Company's  systems which could have a material  adverse  effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations.

     The  Company  has formed a  contingency  team to develop a work plan in the
event that certain programs and hardware are not fully compliant and operational
before  January 1, 2000.  The costs  associated  with this effort are  currently
being evaluated and cannot yet be determined. In the event that certain, or all,
of the contingency plans are deployed,  the Company will incur additional costs;
however,   as  contingency  plans  are  not  yet  developed,   these  costs  are
indeterminable at present.

     Although the Company  does not  presently  anticipate  a material  business
interruption as a result of the Year 2000 issue,  the worst case scenario if all
of the Company's Year 2000 efforts fail would result in a daily loss of revenues
of approximately $100,000 calculated based upon 1998 revenues.

CERTAIN FACTORS WHICH MAY AFFECT THE COMPANY'S FUTURE RESULTS

     LIMITED  OPERATING  HISTORY;  NEGATIVE GROSS PROFITS,  OPERATING LOSSES AND
     NEGATIVE CASH FLOW

     The  Company  was  formed  in  September  1997 as a  holding  company.  The
Company's  subsidiaries  commenced  operations  in 1994 and,  as a  result,  the
Company  has a limited  operating  history and  limited  revenues.  We have only
recently  completed the process of building many of our networks.  Our prospects
must  be  considered  in the  light  of the  risks,  expenses  and  difficulties
frequently  encountered  by  companies  in the early  stage of  development.  In
connection with the  construction of our networks we have incurred and expect to
continue to incur significant and increasing  negative gross profits,  operating
losses and  negative  EBITDA while we expand our business and build our customer
base.  We can give no assurance  that an adequate  customer base with respect to
any or all of our services will be obtained or sustained.

Our negative gross profits,  operating  losses,  negative  EBITDA,  cash used by
operations and capital  expenditures are expected to increase as a result of the
continuation  of our expansion  strategy.  We can give no assurance that we will
achieve or sustain profitability or generate positive EBITDA or at any time have
sufficient  resources  to meet  our  capital  expenditure  and  working  capital
requirements  or  make  payments  on our  indebtedness.  We  must  significantly
increase  our  revenues  and cash flows to meet our debt  service and  preferred
stock dividend obligations.

     SUBSTANTIAL INDEBTEDNESS

     At December 31, 1998, we had  outstanding  approximately  $309.2 million of
indebtedness.  Our indebtedness could have important  consequences including the
following:

     o    our  ability  to obtain  any  necessary  financing  in the  future for
          working capital,  capital  expenditures,  debt service requirements or
          other purposes will be limited,

     o    a  substantial  portion  of our  cash  flow  from  operations  will be
          required to make debt service payments,

     o    our leverage could limit our  flexibility in planning for, or reacting
          to changes in, our business, making us more highly leveraged than some
          of our competitors,  which may place us at a competitive disadvantage,
          and

     o    our  vulnerability  in the event of a downturn in our business will be
          increased.

     Failure by the Company to meet its obligations could result in a default on
our  indebtedness  which would permit the holders of all of our  indebtedness to
accelerate the maturity thereof.

     In  connection  with the  buildup  of our  networks  and  expansion  of our
services, we have been experiencing  increasing negative EBITDA and our earnings
were insufficient to cover fixed charges for 1996, 1997 and 1998. We can give no
assurance  that we will be able to improve our earnings  before fixed charges or
EBITDA or that we will be able to meet our debt service obligations.

     We  cannot  assure  you that our cash  flow  from  operations  and  capital
resources will be sufficient to repay our 12 1/2% Senior Discount Notes,  Senior
Secured Credit Facility and Lucent Facility in full and a substantial portion of
our  indebtedness  will need to be refinanced.  We can give no assurance that we
will be able to effect such refinancings.

     You should be aware that our ability to repay or refinance our current debt
depends on our successful financial and operating performance and our ability to
successfully  implement our business strategy.  Unfortunately,  we cannot assure
you that we will be successful in implementing  our strategy or in realizing our
anticipated  financial results.  You should also be aware that our financial and
operational  performance  depends  upon a number of  factors,  many of which are
beyond our control. These factors include:

     o    the  economic and  competitive  conditions  in the  telecommunications
          network industry,

     o    any  operating  difficulties,  increased  operating  costs or  pricing
          pressure we may experience,

     o    the passage of legislation or other regulatory  developments  that may
          adversely affect us,

     o    any delays in implementing any strategic projects, and

     o    our ability to complete our  networks on time and in a  cost-effective
          manner.

     The Senior Secured Credit  Facility,  the Lucent Facility and the indenture
applicable to our 12 1/2% Senior  Discount Notes contain a number of significant
covenants. These covenants limit our ability to, among other things:

     o    borrow additional money,

     o    make capital expenditures and other investments,

     o    pay dividends,

     o    merge, consolidate, or dispose of our assets, and

     o    enter into transactions with our affiliates.

     Under the Senior  Secured  Credit  Facility  and the Lucent  Facility,  our
subsidiaries  are  required to meet certain  financial  tests at the end of each
quarter.  Failure to comply with these covenants could limit our ability to make
further borrowings, or could result in a default under the Senior Secured Credit
Facility  and/or the Lucent  Facility,  allowing the lenders to  accelerate  the
maturity of the loans made thereunder. There can be no assurance that we will be
able to comply with such covenants in the future.

     SIGNIFICANT CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS

     Our current plans for expansion of existing  networks,  the  development of
new  networks,  the further  development  of our  products  and services and the
continued funding of operating losses will require  substantial  additional cash
from outside sources. We anticipate that our capital  expenditures for 1999 will
be  approximately  $200.0 million,  that we will have  substantial net losses to
fund in 1999 and future years and that our substantial  cash  requirements  will
continue into the foreseeable future. We believe that our cash, investments held
for future capital  expenditures,  borrowings available under our Senior Secured
Credit Facility and the Lucent Facility, together with the net proceeds from our
February  1999  issuance  of  our  Series  E and  Series  F  Senior  Redeemable,
Exchangeable,  PIK  Preferred  Stock,  will provide  sufficient  funds for us to
expand our business as currently  planned and to fund our currently  anticipated
expenses  through the completion of our twenty-three  existing  networks and the
approximately  ten additional  networks  currently planned for completion by the
end of the  second  quarter  of 2000.  Thereafter,  we will  require  additional
financing.  However,  in the event that our plans change,  the assumptions  upon
which our plans are based prove inaccurate, we expand or accelerate our business
plan or we determine to consummate acquisitions,  the foregoing sources of funds
may prove to be  insufficient  to complete all such  networks and we may require
additional  financing.  Additional  sources of financing  may include  public or
private equity or debt financings by the Company,  capitalized  leases and other
financing  arrangements.   Pursuant  to  certain  provisions  of  our  Series  A
Cumulative  Convertible  Preferred  Stock and  Series C  Cumulative  Convertible
Preferred Stock we may not increase the authorized number of shares of preferred
stock or common  stock of the  Company  without  the  consent of the  holders of
two-thirds  of the  shares of both  those  Series.  The  Company  has only three
million  shares  of  Common  Stock  authorized.  We can give no  assurance  that
additional  financing  will be available to us or, if available,  that it can be
obtained on a timely  basis and on  acceptable  terms or within the  limitations
contained  in our Senior  Secured  Credit  Facility,  the Lucent  Facility,  the
indenture  applicable  to our 12 1/2% Senior  Discount  Notes,  the terms of our
preferred stock or in any future financing arrangements.  Failure to obtain such
financing  could  result  in the  delay  or  abandonment  of  some or all of our
development  and expansion plans and  expenditures,  which would have a material
adverse effect on our business prospects.

     HOLDING  COMPANY'S  RELIANCE  ON  SUBSIDIARIES'  FUNDS;  PRIORITY  OF OTHER
     CREDITORS

     We are a holding  company whose sole material  asset is the common stock of
our  subsidiaries.  We have pledged all of the common stock of KMC Telecom Inc.,
KMC  Telecom  II,  Inc.  and  KMC  Telecom  of  Virginia,  Inc.,  which  own our
twenty-three existing networks, to the collateral agent under our Senior Secured
Credit Facility. In addition,  all of the common stock of KMC Telecom III, Inc.,
which  will  own  the  approximately  ten new  networks  currently  planned  for
completion  by the end of the second  quarter of 2000,  has been  pledged to the
collateral  agent under the Lucent  Facility.  We also loaned or  contributed  a
substantial  portion of the net proceeds from the offering of our 12 1/2% Senior
Discount Notes to certain of our  subsidiaries.  We must rely upon dividends and
other payments from our subsidiaries to generate the funds necessary to meet our
obligations.  The subsidiaries are legally distinct from the Company and have no
obligation,   contingent  or  otherwise,   to  make  funds  available  for  such
obligations,  except to the extent  that they may be obliged to repay loans made
to them by the Company. The ability of our subsidiaries to make such payments to
the Company will be subject to, among other things,  the  availability of funds,
the terms of each  subsidiary's  indebtedness  and  applicable  state  laws.  In
particular,  our Senior Secured Credit Facility and the Lucent Facility prohibit
our  subsidiaries  which are  borrowers  thereunder  from paying  dividends  and
principal  and  interest on  intercompany  borrowings  unless they meet  certain
financial performance standards.  Accordingly,  we can give no assurance that we
will be able to obtain any funds from our  subsidiaries.  Claims of creditors of
the Company's  subsidiaries,  including  trade  creditors,  will  generally have
priority  as to the assets of such  subsidiaries  over the claims of the Company
and the  holders  of the  Company's  indebtedness  and  capital  stock.  We have
unconditionally  guaranteed the repayment of the Senior Secured Credit  Facility
and a portion of the Lucent  Facility  when such  repayment  is due,  whether at
maturity,  upon  acceleration,  or otherwise.  We have agreed to pay all amounts
outstanding  under the Senior Secured  Credit  Facility and up to $250.0 million
under the  Lucent  Facility  on  demand,  upon the  occurrence  and  during  the
continuation of any event of default thereunder.

     COMPETITION

     The telecommunications industry is extremely competitive, particularly with
respect  to  price  and  service.  We face  competition  in all of our  markets.
Generally,  our  incumbent  local  exchange  carrier  competitor  is  one of the
Regional Bell Operating Companies, one of GTE Corporation's  subsidiaries or one
of Sprint Corporation's subsidiaries. The incumbent local exchange carriers have
long-standing relationships with their customers, have financial,  technical and
marketing resources  substantially greater than ours, have the potential to fund
competitive  services with  revenues from a variety of businesses  and currently
benefit  from  certain  existing  regulations  that  favor the  incumbent  local
exchange carriers over us in certain respects.

     We do not believe  that Tier III markets can  profitably  support more than
two competitors to the incumbent local exchange carrier. Accordingly, we believe
that once we have  completed the  construction  of our network  backbone and the
installation  of our switch in a given  market,  potential  new entrants in that
market are likely to seek to deploy their capital  elsewhere.  We will generally
continue to build in our markets after initial backbone  construction and switch
installation. We expect that this demonstration of our commitment to our markets
will further deter new entrants.

     However,  it is  likely  that in one or more of our  markets  we will  face
competition  from  two  or  more  facilities-based  competitive  local  exchange
carriers. After the investment and expense of establishing a network and support
services in a given market,  the marginal cost of carrying an additional call is
negligible.  Accordingly,  in Tier III  Markets  where  there  are three or more
facilities-based  competitive  local exchange  carriers,  we expect  substantial
price  competition.  We believe that operations in such markets are likely to be
unprofitable for one or more operators.

     Potential  competitors  in our  markets  include  microwave  and  satellite
carriers,  wireless  telecommunications  providers,  cable television companies,
utilities and Regional Bell Operating Companies seeking to operate outside their
current local service areas.  In particular,  utilities and cable  companies are
likely competitors given their existing rights of way. In addition, there may be
future  competition  from large  long  distance  carriers,  such as AT&T and MCI
WorldCom,  which  have  begun  to  offer  integrated  local  and  long  distance
telecommunications  services.  AT&T,  TCI and Teleport also  recently  announced
their intention to offer local  services.  Consolidation  of  telecommunications
companies and the formation of strategic alliances within the telecommunications
industry,  as well as the  development of new  technologies,  could give rise to
significant new competitors to the Company.  One of the primary  purposes of the
Telecommunications Act of 1996 is to promote competition,  particularly in local
markets.  We  believe  that  Tier III  Markets  will  also see  more  agent  and
distributor resale initiatives.

     While recent regulatory initiatives, which allow competitive local exchange
carriers  such as the Company to  interconnect  with  incumbent  local  exchange
carrier  facilities,  provide  increased  business  opportunities  for us, these
regulatory  initiatives have been accompanied by increased  pricing  flexibility
for, and  relaxation of regulatory  oversight of, the incumbent  local  exchange
carriers.  If the incumbent local exchange  carriers engage in increased  volume
and discount pricing  practices or charge  competitive  local exchange  carriers
increased fees for interconnection to their networks,  or if the incumbent local
exchange carriers delay implementation of interconnection to their networks, our
business,  financial  condition  and results of  operations  could be  adversely
affected.  To the extent we  interconnect  with and use incumbent local exchange
carrier  networks  to  service  our  customers,  we will be  dependent  upon the
technology and capabilities of the incumbent local exchange  carriers to provide
services  and to maintain  our service  standards.  We will become  increasingly
dependent on interconnection  with incumbent local exchange carriers as switched
services become a greater percentage of our business. The Telecommunications Act
of  1996  imposes  interconnection   obligations  on  incumbent  local  exchange
carriers,  but we can  give no  assurance  that we  will be able to  obtain  the
interconnections  we require at rates, and on terms and conditions,  that permit
us to offer switched services at rates that are both competitive and profitable.
In the event that we experience difficulties in obtaining high quality, reliable
and reasonably  priced service from the incumbent local exchange  carriers,  the
attractiveness of our services to our customers could be impaired.

     Both  the  long  distance  business  and  data  transmission  business  are
extremely competitive.  Prices in both businesses have declined significantly in
recent  years and are  expected to continue  to  decline.  In the long  distance
business we will face competition from large carriers such as AT&T, MCI Worldcom
and  Sprint.  We  will  rely on  other  carriers  to  provide  transmission  and
termination  for our long distance  traffic and  therefore  will be dependent on
such carriers.

     We expect to experience  declining prices and increasing price competition.
We can give no  assurance  that we will be able to achieve or maintain  adequate
market share or revenue, or compete  effectively,  in any of our markets. Any of
the  foregoing  factors  could have a material  adverse  effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations.

     RISKS RELATED TO RECIPROCAL COMPENSATION

     Beginning in June,  1997,  every  Regional Bell Operating  Company  advised
competitive local exchange carriers that they did not consider calls in the same
local calling area from their  customers to competitive  local exchange  carrier
customers  which are  Internet  service  providers  to be local  calls under the
interconnection agreements between the Regional Bell Operating Companies and the
competitive local exchange carriers. The Regional Bell Operating Companies claim
that the calls  should be  classified  as exchange  access calls even though the
Federal  Communications  Commission  exempted these calls from payment of access
charges  so that no  compensation  is owed  to the  competitive  local  exchange
carriers for transporting and terminating such calls. As a result,  the Regional
Bell Operating Companies threatened to withhold, and in many cases did withhold,
reciprocal  compensation  for the transport and  termination  of such calls.  To
date,  twenty-nine  state commissions have ruled on this issue in the context of
state commission arbitration  proceedings or enforcement  proceedings.  In every
state, to date, the state commission has determined that reciprocal compensation
is owed for such  calls.  Several of these  cases are  presently  on appeal.  We
cannot predict the outcome of these appeals,  or of additional pending cases. If
these  calls  were to be  determined  not to be local  calls and not  subject to
access  charges,  it could have an  adverse  effect on our  business,  financial
condition and results of operations.

     DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION RISK; NEED TO MANAGE GROWTH

     We must achieve substantial growth in order to meet our payment obligations
under our indebtedness and our dividend and redemption  obligations with respect
to our capital  stock.  Our  networks  have only  recently  become  commercially
operational  and we have only recently  deployed  switches in our networks.  Our
success will depend, among other things, upon our ability to:

     o    assess potential markets,

     o    design  fiber optic  backbone  routes that  provide  ready access to a
          substantial customer base,

     o    achieve a sufficient customer base,

     o    secure financing,

     o    install facilities,

     o    obtain  required  rights-of-way,   building  access  and  governmental
          permits,

     o    implement  interconnection  and collocation  with facilities  owned by
          incumbent local exchange carriers, and

     o    obtain  unbundled  network  elements  from  incumbent  local  exchange
          carriers.

     Our  success  will also depend upon  subsequent  developments  in state and
federal  regulations.  In  addition,  we may  make  additional  acquisitions  of
existing operating systems. Any such acquisitions could divert our resources and
management time and will require  integration  with our management  information,
payroll and other systems,  existing networks and service offerings. We can give
no assurance  that any networks to be  developed  or further  developed  will be
completed  on  schedule,  at  a  commercially  reasonable  cost  or  within  our
specifications.  Our growth  may place a  significant  strain on our  financial,
management and operational  resources.  Our future  performance will depend,  in
part,  upon our ability to manage our growth  effectively,  monitor  operations,
control costs and maintain  effective  quality  control which will require us to
continue to  implement  and  improve our  operating,  financial  and  accounting
systems, to expand, train and manage our employee base and to effectively manage
the integration of acquired  businesses.  In addition,  the establishment of new
operations  or  acquisitions  will  involve  significant  expenses in advance of
anticipated revenues and may cause fluctuations in our operating results.

     IMPLEMENTATION RISKS

     We are deploying high capacity digital  switches in our markets.  This will
enable us to offer a variety of switched access services,  enhanced services and
local dial tone. We expect to incur negative  gross profits and negative  EBITDA
from our switched  services in any given market during the 24 to 36 month period
after the switch is  deployed.  We expect  operating  margins to improve as each
network is expanded and larger volumes of traffic are carried on our network. In
each of our markets,  we rely on incumbent local exchange  carriers to originate
and terminate all of our switched  services traffic until our own switch becomes
operational.  Although  under the  Telecommunications  Act of 1996 the incumbent
local exchange  carriers will be required to unbundle local network elements and
to permit us to purchase only the origination and termination  services we need,
thereby  decreasing  operating  expenses,  we can give no  assurance  that  such
unbundling  will be effected in a timely manner and result in favorable  prices.
To date,  we have  experienced  some  difficulty  working with  incumbent  local
exchange  carriers  to  transition  our resale  customers  to our own  networks.
Certain  incumbent  local  exchange  carriers have proven unable or unwilling to
provide  requisite  unbundled  network elements and collocation  facilities on a
prompt  basis.  We  are  using  Federal  Communications  Commission  arbitration
procedures  to  compel  these  incumbent  local  exchange  carriers  to  act  in
conformity with the  Telecommunications  Act of 1996. The effect of these delays
is to temporarily  reduce margins for our services (as the transition from lower
margin  resale to higher  margin  on-net  services is delayed)  and to delay the
development of positive EBITDA.

     We  are  a  recent  entrant  into  the  newly  created   competitive  local
telecommunications  services  industry.  The local dial tone services market was
opened  to  competition  by the  Telecommunications  Act of  1996,  and  related
regulatory rulings.  There are numerous operating  complexities  associated with
providing these services. We will be required to develop new products,  services
and  systems and will need to develop new  marketing  initiatives  to sell these
services.

     Our services may not be  profitable  due to, among other  factors,  lack of
customer demand,  inability to secure access to incumbent local exchange carrier
facilities at acceptable rates,  competition and pricing pressure from incumbent
local exchange  carriers and other  competitive local exchange carriers and cost
overruns in connection with network  build-outs.  We expect to face  significant
competitive  product and pricing  pressure  from the  incumbent  local  exchange
carriers in our markets.  We have limited  experience  providing switched access
and local dial tone services and there can be no assurance  that we will be able
to  successfully   implement  our  switched  and  enhanced  services   strategy.
Implementation  of our  switched  and  enhanced  services  is  also  subject  to
equipment  manufacturers' ability to meet our switch deployment schedule.  There
can be no assurance  that all of such  switches will be deployed on the schedule
that we contemplate or that, if deployed,  such switches will be utilized to the
degree that we  contemplate.  Any of the  foregoing  risks could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

     Franchises obtained by the Company may require us to complete the build-out
of our network  within a period  specified  in the  franchise  grant.  If we are
unable to complete the build-out of a network  within the specified  period,  or
obtain an extension of time in which to complete the  build-out,  our  franchise
agreement may be terminable by the local  authority.  Any such  termination of a
franchise  agreement  could  have a  material  adverse  effect on our  business,
financial condition and results of operations.

     RISKS OF ENTRY INTO LONG DISTANCE BUSINESS

     In  order  to  offer  our   end-user   customers  a  complete   package  of
telecommunications  services,  we recently began to offer long distance services
on a resale basis. As a new entrant in the long distance business,  we expect to
generate low gross margins and substantial  start-up expenses as we roll out our
long distance service offerings. Long distance  telecommunications services will
involve the  origination  of traffic from end-user  customers,  either  directly
connected  to our  network or through  facilities  leased from  incumbent  local
exchange carriers,  to our  telecommunications  switches.  We will rely on other
carriers to provide  transmission and termination services for our long distance
traffic and will therefore be dependent on such  carriers.  We enter into resale
agreements  with  long  distance  carriers  to  provide  us with  long  distance
transmission services.  Such agreements typically provide for the resale of long
distance services on a per minute basis (some with minimum volume commitments or
volume  discounts).  The negotiation of these agreements  involves  estimates of
future  supply  and  demand for long  distance  telecommunications  transmission
capacity as well as estimates of the calling  pattern and traffic  levels of our
future  long  distance  customers.  Should  we fail to meet our  minimum  volume
commitments, if any, pursuant to these resale agreements, we may be obligated to
pay underutilization  charges.  Likewise, we may underestimate our need for long
distance   facilities   and  therefore  be  required  to  obtain  the  necessary
transmission  capacity  through more expensive  means.  We can give no assurance
that we will acquire long  distance  capacity on favorable  terms or that we can
accurately  predict  long  distance  prices and volumes so that we can  generate
favorable gross margins from our long distance business. Our success in entering
into the long distance business will be dependent upon, among other things,  our
ability  to select new  equipment  and  software  and  integrate  these into our
networks, hire and train qualified personnel,  enhance our billing,  back-office
and information systems to accommodate long distance services and the acceptance
by  potential  customers of our long  distance  service  offerings.  If our long
distance  transmission  business fails to generate favorable gross margins or if
we fail in any of the  foregoing  respects,  such  failure  may have a  material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

     RISKS OF ENTRY INTO DATA TRANSMISSION BUSINESS

     To complement our telecommunications  services offerings, we began offering
data transmission services in certain of our markets in 1997. We now offer ISDN,
Internet  access,  Local Area  Network-to-Local  Area Network  interconnect  and
wide-area  network  services  and  are  developing   product   applications  for
Centrex-type,  BRI,  PRI,  port  wholesale,  frame  relay  and ATM  services  to
complement our existing data services.  These services are primarily targeted at
large  and  medium  sized  businesses  with   substantial  data   communications
requirements. We do not expect data transmission services to generate a material
portion of our revenues over the near term. In providing these services, we will
be dependent  upon vendors for  assistance  in the  planning and  deployment  of
initial data product  offerings,  as well as ongoing  training and support.  The
success of our entry into the data transmission business will be dependent upon,
among other things:

     o    our ability to select new equipment  and software and integrate  these
          into our networks,

     o    our ability to hire and train qualified personnel,

     o    our  ability to  enhance  our  billing,  back-office  and  information
          systems to accommodate data transmission services, and

     o    the acceptance by potential customers of our service offerings.

We cannot assure you that we will be successful  with respect to these  matters.
If we are not successful with respect to these matters,  there may be a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

     GOVERNMENT REGULATION

     Our  networks and the  provision of switched and private line  services are
subject to significant  regulation at the federal,  state and local levels.  The
telecommunications  industry  in general,  and the  competitive  local  exchange
carrier industry in particular, are undergoing substantial regulatory change and
uncertainty.  Delays  in  receiving  required  regulatory  approvals,  new court
decisions or the enactment of new adverse regulations or regulatory requirements
may have a material  adverse  effect on our  business,  financial  condition and
results of operations.

     The  Telecommunications  Act of 1996 was enacted to promote  competition in
the domestic  telecommunications  industry,  including the local exchange,  long
distance and cable television  industries.  The  Telecommunications  Act remains
subject to judicial review and additional Federal Communications  Commission and
state public service commission rulemaking,  and thus it is difficult to predict
what effect the legislation  will have on the Company and our operations.  There
are currently many regulatory actions underway and being contemplated by federal
and state authorities  regarding  interconnection  pricing and other issues that
could  result  in  significant   changes  to  the  business  conditions  in  the
telecommunications industry. We may be required to cancel our federal interstate
tariff   filings  at  the  Federal   Communications   Commission  and  implement
replacement  contractual  arrangements,  which could result in substantial legal
and  administrative  expenses.  We cannot assure you that these changes will not
have a material adverse effect on our business,  financial condition and results
of operations.

     In addition to requirements  placed on incumbent  local exchange  carriers,
the  Telecommunications  Act of 1996  subjects  the  Company to certain  federal
regulatory  requirements regarding the provision of local exchange services. All
incumbent local exchange  carriers and competitive  local exchange carriers must
offer  reciprocal  compensation  for  termination of traffic and provide dialing
parity.  However,  negotiations  with  incumbent  local  exchange  carriers have
sometimes  involved  considerable  delays and the agreements may not be on terms
and conditions that are favorable to us. In May 1997, the Federal Communications
Commission  adopted a rule  that will  require  us and other  competitive  local
exchange  carriers to contribute to a universal service fund provided for in the
Telecommunications  Act of 1996.  At the same time,  the Federal  Communications
Commission  adopted  rules that will change how access  charges are  calculated.
These  changes will reduce  access  charge  levels closer to their cost and will
shift certain charges currently based on minutes to flat-rate,  monthly per-line
charges.  As a result,  the aggregate access revenue paid to access providers in
the  United   States  is  expected  to  decrease.   In  addition,   the  Federal
Communications  Commission has also adopted rules that will give incumbent local
exchange carriers pricing  flexibility with respect to access charges. We cannot
assure you that the  changes  to  current  regulations  or the  adoption  of new
regulations (pursuant to the Telecommunications Act of 1996 or otherwise) by the
Federal  Communications  Commission or state public service commissions will not
have a material adverse effect on our business,  financial condition and results
of operations.

     On December 31, 1997, the U.S.  District Court for the Northern District of
Texas  issued  the  SBC  Decision  finding  that  Sections  271  to  275  of the
Telecommunications  Act of 1996  are  unconstitutional.  These  sections  of the
Telecommunications Act impose restrictions on the lines of business in which the
Regional  Bell  Operating  Companies  may  engage,  including  establishing  the
conditions  the Regional Bell  Operating  Companies must satisfy before they may
provide inter-LATA long distance  telecommunications  services. The SBC Decision
has been reversed upon review by the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the
U.S. Supreme Court has denied all petitions for certiorari.

     State regulatory  commissions exercise jurisdiction over our Company to the
extent we provide intrastate  services.  As such a provider,  we are required to
obtain regulatory  authorization  and/or file tariffs or rate schedules at state
agencies in all of the states in which we operate.  Local  authorities  regulate
our access to municipal rights-of-way. The networks are also subject to numerous
local regulations such as building codes and licensing. Such regulations vary on
a city by city and county by county  basis.  If  authority is not obtained or if
tariffs are not filed, or are not updated, or otherwise do not fully comply with
the  tariff  filing  rules of the  Federal  Communications  Commission  or state
regulatory agencies,  third parties or regulators could challenge these actions.
Such  challenges  could cause an interruption or termination of our services and
could cause us to incur substantial legal and administrative expenses.

     Many states also regulate  transfers of control or assets, and issuances of
stock  or debt  instruments,  by  authorized  carriers.  Accordingly,  we may be
subject to prior approval or other filing requirements for such transactions.

     DEPENDENCE ON RIGHTS-OF-WAY AND OTHER THIRD PARTY AGREEMENTS

     We must obtain easements,  rights-of-way, entry to premises, franchises and
licenses from various  private  parties,  actual and potential  competitors  and
state and local governments in order to construct and operate our networks, some
of which may be  terminated  upon 30 or 60 days' notice to the  Company.  We can
give no assurance that we will obtain  rights-of-way and franchise agreements on
acceptable  terms or that  current  or  potential  competitors  will not  obtain
similar  rights-of-way and franchise  agreements that will allow them to compete
against  us.  If  any of our  existing  franchise  or  license  agreements  were
terminated or not renewed and we were forced to remove our fiber optic cables or
abandon our networks in place,  such  termination  could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

     DEPENDENCE ON BILLING, CUSTOMER SERVICES AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS

     Sophisticated  information  and processing  systems are vital to our growth
and our ability to monitor costs, bill customers,  provision customer orders and
achieve  operating  efficiencies.  Our existing billing and information  systems
have been  produced  largely  in-house  with  partial  reliance  on  third-party
vendors.  To date, these systems have generally met our needs due in part to our
low  volume  of bills  and  orders.  As we  expand  the  volume of our dial tone
services,  the  need  for  sophisticated  billing  and  information  systems  is
increased  significantly.  However,  because our existing provisioning system is
not electronic, it constrains our ability to grow our business at a faster rate.
We have  recently  embarked  upon a program to  implement  a full suite of order
management,   customer  service,  billing  and  financial  applications.   These
applications will include  electronic order tracking software developed by Eftia
OSS Solutions Inc. and software providing  comprehensive  billing  functionality
developed by Billing Concepts Systems,  Inc. The new operational support systems
will be  phased  in over  the  next  twelve  to  eighteen  months  with  initial
installation  expected  by the end of the first  quarter of 1999 and  electronic
bonding  expected by the end of the second quarter.  The new billing system will
be phased in over the next twelve  months.  Our failure to (i) implement the new
operational   support   systems,   convergent   billing  systems  and  financial
applications on a timely basis, (ii) adequately  identify all of our information
and processing  needs,  or (iii) upgrade our systems as necessary,  could have a
material  adverse  effect on our  business,  financial  condition and results of
operations.

     RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE

     The telecommunications industry is subject to rapid and significant changes
in technology,  with the Company relying on third parties for the development of
and  access to new  technology.  The  effect  of  technological  changes  on our
business  cannot be  predicted.  We believe our future  success will depend,  in
part, on our ability to  anticipate or adapt to such changes and to offer,  on a
timely basis,  services that meet customer demands. We cannot assure you that we
will be able to  anticipate  or adapt to such changes and to offer,  on a timely
basis,  services that meet customers'  demands.  A failure to do so would have a
material  adverse  effect on our  business,  financial  condition and results of
operations.

     DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL

     We  believe  that the  efforts  of a small  number  of key  management  and
operating  personnel will largely determine our success and the loss of any such
persons could adversely  affect the Company.  We do not maintain  so-called "key
man" insurance on any of our personnel.  We have employment  agreements with Mr.
Kamine, the Chairman of our Board of Directors, Mr. Sternberg, our President and
Chief Executive  Officer,  and Mr. Young,  our Chief Operating  Officer,  all of
which  currently run through  December 31, 2002. Our success will also depend in
part upon our ability to hire and retain highly skilled and qualified operating,
marketing,  financial and technical  personnel.  The  competition  for qualified
personnel in the  telecommunications  industry is intense and,  accordingly,  we
cannot  assure you that we will be able to hire or retain  necessary  personnel.
Our failure to hire or retain necessary  personnel could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

     Market risks  relating to the Company's  operations  result  primarily from
changes in interest rates. The substantial  majority of the Company's  long-term
debt bears interest at a fixed rate. However, the fair market value of the fixed
rate debt is sensitive to changes in interest  rates.  The Company is subject to
the risk that market  interest  rates will decline and the interest  expense due
under the fixed rate debt will exceed the  amounts  due based on current  market
rates.  Under its current  policies,  the Company  does not utilize any interest
rate derivative instruments to manage its exposure to interest rate changes.

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

     The  following  statements  are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form
10-K:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        FORM 10-K
                                                                                         PAGE NO.
                                                                                         --------
     <S>                                                                                   <C>
     Report of Independent Auditors....................................................    35
     Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1997 and 1998......................    36
     Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 1996,
      1997, and 1998...................................................................    37
     Consolidated Statements of Redeemable and Nonredeemable Equity for  the years
     ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998............................................    38
     Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31,
      1996, 1997 and 1998..............................................................    39
     Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements........................................    40
     Independent Auditors' Report on Schedules.........................................    61
     Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant........................    62
     Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts...................................    69
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc.

We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc. as
of  December  31,  1998 and 1997,  and the related  consolidated  statements  of
operations,  redeemable and nonredeemable  equity and cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1998.  These  financial  statements
are the  responsibility of the Company's  management.  Our  responsibility is to
express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated  financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material  respects,  the consolidated  financial  position of KMC
Telecom  Holdings,  Inc. as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the  consolidated
results of its  operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.


                                                           /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

MetroPark, New Jersey
February 2, 1999


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)

                                                                                            DECEMBER 31
                                                                                   ----------------------------
                                                                                      1997               1998
                                                                                      ----               ----
<S>                                                                               <C>               <C>       
ASSETS
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents..............................................        $  15,553         $   21,181
   Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $34 and
      $350 in 1997 and 1998, respectively.................................            1,318              7,539
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets..............................              489              1,315
                                                                                  ---------         ----------
Total current assets......................................................           17,360             30,035

Investments held for future capital expenditures..........................              --              27,920
Networks and equipment, net...............................................           71,371            224,890
Intangible assets, net....................................................            2,655              2,829
Deferred financing costs, net.............................................            4,196             20,903
Other assets..............................................................              361              4,733
                                                                                  ---------         ----------
                                                                                  $  95,943         $  311,310
                                                                                  =========         ==========

LIABILITIES,   REDEEMABLE  AND  NONREDEEMABLE   EQUITY   (DEFICIENCY)   
Current Liabilities:
   Accounts payable.......................................................        $   5,513         $   21,052
   Accrued expenses.......................................................            8,128             10,374
   Due to affiliates......................................................               47                -- 
                                                                                  ---------         ----------
Total current liabilities.................................................           13,688             31,426

Notes payable.............................................................           51,277             41,414
Subordinated notes payable................................................           10,000                -- 
Senior discount notes payable.............................................              --             267,811
                                                                                  ---------         ----------
Total liabilities.........................................................           74,965            340,651

Commitments and contingencies

Redeemable equity:
   Redeemable cumulative convertible preferred stock, par value $.01 per share;
      599  shares  authorized;  shares  issued and  outstanding:  Series A, 124
        shares in 1997 and 1998 ($12,380 liquidation
          preference)..................................................             18,879             30,390
      Series C, 150 shares in 1997 and 175 shares in 1998 ($17,500
        liquidation preference in 1998).................................             14,667             21,643
      Series D, 25 shares in 1997 and - 0 - shares in 1998..............              2,379                 --
   Redeemable common stock, shares issued and outstanding,
      133 in 1997 and 224 in 1998.......................................             11,187             22,305
   Redeemable common stock warrants.....................................                539                674
                                                                                  ---------         ----------
Total redeemable equity ................................................             47,651             75,012
Nonredeemable equity (deficiency)
      Common stock, par value $.01 per share; 3,000 shares authorized,
        614 shares issued and outstanding.................................                6                  6
      Additional paid-in capital..........................................           15,374             13,750
      Unearned compensation...............................................           (6,521)            (5,824)
      Accumulated deficit.................................................          (35,532)          (112,285)
                                                                                  ---------         ----------
Total nonredeemable equity (deficiency)...................................          (26,673)          (104,353)
                                                                                  ---------         ----------
                                                                                  $  95,943         $  311,310
                                                                                  =========         ==========

                                                                                       See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                           KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
                                                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                                                            -------------------------------------------------
                                                                                1996               1997               1998
                                                                                ----               ----               ----
<S>                                                                          <C>                <C>               <C>       
 Revenue................................................................     $      205         $    3,417        $   22,425

 Operating expenses:
    Network operating costs.............................................          1,361              7,735            37,336
     Selling, general and administrative................................          2,216              9,923            24,534
    Stock option compensation expense...................................            240             13,870             7,080
    Depreciation and amortization.......................................            287              2,506             9,257
                                                                             ----------         ----------        ----------
 Total operating expenses...............................................          4,104             34,034            78,207
                                                                             ----------         ----------        ----------

 Loss from operations    ................................................        (3,899)           (30,617)          (55,782)

 Interest income.........................................................            --                513             8,818
 Interest expense........................................................          (596)            (2,582)          (29,789)
                                                                             ----------         ----------        ----------
 Net loss................................................................        (4,495)           (32,686)          (76,753)

 Dividends and accretion on redeemable preferred stock...................            --             (8,904)          (18,285)
                                                                             ----------         ----------        ----------

 Net loss applicable to common shareholders..............................    $   (4,495)        $  (41,590)       $  (95,038)
                                                                             ==========         ==========        ==========

 Net loss per common share...............................................    $    (7.49)        $   (64.93)       $  (114.42)
                                                                             ==========         ==========        ==========

 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding....................           600                641               831
                                                                             ==========         ==========        ==========


                                                                                                     See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.
                                  (SEE NOTE 1)

         CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF REDEEMABLE AND NONREDEEMABLE EQUITY

                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1997 AND 1998
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                      Redeemable Equity                                              
                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     
                                        Preferred Stock
                      ----------------------------------------------------                                           
                          Series A         Series C           Series D             Common Stock            Total     
                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Redeemable     
                       Shares   Amount   Shares  Amount     Shares  Amount   Shares   Amount  Warrants    Equity     
                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     
<S>                    <C>     <C>               <C>                  <C>     <C>     <C>      <C>       <C>         
Balance, December 31,       -   $    -        -   $   -          -  $    -        -   $    -  $      -     $   -     
  1995................

Change in authorized                                                                                                 
  capital.............
Conversion of
  stockholder's loan                                                                                                 
  and related imputed
  interest to equity..
Issuance of common                                                                                                   
  stock...............
Issuance of stock                                                                                                    
  options to employees
Amortization of                                                                                                      
  unearned compensation...
Fair value of stock
  options issued to                                                                                                  
  non-employees.......
Reclassification of
  deficit accumulated
  through date of     
  termination of
  Subchapter S
  election............                                                                                               
Net loss..............                                                                                               
                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
Balance, December 31,       -        -       -       -        -          -        -         -         -         -    
  1996................

Conversion of
  convertible notes   
  payable to Series A
  Preferred Stock.....    124   11,519                                                                     11,519
Issuance of warrants..                                                                            2,025     2,025
Issuance of common
  stock and exercise                                                            133    10,863   (1,500)     9,363    
  of warrants.........
Issuance of Series C  
  Preferred Stock.....                     150  14,199                                                     14,199
Issuance of Series D  
  Preferred Stock.....                                       25      2,299                                  2,299
Accretion on          
  redeemable equity...           7,360             468                  80                324        14     8,246    
Issuance and
  adjustment to fair  
  value of stock
  options to employees                                                                                               
Amortization of       
  unearned
  compensation........                                                                                               
Increase in fair
   value of stock     
   options issued to
   non-employees......                                                                                               
Net loss..............                                                                                               
                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
Balance, December 31, 
  1997................    124   18,879     150  14,667       25      2,379      133    11,187       539    47,651    

Conversion of Series
  D Preferred Stock 
  to Series C
  Preferred Stock.....                      25   2,379      (25)    (2,379)                                     -
Issuance of common    
  stock...............                                                           91     9,500               9,500
Accretion on          
  redeemable equity...          11,511           4,597                                  1,618       135    17,861    
Payment of dividends
  on preferred stock  
  of subsidiary.......                                                                                               
Issuance of warrants..                                                                                               
Cancellation of KMC
  Telecom stock       
  options.............                                                                                               
Issuance and
  adjustment to fair  
  value of stock
  options to employees                                                                                               
Issuance and
  adjustment to fair   
  value of stock
  options to
  non-employees.......                                                                                               
Amortization of
  unearned
  compensation........                                                                                               
Net loss..............                                                                                               
                      ============================================================================================   
Balance, December 31,     124  $30,390     175 $21,643        -         $-      224   $22,305      $674   $75,012    
  1998................
                      ============================================================================================   

</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.
                                  (SEE NOTE 1)

         CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF REDEEMABLE AND NONREDEEMABLE EQUITY

                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1997 AND 1998
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
                                          Nonredeemable Equity
                       ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                          Total
                           Common Stock   Additional                     Equity   Nonredeemable
                       ------------------    Paid-in      Unearned  Accumulated          Equity
                          Shares   Amount    Capital  Compensation      Deficit    (Deficiency)
                       ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>            <C>
Balance, December 31,          -   $    -    $     2     $       -    $  (1,625)      $ (1,623)
  1995................

Change in authorized         560        6         (6)                                        -
  capital.............
Conversion of
  stockholder's loan                           2,267                                     2,267
  and related imputed
  interest to equity..
Issuance of common            40               4,000                                     4,000
  stock...............
Issuance of stock                              1,283        (1,283)                          -
  options to employees
Amortization of                                                 44                          44
  unearned compensation..
Fair value of stock
  options issued to                              196                                       196
  non-employees.......
Reclassification of
  deficit accumulated
  through date of     
  termination of
  Subchapter S
  election............                        (3,274)                     3,274              -
Net loss..............                                                   (4,495)        (4,495)
                      -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31,        600        6      4,468        (1,239)      (2,846)           389
  1996................

Conversion of
  convertible notes   
  payable to Series A
  Preferred Stock.....   
Issuance of warrants..   
Issuance of common
  stock and exercise          14
  of warrants.........
Issuance of Series C  
  Preferred Stock.....   
Issuance of Series D  
  Preferred Stock.....   
Accretion on          
  redeemable equity...                        (8,246)                                   (8,246)
Issuance and
  adjustment to fair  
  value of stock
  options to employees                        14,296       (14,296)                          -
Amortization of       
  unearned
  compensation........                                       9,014                       9,014
Increase in fair
   value of stock     
   options issued to
   non-employees......                         4,856                                     4,856
Net loss..............                                                     (32,686)     (32,686)
                      -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 
  1997................       614        6     15,374           (6,521)     (35,532)     (26,673)

Conversion of Series
  D Preferred Stock 
  to Series C
  Preferred Stock.....   
Issuance of common    
  stock...............   
Accretion on          
  redeemable equity...                       (17,861)                                  (17,861)
Payment of dividends
  on preferred stock  
  of subsidiary.......                          (592)                                     (592)
Issuance of warrants..                        10,446                                    10,446
Cancellation of KMC
  Telecom stock       
  options.............                       (26,191)        4,845                     (21,346)
Issuance and
  adjustment to fair  
  value of stock
  options to employees                        27,906       (27,906)                          -
Issuance and
  adjustment to fair   
  value of stock
  options to
  non-employees.......                         4,668                                     4,668
Amortization of
  unearned
  compensation........                                      23,758                      23,758
Net loss..............                                                  (76,753)       (76,753)
                      ========================================================================
Balance, December 31,        614       $6   $ 13,750       $(5,824)   $(112,285)     $(104,353)
  1998................
                      ========================================================================

</TABLE>

                             See accompanying notes.


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                           KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.

                                                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                                                 (in thousands)

                                                                          Year ended December 31

                                                                   1996            1997            1998
                                                                   ----            ----            ----
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>             <C>        
Operating activities
Net loss......................................................   $  (4,495)     $  (32,686)     $  (76,753)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in
  operating activities:
   Depreciation and amortization..............................         287           2,506           9,257
   Non-cash interest expense..................................         698             610          25,356
   Non-cash stock option compensation expense.................         240          13,870           7,080
   Changes in assets and liabilities:
     Accounts receivable......................................         (23)         (1,296)         (6,221)
     Prepaid expenses and other current assets................        (138)           (346)           (826)
     Accounts payable.........................................         789           2,934           7,449
     Accrued expenses.........................................         417           6,062           2,953
     Due to affiliates........................................        (410)            (35)            (47)
     Other assets.............................................         (52)           (295)         (1,821)
                                                              --------------- --------------- ---------------
Net cash used in operating activities.........................      (2,687)         (8,676)        (33,573)
                                                              --------------- --------------- ---------------

Investing activities
Construction of networks and purchases of equipment...........      (9,111)        (59,146)       (148,580)
Acquisitions of franchises, authorizations and related assets.      (1,063)         (1,846)         (1,147)
Cash paid for acquisition of Melbourne Network................           -          (2,000)              -
Deposit on purchase of equipment..............................           -               -          (2,551)
Purchase of investments, net..................................           -               -         (27,920)
                                                              --------------- --------------- ---------------
Net cash used in investing activities.........................     (10,174)        (62,992)       (180,198)
                                                              --------------- --------------- ---------------

Financing activities
Proceeds from stockholder loans...............................       3,542               -               -
Repayment of stockholder loans................................      (4,181)              -               -
Proceeds from notes payable, net of issuance costs............      10,953          59,873             938
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants,
  net of issuance costs.......................................       4,000           9,363          20,446
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock, net of
  issuance costs..............................................           -          16,498               -
Issuance costs of senior secured credit facility..............           -               -          (6,515)
Repayment of notes payable....................................           -               -         (20,801)
Proceeds from issuance of senior discount notes, net of
  issuance costs.............................................            -               -         225,923
Dividends on preferred stock of subsidiary....................           -               -            (592)
                                                              --------------- --------------- ---------------

Net cash provided by financing activities.....................      14,314          85,734         219,399
                                                              --------------- --------------- ---------------

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents.....................       1,453          14,066           5,628
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year..................          34           1,487          15,553
                                                              --------------- --------------- ---------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year........................   $   1,487      $   15,553      $   21,181
                                                              =============== =============== ===============

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Cash paid during the year for interest, net of amounts                                                       
capitalized...................................................   $      97      $      766      $    4,438
                                                              =============== =============== ===============

                                                                          See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>



<PAGE>



                           KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.  ORGANIZATION

KMC Telecom  Holdings,  Inc. ("KMC Holdings") is a holding company formed during
1997  primarily  to own all of the  shares of its  operating  subsidiaries,  KMC
Telecom Inc.  ("KMC  Telecom"),  KMC Telecom II, Inc.  ("KMC Telecom  II"),  KMC
Telecom  III,  Inc.  ("KMC  Telecom  III") and KMC Telecom of  Virginia  Inc. On
September 22, 1997, the  stockholders of KMC Telecom  exchanged all of their KMC
Telecom  common and  preferred  stock for equal  numbers of shares of common and
preferred stock of KMC Holdings.  The merger was accounted for as an exchange of
shares between  entities under common  control,  and no changes were made to the
historical cost basis of KMC Telecom's net assets.

KMC Holdings and its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries, KMC Telecom,
KMC  Telecom  II,  KMC  Telecom  III and  KMC  Telecom  of  Virginia,  Inc.  are
collectively referred to herein as the Company.

The predecessors to KMC Telecom, Kamine Multimedia Corp. and KMC Southeast Corp.
(the  "Predecessors") were incorporated in the state of Delaware on May 10, 1994
and April 19, 1995,  respectively,  and all of the  outstanding  common stock of
each company was owned by Harold N. Kamine  ("Kamine").  Effective May 23, 1996,
Kamine  Multimedia  Corp. was merged into KMC Southeast Corp., and the surviving
corporation  was renamed  KMC Telecom  Inc.  The merger was  accounted  for as a
combination  of  entities  under  common  control,  and the net assets of Kamine
Multimedia  Corp. were  transferred at their historical cost in a manner similar
to that in pooling of interests accounting.

The Company is a  facilities-based  competitive  local exchange carrier ("CLEC")
providing  telecommunications  and data services to its  customers;  principally
business,  government and institutional  end-users,  as well as Internet service
providers, long distance companies and wireless service providers,  primarily in
the Southeastern and Midwestern United States.

2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

As noted above,  effective May 23, 1996, KMC Telecom was the successor resulting
from the merger of the  Predecessors,  and  effective  September  22, 1997,  KMC
Telecom  became a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of KMC Holdings.  The  accompanying
financial statements include the consolidated  financial position and results of
operations  of KMC Holdings and its  subsidiaries  subsequent  to September  22,
1997,  the results of  operations  of KMC  Telecom  from May 23,  1996,  and the
combined  results of operations of the  Predecessors  from January 1, 1996.  All
significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

The Company  considers all highly liquid  investments  with  maturities of three
months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

INVESTMENTS HELD FOR FUTURE CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

The  Company  has  designated  certain  amounts as  investments  held for future
capital  expenditures.  As of December 31, 1998, the Company's  investments held
for  future  capital  expenditures  consisted  of cash  equivalents  (bank  term
deposits and  commercial  paper with  maturities  of less than 90 days) of $11.2
million and debt securities  (U.S.  government  obligations and commercial bonds
due within 1 year) of $16.7 million. All debt securities have been designated by
the Company as  held-to-maturity.  Accordingly,  such securities are recorded in
the  accompanying  December 31, 1998 financial  statements at amortized cost. At
December 31, 1998, the carrying value of such  held-to-maturity  debt securities
approximated their fair value.


<PAGE>

NETWORKS AND EQUIPMENT

Networks and  equipment  are stated at cost,  net of  accumulated  depreciation.
Depreciation  is provided  over the  estimated  useful  lives of the  respective
assets  using  the  straight-line   method  for  financial  statement  reporting
purposes.

The estimated useful lives of the Company's  principal  classes of assets are as
follows:

Networks:
  Fiber optic systems..............................................20 years
  Telecommunications equipment.....................................10 years
Furniture and fixtures.............................................5 years
Leasehold improvements.............................................Life of lease

INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Costs  incurred in  developing  new  networks or  expanding  existing  networks,
including  negotiation of rights-of-way and obtaining regulatory  authorizations
are  capitalized  and amortized over the initial term of the  agreements,  which
generally range from 2 to 15 years. Costs incurred to obtain city franchises are
capitalized  by  the  Company  and  amortized  over  the  initial  term  of  the
franchises, which generally range from 2 to 15 years.

DEFERRED FINANCING COSTS

The  Company  capitalizes  issuance  costs  related to its debt.  Such costs are
amortized  utilizing the interest method over the lives of the related debt. The
related  amortization  is  included  as a component  of  interest  expense,  and
amounted to $189,000,  $561,000 and  $2,279,000 for the years ended December 31,
1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively.

OTHER ASSETS

Other  assets are  comprised  principally  of  non-refundable  deposits  for the
purchase of switching  equipment,  employee loans,  security  deposits and other
deposits.

REVENUE RECOGNITION

Revenue is  recognized in the period the service is provided.  Unbilled  revenue
included in accounts  receivable  represents  revenue  earned for services which
will be billed in the  succeeding  month and totaled  $1,272,000 at December 31,
1998.  The  Company  generally  invoices  customers  one  month in  advance  for
recurring  services  resulting in deferred revenue of $1,187,000 at December 31,
1998.

NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE

Earnings per share are  calculated  in accordance  with FASB  Statement No. 128,
Earnings per Share  ("Statement  128").  All earnings per share  amounts for all
periods have been presented in accordance  with the provisions of Statement 128.
Diluted earnings per share have not been presented for any period, as the impact
of  including  outstanding  options and  warrants  would be  anti-dilutive.  The
Predecessors'  earnings  per share  have been  computed  as if the May 23,  1996
merger had occurred as of January 1, 1996.

INCOME TAXES

The Company  uses the  liability  method to account for income  taxes.  Deferred
taxes are recorded based upon  differences  between the financial  statement and
tax basis of assets and liabilities.

<PAGE>
2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

ADVERTISING COSTS

Advertising costs are included in selling,  general and administrative  expenses
and charged to expense as  incurred.  For the years ended  December 31, 1997 and
1998, such costs were $66,000 and $2,769,000, respectively.

USE OF ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial  statements in conformity  with generally  accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the amounts reported in the financial  statements and accompanying notes.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.

IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS

The Company records impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations or
expected to be disposed of when events and circumstances  indicate that the cash
flows  expected  to be  derived  from those  assets  are less than the  carrying
amounts of those assets. No such events and circumstances have occurred.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

As permitted by FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based  Compensation
("Statement 123"), the Company has elected to follow Accounting Principles Board
Opinion No. 25,  Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees ("APB 25") and related
interpretations in accounting for its employee stock-based  compensation.  Under
APB 25, no compensation expense is recognized at the time of option grant if the
exercise  price of the employee  stock option is fixed and equals or exceeds the
fair market value of the underlying  common stock on the date of grant,  and the
number of shares to be issued  pursuant to the exercise of such option are known
and fixed at the grant date.  As more fully  described in Note 7, the  Company's
outstanding  stock  options are not  considered  fixed options under APB 25. The
Company  accounts for non-employee  stock-based  compensation in accordance with
Statement 123.

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

In 1998,  the Company  adopted FASB Statement No. 130,  Reporting  Comprehensive
Income,   which   established  new  rules  for  the  reporting  and  display  of
comprehensive  income  and  its  components  in a full  set  of  general-purpose
financial  statements.  This statement has no effect on the Company's  financial
statement   presentation   because  the  Company   presently  has  no  items  of
comprehensive income.

SEGMENT REPORTING

In 1998, the Company adopted FASB Statement No. 131,  Disclosures About Segments
of an Enterprise and Related Information ("Statement 131"). Statement 131 uses a
management  approach to report  financial and descriptive  information  about an
entity's operating segments. Operating segments are revenue-producing components
of an enterprise for which separate financial information is produced internally
for the entity's management.  Under this definition, the Company operated within
a single segment for all periods presented.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In January  1998,  the  Accounting  Standards  Executive  Committee of the AICPA
issued  Statement  of  Position  98-5,   Reporting  on  the  Costs  of  Start-Up
Activities,  which is effective for fiscal years  beginning  after  December 15,
1998.  This statement  requires  costs of start-up  activities to be expensed as
incurred.  The Company does not  anticipate  that the adoption of this statement
will have any effect on its results of operations or financial position, because
the Company currently expenses such costs.

In June 1998,  the FASB issued  Statement  No. 133,  Accounting  for  Derivative
Instruments  and  Hedging  Activities.  The  Company  expects  to adopt  the new

<PAGE>

Statement  effective January 1, 2000. This statement will require the Company to
recognize all  derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value.  The Company does
not  anticipate  that the  adoption of this  statement  will have a  significant
effect on its results of operations or financial  position,  because the Company
presently has no derivatives.

3.  NETWORKS AND EQUIPMENT

Networks and equipment are comprised of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         December 31
                                                     1997           1998
                                                --------------------------------
                                                       (in thousands)
<S>                                                    <C>            <C>      
Fiber optic systems...........................         $29,837        $  99,502
Telecommunications equipment..................          18,052          115,769
Furniture and fixtures........................           1,518            7,340
Leasehold improvements........................             792            1,177
Construction-in-progress......................          23,556           11,770
                                               --------------------------------
                                                        73,755          235,558
Less accumulated depreciation................           (2,384)         (10,668)
                                               --------------------------------
                                                        $71,371        $224,890
                                               ================================
</TABLE>

Costs  capitalized  during the  development  of the Company's  networks  include
amounts  incurred  related to network  engineering,  design and construction and
capitalized  interest.  Capitalized  interest related to the construction of the
networks  during the years ended  December 31, 1996,  1997 and 1998  amounted to
$103,000, $854,000 and $5,133,000, respectively.

For the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998,  depreciation  expense was
$260,000, $2,122,000 and $8,284,000, respectively.

4.  INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Intangible assets are comprised of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           December 31
                                                        1997           1998
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                           (in thousands)
<S>                                                  <C>              <C>      
Franchise costs...............................       $   1,342        $   1,690
Authorizations and rights-of-ways.............           1,151            1,455
Building access agreements and other..........             567            1,062
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                         3,060            4,207
Less accumulated amortization.................            (405)          (1,378)
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                     $   2,655        $   2,829
                                                 ===============================
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

5.  ACCRUED EXPENSES

Accrued expenses are comprised of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          December 31
                                                       1997           1998
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                          (in thousands)
<S>                                                     <C>            <C>     
Accrued compensation..........................          $ 1,179        $  4,138
Deferred revenue..............................              498           1,187
Other accrued expenses........................            6,451           5,049
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                        $ 8,128         $10,374
                                                 ===============================
</TABLE>

6.  LONG-TERM DEBT

SENIOR SECURED CREDIT FACILITY

On September  22,  1997,  KMC Telecom and KMC Telecom II entered into an Amended
and  Restated  Loan and  Security  Agreement  (the  "AT&T  Facility")  with AT&T
Commercial Finance Corporation ("AT&T Finance") which provided for borrowings up
to an aggregate of $70 million.

On December  22, 1998,  KMC Telecom,  KMC Telecom II and KMC Telecom of Virginia
(the "Borrowers"),  refinanced and expanded the AT&T Facility by entering into a
Loan and Security  Agreement (the "Senior  Secured Credit  Facility")  with AT&T
Finance,  First  Union  National  Bank,  General  Electric  Capital  Corporation
("GECC") and  Canadian  Imperial  Bank of Commerce  (the  "Lenders").  Under the
Senior Secured Credit  Facility,  the Lenders agreed to lend the Borrowers up to
an  aggregate  of $250 million  initially  to be used for the  construction  and
expansion of fiber optic telecommunications  networks in certain markets and for
payment of  transaction  fees and expenses  and,  subject to the  attainment  of
certain  financial  conditions,   for  working  capital  and  general  corporate
purposes.

The Senior Secured Credit Facility  includes a $175 million eight year revolving
loan (the  "Revolver")  and a $75 million eight and one half year term loan (the
"Term  Loan").  At  December  31,  1998,  an  aggregate  of  $41.4  million  was
outstanding under this facility.

The Senior Secured  Credit  Facility will mature no later than July 1, 2007. The
outstanding  principal balance of the Term Loan is payable in twenty consecutive
quarterly  installments  of  $188,000  beginning  on April 1, 2002 and two final
installments  of  $35.6  million  each on April 1,  2007 and July 1,  2007.  The
aggregate  commitment  of the Lenders under the Revolver will be reduced on each
payment  date  beginning  April  1,  2002.  The  initial  quarterly   commitment
reductions are 2.5%, increasing to 5% on April 1, 2003 and further increasing to
7.5% on April 1, 2006.  Commencing  on April 1,  2002,  the  aggregate  Revolver
commitment will be further reduced by an amount equal to 50% of excess operating
cash flows (as  defined in the  facility)  for the prior  fiscal  year until the
Borrowers  achieve and maintain  for at least two  consecutive  fiscal  quarters
certain  financial  conditions.  Additionally,  in the event  certain  principal
amounts due under the Revolver are repaid and not reborrowed  within 120 days of
such repayment, then the aggregate commitment under the Revolver will be reduced
by such amount.

Borrowings  under the Senior Secured Credit Facility will bear interest  payable
at the  Borrowers'  option,  at (a) the  "Applicable  Base Rate  Margin"  (which
generally ranges from 1.75% to 3.25%) plus the greater of (i) the administrative
agent's prime rate or (ii) the overnight  federal funds rate plus .5% or (b) the
"Applicable  LIBOR  Margin"  (which  generally  ranges from 2.75% to 4.25%) plus
LIBOR, as defined. If the Borrowers default on any interest or principal payment
due under the Senior Secured Credit Facility, the interest rate will increase by
four percentage  points. If any other event of default shall occur, the interest
rate will be increased by two percentage points.  Interest on each LIBOR loan is
payable on each LIBOR interest payment date in arrears and interest on each base
rate loan is payable quarterly in arrears. Interest on borrowings outstanding at
December 31, 1998 was based on LIBOR, and the Borrowers were being charged at an
annual rate of 9.38%.  The Borrowers  must pay an annual  commitment  fee on the
unused portion of the Senior Secured Credit Facility ranging from .75% to 1.25%.


<PAGE>

KMC Holdings has unconditionally  guaranteed the repayment of the Senior Secured
Credit  Facility  when  such  repayment  is  due,  whether  at  maturity,   upon
acceleration,  or otherwise.  KMC Holdings has pledged the shares of each of the
Borrowers to the Lenders to collateralize its obligations under the guaranty. In
addition, the Borrowers have each pledged all of their assets to the Lenders.

The Senior Secured Credit Facility contains a number of affirmative and negative
covenants  including,  among others,  covenants  restricting  the ability of the
Borrowers to consolidate  or merge with any person,  sell or lease assets not in
the  ordinary  course of  business,  sell or enter into long term leases of dark
fiber,  redeem  stock,  pay  dividends  or make any  other  payments  (including
payments  of   principal  or  interest  on  loans)  to  KMC   Holdings,   create
subsidiaries, transfer any permits or licenses, or incur additional indebtedness
or act as guarantor for the debt of any person, subject to certain conditions.

The Borrowers are required to comply with certain  financial  tests and maintain
certain  financial  ratios,  including,  among others,  a ratio of total debt to
contributed capital, certain minimum revenues, maximum EBITDA losses and minimum
EBITDA,  maximum capital  expenditures and minimum access lines, a maximum total
leverage  ratio, a minimum debt service  coverage  ratio, a minimum fixed charge
coverage ratio and a maximum  consolidated  leverage ratio. The covenants become
more  restrictive  upon the  earlier  of (i) June 30,  2001 and (ii)  after  the
Borrowers achieve positive EBITDA on a combined basis for two consecutive fiscal
quarters.

Failure to satisfy any of the financial  covenants  will  constitute an event of
default under the Senior Secured Credit Facility  permitting the Lenders,  after
notice,  to terminate the commitment  and/or  accelerate  payment of outstanding
indebtedness.  The Senior Secured Credit  Facility also includes other customary
events of default,  including,  without  limitation,  a  cross-default  to other
material indebtedness,  material undischarged judgments,  bankruptcy,  loss of a
material  franchise  or  material  license,   breach  of   representations   and
warranties,  a  material  adverse  change,  and the  occurrence  of a change  of
control.

SENIOR DISCOUNT NOTES

On January 29, 1998, KMC Holdings sold 460,800 units,  each unit consisting of a
12 1/2% senior  discount note with a principal  amount at maturity of $1,000 due
2008 pursuant to the Senior Discount Note Indenture between KMC Holdings and the
Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee (the "Senior Discount Notes"),  and one warrant
to purchase  .21785 shares of Common Stock of KMC Holdings at an exercise  price
of $.01 per share. The gross and net proceeds of the offering were approximately
$250.0 million and $236.4 million,  respectively.  A substantial  portion of the
net  proceeds  of  the  offering  have  been  loaned  by  KMC  Holdings  to  its
subsidiaries.  On August 11, 1998, KMC Holdings consummated an offer to exchange
the notes  issued on January 29,  1998 for $460.8  million  aggregate  principal
amount at maturity of notes that had been registered under the Securities Act of
1933 (as used below and elsewhere  herein,  "Senior Discount Notes" includes the
original notes and the exchange notes).

The Senior  Discount  Notes are  unsecured,  unsubordinated  obligations  of the
Company and mature on February 15, 2008. The Senior  Discount Notes were sold at
a substantial  discount from their principal amount at maturity,  and there will
not be any payment of interest on the Senior  Discount Notes prior to August 15,
2003. The Senior Discount Notes will fully accrete to face value on February 15,
2003.  From and after  February 15, 2003,  the Senior  Discount  Notes will bear
interest,  which  will be  payable  in cash,  at the rate of 12.5%  per annum on
February 15 and August 15 of each year,  commencing August 15, 2003. The Company
is accreting the initial  carrying  value of the Senior  Discount Notes to their
aggregate face value over the term of the debt at its effective interest rate of
13.7%.

The Senior Discount Notes are redeemable,  at the Company's  option, in whole or
in part,  on or after  February  15, 2003 and prior to maturity,  at  redemption
prices equal to 106.25% of the  aggregate  principal  amount at  maturity,  plus
accrued and unpaid interest,  if any, to the redemption date,  declining to 100%
of the aggregate principal amount at maturity,  plus accrued and unpaid interest
as of February 15, 2006.

In addition,  at any time prior to April 15, 2000,  the Company may redeem up to
35% of the aggregate  principal  amount at maturity of the Senior Discount Notes
with the net proceeds  from the sale of common  equity at a redemption  price of
112.50% of their accreted value on the redemption date.

The  indebtedness  evidenced  by the Senior  Discount  Notes ranks pari passu in
right  of  payment  with  all  existing  and  future  unsubordinated,  unsecured

<PAGE>

indebtedness  of KMC Holdings and senior in right of payment to all existing and
future  subordinated  indebtedness of KMC Holdings.  However,  KMC Holdings is a
holding  company  and the  Senior  Discount  Notes are,  therefore,  effectively
subordinated to all existing and future  liabilities  (including trade payables)
of its subsidiaries.

Within 30 days of the  occurrence  of a Change of  Control  (as  defined  in the
Senior Discount Note Indenture), the Company must offer to purchase for cash all
Senior Discount Notes then  outstanding at a purchase price equal to 101% of the
accreted value thereof,  plus accrued interest.  The Company's ability to comply
with this requirement is subject to certain restrictions contained in the Senior
Secured Credit Facility.

The Senior Discount Note Indenture  contains events of default,  including,  but
not limited to, (i) defaults in the payment of  principal,  premium or interest,
(ii) defaults in compliance with covenants contained in the Senior Discount Note
Indenture,  (iii) cross defaults on more than $5 million of other  indebtedness,
(iv) failure to pay more than $5 million of judgments  that have not been stayed
by appeal or otherwise and (v) the  bankruptcy of KMC Holdings or certain of its
subsidiaries.  The Senior Discount Note Indenture restricts, among other things,
the ability of KMC  Holdings to incur  additional  indebtedness,  create  liens,
engage in sale-leaseback  transactions,  pay dividends or make  distributions in
respect of capital stock, make investments or certain other restricted payments,
sell  assets of KMC  Holdings,  redeem  capital  stock,  issue or sell  stock of
restricted subsidiaries, enter into transactions with stockholders or affiliates
or effect a consolidation or merger.  The Senior Discount Note Indenture permits
KMC Holdings' subsidiaries to be deemed unrestricted subsidiaries and, thus, not
subject to the restrictions of the Senior Discount Note Indenture.

The Senior  Discount  Notes are  "applicable  high yield  discount  obligations"
("AHYDOs"),  as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  Under
the rules applicable to AHYDOs, a portion of the original issue discount ("OID")
that accrues on the Senior  Discount Notes will not be deductible by the Company
at any  time.  Any  remaining  OID on the  Senior  Discount  Notes  will  not be
deductible by the Company until such OID is paid.

OTHER INDEBTEDNESS

On September  22, 1997,  KMC Telecom and KMC Telecom II obtained a  subordinated
term loan (the  "Supplemental AT&T Facility") from AT&T Finance with an original
principal  amount of $10 million.  The  Supplemental  AT&T  Facility was, by its
terms,  due in full upon the closing of a debt offering with gross cash proceeds
of at least $50 million. On January 29, 1998, the entire $10 million outstanding
under this  facility  was repaid in full with a portion of the  proceeds  of the
Company's issuance of Senior Discount Notes and warrants.

During 1996, KMC Telecom issued  convertible  secured notes payable  aggregating
$11,894,000 and $106,000 to two entities,  Nassau Capital  Partners L.P. and NAS
Partners  I  L.L.C.  ("Nassau  Capital"  and  "Nassau  Partners",  respectively,
collectively  referred to as "Nassau") (such notes are collectively  referred to
herein as the "Convertible  Notes".) On January 21, 1997, the Convertible Notes,
including  accrued  interest  through  that  date,   aggregating   approximately
$12,380,000   were   converted  into  123,800  shares  of  Series  A  Cumulative
Convertible  Preferred  Stock  of  KMC  Telecom  (such  stock  was  subsequently
exchanged  for an equal  number of shares  of  Series A  Preferred  Stock of KMC
Holdings on September 22, 1997).

7.  REDEEMABLE AND NONREDEEMABLE EQUITY

KMC TELECOM PREFERRED STOCK

On January 21, 1997, the Convertible Notes were converted into 123,800 shares of
Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock of KMC Telecom with an aggregate
liquidation  value of  $12,380,000.  Effective  September  22, 1997,  all of the
shares of Series A Cumulative  Convertible  Preferred  Stock of KMC Telecom were
exchanged  for an equal  number of shares  of  Series A  Cumulative  Convertible
Preferred Stock of KMC Holdings.

Pursuant to an agreement with Nassau, all dividends  accumulated on the Series A
Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock of KMC Telecom through September 22, 1997
($592,000)  were paid  upon the  closing  of KMC  Holdings'  issuance  of Senior
Discount Notes and warrants on January 29, 1998.


<PAGE>

SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK

There are 123,800 shares of Series A Cumulative  Convertible  Preferred Stock of
KMC Holdings ("Series A Preferred Stock")  authorized and outstanding.  Series A
Preferred  Stock has a  liquidation  preference  of $100 per share and an annual
dividend equal to 7.0% of the liquidation  preference,  payable quarterly,  when
and if  declared  by the  Board  of  Directors  out of funds  legally  available
therefor.  Unpaid  dividends  accumulate and the unpaid amount  increases at the
annual rate of 7.0%, compounded quarterly.  All accumulated but unpaid dividends
will be paid upon the  occurrence  of a  Realization  Event  (defined  as (i) an
initial public offering with gross proceeds of at least $40 million or (ii) sale
of  substantially  all the  assets  or stock of the  Company  or the  merger  or
consolidation  of the  Company  into  one or  more  other  corporations).  As of
December  31,  1998,  dividends  in  arrears  on the  Series A  Preferred  Stock
aggregated $1,144,000.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  pursuant to an agreement
among  Nassau  and the  Company,  Nassau  has  agreed to forego  the  payment of
dividends from  September 22, 1997 through the date on which Nassau  disposes of
its  interest in the  Company;  provided  that at the time of such  disposition,
Nassau has received not less than a 10% annual  compound  rate of return  during
the period it held the Series A Preferred Stock.

Series A Preferred Stock is convertible  into Common Stock at a conversion price
equal to $20.63  per share of  Common  Stock,  subject  to  adjustment  upon the
occurrence of certain  events.  Holders of Series A Preferred  Stock may convert
all or part of such  shares to Common  Stock.  Upon  conversion,  subject to the
aforementioned  agreement  to forego the payment of  dividends,  the holders are
entitled  to receive a cash  payment of the  accumulated  but unpaid  dividends;
provided,  however,  that the Company may substitute common shares having a fair
market value equal to the amount of such cash payment if the  conversion  occurs
before a Realization Event. Series A Preferred Stock will automatically  convert
into Common Stock upon the occurrence of a Qualified Public Offering (defined as
the first sale of Common Stock pursuant to a registration  statement filed under
the  Securities  Act of 1933 in which the Company  receives gross proceeds of at
least $40  million,  provided  that the per share price at which such shares are
sold in such offering is at least four times the conversion  price of the Series
A Preferred Stock).

The holders of Series A Preferred  Stock,  except as  otherwise  provided in the
Company's  Certificate  of  Incorporation,  are  entitled to vote on all matters
voted on by holders of Common Stock.  Each share of Series A Preferred  Stock is
entitled to a number of votes equal to the number of shares of Common Stock into
which such share is convertible.  Without the prior consent of two-thirds of the
shares of Series A  Preferred  Stock,  among other  things,  the Company may not
increase the number of shares of preferred stock (of whatever series) authorized
for issuance, or declare or pay any dividends on shares of Common Stock or other
junior shares.  As discussed  under  "Redemption  Rights" below,  the holders of
Series A Preferred Stock have certain redemption rights. Accordingly, such stock
has  been  reflected  as  redeemable   equity  in  the  accompanying   financial
statements.

SERIES C PREFERRED STOCK

There are 350,000 shares of Series C Cumulative  Convertible  Preferred Stock of
KMC Holdings  ("Series C Preferred Stock")  authorized,  of which 175,000 shares
are  outstanding  at December  31,  1998.  150,000 of such shares were issued in
November  1997,  generating  aggregate  gross  proceeds  of $15  million and the
remaining  25,000  shares were issued in January 1998 upon the  conversion of an
equal number of shares of Series D Preferred Stock. Series C Preferred Stock has
a liquidation  preference of $100 per share and an annual dividend equal to 7.0%
of the liquidation  preference,  payable quarterly,  when and if declared by the
Board of Directors out of funds legally  available  therefor.  Unpaid  dividends
accumulate  and  the  unpaid  amount  increases  at the  annual  rate  of  7.0%,
compounded quarterly. All accumulated but unpaid dividends will be paid upon the
occurrence of a Realization Event. As of December 31, 1998, dividends in arrears
on the Series C  Preferred  Stock  aggregated  $1,458,000.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing,  pursuant to the Purchase Agreement among the Company,  Nassau,  GECC
and CoreStates Holdings,  Inc.  ("CoreStates"),  each current holder of Series C
Preferred  Stock has agreed to forego the payment of dividends  that  accumulate
during the period from issuance  through the date on which such holder  disposes
of its interest in the Company;  provided that at the time of such  disposition,
it has received not less than a 10% annual  compound  rate of return during such
period.

Series C Preferred Stock is convertible  into Common Stock at a conversion price
equal to (i) from the date of  initial  issuance  to the date which is 30 months
after the date of such  initial  issuance,  $52.50 per share of Common Stock and
(ii)  from and  after the date  which is 30  months  after  the date of  initial
issuance, $42.18; provided that both such amounts are subject to adjustment upon

<PAGE>

the  occurrence  of  certain  events.  Holders of Series C  Preferred  Stock may
convert all or part of such shares to Common Stock. Upon conversion,  subject to
the aforementioned agreement to forego the payment of dividends, the holders are
entitled  to receive a cash  payment of the  accumulated  but unpaid  dividends;
provided,  however,  that the Company may substitute common shares having a fair
market value equal to the amount of such cash payment if the  conversion  occurs
before a Realization Event. Series C Preferred Stock will automatically  convert
into Common Stock upon the occurrence of a Qualified Public Offering.

The holders of Series C Preferred  Stock,  except as  otherwise  provided in the
Company's  Certificate  of  Incorporation,  are  entitled to vote on all matters
voted on by holders of Common Stock.  Each share of Series C Preferred  Stock is
entitled to a number of votes equal to the number of shares of Common Stock into
which such share is convertible.  Without the prior consent of two-thirds of the
shares of Series C  Preferred  Stock,  among other  things,  the Company may not
increase the number of shares of preferred stock (of whatever series) authorized
for issuance, or declare or pay any dividends on shares of Common Stock or other
junior shares.  As discussed  under  "Redemption  Rights" below,  the holders of
Series C Preferred Stock have certain redemption rights. Accordingly, such stock
has  been  reflected  as  redeemable   equity  in  the  accompanying   financial
statements.

The  Series C  Preferred  Stock is subject  to  redemption  at the option of the
Company, in whole but not in part, in connection with an "Acquisition Event." An
Acquisition  Event is defined to mean any merger or consolidation of the Company
with any other  company,  person or entity,  whether  or not the  Company is the
surviving entity, as a result of which the holders of the Company's Common Stock
(determined  on a fully  diluted  basis)  will hold less than a majority  of the
outstanding  shares of Common  Stock or other  equity  interest of the  Company,
person or entity resulting from such transaction, or any parent of such entity.

SERIES D PREFERRED STOCK

There are 25,000 shares of Series D Cumulative  Convertible  Preferred  Stock of
KMC  Holdings  ("Series  D  Preferred  Stock")  authorized,  none of  which  are
outstanding  at December  31, 1998.  There were 25,000 of such shares  issued to
Nassau in November 1997, generating aggregate gross proceeds of $2.5 million. In
January 1998,  Nassau  exercised its conversion  rights and converted all of its
shares of Series D  Preferred  Stock into an equal  number of shares of Series C
Preferred Stock.

COMMON STOCK

Holders of Common  Stock of the Company are  entitled to one vote for each share
held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders,  except with respect to
the election of Directors.  Except as otherwise  required by law, actions at the
Company's   stockholders   meetings  (held  at  least  annually),   require  the
affirmative  vote of a majority  of the shares  represented  at the  meeting,  a
quorum  being  present.  Holders of Common  Stock are  entitled,  subject to the
preferences of preferred  stock,  to receive such  dividends,  if any, as may be
declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor.  The
Senior Discount Note Indenture and the Company's other indebtedness restrict the
ability of the Company to pay dividends on its Common  Stock.  Without the prior
consent of two-thirds of the shares of Series A Preferred  Stock and  two-thirds
of the shares of Series C  Preferred  Stock,  the Company may not declare or pay
any dividends on its Common Stock. Except as discussed under "Redemption Rights"
below, the holders of Common Stock have no preemptive,  redemption or conversion
rights.

Pursuant to provisions  contained in the Company's  Certificate of Incorporation
and an Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement dated as of October 31, 1997,
among the Company,  Kamine,  Nassau,  AT&T Credit  Corporation  ("AT&T Credit"),
GECC, and CoreStates (the  "Stockholders'  Agreement"),  until Kamine and Nassau
cease to own Common  Stock or  preferred  stock  convertible  into Common  Stock
representing  at least five percent of the  outstanding  shares of Common Stock,
assuming  all  convertible  securities  are  converted,  Kamine and Nassau  have
special rights  entitling each to elect three  Directors.  A Director elected by
Kamine's  shares  or  Nassau's  shares  may  not  be  removed  except  with  the
affirmative  vote of a majority of the applicable  shares of capital  stock.  If
Kamine or Nassau transfer their shares of capital stock, the number of Directors
their shares are  entitled to elect  decreases.  The number of  Directors  which
Kamine is  entitled  to elect  would be  reduced  to two if the number of shares
owned by him were to fall  below  two-thirds  of the  number  of  shares  of the
Company initially issued to him, and to one if the number of shares owned by him

<PAGE>

were to fall below one-third of the number of shares initially issued to him. If
his ownership were to fall below 5% of the number of shares  initially issued to
him, Kamine would no longer be entitled to elect any Directors  pursuant to such
provisions. Comparable reductions would be made to the number of Directors which
Nassau is entitled to elect if its  ownership  were to fall below the  specified
percentages.  Directors  other than those elected by vote of Kamine's  shares or
Nassau's  shares are elected by holders of Common Stock and holders of preferred
stock that are  entitled  to vote in the  election  of  Directors.  If a default
relating  to  payment  occurs  under the  Senior  Secured  Credit  Facility  and
continues  uncured  for 90  days,  the  holders  of  Series  C  Preferred  Stock
(currently  Nassau,  GECC and  CoreStates)  are entitled to elect two additional
Directors, who will serve until the default is cured.

REDEMPTION RIGHTS

Pursuant to the Stockholders'  Agreement,  each of Nassau, AT&T Credit, GECC and
CoreStates  has a "put right"  entitling it to have the Company  repurchase  its
preferred  and common  shares  for the fair  market  value of such  shares if no
Liquidity  Event (defined as (i) an initial public  offering with gross proceeds
of at least  $40  million,  (ii) the sale of  substantially  all of the stock or
assets of the Company or (iii) the merger or  consolidation  of the Company with
one or more other  corporations) has taken place by the later of (x) October 22,
2003 or (y) 90 days after the final  maturity date of the Senior  Discount Notes
(issued in January  1998,  with a stated  maturity  date of February 15,  2008).
CoreStates,  GECC and AT&T Credit may not exercise such put rights unless Nassau
has  exercised its put right.  The Senior  Discount  Note  Indenture  limits the
Company's ability to repurchase such shares.  All of the shares of preferred and
common stock subject to such "put right" are  presented as redeemable  equity in
the accompanying balance sheets.

The redeemable  preferred stock,  redeemable  common stock and redeemable common
stock warrants  (described below) are being accreted to their fair market values
from their respective issuance dates to their earliest potential redemption date
(October 22, 2003). At December 31, 1998, the aggregate  redemption value of the
redeemable  equity  was  approximately   $152  million,   reflecting  per  share
redemption amounts of $630 for the Series A Preferred Stock, $248 for the Series
C Preferred Stock and $130 for the redeemable common stock and redeemable common
stock warrants.  Accordingly,  $8,246,000 and $17,861,000 of accretion have been
charged to additional paid-in-capital in 1997 and 1998, respectively.

WARRANTS

In connection  with KMC  Telecom's  1996 Loan and Security  Agreement,  warrants
representing  a 2.5%  ownership  interest  in the fully  diluted  common  voting
capital stock of KMC Telecom,  including anti-dilution protection,  were granted
to the lenders.  These  warrants,  at an exercise price of $.01 per share,  were
issued on January 21, 1997, concurrent with the initial borrowing under the AT&T
Facility,  at which date the fair value of such  warrants was  determined  to be
$1.5 million,  which was reflected as a charge to deferred  financing  costs and
credited to  redeemable  equity in January  1997.  On September  22, 1997,  such
warrants  were  exercised,  and an aggregate of 28,000  shares of Class A Common
Stock of KMC  Telecom  were  issued to the warrant  holders.  These  shares were
subsequently  exchanged  for an equal  number of  shares of Common  Stock of KMC
Holdings.

In  connection  with the AT&T  Facility,  warrants to purchase  10,000 shares of
Common Stock were issued to GECC in 1997.  These warrants,  at an exercise price
of $.01 per share,  are exercisable  from issuance through January 21, 2005. The
fair value of such warrants was  determined to be $525,000,  which was reflected
as a charge to  deferred  financing  costs and  credited to  redeemable  equity.
Pursuant to the Stockholders' Agreement, GECC may put the shares of Common Stock
issuable upon the exercise of such warrants back to the Company.  These warrants
have been  presented as  redeemable  common stock  warrants in the  accompanying
balance sheet at December 31, 1998.

In  connection  with the sale of Senior  Discount  Notes in  January  1998,  the
Company  issued  warrants to purchase an aggregate  of 100,385  shares of Common
Stock at an exercise  price of $.01 per share.  The net proceeds of  $10,446,000
represented the fair value of the warrants at the date of issuance. The warrants
are exercisable through January 2008.

OPTIONS

Prior to the establishment of the present holding company structure, during 1996
and 1997, KMC Telecom  granted  options to purchase  shares of its common stock,
par value $.01 per share ("KMC Telecom Common Stock"),  to employees pursuant to
the KMC Telecom Stock Option Plan.

<PAGE>
In order to reflect the establishment of the holding company structure,  on June
26,  1998,  the Board of  Directors  adopted a new stock  option  plan,  the KMC
Holdings  Stock Option Plan (the "1998  Plan"),  which  authorizes  the grant of
options to purchase  Common Stock of the Company.  The 1998 Plan was approved by
the  stockholders,  effective  July 15,  1998.  In September  1998,  the Company
replaced the options to purchase KMC Telecom  Common  Stock  previously  granted
under the KMC Telecom Stock Option Plan with options to purchase Common Stock of
the  Company  granted  under the 1998 Plan and  granted  options  to  additional
employees of the Company under the 1998 Plan.

The 1998 Plan, which is administered by the Compensation  Committee of the Board
of Directors of KMC  Holdings,  provides  for various  grants to key  employees,
directors, affiliated members or other persons having a unique relationship with
the Company  excluding  Kamine and any person  employed by Nassau Capital or any
Nassau  affiliate.  Grants may  include,  without  limitation,  incentive  stock
options,  non-qualified  stock  options,  stock  appreciation  rights,  dividend
equivalent rights,  restricted stocks,  purchase stocks,  performance shares and
performance  units.  The  Compensation  Committee has the power and authority to
designate recipients of the options and to determine the terms, conditions,  and
limitations of the options.

Under the 1998 Plan,  options to purchase  262,750 shares of Common Stock of KMC
Holdings are available for grant,  all of which were allocated to the Plan as of
December  31,  1998.  No  individual  may  receive  options for more than 75,000
shares. The exercise price of all incentive stock options granted under the 1998
Plan must be at least equal to the fair  market  value of the shares on the date
of grant.  The exercise price of all  non-qualified  stock options granted under
the 1998 Plan must be at least 50% of the fair market value of the shares on the
date of grant.

Options granted pursuant to the 1998 Plan will have terms not to exceed 10 years
and become  exercisable over a vesting period as specified in such options.  The
1998 Plan will terminate no later than 2008. Options granted under the 1998 Plan
are  nontransferable,  other  than  by  will  or by  the  laws  of  descent  and
distribution,  and may be exercised during the optionee's lifetime,  only by the
optionee.

The 1998 Plan provides for an adjustment of the number of shares  exercisable in
the event of a merger, consolidation, recapitalization, change of control, stock
split, stock dividend,  combination of shares or other similar changes, exchange
or  reclassification  of the Common Stock at the discretion of the  Compensation
Committee.  Pursuant to the agreements  adopted under the 1998 Plan, the greater
of 25% of the shares  granted or fifty percent of all unvested  options  granted
become fully vested upon a change-in-control  of the Company, as defined.  Under
certain circumstances, such percentages may increase.

The holders of options to acquire  shares of Common  Stock of KMC  Holdings  are
required  to  enter  into  agreements  with KMC  Holdings  which  place  certain
restrictions  upon their ability to sell or otherwise  transfer such shares.  In
the event of  termination  of  employment of the option holder by the Company or
the affiliates,  the Company can repurchase all of the shares or options held by
such individuals, generally for an amount equal to the fair value of such shares
or the excess of the fair value of such options over their exercise price.

Information on stock options is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    Weighted
                                    Number of Shares            Average Exercise
                        --------------------------------------------------------
                              Outstanding     Exercisable       Price of Options
                        --------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>              <C>               <C>  
Balances, January 1, 1996..             -               -
  Granted..................        95,385               -             $65
  Became exercisable.......             -               -
                              ---------------------------
Balances, December 31, 1996        95,385               -             $65
  Granted..................        63,115               -             $65
  Became exercisable.......             -          22,000
  Cancelled................       (17,000)         (3,000)           $(65)
                              ---------------------------
Balances, December 31, 1997       141,500          19,000             $65
  Granted..................       262,500               -             $26
  Became exercisable.......             -         117,000
  Cancelled................      (141,500)        (19,000)           $(65)
                              ----------------------------
Balances, December 31, 1998...    262,500         117,000             $26
                              ===========================
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

The weighted-average  exercise price of options exercisable at December 31, 1997
and 1998 is $50 and $22,  respectively,  and the weighted-average  fair value of
options  granted  during  1996,  1997 and 1998 were $30, $49 and $114 per share,
respectively.  Exercise  prices for options  outstanding as of December 31, 1998
ranged from $20 to $40. The weighted-average remaining contractual life of those
options is 9.7 years.

During the year ended  December 31, 1998,  non-qualified  options to purchase an
aggregate  of 262,500  shares were  granted at exercise  prices of $20  (157,500
options),  $30 (52,500  options) and $40 (52,500  options).  The options granted
during 1998 are  comprised of 230,500  options  granted to employees  and 32,000
options  granted to individuals  employed by certain  affiliates of the Company.
All such options have 10 year terms.  The $20 options become  exercisable over a
three year period in six month  intervals  commencing six months after the grant
date in increments of 26,250 options each. The $30 options become exercisable in
two increments of 26,250 options each,  forty-two and  forty-eight  months after
the grant date. The $40 options  become  exercisable in two increments of 26,250
options each,  fifty-four and sixty months after the grant date. For purposes of
vesting,  options granted in 1998 under the 1998 Plan to replace options granted
in 1997 and 1996 under the KMC Telecom Stock Option Plan are deemed to have been
granted on the date of grant of the options which they replace.

As a result of certain  anti-dilution  provisions  governing  the  conversion of
shares of Class C Common Stock into shares of Class A Common Stock,  KMC Telecom
was  required  to account for the KMC  Telecom  Stock  Option Plan as a variable
stock option plan. Additionally, as a result of restrictions upon the holders of
options  granted  under  the  1998  Plan,  including  their  ability  to sell or
otherwise transfer the related shares, the 1998 Plan is required to be accounted
for as a variable stock option plan.  Generally accepted  accounting  principles
for  variable  stock  option  plans  require  the   recognition  of  a  non-cash
compensation  charge for these options (amortized over the vesting period of the
employee  options  and  recognized  in  full  as  of  the  grant  date  for  the
non-employee  options).  Such charge is determined by the difference between the
fair value of the common stock underlying the options and the option price as of
the end of each  period.  Accordingly,  compensation  expense will be charged or
credited periodically through the date of exercise or cancellation of such stock
options,  based on  changes in the value of the  Company's  stock as well as the
vesting  schedule of such  options.  These  compensation  charges or credits are
non-cash in nature,  but could have a material  effect on the  Company's  future
reported results of operations.

The Company,  upon cancellation of the outstanding options under the KMC Telecom
Stock Option Plan,  reversed all compensation  expense previously  recorded with
respect  to such  options.  Additionally,  to the  extent  the fair value of the
Common Stock of the Company  exceeded the exercise price of the options  granted
under the 1998 Plan, the Company recognized compensation expense related to such
options over their vesting period.

Based on the estimated fair value of the Common Stock of KMC Telecom at December
31, 1996 and 1997,  and KMC Holdings at December 31, 1998,  cumulative  deferred
compensation   obligations   of   $1,283,000,   $15,579,000   and   $27,906,000,
respectively,  have been  established.  The Company has recognized  compensation
expense  aggregating  $240,000,  $13,870,000  and $7,080,000 for the years ended
December  31,  1996,  1997  and  1998,  respectively.   The  1998  stock  option
compensation  expense of $7,080,000 reflects charges of $7,236,000 under the KMC
Telecom Stock Option Plan through its  termination in September 1998 and charges
of  $21,190,000  related  to the 1998  Plan,  partially  offset by a credit as a
result of the September  1998  cancellation  of the KMC Telecom  stock  options,
reflecting  the reversal of $21,346,000  of cumulative  compensation  previously
recognized for options granted under the KMC Telecom Stock Option Plan.

In accordance  with the provisions of Statement 123, the Company  applies APB 25
and related  interpretations  in  accounting  for its stock option plan.  If the
Company had elected to recognize compensation expense based on the fair value of
the options  granted at grant date as prescribed by Statement  123, net loss and
net loss per common share would have been the following:


<PAGE>

                                                         December 31
                                          1996            1997            1998
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                                        (In thousands)

Net loss:
  As reported.......................    $(4,495)       $(32,685)       $(76,753)
                                     ===========================================
  Pro forma.........................    $(4,453)       $(20,542)       $(76,869)
                                     ===========================================

Net loss per common share:
  As reported.......................     $(7.49)        $(64.93)       $(114.42)
                                    ============================================
  Pro forma.........................     $(7.42)        $(45.97)       $(114.56)
                                    ============================================

The fair value of each option  grant is estimated on the date of grant using the
Black-Scholes   option-pricing   model  with  the  following   weighted  average
assumptions:

                                          1996           1997           1998
                                      ------------------------------------------

Expected dividend yield.............        0%             0%             0%
Expected stock price volatility.....       50%            50%            50%
Risk-free interest rate.............        6%             6%             6%
Expected life of options............   7 years        7 years        7 years

The expected stock price volatility  factors were determined based on an average
of such factors as disclosed in the financial statements of peer companies.  The
Black-Scholes  option  valuation  model was developed for use in estimating  the
fair value of traded  options which have no vesting  restrictions  and are fully
transferable.  In addition,  option valuation models require the input of highly
subjective  assumptions  including the expected stock price volatility.  Because
the  Company's  employee  stock  options  have   characteristics   significantly
different from those of traded  options,  and because  changes in the subjective
input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management's
opinion,  the  existing  models do not  necessarily  provide a  reliable  single
measure of the fair value of its employee stock options.

8.  INCOME TAXES

As of December 31, 1998, the Company and its  subsidiaries  had consolidated net
operating loss  carryforwards  for United States income tax purposes ("NOLs") of
approximately  $59 million which expire  through 2013.  Under Section 382 of the
Internal  Revenue  Code  of  1986,  as  amended,  if the  Company  undergoes  an
"ownership  change,"  its  ability  to use its  preownership  change  NOLs (NOLs
accrued  through the date of the ownership  change)  would  generally be limited
annually to an amount equal to the product of (i) the long-term  tax-exempt rate
for ownership changes prescribed monthly by the Treasury Department and (ii) the
value of the Company's equity immediately before the ownership change, excluding
certain capital contributions.  Any allowable portion of the preownership change
NOLs that is not used in a  particular  taxable  year  following  the  ownership
change  could be carried  forward to  subsequent  taxable  years  until the NOLs
expire, usually 15 years after they are generated. As a result of the cumulative
effect of issuances of preferred  and common stock  through  September 22, 1997,
KMC Telecom has undergone an ownership change.

For financial reporting purposes,  the Company has an aggregate of approximately
$38 million and $109 million of loss carryforwards and net temporary differences
at December 31, 1997 and 1998,  respectively.  At existing federal and state tax
rates,  the future benefit of these items  approximates  $15 million at December
31, 1997 and $42 million at December 31, 1998.  Valuation  allowances  have been
established   equal  to  the  entire  net  tax  benefit   associated   with  all
carryforwards  and temporary  differences  at both December 31, 1997 and 1998 as
their realization is uncertain.


<PAGE>

The composition of expected future tax benefits at December 31, 1997 and 1998 is
as follows:

                                                        1997           1998
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                           (in thousands)

Net operating loss carryforwards.................. $   8,894      $  22,914
Temporary differences
   Stock option compensation......................     5,502          8,264
   Interest accretion.............................        -           9,797
   Other, net.....................................       523          1,513
                                                  ------------------------------
Total deferred tax assets.........................    14,919         42,488
Less valuation allowance..........................   (14,919)       (42,488)
                                                  ------------------------------
Net deferred tax assets...........................  $      -     $        - 
                                                  ==============================

A  reconciliation  of the expected tax benefit at the statutory  federal rate of
34% is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     1996               1997              1998
                                                 ---------------------------------------------

<S>                                                 <C>             <C>                <C>    
Expected tax benefit at statutory rate.......       (34.0)%         (34.0)%            (34.0)%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit...        (4.0)           (2.9)              (2.6)
Non-deductible interest expense..............          -                -                2.0
S Corporation losses not benefited...........         4.1               -                  -
Other........................................          .1              .1                 .1
Change in valuation allowance................        33.8            36.8               34.5
                                                 -------------------------------------------
                                                     -%                -%                 -%
                                                 ===========================================
</TABLE>

9.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

LEASES

The Company leases  various  facilities and equipment  under  operating  leases.
Minimum rental commitments are as follows (in thousands):

Year ending December 31:
     1999...............................    $   2,247
     2000...............................        2,222
     2001...............................        2,169
     2002...............................        2,120
     2003...............................        1,615
   Thereafter...........................        1,334
                                         -----------------
                                              $11,707
                                         =================
Rent expense under operating leases was $98,000, $478,000 and $1,299,000 for the
years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998,
respectively.

LITIGATION

By letter dated August 29, 1997, KMC Telecom notified I-Net, Inc. ("I-NET") that
KMC Telecom considered I-NET to be in default under a Master  Telecommunications
System Rollout Agreement,  dated as of October 1, 1996 (the "I-Net  Agreement"),
as a result of I-NET's  failure to provide design plans and  specifications  for
several   systems   for  which  it  had  agreed  to   provide   such  plans  and
specifications,  to properly supervise construction of the systems or to provide
personnel with the necessary  expertise to manage the projects.  On February 12,
1998, the Company received a demand for arbitration from Wang Laboratories, Inc.
("Wang"),  the successor to I-NET.  The demand seeks at least $4.1 million.  The
Company  believes  that it has  meritorious  defenses  to Wang's  claims and has
asserted  counterclaims seeking in excess of $2.5 million as a result of I-NET's
defaults under the I-NET  Agreement.  The arbitration  proceedings are currently
underway.  The Company  believes that  resolution of this matter will not have a
material adverse impact on its financial  condition.  No assurance can be given,
however, as to the ultimate resolution of this matter.

There  are a number  of  lawsuits  and  regulatory  proceedings  related  to the
Telecommunications   Act  of  1996,  decisions  of  the  Federal  Communications
Commission related thereto and rules and regulations issued thereunder which may
affect the rights,  obligations  and  businesses  of  incumbent  local  exchange
carriers,  competitive  local exchange  carriers and other  participants  in the
telecommunications industry in general, including the Company.

PURCHASE COMMITMENTS

As of December 31, 1998,  the Company has  outstanding  commitments  aggregating
approximately $30.6 million related to purchases of telecommunications equipment
and fiber optic cable and its  obligations  under its  agreements  with  certain
suppliers and service providers.

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS

The  Company  has  entered  into  employment  agreements  with  certain  of  its
executives.  In addition to a base  salary,  these  agreements  also provide for
certain incentive compensation  payments,  based upon completion of construction
and attainment of specified  revenues for additional  networks.  The Company has
also agreed to make similar incentive compensation payments to certain other key
employees.

10.  ACQUISITION

On July 11, 1997,  KMC Telecom  acquired a network in  Melbourne,  Florida for a
purchase  price of $2 million in cash. The  acquisition  was accounted for under
the purchase  method and the purchase price  approximated  the fair value of the
fixed assets  acquired.  Assuming the Melbourne  Network had been acquired as of
January 1, 1997, the Company's pro forma  consolidated  revenue and net loss for
the year ended  December 31, 1997 would have been  $3,655,000  and  $33,212,000,
respectively.

11.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

During 1996, KMC Telecom had borrowings from Kamine.  The proceeds of such loans
were used to fund the construction of the network in Huntsville, Alabama, and to
fund operating cash flow  requirements.  These loans were payable on demand and,
through  April 30,  1996,  bore  interest  at the prime rate.  Interest  expense
charged by Kamine  under  these loans  amounted  to $120,000  for the year ended
December 31, 1996.  Effective May 1, 1996, Kamine elected not to charge interest
on these loans. However, for financial reporting purposes,  $180,000 of interest
expense  was  imputed on these  loans for the  period  from May 1, 1996 to their
repayment on November 12, 1996, and a corresponding  credit has been recorded to
additional paid-in capital.

The Company and  certain  affiliated  companies  owned by Kamine  share  certain
administrative  services.  The  entity  which  bears the cost of the  service is
reimbursed by the other for the other's  proportionate  share of such  expenses.
The Company reimbursed  Kamine-affiliated companies for these shared services an
aggregate of  approximately  $488,000,  $281,000 and $136,000 of expense for the
years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively.

From May 1, 1996 through  January 29, 1998, an affiliate of the Company was paid
a fee at an annual rate of $266,000 as reimbursement  for the services of Kamine
as Chairman of the Board of the  Company.  The amount of this fee was reduced to
$100,000  per  annum as of  January  29,  1998 and it was  terminated  effective
December 31, 1998.  The fees paid for these  services are included in the shared
services payment  described in the immediately  preceding  paragraph.  Effective
January 1, 1999,  Kamine  became an employee of the Company and he is  currently
paid a salary at the rate of $450,000  per annum for his services as Chairman of
the Board.

The Company leases its  headquarters  office through January 2007 from an entity
controlled  by Kamine.  The lease  provides  for a base  annual  rental  cost of
approximately $217,000,  adjusted periodically for changes in the consumer price
index, plus operating expenses. Rent expense recognized under this lease for the
years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 was $97,000, $207,000 and $217,000,
respectively.

As of December 31, 1998,  the Company has made loans  aggregating  $760,000,  to
certain of its  executives.  Such loans bear  interest at a rate of 6% per annum
and are included in other assets.

KMC  Services  LLC, a limited  liability  company  wholly-owned  by Kamine ("KMC
Services"),  has entered into a five year agreement with the Company pursuant to
which KMC Services will offer to the Company financial and energy services which
are related to the Company's business.  KMC Services may also offer its services
to  third  parties  in  jurisdictions  in  which  the  Company  is not  offering
telecommunications   services;   provided   that  such  third  parties  are  not
competitors of the Company. Initially, KMC Services will offer a leasing program
for equipment  physically  installed at a customer's  premises ("CPE Equipment")
for the Company to integrate into its ClearStarSM Advantage program, whereby the
Company will be able to offer CPE Equipment for lease or sale to its  customers.
The  equipment  will be owned by KMC  Services,  and the  Company  will  have no
liability  for the cost of the  equipment,  the  financing  related to it or the
obligation  for any lease  charges.  Any such sale or lease will be between  the
Company's  customer and KMC  Services.  The Company will advance to KMC Services
each year on a  monthly  basis,  pursuant  to an  approved  annual  budget,  KMC
Services'  estimated  operating expenses for the year. In exchange,  the Company
will receive, on a quarterly basis, eighty percent (80%) of the net pre-tax cash
flow received by KMC Services  (after payment of all costs of KMC Services other
than those advanced by the Company).  For 1999, the estimated operating expenses
of KMC Services are approximately  $1.2 million.  The Company is not responsible
for KMC Services' capital costs or financing costs. The Company will invoice KMC
Services for its  allocable  costs  incurred in  connection  with this  program,
including  such  items as sales  commissions  and  administrative  support,  and
recover these costs,  together with any amounts advanced to KMC Services for its
annual operating costs, from the Company's eighty percent (80%) share of the net
pre-tax cash flow received from KMC Services.  The Company and KMC Services have
mutual rights of audit to insure proper  allocation of costs and accounting.  If
at any time Mr. Kamine,  including his immediate family, and Nassau collectively
own less than twenty percent (20%) of the Company,  the Company has the right to
cancel  this  agreement;  subject to either a buyout of the  Company's  customer
portfolio  from KMC  Services or the  assumption  or guarantee by the Company of
eighty  percent  (80%) of the  outstanding  financing  relating to the equipment
previously purchased by KMC Services.

Effective  January 1, 1999,  the Company is  entitled to utilize a Citation  III
business jet, chartered by Bedminster Aviation, LLC, a limited liability company
wholly-owned  by Kamine,  for a fixed price per hour of flight time. The Company
has agreed to use its best  efforts to utilize the  Citation III fifty hours per
quarter  during 1999.  The Company is under no  obligation  to do so and has not
guaranteed  any  financial  arrangements  with  respect  to the  aircraft  or to
Bedminster Aviation, LLC.

Pursuant to an agreement among the Company, Kamine and Nassau, for 1997 and 1998
Nassau received $100,000 as a financial advisory fee and as compensation for the
Nassau  designees  who served on the Board of Directors  of the Company.  Nassau
will be paid $450,000 as a financial advisory fee for 1999.

12.  NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of net loss per common share:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   1996              1997               1998
                                            --------------------------------------------------------
                                                                (in thousands)
<S>                                                <C>                <C>              <C>      
Numerator:
   Net loss................................        $(4,495)           $(32,686)        $(76,753)
   Dividends and accretion on redeemable
    preferred stock........................              -              (8,904)         (18,285)
                                            --------------------------------------------------------
   Numerator for net loss per common share         $(4,495)           $(41,590)        $(95,038)
                                            ========================================================

Denominator:
   Denominator for net loss per common
    share - weighted average number of
    common shares outstanding..............            600                641               831
                                            ========================================================
   Net loss per common share...............     $ (  7.49)           $(64.93)         $(114.42)
                                            ========================================================
</TABLE>

Options and warrants to purchase an  aggregate of 242,768 and 372,885  shares of
common stock were  outstanding  as of December 31, 1997 and 1998,  respectively,
but a computation  of diluted net loss per common share has not been  presented,
as the effect of such securities would be anti-dilutive.

13.  SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Information  with respect to noncash  investing and  financing  activities is as
follows:

   In 1996,  Kamine  contributed a loan and related  imputed  interest  totaling
$2,267,000 to equity.

   In 1997, the  Convertible  Notes,  including  accrued  interest,  aggregating
   approximately  $12,380,000  were  converted  into 123,800  shares of Series A
   Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock of KMC Telecom.

   In  1997,  warrants  with a fair  value of $1.5  million  were  granted  to
   Newcourt Capital and warrants with a fair value of $525,000 were granted to
   GECC.

   In connection with the Senior Discounts Notes, the Company recognized noncash
interest expense of $29.6 million in 1998.

In  connection  with options  granted to employees  under the KMC Telecom  Stock
Option Plan in 1996 and 1997,  and under the KMC  Holdings  Stock Option Plan in
1998,  cumulative deferred compensation  obligations of $1,283,000,  $15,579,000
and $27,906,000 have been established in 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively, with
offsetting credits to additional paid-in capital.  Noncash  compensation expense
of $44,000, $9,014,000 and $23,758,000 in 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively, was
recognized in connection  with such options.  In connection with options granted
to individuals  employed by certain  affiliates of the Company in 1996, 1997 and
1998,  the  Company  recognized  noncash   compensation   expense  of  $196,000,
$4,856,000 and $4,668,000,  respectively.  In addition,  during 1998 the Company
cancelled  all of the then  outstanding  options  granted  under the KMC Telecom
Stock  Option  Plan,   resulting  in  the  reversal  of  previously   recognized
compensation expense of $21.3 million.

14.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The following  methods and  assumptions  were used to estimate the fair value of
each class of financial instruments.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

The carrying amounts  approximate fair value because of the short-term  maturity
of the instruments.

INVESTMENTS HELD FOR FUTURE CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

The carrying  amounts and fair value are reported at amortized  cost since these
securities are to be held to maturity.

LONG-TERM DEBT

The carrying amount of floating-rate long-term debt approximates its fair value.
The fair value of the Company's  fixed-rate  long-term  debt is estimated  using
discounted cash flows at the Company's incremental borrowing rates.

REDEEMABLE EQUITY

The fair values of the Company's  redeemable equity instruments are estimated to
be the  amounts at which the  holders  may  require  the  Company to redeem such
securities, adjusted using discounted cash flows.

The  carrying  amounts  and  estimated  fair values of the  Company's  financial
instruments are as follows (in millions):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           1997                     1998
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------
                                                   Carrying      Fair       Carrying      Fair
                                                    Amount      Value        Amount       Value
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>       <C>          <C>          <C>    
Cash and cash equivalents......................       $15.6     $  15.6      $  21.1      $  21.1
Investments held for future capital expenditures          -           -         27.9         27.9
Long-term debt:
  Floating rate................................        61.3        61.3         41.4         41.4
  Fixed rate...................................           -           -        267.8        249.6
Redeemable equity instruments:
  Series A Preferred Stock.....................        18.9        28.4         30.4         38.9
  Series C Preferred Stock.....................        14.7        13.5         21.6         21.6
  Series D Preferred Stock.....................         2.4         2.3            -            -
  Redeemable common stock......................        11.2         6.3         22.3         14.5
  Redeemable common stock warrants.............          .5          .5           .7           .7

</TABLE>

CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK

Financial  instruments  that  potentially  subject  the  Company to  significant
concentrations  of credit  risk  consist  principally  of cash  investments  and
accounts  receivable.  The  Company  places  its  cash  investments  with  major
financial  institutions.  With  respect  to  accounts  receivable,  the  Company
performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers'  financial  conditions and
generally does not require collateral. No individual customer accounted for more
than 10% of revenue,  excluding  reciprocal  compensation  revenue, as described
below, for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1998.

The Company maintains  interconnection  agreements with incumbent local exchange
carriers ("ILECs") in each state in which it operates. Among other things, these
contracts govern the reciprocal amounts to be billed by competitive carriers for
terminating local traffic of Internet service providers  ("ISPs") in each state.
The Regional Bell Operating  Companies have advised  competitive  local exchange
carriers, such as the Company, that they do not consider calls in the same local
calling area which are placed by their  customers to competitive  local exchange
carrier  customers which are Internet service  providers to be local calls under
the interconnection agreements. The Regional Bell Operating Companies claim that
these  calls  are  exchange  access  calls,  which  the  Federal  Communications
Commission exempted from payment of access charges.  The Regional Bell Operating
Companies  claim  that,  as a  result,  they  do not  owe  any  compensation  to
competitive  local exchange  carriers for  transporting  and  terminating  these
calls. The Regional Bell Operating Companies have threatened to withhold, and in
many cases have withheld,  reciprocal compensation to competitive local exchange
carriers for the  transport and  termination  of these calls.  During 1998,  the
Company recognized  revenue from these ILECs of approximately  $2.9 million,  or
12.9% of 1998 revenue,  for these services.  Payments of approximately  $135,000
were received from the ILECs during 1998.

Management  believes  reciprocal  compensation  for  Internet  traffic  to be an
industry-wide matter that will ultimately be resolved on a state-by-state basis.
To date,  twenty-nine  state  commissions have ruled on the issue and found that
ILECs must pay  compensation  to  competitive  carriers  for local calls to ISPs
located on competitive  carriers' networks.  A number of other state commissions
currently  have  proceedings  pending  to  consider  this  matter.  The  Federal
Communications  Commission has concluded that calls to ISPs are interstate calls
and therefore exempt from local  termination  charges.  However,  the Commission
also  stated  that  existing  interconnection   agreements  providing  for  such
termination charges must be honored by the ILECs.

The Company accounts for reciprocal  compensation with the ILECs,  including the
activity  associated with the disputed ISP traffic, as local traffic pursuant to
the terms of its interconnection agreements.  Accordingly, revenue is recognized
in the period that the traffic is terminated.  The circumstances surrounding the
disputes are  considered  by  management  periodically  in  determining  whether
reserves  against  unpaid  balances are  warranted.  As of December 31, 1998, no
reserves have been considered necessary by management.

15.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

LUCENT AGREEMENT

KMC  Telecom  III  entered  into a Loan  and  Security  Agreement  (the  "Lucent
Facility") dated February 4, 1999 with Lucent Technologies Inc. ("Lucent") which
provides  for  borrowings  to  be  used  to  fund  the  acquisition  of  certain
telecommunications  equipment and related expenses. The Lucent Facility provides
for an  aggregate  commitment  of up to $600  million,  of which $125 million is
immediately available to purchase Lucent products and an additional $125 million
will  become  available  upon KMC Telecom  III's  receipt of an  additional  $35
million of funded  equity or  qualified  intercompany  loans,  as defined in the
agreement.  Further, up to an additional $350 million will be available upon (a)
additional  lenders  participating in the Lucent Facility and making commitments
to make loans so that Lucent's aggregate commitment does not exceed $250 million
and (b) the Company satisfying certain other requirements,  the most significant
of which is KMC Holdings  raising and contributing at least $300 million in high
yield debt or equity  (other than  disqualified  stock) to KMC Telecom  III. The
Lucent  Facility places certain  restrictions  upon KMC Telecom III's ability to
purchase non-Lucent equipment with proceeds from such facility.

Interest on borrowings  under the Lucent  Facility is charged,  at the option of
KMC Telecom III, at a floating rate of LIBOR plus the "Applicable LIBOR Margin",
or at an  alternative  base rate plus the  "Applicable  Base  Rate  Margin"  (as
defined).  Such margins will be increased by 0.25% until KMC Telecom III and its
subsidiaries  have  completed  systems in fourteen  markets.  If KMC Telecom III
defaults on any payment due under the Lucent  Facility,  the interest  rate will
increase by four percentage  points.  If any other event or default shall occur,
the interest rate will be increased by two percentage  points.  Interest on each
LIBOR  loan is  payable  on each LIBOR  interest  payment  date in  arrears  and
interest on each base rate loan is payable quarterly in arrears. KMC Telecom III
must pay an annual  commitment fee on the unused portion of the Lucent  Facility
of 1.25%.

Loans  borrowed  under the Lucent  Facility  amortize in amounts  based upon the
following  percentages  of the  aggregate  amount of the loans  drawn  under the
Lucent Facility:

               Payment Dates                                 Amortization
- - ---------------------------------------------            ---------------------

May 1, 2002 - February 1, 2003                           2.5% per quarter
May 1, 2003 - February 1, 2006                           5.0% per quarter
May 1, 2006 - February 1, 2007                           7.5% per quarter

KMC  Holdings  has  unconditionally  guaranteed  the  repayment  of up to $250.0
million  under the  Lucent  Facility  when such  repayment  is due,  whether  at
maturity, upon acceleration, or otherwise. KMC Telecom III Holdings, Inc., which
owns the shares of KMC  Telecom III and is  wholly-owned  by KMC  Holdings,  has
pledged the shares of KMC Telecom III to Lucent to collateralize its obligations
under the guaranty.  In addition,  KMC Telecom III has pledged all of its assets
to Lucent.

The Lucent  Facility  contains a number of  affirmative  and negative  covenants
including, among others, covenants restricting the ability of KMC Telecom III to
consolidate  or merge with any person,  sell or lease assets not in the ordinary
course  of  business,  sell or enter  into any long term  leases of dark  fiber,
redeem stock,  pay dividends or make any other payments  (including  payments of
principal or interest on loans) to KMC Holdings,  create subsidiaries,  transfer
any permits or licenses,  or incur  additional  indebtedness or act as guarantor
for the debt of any other person, subject to certain conditions.

KMC Telecom III is required to comply with certain  financial tests and maintain
certain  financial  ratios,  including,  among others,  a ratio of total debt to
contributed capital, certain minimum revenues, maximum EBITDA losses and minimum
EBITDA,  maximum capital  expenditures and minimum access lines, a maximum total
leverage  ratio, a minimum debt service  coverage  ratio, a minimum fixed charge
coverage ratio and a maximum  consolidated  leverage ratio. The covenants become
more restrictive upon the earlier of (i) July 1, 2002 and (ii) after KMC Telecom
III achieves positive EBITDA for two consecutive fiscal quarters.

Failure to satisfy any of the financial  covenants  will  constitute an event of
default  under the Lucent  Facility,  permitting  the lenders to  terminate  the
commitment and/or  accelerate  payment of outstanding  indebtedness.  The Lucent
Facility also includes other  customary  events of default,  including,  without
limitation,   a   cross-default   to  other  material   indebtedness,   material
undischarged  judgments,  bankruptcy,  loss of a material  franchise or material
license,  breach of representations  and warranties,  a material adverse change,
and the occurrence of a change of control.

SERIES E PREFERRED STOCK

On  February  4,  1999,  the  Company  issued  25,000  shares of Series E Senior
Redeemable,  Exchangeable,  PIK Preferred Stock (the "Series E Preferred Stock")
to Newcourt  Commercial Finance  Corporation  ("Newcourt  Finance"),  generating
aggregate  gross proceeds of $22.9 million.  The Series E Preferred  Stock has a
liquidation preference of $1,000 per share and an annual dividend equal to 14.5%
of the liquidation preference, payable quarterly. On or before January 15, 2004,
the  Company  may  pay  dividends  in  cash  or in  additional  fully  paid  and
nonassessable  shares of Series E  Preferred  Stock.  After  January  15,  2004,
dividends must be paid in cash, subject to certain conditions.  Unpaid dividends
accrue  at the  dividend  rate  of the  Series  E  Preferred  Stock,  compounded
quarterly.

The Series E Preferred  Stock must be  redeemed on February 1, 2011,  subject to
the legal  availability of funds  therefor,  at a redemption  price,  payable in
cash, equal to the liquidation  preference  thereof on the redemption date, plus
all accumulated and unpaid dividends to the date of redemption.  After April 15,
2004, the Series E Preferred Stock may be redeemed,  in whole or in part, at the
option of the Company,  at a redemption  price equal to 110% of the  liquidation
preference of the Series E Preferred Stock plus all accrued and unpaid dividends
to the date of redemption.  The redemption  price declines to an amount equal to
100% of the liquidation preference as of April 15, 2007.

In  addition,  on or prior to April 15,  2002,  the Company  may, at its option,
redeem up to 35% of the aggregate  liquidation  preference of Series E Preferred
Stock with the  proceeds of sales of its  capital  stock at a  redemption  price
equal to 110% of the liquidation  preference on the redemption date plus accrued
and unpaid dividends.

The  holders  of  Series  E  Preferred  Stock  have  voting  rights  in  certain
circumstances.  Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control,  the Company will be
required to make an offer to repurchase the Series E Preferred Stock for cash at
a purchase price of 101% of the liquidation  preference  thereof,  together with
all accumulated and unpaid dividends to the date of purchase.

The Series E Preferred  Stock is not  convertible.  The Company may, at the sole
option of the Board of Directors (out of funds legally available), exchange all,
but not less  than  all,  of the  Series E  Preferred  Stock  then  outstanding,
including  any  shares  of  Series E  Preferred  Stock  issued  as  payment  for
dividends,   for  a  new  series  of  subordinated   debentures  (the  "Exchange
Debentures") issued pursuant to an exchange debenture indenture.  The holders of
Series  E  Preferred  Stock  are  entitled  to  receive  on the date of any such
exchange,  Exchange Debentures having an aggregate principal amount equal to (i)
the total of the  liquidation  preference  for each share of Series E  Preferred
Stock  exchanged,  plus (ii) an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid dividends
payable on such share.

SERIES F PREFERRED STOCK

On  February  4,  1999,  the  Company  issued  40,000  shares of Series F Senior
Redeemable,  Exchangeable,  PIK Preferred Stock (the "Series F Preferred Stock")
to Lucent and Newcourt  Finance,  generating  aggregate  gross proceeds of $38.9
million. The Series F Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference of $1,000 per
share  and an  annual  dividend  equal to 14.5% of the  liquidation  preference,
payable quarterly.  The Company may pay dividends in cash or in additional fully
paid and nonassessable shares of Series F Preferred Stock.

The Series F Preferred  Stock may be redeemed at any time,  in whole or in part,
at the  option  of the  Company,  at a  redemption  price  equal  to 110% of the
liquidation  preference on the  redemption  date plus an amount in cash equal to
all  accrued  and unpaid  dividends  thereon to the  redemption  date.  Upon the
occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company will be required to make an offer
to purchase the Series F Preferred Stock for cash at a purchase price of 101% of
the  liquidation  preference  thereof,  together with all accumulated and unpaid
dividends to the date of purchase.

The  holders  of Series F  Preferred  Stock have  voting  rights  under  certain
circumstances.

Upon the  earlier of (i) the date that is sixty days after the date on which the
Company closes an underwritten  primary offering of at least $200 million of its
Common  Stock,  pursuant  to  an  effective  registration  statement  under  the
Securities  Act or (ii)  February 4, 2001,  any  outstanding  Series F Preferred
Stock will automatically convert into Series E Preferred Stock, on a one for one
basis.

The  Company  may, at the sole  option of the Board of  Directors  (out of funds
legally  available),  exchange  all,  but not less  than  all,  of the  Series F
Preferred  Stock then  outstanding,  including  any shares of Series F Preferred
Stock issued as payment for dividends,  for Exchange Debentures.  The holders of
Series  F  Preferred  Stock  are  entitled  to  receive  on the date of any such
exchange,  Exchange Debentures having an aggregate principal amount equal to (i)
the total of the  liquidation  preference  for each share of Series F  Preferred
Stock  exchanged,  plus (ii) an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid dividends
payable on such share.

WARRANTS

In  connection  with the  February 4, 1999  issuances  of the Series E Preferred
Stock and the Series F Preferred  Stock,  warrants to purchase an  aggregate  of
24,660  shares of Common  Stock were sold to Newcourt  Finance  and Lucent.  The
aggregate gross proceeds from the sale of these warrants was approximately  $3.2
million. These warrants, at an exercise price of $.01 per share, are exercisable
from February 4, 2000 through February 1, 2009.

In  addition,  the Company  also  delivered  to the Warrant  Agent  certificates
representing  warrants to purchase an aggregate of an additional  107,228 shares
of  Common  Stock  at an  exercise  price  of $.01  per  share  (the  "Springing
Warrants").  The Springing  Warrants may become issuable under the circumstances
described in the following paragraph.

If the Company  fails to redeem all shares of Series F Preferred  Stock prior to
the date (the  "Springing  Warrant  Date")  which is the earlier of (i) the date
that is sixty days after the date on which the  Company  closes an  underwritten
primary  offering of at least $200  million of its Common  Stock  pursuant to an
effective  registration  statement  under the Securities Act or (ii) February 4,
2001,  the Warrant Agent is  authorized  to issue the Springing  Warrants to the
Eligible  Holders  (as  defined in the  warrant  agreement)  of the Series E and
Series F Preferred  Stock. In the event the Company has redeemed all outstanding
shares of Series F Preferred  Stock prior to the  Springing  Warrant  Date,  the
Springing  Warrants  will not be issued and the  Warrant  Agent will  return the
certificates to the Company.  To the extent the Company  exercises its option to
exchange all of the Series F Preferred  Stock for Exchange  Debentures  prior to
the Springing  Warrant Date,  the Springing  Warrants will not become  issuable.
Therefore,  as the future issuance of the Springing  Warrants is entirely within
the control of the Company and the  likelihood of their issuance is deemed to be
remote, no value has been ascribed to the Springing Warrants.

<PAGE>





                                       Independent Auditors' Report on Schedules



The Board of Directors and Stockholders
KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc.


We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc. as
of  December  31,  1997 and  1998 and the  related  consolidated  statements  of
operations,  redeemable  and  nonredeemable  equity and cash flows for the years
then ended.  Our audit report issued  thereon dated February 2, 1999 is included
elsewhere in this Form 10-K.  Our audit also  included the  financial  statement
schedules  listed  in Item  14(a) of this Form  10-K.  These  schedules  are the
responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an
opinion based on our audits.

In our  opinion,  the  financial  statement  schedules  referred to above,  when
considered  in  relation  to the basic  financial  statements  taken as a whole,
present fairly, in all material respects the information set forth therein.



                                                           /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP


MetroPark, New Jersey
February 2, 1999



<PAGE>

           SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT

                           KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc.
                                (Parent Company)

                            Condensed Balance Sheets
                                 (in thousands)

                                                           December 31
                                                   ---------------------------
                                                         1997          1998
                                                         ----          ----
ASSETS
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents......................   $       --    $    1,221
   Amounts due from subsidiaries..................           --        20,922
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets......           --           332
                                                   ---------------------------
Total current assets..............................           --        22,475

Loans receivable from subsidiaries................       25,148       265,713
Networks and equipment, net.......................           --         4,775
Intangible assets, net............................          506           625
Deferred financing costs..........................          732        12,055
Other assets......................................           --         1,952
                                                   ---------------------------
                                                        $26,386      $307,595
                                                   ===========================

LIABILITIES,   REDEEMABLE  AND   NONREDEEMABLE
   EQUITY (deficiency) 
 Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable..............................    $       --    $    2,043 
   Accrued expenses..............................            --         5,838 
                                                   ---------------------------
Total current liabilities........................            --         7,881 
                                                                              
Senior discount notes payable....................            --       267,811 
Losses of subsidiaries in excess of basis........         5,408        61,244 
                                                   ---------------------------
Total liabilities................................         5,408       336,936 

Redeemable equity:
   Redeemable cumulative  convertible
     preferred stock, par value $.01 per share;
     599 shares authorized; shares issued and 
     outstanding:
   Series A, 124 shares in 1997 and 1998 ($12,380
     liquidation preference)..                           18,879        30,390 
   Series C, 150 shares in 1997 and 175 shares in                             
     1998 ($17,500 liquidation preference in 1998)..     14,667        21,643 
   Series D, 25 shares in 1997 and 0 shares in 1998.      2,379            -- 
   Redeemable common stock, shares issued and                                 
     outstanding, 133 in 1997 and 224 in 1998.......     11,187        22,305 
   Redeemable common stock warrants.................        539           674 
                                                      ------------------------
Total redeemable equity.............................     47,651        75,012 

Nonredeemable equity (deficiency):
   Common stock, par value $.01 per share, 3,000 
      shares authorized, 614 shares issued and 
      outstanding...................................          6             6
   Additional paid-in capital.......................      8,853        13,750
   Unearned compensation............................         --        (5,824)
   Accumulated deficit..............................    (35,532)     (112,285)
                                                    --------------------------
Total nonredeemable equity (deficiency).............    (26,673)     (104,353)
                                                    --------------------------
                                                     $   26,386      $307,595
                                                    ==========================

                                                      SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES.





<PAGE>

           SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                      KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc.
                                                           (Parent Company)

                                                  Condensed Statements of Operations
                                                            (in thousands)


                                                            September 22,
                                                                1997       Year ended
                                                           (formation) to   December
                                                            December 31,    31, 1998
                                                                1997
                                                           ----------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>     
 Operating expenses:
    Selling, general and administrative....................  $       --       $ 19,624
    Stock option compensation expense......................          --         21,190
    Depreciation and amortization..........................          --          1,197
                                                           ----------------------------
 Total operating expenses..................................          --         42,011
                                                           ----------------------------
 Loss from operations......................................          --        (42,011)

 Intercompany charges......................................          --         20,922
 Interest income...........................................          --          8,575
 Interest expense..........................................          --        (23,104)
 Equity in net loss of subsidiaries........................     (21,860)       (41,135)
                                                           ----------------------------
 Net loss..................................................     (21,860)       (76,753)

 Dividends and accretion on redeemable preferred stock.....      (8,904)       (18,285)
                                                           ----------------------------
 Net loss applicable to common shareholders................  $  (30,764)      $(95,038)
                                                           ============================

                                                             SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
           SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                           KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc.
                                (Parent Company)

                       Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
                                 (in thousands)

                                                                            September                 
                                                                            22, 1997         Year
                                                                           (formation)      ended
                                                                           to December     December
                                                                            31, 1997       31, 1998
                                                                          ----------------------------
<S>                                                                         <C>            <C>        
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss.................................................................   $  (21,860)    $  (76,753)
   Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating
    activities:
     Equity in net loss of subsidiaries..................................       21,860         41,135
     Depreciation and amortization.......................................           --          1,197
     Non-cash interest expense...........................................           --         23,104
     Non-cash stock option compensation expense..........................           --         21,190
     Changes in assets and liabilities:
        Prepaid expenses and other current assets........................           --           (332)
        Accounts payable.................................................           --          2,043
        Accrued expenses.................................................           --          5,838
        Amounts due from subsidiaries....................................           --        (20,922)
        Other assets.....................................................           --         (1,952)
                                                                          ----------------------------
Net cash used in operating activities....................................           --         (5,452)
                                                                          ----------------------------

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Loans receivable from subsidiaries.......................................      (24,623)      (233,685)
Purchases of equipment...................................................           --         (5,845)
Acquisitions of intangible assets........................................         (506)          (166)
                                                                          ----------------------------
Net cash used in investing activities....................................      (25,129)      (239,696)
                                                                          ----------------------------

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants, net of 
  issuance costs                                                                 9,363         20,446
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock, net of issuance costs.........       16,498             --
Proceeds from issuance of senior discount notes, net of issuance costs...         (732)       225,923
                                                                          ----------------------------
Net cash provided by financing activities................................       25,129        246,369
                                                                          ----------------------------

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents................................           --          1,221
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year.............................           --             --
                                                                          ----------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year...................................   $       --     $    1,221
                                                                          ============================

                                                                             SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

           SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT

                           KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc.
                                (Parent Company)

                          Notes to Financial Statements

                                December 31, 1998



1.       BASIS OF PRESENTATION

In the parent company only financial  statements,  KMC Telecom Holdings,  Inc.'s
(the  "Company")  investment  in  subsidiaries  is stated at cost less equity in
losses of subsidiaries  since date of formation.  These parent company financial
statements  should  be read  in  conjunction  with  the  Company's  consolidated
financial statements.  The Company's operating subsidiaries are KMC Telecom Inc.
("KMC Telecom"),  KMC Telecom II, Inc. ("KMC Telecom II"), KMC Telecom III, Inc.
("KMC Telecom III") and KMC Telecom of Virginia, Inc.

On September 22, 1997, the  stockholders  of KMC Telecom  exchanged all of their
KMC Telecom common and preferred stock for equal numbers of shares of common and
preferred stock of the Company.

Pursuant to a management  agreement among the Company and its subsidiaries,  the
Company  provides  management and other  services and incurs  certain  operating
expenses  on  behalf  of its  subsidiaries.  Such  costs  are  allocated  to the
subsidiaries  by the Company and reimbursed on a current basis.  At December 31,
1998, an aggregate of $20.9 million was due from the subsidiaries for such costs
and is included in the accompanying condensed balance sheet at December 31, 1998
as a  current  receivable.  Such  reimbursements  are  permitted  under the debt
agreements of the Company's subsidiaries.

2.       GUARANTEE

On December 22, 1998,  KMC Telecom,  KMC Telecom II and KMC Telecom of Virginia,
Inc. (the "Borrowers"),  entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the "Senior
Secured Credit Facility") with AT&T Commercial Finance Corporation,  First Union
National Bank,  General Electric Capital  Corporation and Canadian Imperial Bank
of Commerce (the "Lenders").

The Company has  unconditionally  guaranteed the repayment of the Senior Secured
Credit  Facility  when  such  repayment  is  due,  whether  at  maturity,   upon
acceleration,   or  otherwise.  The  Company  has  agreed  to  pay  all  amounts
outstanding  under the Senior  Secured  Credit  Facility,  on  demand,  upon the
occurrence  and during the  continuation  of any event of  default  (as  defined
therein).  The Company has  pledged the shares of each of the  Borrowers  to the
Lenders to collateralize  its obligations under the guaranty.  In addition,  the
Borrowers have pledged all of their assets to the Lenders. Accordingly, if there
were an event of default under the Senior Secured Credit  Facility,  the lenders
thereunder  would be  entitled  to  payment in full and could  foreclose  on the
assets of the Borrowers, and the holders of the Senior Discount Notes would have
no right to share in such assets.  At December  31, 1998,  an aggregate of $41.4
million was outstanding under this facility.

Additionally,  the Senior Secured Credit  Facility  restricts the ability of the
Borrowers to pay  dividends  to, or to pay  principal or interest on loans from,
the Company.  Such restrictions  could adversely affect the Company's  liquidity
and ability to meet its cash  requirements,  including  its ability to repay the
Senior Discount Notes.

At December  31, 1998,  an  aggregate  of $265.7  million has been loaned by the
Company to the Borrowers to be used for the  construction and expansion of fiber
optic telecommunications  networks and for working capital and general corporate
purposes.

3.       SENIOR DISCOUNT NOTES

On January 29, 1998,  the Company sold 460,800  units,  each  consisting of a 12
1/2% senior discount note with a principal amount at maturity of $1,000 due 2008
pursuant to the Senior Discount Note Indenture between the Company and the Chase
Manhattan  Bank,  as trustee  (the "Senior  Discount  Notes") and one warrant to
purchase  .21785  shares of Common Stock of the Company at an exercise  price of
$.01 per share.  The gross and net proceeds of the offering  were  approximately
$250.0 million and $236.4 million,  respectively.  A substantial  portion of the
net  proceeds  of  the  offering   have  been  loaned  by  the  Company  to  its
subsidiaries.  On August 11, 1998, the Company  consummated an offer to exchange

<PAGE>

           SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT

the notes  issued on January 29,  1998 for $460.8  million  aggregate  principal
amount at maturity of notes that had been registered under the Securities Act of
1933 (as used below and elsewhere  herein,  "Senior Discount Notes" includes the
original notes and the exchange notes).

The Senior  Discount  Notes are  unsecured,  unsubordinated  obligations  of the
Company and mature on February 15, 2008.  The Senior  Discount  Notes will fully
accrete to face value on February  15, 2003.  From and after  February 15, 2003,
the Senior Discount Notes will bear interest,  which will be payable in cash, at
the  rate of  12.5%  per  annum  on  February  15 and  August  15 of each  year,
commencing  August 15, 2003. The Company is accreting the initial carrying value
of the Senior  Discount Notes to their aggregate face value over the term of the
debt at its effective interest rate of 13.7%.

The  indebtedness  evidenced  by the Senior  Discount  Notes ranks pari passu in
right  of  payment  with  all  existing  and  future  unsubordinated,  unsecured
indebtedness  of the Company and senior in right of payment to all  existing and
future  subordinated  indebtedness  of the  Company.  However,  the Company is a
holding  company  and the  Senior  Discount  Notes are,  therefore,  effectively
subordinated to all existing and future  liabilities  (including trade payables)
of its subsidiaries.

The Senior  Discount  Notes  restrict,  among other  things,  the ability of the
Company to incur additional indebtedness, create liens, engage in sale-leaseback
transactions,  pay dividends or make  distributions in respect of capital stock,
make  investments  or certain  other  restricted  payments,  sell  assets of the
Company,  redeem capital stock, issue or sell stock of restricted  subsidiaries,
enter  into   transactions   with   stockholders   or  affiliates  or  effect  a
consolidation or merger.

4.       REDEEMABLE EQUITY

Pursuant to provisions  contained in the Company's  Certificate of Incorporation
and an Amended  and  Restated  Stockholders'  Agreement  dated as of October 31,
1997, among the Company,  Harold N. Kamine, Nassau Capital Partners L.P. and NAS
Partners  I  L.L.C.   (collectively  referred  to  as  "Nassau"),   AT&T  Credit
Corporation ("AT&T Credit"),  General Electric Capital Corporation ("GECC"), and
CoreStates Bank, N.A. ("CoreStates"),  (the "Stockholders' Agreement"),  each of
Nassau, CoreStates,  AT&T Credit and GECC has a "put right" entitling it to have
the Company repurchase its preferred and common shares for the fair market value
of such shares if no Liquidity  Event (defined as (i) an initial public offering
with gross  proceeds of at least $40.0 million,  (ii) the sale of  substantially
all of the stock or assets of the  Company or (iii) the merger or  consolidation
of the Company with one or more other corporations) has taken place by the later
of (x)  October  22,  2003 or (y) 90 days after the final  maturity  date of the
Senior  Discount Notes (issued in January 1998,  with a stated  maturity date of
February 15, 2008).  CoreStates,  GECC and AT&T Credit may not exercise such put
rights unless Nassau has exercised its put right.  The restrictive  covenants of
the Senior Discount Notes limit the Company's ability to repurchase such shares.
All of the shares of preferred  and common stock subject to such "put right" are
presented as redeemable  equity in the accompanying  condensed balance sheets at
December 31, 1997 and 1998.

The redeemable  preferred stock,  redeemable  common stock and redeemable common
stock  warrants  (described  below) are being  accreted  up to their fair market
values  from  their  respective  issuance  dates  to  their  earliest  potential
redemption  date  (October  22,  2003).  At December  31,  1998,  the  aggregate
redemption  value of the  redeemable  equity  was  approximately  $152  million,
reflecting  per share  redemption  amounts  of $630 for the  Series A  Preferred
Stock,  $248 for the Series C Preferred Stock and $130 for the redeemable common
stock and redeemable common stock warrants.

Warrants to purchase  10,000 shares of Common Stock were issued to GECC in 1997.
These warrants,  at an exercise price of $.01 per share,  are  exercisable  from
issuance through January 2005. Pursuant to the Stockholders' Agreement, GECC may
put the shares of Common Stock  issuable upon the exercise of such warrants back
to the Company.  These warrants have been  presented as redeemable  common stock
warrants in the accompanying  condensed  balance sheets at December 31, 1997 and
1998.

5.       CONTINGENCIES

By letter dated August 29, 1997, KMC Telecom notified I-NET, Inc. ("I-NET") that
KMC Telecom considered I-NET to be in default under a Master  Telecommunications
Systems Rollout  Agreement dated as of October 1, 1996 (the "I-NET  Agreement"),
as a result of I-NET's  failure to provide design plans and  specifications  for
several   systems   for  which  it  had  agreed  to   provide   such  plans  and
specifications,  to properly supervise construction of the systems or to provide


<PAGE>

           SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT

personnel with the necessary  expertise to manage the projects.  On February 12,
1998, the Company received a demand for arbitration from Wang Laboratories, Inc.
("Wang") the  successor to I-NET.  The demand seeks at least $4.1  million.  The
Company  believes  that it has  meritorious  defenses  to Wang's  claims and has
asserted  counterclaims seeking in excess of $2.5 million as a result of I-NET's
defaults under the I-NET  Agreement.  The arbitration  proceedings are currently
underway.  The Company  believes that  resolution of this matter will not have a
material adverse impact on its financial  condition.  No assurance can be given,
however, as to the ultimate resolution of this matter.

There  are a number  of  lawsuits  and  regulatory  proceedings  related  to the
Telecommunications   Act  of  1996,  decisions  of  the  Federal  Communications
Commission related thereto and rules and regulations issued thereunder which may
affect the rights,  obligations  and  businesses  of  incumbent  local  exchange
carriers,  competitive  local exchange  carriers and other  participants  in the
telecommunications industry in general, including the Company.

6.       SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

LUCENT AGREEMENT

KMC  Telecom  III  entered  into a Loan  and  Security  Agreement  (the  "Lucent
Facility")  dated  February 4, 1999 with Lucent  Technologies,  Inc.  ("Lucent")
which  provided  for  borrowings  up to $600  million (of which $125  million is
immediately   available)  to  be  used  to  fund  the   acquisition  of  certain
telecommunications equipment and related expenses.

The Company has  unconditionally  guaranteed the repayment of up to $250 million
under the Lucent Facility when such repayment is due, whether at maturity,  upon
acceleration,  or  otherwise.  KMC Telecom III  Holdings,  Inc.,  which owns the
shares of KMC Telecom III and is  wholly-owned  by the Company,  has pledged the
shares of KMC Telecom III to Lucent to collateralize  its obligations  under the
guaranty. In addition,  KMC Telecom III has pledged all of its assets to Lucent.
Accordingly, if there were an event of default under the Lucent Facility, Lucent
thereunder  would be  entitled  to  payment in full and could  foreclose  on the
assets of the Borrower and the holders of the Senior  Discount  Notes would have
no right to share in such assets.

Additionally,  the Lucent  Facility  restricts the ability of KMC Telecom III to
pay dividends  to, or to pay  principal or interest on loans from,  the Company.
Such restrictions could adversely affect the Company's  liquidity and ability to
meet its cash  requirements,  including its ability to repay the Senior Discount
Notes.

SERIES E PREFERRED STOCK

On  February  4,  1999,  the  Company  issued  25,000  shares of Series E Senior
Redeemable,  Exchangeable,  PIK Preferred Stock (the "Series E Preferred Stock")
to Newcourt  Commercial Finance  Corporation  ("Newcourt  Finance"),  generating
aggregate  gross proceeds of $22.9 million.  The Series E Preferred  Stock has a
liquidation preference of $1,000 per share and an annual dividend equal to 14.5%
of the liquidation preference, payable quarterly. On or before January 15, 2004,
the  Company  may  pay  dividends  in  cash  or in  additional  fully  paid  and
nonassessable  shares of Series E  Preferred  Stock.  After  January  15,  2004,
dividends must be paid in cash, subject to certain conditions.  Unpaid dividends
accrue  at the  dividend  rate  of the  Series  E  Preferred  Stock,  compounded
quarterly.

The Series E Preferred  Stock must be  redeemed on February 1, 2011,  subject to
the legal  availability of funds  therefor,  at a redemption  price,  payable in
cash, equal to the liquidation  preference  thereof on the redemption date, plus
all accumulated and unpaid dividends to the date of redemption.

The Series E Preferred  Stock is not  convertible.  The Company may, at the sole
option of the Board of Directors (out of funds legally available), exchange all,
but not less than all, of the Series E Preferred Stock then  outstanding,  for a
new  series  of  subordinated  debentures  (the  "Exchange  Debentures")  issued
pursuant to an exchange debenture indenture.

SERIES F PREFERRED STOCK

On  February  4,  1999,  the  Company  issued  40,000  shares of Series F Senior
Redeemable,  Exchangeable,  PIK Preferred Stock (the "Series F Preferred Stock")
to Lucent and Newcourt  Finance,  generating  aggregate  gross proceeds of $38.9
million. The Series F Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference of $1,000 per
share  and an  annual  dividend  equal to 14.5% of the  liquidation  preference,
payable quarterly.  The Company may pay dividends in cash or in additional fully
paid and nonassessable shares of Series F Preferred Stock.


<PAGE>

           SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT

Upon the  earlier of (i) the date that is sixty days after the date on which the
Company closes an underwritten  primary offering of at least $200 million of its
Common  Stock,  pursuant  to  an  effective  registration  statement  under  the
Securities  Act or (ii)  February 4, 2001,  any  outstanding  Series F Preferred
Stock will automatically convert into Series E Preferred Stock, on a one for one
basis.

The  Company  may, at the sole  option of the Board of  Directors  (out of funds
legally  available),  exchange  all,  but not less  than  all,  of the  Series F
Preferred Stock then outstanding for Exchange Debentures.

WARRANTS

In  connection  with the  February 4, 1999  issuances  of the Series E Preferred
Stock and the Series F Preferred  Stock,  warrants to purchase an  aggregate  of
24,660  shares of Common  Stock were sold to Newcourt  Finance  and Lucent.  The
aggregate gross proceeds from the sale of these warrants was approximately  $3.2
million. These warrants, at an exercise price of $.01 per share, are exercisable
from February 4, 2000 through February 1, 2009.

In  addition,  the Company  also  delivered  to the Warrant  Agent  certificates
representing  warrants to purchase an aggregate of an additional  107,228 shares
of  Common  Stock  at an  exercise  price  of $.01  per  share  (the  "Springing
Warrants").  The Springing  Warrants may become issuable under the circumstances
described in the following paragraph.

If the Company  fails to redeem all shares of Series F Preferred  Stock prior to
the date (the  "Springing  Warrant  Date")  which is the earlier of (i) the date
that is sixty days after the date on which the  Company  closes an  underwritten
primary  offering of at least $200  million of its Common  Stock  pursuant to an
effective  registration  statement  under the Securities Act or (ii) February 4,
2001,  the Warrant Agent is  authorized  to issue the Springing  Warrants to the
Eligible  Holders  (as  defined in the  warrant  agreement)  of the Series E and
Series F Preferred  Stock. In the event the Company has redeemed all outstanding
shares of Series F Preferred  Stock prior to the  Springing  Warrant  Date,  the
Springing  Warrants  will not be issued and the  Warrant  Agent will  return the
certificates to the Company.  To the extent the Company  exercises its option to
exchange all of the Series F Preferred  Stock for Exchange  Debentures  prior to
the Springing  Warrant Date,  the Springing  Warrants will not become  issuable.
Therefore,  as the future issuance of the Springing  Warrants is entirely within
the control of the Company and the  likelihood of their issuance is deemed to be
remote, no value has been ascribed to the Springing Warrants.



<PAGE>




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc.

                 SCHEDULE II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
                                 (in thousands)


                                                                       Additions
                                                           ----------------------------------
                                                                               Charged to
                                             Balance at       Charged to          Other                                          
                                             Beginning         Costs and        Accounts -      Deductions -       Balance at
              Description                    of Period         Expenses          Describe         Describe       End of Period
- - ----------------------------------------- ----------------- ---------------- ----------------- ---------------- -----------------
<S>                                            <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>              <C> 
Year ended December 31, 1996:                                                                                   
Allowance for doubtful accounts                $   --            $   --           $   --            $   --           $--
                                          ================= ================ ================= ================ =================

Year ended December 31, 1997:                                                                                   
Allowance for doubtful accounts                $   --            $   34           $   --            $   --          $  34
                                          ================= ================ ================= ================ =================

Year ended December 31, 1998:                                                                                   
Allowance for doubtful accounts                $   34            $  370           $   --            $   54(1)        $350
                                          ================= ================ ================= ================ =================
</TABLE>
(1)      Uncollectible accounts written-off.




<PAGE>




Item 9.   CHANGES IN AND  DISAGREEMENTS  WITH  ACCOUNTANTS  ON ACCOUNTING AND
          FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

          None.

                                                               PART III

Item 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.

         The following table sets forth certain  information with respect to the
persons who are members of the Board of Directors or are  executive  officers of
the Company as of March 24, 1999.

    Name                   Age                            Position
    ----                   ---                            --------

    Harold N. Kamine......  42  Chairman of the Board of Directors
    Gary E. Lasher........  63  Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors
    Michael A. Sternberg..  54  President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
    Roscoe C.  Young II...  48  Chief Operating Officer
    James D. Grenfell.....  47  Executive Vice President, Chief 
                                Financial Officer and Secretary
    Charles Rosenblum.....  48  Senior Vice President - Human Resources
    James L. Barwick......  66  Senior Vice President - Technology
    Tricia Breckenridge...  52  Senior Vice President - Business Development
    John G. Quigley.......  45  Director
    Richard H. Patterson..  40  Director
    Randall A. Hack.......  51  Director
    William H. Stewart....  32  Director


         The business experience of each of the directors and executive officers
of the Company is as follows:

          HAROLD N.  KAMINE is the  Chairman of the Board of the Company and its
founder  and has been a director of the  Company  since  1994.  He is also chief
executive  officer and sole owner of Kamine  Development  Corp.  and  associated
companies  in the  independent  power  industry.  Mr.  Kamine  has  successfully
financed  a  number  of  unregulated   non-utility  power  generation  projects.
Companies  owned by Mr.  Kamine owned  substantial  interests in and managed six
power generation  plants in the Northeastern  United States.  Mr. Kamine devotes
approximately  eighty  percent of his time to the  affairs of the  Company.  Mr.
Kamine and Mr. Rosenblum are first cousins.

         GARY E.  LASHER  joined the  Company as its Vice  Chairman of the Board
effective  November 1, 1997.  He was the founder,  Chief  Executive  Officer and
President of Eastern TeleLogic  Corporation ("ETC") from 1987 to 1997. ETC was a
leading  competitive local exchange carrier  operating in greater  Philadelphia,
Delaware  and  southern  New  Jersey   before  its  purchase  by  TCG  (Teleport
Communications Group) in October 1996. Prior to ETC, from 1984-1986,  Mr. Lasher
was Chief Operating Officer of Private Satellite  Network, a company which built
and operated video satellite networks for major  corporations.  Mr. Lasher spent
20  years  with  Continental  Telephone  ("Contel")  holding  various  positions
including Corporate Vice President,  President of the International  Engineering
and Construction  Company,  and various senior positions with Contel's regulated
subsidiaries.  Mr. Lasher is one of the founding  members of the Association for
Local  Telecommunications  Services  ("ALTS")  and  served  for  three  years as
Chairman of the Association.

         MICHAEL  A.  STERNBERG  has  spent  29  years  in   telecommunications,
including business development,  marketing, sales and general management.  Prior
to joining the Company in July 1996 as President  and Chief  Executive  Officer,
Mr. Sternberg was a co-founder and Chief Operating  Officer,  from April 1991 to
July 1996, of RimSat,  a privately  owned  satellite  company which from January
1993 to July 1996 owned and operated two Russian-built satellites which provided
television, voice and data capacity to Asian operators. From March 1990 to April
1991, Mr. Sternberg served as Chief Executive Officer of Sternberg & Associates,
Inc., a company he founded.  From 1988 to 1990, Mr.  Sternberg  served as Senior
Vice  President-Marketing  and Sales with MFS  Communications.  Previously,  Mr.
Sternberg had served as President of Stantel  Telecommunications,  a division of
STC, a digital telecommunications  transmissions products company based in Falls
Church,  Virginia;  Senior Vice President-Marketing and Corporate Development at
CIT-Alcatel in Reston,  Virginia;  Vice  President-Marketing at General Dynamics
Communications  Company in St. Louis;  Executive  Vice  President-Marketing  and
Sales of OKI  Electronics  of America in Fort  Lauderdale;  and Chief  Operating
Officer of National Telephone Company in Hartford, Connecticut. He has served as
a director of the Company  since August 1996.  Mr.  Sternberg is a member of the
Executive Committee of ALTS.

         ROSCOE C. YOUNG II has  approximately  20 years experience in the field
of telecommunications with both new venture and Fortune 500 companies.  Prior to
joining  the Company in  November  1996,  Mr.  Young  served as Vice  President,
Network Component  Services for Ameritech  Corporation from June 1994 to October
1996.  From March 1988 to June 1994, Mr. Young served as Senior Vice  President,
Network  Services for MFS  Communications.  From October 1977 to March 1988, Mr.
Young served in a number of senior operations, sales and marketing, engineering,
financial management, and human resource positions for AT&T Corp.

         JAMES   D.   GRENFELL   has   over   20   years   experience   in   the
telecommunications  industry.  He  joined  the  Company  as its  Executive  Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary in March 1999. From August 1998
to  March  1999 he was an  independent  consultant.  Previously,  he  served  as
Executive  Vice  President and Chief  Financial  Officer of ICG  Communications,
Inc., a competitive  local exchange carrier  headquartered  in Denver,  Colorado
from November 1995 to July 1998.  Prior to joining ICG, Mr.  Grenfell  served as
Director of Financial Planning for BellSouth  Corporation and Vice President and
Assistant  Treasurer of BellSouth  Capital  Funding.  He was with BellSouth from
1985 through November 1995, serving previously as Finance Manager of Mergers and
Acquisitions.  Prior to  BellSouth,  Mr.  Grenfell  spent two years as a Project
Manager with Utility  Financial  Services and six years with GTE of the South, a
subsidiary of GTE Corporation,  including four years as Assistant Treasurer. Mr.
Grenfell is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

         CHARLES  ROSENBLUM  has over 20 years  experience  in human  resources,
primarily in human resources planning,  staffing and development.  He joined the
Company  in  January  1997.  From May 1995 to  January  1997 he  served  as Vice
President-Human Resources of Kamine Development Corp. Previously he had held the
positions of Director, Management Development with KPMG Peat Marwick and Manager
of Management Education with Dun & Bradstreet Corporation. Earlier he had served
in various  human  resource  positions  with  Allstate  Insurance  Company.  Mr.
Rosenblum and Mr. Kamine are first cousins.

         JAMES L. BARWICK has 39 years of experience  in the  telecommunications
industry.  Mr.  Barwick  joined the Company in March 1997.  Prior to joining the
Company,  Mr. Barwick had been self-employed since 1986 as a  telecommunications
consultant  with  expertise in  equipment  application  engineering,  radio path
engineering, analog and digital Mux, switching and transport systems in the long
distance carrier and incumbent local exchange carrier areas,  technical writing,
project management and computer assisted design systems.

         TRICIA BRECKENRIDGE joined the Company in April 1995. From January 1993
to April 1995 she was Vice  President  and  General  Manager of  FiberNet  USA's
Huntsville,  Alabama  operations.  Previously she had served as Vice  President,
External Affairs and later Vice President,  Sales and Marketing of Diginet, Inc.
She was  co-founder  of Chicago  Fiber Optic  Corporation,  the  predecessor  of
Metropolitan  Fiber Systems.  Earlier she was Director of Regulatory Affairs for
Telesphere Corporation.

         JOHN G.  QUIGLEY has served as a director of the Company  since  August
1996. Mr. Quigley is a founding  member of Nassau Capital  L.L.C.,  which is the
general  partner of Nassau Capital  Partners.  Between 1980 and the formation of
Nassau  Capital  in  1995,  Mr.  Quigley  was an  attorney  with the law firm of
Kirkland & Ellis in  Chicago;  a partner  at Adler &  Shaykin;  and a partner at
Clipper Capital Partners.

         RICHARD H.  PATTERSON has served as a director of the Company since May
1997. From May 1986 to January 1999, Mr. Patterson served as a Partner of Waller
Capital Corporation,  a media and communications  investment banking firm. Since
August 1997, he has served as a Vice  President of  Waller-Sutton  Media LLC and
Vice  President of  Waller-Sutton  Management  Group,  Inc.,  two entities which
manage a media and  telecommunications  private equity fund. Mr.  Patterson is a
member of the Board of Directors of Regent Communications,  Inc., which owns and
operates radio stations in mid-to-small size markets.

         RANDALL A. HACK has served as a director  of the Company  since  August
1996.  Since January 1995, Mr. Hack has been a member of Nassau Capital  L.L.C.,
an investment management firm. From 1990 to 1994, he was the President and Chief
Executive Officer of Princeton University Investment Company,  which manages the
endowment  for  Princeton  University.  Mr.  Hack also  serves on the  Boards of
Directors of Sweetwater, Inc., OmniCell Technologies, Inc., Castle Tower Holding
Corp., Mezzanine Capital Property Investors, Inc.
and Shape Global Technologies, Inc.

          WILLIAM  H.  STEWART  has served as a director  of the  Company  since
August 1997.  Mr.  Stewart is Managing  Director of Nassau  Capital  L.L.C.  and
joined that firm in June 1995. From 1989 until joining Nassau, Mr. Stewart was a
portfolio  manager and equity  analyst at the Bank of New York. Mr. Stewart also
serves on the board of Signius Corporation.  He is a Chartered Financial Analyst
and a member of the New York Society of Security Analysts.

         Pursuant to provisions  contained in both the Company's  certificate of
incorporation and an Amended and Restated  Stockholders  Agreement,  dated as of
October  31,  1997,  by and among KMC Telecom  Holdings,  Inc.,  Nassau  Capital
Partners, L.P., NAS Partners I L.L.C., Harold N. Kamine, Newcourt Communications
Finance  Corporation (then known as AT&T Credit  Corporation),  General Electric
Capital Corporation,  CoreStates Bank, N.A. and CoreStates  Holdings,  Inc., Mr.
Kamine  and the  Nassau  entities  are  currently  entitled  to elect all of the
Directors,  three of whom are  nominated by Mr.  Kamine (one of whom must be the
President and Chief  Executive  Officer),  three of whom are nominated by Nassau
and one of whom is  nominated  by  agreement  of Mr.  Kamine,  Nassau and either
Newcourt  Communications Finance Corporation or the holders of a majority of the
outstanding  shares of the Company's Series C Cumulative  Convertible  Preferred
Stock.  The number of Directors  which Mr.  Kamine is entitled to elect would be
reduced  to two if the  number  of  shares  owned  by him  were  to  fall  below
two-thirds of the number of shares of the Company  initially  issued to him, and
to one if the number of shares owned by him were to fall below  one-third of the
number of shares initially issued to him. If his ownership were to fall below 5%
of the number of shares  initially  issued to him, Mr. Kamine would no longer be
entitled  to  elect  any  Directors  pursuant  to  such  provisions.  Comparable
reductions  would be made to the number of Directors which Nassau is entitled to
elect if its ownership were to fall below the specified fractions.  If a default
relating  to  payment  occurs  under our Senior  Secured  Credit  Facility,  and
continues  uncured for 90 days,  the holders of Series C Cumulative  Convertible
Preferred Stock (currently  Nassau,  General  Electric  Capital  Corporation and
CoreStates) will be entitled to elect two additional  Directors,  who will serve
until the default is cured.

         Kamine/Besicorp  Allegany L.P., an independent  power company 50% owned
by corporations  which Mr. Kamine owns, filed a voluntary petition to reorganize
its business under Chapter 11 of the Federal  Bankruptcy  Code in November 1995.
In October 1998, the bankruptcy  court  confirmed a plan of liquidation for this
entity.  The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Indiana
appointed a receiver for RimSat,  a company which Mr.  Sternberg  co-founded and
for which he formerly  served as Chief  Operating  Officer,  and a petition  for
bankruptcy  under  Chapter 11 of the  Federal  Bankruptcy  Code with  respect to
RimSat was filed in 1996.
That proceeding is ongoing.

         Directors hold office until the next Annual Meeting of  stockholders or
until their  successors are duly elected and qualified.  Executive  officers are
elected  annually by the Board of Directors  and serve at the  discretion of the
Board of Directors.

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

          The Board of  Directors of the Company has  authorized a  Compensation
Committee  to  be  composed  of  three  members.  The  present  members  of  the
Compensation Committee are Messrs.  Kamine, Quigley and Patterson.  The Board of
Directors  has created an Executive  Committee  consisting of Mr. Kamine and Mr.
Quigley,  or, in Mr. Quigley's absence,  Mr. Stewart. The Board of Directors has
also created an Audit  Committee  consisting  of Messrs.  Lasher,  Patterson and
Quigley.


<PAGE>



Item 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

         The following table sets forth information concerning  compensation for
services in all capacities  awarded to, earned by, or paid to, any person acting
as the Company's Chief Executive  Officer during 1998,  regardless of the amount
of  compensation  paid,  and the other four most  highly  compensated  executive
officers of the Company whose  aggregate cash and cash  equivalent  compensation
exceeded $100,000 during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998  (collectively,
the "Named Executive Officers"):



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     Annual Compensation                        Long Term
                                                                                               Compensation
                                    ------------------------------------------------------     ------------
                                                                          Other Annual          Securities
                                                                          Compensation          Underlying
Name and Position                      Year    Salary ($)     Bonus ($)        ($)(1)         Options (#)(2)
- - -----------------                      ----    ----------     ---------        ------         --------------

<S>                                    <C>     <C>           <C>              <C>                    <C>   
Michael A. Sternberg ..............    1998    $275,000      $407,500                 -              65,000
   President and Chief Executive       1997    $240,385      $187,500           $45,909               9,228
   Officer

Roscoe C.  Young II................    1998    $218,270      $497,500           $52,189              32,500
   Chief Operating Officer             1997    $180,000      $182,046          $198,180               2,309

Cynthia Worthman(3)................    1998    $200,000      $187,500                 -              32,500
   Vice President, Chief Financial     1997    $175,000      $200,000                 -               3,461
   Officer, Secretary and
   Treasurer

Charles Rosenblum..................    1998    $168,270       $96,750                 -               5,000
   Senior Vice President - Human       1997    $150,000       $77,500                 -                 691
   Resources

Tricia Breckenridge................    1998    $155,577       $75,000                 -               5,000
   Senior Vice President -             1997    $104,138       $49,000                 -                 691
Business Development
</TABLE>

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

(1)  The amount  reported  in this  column for Mr.  Sternberg  in 1997  includes
     relocation  related  expenses  of  $39,662  and  personal  use of a Company
     automobile  of $6,247.  The amounts  reported in this column for Mr.  Young
     include  relocation  related  expenses  of $47,344  and  personal  use of a
     Company  automobile of $6,919 for 1998, and relocation  related expenses of
     $196,029 and personal use of a Company  automobile of $2,151 for 1997.  The
     aggregate  value of the perquisites  and other personal  benefits,  if any,
     received  by Mr.  Sternberg  in  1998  and by  each  of Ms.  Worthman,  Mr.
     Rosenblum and Ms.  Breckenridge in 1998 and 1997 have not been reflected in
     this  table  because  the  amount  was below the  Securities  and  Exchange
     Commission's  threshold for disclosure  (i.e., the lesser of $50,000 or 10%
     of the total of annual salary and bonus for the  executive  officer for the
     year).

(2)  The options granted in 1997 were options to purchase shares of common stock
     of the Company's principal operating subsidiary KMC Telecom Inc. All of the
     options shown as granted in 1997 were cancelled during the third quarter of
     1998 and replaced by options to purchase  Common Stock of the Company.  See
     "Stock  Option  Grants."  All  options  granted  during 1998 are options to
     purchase shares of Common Stock of the Company.

(3)  Ms. Worthman served in the capacities  indicated  throughout the year ended
     December 31, 1998. James D. Grenfell became Executive Vice President, Chief
     Financial Officer and Secretary in March, 1999.

STOCK OPTION GRANTS

         The Company was formed as a holding company in September 1997. Prior to
the  establishment  of the present  holding company  structure,  during 1996 and
1997,  KMC  Telecom  Inc.  (now  one  of  the  Company's   principal   operating
subsidiaries)  granted options to purchase shares of its common stock, par value
$.01 per share,  to  employees,  including  the Named  Executive  Officers,  and
selected employees of certain affiliated  companies owned by Mr. Kamine pursuant
to the KMC Telecom Stock Option Plan.

         In order to reflect the  establishment of the Company's holding company
structure,  on June 26, 1998,  the Board of  Directors  of the Company  adopted,
effective upon stockholder  approval,  a new stock option plan, the KMC Holdings
Stock  Option Plan,  which  authorizes  the grant of options to purchase  Common
Stock of the Company. During the third quarter of 1998, the Company replaced the
options to purchase shares of KMC Telecom Inc. Common Stock  previously  granted
under the KMC Telecom Stock Option Plan  (including all options shown as granted
during 1997 in the  preceding  table) with options to purchase  shares of Common
Stock of the  Company  granted  under the KMC  Holdings  Stock  Option  Plan and
granted  options to additional  employees of the Company,  including Mr. Lasher,
under the KMC Holdings  Stock Option Plan.  The Company may  subsequently  grant
additional options, although it has no specific plans in this regard.

         The following table sets forth information  regarding grants of options
to purchase  shares of Common  Stock made by the Company  during 1998 to each of
the Named Executive Officers.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                   Option Grants in Fiscal Year 1998

                                             Individual Grants
                           ---------------------------------------------------------
                                      Percent of                                                                                 
                           Number of  Total                                                  Potential Realizable Value At
                           Securities  Options                                               Assumed Annual Rates of Stock
                           Underlying Granted to             Market Price                       Price Appreciation For
                            Options   Employees  Exercise or   Of Common                              Option Term(3)
                            Granted   In Fiscal  Base Price  Stock on Date Expiration  ------------------------------------------
Name                         (#)(1)      1998     ($/Share)  Of Grant (2)     Date        (0%)        (5%)         (10%)
- - ----                         ------      ----     ---------  ------------     ----        ----        ----         -----
<S>                          <C>         <C>       <C>           <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>           <C>         
Michael A. Sternberg .....  39,000                 $20.00        $130       9/30/08    $4,290,000    $7,478,496     $12,370,274
                            13,000      24.8%      $30.00        $130       9/30/08    $1,300,000    $2,362,832     $ 3,993,425
                            13,000                 $40.00        $130       9/30/08    $1,170,000    $2,232,832     $ 3,863,425
Roscoe C.  Young II.......  19,500                 $20.00        $130       9/30/08    $2,145,000    $3,739,248     $ 6,185,137
                             6,500      12.4%      $30.00        $130       9/30/08    $  650,000    $1,181,416     $ 1,996,712
                             6,500                 $40.00        $130       9/30/08    $  585,000    $1,116,416     $ 1,931,712
Cynthia Worthman..........  19,500                 $20.00        $130       9/30/08    $2,145,000    $3,739,248     $ 6,185,137
                             6,500      12.4%      $30.00        $130       9/30/08    $  650,000    $1,181,416     $ 1,996,712
                             6,500                 $40.00        $130       9/30/08    $  585,000    $1,116,416     $ 1,931,712
Charles Rosenblum.........   3,000                 $20.00        $130       9/30/08    $  330,000    $  575,269     $   951,560
                             1,000       1.9%      $30.00        $130       9/30/08    $  100,000    $  181,756     $   307,187
                             1,000                 $40.00        $130       9/30/08    $   90,000    $  171,756     $   297,187
Tricia Breckenridge.......   3,000                 $20.00        $130       9/30/08    $  330,000    $  575,269     $   951,560
                             1,000       1.9%      $30.00        $130       9/30/08    $  100,000    $  181,756     $   307,187
                             1,000                 $40.00        $130       9/30/08    $   90,000    $  171,756     $   297,187
</TABLE>

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

(1)  10% of the  aggregate  amount of each such option vests on each  subsequent
     six-month  anniversary  of the date of grant with  options  with the lowest
     exercise  price  vesting  first  followed by others in  ascending  order of
     exercise price. For purposes of vesting,  options granted in 1998 under the
     KMC Holdings Stock Option Plan to replace  options  granted in 1996 or 1997
     under the KMC Telecom  Stock Option Plan are deemed to have been granted on
     the date of grant of the options which they replace.

(2)  There is no active  trading  market for the  Company's  Common  Stock.  The
     market price shown is based upon management's estimate of the fair value of
     the Company's Common Stock on the date in September 1998 when these options
     were granted under the new KMC Holdings Stock Option Plan. The grant prices
     were based on the grant  prices of the options  previously  granted in 1996
     and 1997 under the KMC Telecom  Stock Option plan which were  cancelled and
     replaced by the options  reflected  in this table.  The grant prices of the
     options  granted  in 1996 and 1997 had been  based on the fair value of the
     shares of KMC Telecom common stock on the respective dates of their grants.

(3)  Amounts  reported in these columns  represent  amounts that may be realized
     upon exercise of options  immediately prior to the expiration of their term
     assuming the specified compounded rates of appreciation (0%, 5% and 10%) on
     Common Stock over the term of the options.  These  assumptions are based on
     rules  promulgated  by the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission and do not
     reflect the Company's estimate of future stock price  appreciation.  Actual
     gains, if any, on the stock option  exercises and Common Stock holdings are
     dependent  on the  timing of such  exercises  and the  future  value of the
     Common  Stock.  There can be no  assurance  that the rates of  appreciation
     assumed in this table can be achieved or that the amounts reflected will be
     received by the option holders.

OPTION EXERCISES AND OPTION YEAR-END VALUE TABLE


         No options  were  exercised  during 1998 by any of the Named  Executive
Officers.  The following table sets forth  information  regarding the number and
year-end value of unexercised options to purchase shares of Common Stock held at
December 31, 1998 by each of the Named Executive Officers.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       Fiscal 1998 Year-End Option Values


                                                          Number of Securities            Value of Unexercised
                                                         Underlying Unexercised              "In-the-Money"
                             Shares         Value              Options at                      Options at
                           Acquired On    Realized         December 31, 1998                December 31, 1998
 Name                      Exercise(#)       ($)        Exercisable/Unexercisable      Exercisable/Unexercisable(1)
 ----                      -----------       ---        -------------------------      ----------------------------
<S>                           <C>            <C>              <C>                          <C>
 Michael A. Sternberg          --             --              32,500/32,500                $3,575,000/$3,185,000
 Roscoe C.  Young II           --             --              16,250/16,250                $1,787,500/$1,592,500
 Cynthia Worthman              --             --              16,250/16,250                $1,787,500/$1,592,500
 Charles Rosenblum             --             --               3,500/1,500                   $380,000/$140,000
 Tricia Breckenridge           --             --               3,500/1,500                   $380,000/$140,000
</TABLE>

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

(1)      Options are  "In-the-Money"  if the fair market value of the underlying
         securities  exceeds  the  exercise  price of the  options.  There is no
         active trading market for the Company's  Common Stock.  The fair market
         value of the option  grants at December 31, 1998 was  determined on the
         basis  of  management's  estimate  of the fair  value of the  Company's
         Common Stock on that date.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

         The Company's  Directors do not currently  receive any compensation for
their services in such  capacity,  except that Mr. Lasher  receives  $40,000 per
year in  connection  with his  services  as Vice  Chairman  of the Board and Mr.
Patterson  receives  $25,000  per  year in  connection  with his  services  as a
Director.

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS

         The Company has an  employment  contract  with  Harold N.  Kamine,  the
Chairman of its Board of Directors.  The Company's employment agreement with Mr.
Kamine provides for a term of four years, effective as of January 1, 1999. Under
the agreement, Mr. Kamine's base salary is $450,000 per annum, and Mr. Kamine is
required  to devote at least  fifty  percent  of his time and  attention  to the
performance of his duties under the agreement. Mr. Kamine is entitled to receive
benefits  generally  received by senior  executives  of the  Company,  including
reimbursement of expenses  incurred on behalf of the Company,  and participation
in group plans. If Mr. Kamine's  employment  agreement is terminated as a result
of Mr. Kamine's death or permanent  disability,  or upon the Company's breach of
the  agreement,  he, or his estate,  is  entitled  to a severance  payment in an
amount  equal to the lesser of (i) two times his annual base salary and (ii) the
aggregate  unpaid  base  salary  that  would  have been paid to him  during  the
remaining balance of the term of the employment  contract,  subject to a minimum
of one-half of his annual base salary.

         The Company has an employment  contract with Michael A. Sternberg,  its
President and Chief Executive Officer.  The Company's  employment agreement with
Mr.  Sternberg  provides  for a term of four years,  effective  as of January 1,
1999. Under the agreement, Mr. Sternberg's base salary is $500,000 per annum and
he is  entitled  to be  considered  for  an  annual  bonus  in an  amount  to be
determined by the  Compensation  Committee of the Company's  Board of Directors.
Mr.  Sternberg  is entitled to receive  benefits  generally  received by Company
officers, including options to purchase Company stock, reimbursement of expenses
incurred on behalf of the Company, and a leased automobile.  Upon termination of
the  agreement,  Mr.  Sternberg is subject to a  confidentiality  covenant and a
twenty-four  month  non-competition  agreement.  If the Company  terminates  Mr.
Sternberg's  employment  without cause, he is entitled to a severance payment in
an amount  equal to the lesser of (i) two times his annual  base salary and (ii)
the  aggregate  unpaid  base  salary that would have been paid to him during the
remaining balance of the term of the employment  contract,  subject to a minimum
of one-half of his annual base salary.

         The Company has an employment  contract  with Roscoe C. Young,  II, its
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.  The Company's  employment
agreement  with Mr.  Young  provides  for a term of four years,  effective as of
January 1, 1999.  Under the  agreement,  Mr. Young's base salary is $450,000 per
annum and he is entitled to be considered for an annual bonus in an amount to be
determined by the  Compensation  Committee of the Company's  Board of Directors.
Mr.  Young is  entitled  to  receive  benefits  generally  received  by  Company
officers, including options to purchase Company Stock, reimbursement of expenses
incurred on behalf of the Company, and a leased automobile.  Upon termination of
the  agreement,  Mr.  Young  is  subject  to a  confidentiality  covenant  and a
twenty-four  month  non-competition  agreement.  If the Company  terminates  Mr.
Young's  employment  without cause, he is entitled to a severance  payment in an
amount  equal to the lesser of (i) two times his annual base salary and (ii) the
aggregate  unpaid  base  salary  that  would  have been paid to him  during  the
remaining balance of the term of the employment  contract,  subject to a minimum
of one-half of his annual base salary.

EMPLOYEE PLANS

         KMC HOLDINGS STOCK OPTION PLAN.  Employees,  directors or other persons
having a unique  relationship  with the  Company  or any of its  affiliates  are
eligible to participate in the KMC Holdings Stock Option Plan. However,  neither
Mr.  Kamine  nor any person  employed  by Nassau or any  affiliate  of Nassau is
eligible  for grants  under the plan.  The KMC  Holdings  Stock  Option  Plan is
administered  by the  Compensation  Committee  of the Board of  Directors of the
Company. The Compensation  Committee is authorized to grant (i) options intended
to qualify  as  Incentive  Options,  (ii)  Non-Qualified  Options,  (iii)  stock
appreciation   rights,  (iv)  restricted  stock,  (v)  performance  units,  (vi)
performance shares and (vii) certain other types of awards.

         The number of shares of Company Common Stock  available for grant under
the KMC Holdings Stock Option Plan is 262,750.  No participant  may receive more
than 75,000 shares of Company  Common Stock under the KMC Holdings  Stock Option
Plan.

         The  Compensation  Committee  has the power and  authority to designate
recipients of grants under the KMC Holdings  Stock Option Plan, to determine the
terms,  conditions and limitations of grants under the plan and to interpret the
provisions  of the plan.  The exercise  price of all Incentive  Options  granted
under the KMC  Holdings  Stock  Option  Plan must be at least  equal to the Fair
Market  Value (as defined in the plan) of Company  Common  Stock on the date the
options are granted and the exercise price of all  Nonqualified  Options granted
under the KMC  Holdings  Stock  Option Plan must be at least equal to 50% of the
Fair Market  Value of Company  Common Stock on the date the options are granted.
The maximum term of each Option granted under the KMC Holdings Stock Option Plan
will be 10 years.  Options  will  become  exercisable  at such times and in such
installments  as the  Compensation  Committee  provides  in the  terms  of  each
individual Option.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

          Mr. Kamine, the Chairman of the Board of the Company,  and Mr. John G.
Quigley,  a Director  of the  Company,  served as  members  of the  Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors during 1998. Mr. Quigley is also a member of
Nassau Capital Partners L.P. which,  through its affiliates,  beneficially  owns
more than five percent (5%) of the Company's voting securities.

         The Company and certain affiliated  companies owned by Mr. Kamine share
certain administrative  services. The entity which bears the cost of the service
is reimbursed by the other for the other's proportionate share of such expenses.
These  shared  services  do not  include  the rent paid by the  Company  for its
headquarters  offices to an affiliate of Mr. Kamine under the lease described in
the  next  succeeding  paragraph.   The  Company  reimbursed   Kamine-affiliated
companies for these shared services an aggregate of approximately  $136,000, for
1998.

         From May 1, 1996 through January 29, 1998, Kamine Development Corp., an
affiliate  of the  Company,  was paid a fee at an  annual  rate of  $266,000  as
reimbursement  for the  services  of Mr.  Kamine as Chairman of the Board of the
Company.  The amount of this fee was reduced to $100,000 per annum as of January
29, 1998 and it was  terminated  effective  December 31, 1998. The amount of the
fee paid in 1998 is included in the shared  services  payment  described  in the
first paragraph above.  Effective January 1, 1999, Mr. Kamine became an employee
of the Company  and he is  currently  paid a salary at the rate of $450,000  per
annum for his services as Chairman of the Board.

         Effective June 1, 1996, the Company entered into a lease agreement with
Kamine  Development Corp. (an entity controlled by Mr. Kamine) pursuant to which
the Company leases its headquarters office in Bedminster,  New Jersey. The lease
expires  in  January  2007.  The  lease  provides  for a base  annual  rental of
approximately  $217,000 (adjusted periodically for changes in the consumer price
index), plus operating expenses.

         KMC  Services  LLC, a limited  liability  company  wholly  owned by Mr.
Kamine,  has entered  into a five year  agreement  with the Company  pursuant to
which KMC Services LLC will offer to the Company  financial and energy  services
which are related to the Company's business. KMC Services LLC may also offer its
services to third parties in  jurisdictions in which the Company is not offering
telecommunications   services;   provided   that  such  third  parties  are  not
competitors  of the  Company.  Initially,  KMC Services LLC will offer a leasing
program for equipment physically  installed at a customer's  premises,  known as
CPE  Equipment,  for the Company to  integrate  into its  ClearStarsm  Advantage
program,  whereby the Company will be able to offer CPE  Equipment  for lease or
sale to its  customers.  The equipment will be owned by KMC Services LLC and the
Company  will have no liability  for the cost of the  equipment,  the  financing
related to it or the obligation  for any lease  charges.  Any such sale or lease
will be between the  Company's  customer and KMC Services  LLC. The Company will
advance  to KMC  Services  LLC each  year on a  monthly  basis,  pursuant  to an
approved annual budget, KMC Services LLC's estimated  operating expenses for the
year.  In  exchange,  the Company will  receive,  on a quarterly  basis,  eighty
percent  (80%) of the net pre-tax cash flow  received by KMC Services LLC (after
payment  of all costs of KMC  Services  LLC other  than  those  advanced  by the
Company).  For 1999 the  estimated  operating  expenses of KMC  Services LLC are
approximately  $1.2  million.  The Company is not  responsible  for KMC Services
LLC's  capital costs or financing  costs.  The Company will invoice KMC Services
LLC for its allocable costs incurred in connection with this program,  including
such items as sales commissions and  administrative  support,  and recover these
costs,  together  with any amounts  advanced to KMC  Services LLC for its annual
operating  costs,  from the  Company's  eighty  percent  (80%)  share of the net
pre-tax cash flow  received  from KMC Services LLC. The Company and KMC Services
LLC have  mutual  rights  of audit to  insure  proper  allocation  of costs  and
accounting.  If at any time Mr.  Kamine,  including  his immediate  family,  and
Nassau  collectively  own less than twenty  percent  (20%) of the  Company,  the
Company  has the right to cancel this  agreement;  subject to either a buyout of
the  Company's  customer  portfolio  from KMC Services LLC or the  assumption or
guarantee by the Company of eighty  percent (80%) of the  outstanding  financing
relating to the equipment previously purchased by KMC Services LLC.

         Pursuant to an  agreement  dated as of January 1, 1999,  the Company is
entitled  to  utilize a  Citation  III  business  jet  chartered  by  Bedminster
Aviation,  LLC, a limited  liability  company wholly owned by Mr. Kamine,  for a
fixed price of $2,600 per hour of flight  time.  The Citation III will enable up
to eight employees,  guests or  representatives  of the Company to utilize local
airfields and visit multiple cities in which the Company either has an operating
system or is building a system, without the necessity of returning to commercial
hubs such as  Atlanta  or St.  Louis.  The  Company  has  agreed to use its best
efforts to  utilize  the  Citation  III fifty  hours per  quarter  during  1999.
However,  the Company is under no obligation to do so and has not guaranteed any
financial  arrangements with respect to the aircraft or to Bedminster  Aviation,
LLC.

         Upon  closing  of its  offering  of 12 1/2%  Senior  Discount  Notes in
January  1998,  the Company paid to Nassau  approximately  $600,000 for dividend
arrearages  on the  Series  A  Cumulative  Convertible  Preferred  Stock  of KMC
Telecom,  Inc.  which Nassau had exchanged for its shares of Series A Cumulative
Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company.

         Pursuant to an Agreement among the Company,  Mr. Kamine and Nassau, for
1998 Nassau  received  $100,000 as a financial  advisory fee and as compensation
for the Nassau  designees  who served on the Board of  Directors of the Company.
Nassau will be paid $450,000 as a financial advisory fee for 1999.

Item 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.

         The  following  table  sets forth  certain  information  regarding  the
beneficial  ownership of the Common  Stock,  as of March 24,  1999,  by (i) each
person  known to the Company to be the  beneficial  owner of more than 5% of the
Common  Stock,  (ii) each of the  Company's  directors,  (iii) each of the Named
Executive  Officers,  and (iv) all directors and executive  officers as a group.
All information  with respect to beneficial  ownership has been furnished to the
Company by the respective stockholders of the Company.


<PAGE>

                                                     Number of     Percentage
  Name and Address of Beneficial Owner               Shares (1)  Ownership (1)
  ------------------------------------               ----------  -------------
  Harold N. Kamine..............................    573,835          67.3%
  c/o Kamine Development Corp.
  1545 Route 206
  Bedminster, NJ 07921

  Nassau Capital Partners L.P...................    661,454(2)       44.1%
  c/o Nassau Capital L.L.C.
  22 Chambers Street
  Princeton, NJ 08542

  Newcourt Capital, Inc.........................    221,515.5(3)     25.4%
  2 Gate Hall Drive
  Parsipany, NJ 07054

  CoreStates Holdings, Inc......................    102,155.5(4)     10.8%
  1339 Chestnut St.
  Philadelphia, PA 19107

  General Electric Capital Corporation..........    200,476(5)       19.0%
  120 Long Ridge Road
  Stamford, CT 06927

  Michael A. Sternberg .........................     32,500(6)        3.7%
  c/o KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc.
  1545 Route 206, Suite 300
  Bedminster, New Jersey 07921

  Gary E. Lasher................................      4,000(6)        0.5%
  c/o KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc.
  1545 Route 206, Suite 300
  Bedminster, New Jersey 07921

  John G. Quigley...............................    661,454(7)       44.1%
  c/o Nassau Capital L.L.C.
  22 Chambers Street
  Princeton, NJ 08542

  Richard H. Patterson..........................      1,200(6)        0.1%
  c/o Waller Capital Corporation
  30 Rockefeller Center
  Suite 4350
  New York, NY 10112

  Randall A. Hack...............................    661,454(7)       44.1%
  c/o Nassau Capital L.L.C.
  22 Chambers Street
  Princeton, NJ 08542

  William H. Stewart............................    661,454(8)       44.1%
  c/o Nassau Capital L.L.C.
  22 Chambers Street
  Princeton, NJ 08542

  Roscoe C.  Young II...........................     16,250(6)        1.9%
  c/o KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc.
  1545 Route 206, Suite 300
  Bedminster, NJ 07921

  Cynthia Worthman..............................     16,250(6)        1.9%
  c/o KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc.
  1545 Route 206, Suite 300
  Bedminster, NJ 07921

  Charles Rosenblum.............................      3,500(6)        0.4%
  c/o KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc.
  1545 Route 206, Suite 300
  Bedminster, NJ 07925

  Tricia Breckenridge...........................      3,500(6)        0.4%
  c/o KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc.
  1545 Route 206, Suite 300
  Bedminster, NJ 07921

  Directors and Officers of the Company 
   as a Group (11 persons)......................  1,313,989(2)       83.2%


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

(1)  Beneficial  ownership is  determined  in  accordance  with the rules of the
     Commission.  In  computing  the  number of shares  beneficially  owned by a
     person and the  percentage  ownership  of that  person,  shares  subject to
     options,  warrants and convertible  securities held by that person that are
     currently  exercisable or exercisable  within 60 days of March 24, 1999 are
     deemed outstanding.  Such shares,  however,  are not deemed outstanding for
     the purposes of computing  the  percentage  ownership of any other  person.
     Except as indicated in the footnotes to this table,  each shareholder named
     in the table has sole  voting  and  investment  power  with  respect to the
     shares set forth opposite such shareholder's name.

(2)  Includes  600,000  shares of Common  Stock which  Nassau and NAS Partners I
     L.L.C., of which Messrs.  Quigley,  Hack and Stewart are members,  have the
     right to acquire  upon  conversion  of 122,708 and 1,092 shares of Series A
     Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, respectively,  and 47,619 shares of
     Common  Stock which  Nassau and NAS  Partners  I, L.L.C.  have the right to
     acquire  upon  conversion  of 24,778 and 222 shares of Series C  Cumulative
     Convertible Preferred Stock, respectively. These are the same shares listed
     for Messrs. Quigley, Hack and Stewart.

(3)  Includes  203,288.5 shares of Common Stock held by Newcourt  Communications
     Finance  Corporation,  a subsidiary  of Newcourt  Capital,  Inc. and 18,227
     shares of Common Stock which Newcourt Commercial Finance Corporation,  also
     a subsidiary of Newcourt  Capital,  Inc., has the right to acquire upon the
     exercise of warrants.

(4)  Includes  95,238 shares of Common Stock which  CoreStates  has the right to
     acquire upon conversion of 50,000 shares of Series C Cumulative Convertible
     Preferred Stock of the Company.

(5)  Includes  190,476  shares of Common Stock which  General  Electric  Capital
     Corporation  has the right to acquire upon  conversion of 100,000 shares of
     Series C Cumulative  Convertible  Preferred Stock of the Company and 10,000
     shares of Common Stock which General Electric  Capital  Corporation has the
     right to acquire upon exercise of a warrant.

(6)  Represents shares of Common Stock which the holder has the right to acquire
     upon the  exercise of options  that are  exerciseable  within sixty days of
     March 24, 1999 pursuant to the KMC Holdings Stock Option Plan.

(7)  Messrs.  Quigley and Hack,  Directors of the Company, are members of Nassau
     Capital L.L.C., the general partner of Nassau;  accordingly Messrs. Quigley
     and Hack may be  deemed to be  beneficial  owners  of such  shares  and for
     purposes of this table they are included. Messrs. Quigley and Hack disclaim
     beneficial  ownership  of all such shares  within the meaning of Rule 13d-3
     under the Exchange  Act.  Messrs.  Quigley and Hack are also members of NAS
     Partners I, L.L.C.;  accordingly Messrs.  Quigley and Hack may be deemed to
     be beneficial owners of such shares and for purposes of this table they are
     included.  Messrs.  Quigley and Hack disclaim  beneficial  ownership of all
     such shares within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.

(8)  All of the shares  indicated as owned by Mr.  Stewart are owned directly or
     indirectly by Nassau and are included because of Mr. Stewart's  affiliation
     with  Nassau.  Mr.  Stewart  is also a member of NAS  Partners  I,  L.L.C.;
     accordingly,  Mr. Stewart may be deemed to be the beneficial  owner of such
     shares  and for  purposes  of this  table they are  included.  Mr.  Stewart
     disclaims beneficial ownership of all of these shares within the meaning of
     Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.

         STOCKHOLDERS   AGREEMENT.   The  Amended  and   Restated   Stockholders
Agreement, dated as of October 31, 1997, restricts the ability of the parties to
that agreement to transfer  shares in the Company to persons not affiliated with
or related to such  parties.  Pursuant to such  Stockholders  Agreement  and the
Company's  certificate  of  incorporation,  Mr.  Kamine and Nassau are currently
entitled  to elect  all of the  Directors,  three of whom are  nominated  by Mr.
Kamine (one of whom must be the President and Chief Executive Officer), three of
whom are  nominated  by Nassau and one of whom is  nominated by agreement of Mr.
Kamine,  Nassau and either Newcourt  Communications  Finance  Corporation or the
holders  of a  majority  of the  outstanding  shares of the  Company's  Series C
Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock. The number of Directors which Mr. Kamine
is entitled  to elect  would be reduced to two if the number of shares  owned by
him were to fall  below  two-thirds  of the  number  of  shares  of the  Company
initially issued to him, and to one if the number of shares owned by him were to
fall below  one-third  of the number of shares  initially  issued to him. If his
ownership were to fall below 5% of the number of shares initially issued to him,
Mr. Kamine would no longer be entitled to elect any  Directors  pursuant to such
provisions. Comparable reductions would be made to the number of Directors which
Nassau is entitled to elect if its  ownership  were to fall below the  specified
percentages.  If a default  relating to payment  occurs under the Senior Secured
Credit  Facility,  and  continues  uncured for 90 days,  the holders of Series C
Cumulative  Convertible  Preferred  Stock  (currently  Nassau,  NAS  Partners I,
L.L.C., General Electric Capital Corporation and CoreStates) will be entitled to
elect two additional Directors, who will serve until the default is cured.

         Each of Nassau,  NAS Partners I, L.L.C,  CoreStates,  General  Electric
Capital Corporation and Newcourt  Communications  Finance Corporation has a "put
right"  entitling  it to have the  Company  repurchase  its  shares for the fair
market  value of such shares if no  Liquidity  Event  (defined as (i) an initial
public offering with gross proceeds of at least $40.0 million,  (ii) the sale of
substantially  all of the stock or assets of the  Company or (iii) the merger or
consolidation  of the  Company  with one or more other  corporations)  has taken
place by the  later of (x)  October  22,  2003 or (y) 90 days  after  the  final
maturity  date of the  Company's  12 1/2%  Senior  Discount  Notes.  CoreStates,
General  Electric  Capital  Corporation  and  Newcourt   Communications  Finance
Corporation may not exercise such put rights unless Nassau has exercised its put
right.  The indenture  applicable to the Company's 12 1/2% Senior Discount Notes
and the  Company's  other  indebtedness  will  limit the  Company's  ability  to
repurchase such shares.

         Certain of the current  stockholders  have demand  registration  rights
with respect to their shares of Common  Stock of the Company  commencing  on the
earlier of June 5, 2000 (in the case of Mr.  Kamine or  Nassau)  and the date on
which the Company  completes an initial public offering of Common Stock (and any
related holdback period expires).  Each of the holders of registrable securities
also has certain piggyback  registration rights. The parties to the Stockholders
Agreement  have agreed not to effect any public sale or  distribution  of Common
Stock of the Company,  or securities  convertible into such Common Stock, within
180 days of the effective date of any demand or piggyback registration.

Item 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.

         In  February,  1998,  the  Company  loaned to Roscoe C.  Young II,  the
Company's Chief Operating  Officer,  the principal sum of $350,000.  The loan is
evidenced by a promissory note which bears interest at the rate of 6% per annum.
Interest and  principal  are payable at maturity on February  13, 2003.  In June
1998, the Company loaned Mr. Young an additional $110,000,  of which $55,000 was
repaid  within  thirty  (30) days.  The balance of this loan is  evidenced  by a
promissory  note which bears interest at the rate of 6% per annum. It is payable
in July 1999. The largest  aggregate amount of loans outstanding to Mr. Young at
any time during 1998 was $460,000.  The aggregate amount of loans outstanding to
Mr. Young at March 24, 1999 was $405,000.

         In March,  1998, the Company made a bridge loan to Tricia  Breckenridge
in  the  principal  amount  of  $150,000.   Mrs.  Breckenridge  is  Senior  Vice
President-Business  Development of the Company.  The loan which bore interest at
the  rate  of 6% per  annum,  was  repaid  in full in  1998  and no  amount  was
outstanding at March 24, 1999.

         Pursuant to  agreements  entered  into in September  and October  1997,
between the Company and each of the holders of Series A  Cumulative  Convertible
Preferred  Stock and Series C Cumulative  Convertible  Preferred Stock each such
holder has agreed to forego the payment of  accumulated  dividends on its shares
of Series A  Cumulative  Convertible  Preferred  Stock and  Series C  Cumulative
Convertible  Preferred  Stock of the  Company  from  the  date of such  Dividend
Agreement  through the date on which such holder disposes of its interest in the
Company;  provided,  that, upon such disposition,  such holder realizes not less
than a ten  percent  (10%)  compound  rate of return on its  investment  for the
period from the date of such Dividend Agreement to the date of such disposition.

         Mr.  Kamine,  Nassau,   Newcourt   Communications  Finance  Corporation
(formerly  known as AT&T Credit  Corporation),  CoreStates and General  Electric
Capital  Corpoation are parties to the Stockholders  Agreement.  Pursuant to the
Stockholder's  Agreement and the Company's  certificate  of  incorporation,  Mr.
Kamine and Nassau are  currently  entitled to elect all of the  Company's  seven
Directors, with each entitled to nominate three Directors, and the seventh to be
nominated by agreement of Mr. Kamine, Nassau and either Newcourt  Communications
Finance  Corporation or the holders of a majority of the  outstanding  shares of
the Company's  Series C Cumulative  Convertible  Preferred  Stock. The number of
Directors  which Mr.  Kamine is entitled to elect would be reduced to two if the
number of shares  owned by him were to fall  below  two-thirds  of the number of
shares  of the  Company  initially  issued to him,  and to one if the  number of
shares  owned  by him were to fall  below  one-third  of the  number  of  shares
initially issued to him. If his ownership were to fall below 5% of the number of
shares  initially issued to him, Mr. Kamine would no longer be entitled to elect
any Directors pursuant to such provisions.  Comparable  reductions would be made
to the number of Directors  which  Nassau is entitled to elect if its  ownership
were to fall below the specified fractions.

         Newcourt  Commercial  Finance  Corporation  (an  affiliate  of Newcourt
Capital,  Inc. ) has  provided  financing  for the Company as one of the lenders
under the Senior Secured Credit Facility.  Pursuant to the Senior Secured Credit
Facility,  the  lenders  have  agreed  to make  available,  subject  to  certain
conditions, up to a total of $250.0 million, for construction and development of
the Company's  twenty-three existing networks. The Company paid Newcourt Capital
and its affiliates an aggregate of $1,717,000 in fees, discounts and commissions
during the year ended December 31, 1998.


                                                                PART IV

Item 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

(A)      1.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

         The  financial  statements  are  included  in  Part II, Item 8. of this
         Report.

         2.    FINANCIAL  STATEMENT  SCHEDULES  AND  SUPPLEMENTARY   INFORMATION
               REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED.

         Independent Auditors' Report on Schedules
         Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
         Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

         These  schedules  are included in Part II, Item 8. of this Report.  All
         other schedules have been omitted because they are  inapplicable or the
         required information is shown in the consolidated  financial statements
         or notes.

(B) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

         None.

(C) INDEX TO EXHIBITS.

         The following is a list of all Exhibits filed as part of this Report:

EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                             DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
 ------                             -----------------------

*3.1      Amended  and  Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of KMC Telecom
          Holdings, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to KMC
          Telecom  Holdings,  Inc.'s  Registration  Statement on Form S-4, dated
          April 20, 1998, Registration No. 333-50475 ("KMC Holdings' S-4")

*3.2      Certificate of Amendment of the  Certificate of  Incorporation  of KMC
          Telecom Holdings,  Inc.  (incorporated  herein by reference to Exhibit
          3.2 to KMC Holdings' S-4).

**3.3     Certificate of Amendment of the  Certificate of  Incorporation  of KMC
          Telecom Holdings, Inc. dated as of February 4, 1999

**3.4     KMC Telecom  Holdings,  Inc.  Amended and Restated  Certificate of the
          Powers,   Designations,   Preferences  and  Rights  of  the  Series  A
          Cumulative  Convertible  Preferred  Stock,  Par Value  $.01 per Share,
          dated November 4, 1997.

**3.5     KMC Telecom Holdings,  Inc.  Certificate of the Powers,  Designations,
          Preferences  and  Rights  of  the  Series  C  Cumulative   Convertible
          Preferred Stock, Par Value $.01 per Share, dated November 4, 1997.

**3.6     KMC Telecom Holdings,  Inc.  Certificate of the Powers,  Designations,
          Preferences  and  Rights  of  the  Series  D  Cumulative   Convertible
          Preferred Stock, Par Value $.01 per Share, dated November 4, 1997.

**3.7     Certificate of Voting Powers,  Designations,  Preferences and Relative
          Participating,  Optional or Other Special  Rights and  Qualifications,
          Limitations   and   Restrictions   Thereof  of  the  Series  E  Senior
          Redeemable, Exchangeable, PIK Preferred Stock of KMC Telecom Holdings,
          Inc., dated as of February 4, 1999

**3.8     Certificate of Voting Powers,  Designations,  Preferences and Relative
          Participating,  Optional or Other Special  Rights and  Qualifications,
          Limitations   and   Restrictions   Thereof  of  the  Series  F  Senior
          Redeemable, Exchangeable, PIK Preferred Stock of KMC Telecom Holdings,
          Inc., dated as of February 4, 1999

*3.9      By-Laws  of  KMC  Telecom  Holdings,   Inc.  (incorporated  herein  by
          reference to Exhibit 3.6 to KMC Holdings' S-4).

*4.1      Amended and Restated  Stockholders  Agreement  dated as of October 31,
          1997 by and among KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc., Nassau Capital Partners,
          L.P., NAS Partners I L.L.C., Harold N. Kamine, KMC  Telecommunications
          L.P., Newcourt  Communications  Finance Corporation (formerly known as
          AT&T  Credit  Corporation),   General  Electric  Capital  Corporation,
          CoreStates  Bank,  N.A. and CoreStates  Holdings,  Inc.  (incorporated
          herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to KMC Holdings' S-4).

*4.2      Amendment  No.  1 dated  as of  January  7,  1998 to the  Amended  and
          Restated Stockholders Agreement dated as of October 31, 1997 and among
          KMC  Telecom  Holdings,  Inc.,  Nassau  Capital  Partners,  L.P.,  NAS
          Partners I L.L.C.,  Harold N.  Kamine,  KMC  Telecommunications  L.P.,
          Newcourt  Communications  Finance Corporation  (formerly known as AT&T
          Credit Corporation), General Electric Capital Corporation,  CoreStates
          Bank,  N.A. and  CoreStates  Holdings,  Inc.  (incorporated  herein by
          reference to Exhibit 4.2 to KMC Holdings' S-4).

*4.3      Amendment  No. 2 dated  as of  January  26,  1998 to the  Amended  and
          Restated  Stockholders  Agreement  dated as of October 31, 1997 by and
          among KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc. , Nassau Capital Partners,  L.P., NAS
          Partners I L.L.C.,  Harold N.  Kamine,  KMC  Telecommunications  L.P.,
          Newcourt  Communications  Finance Corporation  (formerly known as AT&T
          Credit Corporation), General Electric Capital Corporation,  CoreStates
          Bank,  N.A. and  CoreStates  Holdings,  Inc.  (incorporated  herein by
          reference to Exhibit 4.3 to KMC Holdings' S-4).

*4.4      Amendment  No. 3 dated as of  February  25,  1998 to the  Amended  and
          Restated  Stockholders  Agreement  dated as of October 31, 1997 by and
          among KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc. , Nassau Capital Partners,  L.P., NAS
          Partners I L.L.C.,  Harold N.  Kamine,  KMC  Telecommunications  L.P.,
          Newcourt  Communications  Finance Corporation  (formerly known as AT&T
          Credit Corporation), General Electric Capital Corporation,  CoreStates
          Bank,  N.A. and  CoreStates  Holdings,  Inc.  (incorporated  herein by
          reference to Exhibit 4.4 to KMC Holdings' S-4).

**4.5     Amendment  No. 4 dated  as of  February  4,  1999 to the  Amended  and
          Restated Stockholders Agreement dated as of October 31, 1997 among KMC
          Telecom Holdings,  Inc., Nassau Capital Partners, L.P., NAS Partners I
          L.L.C., Harold N. Kamine,  Newcourt Communications Finance Corporation
          (formerly known as AT&T Credit Corporation),  General Electric Capital
          Corporation, CoreStates Bank, N.A. and CoreStates Holdings, Inc.

*4.6      Indenture  dated as of January 29, 1998 between KMC Telecom  Holdings,
          Inc. and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee,  including  specimen of
          KMC Telecom  Holdings,  Inc.'s 12 1/2% Senior  Discount  Note due 2008
          (incorporated  herein by  reference  to Exhibit  4.5 to KMC  Holdings'
          S-4).

*4.7      Registration  Rights  Agreement  dated  January 26,  1998  between KMC
          Telecom  Holdings,   Inc.  and  Morgan  Stanley  &  Co.   Incorporated
          (incorporated  herein by  reference  to Exhibit  4.6 to KMC  Holdings'
          S-4).

*4.8      Warrant  Agreement  between KMC Telecom  Holdings,  Inc. and The Chase
          Manhattan  Bank,  as  Warrant  Agent,  dated as of  January  29,  1998
          including a specimen of Warrant  Certificate  (incorporated  herein by
          reference to Exhibit 4.7 to KMC Holdings' S-4).

*4.9      Warrant  Registration  Rights  Agreement  dated as of January 26, 1998
          between  KMC  Telecom   Holdings,   Inc.  and  Morgan  Stanley  &  Co.
          Incorporated  (incorporated  herein by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to KMC
          Holdings' S-4).

*10.1     Purchase  Agreement  dated January 26, 1998 by and between KMC Telecom
          Holdings,  Inc. and Morgan  Stanley & Co.  Incorporated  (incorporated
          herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to KMC Holdings' S-4).

**10.2    Loan and  Security  Agreement  dated as of December 22, 1998 among KMC
          Telecom Inc., KMC Telecom II, Inc., KMC Telecom of Virginia, Inc., KMC
          Telecom  Leasing I, LLC, KMC Telecom  Leasing II, LLC, the  additional
          subsidiaries  from  time  to  time  parties  thereto,   the  financial
          institutions  signatory thereto from time to time as "Lenders",  First
          Union  National  Bank as  Administrative  Agent  for the  Lenders  and
          Newcourt  Commercial  Finance  Corporation  (formerly  known  as  AT&T
          Commercial Corporation), as Collateral Agent for the Lenders.

**10.3    Amendment  No.  1,  dated as of March 3,  1999,  to Loan and  Security
          Agreement  dated as of December 22, 1998,  among KMC Telecom Inc., KMC
          Telecom II, Inc., KMC Telecom of Virginia,  Inc., KMC Telecom  Leasing
          I, LLC, KMC Telecom Leasing II, LLC, the additional  subsidiaries from
          time to time parties  thereto,  the financial  institutions  signatory
          thereto from time to time as "Lenders",  First Union  National Bank as
          Administrative  Agent for the Lenders and Newcourt  Commercial Finance
          Corporation  (formerly  known  as  AT&T  Commercial  Corporation),  as
          Collateral Agent for the Lenders.

*10.4     General  Agreement  between KMC Telecom Inc., KMC Telecom II, Inc. and
          Lucent  Technologies,  Inc.  dated  September  24, 1997, as amended on
          October 15, 1997 (incorporated  herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to
          KMC Holdings' S-4).

*10.5     Professional  Services  Agreement  between KMC Telecom Inc. and Lucent
          Technologies,  Inc. dated  September 4, 1997  (incorporated  herein by
          reference to Exhibit 10.8 to KMC Holdings' S-4).

**10.6    Memorandum of Agreement between KMC Telecom  Holdings,  Inc. and EFTIA
          OSS Solutions Inc., dated as of October 26, 1998.

**10.7    Master  License  Agreement  dated  December  31,  1998 by and  between
          Billing Concepts Systems, Inc. and KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc.

**10.8    Lease  Agreement dated January 1, 1996 between  Cogeneration  Services
          Inc. (now known as Kamine Development Corp.) and KMC Telecom Inc.

*10.9     1998 Stock  Purchase and Option Plan for Key  Employees of KMC Telecom
          Holdings,  Inc. and  Affiliates  (incorporated  herein by reference to
          Exhibit 4 to KMC  Holdings,  Inc.'s  Form 10-Q for the fiscal  quarter
          ended September 30, 1998).+

**10.10   Specimen of  Non-Qualified  Stock Option Agreement for options granted
          under the 1998 Stock Purchase and Option Plan for Key Employees of KMC
          Telecom Holdings, Inc. and Affiiliates.+

**21.1    Subsidiaries of KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc.

**24.1    Powers of Attorney (Appears on signature page).

**27.1    Financial Data Schedule.


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

*   Incorporated herein by reference.

**  Filed herewith.

+   Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.




<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES

   Pursuant  to the  requirements  of  Section  13 or  15(d)  of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its  behalf  by the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly  authorized,  in the  Town of
Bedminster, State of New Jersey, on the 31st day of March, 1999.

                                    KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.


                                    By:  /s/ MICHAEL A. STERNBERG
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                           Michael A. Sternberg
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer

         KNOW BY ALL MEN BY THESE  PRESENTS,  that each person  whose  signature
appears  below  constitutes  and  appoints  Michael  A.  Sternberg  and James D.
Grenfell  his true and lawful  attorney-in-fact  and  agent,  with full power of
substitution  and  resubstitution,  for him and in his name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities,  to sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report on
Form 10-K, and to file the same,  with all exhibits  thereto and other documents
in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,  granting
unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, 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 as he might or  could do in  person,  hereby  ratifying  and
confirming all that said  attorney-in-fact and agent or their or his substitutes
or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following  persons on behalf of the  Registrant and
in the capacities indicated on the 31st day of March, 1999.

              Signature                     Title(s)
              ---------                     --------

                                            President, Chief Executive Officer
 /s/ MICHAEL A. STERNBERG                   and Director (Principal Executive
- - ----------------------------------          Officer)
      Michael A. Sternberg

                                            Executive Vice President, Chief
   /s/ JAMES D. GRENFELL                    Financial Officer (Principal
- - ----------------------------------          Financial Officer)
        James D. Grenfell


      /s/ ROBERT F. HAGAN                   Vice President, Controller
- - ----------------------------------          (Principal Accounting Officer)
         Robert F. Hagan        


      /s/ HAROLD N. KAMINE                  Chairman of the Board of Directors
- - ---------------------------------
          Harold N. Kamine


       /s/ GARY E. LASHER                   Vice Chairman of the Board of
- - ---------------------------------           Directors
           Gary E. Lasher        

  /s/ RICHARD H. PATTERSON
- - ---------------------------------           Director
        Richard H. Patterson     

      /s/ RANDALL A. HACK                   Director
- - ---------------------------------
          Randall A. Hack

   /s/ WILLIAM H. STEWART                   Director
- - ---------------------------------
         William H. Stewart



<PAGE>




                                INDEX OF EXHIBITS


Exhibit
Number                                   Description
- - ------                                   -----------

*3.1      Amended  and  Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of KMC Telecom
          Holdings, Inc.

*3.2      Certificate of Amendment of the  Certificate of  Incorporation  of KMC
          Telecom Holdings, Inc.

3.3       Certificate of Amendment of the  Certificate of  Incorporation  of KMC
          Telecom Holdings, Inc. dated as of February 4, 1999.

3.4       KMC Telecom  Holdings,  Inc.  Amended and Restated  Certificate of the
          Powers,   Designations,   Preferences  and  Rights  of  the  Series  A
          Cumulative  Convertible  Preferred  Stock,  Par Value  $.01 per Share,
          dated November 4, 1997.

3.5       KMC Telecom Holdings,  Inc.  Certificate of the Powers,  Designations,
          Preferences  and  Rights  of  the  Series  C  Cumulative   Convertible
          Preferred Stock, Par Value $.01 per Share, dated November 4, 1997.

3.6       KMC Telecom Holdings,  Inc.  Certificate of the Powers,  Designations,
          Preferences  and  Rights  of  the  Series  D  Cumulative   Convertible
          Preferred Stock, Par Value $.01 per Share, dated November 4, 1997.

3.7       Certificate of Voting Powers,  Designations,  Preferences and Relative
          Participating,  Optional or Other Special  Rights and  Qualifications,
          Limitations   and   Restrictions   Thereof  of  the  Series  E  Senior
          Redeemable, Exchangeable, PIK Preferred Stock of KMC Telecom Holdings,
          Inc., dated as of February 4, 1999.

3.8       Certificate of Voting Powers,  Designations,  Preferences and Relative
          Participating,  Optional or Other Special  Rights and  Qualifications,
          Limitations   and   Restrictions   Thereof  of  the  Series  F  Senior
          Redeemable, Exchangeable, PIK Preferred Stock of KMC Telecom Holdings,
          Inc., dated as of February 4, 1999.

*3.9      By-Laws of KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc.

*4.1      Amended and Restated  Stockholders  Agreement  dated as of October 31,
          1997 by and among KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc., Nassau Capital Partners,
          L.P., NAS Partners I L.L.C., Harold N. Kamine, KMC  Telecommunications
          L.P., Newcourt  Communications  Finance Corporation (formerly known as
          AT&T  Credit  Corporation),   General  Electric  Capital  Corporation,
          CoreStates Bank, N.A. and CoreStates Holdings, Inc.

*4.2      Amendment  No.  1 dated  as of  January  7,  1998 to the  Amended  and
          Restated Stockholders Agreement dated as of October 31, 1997 and among
          KMC  Telecom  Holdings,  Inc.,  Nassau  Capital  Partners,  L.P.,  NAS
          Partners I L.L.C.,  Harold N.  Kamine,  KMC  Telecommunications  L.P.,
          Newcourt  Communications  Finance Corporation  (formerly known as AT&T
          Credit Corporation), General Electric Capital Corporation,  CoreStates
          Bank, N.A. and CoreStates Holdings, Inc.

*4.3      Amendment  No. 2 dated  as of  January  26,  1998 to the  Amended  and
          Restated  Stockholders  Agreement  dated as of October 31, 1997 by and
          among KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc. , Nassau Capital Partners,  L.P., NAS
          Partners I L.L.C.,  Harold N.  Kamine,  KMC  Telecommunications  L.P.,
          Newcourt  Communications  Finance Corporation  (formerly known as AT&T
          Credit Corporation), General Electric Capital Corporation,  CoreStates
          Bank, N.A. and CoreStates Holdings, Inc.

*4.4      Amendment  No. 3 dated as of  February  25,  1998 to the  Amended  and
          Restated  Stockholders  Agreement  dated as of October 31, 1997 by and
          among KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc. , Nassau Capital Partners,  L.P., NAS
          Partners I L.L.C.,  Harold N.  Kamine,  KMC  Telecommunications  L.P.,
          Newcourt  Communications  Finance Corporation  (formerly known as AT&T
          Credit Corporation), General Electric Capital Corporation,  CoreStates
          Bank, N.A. and CoreStates Holdings, Inc.

4.5       Amendment  No. 4 dated  as of  February  4,  1999 to the  Amended  and
          Restated Stockholders Agreement dated as of October 31, 1997 among KMC
          Telecom Holdings,  Inc., Nassau Capital Partners, L.P., NAS Partners I
          L.L.C., Harold N. Kamine,  Newcourt Communications Finance Corporation
          (formerly known as AT&T Credit Corporation),  General Electric Capital
          Corporation, CoreStates Bank, N.A. and CoreStates Holdings, Inc.

*4.6      Indenture  dated as of January 29, 1998 between KMC Telecom  Holdings,
          Inc. and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee,  including  specimen of
          KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc.'s 12 1/2% Senior Discount Note due 2008.

*4.7      Registration  Rights  Agreement  dated  January 26,  1998  between KMC
          Telecom Holdings, Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated.

*4.8      Warrant  Agreement  between KMC Telecom  Holdings,  Inc. and The Chase
          Manhattan  Bank,  as  Warrant  Agent,  dated as of  January  29,  1998
          including a specimen of Warrant Certificate.

*4.9      Warrant  Registration  Rights  Agreement  dated as of January 26, 1998
          between  KMC  Telecom   Holdings,   Inc.  and  Morgan  Stanley  &  Co.
          Incorporated.

*10.1     Purchase  Agreement  dated January 26, 1998 by and between KMC Telecom
          Holdings, Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated.

10.2      Loan and  Security  Agreement  dated as of December 22, 1998 among KMC
          Telecom Inc., KMC Telecom II, Inc., KMC Telecom of Virginia, Inc., KMC
          Telecom  Leasing I, LLC, KMC Telecom  Leasing II, LLC, the  additional
          subsidiaries  from  time  to  time  parties  thereto,   the  financial
          institutions  signatory thereto from time to time as "Lenders",  First
          Union  National  Bank as  Administrative  Agent  for the  Lenders  and
          Newcourt  Commercial  Finance  Corporation  (formerly  known  as  AT&T
          Commercial Corporation), as Collateral Agent for the Lenders.

10.3      Amendment  No.  1,  dated as of March 3,  1999,  to Loan and  Security
          Agreement  dated as of December 22, 1998,  among KMC Telecom Inc., KMC
          Telecom II, Inc., KMC Telecom of Virginia,  Inc., KMC Telecom  Leasing
          I, LLC, KMC Telecom Leasing II, LLC, the additional  subsidiaries from
          time to time parties  thereto,  the financial  institutions  signatory
          thereto from time to time as "Lenders",  First Union  National Bank as
          Administrative  Agent for the Lenders and Newcourt  Commercial Finance
          Corporation  (formerly  known  as  AT&T  Commercial  Corporation),  as
          Collateral Agent for the Lenders.

*10.4     General  Agreement  between KMC Telecom Inc., KMC Telecom II, Inc. and
          Lucent  Technologies,  Inc.  dated  September  24, 1997, as amended on
          October 15, 1997.

*10.5     Professional  Services  Agreement  between KMC Telecom Inc. and Lucent
          Technologies, Inc. dated September 4, 1997.

10.6      Memorandum of Agreement between KMC Telecom  Holdings,  Inc. and EFTIA
          OSS Solutions Inc., dated as of October 26, 1998.

10.7      Master  License  Agreement  dated  December  31,  1998 by and  between
          Billing Concepts Systems, Inc. and KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc.

10.8      Lease  Agreement dated January 1, 1996 between  Cogeneration  Services
          Inc. (now known as Kamine Development Corp.) and KMC Telecom Inc.

*10.9     1998 Stock  Purchase and Option Plan for Key  Employees of KMC Telecom
          Holdings, Inc. and Affiliates.

10.10     Specimen of  Non-Qualified  Stock Option Agreement for options granted
          under the 1998 Stock Purchase and Option Plan for Key Employees of KMC
          Telecom Holdings, Inc. and Affiliates.

21.1      Subsidiaries of KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc.

24.1      Powers of Attorney (Appears on signature page).

27.1      Financial Data Schedule.


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

*        Exhibits filed previously.



                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

                                     OF THE

                          CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

                                       OF

                           KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.

                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 242 OF THE GENERAL
                    CORPORATION LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE






                                                     Filed by:

                                                     Kelley Drye & Warren LLP
                                                     101 Park Avenue
                                                     New York, New York 10178


<PAGE>




                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

                                     OF THE

                          CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

                                       OF

                           KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.

                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 242 OF THE GENERAL
                    CORPORATION LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE

               KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS,  INC., a corporation organized and existing
under and by virtue of General  Corporation  Law of the State of  Delaware  (the
"CORPORATION"), does hereby certify as follows:

               FIRST:  That the name of the Corporation is KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS,
INC.

               SECOND:  That the original  Certificate of  Incorporation  of the
Corporation  was filed with the  Secretary of State of Delaware on September 17,
1997,  and that an Amended and  Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of the
Corporation  was filed with the  Secretary  of State of the State of Delaware at
12:00 p.m. on September  22, 1997,  and that a  Certificate  of Amendment of the
Amended and Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation of the Corporation was filed
with the  Secretary  of State of the State of Delaware at 10:00 a.m. on November
5, 1997

               THIRD:  That the  Board of  Directors  of the  Corporation,  at a
special  meeting duly called and held on February 1, 1999,  adopted a resolution
proposing that Article FOURTH, Section A of the Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation of the Corporation be further amended by amending and restating
the first sentence thereof (the "Article Fourth Amendment"). The stockholders of
the Corporation duly approved the Article Fourth Amendment by written consent in
accordance with Sections 228 and 242 of the General  Corporation of the State of
Delaware.  The  resolution  setting  forth the Article  Fourth  Amendment  is as
follows:

                    RESOLVED,  that Article FOURTH, Section A of the Amended and
               Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of the  Corporation  be
               amended by amending and restating the first  sentence  thereof to
               read as follows:

                    "The total number of shares of all classes of capital  stock
                    which the  Corporation  shall have the authority to issue is
                    3,748,800  shares,  consisting of 3,000,000 shares of Common

<PAGE>

                    Stock with a par value of $0.01 per share  ("Common  Stock")
                    and 748,800  shares of  Preferred  Stock with a par value of
                    $0.01 per share ("Preferred Stock")."


               IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  KMC TELECOM  HOLDINGS,  INC. has caused this
certificate  to be duly executed by its Vice President this 2nd day of February,
1999.


                            KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.



                            By:/s/Cynthia Worthman
                               -------------------------
                            Name:  Cynthia Worthman
                            Title: Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
                                   and Secretary



                                                                  Execution Copy

                           KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED

                    CERTIFICATE OF THE POWERS, DESIGNATIONS,

                     PREFERENCES AND RIGHTS OF THE SERIES A

                     CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK,

                            PAR VALUE $.0l PER SHAPE

                     Pursuant to Sections 141 and 242 of the

                General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

         As contemplated by sections 141 and 242 of the general  corporation law
of the state of delaware (the "dgcl"), the following resolution was duty adopted
by the board of  directors  of kmc telecom  inc.,  A delaware  corporation  (the
"corporation"), by unanimous written consent, dated october 31, 1997:

         WHEREAS,  the Board of  Directors  of the  Corporation  is  authorized,
within  the   limitations  and   restrictions   stated  in  the  Certificate  of
Incorporation  of the  Corporation,  to propose by resolution or resolutions for
the  amendment  of  outstanding  series of preferred  stock,  par value $.0l per
share, of the Corporation,  to contain such voting powers,  full or limited,  or
without  voting  powers,  and  such  designations,   preferences  and  relative,
participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations
or  restrictions  as  shall  be  stated  and  expressed  in  the  resolution  or
resolutions  providing  for  the  amendment  thereof  adopted  by the  Board  of
Directors,  and as are not stated and  expressed  in the  Amended  and  Restated
Certificate of Incorporation,  or any amendment thereto,  including (but without
limiting the  generality  of the  foregoing)  such  provisions as may be desired
concerning  voting,  redemption,  dividends,  dissolution or the distribution of
assets and such other  subjects  or  matters  as may be fixed by  resolution  or
resolutions of the Board of Directors under the DGCL;

         WHEREAS,  the Board of  Directors of the  Corporation,  pursuant to its
authority  under  Section  242 of the  DGCL,  deems it  advisable  to amend  and
restated the terms of its Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock;

         NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:

         1. DESIGNATION AND NUMBERS OF SHARES. There shall be hereby established
a series of  preferred  stock  designated  as "Series A  Cumulative  Convertible
Preferred  Stock" (such Series  being  hereinafter  referred to as the "Series A
Preferred  Stock").  The authorized number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock
shall be 123,800.  The  liquidation  preference of the Series A Preferred  Stock
shall be $100 per share (the "Liquidation Preference").

         2. RANK. The Series A Preferred  Stock shall,  with respect to dividend
distributions  and  distributions  of assets  and rights  upon the  liquidation,
winding-up and dissolution of the Corporation,  rank senior to the Common Stock,
par value $.01 per share,  of the  Corporation  (the "Common Stock") and to each
other class or series of Capital Stock of the Corporation (other than the Parity
Preferred  Stock)  hereafter  created  (the Common Stock and such other class or
series of Capital Stock of the Corporation other than Parity Preferred Stock are
hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Junior Stock").


<PAGE>


3. DIVIDENDS.

         (a) Beginning on the date of issuance of the Series A Preferred  Stock,
the  holders of the  outstanding  shares of Series A  Preferred  Stock  shall be
entitled to receive,  when,  as and if declared by the Board of Directors of the
Corporation,  out of funds legally  available  therefor,  cash dividends on each
share  of  Series  A  Preferred  Stock at an  annual  rate  equal to 7.0% of the
Liquidation Preference,  payable quarterly in arrears on the applicable Dividend
Payment Date or the next  succeeding  Business Day, if the  applicable  Dividend
Payment Date is not a Business Day.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the dividend
payable on each share of Series A  Preferred  Stock with  respect to the Initial
Dividend  Period  shall  be  equal  to (i)  7.0% of the  Liquidation  Preference
multiplied  by (ii) a  fraction  equal  to (A) the  number  of  days  from  (and
including)  the  Series A  Preferred  Stock  Issue Date to (but  excluding)  the
Dividend Payment Date with respect to the Initial Dividend Period divided by (B)
365. All dividends shall be cumulative,  whether or not earned or declared, from
the date of  issuance  of the  Series A  Preferred  Stock and  shall be  payable
quarterly in arrears on each  Dividend  Payment  Date,  commencing  on the first
Dividend  Payment  Date after the date of  issuance  of the  Series A  Preferred
Stock. If any dividend (or portion thereof) payable on any Dividend Payment Date
is not declared or paid in full on such  Dividend  Payment  Date,  the amount of
such dividend  payable that is not paid on such date shall  increase at the rate
of 7.0% per annum  (compounded  quarterly on each  subsequent  Dividend  Payment
Date) from such Dividend  Payment Date until paid in full. Each  distribution on
the  Series A  Preferred  Stock  shall be  payable  to holders of record as they
appear on the stock books of the Corporation on such record dates, not less than
ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days  preceding the related  Dividend  Payment
Date, as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

         (b) All  accumulated  and unpaid  dividends  on the Series A  Preferred
Stock shall be paid by the  Corporation  upon the  occurrence  of a  Realization
Event,  without  reference to any regular  Dividend  Payment Date, to holders of
record on such date. The Corporation shall send by first class,  postage prepaid
mail a notice of the  Realization  Event to all  holders  of Series A  Preferred
Stock that are entitled to receive such dividends.  In the case of a Realization
Event which is an initial  public  offering,  if any such holder  gives  written
notice to the  Corporation  that such holder wishes to receive such  accumulated
unpaid  dividends  in the form of shares of  Common  Stock in lieu of cash,  the
Corporation,  in lieu of a cash  payment,  shall  issue to such  holder  on such
Dividend  Payment Date, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient
obtained by dividing (x) the aggregate  accumulated and unpaid  dividends on the
shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by such holder by (y) the price at which
shares  of  Common  Stock  are  sold  in  such  offering  (before  deduction  of
underwriting discounts and expenses of sale).

         (c) All  dividends  paid with  respect to shares of Series A  Preferred
Stock  pursuant to Section 3(a) shall be paid pro rata and in like manner to all
of the holders entitled thereto.

         (d)  Nothing   herein   contained   shall  in  any  way  or  under  any
circumstances  be  construed  or deemed to require the Board of Directors of the
Corporation to declare, or the Corporation to pay or set apart for payment,  any
dividends on shares of the Series A Preferred Stock at any time.


                                       2
<PAGE>


         4. LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE.

         (a)  In  the  event  of  any  voluntary  or  involuntary   liquidation,
dissolution  or  winding-up  of the affairs of the  Corporation,  the holders of
shares of Parity  Preferred Stock  (including the Series A Preferred Stock) then
outstanding shall be entitled to be paid for each share held thereby, out of the
assets of the Corporation  available for  distribution to its  stockholders,  an
amount in cash equal to the Liquidation  Preference plus an amount in cash equal
to  all  accumulated  and  unpaid  dividends  thereon  (calculated  pursuant  to
Paragraph  3(a)) to the date fixed for  liquidation,  dissolution  or winding-up
(including  an amount equal to a prorated  dividend for the period from the last
Dividend  Payment  Date  to the  date  fixed  for  liquidation,  dissolution  or
winding-up),  before any payment shall be made or any assets  distributed to the
holders of any  shares of Junior  Stock.  Except as  provided  in the  preceding
sentence,  holders  of the  Parity  Preferred  Stock  (including  the  Series  A
Preferred  Stock) shall not be entitled to any  distribution in the event of any
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the affairs of the Corporation. If the
assets  of the  Corporation  are not  sufficient  to pay in full  the  foregoing
liquidation  payments payable to the holders of outstanding shares of the Parity
Preferred Stock  (including the Series A Preferred  Stock),  then the holders of
all shares of Parity  Preferred Stock  (including the Series A Preferred  Stock)
shall share ratably in such distribution of assets in accordance with the amount
that would be payable on such  distribution  if the amounts to which the holders
of  outstanding  shares  of  Parity  Preferred  Stock  (including  the  Series A
Preferred  Stock)  are  entitled  were  paid in  full.  If all of the  foregoing
liquidation  payments with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock have
been made, such share may not be converted into Common Stock pursuant to Section
5.

         (b) For the  purposes of this Section 4,  neither the  voluntary  sale,
conveyance,  exchange or transfer  (for cash,  shares of stocks,  securities  or
other  consideration)  of all or  substantially  all or part of the  property or
assets of the  Corporation  nor the  consolidation  or merger of the Corporation
with  one or more  other  corporations  shall  be  deemed  to be a  liquidation,
dissolution  or  winding-up,  voluntary  or  involuntary,  of the affairs of the
Corporation (unless such sale, conveyance, exchange or transfer is in connection
with  a   liquidation,   dissolution   or  winding-up  of  the  affairs  of  the
Corporation).

         5. CONVERSION.

         (a)  CONVERSION  PRICE.  Shares  of  Series  A  Preferred  Stock  to be
converted  into shares of Common  Stock  shall be so  converted  initially  at a
conversion  price equal to  $20.633333  per share of Common  Stock,  which price
shall be adjusted as hereinafter  provided (and, as so adjusted,  is hereinafter
sometimes  referred to as the "Conversion  Price"),  with each share of Series A
Preferred  Stock being valued at $100.00 for such purpose (that is, a conversion
rate initially  equivalent to 4.8465266 shares of Common Stock for each share of
Series A Prefer-red  Stock so converted,  which is subject to adjustment (to the
nearest fourth decimal place) as the Conversion Price is adjusted as hereinafter
provided);  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that in no event shall the Conversion  Price be
less than the par value, if any, of the Common Stock.

         (b)  AUTOMATIC  CONVERSION  UPON A QUALIFIED  PUBLIC  OFFERING.  Upon a
Qualified  Public  Offering,  each  share of  Series  A  Preferred  Stock  shall
automatically  convert,  without  any action on the part of the holder  thereof,
into shares of Common Stock at the Conversion Price in effect at such time, plus
the right to receive an amount of cash equal to the accumulated unpaid dividends
on such share of Series A  Preferred  Stock to and  including  such date (or the
right to receive  additional  shares of Common  Stock in lieu of cash  dividends
pursuant to Section 3(b)).


                                       3
<PAGE>


         (c)  CONVERSION AT THE OPTION OF THE HOLDER.  At any time and from time
to time prior to a Qualified Public Offering,  the holders of Series A Preferred
Stock shall have the right to convert, in whole or in part, each share of Series
A Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock at the Conversion  Price in effect
at such  time,  plus  the  right  to  receive  an  amount  of cash  equal to the
accumulated  unpaid  dividends on each share of Series A Preferred  Stock to and
including  the  Conversion  Date (as  defined  below);  provided  that,  if such
Conversion Date is prior to a Realization Event, the Corporation may, in lieu of
making a payment  in cash  equal to such  amount,  deliver a number of shares of
Common Stock equal to such amount  divided by the Fair Market Value of one share
of Common Stock. In order to convert shares of Series A Preferred Stock pursuant
to this Section  5(c) the holder  thereof  shall  surrender at the office of the
Corporation  the  certificate  or  certificates  therefor,  duly endorsed to the
Corporation  in blank,  and give  written  notice to the  Corporation  that such
holder elects to convert such shares and shall state in writing therein the name
or names  (with  addresses)  in which  such  holder  wishes the  certificate  or
certificates  of Common Stock to be issued.  Shares of Series A Preferred  Stock
shall  be  deemed  to have  been  converted  on the  date of  surrender  of such
certificate or certificates as provided above (the "Conversion  Date"),  and the
person or persons  entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock  issuable upon
such  conversion  shall be treated  for all  purposes  as the  record  holder or
holders of such Common Stock on such date.  As soon as  practicable  on or after
the Conversion  Date, the  Corporation  shall issue and deliver a certificate or
certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion.

         (d) FRACTIONAL SHARES;  PARTIAL-CONVERSION.  No fractional shares shall
be issued  upon  conversion  of shares of Series A  Preferred  Stock into Common
Stock. In case the number of shares of Series A Preferred  Stock  represented by
the certificate or certificates  surrendered  pursuant to this Section 5 exceeds
the number of shares  converted,  the Corporation  shall,  upon such conversion,
execute  and deliver to the holder,  at the  expense of the  Corporation,  a new
certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock
represented by the certificate or certificates  surrendered  which are not to be
converted.  If any  fractional  share of  Common  Stock  would,  except  for the
provisions of the first  sentence of this Section  5(d), be delivered  upon such
conversion, the Corporation,  in lieu of delivering such fractional share, shall
pay to the holder  surrendering  the Series A Preferred  Stock for conversion an
amount in cash equal to the current  market  price of such  fractional  share as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.

         (e)  ADJUSTMENT  OF  CONVERSION  PRICE UPON  ISSUANCE OF COMMON  STOCK.
Except as  provided in Section  5(f),  if and  whenever  the  Corporation  shall
hereafter issue or sell, or is, in accordance  with  subsection  5(e)(1) through
5(e)(6),  deemed to have  issued  or sold,  any  shares  of  Common  Stock for a
consideration  per share less than the  Conversion  Price in effect  immediately
prior to the time of such  issue or sale,  then,  forthwith  upon such  issue or
sale, the Conversion  Price shall be reduced to the price determined by dividing
(i) an amount  equal to the sum of (a) the  number  of  shares  of Common  Stock
outstanding  immediately  prior  to such  issue or sale  (determined  on a Fully
Diluted  basis)  multiplied  by the then existing  Conversion  Price and (b) the
consideration,  if any,  received by the Corporation upon such issue or sale, by
(ii) the total number of shares of Common Stock  outstanding  immediately  after
such issue or sale (determined on a Fully Diluted basis).

         For purposes of this Section 5(e), the following subsections 5(e)(1) to
5(e)(6) shall also be applicable:


                                       4
<PAGE>


         5(e)(1)  ISSUANCE OF RIGHTS OR OPTIONS.  In case at any time  hereafter
the Corporation  shall in any manner grant (whether directly or by assumption in
a merger or otherwise) any Options to purchase  Common Stock or any  Convertible
Securities,  whether or not such Options or the right to convert or exchange any
such Convertible Securities are immediately exercisable, and the price per share
for which Common Stock is issuable upon the exercise of such Options or upon the
conversion or exchange of such  Convertible  Securities  (determined by dividing
(i) the total  amount,  if any,  received or receivable  by the  Corporation  as
consideration  for the  granting of such  Options,  plus the  minimum  aggregate
amount of additional  consideration payable to the Corporation upon the exercise
of all  such  Options,  plus,  in the  case  of such  Options  which  relate  to
Convertible   Securities,   the   minimum   aggregate   amount   of   additional
consideration,  if any,  payable  upon  the  issue  or sale of such  Convertible
Securities  and upon the  conversion  or  exchange  thereof,  by (ii) the  total
maximum  number of shares of Common  Stock  issuable  upon the  exercise of such
Options or upon the  conversion or exchange of all such  Convertible  Securities
issuable  upon the exercise of such Options)  shall be less than the  Conversion
Price in effect  immediately  prior to the time of the granting of such Options,
then the total  maximum  number of shares  of  Common  Stock  issuable  upon the
exercise of such  Options or upon  conversion  or exchange of the total  maximum
amount of such Convertible Securities issuable upon the exercise of such Options
shall be deemed to have been  issued  for such price per share as of the date of
granting of such  Options or the  issuance of such  Convertible  Securities  and
thereafter  shall be deemed to be outstanding.  Except as otherwise  provided in
subsection 5(e)(3), no adjustment of the Conversion Price shall be made upon the
actual  issue  of such  Common  Stock  or of such  Convertible  Securities  upon
exercise  of such  Options or upon the actual  issue of such  Common  Stock upon
conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities.

         5(e)(2)  ISSUANCE OF CONVERTIBLE  SECURITIES.  In case the  Corporation
shall  hereafter in any manner issue  (whether  directly or by  assumption  in a
merger or  otherwise)  or sell any  Convertible  Securities,  whether or not the
rights to exchange or convert any such  Convertible  Securities are  immediately
exercisable,  and the price per share for which  Common  Stock is issuable  upon
such  conversion  or  exchange  (determined  by  dividing  (i) the total  amount
received or receivable by the Corporation as consideration for the issue or sale
of such Convertible Securities,  plus the minimum aggregate amount of additional
consideration,  if any,  payable  to the  Corporation  upon  the  conversion  or
exchange  thereof,  by (ii) the total  maximum  number of shares of Common Stock
issuable  upon the  conversion or exchange of all such  Convertible  Securities)
shall be less than the Conversion Price in effect  immediately prior to the time
of such issue or sale,  then the total maximum  number of shares of Common Stock
issuable upon conversion or exchange of all such Convertible Securities shall be
deemed to have been  issued for such price per share as of the date of the issue
or sale of such  Convertible  Securities  and  thereafter  shall be deemed to be
outstanding,  provided  that (a) except as  otherwise  provided in  subparagraph
5(e)(3),  no adjustment of the  Conversion  Price should be made upon the actual
issue of such Common  Stock upon  conversion  or  exchange  of such  Convertible
Securities and (b) if any such issue or sale of such  Convertible  Securities is
made upon  exercise of any Options to purchase any such  Convertible  Securities
for  which  adjustments  of the  Conversion  Price  have  been or are to be made
pursuant to other provisions of this Section 5(e), no further  adjustment of the
Conversion Price shall be made by reason of such issue or sale.


                                       5
<PAGE>


         5(e)(3) CHANGE IN OPTION PRICE OR CONVERSION  RATE.  Upon the happening
of any of the following  events,  namely,  if the purchase price provided for in
any Option referred to in subsection 5(e)(1), the additional  consideration,  if
any,  payable  upon the  conversion  or exchange of any  Convertible  Securities
referred to in  subsection  5(e)(1) or 5(e)(2) or the rate at which  Convertible
Securities  referred to in subsection 5(e)(1) or 5(e)(2) are convertible into or
exchangeable  for Common  Stock  shall  change at any time  (including,  but not
limited to, changes under or by reason of provisions designed to protect against
dilution),  the  Conversion  Price in  effect  at the time of such  event  shall
forthwith be readjusted to the Conversion  Price which would have been in effect
at such  time had such  Options  or  Convertible  Securities  still  outstanding
provided for such changed purchase price, additional consideration or conversion
rate, as the case may be, at the time  initially  granted,  issued or sold,  put
only if as a result  of such  adjustment  the  Conversion  Price  then in effect
hereunder is thereby  reduced;  and on the termination of any such Option or any
such right to convert or exchange such  Convertible  Securities,  the Conversion
Price then in effect  hereunder  shall  forthwith be increased to the Conversion
Price which would have been in effect at the time of such  termination  had such
Option or Convertible Securities, to the extent outstanding immediately prior to
such termination, never been issued.

         5(e)(4)  CONSIDERATION  FOR STOCK.  In case any shares of Common Stock,
Options  or  Convertible  Securities  shall  be  issued  or sold for  cash,  the
consideration received therefor shall be deemed to be the amount received by the
Corporation  therefor,  without deduction  therefrom of any expenses incurred or
any  underwriting  commissions or concessions paid or allowed by the Corporation
in  connection  therewith.  In case any  shares  of  Common  Stock,  Options  or
Convertible  Securities  shall be issued or sold for a consideration  other than
cash,  the  amount  of  the  consideration  other  than  cash  received  by  the
Corporation  shall be  deemed  to be the fair  value  of such  consideration  as
determined  in good faith by the Board of  Directors,  without  deduction of any
expenses incurred or any underwriting commissions or concessions paid or allowed
by the Corporation in connection therewith.  In case any Options shall be issued
in connection  with the issue and sale of other  securities of the  Corporation,
together comprising one integral transaction in which no specific  consideration
is  allocated  to such Options by the parties  thereto,  such  Options  shall be
deemed to have been issued for such consideration as determined in good faith by
the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

         5(e)(5) RECORD DATE. In case the Corporation shall take a record of the
holders of its Common Stock for the purpose of  entitling  them (i) to receive a
dividend or other distribution  payable in Common Stock,  Options or Convertible
Securities  or (ii) to  subscribe  for or  purchase  Common  Stock,  options  or
Convertible Securities,  then such record date shall be deemed to be the date of
the issue or sale of the shares of Common  Stock  deemed to have been  issued or
sold  upon  the  declaration  of such  dividend  or the  making  of  such  other
distribution  or the  date of the  granting  of such  right of  subscription  or
purchase, as the case may be.

         5(e)(6)  TREASURY  SHARES.   The  number  of  shares  of  Common  Stock
outstanding  at any given time shall not include  shares owned or held by or for
the account of the Corporation,  and the disposition of any such shares shall be
considered  an issue or sale of Common  Stock for the  purpose  of this  Section
5(e).


                                       6
<PAGE>


         (f)  EXCEPTIONS TO CONVERSION  PRICE  ADJUSTMENT.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing,  no adjustment to the Conversion Price shall be made pursuant to this
Section 5 in  connection  with the  grant,  issuance  or sale of  Common  Stock,
Convertible  Securities,  warrants,  options or other rights to subscribe for or
purchase Common Stock or Convertible Securities:  (i) pursuant to employee stock
purchase  or  stock  option  ownership  plans  adopted  by the  Corporation  for
employees,  consultants  and/or directors of the Corporation and its affiliates;
(ii) pursuant to the terms of any Convertible Securities,  warrants,  options or
other rights to subscribe  for or purchase  granted,  issued or sold pursuant to
clause (ii) above; (iii) pursuant to the High Yield Debt and Equity Offering (as
defined in a Subordinated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of September 22,
1997,  among  KMC  Telecom  Inc.  ("KMC")  and KMC  Telecom  II,  Inc.  and AT&T
Commercial  Finance  Corporation,  as in effect on the Series C Preferred  Stock
Issue Date) or a subsequent debt offering  occurring prior to December 31, 1998;
(iv) pursuant to the terms of any Convertible Securities,  warrants,  options or
other rights to subscribe  for or purchase  granted,  issued or sold pursuant to
clauses  (iii)  above;  (v)  pursuant to Section 10C of the Amended and Restated
Note  Purchase  and  Investment  Agreement,  dated as of October  22,  1996,  as
amended,  by and  among the  Corporation,  Nassau  Capital  Partners  L.P.,  NAS
Partners I L.L.C.  and Harold N.  Kamine;  or (vi)  pursuant to the  issuance of
Series  C  Cumulative  Convertible  Preferred  Stock  and  Series  D  Cumulative
Convertible  Preferred Stock pursuant to a Purchase Agreement,  by and among the
Corporation,  General Electric Capital Corporation,  CoreStates Holdings,  Inc.,
Nassau  Capital  Partners  L.P.,  NAS Partners I L.L.C.  and the issuance of any
shares of Common Stock issued in conversion thereof, PROVIDED that the aggregate
number of shares of Common Stock issued or issuable  pursuant to clauses (i) and
(ii) above shall not exceed 15% of the Common Stock (on a Fully  Diluted  basis)
outstanding from time to time and the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock
issued or issuable  pursuant to clause (iii) and (iv) above shall not exceed 11%
of the Common Stock (on a Fully Diluted  basis)  outstanding  from time to time;
and FURTHER  PROVIDED  that for the purposes of this Section  5(f):  (a) 221,500
shares of Common Stock initially allocated under the 1997 Stock Option Plan will
be deemed  outstanding  regardless of the number of shares actually  granted and
exercisable  thereunder  and (b) shares of Common Stock issued or issuable  upon
exercise of options not among the 221,500 shares initially allocated pursuant to
the 1997 Stock Option Plan and which, when issued, were subject to clause (i) or
(ii) above,  will not be deemed  outstanding,  regardless of whether or not they
have been granted or are exercisable.

         (g) SUBDIVISION OR COMBINATION OF COMMON STOCK. In case the Corporation
shall at any time  subdivide (by any stock split,  stock  dividend or otherwise)
its  outstanding  shares of Common  Stock into a greater  number of shares,  the
Conversion  Price  in  effect  immediately  prior to such  subdivision  shall be
proportionately  reduced,  and,  conversely,  in case the outstanding  shares of
Common Stock shall be combined into a smaller  number of shares,  the Conversion
Price in effect  immediately prior to such combination shall be  proportionately
increased.

         (h) REORGANIZATION OR RECLASSIFICATION.  If any capital  reorganization
or reclassification of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be effected in
such a way that  holders of Conunon  Stock shall be  entitled to receive  stock,
securities or assets with respect to or in exchange for Common Stock, then, as a
condition  of such  reorganization  or  reclassification,  lawful  and  adequate
provisions  shall be made  whereby  each holder of a share or shares of Series A
Preferred  Stock shall  thereupon have the right to receive,  upon the basis and
upon the terms and  conditions  specified  herein  and in lieu of the  shares of
Common Stock  immediately  theretofore  receivable  upon the  conversion of such
share or shares of Series A Preferred Stock, such shares of stock, securities or
assets as may be issued or payable  with  respect to or in exchange for a number
of outstanding shares of such Common Stock equal to the number of shares of such
Common Stock  immediately  theretofore  receivable upon such conversion had such
reorganization  or  reclassification  not  taken  place,  and in any  such  case
appropriate provisions shall be made with respect to the rights and interests of
such  holder  to  the  end  that  the  provisions  hereof  (including,   without
limitation, provisions for adjustments of the Conversion Price) shall thereafter
be  applicable,  as  nearly  as may be,  in  relation  to any  shares  of stock,
securities or assets thereafter deliverable upon the exercise of such conversion
rights.


                                       7
<PAGE>


         (i) CARRYOVER.  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 5,
the  Corporation  shall not be required to make any adjustment to the Conversion
Price unless such  adjustment  would require an increase or decrease of at least
one percent (1%) in the Conversion Price. Any lesser adjustment shall be carried
forward and shall be made no later than the time of, and together with, the next
subsequent  adjustment  which,  together with any  adjustment or  adjustments so
carried forward, shall amount to an increase or decrease of at least one percent
(1%) in the Conversion Price.

         6. OTHER EVENTS. If the Corporation shall make any dividend  (excluding
cash dividends payable out of accumulated  earnings and profits) or distribution
on the Common  Stock or issue any Common  Stock,  other  capital  stock or other
security of the Corporation or any rights or warrants to purchase or acquire any
such  security,  which  transaction  does not  result  in an  adjustment  to the
Conversion  Price  pursuant to the  foregoing  provisions of this Section 5, the
Board of Directors may consider  whether such action is of such a nature that an
adjustment to the Conversion  Price should  equitably be made in respect of such
transaction.  If the Board of Directors of the  Corporation  determines  that an
adjustment to the Conversion  Price should be made, an adjustment  shall be made
effective  as of such  date,  as  determined  by the Board of  Directors  of the
Corporation.  The  determination of the Board of Directors of the Corporation as
to whether such an adjustment to the  Conversion  Price should be made,  and, if
so, as to what adjustment should be made and when, shall be final and binding on
the Corporation and all stockholders of the Corporation.  The Corporation  shall
be entitled to make such  additional  adjustments  in the Conversion  Price,  in
addition to those  required by the  foregoing  provisions  of this Section 5, as
shall be  necessary  in order that any  dividend  or  distribution  in shares of
capital stock of the Corporation,  subdivision,  reclassification or combination
of shares of stock of the Corporation or any recapitalization of the Corporation
shall not be taxable to the holders of the Common Stock.

         (k) NOTICE OF ADJUSTMENT.  Upon any adjustment of the Conversion Price,
then and in each such case the Corporation shall give written notice thereof, by
delivery in person,  certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,  or
facsimile  addressed  to each  holder  of shares  of  Series A  Preferred  Stock
affected by such  adjustment at the address of such holder as shown on the books
of the Corporation, which notice shall state the Conversion Price resulting from
such adjustment,  setting forth in reasonable  detail the method upon which such
calculation is based.

         6. VOTING RIGHTS.

         (a) The  holders  of Series A  Preferred  Stock,  except  as  otherwise
required  under  Delaware law or as set forth below in this Section 6, shall not
be entitled or permitted to vote on any matter required or permitted to be voted
upon by the stockholders of the Corporation.

         (b) So long as the Series A Preferred Stock is outstanding,  each share
of Series A Preferred  Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to vote, in person
or by proxy,  at a special  or annual  meeting  of  stockholders  or by  written
consent, on all matters voted on by holders of Common Stock voting together as a
single class with other  shares  entitled to vote  thereon,  except as otherwise
provided in Articles EIGHTH and NINTH of the Corporation's  Amended and Restated
Certificate  of  Incorporation.  With  respect to any such  vote,  each share of
Series A Preferred  Stock shall  entitle the holder  thereof to cast a number of
votes  equal to the number of votes  entitled to be cast by such holder had such
holder  converted such share of Series A Preferred Stock into Common Stock prior
to such vote (or, if earlier, the record date with respect to such vote).

         (c)  Without  the prior  consent of the  holders of  two-thirds  of the
shares of the Series A Preferred  Stock then  outstanding,  voting as a separate
class, the Corporation shall not:

             (i)  increase  the number of shares of the  Corporation's  Series A
     Cumulative   Convertible   Preferred  Stock,  par  value  $.0l  per  share,
     outstanding at any time to more than  $12,800,000 of aggregate  liquidation
     preference;


                                       8
<PAGE>


             (ii) increase the number of shares of Preferred  Stock (of whatever
     series) authorized or Common Stock authorized for issuance;

             (iii) merge or consolidate  with or into any other company,  person
     or entity, unless holders of each share of Series A Preferred Stock receive
     consideration in an amount equal to at least the greater of (A) the product
     of (x) the  number of shares of Common  Stock  into  which  such  shares of
     Series A Preferred Stock is then  convertible and (y) the  consideration to
     be  received  by  holders of each share of Common  Stock  pursuant  to such
     merger or consolidation and (B) the Liquidation  Preference,  of such share
     of Series A  Preferred  Stock plus all  accumulated  but  unpaid  dividends
     thereon (whether or not declared);

             (iv) amend,  modify or repeal the powers,  preferences or rights of
     or the  restrictions  provided  for the  benefit of holders of the Series A
     Preferred  Stock or the Common Stock if such action would affect the Series
     A Preferred Stock or the Common Stock adversely;

             (v) sell or otherwise  dispose of all or  substantially  all of the
     assets of the  Corporation  in any single  transaction or series of related
     transactions  unless the holders of each share of Series A Preferred  Stock
     receive  consideration  in an  amount  equal  to at least  the  Liquidation
     Preference of such share of Series A Preferred  Stock plus all  accumulated
     but unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not declared);

             (vi) declare or pay any dividend on shares of Common Stock or other
     equity securities of the Corporation ranking junior to the Parity Preferred
     Stock  (excluding  dividends  payable  solely in shares of Common  Stock or
     other equity  securities of the  Corporation  ranking  junior to the Parity
     Preferred Stock);

             (vii)  authorize  or  enter  into  any  transaction  or  series  of
     transactions  (excluding  transactions authorized by the Corporation or its
     subsidiaries  prior to the  Series C  Preferred  Stock  Issue  Date and any
     amendments   thereto  that  do  not  alter  the  economic   value  of  such
     transactions)  with any director or executive officer of the Corporation or
     any Person  directly or  indirectly  controlling  the  Corporation  (or any
     affiliate  thereof  other  than a  subsidiary  of the  Corporation)  if the
     aggregate  amount  involved in such  transaction or series of  transactions
     involves the payment by or to the  Corporation or its  subsidiaries of more
     than $100,000 in any one fiscal year of the Corporation; or

             (viii)   issue   Common   Stock  or   Convertible   Securities   as
     consideration for assets comprising a business that is not within the lines
     of business  conducted by the  Corporation or any of its  subsidiaries  (or
     operations  reasonably  ancillary  thereto) on the Series C Preferred Stock
     Issue Date.

         (d) Without  the  consent of each  holder of Series A  Preferred  Stock
affected thereby, the Corporation shall not reduce the Liquidation Preference of
the Series A Preferred Stock or the rate at which dividends  accumulate thereon,
or modify the dividend cumulation  provisions of the Series A Preferred Stock or
the times and prices at which the Series A Preferred  Stock may be redeemed in a
manner that would be adverse to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock.

         7. REISSUANCE OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK. Shares of Series A Preferred
Stock  that have been  issued and  reacquired  in any  manner  including  shares
purchased or redeemed or exchanged or converted, shall (upon compliance with any
applicable provisions of the laws of Delaware) have the status of authorized and
unissued  shares  of  preferred  stock  undesignated  as to  series  and  may be
redesignated  and reissued as part of any series of preferred  stock (other than
Series A Preferred Stock).


                                       9
<PAGE>


         8. BUSINESS DAY. If any payment or conversion  shall be required by the
terms  hereof to be made on a day that is not a Business  Day,  such  payment or
conversion shall be made on the immediately succeeding Business Day.

         9.  DEFINITIONS.  As used  in  this  Certificate  of  Designation,  the
following  terms shall have the  following  meanings  (with terms defined in the
singular  having  comparable  meanings  when used in the plural and vice versa),
unless the context otherwise requires:

             "1997 Stock  Option  Plan" shall mean the 1997 Stock  Purchase  and
     Option Plan for Key Employees of KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc. and affiliates,
     as the same may be amended from time to time.

             "Board of Directors"  shall have the meaning  ascribed to it in the
     first paragraph of this Resolution.

             "Business Day" means any day except a Saturday,  a Sunday, or other
     day on which  commercial  banks in the State of New York or New  Jersey are
     authorized or required by law or executive order to close.

             "Capital  Stock"  means,  with  respect to any Person,  any and all
     shares, interests, participations, rights in, or other equivalents (however
     designated  and whether  voting or  non-voting)  of, such Person's  capital
     stock  (but  excluding  any  debt  security  that  is  exchangeable  for or
     convertible into such capital stock).

             "Conunon Stock" shall have the meaning  ascribed to it in Section 2
     hereof.

             "Convertible  Securities" shall mean any evidences of indebtedness,
     shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock.

             "Corporation"  shall have the  meaning  ascribed to it in the first
     paragraph of this Resolution.

             "Dividend  Payment Date" means March 31, June 30,  September 30 and
     December 31 of each year.

             "Dividend   Period"   means  the  Initial   Dividend   Period  and,
     thereafter, each Quarterly Dividend Period.

             "Fair  Market  Value" per share of Common  Stock as of a particular
     date (the  "Determination  Date")  shall mean:  (i) if the Common  Stock is
     listed or admitted for trading on a national securities exchange,  then the
     Fair Market Value shall be the average of the last 30 "daily sales  prices"
     of the Common Stock on the principal national  securities exchange on which
     the Common  Stock is listed or admitted for trading on the last 30 Business
     Days  prior to the  Determination  Date,  or if not listed or traded on any
     such exchange,  then the Fair Market Value shall be the average of the last
     30 "daily sales prices" of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq  National  Market
     on the last 30 Business  Days prior to the  Determination  Date (the "daily
     sales price" shall be the closing price for bona fide  transactions  of the
     Common Stock at the end of each day); or (ii) if the Common Stock is not so
     listed or  admitted to unlisted  trading  privileges  or if no such sale is
     made on at least 25 of such days,  then the Fair  Market  Value shall be as
     reasonably  determined in good faith by the Company's Board of Directors or
     a duly appointed  committee of the Board of Directors (which  determination
     shall be reasonably described in the written notice delivered, and shall be
     reasonably acceptable, to the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock).


                                       10
<PAGE>


             "Fully  Diluted"  shall  mean at any date as of which the number of
     shares of Common  Stock is to be  determined,  all  shares of Common  Stock
     outstanding  at such date and the maximum  number of shares of Common Stock
     issuable in respect of  Convertible  Securities  and warrants,  options and
     other rights to purchase (directly or indirectly) shares of Common Stock or
     Convertible  Securities  (giving  effect  to the  then  current  respective
     conversion  prices)  outstanding  on such date (to the extent the rights to
     convert, exchange or exercise thereunder are presently exercisable).

             "High  Yield  Debt and  Equity  Offering"  shall  have the  meaning
     ascribed to it in Section 5 hereof.

             "Initial  Dividend Period" means the dividend period commencing on,
     and including,  the Series A Prefer-red Stock Issue Date and ending on, and
     excluding, the first Dividend Payment Date to occur thereafter.

             "Junior  Stock" shall have the meaning  ascribed to it in Section 2
     hereof.

             "Liquidation  Preference"  shall have the meaning ascribed to it in
     Section 1 hereof.

             "Option" shall mean rights,  options,  or warrants to subscribe for
     purchase or otherwise acquire Convertible Securities or Common Stock.

             "Parity  Preferred  Stock"  means,   collectively,   the  Series  A
     Preferred Stock, the Series B Cumulative  Convertible  Preferred Stock, par
     value $.01 per share,  the  Corporation's  Series C Cumulative  Convertible
     Preferred  Stock,  par value $.0l per  share,  the  Corporation's  Series D
     Cumulative  Convertible  Preferred  Stock, par value $.0l per share and any
     other series of preferred stock which is determined to be "Parity Preferred
     Stock" by the Board of Directors.

             "Person"  means any  individual,  firm,  corporation,  partnership,
     limited   liability   company,   trust,   incorporated  or   unincorporated
     association, joint venture, joint stock company, governmental body or other
     entity of any kind.

             "Qualified  Public Offering" shall mean the first offer for sale of
     Common Stock pursuant to an effective  registration  statement filed by the
     Corporation  under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as amended,  in which the
     Corporation   receives   aggregate  gross  proceeds  (before  deduction  of
     underwriting  discounts  and  expenses  of sale)  of at least  $40,000,000;
     provided  that the per share  price at which  such  shares  are sold in the
     offering (before deduction of underwriting  discounts and expenses of sale)
     is at least four (4) times the Conversion Price then in effect.

             "Quarterly"  shall mean the quarterly  periods  commencing  on, and
     including,  each Dividend  Payment Date and ending on, and excluding,  each
     next Dividend Payment Date occurring immediately thereafter, respectively.

             "Realization  Event" shall mean the  occurrence  of (i) the sale of
     all or  substantially  all of the stock or assets of the  Corporation,  the
     consolidation  or  merger  of  the  Corporation  with  one  or  more  other
     corporations  or (ii) the closing of an initial  public  offering of Common
     Stock in which the Corporation  receives  aggregate gross proceeds  (before
     deduction  of  underwriting  discounts  and  expenses  of sale) of at least
     $40,000,000.

             "Series A Preferred Stock" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in
     Section 1 hereof.

             "Series A Preferred Stock Issue Date" means the first date on which
     the Series A Preferred Stock is issued by the Corporation.


                                       11
<PAGE>


         IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  KMC  TELECOM  HOLDINGS,  INC.  has  caused  this
certificate to be duly executed by its Chief  Financial  Officer this 4th day of
November, 1997.

                                                 KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC

                                                 By: /S/ Cynthia Worthman
                                                 ------------------------------
                                                 Name:  Cynthia Worthman
                                                 Title:  Chief Financial Officer





















                                       12








                                                                  Execution Copy

                           KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.

                           CERTIFICATE OF THE POWERS,
                   DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES AND RIGHTS OF THE
                SERIES C CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK,
                            PAR VALUE $.0l PER SHARE

                     Pursuant to Sections 141 and 151 of the
                      General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

          As contemplated  by Section 141 of the General  Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware (the "DGCL"), the following resolution was duly adopted by the
Board of Directors of KMC Telecom  Holdings,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation (the
"Corporation"), by unanimous written consent, dated October 31, 1997:

          WHEREAS,  the Board of Directors  of the  Corporation  is  authorized,
within the  limitations  and  restrictions  stated in the Amended  and  Restated
Certificate of  Incorporation  of the  Corporation,  to provide by resolution or
resolutions  for the issuance of shares of preferred  stock,  par value $.0l per
share, of the Corporation,  in one or more series with such voting powers,  full
or limited,  or without voting powers,  and such  designations,  preferences and
relative,  participating,  optional or other special rights, and qualifications,
limitations or  restrictions  as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution
or  resolutions  providing  for the  issuance  thereof  adopted  by the Board of
Directors,   and  as  are  not  stated  and  expressed  in  the  Certificate  of
Incorporation,  or any amendment  thereto,  including (but without  limiting the
generality  of the  foregoing)  such  provisions  as may be  desired  concerning
voting,  redemption,  dividends,  dissolution or the  distribution of assets and
such other  subjects or matters as may be fixed by resolution or  resolutions of
the Board of Directors under the DGCL;

                                       1
<PAGE>

          WHEREAS,  the Board of Directors of the  Corporation,  pursuant to its
authority under Section 151 of the DGCL,  desires to authorize and fix the terms
of its Series C Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock; and

          WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Corporation has determined that
such Series C Cumulative  Convertible  Preferred Stock shall constitute  "Parity
Preferred  Stock"  within  the  meaning  of  the  Certificates  of  the  Powers,
Designations,  Preferences and Rights of the  Corporation's  Series A Cumulative
Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock and
Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock;


          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:

          1. DESIGNATION AND NUMBER OF SHARES. There shall be hereby established
a series of  preferred  stock  designated  as "Series C  Cumulative  Convertible
Preferred  Stock" (such Series  being  hereinafter  referred to as the "Series C
Preferred  Stock").  The authorized number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock
shall be 350,000.  The  liquidation  preference of the Series C Preferred  Stock
shall be $100 per share (the "Liquidation Preference").

          2. RANK. The Series C Preferred Stock shall,  with respect to dividend
distributions  and  distributions  of assets  and rights  upon the  liquidation,
winding-up and dissolution of the Corporation,  rank senior to the Common Stock,
par value $.0l per share,  of the  Corporation  (the "Common Stock") and to each
other class or series of Capital Stock of the Corporation (other than the Parity
Preferred  Stock)  hereafter  created  (the Common Stock and such other class or
series of Capital Stock of the Corporation other than Parity Preferred Stock are
hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Junior Stock").

          3. DIVIDENDS.

          (a) Beginning on the date of issuance of the Series C Preferred Stock,
the  holders of the  outstanding  shares of Series C  Preferred  Stock  shall be
entitled to receive,  when,  as and if declared by the Board of Directors of the
Corporation,  out of funds legally  available  therefor,  cash dividends on each
share  of  Series  C  Preferred  Stock at an  annual  rate  equal to 7.0% of the
Liquidation Preference,  payable quarterly in arrears on the applicable Dividend
Payment Date or the next  succeeding  Business Day, if the  applicable  Dividend
Payment Date is not a Business Day.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the dividend
payable on each share of Series C  Preferred  Stock with  respect to the Initial
Dividend  Period  shall  be  equal  to (i)  7.0% of the  Liquidation  Preference


                                       2
<PAGE>

multiplied  by (ii) a  fraction  equal  to (A) the  number  of  days  from  (and
including)  the  Series C  Preferred  Stock  Issue Date to (but  excluding)  the
Dividend Payment Date with respect to the Initial Dividend Period divided by (B)
365. All dividends shall be cumulative,  whether or not earned or declared, from
the date of  issuance  of the  Series C  Preferred  Stock and  shall be  payable
quarterly in arrears on each  Dividend  Payment  Date,  commencing  on the first
Dividend  Payment  Date after the date of  issuance  of the  Series C  Preferred
Stock. If any dividend (or portion thereof) payable on any Dividend Payment Date
is not declared or paid in full on such  Dividend  Payment  Date,  the amount of
such dividend  payable that is not paid on such date shall  increase at the rate
of 7.0% per annum  (compounded  quarterly on each  subsequent  Dividend  Payment
Date) from such Dividend  Payment Date until paid in full. Each  distribution on
the  Series C  Preferred  Stock  shall be  payable  to holders of record as they
appear on the stock books of the Corporation on such record dates, not less than
ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days  preceding the related  Dividend  Payment
Date, as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

          (b) All  accumulated  and unpaid  dividends  on the Series C Preferred
Stock shall be paid by the  Corporation  upon the  occurrence  of a  Realization
Event,  without  reference to any regular  Dividend  Payment Date, to holders of
record on such date. The Corporation shall send by first class,  postage prepaid
mail a notice of the  Realization  Event to all  holders  of Series C  Preferred
Stock that are entitled to receive such dividends.  In the case of a Realization
Event which is an initial  public  offering,  if any such holder  gives  written
notice to the  Corporation  that such holder wishes to receive such  accumulated
unpaid  dividends  in the form of shares of  Common  Stock in lieu of cash,  the
Corporation,  in lieu of a cash  payment,  shall  issue to such  holder  on such
Dividend  Payment Date, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient
obtained by dividing (x) the aggregate  accumulated and unpaid  dividends on the
shares of Series C Preferred Stock held by such holder by (y) the price at which
shares  of  Common  Stock  are  sold  in  such  offering  (before  deduction  of
underwriting discounts and expenses of sale).

          (c) All  dividends  paid with  respect to shares of Series C Preferred
Stock  pursuant to Section 3(a) shall be paid pro rata and in like manner to all
of the holders entitled thereto.

          (d) Except as  otherwise  provided  in  paragraph  (b) above,  nothing
herein  contained  shall in any way or under any  circumstances  be construed or
deemed to require the Board of Directors of the  Corporation to declare,  or the
Corporation  to pay or set apart for  payment,  any  dividends  on shares of the
Series C Preferred Stock at any time.

          (e)  Whenever  the  provisions  hereof  require  that  the  amount  of
dividends  with respect to the Series C Preferred  Stock be determined  for less
than a full  quarterly  period ending on a Dividend  Payment Date, the amount of
dividends for such period shall be equal to 7.0% of the  Liquidation  Preference
multiplied  by a fraction  equal to (i) the number of days from (and  including)
the most recent  Dividend  Payment Date to (but  excluding)  the last day of the
period in respect of which such determination is being made divided by (ii) 365.


                                       3
<PAGE>

          4. LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE.

          (a)  In  the  event  of  any  voluntary  or  involuntary  liquidation,
dissolution  or  winding-up  of the affairs of the  Corporation,  the holders of
shares of Parity  Preferred Stock  (including the Series C Preferred Stock) then
outstanding shall be entitled to be paid for each share held thereby, out of the
assets of the Corporation  available for  distribution to its  stockholders,  an
amount in cash equal to the Liquidation  Preference plus an amount in cash equal
to  all  accumulated  and  unpaid  dividends  thereon  (calculated  pursuant  to
Paragraph  3(a)) to the date fixed for  liquidation,  dissolution  or winding-up
(including  an amount equal to a prorated  dividend for the period from the last
Dividend  Payment  Date  to the  date  fixed  for  liquidation,  dissolution  or
winding-up),  before any payment shall be made or any assets  distributed to the
holders of any  shares of Junior  Stock.  Except as  provided  in the  preceding
sentence,  holders  of the  Parity  Preferred  Stock  (including  the  Series  C
Preferred  Stock) shall not be entitled to any  distribution in the event of any
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the affairs of the Corporation. If the
assets  of the  Corporation  are not  sufficient  to pay in full  the  foregoing
liquidation  payments payable to the holders of outstanding shares of the Parity
Preferred Stock  (including the Series C Preferred  Stock),  then the holders of
all shares of Parity  Preferred Stock  (including the Series C Preferred  Stock)
shall share ratably in such distribution of assets in accordance with the amount
that would be payable on such  distribution  if the amounts to which the holders
of  outstanding  shares  of  Parity  Preferred  Stock  (including  the  Series C
Preferred  Stock)  are  entitled  were  paid in  full.  If all of the  foregoing
liquidation  payments with respect to any share of Series C Preferred Stock have
been made, such share may not be converted into Common Stock pursuant to Section
5.

          (b) For the purposes of this Section 4,  neither the  voluntary  sale,
conveyance,  exchange or transfer  (for cash,  shares of stocks,  securities  or
other  consideration)  of all or  substantially  all or part of the  property or
assets of the  Corporation  nor the  consolidation  or merger of the Corporation
with  one or more  other  corporations  shall  be  deemed  to be a  liquidation,
dissolution  or  winding-up,  voluntary  or  involuntary,  of the affairs of the
Corporation (unless such sale, conveyance, exchange or transfer is in connection
with  a   liquidation,   dissolution   or  winding-up  of  the  affairs  of  the
Corporation).

          5. CONVERSION.

          (a)  CONVERSION  PRICE.  Shares  of  Series  C  Preferred-Stock  to be
converted  into shares of Common  Stock shall be so  converted  at a  conversion
price  (which  price shall be adjusted to the nearest  fourth  decimal  place as
hereinafter  provided  and, as so adjusted,  is  hereinafter  referred to as the
"Conversion Price") equal to: (i) from the date of initial issuance of shares of
Series C Preferred  Stock to but  excluding  the  30-month  anniversary  of such
issuance,  $52.50  per  share of  Common  Stock,  with  each  share of  Series C
Preferred  Stock being valued at $100.00 for such  purpose;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,
that if a  Realization  Event  shall  occur  during  such  30-month  period  the
Conversion  Price shall equal to a fraction,  the  numerator of which is (A) the
consideration  per share of Common Stock (on a Fully Diluted basis)  received in
connection with such Realization Event, and the denominator of which is (B) 1.30
raised to a number equal to the number of years (or fraction  thereof)  from the
date of initial issuance of shares of Series C Preferred Stock until the date of
such Realization Event, but in no case shall be greater than $52.50 per share of


                                       4
<PAGE>

Common Stock nor less than $42.18 per share of Common  Stock;  and (ii) from and
after the thirty-month  anniversary of the date of initial issuance of shares of
Series C Preferred  Stock (subject to paragraph (b) below),  $42.18 per share of
Common  Stock,  with each  share of Series C  Preferred  Stock  being  valued at
$100.00  for  such  purpose;  provided,  however,  that in no  event  shall  the
Conversion Price be less than the par value, if any, of the Common Stock.

          (b) AUTOMATIC  CONVERSION  UPON A QUALIFIED  PUBLIC  OFFERING.  Upon a
Qualified  Public  Offering,  each  share of  Series  C  Preferred  Stock  shall
automatically  convert,  without  any action on the part of the holder  thereof,
into shares of Common Stock at the Conversion Price in effect at such time, plus
the right to receive an amount of cash equal to the accumulated unpaid dividends
on such share of Series C  Preferred  Stock to and  including  such date (or the
right to receive  additional  shares of Common  Stock in lieu of cash  dividends
pursuant to Section 3(b)).

          (c) CONVERSION AT THE OPTION OF THE HOLDER.  At any time and from time
to time prior to a Qualified Public Offering,  each holder of Series C Preferred
Stock shall have the right to convert such holder's shares of Series C Preferred
Stock, in whole or in part, into shares of Common Stock at the Conversion  Price
in effect at such time, plus the right to receive an amount of cash equal to the
accumulated  unpaid  dividends  on the  shares  of Series C  Preferred  Stock so
converted to and  including the  Conversion  Date (as defined  below);  provided
that, if such Conversion Date is prior to a Realization  Event,  the Corporation
may, in lieu of making a payment in cash equal to such amount,  deliver a number
of shares of Common Stock equal to such amount  divided by the Fair Market Value
of one share of Common Stock.  In order to convert  shares of Series C Preferred
Stock  pursuant to this Section 5(c) the holder  thereof shall  surrender at the
office  of the  Corporation  the  certificate  or  certificates  therefor,  duty
endorsed to the Corporation in blank, and give written notice to the Corporation
that such  holder  elects to  convert  such  shares  and shall  state in writing
therein  the name or names  (with  addresses)  in which such  holder  wishes the
certificate  or  certificates  of Common Stock to be issued.  Shares of Series C
Preferred  Stock shall be deemed to have been converted on the date of surrender
of such certificate or certificates as provided above (the  "Conversion  Date"),
and the  person or  persons  entitled  to  receive  the  shares of Common  Stock
issuable  upon such  conversion  shall be treated for all purposes as the record
holder or holders of such Common Stock on such date. As soon as  practicable  on
or after  the  Conversion  Date,  the  Corporation  shall  issue  and  deliver a
certificate  or  certificates  for the number of shares of Common Stock issuable
upon conversion.

          (d) FRACTIONAL SHARES; PARTIAL CONVERSION.  No fractional shares shall
be issued  upon  conversion  of shares of Series C  Preferred  stock into Common
Stock. In case the number of shares of Series C Preferred  Stock  represented by
the certificate or certificates  surrendered  pursuant to this Section 5 exceeds
the number of shares  converted,  the Corporation  shall,  upon such conversion,
execute  and deliver to the holder,  at the  expense of the  Corporation,  a new
certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock
represented by the certificate or certificates  surrendered  which are not to be
converted.  If any  fractional  share of  Common  Stock  would,  except  for the
provisions of the first  sentence of this Section  5(d), be delivered  upon such


                                       5
<PAGE>

conversion, the Corporation,  in lieu of delivering such fractional share, shall
pay to the holder  surrendering  the Series C Preferred  Stock for conversion an
amount in cash equal to the current  market  price of such  fractional  share as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.

          (e)  ADJUSTMENT  OF  CONVERSION  PRICE UPON  ISSUANCE OF COMMON STOCK.
Except as  provided in Section  5(f),  if and  whenever  the  Corporation  shall
hereafter issue or sell, or is, in accordance  with  subsection  5(e)(1) through
5(e)(6),  deemed to have  issued  or sold,  any  shares  of  Common  Stock for a
consideration  per share less than the  Conversion  Price in effect  immediately
prior to the time of such  issue or sale,  then,  forthwith  upon such  issue or
sale, the Conversion  Price shall be reduced to the price determined by dividing
(i) an amount  equal to the sum of (a) the  number  of  shares  of Common  Stock
outstanding  immediately  prior  to such  issue or sale  (determined  on a Fully
Diluted  basis)  multiplied  by the then existing  Conversion  Price and (b) the
consideration,  if any,  received by the Corporation upon such issue or sale, by
(ii) the total number of shares of Common Stock  outstanding  immediately  after
such issue or sale (determined on a Fully Diluted basis).

          For purposes of this Section 5(e), the following  subsections  5(e)(1)
to 5(e)(6) shall also be applicable:

          5(e)(1)  ISSUANCE OF RIGHTS OR OPTIONS.  In case at any time hereafter
the Corporation  shall in any manner grant (whether directly or by assumption in
a merger or otherwise) any Options to purchase  Common Stock or any  Convertible
Securities,  whether or not such Options or the right to convert or exchange any
such Convertible Securities are immediately exercisable, and the price per share
for which Common Stock is issuable upon the exercise of such Options or upon the
conversion or exchange of such  Convertible  Securities  (determined by dividing
(i) the total  amount,  if any,  received or receivable  by the  Corporation  as
consideration  for the  granting of such  Options,  plus the  minimum  aggregate
amount of additional  consideration payable to the Corporation upon the exercise
of all  such  Options,  plus,  in the  case  of such  Options  which  relate  to
Convertible   Securities,   the   minimum   aggregate   amount   of   additional
consideration,  if any,  payable  upon  the  issue  or sale of such  Convertible
Securities  and upon the  conversion  or  exchange  thereof,  by (ii) the  total
maximum  number of shares of Common  Stock  issuable  upon the  exercise of such
Options or upon the  conversion or exchange of all such  Convertible  Securities
issuable  upon the exercise of such Options)  shall be less than the  Conversion
Price in effect  immediately  prior to the time of the granting of such Options,
then the total  maximum  number of shares  of  Common  Stock  issuable  upon the
exercise of such  Options or upon  conversion  or exchange of the total  maximum
amount of such Convertible Securities issuable upon the exercise of such Options
shall be deemed to have been  issued  for such price per share as of the date of
granting of such  Options or the  issuance of such  Convertible  Securities  and
thereafter  shall be deemed to be outstanding.  Except as otherwise  provided in
subsection 5(e)(3), no adjustment of the Conversion Price shall be made upon the
actual  issue  of such  Common  Stock  or of such  Convertible  Securities  upon
exercise  of such  Options or upon the actual  issue of such  Common  Stock upon
conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities.

          5(e)(2)  ISSUANCE OF CONVERTIBLE  SECURITIES.  In case the Corporation
shall  hereafter in any manner issue  (whether  directly or by  assumption  in a


                                       6
<PAGE>

merger or  otherwise)  or sell any  Convertible  Securities,  whether or not the
rights to exchange or convert any such  Convertible  Securities are  immediately
exercisable,  and the price per share for which  Common  Stock is issuable  upon
such  conversion  or  exchange  (determined  by  dividing  (i) the total  amount
received or receivable by the Corporation as consideration for the issue or sale
of such Convertible Securities,  plus the minimum aggregate amount of additional
consideration,  if any,  payable  to the  Corporation  upon  the  conversion  or
exchange  thereof,  by (ii) the total  maximum  number of shares of Common Stock
issuable  upon the  conversion or exchange of all such  Convertible  Securities)
shall be less than the Conversion Price in effect  immediately prior to the time
of such issue or sale,  then the total maximum  number of shares of Common Stock
issuable upon conversion or exchange of all such Convertible Securities shall be
deemed to have been  issued for such price per share as of the date of the issue
or sale of such  Convertible  Securities  and  thereafter  shall be deemed to be
outstanding,  provided  that (a) except as  otherwise  provided in  subparagraph
5(e)(3),  no  adjustment of the  Conversion  Price shall be made upon the actual
issue of such Common  Stock upon  conversion  or  exchange  of such  Convertible
Securities and (b) if any such issue or sale of such  Convertible  Securities is
made upon  exercise of any Options to purchase any such  Convertible  Securities
for  which  adjustments  of the  Conversion  Price  have  been or are to be made
pursuant to other provisions of this Section 5(e), no further  adjustment of the
Conversion Price shall be made by reason of such issue or sale.

          5(e)(3) CHANGE IN OPTION PRICE-OR  CONVERSION RATE. Upon the happening
of any of the following  events,  namely,  if the purchase price provided for in
any Option referred to in subsection 5(e)(1), the additional  consideration,  if
any,  payable  upon the  conversion  or exchange of any  Convertible  Securities
referred to in  subsection  5(e)(1) or 5(e)(2) or the rate at which  Convertible
Securities  referred to in subsection 5(e)(1) or 5(e)(2) are convertible into or
exchangeable  for Common  Stock  shall  change at any time  (including,  but not
limited to, changes under or by reason of provisions designed to protect against
dilution),  the  Conversion  Price in  effect  at the time of such  event  shall
forthwith be readjusted to the Conversion  Price which would have been in effect
at such  time had such  Options  or  Convertible  Securities  still  outstanding
provided for such changed purchase price, additional consideration or conversion
rate, as the case may be, at the time  initially  granted,  issued or sold,  but
only if as a result  of such  adjustment  the  Conversion  Price  then in effect
hereunder is thereby  reduced;  and on the termination of any such Option or any
such right to convert or exchange such  Convertible  Securities,  the Conversion
Price then in effect  hereunder  shall  forthwith be increased to the Conversion
Price which would have been in effect at the time of such  termination  had such
Option or Convertible Securities, to the extent outstanding immediately prior to
such termination, never been issued.

          5(e)(4)  CONSIDERATION  FOR STOCK. In case any shares of Common Stock,
Options  or  Convertible  Securities  shall  be  issued  or sold for  cash,  the
consideration received therefor shall be deemed to be the amount received by the
Corporation  therefor,  without deduction  therefrom of any expenses incurred or
any  underwriting  commissions or concessions paid or allowed by the Corporation
in  connection  therewith.  In case any  shares  of  Common  Stock,  Options  or
Convertible  Securities  shall be issued or sold for a consideration  other than
cash,  the  amount  of  the  consideration  other  than  cash  received  by  the


                                       7
<PAGE>

Corporation  shall be  deemed  to be the fair  value  of such  consideration  as
determined  in good faith by the Board of  Directors,  without  deduction of any
expenses incurred or any underwriting commissions or concessions paid or allowed
by the Corporation in connection therewith.  In case any Options shall be issued
in connection  with the issue and sale of other  securities of the  Corporation,
together comprising one integral transaction in which no specific  consideration
is  allocated  to such Options by the parties  thereto,  such  Options  shall be
deemed to have been issued for such consideration as determined in good faith by
the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

          5(e)(5)  RECORD DATE. In case the  Corporation  shall take a record of
the holders of its Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them (i) to receive
a dividend or other distribution payable in Common Stock, Options or Convertible
Securities  or (ii) to  subscribe  for or  purchase  Common  Stock,  options  or
Convertible Securities,  then such record date shall be deemed to be the date of
the issue or sale of the shares of Common  Stock  deemed to have been  issued or
sold  upon  the  declaration  of such  dividend  or the  making  of  such  other
distribution  or the  date of the  granting  of such  right of  subscription  or
purchase, as the case may be.

          5(e)(6)  TREASURY  SHARES.  The  number  of  shares  of  Common  Stock
outstanding  at any given time shall not include  shares owned or held by or for
the account of the Corporation,  and the disposition of any such shares shall be
considered  an issue or sale of Common  Stock for the  purpose  of this  Section
5(e).

          (f) EXCEPTIONS TO CONVERSION  PRICE  ADJUSTMENT.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing,  no adjustment to the Conversion Price shall be made pursuant to this
Section 5 in  connection  with the  grant,  issuance  or sale of  Common  Stock,
Convertible  Securities,  warrants,  options or other rights to subscribe for or
purchase Common Stock or Convertible Securities:  (i) pursuant to employee stock
purchase  or  stock  option  ownership  plans  adopted  by the  Corporation  for
employees,  consultants  and/or directors of the Corporation and its affiliates;
(ii) pursuant to the terms of any Convertible Securities,  warrants,  options or
other rights to subscribe  for or purchase  granted,  issued or sold pursuant to
clause (ii) above; (iii) pursuant to the High Yield Debt and Equity Offering (as
defined in a Subordinated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of September 22,
1997,  among  KMC  Telecom  Inc.  ("KMC")  and KMC  Telecom  II,  Inc.  and AT&T
Commercial  Finance  Corporation,  as in effect on the Series C Preferred  Stock
Issue Date) or a subsequent debt offering  occurring prior to December 31, 1998;
(iv) pursuant to the terms of any Convertible Securities,  warrants,  options or
other rights to subscribe  for or purchase  granted,  issued or sold pursuant to
clause (iii)  above;  or (v) pursuant to Section 10C of the Amended and Restated
Note  Purchase  and  Investment  Agreement,  dated as of October  22,  1996,  as
amended,  by and  among the  Corporation,  Nassau  Capital  Partners  L.P.,  NAS
Partners I L.L.C.  and Harold N. Kamine;  PROVIDED that the aggregate  number of
shares of Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above
shall not exceed 15% of the Common Stock (on a Fully Diluted basis)  outstanding
from time to time and the  aggregate  number of shares of Common Stock issued or
issuable  pursuant  to clauses  (iii) and (iv) above shall not exceed 11% of the
Common  Stock (on a Fully  Diluted  basis)  outstanding  from time to time;  and
FURTHER  PROVIDED that for the purposes of this Section 5(f): (a) 221,500 shares
of Common  Stock  initially  allocated  under the 1997 Stock Option Plan will be
deemed  outstanding  regardless  of the number of shares  actually  granted  and


                                       8
<PAGE>

exercisable  thereunder  and (b) shares of Common Stock issued or issuable  upon
exercise of options not among the 221,500 shares initially allocated pursuant to
the 1997 Stock Option Plan and which,  when issued,  were subject to clauses (i)
or (ii) above, will not be deemed outstanding, regardless of whether or not they
have been granted or are exercisable.

          (g)   SUBDIVISION  OR  COMBINATION  OF  COMMON  STOCK.   In  case  the
Corporation  shall at any time subdivide (by any stock split,  stock dividend or
otherwise)  its  outstanding  shares of Common  Stock  into a greater  number of
shares,  the Conversion  Price in effect  immediately  prior to such subdivision
shall be  proportionately  reduced,  and,  conversely,  in case the  outstanding
shares of Common Stock shall be combined  into a smaller  number of shares,  the
Conversion  Price  in  effect  immediately  prior to such  combination  shall be
proportionately increased.

          (h) REORGANIZATION OR RECLASSIFICATION.  If any capital reorganization
or reclassification of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be effected in
such a way that  holders of Common  Stock shall be  entitled  to receive  stock,
securities or assets with respect to or in exchange for Common Stock, then, as a
condition of such reorganization or reclassification (but subject to Section 7),
lawful and adequate  provisions  shall be made whereby each holder of a share or
shares of Series C Preferred  Stock shall  thereupon  have the right to receive,
upon the basis and upon the terms and conditions specified herein and in lieu of
the  shares  of  Common  Stock  immediately   theretofore  receivable  upon  the
conversion of such share or shares of Series C Preferred  Stock,  such shares of
stock,  securities  or assets as may be issued or payable  with respect to or in
exchange  for a number of  outstanding  shares of such Common Stock equal to the
number of shares of such Common Stock  immediately  theretofore  receivable upon
such conversion had such reorganization or reclassification not taken place, and
in any such case appropriate provisions shall be made with respect to the rights
and interests of such holder to the end that the provisions  hereof  (including,
without  limitation,  provisions for adjustments of the Conversion  Price) shall
thereafter  be  applicable,  as nearly as may be, in  relation  to any shares of
stock,  securities or assets  thereafter  deliverable  upon the exercise of such
conversion rights.

          (i) CARRYOVER. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 5,
the  Corporation  shall not be required to make any adjustment to the Conversion
Price unless such  adjustment  would require an increase or decrease of at least
one percent (1%) in the Conversion Price. Any lesser adjustment shall be carried
forward and shall be made no later than the time of, and together with, the next
subsequent  adjustment  which,  together with any  adjustment or  adjustments so
carried forward, shall amount to an increase or decrease of at least one percent
(1%) in the Conversion Price.

          (j)  OTHER  EVENTS.   If  the  Corporation  shall  make  any  dividend
(excluding  cash dividends  payable out of accumulated  earnings and profits) or
distribution on the Common Stock or issue any Common Stock,  other capital stock
or other  security of the  Corporation  or any rights or warrants to purchase or
acquire any such security, which transaction does not result in an adjustment to
the Conversion Price pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 5, the
Board of Directors may consider  whether such action is of such a nature that an
adjustment to the Conversion  Price should  equitably be made in respect of such


                                       9
<PAGE>

transaction.  If the Board of Directors of the  Corporation  determines  that an
adjustment to the Conversion  Price should be made, an adjustment  shall be made
effective  as of such  date,  as  determined  by the Board of  Directors  of the
Corporation.  The  determination of the Board of Directors of the Corporation as
to whether such an adjustment to the  Conversion  Price should be made,  and, if
so, as to what adjustment should be made and when, shall be final and binding on
the Corporation and all stockholders of the Corporation.  The Corporation  shall
be entitled to make such  additional  adjustments  in the Conversion  Price,  in
addition to those  required by the  foregoing  provisions  of this Section 5, as
shall be  necessary  in order that any  dividend  or  distribution  in shares of
capital stock of the Corporation,  subdivision,  reclassification or combination
of shares of stock of the Corporation or any recapitalization of the Corporation
shall not be taxable to the holders of the Common Stock.

          (k) NOTICE OF ADJUSTMENT. Upon any adjustment of the Conversion Price,
then and in each such case the Corporation shall give written notice thereof, by
delivery in person,  certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,  or
facsimile  addressed  to each  holder  of shares  of  Series C  Preferred  Stock
affected by such  adjustment at the address of such holder as shown on the books
of the Corporation, which notice shall state the Conversion Price resulting from
such adjustment,  setting forth in reasonable  detail the method upon which such
calculation is based.

          6. VOTING RIGHTS.

          (a) The  holders  of Series C  Preferred  Stock,  except as  otherwise
required  under  Delaware law or as set forth below in this Section 6, shall not
be entitled or permitted to vote on any matter required or permitted to be voted
upon by the stockholders of the Corporation.

          (b) So long as the Series C Preferred Stock is outstanding, each share
of Series C Preferred  Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to vote, in person
or by proxy,  at a special  or annual  meeting  of  stockholders  or by  written
consent, on all matters voted on by holders of Common Stock voting together as a
single  class with other  shares  entitled to vote  thereon  except as otherwise
provided in Articles EIGHTH and NINTH of the Corporation's  Amended and Restated
Certificate  of  Incorporation.  With  respect to any such  vote,  each share of
Series C Preferred  Stock shall  entitle the holder  thereof to cast a number of
votes  equal to the number of votes  entitled to be cast by such holder had such
holder  converted such share of Series C Preferred Stock into Common Stock prior
to such vote (or, if earlier, the record date with respect to such vote).

          (c) Subject to Section 7, without the prior  consent of the holders of
two-thirds  of the shares of the  Series C  Preferred  Stock  then  outstanding,
voting as a separate class, the Corporation shall not:

               (i)  increase  the number of shares of Series C  Preferred  Stock
outstanding  at any  time to more  than  $35,000,000  of  aggregate  Liquidation
Preference;

               (ii)  increase  the  number  of  shares  of  Preferred  Stock (of
whatever series) authorized for issuance;

               (iii) merge or consolidate with or into any other company, person
or entity,  unless  holders of each share of Series C  Preferred  Stock  receive
consideration  in an amount  equal to at least the greater of (A) the product of


                                       10
<PAGE>

(x) the  number of shares of Common  Stock  into  which  such  share of Series C
Preferred Stock is then convertible and (y) the  consideration to be received by
holders of each share of Common Stock  pursuant to such merger or  consolidation
and (B) the  Liquidation  Preference  of such share of Series C Preferred  Stock
plus all accumulated but unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not declared);

               (iv) amend, modify or repeal the powers, preferences or rights of
or the  restrictions  provided  for the  benefit  of  holders  of the  Series  C
Preferred  Stock or the Common  Stock if such action  would  affect the Series C
Preferred Stock or the Common Stock adversely;

               (v) sell or otherwise  dispose of all or substantially all of the
assets of the  Corporation  in any  single  transaction  or  series  of  related
transactions  unless  the  holders  of each  share of Series C  Preferred  Stock
receive consideration in an amount equal to at least the Liquidation  Preference
of such  share of Series C  Preferred  Stock  plus all  accumulated  but  unpaid
dividends thereon (whether or not declared);

               (vi)  declare or pay any  dividend  on shares of Common  Stock or
other  equity  securities  of the  Corporation  ranking  junior  to  the  Parity
Preferred Stock (excluding dividends payable solely in shares of Common Stock or
other  equity  securities  of the  Corporation  ranking  junior  to  the  Parity
Preferred Stock);

               (vii)  authorize  or enter  into any  transaction  or  series  of
transactions  (excluding  transactions  authorized  by  the  Corporation  or its
subsidiaries prior to the Series C Preferred Stock Issue Date and any amendments
thereto  that do not alter the  economic  value of such  transactions)  with any
director  or  executive  officer of the  Corporation  or any Person  directly or
indirectly  controlling the  Corporation (or any affiliate  thereof other than a
subsidiary  of the  Corporation)  if  the  aggregate  amount  involved  in  such
transaction  or  series  of  transactions  involves  the  payment  by or to  the
Corporation or its  subsidiaries of more than $100,000 in any one fiscal year of
the Corporation; or

               (viii)   issue  Common  Stock  or   Convertible   Securities   as
consideration  for assets  comprising a business that is not within the lines of
business  conducted by the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries (or operations
reasonably ancillary thereto) on the Series C Preferred Stock Issue Date.

          (d) Without  the  consent of each  holder of Series C Preferred  Stock
affected thereby, the Corporation shall not reduce the Liquidation Preference of
the Series C Preferred Stock or the rate at which dividends  accumulate thereon,
or modify the dividend cumulation  provisions of the Series C Preferred Stock or
the times and prices at which the Series C Prefer-red Stock may be redeemed in a
manner that would be adverse to the holders of Series C Preferred Stock.

          (e) In the event  that a Default  (as such term is defined in the Loan
Agreement  (as defined  below) as in effect as of the date  hereof)  relating to
payment  obligations  of  principal  and  interest  thereunder  has occurred and
continued  for a period  of 90 days  under the  Amended  and  Restated  Loan and
Security Agreement,  dated as of September 22, 1997, among KMC Telecom Inc., KMC
Telecom II, Inc. and AT&T Commercial Finance Corporation (the "Loan Agreement"),


                                       11
<PAGE>

the number of directors  constituting  the entire  Board of  Directors  shall be
increased by two individuals and the persons holding, from time to time, greater
than 50% of the  combined  voting  power of the  outstanding  shares of Series C
Preferred Stock and the outstanding  shares of Common Stock into which shares of
Series C Preferred Stock theretofore have been converted (the "Majority Series C
Holders") (for  themselves and on behalf of all  stockholders  holding shares of
Common  Stock into which  shares of Series C  Convertible  Preferred  Stock have
been,  or may be,  converted)  shall be entitled to elect two  individuals  (the
"Series C Directors")  to the Board of Directors.  Immediately  upon the cure of
such Default, the number of directors constituting the entire Board of Directors
shall be  reduced  by two  individuals  and the two  individuals  elected by the
Majority  Series C Holders  shall  resign or  automatically  be removed from the
Board of Directors.

          7.  OPTIONAL  REDEMPTION.  (a) The  outstanding  shares  of  Series  C
Preferred Stock shall be subject to redemption,  as hereinafter provided, at the
option of the  Corporation,  in whole  but not in part,  in  connection  with an
Acquisition  Event.  For  purposes  hereof,  "Acquisition  Event" shall mean any
merger or  consolidation  of the Corporation  with any other company,  person or
entity  (whether  or  not  the  Corporation  is the  entity  surviving  in  such
transaction)  as a result  of which  the  holders  of  shares  of  Common  Stock
(determined  on a fully  diluted  basis)  will hold less than a majority  of the
outstanding  shares of common  stock or other  equity  interests of the company,
person or entity resulting from such transaction (or any parent of such entity).

          (b) For each share of Series C Preferred  Stock  redeemed  pursuant to
this  Section 7, the  Corporation  shall be obligated on the date fixed for such
redemption  (the  "Redemption  Date"),  which date shall not be earlier than the
date of consummation of the applicable  Acquisition  Event, to pay to the holder
thereof (upon surrender by such holder at the Corporation's  principal office of
the certificate representing such share duty endorsed in blank or accompanied by
an appropriate form of assignment) an amount (the  "Redemption  Price") equal to
the greater of (A) the product of (x) the number of shares of Common  Stock into
which such share of Series C  Preferred  Stock is then  convertible  and (y) the
consideration  to be received by holders of each share of Common Stock  pursuant
to such  Acquisition  Event and (B) the Liquidation  Preference of such share of
Series C  Preferred  Stock plus all  accumulated  but unpaid  dividends  thereon
(whether or not declared).

          (c) Notice of any redemption of the Series C Preferred  Stock pursuant
to this Section 7 (specifying  the time and place of redemption,  the Redemption
Price,  the Conversion  Price and the date on and after which shares of Series C
Preferred  Stock may no longer be  converted)  shall be mailed by  certified  or
registered mail, return receipt requested,  to each holder of Series C Preferred
Stock,  at the address of such holder shown on the  Corporation's  records,  not
less than 30 nor more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date.

          (d) If the  Corporation  holds and sets aside money  sufficient to Pay
the Redemption  Price of the Series C Preferred  Stock on the  Redemption  Date,
then on and after the  Redemption  Date:  (i) the  shares of Series C  Preferred
Stock  shall no longer be  convertible  into  shares of Common  Stock;  (ii) the
shares of Series C Preferred Stock will cease to be outstanding and dividends on
the Series C Preferred Stock will cease to be declared and paid,  whether or not
certificates  representing  the Series C Preferred  Stock have been delivered to


                                       12
<PAGE>

the  Corporation;  and (iii) all other  rights of the holder in respect  thereof
shall  terminate  (other  than the right to receive  the  Redemption  Price upon
delivery of such Series C Preferred Stock).

          8.  REISSUANCE  OF  SERIES  C  PREFERRED  STOCK.  Shares  of  Series C
Preferred  Stock that have been issued and  reacquired in any manner,  including
shares  purchased or redeemed or exchanged or converted,  shall (upon compliance
with any  applicable  provisions  of the laws of  Delaware)  have the  status of
authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock  undesignated as to series and
may be redesignated and reissued as part of any series of preferred stock (other
than Series C Preferred Stock).

          9. BUSINESS DAY. If any payment or conversion shall be required by the
terms  hereof  to made on a day that is not a  Business  Day,  such  payment  or
conversion shall be made on the immediately succeeding Business Day.

          10.  DEFINITIONS.  As used in this  Certificate  of  Designation,  the
following  terms shall have the  following  meanings  (with terms defined in the
singular  having  comparable  meanings  when used in the  plural  and vice versa
unless the context otherwise requires:

          "1997 Stock Option Plan" shall mean the 1997 Stock Purchase and Option
Plan for Key Employees of KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc. and Affiliates, as the same
may be amended from time to time.

           "Board of  Directors"  shall have the  meaning  ascribed to it in the
first paragraph of this Resolution.

           "Business  Day" means any day except a Saturday,  a Sunday,  or other
day on which  commercial  banks  in the  State  of New  York or New  Jersey  are
authorized or required by law or executive order to close.

          "Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
interests,  participations,  rights in, or other equivalents (however designated
and whether voting or non-voting) of, such Person's capital stock (but excluding
any debt  security that is  exchangeable  for or  convertible  into such capital
stock).

          "Common  Stock"  shall have the  meaning  ascribed  to it in Section 2
hereof.

          "Convertible  Securities"  shall mean any  evidences of  indebtedness,
shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock.

          "Corporation"  shall  have the  meaning  ascribed  to it in the  first
paragraph of this Resolution.

          "Dividend  Payment  Date" means March 31,  June 30,  September  30 and
December 31 of each year.

          "Dividend  Period" means the Initial Dividend Period and,  thereafter,
each Quarterly Dividend Period.

                                       13
<PAGE>

          "Fair Market Value" per share of Common Stock as of a particular  date
(the  "Determination  Date")  shall mean:  (i) if the Common  Stock is listed or
admitted  for trading on a national  securities  exchange,  then the Fair Market
Value  shall be the  average of the last 30 "daily  sales  prices" of the Common
Stock on the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is
listed  or  admitted  for  trading  on the last 30  Business  Days  prior to the
Determination  Date, or if not listed or traded on any such  exchange,  then the
Fair Market  Value shall be the average of the last 30 "daily  sales  prices" of
the Common  Stock on the Nasdaq  National  Market on the last 30  Business  Days
prior to the  Determination  Date (the "daily  sales price" shall be the closing
price for bona fide transactions of the Common Stock at the end of each day); or
(ii) if the  Common  Stock is not so  listed or  admitted  to  unlisted  trading
privileges or if no such sale is made on at least 25 of such days, then the Fair
Market Value shall be as reasonably  determined by an investment banking firm of
recognized  national  standing  selected in good faith by the Company's Board of
Directors  or a duly  appointed  committee  of the  Board  of  Directors  (which
determination  shall be reasonably  described in the written notice delivered to
the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock).

          "Fully  Diluted"  shall  mean at any date as of which  the  number  of
shares  of  Common  Stock  is to be  determined,  all  shares  of  Common  Stock
outstanding  at such date and the  maximum  number  of  shares  of Common  Stock
issuable in respect of Convertible  Securities  and warrants,  options and other
rights  to  purchase   (directly  or  indirectly)  shares  of  Common  Stock  or
Convertible  Securities (giving effect to the then current respective conversion
prices) outstanding on such date (to the extent the fights to convert,  exchange
or exercise thereunder are presently exercisable).

          "High Yield Debt and Equity  Offering" shall have the meaning ascribed
to it in Section 5 hereof

          "Initial Dividend Period" means the dividend period commencing on, and
including, the Series C Preferred Stock Issue Date and ending on, and excluding,
the first Dividend Payment Date to occur thereafter.

          "Junior  Stock"  shall have the  meaning  ascribed  to it in Section 2
hereof.

          "Liquidation  Preference"  shall have the  meaning  ascribed  to it in
Section 1 hereof.

          "Loan  Agreement"  shall have the meaning  ascribed to it in Section 6
hereof.

          "Majority  Series C Holders"  shall have the  meaning  ascribed  to in
Section 6 hereof.

          "Option"  shall mean rights,  options,  or warrants to  subscribe  for
purchase or otherwise acquire Convertible Securities or Common Stock.

          "Parity Preferred Stock" means,  collectively,  the Series A Preferred
Stock the  Corporation's  Series B Cumulative  Convertible  Preferred Stock, par
value $.0l per share, the Series C Preferred Stock, the  Corporation's  Series D


                                       14
<PAGE>

Cumulative  Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.0l per share, and any other
series of preferred stock which is determined to be "Parity  Preferred Stock" by
the Board of Directors.

          "Person" means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited
liability  company,  trust,  incorporated or unincorporated  association,  joint
venture, joint stock company, governmental body or other entity of any kind.

          "Qualified  Public  Offering"  shall mean the offer for sale of Common
Stock pursuant to an effective  registration  statement filed by the Corporation
under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as amended,  in any single  transaction  or
series of related  transactions,  in which the  Corporation  receives  aggregate
gross proceeds (before deduction of underwriting discounts and expenses of sale)
of at least  $40,000,000 in the aggregate;  provided that the per share price at
which such shares are sold in the offering  (before  deduction  of  underwriting
discounts and expenses of sale) is at least four times the  conversion  price of
the  Series A  Preferred  Stock  which  would  then be in effect  if  determined
pursuant to the terms of the Series A  Preferred  Stock in effect on the initial
issuance  date of the Series C  Preferred  Stock  (whether  or not any shares of
Series A Preferred Stock are then outstanding).

          "Quarterly"  shall  mean the  quarterly  periods  commencing  on,  and
including,  each Dividend  Payment Date and ending on, and excluding,  each next
Dividend Payment Date occurring immediately thereafter, respectively.


                                       15
<PAGE>

          "Realization  Event" shall mean the  occurrence of (i) the sale of all
or  substantially  all of the Common Stock or assets of the  Corporation  or the
consolidation or merger of the Corporation with one or more other  corporations,
in any single transaction or series of related transactions, or (ii) the closing
of one or more  public  offerings  of  Common  Stock  in which  the  Corporation
receives  aggregate gross proceeds (before  deduction of underwriting  discounts
and expenses of sale) of at least $40,000,000.

          "Series A Preferred Stock" means the Corporation's Series A Cumulative
Convertible Preferred Stock, par value, $.0l per share.

          "Series C Directors"  shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section
6 hereof.

          "Series C Preferred  Stock"  shall have the meaning  ascribed to it in
Section 1 hereof.

          "Series C  Preferred  Stock  Issue Date" means the first date on which
the Series C Preferred Stock is issued by the Corporation.


                                       16
<PAGE>

          IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  KMC  TELECOM  HOLDINGS,  INC.  has  caused  this
certificate to be duly executed by its Chief  Financial  Officer this 4th day of
November, 1997.

                                        KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS. INC.


                                        By:/s/ Cynthia Worthman
                                           ----------------------------
                                        Name: Cynthia Worthman
                                        Title:  Chief Financial Officer



                                                                  Execution Copy

                           KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.

                           CERTIFICATE OF THE POWERS,
                   DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES AND RIGHTS OF THE
                SERIES D CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK,
                            PAR VALUE $.0l PER SHARE

                     Pursuant to Sections 141 and 151 of the
                General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

          As contemplated  by Section 141 of the General  Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware (the "DGCL"), the following resolution was duly adopted by the
Board of Directors of KMC Telecom  Holdings,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation (the
"Corporation"), by unanimous written consent, dated October 31, 1997:

          WHEREAS,  the Board of Directors  of the  Corporation  is  authorized,
within the  limitations  and  restrictions  stated in the Amended  and  Restated
Certificate of  Incorporation  of the  Corporation,  to provide by resolution or
resolutions  for the issuance of shares of preferred  stock,  par value $.01 per
share, of the Corporation,  in one or more series with such voting powers,  full
or limited,  or without voting powers,  and such  designations,  preferences and
relative,  participating,  optional or other special rights, and qualifications,
limitations or  restrictions  as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution
or  resolutions  providing  for the  issuance  thereof  adopted  by the Board of
Directors,   and  as  are  not  stated  and  expressed  in  the  Certificate  of
Incorporation,  or any amendment  thereto,  including (but without  limiting the
generality  of the  foregoing)  such  provisions  as may be  desired  concerning
voting,  redemption,  dividends,  dissolution or the  distribution of assets and
such other  subjects or matters as may be fixed by resolution or  resolutions of
the Board of Directors under the DGCL;

          WHEREAS,  the Board of Directors of the  Corporation,  pursuant to its
authority under Section 151 of the DGCL,  desires to authorize and fix the terms
of its Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock; and

          WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Corporation has determined that
such Series D Cumulative  Convertible  Preferred Stock shall constitute  "Parity
Preferred  Stock"  within  the  meaning  of  the  Certificates  of  the  Powers,
Designations,  Preferences and Rights of the  Corporation's  Series A Cumulative
Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock and
Series C Preferred Stock;

          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:

          1. DESIGNATION AND NUMBER OF SHARES. There shall be hereby established
a series of  preferred  stock  designated  as "Series D  Cumulative  Convertible
Preferred  Stock" (such Series  being  hereinafter  referred to as the "Series D
Preferred  Stock").  The authorized number of shares of Series D Preferred Stock
shall be 25,000.  The  liquidation  preference  of the Series D Preferred  Stock
shall be $100 per share (the "Liquidation Preference").


<PAGE>


          2. RANK. The Series D Preferred Stock shall,  with respect to dividend
distributions  and  distributions  of assets  and rights  upon the  liquidation,
winding-up and dissolution of the Corporation,  rank senior to the Common Stock,
par value $.0l per share,  of the  Corporation  (the "Common Stock") and to each
other class or series of Capital Stock of the Corporation (other than the Parity
Preferred  Stock)  hereafter  created  (the Common Stock and such other class or
series of Capital Stock of the Corporation other than Parity Preferred Stock are
hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Junior Stock").

          3. DIVIDENDS.

          (a) Beginning on the date of issuance of the Series D Preferred Stock,
the  holders of the  outstanding  shares of Series D  Preferred  Stock  shall be
entitled to receive,  when,  as and if declared by the Board of Directors of the
Corporation,  out of funds legally  available  therefor,  cash dividends on each
share  of  Series  D  Preferred  Stock at an  annual  rate  equal to 7.0% of the
Liquidation Preference,  payable quarterly in arrears on the applicable Dividend
Payment Date or the next  succeeding  Business Day, if the  applicable  Dividend
Payment Date is not a Business Day.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the dividend
payable on each share of Series D  Preferred  Stock with  respect to the Initial
Dividend  Period  shall  be  equal  to (i)  7.0% of the  Liquidation  Preference
multiplied  by (ii) a  fraction  equal  to (A) the  number  of  days  from  (and
including)  the  Series D  Preferred  Stock  Issue Date to (but  excluding)  the
Dividend Payment Date with respect to the Initial Dividend Period divided by (B)
365. All dividends shall be cumulative,  whether or not earned or declared, from
the date of  issuance  of the  Series D  Preferred  Stock and  shall be  payable
quarterly in arrears on each  Dividend  Payment  Date,  commencing  on the first
Dividend  Payment  Date after the date of  issuance  of the  Series D  Preferred
Stock. If any dividend (or portion thereof) payable on any Dividend Payment Date
is not declared or paid in full on such  Dividend  Payment  Date,  the amount of
such dividend  payable that is not paid on such date shall  increase at the rate
of 7.0% per annum  (compounded  quarterly on each  subsequent  Dividend  Payment
Date) from such Dividend  Payment Date until paid in full. Each  distribution on
the  Series D  Preferred  Stock  shall be  payable  to holders of record as they
appear on the stock books of the Corporation on such record dates, not less than
ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days  preceding the related  Dividend  Payment
Date, as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

          (b) All  accumulated  and unpaid  dividends  on the Series D Preferred
Stock shall be paid by the  Corporation  upon the  occurrence  of a  Realization
Event,  without  reference to any regular  Dividend  Payment Date, to holders of
record on such date. The Corporation shall send by first class,  postage prepaid
mail a notice of the  Realization  Event to all  holders  of Series D  Preferred
Stock that are entitled to receive such dividends.  In the case of a Realization
Event which is an initial  public  offering,  if any such holder  gives  written
notice to the  Corporation  that such holder wishes to receive such  accumulated
unpaid  dividends  in the form of shares of  Common  Stock in lieu of cash,  the
Corporation,  in lieu of a cash  payment,  shall  issue to such  holder  on such
Dividend  Payment Date, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient
obtained by dividing (x) the aggregate  accumulated and unpaid  dividends on the
shares of Series D Preferred Stock held by such holder by (y) the price at which
shares  of  Common  Stock  are  sold  in  such  offering  (before  deduction  of
underwriting discounts and expenses of sale).

          (c) All  dividends  paid with  respect to shares of Series D Preferred
Stock  pursuant to Section 3(a) shall be paid pro rata and in like manner to all
of the holders entitled thereto.


                                       2
<PAGE>


          (d) Except as  otherwise  provided  in  paragraph  (b) above,  nothing
herein  contained  shall in any way or under any  circumstances  be construed or
deemed to require the Board of Directors of the  Corporation to declare,  or the
Corporation  to pay or set apart for  payment,  any  dividends  on shares of the
Series D Preferred Stock at any time.

          (e)  Whenever  the  provisions  hereof  require  that  the  amount  of
dividends  with respect to the Series D Preferred  Stock be determined  for less
than a full  quarterly  period ending on a Dividend  Payment Date, the amount of
dividends for such period shall be equal to 7.0% of the  Liquidation  Preference
multiplied  by a fraction  equal to (i) the number of days from (and  including)
the most recent  Dividend  Payment Date to (but  excluding)  the last day of the
period in respect of which such determination is being made divided by (ii) 365.

          4. LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE.

          (a)  In  the  event  of  any  voluntary  or  involuntary  liquidation,
dissolution  or  winding-up  of the affairs of the  Corporation,  the holders of
shares of Parity  Preferred Stock  (including the Series D Preferred Stock) then
outstanding shall be entitled to be paid for each share held thereby, out of the
assets of the Corporation  available for  distribution to its  stockholders,  an
amount in cash equal to the Liquidation  Preference plus an amount in cash equal
to  all  accumulated  and  unpaid  dividends  thereon  (calculated  pursuant  to
Paragraph  3(a)) to the date fixed for  liquidation,  dissolution  or winding-up
(including  an amount equal to a prorated  dividend for the period from the last
Dividend  Payment  Date  to the  date  fixed  for  liquidation,  dissolution  or
winding-up),  before any payment shall be made or any assets  distributed to the
holders of any  shares of Junior  Stock.  Except as  provided  in the  preceding
sentence,  holders  of the  Parity  Preferred  Stock  (including  the  Series  D
Preferred  Stock) shall not be entitled to any  distribution in the event of any
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the affairs of the Corporation. If the
assets  of the  Corporation  are not  sufficient  to pay in full  the  foregoing
liquidation  payments payable to the holders of outstanding shares of the Parity
Preferred Stock  (including the Series D Preferred  Stock),  then the holders of
all shares of Parity  Preferred Stock  (including the Series D Preferred  Stock)
shall share ratably in such distribution of assets in accordance with the amount
that would be payable on such  distribution  if the amounts to which the holders
of  outstanding  shares  of  Parity  Preferred  Stock  (including  the  Series D
Preferred  Stock)  are  entitled  were  paid in  full.  If all of the  foregoing
liquidation  payments with respect to any share of Series D Preferred Stock have
been made, such share may not be converted into Common Stock pursuant to Section
5.

          (b) For the purposes of this Section 4,  neither the  voluntary  sale,
conveyance,  exchange or transfer  (for cash,  shares of stocks,  securities  or
other  consideration)  of all or  substantially  all or part of the  property or
assets of the  Corporation  nor the  consolidation  or merger of the Corporation
with  one or more  other  corporations  shall  be  deemed  to be a  liquidation,
dissolution  or  winding-up,  voluntary  or  involuntary,  of the affairs of the
Corporation (unless such sale, conveyance, exchange or transfer is in connection
with  a   liquidation,   dissolution   or  winding-up  of  the  affairs  of  the
Corporation).

          4A. CONVERSION INTO SERIES C PREFERRED STOCK

          At any time  prior to a  Qualified  Public  Offering,  each  holder of
Series D Preferred  Stock shall have the right to convert all, but not less than
all, of such  holder's  shares of Series D Preferred  Stock  (together  with all
accumulated  unpaid  dividends  thereon to the date of conversion) into an equal
number of shares of Series C  Preferred  Stock  (together  with all  accumulated
unpaid dividends thereon to the date of conversion).  In order to convert shares
of Series D Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 4A the holder thereof shall
surrender  at the office of the  Corporation  the  certificate  or  certificates
therefor,  duty endorsed to the Corporation in blank, and give written notice to
the  Corporation  that such holder elects to convert such shares and shall state
in writing  therein  the name or names  (with  addresses)  in which such  holder
wishes the certificate or certificates of Series C Preferred Stock to be issued.
Shares of Series D Preferred Stock shall be deemed to have been converted on the
date of surrender of such certificate or certificates as provided above, and the
person or persons  entitled to receive  the shares of Series C  Preferred  Stock
issuable  upon such  conversion  shall be treated for all purposes as the record
holder or  holders of such  Series C  Preferred  Stock on such date.  As soon as
practicable on or after such conversion  date, the  Corporation  shall issue and
deliver  a  certificate  or  certificates  for the  number of shares of Series C
Preferred Stock issuable upon conversion.


                                       3
<PAGE>


          5. CONVERSION.

          (a)  CONVERSION  PRICE.  Shares  of  Series  D  Preferred  Stock to be
converted  into shares of Common  Stock shall be so  converted  at a  conversion
price  (which  price shall be adjusted to the nearest  fourth  decimal  place as
hereinafter  provided  and, as so adjusted,  is  hereinafter  referred to as the
"Conversion Price") equal to: (i) from the date of initial issuance of shares of
Series D Preferred  Stock to but  excluding  the  30-month  anniversary  of such
issuance,  $52.50  per  share of  Common  Stock,  with  each  share of  Series D
Preferred  Stock being valued at $100.00 for such  purpose;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,
that if a  Realization  Event  shall  occur  during  such  30-month  period  the
Conversion  Price shall equal to a fraction,  the  numerator of which is (A) the
consideration  per share of Common Stock (on a Fully Diluted basis)  received in
connection with such Realization Event, and the denominator of which is (B) 1.30
raised to a number equal to the number of years (or fraction  thereof)  from the
date of initial issuance of shares of Series D Preferred Stock until the date of
such Realization Event, but in no case shall be greater than $52.50 per share of
Common Stock nor less than $42.18 per share of Common  Stock;  and (ii) from and
after the thirty month  anniversary of the date of initial issuance of shares of
Series D Preferred  Stock (subject to paragraph (b) below),  $42.18 per share of
Common  Stock,  with each  share of Series D  Preferred  Stock  being  valued at
$100.00  for  such  purpose;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that in no  event  shall  the
Conversion Price be less than the par value, if any, of the Common Stock.

          (b) AUTOMATIC  CONVERSION  UPON A QUALIFIED  PUBLIC  OFFERING.  Upon a
Qualified  Public  Offering,  each  share of  Series  D  Preferred  Stock  shall
automatically  convert,  without  any action on the part of the holder  thereof,
into shares of Common Stock at the Conversion Price in effect at such time, plus
the right to receive an amount of cash equal to the accumulated unpaid dividends
on such share of Series D  Preferred  Stock to and  including  such date (or the
right to receive  additional  shares of Common  Stock in lieu of cash  dividends
pursuant to Section 3(b)).

          (c) CONVERSION AT THE OPTION OF THE HOLDER.  At any time and from time
to time prior to a Qualified Public Offering,  each holder of Series D Preferred
Stock shall have the right to convert such holder's shares of Series D Preferred
Stock, in whole or in part, into shares of Common Stock at the Conversion  Price
in effect at such time, plus the right to receive an amount of cash equal to the
accumulated  unpaid  dividends  on the  shares  of Series D  Preferred  Stock so
converted to and  including the  Conversion  Date (as defined  below);  provided
that, if such Conversion Date is prior to a Realization  Event,  the Corporation
may, in lieu of making a payment in cash equal to such amount,  deliver a number
of shares of Common Stock equal to such amount  divided by the Fair Market Value
of one share of Common Stock.  In order to convert  shares of Series D Preferred
Stock  pursuant to this Section 5(c) the holder  thereof shall  surrender at the
office  of the  Corporation  the  certificate  or  certificates  therefor,  duly
endorsed to the Corporation in blank, and give written notice to the Corporation
that such  holder  elects to  convert  such  shares  and shall  state in writing
therein  the name or names  (with  addresses)  in which such  holder  wishes the
certificate  or  certificates  of Common Stock to be issued.  Shares of Series D
Preferred  Stock shall be deemed to have been converted on the date of surrender
of such certificate or certificates as provided above (the  "Conversion  Date"),
and the  person or  persons  entitled  to  receive  the  shares of Common  Stock
issuable  upon such  conversion  shall be treated for all purposes as the record
holder or holders of such Common Stock on such date. As soon as  practicable  on
or after  the  Conversion  Date,  the  Corporation  shall  issue  and  deliver a
certificate  or  certificates  for the number of shares of Common Stock issuable
upon conversion.


                                       4
<PAGE>


          (d) FRACTIONAL SHARES, PARTIAL CONVERSION.  No fractional shares shall
be issued  upon  conversion  of shares of Series D  Preferred  Stock into Common
Stock. In case the number of shares of Series D Preferred  Stock  represented by
the certificate or certificates  surrendered  pursuant to this Section 5 exceeds
the number of shares  converted,  the Corporation  shall,  upon such conversion,
execute  and deliver to the holder,  at the  expense of the  Corporation,  a new
certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Series D Preferred Stock
represented by the certificate or certificates  surrendered  which are not to be
converted.  If any  fractional  share of  Common  Stock  would,  except  for the
provisions of the first  sentence of this Section  5(d), be delivered  upon such
conversion, the Corporation,  in lieu of delivering such fractional share, shall
pay to the holder  surrendering  the Series D Preferred  Stock for conversion an
amount in cash equal to the current  market  price of such  fractional  share as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.

          (e)  ADJUSTMENT  OF  CONVERSION  PRICE UPON  ISSUANCE OF COMMON STOCK.
Except as  provided in Section  5(f),  if and  whenever  the  Corporation  shall
hereafter issue or sell, or is, in accordance  with  subsection  5(e)(1) through
5(e)(6),  deemed to have  issued  or sold,  any  shares  of  Common  Stock for a
consideration  per share less than the  Conversion  Price in effect  immediately
prior to the time of such  issue or sale,  then,  forthwith  upon such  issue or
sale, the Conversion  Price shall be reduced to the price determined by dividing
(i) an amount  equal to the sum of (a) the  number  of  shares  of Common  Stock
outstanding  immediately  prior  to such  issue or sale  (determined  on a Fully
Diluted  basis)  multiplied  by the then existing  Conversion  Price and (b) the
consideration,  if any,  received by the Corporation upon such issue or sale, by
(ii) the total number of shares of Common Stock  outstanding  immediately  after
such issue or sale (deter-mined on a Fully Diluted basis).

          For purposes of this Section 5(e), the following  subsections  5(e)(1)
to 5(e)(6) shall also be applicable:

          5(e)(1)  ISSUANCE OF RIGHTS OR OPTIONS.  In case at any time hereafter
the Corporation  shall in any manner grant (whether directly or by assumption in
a merger or otherwise) any Options to purchase  Common Stock or any  Convertible
Securities,  whether or not such Options or the right to convert or exchange any
such Convertible Securities are immediately exercisable, and the price per share
for which Common Stock is issuable upon the exercise of such Options or upon the
conversion or exchange of such  Convertible  Securities  (determined by dividing
(i) the total  amount,  if any,  received or receivable  by the  Corporation  as
consideration  for the  granting of such  Options,  plus the  minimum  aggregate
amount of additional  consideration payable to the Corporation upon the exercise
of all  such  Options,  plus,  in the  case  of such  Options  which  relate  to
Convertible   Securities,   the   minimum   aggregate   amount   of   additional
consideration,  if any,  payable  upon  the  issue  or sale of such  Convertible
Securities  and upon the  conversion  or  exchange  thereof,  by (ii) the  total
maximum  number of shares of Common  Stock  issuable  upon the  exercise of such
Options or upon the  conversion or exchange of all such  Convertible  Securities
issuable  upon the exercise of such Options)  shall be less than the  Conversion
Price in effect  immediately  prior to the time of the granting of such Options,
then the total  maximum  number of shares  of  Common  Stock  issuable  upon the
exercise of such  Options or upon  conversion  or exchange of the total  maximum
amount of such Convertible Securities issuable upon the exercise of such Options
shall be deemed to have been  issued  for such price per share as of the date of
granting of such  Options or the  issuance of such  Convertible  Securities  and
thereafter  shall be deemed to be outstanding.  Except as otherwise  provided in
subsection 5(e)(3), no adjustment of the Conversion Price shall be made upon the
actual  issue  of such  Common  Stock  or of such  Convertible  Securities  upon
exercise  of such  Options or upon the actual  issue of such  Common  Stock upon
conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities.


                                       5
<PAGE>


          5(e)(2)  ISSUANCE OF CONVERTIBLE  SECURITIES.  In case the Corporation
shall  hereafter in any manner issue  (whether  directly or by  assumption  in a
merger or  otherwise)  or sell any  Convertible  Securities,  whether or not the
rights to exchange or convert any such  Convertible  Securities are  immediately
exercisable,  and the price per share for which  Common  Stock is issuable  upon
such  conversion  or  exchange  (determined  by  dividing  (i) the total  amount
received or receivable by the Corporation as consideration for the issue or sale
of such Convertible Securities,  plus the minimum aggregate amount of additional
consideration,  if any,  payable  to the  Corporation  upon  the  conversion  or
exchange  thereof,  by (ii) the total  maximum  number of shares of Common Stock
issuable  upon the  conversion or exchange of all such  Convertible  Securities)
shall be less than the Conversion Price in effect  immediately prior to the time
of such issue or sale,  then the total maximum  number of shares of Common Stock
issuable upon conversion or exchange of all such Convertible Securities shall be
deemed to have been  issued for such price per share as of the date of the issue
or sale of such  Convertible  Securities  and  thereafter  shall be deemed to be
outstanding,  provided  that (a) except as  otherwise  provided in  subparagraph
5(e)(3),  no  adjustment of the  Conversion  Price shall be made upon the actual
issue of such Common  Stock upon  conversion  or  exchange  of such  Convertible
Securities and (b) if any such issue or sale of such  Convertible  Securities is
made upon  exercise of any Options to purchase any such  Convertible  Securities
for  which  adjustments  of the  Conversion  Price  have  been or are to be made
pursuant to other provisions of this Section 5(e), no further  adjustment of the
Conversion Price shall be made by reason of such issue or sale.

          5(e)(3) CHANGE IN OPTION PRICE OR CONVERSION  RATE. Upon the happening
of any of the following  events,  namely,  if the purchase price provided for in
any Option referred to in subsection 5(e)(1), the additional  consideration,  if
any,  payable  upon the  conversion  or exchange of any  Convertible  Securities
referred to in  subsection  5(e)(1) or 5(e)(2) or the rate at which  Convertible
Securities  referred to in subsection 5(e)(1) or 5(e)(2) are convertible into or
exchangeable  for Common  Stock  shall  change at any time  (including,  but not
limited to, changes under or by reason of provisions designed to protect against
dilution),  the  Conversion  Price in  effect  at the time of such  event  shall
forthwith be readjusted to the Conversion  Price which would have been in effect
at such  time had such  Options  or  Convertible  Securities  still  outstanding
provided for such changed purchase price, additional consideration or conversion
rate, as the case may be, at the time  initially  granted,  issued or sold,  but
only if as a result  of such  adjustment  the  Conversion  Price  then in effect
hereunder is thereby  reduced;  and on the termination of any such Option or any
such right to convert or exchange such  Convertible  Securities,  the Conversion
Price then in effect  hereunder  shall  forthwith be increased to the Conversion
Price which would have been in effect at the time of such  termination  had such
Option or Convertible Securities, to the extent outstanding immediately prior to
such termination, never been issued.

          5(e)(4)  CONSIDERATION  FOR STOCK. In case any shares of Common Stock,
Options  or  Convertible  Securities  shall  be  issued  or sold for  cash,  the
consideration received therefor shall be deemed to be the amount received by the
Corporation  therefor,  without deduction  therefrom of any expenses incurred or
any  underwriting  commissions or concessions paid or allowed by the Corporation
in  connection  therewith.  In case any  shares  of  Common  Stock,  Options  or
Convertible  Securities  shall be issued or sold for a consideration  other than
cash,  the  amount  of  the  consideration  other  than  cash  received  by  the
Corporation  shall be  deemed  to be the fair  value  of such  consideration  as
determined  in good faith by the Board of  Directors,  without  deduction of any
expenses incurred or any underwriting commissions or concessions paid or allowed
by the Corporation in connection therewith.  In case any Options shall be issued
in connection  with the issue and sale of other  securities of the  Corporation,
together comprising one integral transaction in which no specific  consideration
is  allocated  to such Options by the parties  thereto,  such  Options  shall be
deemed to have been issued for such consideration as determined in good faith by
the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

          5(e)(5)  RECORD DATE. In case the  Corporation  shall take a record of
the holders of its Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them (i) to receive
a dividend or other distribution payable in Common Stock, Options or Convertible
Securities  or (ii) to  subscribe  for or  purchase  Common  Stock,  options  or
Convertible Securities,  then such record date shall be deemed to be the date of
the issue or sale of the shares of Common  Stock  deemed to have been  issued or
sold  upon  the  declaration  of such  dividend  or the  making  of  such  other
distribution  or the  date of the  granting  of such  right of  subscription  or
purchase, as the case may be.


                                       6
<PAGE>


          5(e)(6)  TREASURY  SHARES.  The  number  of  shares  of  Common  Stock
outstanding  at any given time shall not include  shares owned or held by or for
the account of the Corporation,  and the disposition of any such shares shall be
considered  an issue or sale of Common  Stock for the  purpose  of this  Section
5(e).

          (f) EXCEPTIONS TO CONVERSION  PRICE  ADJUSTMENT.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing,  no adjustment to the Conversion Price shall be made pursuant to this
Section 5 in  connection  with the  grant,  issuance  or sale of  Common  Stock,
Convertible  Securities,  warrants,  options or other fights to subscribe for or
purchase Common Stock or Convertible Securities:  (i) pursuant to employee stock
purchase  or  stock  option  ownership  plans  adopted  by the  Corporation  for
employees,  consultants  and/or directors of the Corporation and its affiliates;
(ii) pursuant to the terms of any Convertible Securities,  warrants,  options or
other rights to subscribe  for or purchase  granted,  issued or sold pursuant to
clause (ii) above; (iii) pursuant to the High Yield Debt and Equity Offering (as
defined in a Subordinated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of September 22,
1997,  among  KMC  Telecom  Inc.  ("KMC")  and KMC  Telecom  II,  Inc.  and AT&T
Commercial  Finance  Corporation,  as in effect on the Series C Preferred  Stock
Issue Date) or a subsequent debt offering  occurring prior to December 31, 1998;
(iv) pursuant to the terms of any Convertible Securities,  warrants,  options or
other rights to subscribe  for or purchase  granted,  issued or sold pursuant to
clauses (iii) above;  or (v) pursuant to Section 10C of the Amended and Restated
Note  Purchase  and  Investment  Agreement,  dated as of October  22,  1996,  as
amended,  by and  among the  Corporation,  Nassau  Capital  Partners  L.P.,  NAS
Partners I L.L.C.  and Harold N. Kamine;  PROVIDED that the aggregate  number of
shares of Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above
shall not exceed 15% of the Common Stock (on a Fully Diluted basis)  outstanding
from time to time and the  aggregate  number of shares of Common Stock issued or
issuable  pursuant  to clause  (iii) and (iv) above  shall not exceed 11% of the
Common  Stock (on a Fully  Diluted  basis)  outstanding  from time to time;  and
FURTHER  PROVIDED that for the purposes of this Section 5(f): (a) 221,500 shares
of Common  Stock  initially  allocated  under the 1997 Stock Option Plan will be
deemed  outstanding  regardless  of the number of shares  actually  granted  and
exercisable  thereunder  and (b) shares of Common Stock issued or issuable  upon
exercise of options not among the 221,500 shares initially allocated pursuant to
the 1997 Stock Option Plan and which, when issued, were subject to clause (i) or
(ii) above,  will not be deemed  outstanding,  regardless of whether or not they
have been granted or are  exercisable.  (g) SUBDIVISION OR COMBINATION OF COMMON
STOCK. In case the Corporation  shall at any time subdivide (by any stock split,
stock  dividend or  otherwise)  its  outstanding  shares of Common  Stock into a
greater number of shares,  the Conversion Price in effect  immediately  prior to
such subdivision shall be proportionately reduced, and, conversely,  in case the
outstanding  shares of Common Stock shall be combined  into a smaller  number of
shares,  the Conversion  Price in effect  immediately  prior to such combination
shall be proportionately increased.

          (h) REORGANIZATION OR RECLASSIFICATION.  If any capital reorganization
or reclassification of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be effected in
such a way that  holders of Common  Stock shall be  entitled  to receive  stock,
securities or assets with respect to or in exchange for Common Stock, then, as a
condition of such reorganization or reclassification (but subject to Section 7),
lawful and adequate  provisions  shall be made whereby each holder of a share or
shares of Series D Preferred  Stock shall  thereupon  have the right to receive,
upon the basis and upon the terms and conditions specified herein and in lieu of
the  shares  of  Common  Stock  immediately   theretofore  receivable  upon  the


                                       7
<PAGE>


conversion of such share or shares of Series D Preferred  Stock,  such shares of
stock,  securities  or assets as may be issued or payable  with respect to or in
exchange  for a number of  outstanding  shares of such Common Stock equal to the
number of shares of such Common Stock  immediately  theretofore  receivable upon
such conversion had such reorganization or reclassification not taken place, and
in any such case appropriate provisions shall be made with respect to the rights
and interests of such holder to the end that the provisions  hereof  (including,
without  limitation,  provisions for adjustments of the Conversion  Price) shall
thereafter  be  applicable,  as nearly as may be, in  relation  to any shares of
stock,  securities or assets  thereafter  deliverable  upon the exercise of such
conversion rights.

          (i) CARRYOVER. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 5,
the  Corporation  shall not be required to make any adjustment to the Conversion
Price unless such  adjustment  would require an increase or decrease of at least
one percent (1%) in the Conversion Price. Any lesser adjustment shall be carried
forward and shall be made no later than the time of, and together with, the next
subsequent  adjustment  which,  together with any  adjustment or  adjustments so
carried forward, shall amount to an increase or decrease of at least one percent
(1%) in the Conversion Price.

          (j)  OTHER  EVENTS.   If  the  Corporation  shall  make  any  dividend
(excluding  cash dividends  payable out of accumulated  earnings and profits) or
distribution on the Common Stock or issue any Common Stock,  other capital stock
or other  security of the  Corporation  or any rights or warrants to purchase or
acquire any such security, which transaction does not result in an adjustment to
the Conversion Price pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 5, the
Board of Directors may consider  whether such action is of such a nature that an
adjustment to the Conversion  Price should  equitably be made in respect of such
transaction.  If the Board of Directors of the  Corporation  determines  that an
adjustment to the Conversion  Price should be made, an adjustment  shall be made
effective  as of such  date,  as  determined  by the Board of  Directors  of the
Corporation.  The  determination of the Board of Directors of the Corporation as
to whether such an adjustment to the  Conversion  Price should be made,  and, if
so, as to what adjustment should be made and when, shall be final and binding on
the Corporation and all stockholders of the Corporation.  The Corporation  shall
be entitled to make such  additional  adjustments  in the Conversion  Price,  in
addition to those  required by the  foregoing  provisions  of this Section 5, as
shall be  necessary  in order that any  dividend  or  distribution  in shares of
capital stock of the Corporation,  subdivision,  reclassification or combination
of shares of stock of the Corporation or any recapitalization of the Corporation
shall not be taxable to the holders of the Common Stock.

          (k) NOTICE OF ADJUSTMENT. Upon any adjustment of the Conversion Price,
then and in each such case the Corporation shall give written notice thereof, by
delivery in person,  certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,  or
facsimile  addressed  to each  holder  of shares  of  Series D  Preferred  Stock
affected by such  adjustment at the address of such holder as shown on the books
of the Corporation, which notice shall state the Conversion Price resulting from
such adjustment,  setting forth in reasonable  detail the method upon which such
calculation is based.

          6. VOTING RIGHTS.

          (a) The  holders  of Series D  Preferred  Stock,  except as  otherwise
required  under  Delaware law or as set forth below in this Section 6, shall not
be entitled or permitted to vote on any matter required or permitted to be voted
upon by the stockholders of the Corporation.


                                       8
<PAGE>


          (b) Subject to Section 7, without the prior  consent of the holders of
two-thirds  of the shares of the  Series D  Preferred  Stock  then  outstanding,
voting as a separate class, the Corporation shall not:

          (i)  increase  the  number  of  shares  of  Series D  Preferred  Stock
     authorized for issuance;

          (ii) merge or consolidate  with or into any other  company,  person or
     entity,  unless  holders of each share of Series D Preferred  Stock receive
     consideration in an amount equal to at least the greater of (A) the product
     of (x) the number of shares of Common Stock into which such share of Series
     D  Preferred  Stock is then  convertible  and (y) the  consideration  to be
     received by holders of each share of Common  Stock  pursuant to such merger
     or consolidation and (B) the Liquidation Preference of such share of Series
     D  Preferred  Stock  plus all  accumulated  but  unpaid  dividends  thereon
     (whether or not declared);

          (iii) amend, modify or repeal the powers,  preferences or rights of or
     the  restrictions  provided  for the  benefit  of  holders  of the Series D
     Preferred  Stock or the Common Stock if such action would affect the Series
     D Preferred Stock or the Common Stock adversely;

          (c) Without  the  consent of each  holder of Series D Preferred  Stock
affected thereby, the Corporation shall not reduce the Liquidation Preference of
the Series D Preferred Stock or the rate at which dividends  accumulate thereon,
or modify the dividend cumulation  provisions of the Series D Preferred Stock or
the times and prices at which the Series D Preferred  Stock may be redeemed in a
manner that would be adverse to the holders of Series D Preferred Stock.

          7.  OPTIONAL  REDEMPTION.  (a) The  outstanding  shares  of  Series  D
Preferred Stock shall be subject to redemption,  as hereinafter provided, at the
option of the  Corporation,  in whole  but not in part,  in  connection  with an
Acquisition  Event.  For  purposes  hereof,  "Acquisition  Event" shall mean any
merger or  consolidation  of the Corporation  with any other company,  person or
entity  (whether  or  not  the  Corporation  is the  entity  surviving  in  such
transaction)  as a result  of which  the  holders  of  shares  of  Common  Stock
(determined  on a fully  diluted  basis)  will hold less than a majority  of the
outstanding  shares of common  stock or other  equity  interests of the company,
person or entity resulting from such transaction (or any parent of such entity).

          (b) For each share of Series D Preferred  Stock  redeemed  pursuant to
this  Section 7, the  Corporation  shall be obligated on the date fixed for such
redemption  (the  "Redemption  Date"),  which date shall not be earlier than the
date of consummation of the applicable  Acquisition  Event, to pay to the holder
thereof (upon surrender by such holder at the Corporation's  principal office of
the certificate representing such share duly endorsed in blank or accompanied by
an appropriate form of assignment) an amount (the  "Redemption  Price") equal to
the greater of (A) the product of (x) the number of shares of Common  Stock into
which such share of Series D  Preferred  Stock is then  convertible  and (y) the
consideration  to be received by holders of each share of Common Stock  pursuant
to such  Acquisition  Event and (B) the Liquidation  Preference of such share of
Series D  Preferred  Stock plus all  accumulated  but unpaid  dividends  thereon
(whether or not declared).

          (c) Notice of any redemption of the Series D Preferred  Stock pursuant
to this Section 7 (specifying  the time and place of redemption,  the Redemption
Price,  the Conversion  Price and the date on and after which shares of Series D
Preferred  Stock may no longer be  converted)  shall be mailed by  certified  or
registered mail, return receipt requested,  to each holder of Series D Preferred
Stock,  at the address of such holder shown on the  Corporation's  records,  not
less than 30 nor more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date.



                                       9
<PAGE>


          (d) If the  Corporation  holds and sets aside money  sufficient to pay
the Redemption  Price of the Series D Preferred  Stock on the  Redemption  Date,
then on and after the  Redemption  Date:  (i) the  shares of Series D  Preferred
Stock  shall no longer be  convertible  into  shares of Common  Stock;  (ii) the
shares of Series D Preferred Stock will cease to be outstanding and dividends on
the Series D Preferred Stock will cease to be declared and paid,  whether or not
certificates  representing  the Series D Preferred  Stock have been delivered to
the  Corporation;  and (iii) all other  rights of the holder in respect  thereof
shall  terminate  (other  than the right to receive  the  Redemption  Price upon
delivery of such Series D Preferred Stock).

          8.  REISSUANCE  OF  SERIES  D  PREFERRED  STOCK.  Shares  of  Series D
Preferred  Stock that have been issued and  reacquired in any manner,  including
shares  purchased or redeemed or exchanged or converted,  shall (upon compliance
with any  applicable  provisions  of the laws of  Delaware)  have the  status of
authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock  undesignated as to series and
may be redesignated and reissued as part of any series of preferred stock (other
than Series D Preferred Stock).

          9. BUSINESS DAY. If any payment or conversion shall be required by the
terms  hereof to be made on a day that is not a Business  Day,  such  payment or
conversion shall be made on the immediately succeeding Business Day.

          10.  DEFINITIONS.  As used in this  Certificate  of  Designation,  the
following  terms shall have the  following  meanings  (with terms defined in the
singular  having  comparable  meanings  when used in the plural and VICE VERSA),
unless the context otherwise requires:

          "1997 Stock option plan" shall mean the 1997 stock purchase and option
     plan for key employees of kmc telecom holdings, inc. And affiliates, as the
     same may be amended from time to time.

          "Board of  Directors"  shall have the  meaning  ascribed  to it in the
     first paragraph of this Resolution.

          "Business Day" means any day except a Saturday, a Sunday, or other day
     on which  commercial  banks in the  State  of New  York or New  Jersey  are
     authorized or required by law or executive order to close.

          "Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
     interests,  participations,   rights  in,  or  other  equivalents  (however
     designated  and whether  voting or  non-voting)  of, such Person's  capital
     stock  (but  excluding  any  debt  security  that  is  exchangeable  for or
     convertible into such capital stock).

          "Common  Stock"  shall have the  meaning  ascribed  to it in Section 2
     hereof.

          "Convertible  Securities"  shall mean any  evidences of  indebtedness,
     shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock.


                                       10
<PAGE>


          "Corporation"  shall  have the  meaning  ascribed  to it in the  first
     paragraph of this Resolution.

          "Dividend  Payment  Date" means March 31,  June 30,  September  30 and
     December 31 of each year.

          "Dividend  Period" means the Initial Dividend Period and,  thereafter,
     each Quarterly Dividend Period.

          "Fair Market Value" per share of Common Stock as of a particular  date
     (the "Determination Date") shall mean: (i) if the Common Stock is listed or
     admitted  for  trading on a  national  securities  exchange,  then the Fair
     Market  Value shall be the average of the last 30 "daily  sales  prices" of
     the Common Stock on the principal national securities exchange on which the
     Common Stock is listed or admitted for trading on the last 30 Business Days
     prior to the  Determination  Date,  or if not  listed or traded on any such
     exchange,  then the Fair  Market  Value shall be the average of the last 30
     "daily sales prices" of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq  National  Market on
     the last 30 Business Days prior to the Determination Date (the "daily sales
     price" shall be the closing price for bona fide  transactions of the Common
     Stock at the end of each day); or (ii) if the Common Stock is not so listed
     or admitted to unlisted trading privileges or if no such sale is made on at
     least 25 of such days,  then the Fair Market  Value shall be as  reasonably
     determined by an investment  banking firm of recognized  national  standing
     selected  in good  faith  by the  Company's  Board of  Directors  or a duly
     appointed committee of the Board of Directors (which determination shall be
     reasonably  described in the written notice delivered to the holders of the
     Series D Preferred Stock).

          "Fully  Diluted"  shall  mean at any date as of which  the  number  of
     shares of Common  Stock is to be  determined,  all  shares of Common  Stock
     outstanding  at such date and the maximum  number of shares of Common Stock
     issuable in respect of  Convertible  Securities  and warrants,  options and
     other rights to purchase (directly or indirectly) shares of Common Stock or
     Convertible  Securities  (giving  effect  to the  then  current  respective
     conversion  prices)  outstanding  on such date (to the extent the rights to
     convert, exchange or exercise thereunder are presently exercisable).

          "High Yield Debt and Equity  Offering" shall have the meaning ascribed
     to it in Section 5 hereof.

          "Initial Dividend Period" means the dividend period commencing on, and
     including,  the  Series D  Preferred  Stock  Issue  Date and ending on, and
     excluding, the first Dividend Payment Date to occur thereafter.

          "Junior  Stock"  shall have the  meaning  ascribed  to it in Section 2
     hereof.

          "Liquidation  Preference"  shall have the  meaning  ascribed  to it in
     Section 1 hereof.

          "Option"  shall mean rights,  options,  or warrants to  subscribe  for
     purchase or otherwise acquire Convertible Securities or Common Stock.

          "Parity Preferred Stock" means,  collectively,  the Series A Preferred
     Stock, the Corporation's Series B Cumulative  Convertible  Preferred Stock,
     par value  $.01 per  share,  the  Series C  Preferred  Stock,  the Series D
     Preferred Stock and any other series of preferred stock which is determined
     to be "Parity Preferred Stock" by the Board of Directors.

          "Person" means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited
     liability company, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint
     venture,  joint stock  company,  governmental  body or other  entity of any
     kind.




                                       11
<PAGE>


          "Qualified  Public  Offering"  shall mean the offer for sale of Common
     Stock  pursuant  to  an  effective  registration  statement  filed  by  the
     Corporation  under the  Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,  in any single
     transaction  or series of related  transactions,  in which the  Corporation
     receives   aggregate  gross  proceeds  (before  deduction  of  underwriting
     discounts and expenses of sale) of at least  $40,000,000  in the aggregate;
     provided  that the per share  price at which  such  shares  are sold in the
     offering (before deduction of underwriting  discounts and expenses of sale)
     is at least four times the conversion price of the Series A Preferred Stock
     which  would then be in effect if  determined  pursuant to the terms of the
     Series A  Preferred  Stock in effect on the  initial  issuance  date of the
     Series D Preferred  Stock  (whether or not any shares of Series A Preferred
     Stock are then outstanding).

          "Quarterly"  shall  mean the  quarterly  periods  commencing  on,  and
     including,  each Dividend  Payment Date and ending on, and excluding,  each
     next Dividend Payment Date occurring immediately thereafter, respectively.

          "Realization  Event" shall mean the  occurrence of (i) the sale of all
     or  substantially  all of the Common Stock or assets of the  Corporation or
     the  consolidation  or merger  of the  Corporation  with one or more  other
     corporations,  in any single transaction or series of related transactions,
     or (ii) the  closing of one or more  public  offerings  of Common  Stock in
     which the Corporation  receives  aggregate gross proceeds (before deduction
     of underwriting discounts and expenses of sale) of at least $40,000,000.

          "Series A Preferred Stock" means the Corporation's Series A Cumulative
     Convertible Preferred Stock, par value, $.0l per share.

          "Series C Preferred Stock" means the Corporation's Series C Cumulative
     Convertible Preferred Stock, par value, $.0l per share.

          "Series D Preferred  Stock"  shall have the meaning  ascribed to it in
     Section 1 hereof.

          "Series D  Preferred  Stock  Issue Date" means the first date on which
     the Series D Preferred Stock is issued by the Corporation.


          IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  KMC  TELECOM  HOLDINGS,  INC.,  has caused  this
certificate to be duly executed by its Chief  Financial  Officer this 4th day of
November, 1997.

                                             KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.



                                             By: /S/ CYNTHIA WORTHMAN
                                                 --------------------------
                                                 Name:  Cynthia Worthman
                                                 Title:  Chief Financial Officer




                                       12






           CERTIFICATE OF VOTING POWERS, DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES
            AND RELATIVE PARTICIPATING, OPTIONAL OR OTHER SPECIAL
                     RIGHTS AND QUALIFICATIONS, LIMITATIONS
                         AND RESTRICTIONS THEREOF OF THE
          SERIES E SENIOR REDEEMABLE, EXCHANGEABLE, PIK PREFERRED STOCK
                          OF KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.

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

                         Pursuant to Section 151 of the
               General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

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


            I, Cynthia  Worthman,  Corporate  Secretary of KMC Telecom Holdings,
Inc.  (the  "Corporation"),  a corporation  organized and existing  under and by
virtue of the General  Corporation  Law of the State of Delaware,  in accordance
with the provisions of Section 151 of the General  Corporation  Law of the State
of Delaware, DO HEREBY CERTIFY:

            That, pursuant to authority conferred upon the Board of Directors by
the  Certificate  of  Incorporation,   as  amended,  of  said  Corporation  (the
"Certificate  of  Incorporation"),  said Board of  Directors,  at a meeting duly
called and held on  February 1, 1999,  adopted a  resolution  providing  for the
issuance  of  175,000   authorized   shares  of  Series  E  Senior   Redeemable,
Exchangeable,  PIK  Preferred  Stock (the  "Series E  Preferred  Stock"),  which
resolution is as follows:

            WHEREAS,   the  Board  of  Directors  is   authorized,   within  the
limitations  and  restrictions  stated in the Certificate of  Incorporation,  as
amended,  to fix by resolution or resolutions  the designation of each series of
preferred  stock  and  the  powers,   designations,   preferences  and  relative
participating,  optional  or  other  rights,  if  any,  or  the  qualifications,
limitations or restrictions thereof, including,  without limiting the generality
of  the  foregoing,  such  provisions  as  may  be  desired  concerning  voting,
redemption,  dividends, dissolution or the distribution of assets, conversion or
exchange,  and such other  subjects or matters as may be fixed by  resolution or
resolutions  of the Board of  Directors  under the  General  Corporation  Law of
Delaware; and

            WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Board of Directors, pursuant to its
authority as aforesaid,  to authorize and fix the terms of a series of preferred
stock and the number of shares constituting such series;


<PAGE>

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that there is hereby authorized such
series of preferred stock on the terms and with the provisions herein set forth:


I.    Certain Definitions.

            As used  herein,  the  following  terms  shall  have  the  following
meanings  (with terms defined in the singular  having  comparable  meanings when
used in the plural and vice versa), unless the context otherwise requires:

            "Acquired  Indebtedness"  means Indebtedness of a Person existing at
      the time such  Person  becomes  a  Restricted  Subsidiary  or  assumed  in
      connection  with an Asset  Acquisition by the  Corporation or a Restricted
      Subsidiary  and not Incurred in connection  with, or in  anticipation  of,
      such Person  becoming a Restricted  Subsidiary or such Asset  Acquisition;
      provided  that  Indebtedness  of such Person which is redeemed,  defeased,
      retired  or  otherwise   repaid  at  the  time  of  or  immediately   upon
      consummation of the transactions by which such Person becomes a Restricted
      Subsidiary or upon  consummation  of such Asset  Acquisition  shall not be
      Acquired Indebtedness.

            "Adjusted  Consolidated  Net  Income"  means,  for any  period,  the
      aggregate  net  income  (or loss) of the  Corporation  and its  Restricted
      Subsidiaries for such period determined in conformity with GAAP;  provided
      that  the  following  items  shall  be  excluded  in  computing   Adjusted
      Consolidated  Net  Income  (without  duplication):  (i) the net income (or
      loss)  of  any  Person  that  is  not a  Restricted  Subsidiary  (or is an
      Unrestricted Subsidiary),  except to the extent of the amount of dividends
      or other  distributions  actually  paid to the  Corporation  or any of its
      Restricted  Subsidiaries  by such  Person  or an  Unrestricted  Subsidiary
      during such period; (ii) solely for the purposes of calculating the amount
      of Restricted Payments that may be made pursuant to clause (iii)(B) of the
      first  paragraph of Section XI(B) (and in such case,  except to the extent
      includable  pursuant to clause (i) above), the net income (or loss) of any
      Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Restricted  Subsidiary or is
      merged into or consolidated  with the Corporation or any of its Restricted
      Subsidiaries  or all or  substantially  all of the  property and assets of
      such  Person are  acquired  by the  Corporation  or any of its  Restricted
      Subsidiaries;  (iii) the net income of any  Restricted  Subsidiary  to the
      extent  that  the   declaration   or  payment  of   dividends  or  similar
      distributions  by such Restricted  Subsidiary of such net income is not at
      the time  permitted  by the  operation  of the terms of its charter or any
      agreement,   instrument,   judgment,   decree,  order,  statute,  rule  or
      governmental  regulation  applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary (except
      to the extent such restriction has been legally waived); (iv) any gains or
      losses (on an after-tax  basis)  attributable to Asset Sales including for
      purposes  hereof the items  referred to in clauses (b), (c) and (e) of the
      definition of "Asset Sale" or the termination of discontinued  operations;
      (v) except for purposes of calculating  the amount of Restricted  Payments
      that may be made  pursuant to clause  (iii)(B) of the first  paragraph  of
      Section XI(B),  any amount paid or accrued as dividends on Preferred Stock
      (including  the  Series  E  Preferred  Stock)  of the  Corporation  or any
      Restricted  Subsidiary owned by Persons other than the Corporation and any
      of  its  Restricted   Subsidiaries;   (vi)  all  extraordinary  gains  and
      extraordinary   losses;  (vii)  the  cumulative  effect  of  a  change  in
      accounting principles since the High Yield Closing Date; and (viii) at the
      irrevocable  election  of the  Corporation  for each  occurrence,  any net
      after-tax income (loss) from  discontinued  operations;  provided that for
      purposes  of any  subsequent  Investment  in the  entity  conducting  such
      discontinued  operations  pursuant to Section XI(B),  such entity shall be
      treated as an Unrestricted  Subsidiary until such discontinued  operations
      have actually been disposed of.

            "Adjusted  Consolidated  Net Tangible Assets" means the total amount
      of  assets  of the  Corporation  and  its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  (less
      applicable  depreciation,  amortization  and  other  valuation  reserves),
      except to the extent resulting from write-ups of capital assets (excluding
      write-ups in connection  with  accounting for  acquisitions  in conformity
      with GAAP), after deducting  therefrom (i) all current  liabilities of the
      Corporation and its Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding intercompany items)
      and (ii) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks,  patents, unamortized debt
      discount and expense and other like  intangibles,  all as set forth on the
      most  recent  quarterly  or  annual  consolidated  balance  sheet  of  the
      Corporation and its Restricted  Subsidiaries,  prepared in conformity with
      GAAP.

<PAGE>

            "Affiliate"  means,  as  applied  to any  Person,  any other  Person
      directly or  indirectly  controlling,  controlled  by, or under  direct or
      indirect  common  control  with,   such  Person.   For  purposes  of  this
      definition,  "control" (including,  with correlative  meanings,  the terms
      "controlling,"  "controlled  by" and  "under  common  control  with"),  as
      applied to any Person,  means the possession,  directly or indirectly,  of
      the power to direct or cause the direction of the  management and policies
      of such Person,  whether  through the ownership of voting  securities,  by
      contract or otherwise.

            "Asset  Acquisition"  means (i) an investment by the  Corporation or
      any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries  in any other Person pursuant to which
      such Person shall become a Restricted  Subsidiary  or shall be merged into
      or consolidated with the Corporation or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
      or  (ii)  an  acquisition  by the  Corporation  or  any of its  Restricted
      Subsidiaries  of the  property  and  assets of any  Person  other than the
      Corporation  or  any  of  its  Restricted   Subsidiaries  that  constitute
      substantially all of a division or line of business of such Person.

            "Asset  Sale"  means  any  sale,   transfer  or  other   disposition
      (including by way of merger,  consolidation or sale-leaseback transaction)
      in one transaction or a series of related  transactions by the Corporation
      or  any of its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  to any  Person  other  than  the
      Corporation or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of (i) all or any of the
      Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary,  (ii) all or substantially all
      of the  property  and  assets  of an  operating  unit or  business  of the
      Corporation  or any of its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  or (iii)  any  other
      property and assets (other than the Capital  Stock or other  Investment in
      an  Unrestricted  Subsidiary) of the  Corporation or any of its Restricted
      Subsidiaries outside the ordinary course of business of the Corporation or
      such  Restricted  Subsidiary  and, in each case,  that is not  governed by
      Section  IX;  provided  that  "Asset  Sale" shall not include (a) sales or
      other dispositions of inventory, receivables and other current assets, (b)
      sales or other  dispositions of assets for consideration at least equal to
      the fair market  value of the assets  sold or  disposed  of, to the extent
      that the consideration received would constitute property or assets of the
      kind  described in clause (i)(B) of Section  XI(F),  (c) a disposition  of
      cash or Temporary Cash  Investments,  (d) any  Restricted  Payment that is
      permitted to be made, and is made, in accordance  with Section XI(B),  (e)
      sales or  other  dispositions  of  assets  with a fair  market  value  (as
      certified  in an  Officers'  Certificate)  not  in  excess  of $2  million
      (provided that any series of related sales or dispositions in excess of $2
      million shall be considered "Asset Sales"), (f) the lease, assignment of a
      lease or sub-lease of any real or personal property in the ordinary course
      of business, (g) foreclosures on assets, (h) pledges of assets or stock by
      the Corporation or any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries otherwise permitted
      under this  Certificate of  Designations,  including such pledges securing
      Indebtedness under the Newcourt Facility or under the Lucent Facility, (i)
      the  issuance  of the  Warrants  to  Newcourt  Finance  and  Lucent by the
      Corporation  and (j) the exercise of the Warrants by Newcourt  Finance and
      Lucent and the  exercise of common stock  warrants by Newcourt  Finance in
      respect of KMC Telecom.

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

          "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

          "Board  Resolution"  means a copy of a  resolution,  certified  by the
     Secretary or  Assistant  Secretary  of the  Corporation  as required by the
     context 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 Transfer Agent.

<PAGE>

            "Business  Day" means a day other than a  Saturday,  Sunday or other
      day on which  commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required
      by law to close.

            "Capital  Stock"  means,  with  respect to any  Person,  any and all
      shares,   interests,   participations   or  other   equivalents   (however
      designated,  whether  voting or  non-voting)  in  equity  of such  Person,
      whether  outstanding on the Closing Date or issued thereafter,  including,
      without  limitation,  all Common Stock,  Preferred  Stock  (including  the
      Series E Preferred  Stock),  partnership  or membership  interests and any
      other  right  to  receive  a  share  of the  profits  and  losses  of,  or
      distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

            "Capitalized  Lease" means,  as applied to any Person,  any lease of
      any property  (whether  real,  personal or mixed) of which the  discounted
      present  value of the rental  obligations  of such  Person as  lessee,  in
      conformity  with GAAP, is required to be  capitalized on the balance sheet
      of such Person.

            "Capitalized Lease Obligations" means the amount of the liability in
      respect of a  Capitalized  Lease that would at such time be required to be
      capitalized  and reflected as a liability on a balance  sheet  prepared in
      accordance with GAAP.

            "Change of  Control"  means  such time as (i) a "person"  or "group"
      (within the meaning of Sections  13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the  Exchange  Act)
      becomes the  ultimate  "beneficial  owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under
      the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting
      Stock of the  Corporation  on a fully  diluted  basis  and such  ownership
      represents  a greater  percentage  of the total voting power of the Voting
      Stock of the  Corporation,  on a fully diluted basis,  than is held by the
      Existing Stockholders on such date; or (ii) individuals who on the Closing
      Date  constitute  the Board of Directors  (together with any new directors
      whose election by the Board of Directors or whose  nomination by the Board
      of Directors for election by the  Corporation's  stockholders was approved
      by a vote of at least a majority of the members of the Board of  Directors
      then in office who either were  members of the Board of  Directors  on the
      Closing  Date  or  whose  election  or  nomination  for  election  was  so
      previously  approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the
      members of the Board of Directors then in office.

            "Closing Date" means February 4, 1999.

            "Commission"  means the Securities  and Exchange  Commission and any
      successor agency having similar powers.

<PAGE>

            "Common Stock" means the Common Stock,  par value $.01 per share, of
      the Corporation  and any other class of common stock hereafter  authorized
      by the Corporation from time to time.

            "Consolidated  EBITDA" means, for any period,  Adjusted Consolidated
      Net Income for such period plus, to the extent such amount was deducted in
      calculating  such  Adjusted  Consolidated  Net  Income,  (i)  Consolidated
      Interest  Expense,  (ii) income  taxes  (other than income  taxes  (either
      positive or negative)  attributable  to  extraordinary  and  non-recurring
      gains or losses or sales of  assets),  (iii)  depreciation  expense,  (iv)
      amortization  expense and (v) all other non-cash  items reducing  Adjusted
      Consolidated  Net Income (other than items that will require cash payments
      and for which an  accrual  or reserve  is, or is  required  by GAAP to be,
      made),  less all  non-cash  items  increasing  (or, in the case of a loss,
      decreasing) Adjusted Consolidated Net Income, determined,  with respect to
      clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv), on a consolidated  basis for the Corporation
      and its Restricted Subsidiaries in conformity with GAAP; provided that, if
      any  Restricted  Subsidiary is not a Wholly Owned  Restricted  Subsidiary,
      Consolidated  EBITDA shall be reduced (to the extent not otherwise reduced
      in  accordance  with  GAAP) by an  amount  equal to (A) the  amount of the
      Adjusted   Consolidated   Net  Income   attributable  to  such  Restricted
      Subsidiary  multiplied  by (B) the  percentage  ownership  interest in the
      income  of such  Restricted  Subsidiary  not owned on the last day of such
      period by the Corporation or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

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

<PAGE>

            "Consolidated  Leverage Ratio" means,  on any Transaction  Date, the
      ratio of (i) the aggregate  amount of  Indebtedness of the Corporation and
      its Restricted  Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis  outstanding on such
      Transaction Date to (ii) the aggregate  amount of Consolidated  EBITDA for
      the then most recent four fiscal quarters for which  financial  statements
      of the  Corporation  have been  provided to the Transfer  Agent (such four
      fiscal quarter period being the "Four Quarter Period");  provided that, in
      making the foregoing  calculation,  pro forma effect shall be given to the
      following events which occur from the beginning of the Four Quarter Period
      through the Transaction Date (the "Reference Period"):  (i) the Incurrence
      of the  Indebtedness  with respect to which the  computation is being made
      and  (if  applicable)  the  application  of the  net  proceeds  therefrom,
      including to refinance other  Indebtedness,  as if such  Indebtedness  was
      incurred,  and the application of such proceeds occurred, at the beginning
      of the Four Quarter Period;  (ii) the Incurrence,  repayment or retirement
      of  any  other   Indebtedness   by  the  Corporation  and  its  Restricted
      Subsidiaries  since the first  day of the Four  Quarter  Period as if such
      Indebtedness was incurred,  repaid or retired at the beginning of the Four
      Quarter Period;  (iii) in the case of Acquired  Indebtedness,  the related
      acquisition,  as if such acquisition occurred at the beginning of the Four
      Quarter Period; (iv) any acquisition or disposition by the Corporation and
      its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  of any  corporation  or any business or any
      assets out of the ordinary  course of business,  whether by merger,  stock
      purchase or sale or asset  purchase or sale or any  related  repayment  of
      Indebtedness, in each case since the first day of the Four Quarter Period,
      assuming such acquisition or disposition had been consummated on the first
      day of the Four  Quarter  Period and after  giving pro forma effect to net
      cost savings that the Corporation  reasonably believes in good faith could
      have been  achieved  during  the Four  Quarter  Period as a result of such
      acquisition or disposition  (provided that both (A) such cost savings were
      identified  and  quantified in an Officers'  Certificate  delivered to the
      Transfer  Agent  at the time of the  consummation  of the  acquisition  or
      disposition  and (B)  with  respect  to each  acquisition  or  disposition
      completed  prior to the 90th day  preceding  such  date of  determination,
      actions were commenced or initiated by the  Corporation  within 90 days of
      such acquisition or disposition to effect such cost savings  identified in
      such Officers'  Certificate  and with respect to any other  acquisition or
      disposition,  such Officers'  Certificate sets forth the specific steps to
      be taken  within the 90 days  after such  acquisition  or  disposition  to
      accomplish  such cost  savings);  and provided  further that (x) in making
      such  computation,  the  Consolidated  Interest  Expense  attributable  to
      interest on any Indebtedness computed on a pro forma basis and (A) bearing
      a floating interest rate shall be computed as if the rate in effect on the
      date of computation had been the applicable rate for the entire period and
      (B) which was not outstanding  during the period for which the computation
      is being made but which bears, at the option of the  Corporation,  a fixed

<PAGE>

      or floating rate of interest shall be computed by applying,  at the option
      of the  Corporation,  either the fixed or floating rate, and (y) in making
      such  computation,  the  Consolidated  Interest Expense of the Corporation
      attributable  to interest  on any  Indebtedness  under a revolving  credit
      facility  computed on a pro forma  basis shall be computed  based upon the
      pro forma average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable
      period;  and (v) the occurrence of any of the events  described in clauses
      (i)-(iv)  above by any Person that has become a Restricted  Subsidiary  or
      has been merged with or into the Corporation or any Restricted  Subsidiary
      during such Reference Period.

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

            "Corporation" means KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc., a Delaware
      corporation.

            "Currency  Agreement" means any foreign exchange contract,  currency
      swap agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement.

            "Disqualified  Stock" means any class or series of Capital  Stock of
      any Person that by its terms or  otherwise  is (i) required to be redeemed
      prior to the Mandatory  Redemption  Date, (ii) redeemable at the option of
      the holder of such  class or series of Capital  Stock at any time prior to
      the Mandatory  Redemption Date or (iii)  convertible  into or exchangeable
      for Capital Stock referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above or  Indebtedness
      having a  scheduled  maturity  prior  to the  Mandatory  Redemption  Date;
      provided  that any Capital  Stock that would not  constitute  Disqualified
      Stock but for  provisions  thereof  giving  holders  thereof  the right to
      require such Person to  repurchase  or redeem such  Capital  Stock (or the
      security for which such Capital Stock is convertible  into or exchangeable
      for)  upon the  occurrence  of an  "asset  sale" or  "change  of  control"
      occurring  prior to the  Mandatory  Redemption  Date shall not  constitute
      Disqualified  Stock if the "asset sale" or "change of control"  provisions
      applicable  to such Capital  Stock (or the security for which such Capital
      Stock is convertible  into or  exchangeable  for) are no more favorable to
      the holders of such Capital  Stock (or the security for which such Capital
      Stock  is  convertible  into or  exchangeable  for)  than  the  provisions

<PAGE>

      contained in Section  XI(F) and Article VIII below and such Capital  Stock
      (or the  security  for which such  Capital  Stock is  convertible  into or
      exchangeable  for)  specifically   provides  that  such  Person  will  not
      repurchase or redeem any such stock  pursuant to such  provision  prior to
      the  Corporation's  repurchase  of such  Series E  Preferred  Stock as are
      required  to be  repurchased  pursuant to Section  XI(F) and Article  VIII
      below.

            "Dividend Payment Date" means any Redemption Date, January 15, April
      15,  July 15 and  October  15 and any other  date on which  dividends  are
      payable or may be paid, as determined by the Board of Directors.

            "Dividend Record Date" means,  with respect to each Dividend Payment
      Date,  the close of business  on the date set forth next to such  Dividend
      Payment Date below:

            DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE             DIVIDEND RECORD DATE
                  January 15                        January 1
                  April 15                          April 1
                  July 15                           July 1
                  October 15                        October 1

     or such other  record date as may be  designated  by the Board of Directors
     with  respect to dividends  payable on such other  Dividend  Payment  Date;
     provided,  however,  that such  record date may not be more than 60 days or
     less than ten days prior to such  Dividend  Payment  Date. If any scheduled
     Dividend  Record Date is not a Business Day, then such Dividend Record Date
     shall be the Business Day  immediately  preceding such  scheduled  Dividend
     Record Date.

            "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
      amended.

            "Existing Stockholders" means Harold N. Kamine, his Affiliates
      and Nassau.

            "fair  market  value"  means  the  price  that  would  be paid in an
      arm's-length  transaction  between an informed and willing seller under no
      compulsion  to sell and an informed and willing  buyer under no compulsion
      to buy,  as  determined  in good  faith by the Board of  Directors,  whose
      determination  shall be  conclusive  if evidenced  by a Board  Resolution;
      provided  that for  purposes of clause  (vii) of the second  paragraph  of
      Section XI(A), (x) the fair market value of any security  registered under
      the Exchange Act shall be the average of the closing prices,  regular way,
      of such security for the 20 consecutive trading days immediately preceding
      the sale of Capital Stock and (y) in the event the  aggregate  fair market

<PAGE>

      value of any other property (other than cash or cash equivalents) received
      by the  Corporation  exceeds $100  million,  the fair market value of such
      property shall be determined by a nationally recognized investment banking
      firm or a nationally recognized firm having expertise in the specific area
      which is the subject of such  determination and set forth in their written
      opinion which shall be delivered to the Transfer Agent.

            "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting  principles in the United
      States  of  America  as in  effect  as of the  High  Yield  Closing  Date,
      including,  without  limitation,  those  set  forth  in the  opinions  and
      pronouncements  of  the  Accounting   Principles  Board  of  the  American
      Institute   of   Certified   Public   Accountants   and   statements   and
      pronouncements  of the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board or in such
      other statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment
      of the accounting  profession.  All ratios and  computations  contained or
      referred  to in this  Certificate  of  Designations  shall be  computed in
      conformity  with  GAAP  applied  on  a  consistent   basis,   except  that
      calculations made for purposes of determining compliance with the terms of
      the  covenants  and  with  other   provisions  of  this   Certificate   of
      Designations  shall be made without giving effect to (i) the  amortization
      of any  expenses  incurred in  connection  with the Lucent  Facility,  the
      Newcourt Facility, the offering of the Senior Discount Notes, the Series E
      Preferred  Stock  and the  Series F  Preferred  Stock  and (ii)  except as
      otherwise provided,  the amortization of any amounts required or permitted
      by Accounting Principles Board Opinion Nos. 16 and 17.

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

            "High Yield Closing Date" means January 29, 1998.

            "Holder" means a registered holder of shares of Series E
      Preferred Stock.

<PAGE>

            "Incur" means, with respect to any Indebtedness,  to incur,  create,
      issue,  assume,  Guarantee or otherwise  become liable for or with respect
      to, or become responsible for, the payment of,  contingently or otherwise,
      such  Indebtedness,  including an "Incurrence"  of Acquired  Indebtedness;
      provided  that  neither  the  accrual of  interest  nor the  accretion  of
      original issue discount shall be considered an Incurrence of Indebtedness.

            "Indebtedness"  means,  with  respect  to any  Person at any date of
      determination (without  duplication),  (i) all indebtedness of such Person
      for  borrowed  money,  (ii) all  obligations  of such Person  evidenced by
      bonds,  debentures,   notes  or  other  similar  instruments,   (iii)  all
      obligations  of such  Person  in  respect  of  letters  of credit or other
      similar  instruments  (including  reimbursement  obligations  with respect
      thereto,  but excluding trade letters of credit),  (iv) all obligations of
      such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid  purchase  price of property or
      services,  which purchase price is due more than six months after the date
      of placing such  property in service or taking  delivery and title thereto
      or the  completion  of such  services,  except Trade  Payables and accrued
      current  liabilities  arising in the ordinary course of business,  (v) all
      Capitalized  Lease  Obligations  of such  Person,  (vi)  all  Indebtedness
      referred to in clauses (i) through (v) hereof of other Persons  secured by
      a Lien on any asset of such Person,  whether or not such  Indebtedness  is
      assumed by such  Person;  provided  that the  amount of such  Indebtedness
      shall be the  lesser of (A) the fair  market  value of such  asset at such
      date of determination and (B) the amount of such  Indebtedness,  (vii) all
      Indebtedness of other Persons Guaranteed by such Person to the extent such
      Indebtedness  is  Guaranteed  by such  Person and (viii) to the extent not
      otherwise   included  in  this  definition,   obligations  under  Currency
      Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements. The amount of Indebtedness of any
      Person at any date shall be the  outstanding  balance at such date (or, in
      the case of a revolving credit or other similar facility, the total amount
      of funds  outstanding on the date of  determination)  of all unconditional
      obligations   as  described   above  and,   with  respect  to   contingent
      obligations,  the maximum liability upon the occurrence of the contingency
      giving rise to the obligation of the types described  above,  provided (A)
      that the amount  outstanding at any time of any  Indebtedness  issued with
      original issue discount is the original issue price of such  Indebtedness,
      (B) that money borrowed and set aside at the time of the Incurrence of any
      Indebtedness  in order to  prefund  the  payment of the  interest  on such
      Indebtedness  shall  not be  deemed  to be  "Indebtedness"  and  (C)  that
      Indebtedness shall not include any liability for federal,  state, local or
      other taxes.

            "Interest  Rate  Agreement"   means  any  interest  rate  protection
      agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement,
      interest rate swap agreement,  interest rate cap agreement,  interest rate
      collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement, option or future contract
      or other similar agreement or arrangement.

<PAGE>

            "Investment"  means, with respect to any Person,  all investments by
      such  Person  in other  Persons  in the  form of any  direct  or  indirect
      advance, loan or other extension of credit (including, without limitation,
      by way of  Guarantee or similar  arrangement;  but  excluding  advances to
      customers in the ordinary  course of business that are, in conformity with
      GAAP,  recorded  as  accounts  receivable  on  the  balance  sheet  of the
      Corporation or its Restricted  Subsidiaries  and  commissions,  travel and
      similar  advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of
      business) or capital  contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or
      other  property to others or any payment for  property or services for the
      account or use of  others),  or any  purchase  or  acquisition  of Capital
      Stock,  bonds,  notes,  debentures or other similar instruments issued by,
      such other Person and shall  include (i) the  designation  of a Restricted
      Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and (ii) the fair market value of
      the Capital Stock (or any other  Investment),  held by the  Corporation or
      any of its Restricted Subsidiaries,  of (or in) any Person that has ceased
      to be a Restricted Subsidiary, including, without limitation, by reason of
      any transaction  permitted by clause (iii) of Section XI(D); provided that
      the fair market value of the  Investment  remaining in any Person that has
      ceased to be a Restricted Subsidiary shall not exceed the aggregate amount
      of  Investments  previously  made in such  Person  valued at the time such
      Investments  were made less the net  reduction  of such  Investments.  For
      purposes of the definition of "Unrestricted Subsidiary" and Section XI(B),
      (i) "Investment" shall include the fair market value of the assets (net of
      liabilities  (other  than  liabilities  to the  Corporation  or any of its
      Restricted  Subsidiaries))  of any Restricted  Subsidiary at the time that
      such Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary,  (ii)
      the fair  market  value of the  assets  (net of  liabilities  (other  than
      liabilities to the Corporation or any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries)) of
      any Unrestricted  Subsidiary at the time that such Unrestricted Subsidiary
      is designated a Restricted  Subsidiary  shall be considered a reduction in
      outstanding  Investments and (iii) any property  transferred to or from an
      Unrestricted  Subsidiary  shall be valued at its fair market  value at the
      time of such transfer.

            "Investment   Grade  Securities"  means  (i)  securities  issued  or
      directly and fully  guaranteed or insured by the United States  government
      or any agency or  instrumentality  thereof,  (ii) debt  securities or debt
      instruments  with a rating  of BBB+ or  higher by S&P or Baal or higher by
      Moody's or the equivalent of such rating by such rating organization,  or,
      if no rating by S&P or Moody's then exists,  the equivalent of such rating
      by any other nationally recognized securities rating agency, but excluding
      any debt  securities or instruments  constituting  loans or advances among
      the Corporation  and its  Subsidiaries,  and (iii)  investment in any fund
      that invests  exclusively  in investments of the type described in clauses
      (i) and (ii)  which  fund may also hold  cash  pending  investment  and/or
      distribution.

<PAGE>

            "Junior Securities" has the meaning provided in Article III
      hereof.

            "KMC Telecom" means KMC Telecom Inc, a Delaware corporation.

            "KMC Telecom II" means KMC Telecom II, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

            "KMC  Telecom   III"  means  KMC  Telecom  III,   Inc.,  a  Delaware
      corporation.

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

            "Lucent" means Lucent Technologies Inc., a Delaware corporation.

            "Lucent  Facility"  means  the  vendor  financing  facility  between
      Lucent,  KMC Telecom III and KMC Telecom  Leasing III LLC,  providing  for
      aggregate  borrowings  of up to $600  million  and  maturing on the eighth
      anniversary of the closing of such credit facility.

            "Mandatory Redemption Date" means February 1, 2011.

            "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and its
      successors.

            "Nassau" means Nassau Capital Partners L.P., NAS Partners I
      L.L.C. or their respective successors, and their Affiliates.

            "Net Cash  Proceeds"  means (a) with respect to any Asset Sale,  the
      proceeds  of  such  Asset  Sale in the  form of cash or cash  equivalents,
      including  payments in respect of  deferred  payment  obligations  (to the
      extent  corresponding  to  the  principal,  but  not  interest,  component
      thereof) when received in the form of cash or cash equivalents  (except to
      the extent such  obligations  are  financed  or sold with  recourse to the
      Corporation or any Restricted Subsidiary) and proceeds from the conversion
      of other property received when converted to cash or cash equivalents, net
      of (i)  brokerage  commissions  and other  commissions,  fees and expenses
      (including  fees and  expenses  of  counsel,  accountants  and  investment
      bankers) related to such Asset Sale and any relocation  expenses  incurred
      as a result  thereof,  (ii)  provisions for all taxes (whether or not such
      taxes will actually be paid or are payable) as a result of such Asset Sale
      without  regard  to  the   consolidated   results  of  operations  of  the
      Corporation  and its  Restricted  Subsidiaries,  taken as a  whole,  (iii)
      payments made to repay Indebtedness or any other obligation outstanding at
      the time of such  Asset  Sale that  either (A) is secured by a Lien on the

<PAGE>

      property  or assets sold or (B) is required to be paid as a result of such
      sale and (iv) appropriate amounts to be provided by the Corporation or any
      Restricted Subsidiary as a reserve against any liabilities associated with
      such  Asset  Sale,  including,  without  limitation,   pension  and  other
      post-employment benefit liabilities,  liabilities related to environmental
      matters and liabilities under any indemnification  obligations  associated
      with such Asset Sale,  all as determined in conformity  with GAAP, and (b)
      with  respect to any  issuance or sale of Capital  Stock,  the proceeds of
      such issuance or sale in the form of cash or cash  equivalents,  including
      payments  in  respect  of  deferred  payment  obligations  (to the  extent
      corresponding to the principal, but not interest,  component thereof) when
      received  in the form of cash or cash  equivalents  (except  to the extent
      such  obligations are financed or sold with recourse to the Corporation or
      any  Restricted  Subsidiary)  and proceeds  from the  conversion  of other
      property  received  when  converted  to cash or cash  equivalents,  net of
      attorney's fees,  accountants'  fees,  underwriters' or placement  agents'
      fees,  discounts or commissions  and brokerage,  consultant and other fees
      incurred in connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or
      payable as a result thereof.

            "Newcourt  Facility" means the Loan and Security  Agreement dated as
      of December  22,  1998 among KMC  Telecom,  KMC  Telecom II, and  Newcourt
      Finance  and any  other  lenders  or  borrowers  from  time to time  party
      thereto,  collateral  documents,  instruments,  and agreements executed in
      connection  therewith  and  any  amendments,  supplements,  modifications,
      extensions, renewals, restatements, refinancings or refundings thereof.

            "Newcourt Finance" means Newcourt Commercial Finance Corporation,
      formerly known as AT&T Commercial Finance Corporation, a Delaware
      corporation, and its successors.

            "Offer to  Purchase"  means an offer to purchase  Series E Preferred
      Stock by the Corporation from the Holders commenced by mailing a notice to
      the Transfer Agent and each Holder stating:  (i) the covenant  pursuant to
      which  the  offer is being  made and  that all  Series E  Preferred  Stock
      validly  tendered  will be  accepted  for  payment  on a pro  rata  basis,
      together  with any other  Parity  Securities  subject to similar  offer to
      purchase  provisions;  (ii) the  purchase  price and the date of  purchase
      (which  shall be a Business  Day no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60
      days from the date such notice is mailed) (the "Payment Date"); (iii) that
      any  Series E  Preferred  Stock  not  tendered  will  continue  to  accrue
      dividends  pursuant  to its  terms;  (iv)  that,  unless  the  Corporation
      defaults  in the  payment of the  purchase  price,  any Series E Preferred
      Stock  accepted for payment  pursuant to the Offer to Purchase shall cease
      to accrue  dividends on and after the Payment  Date;  (v) that each Holder
      electing to have Series E Preferred Stock purchased  pursuant to the Offer

<PAGE>

      to Purchase  will be required to surrender  to the  Transfer  Agent at the
      address  specified  in the notice  prior to the close of  business  on the
      Business  Day  immediately   preceding  the  payment  date  such  holder's
      certificate  representing such Series E Preferred Stock, together with the
      form entitled  "Option of the Holder to Elect  Purchase"  appearing on the
      reverse side of such Series E Preferred Stock certificate completed,  (vi)
      that  Holders  will be entitled to withdraw  their  election if the Paying
      Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the third Business
      Day  immediately  preceding  the  Payment  Date,  a  telegram,   facsimile
      transmission  or  letter  setting  forth  the  name  of such  Holder,  the
      liquidation  preference of Series E Preferred Stock delivered for purchase
      and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing  its election to have such
      Series E Preferred Stock purchased;  and (vii) that Holders whose Series E
      Preferred  Stock is being purchased only in part will be issued new Series
      E  Preferred  Stock equal in  liquidation  preference  to the  unpurchased
      portion of the Series E Preferred Stock surrendered.  On the Payment Date,
      the Corporation  shall (i) accept for payment on a pro rata basis Series E
      Preferred  Stock,  together  with any other Parity  Securities  subject to
      similar  offer  to  purchase  provisions,  or  portions  thereof  tendered
      pursuant to an Offer to Purchase; (ii) deposit with the Paying Agent money
      sufficient  to pay the  purchase  price of all Series E  Preferred  Stock,
      together  with any other  Parity  Securities  subject to similar  offer to
      purchase provisions,  or portions thereof so accepted;  and (iii) deliver,
      or cause to be  delivered,  to the  Transfer  Agent all Series E Preferred
      Stock  or  portions  thereof  so  accepted   together  with  an  Officers'
      Certificate  specifying shares of the Series E Preferred Stock or portions
      thereof  accepted for payment by the  Corporation.  The Paying Agent shall
      promptly  mail to the  Holders  of Series E  Preferred  Stock so  accepted
      payment in an amount equal to the purchase  price,  and the Transfer Agent
      shall promptly  authenticate and mail to such Holders new shares of Series
      E  Preferred  Stock equal in  liquidation  preference  to any  unpurchased
      portion of the Series E Preferred Stock surrendered.  The Corporation will
      publicly  announce  the  results  of an  Offer  to  Purchase  as  soon  as
      practicable  after the Payment Date.  The Transfer  Agent shall act as the
      Paying Agent for an Offer to Purchase.  The  Corporation  will comply with
      Rule  14e-1  under  the  Exchange  Act and any other  securities  laws and
      regulations  thereunder  to the  extent  such  laws  and  regulations  are
      applicable,  in the event that the  Corporation  is required to repurchase
      Series E Preferred Stock pursuant to an Offer to Purchase.

            "Officer" means with respect to the Corporation, (i) the Chairman of
      the Board,  the Vice  Chairman  of the  Board,  the  President,  the Chief
      Executive  Officer,  the Chief Financial Officer or a Vice president,  and
      (ii) the  Treasurer or any  Assistant  Treasurer,  or the Secretary or any
      Assistant Secretary of the Corporation.

            "Officers'  Certificate"  means a certificate  signed by one Officer
      listed in clause (i) of the  definition  thereof and one Officer listed in
      clause (ii) of the definition thereof;  provided,  however,  that any such

<PAGE>

      certificate  may be signed by any two of the Officers listed in clause (i)
      of the definition thereof in lieu of being signed by one Officer listed in
      clause (i) of the definition thereof and one Officer listed in clause (ii)
      of the definition thereof.

            "Parity Securities" has the meaning specified in Article III
      hereof.

            "Permitted Investment" means (i) an Investment in the Corporation or
      a Restricted  Subsidiary  or a Person which will,  upon the making of such
      Investment,  become a Restricted  Subsidiary or be merged or  consolidated
      with or into or transfer or convey all or substantially all its assets to,
      the  Corporation or a Restricted  Subsidiary;  provided that such person's
      primary business is related,  ancillary or complementary to the businesses
      of the  Corporation  and its Restricted  Subsidiaries  on the date of such
      Investment;   (ii)  Temporary  Cash   Investments  and  Investment   Grade
      Securities;  (iii) payroll,  travel and similar  advances to cover matters
      that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as
      expenses  in  accordance  with  GAAP  and  reasonable  advances  to  sales
      representatives; (iv) any Investment acquired by the Corporation or any of
      its Restricted  Subsidiaries  (x) in exchange for any other  Investment or
      accounts  receivable  held  by  the  Corporation  or any  such  Restricted
      Subsidiary  in connection  with or as a result of a  bankruptcy,  workout,
      reorganization or  recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment
      or  accounts  receivable  or  (y)  as a  result  of a  foreclosure  by the
      Corporation  or any of its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  with  respect to any
      secured  Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured
      Investment in default;  (v) any Investment  acquired in consideration  for
      the  issuance of Junior  Securities  or the  proceeds  of the  issuance of
      Junior  Securities  to the extent such  amounts  have not been  previously
      applied to a  Restricted  Payment  pursuant to clause  (iii)(B)(2)  of the
      first paragraph of Section XI(B) or clause (ii) of the second paragraph of
      Section XI(B) or used to support the Incurrence of  Indebtedness  pursuant
      to clause (viii) in accordance with Section XI(A) and Investments acquired
      as a capital  contribution;  (vi)  Guarantees  permitted by Section XI(A);
      (vii) loans or advances to employees of the  Corporation or any Restricted
      Subsidiary that do not in the aggregate exceed at any one time outstanding
      $5.0 million;  (viii)  Currency  Agreements  and Interest Rate  Agreements
      permitted  under Section  XI(A);  (ix)  Investments  in prepaid  expenses,
      negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and workers'
      compensation,  performance and other similar deposits;  (x) Investments in
      debt  securities  or other  evidences of  Indebtedness  that are issued by
      companies engaged in the Telecommunications  Business;  provided that when
      each Investment  pursuant to this clause (x) is made, the aggregate amount
      of  Investments  outstanding  under this  clause (x) does not exceed  $3.0
      million;  (xi) Strategic  Investments  and  Investments in Permitted Joint
      Ventures  in an  amount  not to  exceed  $20.0  million  at any  one  time
      outstanding;  (xii) an  Investment  in any Person the primary  business of
      which is  related,  ancillary  or  complementary  to the  business  of the
      Corporation  and its  Subsidiaries  on the date of such  Investment  in an

<PAGE>

      amount  not to  exceed  at any time in  respect  of all  such  Investments
      outstanding   the  sum  of  (x)  $200.0   million  plus  (y)  40%  of  the
      Corporation's  Consolidated  EBITDA,  if  positive,  for  the  immediately
      preceding  four  fiscal  quarters  (valued in each case as provided in the
      definition of  "Investments");  (xiii)  securities  received in connection
      with  Asset  Sales  to  the  extent  constituting  non-cash  consideration
      permitted under Section XI(F);  and (xiv)  Investments in an amount not to
      exceed $50.0 million at any time outstanding.

            "Permitted Joint Venture" means any  Unrestricted  Subsidiary or any
      other Person in which the  Corporation  or a Restricted  Subsidiary  owns,
      directly or  indirectly,  an ownership  interest  (other than a Restricted
      Subsidiary)   and  whose  primary   business  is  related,   ancillary  or
      complementary  to the  businesses of the  Corporation  and its  Restricted
      Subsidiaries at the time of determination.

            "Person" means any individual,  partnership,  corporation,  business
      trust,   joint  stock   company,   limited   liability   company,   trust,
      unincorporated association, joint venture, governmental authority or other
      entity of whatever nature.

            "Preferred   Stock"   means   any   and   all   shares,   interests,
      participations or other equivalents of the Corporation's  preferred stock,
      including  any such  security  with any  priority  over Common  Stock with
      respect to dividends or upon liquidation or similar events.

            "Public  Equity  Offering"  means  an  underwritten  primary  public
      offering  of Common  Stock of the  Corporation  pursuant  to an  effective
      registration statement under the Securities Act.

            "Purchase  Agreement" means the Securities  Purchase Agreement dated
      as of February 4, 1999 among the Corporation, Newcourt Finance and Lucent.

            "Redemption  Date", when used with respect to any Series E Preferred
      Stock to be  redeemed,  means  the date  fixed for such  redemption  by or
      pursuant to the terms of this Certificate of Designations.

            "Redemption  Price"  means,  with  respect  to any share of Series E
      Preferred Stock, the price at which such share of Series E Preferred Stock
      is  to  be  redeemed   pursuant  to  the  terms  of  this  Certificate  of
      Designations.

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

<PAGE>

            "Securities  Act" means the  Securities Act of 1933, as amended from
      time to time, or any successor statute.

            "Senior  Discount Note  Indenture"  means the Indenture  dated as of
      January 29, 1998 between the  Corporation  and The Chase  Manhattan  Bank,
      relating to the Senior  Discount  Notes, as such Indenture may be amended,
      supplemented,  extended, renewed, replaced or otherwise modified from time
      to time.

            "Senior  Discount Notes" means the 12 1/2% Senior Discount Notes due
      2008 issued by the Corporation under the Senior Discount Note Indenture.

            "Senior Securities" has the meaning provided in Article III
      hereof.

            "Significant  Subsidiary"  means,  any  Subsidiary  that  would be a
      "significant   subsidiary"   as  defined  in  17  CFR  Part   210.1-01(w),
      promulgated  pursuant  to the  Securities  Act, as such  regulation  is in
      effect on the date hereof.

            "S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a Division of McGraw
      Hill, Inc., and its successors.

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

            "Strategic  Investments"  means  (a)  Investments  that the Board of
      Directors has determined in good faith will enable the  Corporation or any
      of its Restricted Subsidiaries to obtain additional business that it might
      not be able to obtain without making such  Investment and (b)  Investments
      in entities  the  principal  function of which is to perform  research and
      development  with  respect to products  and  services  that may be used or
      useful in the Telecommunications  Business;  provided that the Corporation
      or one of its Restricted  Subsidiaries is entitled or otherwise reasonably
      expected to obtain rights to such products or services as a result of such
      Investment.

            "Strategic  Subordinated  Indebtedness"  means  Indebtedness  of the
      Corporation Incurred to finance the acquisition of a Person engaged in the
      Telecommunications  Business  that by its  terms,  or by the  terms of any
      agreement  or   instrument   pursuant  to  which  such   Indebtedness   is
      outstanding,  (i) is expressly made subordinate in right of payment to the

<PAGE>

      Senior  Discount  Notes and (ii)  provides  that no payment of  principal,
      premium  or  interest  on, or any other  payment  with  respect  to,  such
      Indebtedness  may be  made  prior  to the  payment  in  full of all of the
      Corporation's  obligations  under  the  Series E  Preferred  Stock and the
      Senior Discount Notes; provided that such Indebtedness may provide for and
      be repaid  at any time  from the  proceeds  of the sale of  Capital  Stock
      (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Corporation after the Incurrence of
      such Indebtedness.

            "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation,
      association,  or other business entity (other than a partnership) of which
      more  than 50% of the  total  voting  power of  shares  of  Capital  Stock
      entitled  (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in
      the election of directors,  managers or trustees thereof is at the time of
      determination owned or controlled,  directly or indirectly, by such Person
      or one or more of the other  Subsidiaries  of such Person or a combination
      thereof and (ii) any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company
      or  similar  entity of which (x) more  than 50% of the  capital  accounts,
      distribution  rights,  total  equity  and voting  interests  or general or
      limited  partnership  interests,  as applicable,  are owned or controlled,
      directly  or  indirectly,  by such  Person  or one or  more  of the  other
      Subsidiaries  of such Person or a combination  thereof whether in the form
      of membership,  general,  special or limited  partnership or otherwise and
      (y) such Person or any Wholly Owned  Restricted  Subsidiary of such Person
      is a general partner or otherwise controls such entity.

            "Telecommunications  Business" means the  development,  ownership or
      operation  of one or more  telephone,  telecommunications  or  information
      systems or the provision of telephony,  telecommunications  or information
      services  (including,  without limitation,  any voice, video transmission,
      data or Internet  services)  and any related,  ancillary or  complementary
      business.

            "Temporary Cash Investment"  means any of the following:  (i) direct
      obligations  of the United  States of  America  or any  agency  thereof or
      obligations fully and  unconditionally  guaranteed by the United States of
      America  or any  agency or  instrumentality  thereof,  (ii)  time  deposit
      accounts,  certificates  of deposit,  eurodollar  time  deposits and money
      market  deposits  maturing  within  180  days  or  less  of  the  date  of
      acquisition  thereof  issued by a bank or trust company which is organized
      under the laws of the United  States of America,  any state thereof or any
      foreign country recognized by the United States of America, and which bank
      or trust company has capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating in
      excess of $50 million (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof) and has
      outstanding debt which is rated "A" (or such similar equivalent rating) or
      higher  by  at  least  one  nationally   recognized   statistical   rating
      organization  (as  defined  in Rule 436 under the  Securities  Act) or any

<PAGE>

      money-market  fund sponsored by a registered  broker dealer or mutual fund
      distributor,  (iii) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 30
      days for underlying  securities of the types  described in clauses (i) and
      (ii) above entered into with a bank meeting the  qualifications  described
      in clause (ii) above,  (iv)  commercial  paper,  maturing not more than 90
      days after the date of acquisition, issued by a corporation (other than an
      Affiliate of the Corporation) organized and in existence under the laws of
      the United  States of America,  any state  thereof or any foreign  country
      recognized by the United States of America with a rating at the time as of
      which any  investment  therein is made of "P-1" (or higher)  according  to
      Moody's  or "A-1"  (or  higher)  according  to S&P,  (v)  securities  with
      maturities  of six months or less from the date of  acquisition  issued or
      fully  and  unconditionally  guaranteed  by  any  state,  commonwealth  or
      territory of the United States of America, or by any political subdivision
      or taxing authority thereof, and rated at least "A" by S&P or Moody's, and
      (vi)  investment  funds investing 95% of their assets in securities of the
      type described in clauses (i)-(v) above.

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

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

            "Transfer Agent" means Chase Mellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C.

            "Unrestricted   Subsidiary"   means  (i)  any   Subsidiary   of  the
      Corporation  that at the  time of  determination  shall be  designated  an
      Unrestricted  Subsidiary by the Board of Directors in the manner  provided
      below; and (ii) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of
      Directors may designate any  Restricted  Subsidiary  (including  any newly
      acquired  or  newly  formed  Subsidiary  of  the  Corporation)  to  be  an
      Unrestricted  Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary owns any Capital Stock of,
      or owns or holds  any Lien on any  property  of,  the  Corporation  or any
      Restricted Subsidiary;  provided that (A) any Guarantee by the Corporation
      or any Restricted  Subsidiary of any  Indebtedness of the Subsidiary being
      so designated shall be deemed an "Incurrence" of such  Indebtedness and an
      "Investment" by the Corporation or such Restricted Subsidiary (or both, if

<PAGE>

      applicable) at the time of such designation; (B) either (I) the Subsidiary
      to be so  designated  has  total  assets of $1,000 or less or (II) if such
      Subsidiary  has assets  greater than  $1,000,  such  designation  would be
      permitted in accordance  with Section XI(B);  and (C) if  applicable,  the
      Incurrence of Indebtedness and the Investment referred to in clause (A) of
      this  proviso  would be  permitted in  accordance  with Section  XI(A) and
      Section  XI(B).  The Board of Directors  may  designate  any  Unrestricted
      Subsidiary to be a Restricted  Subsidiary;  provided that all Indebtedness
      of  such  Unrestricted   Subsidiary  outstanding  immediately  after  such
      designation  would,  if Incurred at such time,  have been  permitted to be
      Incurred  (and shall be deemed to have been  Incurred) for all purposes of
      this  Certificate of  Designations.  Any such  designation by the Board of
      Directors shall be evidenced to the Transfer Agent by promptly filing with
      the Transfer  Agent a copy of the Board  Resolution  giving effect to such
      designation and an Officers' Certificate  certifying that such designation
      complied with the foregoing provisions.

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

            "Warrant  Agreement" means the warrant agreement,  dated the Closing
      Date, among the Corporation,  Newcourt Finance,  Lucent and any Additional
      Purchaser (as described  therein) and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as warrant
      agent.

            "Warrants" means any warrants that may be issued under the
      Warrant Agreement.

            "Wholly Owned" means,  with respect to any Subsidiary of any Person,
      the  ownership  of 95% or more of the  outstanding  Capital  Stock of such
      Subsidiary (other than any director's  qualifying shares or Investments by
      foreign  nationals  mandated by  applicable  law) by such Person or one or
      more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.


II.   Designation.

            The  series  of  Preferred  Stock  authorized   hereunder  shall  be
designated  as the  "Series E Senior  Redeemable,  Exchangeable,  PIK  Preferred
Stock" and is referred  to herein as the "Series E Preferred  Stock." The number
of shares constituting such series shall be 175,000. The par value of the Series
E  Preferred  Stock shall be $.01 per share of Series E  Preferred  Stock.  Each
share of Series E Preferred Stock  purchased from the  Corporation  shall have a
liquidation  preference of $1,000.  The Corporation may from time to time in its
discretion issue fractional shares of Series E Preferred Stock.

<PAGE>

III.  Ranking.

            The  Series E  Preferred  Stock  shall,  with  respect  to  dividend
distributions and distributions upon the liquidation, winding-up and dissolution
of the  Corporation,  rank (i)  senior to all  classes  of  Common  Stock of the
Corporation,  (ii)  senior to each  other  class of  capital  stock or series of
Preferred Stock the terms of which do not expressly provide that it ranks senior
to or on a parity with the Series E Preferred Stock as to dividend distributions
and  distributions  upon the  liquidation,  winding-up  and  dissolution  of the
Corporation (collectively referred to, together with all classes of Common Stock
of the Corporation, as the "Junior Securities");  (iii) on a parity with (A) any
class of Capital Stock or series of Preferred Stock the terms of which expressly
provide  that such  class or  series  will  rank on a parity  with the  Series E
Preferred  Stock  as  to  dividend  distributions  and  distributions  upon  the
liquidation,   winding-up  and  dissolution  of  the  Corporation  and  (B)  the
Corporation's  Series  A  Cumulative   Convertible  Preferred  Stock,  Series  C
Cumulative   Convertible  Preferred  Stock,  Series  D  Cumulative   Convertible
Preferred  Stock and  Series F  Preferred  Stock  (collectively  referred  to as
"Parity  Securities");  and (iv) junior to each class of Capital Stock or series
of  Preferred  Stock  issued by the  Corporation  the  terms of which  expressly
provide  that such class or series  will rank  senior to the Series E  Preferred
Stock  as  to  dividend   distributions  and  distributions   upon  liquidation,
winding-up  and  dissolution  of the  Corporation  (collectively  referred to as
"Senior  Securities").  The  Series E  Preferred  Stock  will be  subject to the
issuance  of  series  of  Junior   Securities,   Parity  Securities  and  Senior
Securities, provided that the Corporation may not authorize, create or issue, or
increase the  authorized  amount of, any new class of Senior  Securities (or any
class of any security  convertible into shares of any Senior  Security)  without
the  approval  of the  holders of at least a majority  of the shares of Series E
Preferred  Stock then  outstanding,  voting or  consenting,  as the case may be,
separately  as one class,  except  that,  without the approval of holders of the
Series E Preferred Stock, the Corporation may issue shares of Senior  Securities
(or any class of any security convertible into shares of any Senior Security) in
exchange for, or the proceeds of which are used to redeem or repurchase, (1) all
(but not less  than  all)  shares  of  Series E  Preferred  Stock  and  Series F
Preferred Stock then outstanding,  (2) any Senior Securities or (3) Indebtedness
of the Corporation.


IV.   Dividends.

            (A)  Holders  of  Series E  Preferred  Stock  shall be  entitled  to
receive,  when,  as and if  declared  by the  Board of  Directors,  out of funds
legally available therefor,  dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock at a rate
per  annum  equal to 14.5% of the  liquidation  preference  per  share,  payable
quarterly. All dividends will be cumulative,  whether or not earned or declared,
accruing on a daily basis,  whether or not there are  profits,  surplus or other
funds  legally  available  for the payment of such  dividends,  from the date of
issuance  of the  Series E  Preferred  Stock and will be  payable  quarterly  in
arrears on each  Dividend  Payment  Date,  commencing  on April 15, 1999. On and
before January 15, 2004, the  Corporation may pay dividends,  at its option,  in
cash or in additional fully paid and nonassessable  shares of Series E Preferred

<PAGE>

Stock having an  aggregate  liquidation  preference  equal to the amount of such
dividends rounded to the nearest $1.00.  After January 15, 2004,  dividends must
be paid in cash, unless the Corporation's debt securities  prohibit such payment
or there are no funds legally available therefor, in which case dividends may be
paid in  additional  fully paid and  nonassessable  shares of Series E Preferred
Stock having an  aggregate  liquidation  preference  equal to the amount to such
dividends  rounded to the nearest  $1.00.  If any dividend (or portion  thereof)
payable on any  Dividend  Payment  Date is not  declared or paid in full on such
Dividend Payment Date, the amount of accrued and unpaid dividends will accrue at
the dividend rate on the Series E Preferred Stock, compounding quarterly,  until
declared and paid in full.

            (B) No full dividends may be declared or paid or funds set apart for
the payment of dividends  on any Parity  Securities  for any period  unless full
cumulative dividends shall have been or contemporaneously  shall be declared and
paid in full on the Series E Preferred Stock. If full dividends are not so paid,
the Series E  Preferred  Stock shall  share  dividends  pro rata with the Parity
Securities.  No  dividends  may be paid or set apart for such  payment on Junior
Securities (except dividends on Junior Securities in additional shares of Junior
Securities)  and no Junior  Securities or Parity  Securities may be repurchased,
redeemed  or  otherwise  retired  nor may funds be set apart  for  payment  with
respect  thereto if full  cumulative  dividends  shall not have been paid on the
Series E Preferred Stock.

            (C) Each  dividend  paid on the Series E  Preferred  Stock  shall be
payable to Holders of record as their names shall  appear in the stock ledger of
the  Corporation  on the  Dividend  Record Date for such  dividend,  except that
dividends in arrears for any past Dividend Payment Date may be declared and paid
at any time without  reference to such regular  Dividend Payment Date to Holders
of record on a later dividend record date determined by the Board of Directors.

V.    Liquidation Preference.

            (A) Upon any voluntary or  involuntary  liquidation,  dissolution or
winding-up  of the  Corporation,  holders  of Series E  Preferred  Stock will be
entitled  to be  paid,  out  of the  assets  of the  Corporation  available  for
distribution,  $1,000  per share,  plus an amount in cash  equal to accrued  and
unpaid  dividends  thereon to the date  fixed for  liquidation,  dissolution  or
winding-up (including an amount equal to a prorated dividend for the period from
the last Dividend Payment Date to the date fixed for liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up),  before any distribution is made on any Junior Securities. If, upon
any  voluntary or  involuntary  liquidation,  dissolution  or  winding-up of the
Corporation,  the amounts  payable with respect to the Series E Preferred  Stock
and all other Parity  Securities are not paid in full, the holders of the Series

<PAGE>

E Preferred  Stock and the Parity  Securities  will share equally and ratably in
any  distribution  of  assets  of the  Corporation  in  proportion  to the  full
liquidation  preference  and  accrued  and  unpaid  dividends  to which  each is
entitled.  After payment of the full amount of the  liquidation  preferences and
accrued and unpaid dividends to which they are entitled, the holders of Series E
Preferred  Stock  will  not be  entitled  to any  further  participation  in any
distribution of assets of the Corporation.

            (B) For the  purposes  of this  Article  V only,  neither  the sale,
lease,  conveyance,  exchange or transfer (for cash, shares of stock, securities
or other consideration) of all or substantially all of the property or assets of
the Corporation nor the  consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into
one or more  corporations  shall be deemed to be a  liquidation,  dissolution or
winding-up of the Corporation.


VI.   Redemption.

            (A)  Mandatory  Redemption.  The Series E  Preferred  Stock shall be
subject to  mandatory  redemption  (subject to the legal  availability  of funds
therefor and any  contractual  or other  restrictions  with respect  thereto) in
whole on the Mandatory  Redemption Date at a Redemption Price,  payable in cash,
equal to the  liquidation  preference  thereof on the  Redemption  Date plus all
accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the Redemption Date.

            (B)  Optional  Redemption.  The  Series  E  Preferred  Stock  may be
redeemed at any time on or after April 15, 2004, at the Corporation's option, in
whole or in part,  at the  Redemption  Prices  (expressed as a percentage of the
liquidation  preference thereof on the Redemption Date) set forth below, plus an
amount  in cash  equal  to all  accrued  and  unpaid  dividends  thereon  to the
Redemption Date, if redeemed during the period beginning April 15 of each of the
years set forth below:


            YEAR                                       PERCENTAGE

            2004 ...............................110.000%
            2005 ...............................106.667%
            2006 ...............................103.333%
            2007 and thereafter....................  100.000%

            In addition,  at any time or from time to time, on or prior to April
15,  2002,  the  Corporation  may,  at its  option,  redeem  shares  of Series E
Preferred  Stock with the  proceeds  of one or more  sales of the  Corporation's
Capital  Stock at a  Redemption  Price,  payable  in cash,  equal to 110% of the
liquidation  preference  thereof on the Redemption  Date, plus an amount in cash
equal to all  accrued  and  unpaid  dividends  thereon to the  Redemption  Date,

<PAGE>

provided that as of the date of any such  redemption,  the cumulative  aggregate
liquidation  preference  of all  shares of  Series E  Preferred  Stock  redeemed
pursuant to this  provision on or prior to such date shall not exceed 35% of the
aggregate liquidation preference of shares of Series E Preferred Stock issued on
or prior to such date whether or not still outstanding on such date.

            No  optional  redemption  may be  authorized  or made  unless  prior
thereto full unpaid cumulative dividends shall have been paid or a sum set apart
for such payment on the Series E Preferred Stock.

            (C) Procedure for  Redemption.  (i) Not more than sixty (60) and not
less than thirty (30) days prior to the  Redemption  Date,  written  notice (the
"Redemption  Notice") shall be given by the  Corporation by first-class  mail to
each Holder at such Holder's  address as the same appears on the stock ledger of
the Corporation;  provided, however, that no failure to give such notice nor any
deficiency therein shall affect the validity of the procedure for the redemption
of any  shares  of Series E  Preferred  Stock to be  redeemed,  except as to the
Holders to whom the  Corporation  has failed to give such notice or except as to
the Holders whose notice was defective. The Redemption Notice shall state:

            (a)   the Redemption Price;

            (b)   the Redemption Date;

            (c) that the Holder is to surrender to the Corporation, at the place
      or  places  designated  in  such  Redemption   Notice,   its  certificates
      representing the shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be redeemed; and

            (d) the name of any  bank or trust  company  performing  the  duties
      referred to in Section VI(C)(iv) below.

            (ii) On or  before  the  Redemption  Date,  each  Holder of Series E
Preferred  Stock to be redeemed shall  surrender the certificate or certificates
representing such shares of Series E Preferred Stock to the Corporation,  in the
manner  and  at  the  place  designated  in the  Redemption  Notice,  and on the
Redemption  Date the full  Redemption  Price for such shares shall be payable in
cash to the Holder whose name appears in the stock ledger of the  Corporation as
the  owner  thereof,  and each  surrendered  certificate  shall be  returned  to
authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock of the Corporation.

            (iii) Unless the Corporation  defaults in the payment in full of the
applicable  Redemption  Price,  dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock called
for redemption  shall cease to accrue on the Redemption Date, and the Holders of

<PAGE>

such shares shall cease to have any further  rights with respect  thereto on the
Redemption Date, other than the right to receive the Redemption Price.

            (iv) If a  Redemption  Notice  shall  have been duly given or if the
Corporation shall have given to the bank or trust company  hereinafter  referred
to irrevocable  authorization  promptly to give such notice, and if on or before
the Redemption  Date specified  therein the funds  necessary for such redemption
shall have been irrevocably and  indefeasibly  deposited by the Corporation with
such bank or trust  company in trust for the pro rata  benefit of the Holders of
the Series E Preferred Stock called for redemption,  then,  notwithstanding that
any  certificate  for  shares  so  called  for  redemption  shall  not have been
surrendered  for  cancellation,  from and  after the time of such  deposit,  all
shares so called, or to be so called pursuant to such irrevocable authorization,
for redemption  shall be deemed no longer to be outstanding  and all rights with
respect to such shares shall forthwith  cease and terminate,  excepting only the
right of the Holders  thereof to receive from such bank or trust  company at any
time after the time of such deposit the funds so  deposited,  without  interest.
Any interest accrued on such funds shall be paid to the Corporation from time to
time. Any funds so set aside or deposited,  as the case may be, and unclaimed at
the end of three years from such Redemption Date shall, to the extent  permitted
by law, be  released or repaid to the  Corporation,  after which  repayment  the
Holders of the shares to be  redeemed  shall  look only to the  Corporation  for
payment thereof.

            (v) In the event of partial redemptions of Series E Preferred Stock,
the shares to be redeemed will be  determined  pro rata or by lot, as determined
by the  Corporation,  except that the Corporation may redeem such shares held by
any holder of fewer than 100 shares without  regard to such pro rata  redemption
requirement.  If any Series E Preferred  Stock is to be  redeemed  in part,  the
Redemption  Notice that relates to such Series E Preferred Stock shall state the
portion of the  liquidation  preference  to be redeemed.  New shares of Series E
Preferred  Stock  having  an  aggregate  liquidation  preference  equal  to  the
unredeemed  portion  shall be  issued  in the name of the  Holder  thereof  upon
cancellation of the original Series E Preferred Stock.

            (vi)  Notwithstanding  anything herein to the contrary, a Redemption
Notice will be revocable if (i) it states that it is revocable and provides that
a notice  of  revocation  may be given  not less  than  five  days  prior to the
Redemption  Date by the  Corporation in accordance  with Article XVII hereof and
(ii) the Board of Directors determines that the availability of funds to pay the
Redemption  Price is subject to the closing of a financing and, at the time such
Redemption Notice is given, such closing is subject to uncertainty.

VII.  Voting Rights.

            (A) The  Holders of Series E  Preferred  Stock  shall have no voting
rights except as set forth below and as otherwise provided by law.

<PAGE>

            (B)(i) If and whenever (1) dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock
are in arrears and remain unpaid with respect to four quarterly periods (whether
or not  consecutive),  (2) the  Corporation  fails to discharge  any  redemption
obligation  with  respect  to the  Series E  Preferred  Stock,  (3) a breach  or
violation  by the  Corporation  of the  provisions  of Article X occurs,  or the
Corporation  fails to exchange  Exchange  Debentures  for the Series E Preferred
Stock tendered for exchange on the exchange date, whether or not the Corporation
satisfies the conditions to permit such exchange,  (4) the Corporation  fails to
make a Change of Control Offer or cash payment with respect  thereto if required
by the  provisions of Article VIII or (5) a breach or violation of any provision
of Article IX or  Article  XI occurs  and is not  remedied  within 30 days after
notice thereof to the  Corporation by Holders of 25% or more of the  liquidation
preference  of the Series E Preferred  Stock then  outstanding  (each such event
referred to as a "Voting Rights Triggering Event"), then the number of directors
then  constituting the Board of Directors of the Corporation  shall be increased
by one director and the Holders of a majority of the then outstanding  shares of
Series E Preferred Stock,  voting as a single class,  shall be entitled to elect
one additional director at any annual meeting of shareholders or special meeting
held in place  thereof,  or at a  special  meeting  of the  Holders  of Series E
Preferred Stock called as hereinafter provided.

            (ii) Whenever a Voting Rights  Triggering Event shall have occurred,
voting  rights of the  Holders  of  Series E  Preferred  Stock may be  exercised
initially either at a special meeting of the Holders of Series E Preferred Stock
called as hereinafter  provided,  or at any annual meeting of shareholders  held
for the  purpose of  electing  directors,  and  thereafter  at each such  annual
meeting or by the written  consent of the  Holders of Series E Preferred  Stock,
voting as a single class,  pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law. The
term of office of any such  elected  director  shall  expire at the next  annual
meeting of shareholders held for the purpose of electing directors, subject to a
new election of a director by the Holders of Series E Preferred Stock, voting as
a single class,  at each successive  annual meeting,  but such voting rights and
the term of office of any such elected director shall expire at such time as (A)
all dividends  accrued on Series E Preferred  Stock shall have been paid in full
and (B)  each  failure,  breach  or  default  referred  to in  paragraph  VII(B)
(i)(A)(2), (3), (4) and (5) above is remedied.

            (iii) At any time after a Voting Rights  Triggering Event shall have
occurred and such voting rights shall not already have been initially exercised,
a proper  officer of the  Corporation  may, and upon the written  request of any
Holder of Series E Preferred Stock  (addressed to the Secretary at the principal
office of the  Corporation)  shall,  call a special  meeting  of the  Holders of
Series E Preferred  Stock for the  election of a director to be elected by them,
voting as a single  class,  as herein  provided,  such call to be made by notice
similar to that provided in the Bylaws for a special meeting of the shareholders
or as required by law.

<PAGE>

            (iv) Such  meeting  shall be held at the earliest  practicable  date
upon the notice  required for annual  meetings of  shareholders at the place for
holding annual  meetings of  shareholders  of the  Corporation or, if none, at a
place designated by the Secretary of the Corporation.  If such meeting shall not
be called  by a proper  officer  of the  Corporation  within  30 days  after the
personal  service of such written request upon the Secretary of the Corporation,
or within 30 days after mailing the same within the United States, by registered
mail,  addressed to the Secretary of the  Corporation  at its  principal  office
(such  mailing to be  evidenced  by the  registry  receipt  issued by the postal
authorities),  then the  holders  of  record  of 10% of the  shares  of Series E
Preferred Stock then outstanding,  may designate in writing a Holder of Series E
Preferred Stock to call such meeting at the expense of the Corporation, and such
meeting may be called by such person so designated  upon the notice required for
annual  meetings  of  shareholders  and  shall be held at the  same  place as is
elsewhere  provided in this  paragraph  VII(B)(iv)  or at such other place as is
selected by such person so  designated.  Any Holder of Series E Preferred  Stock
that would be  entitled  to vote at any such  meeting  shall have  access to the
stock  books  of the  Corporation  for the  purpose  of  causing  a  meeting  of
shareholders  to be  called  pursuant  to  the  provisions  of  this  paragraph.
Notwithstanding  the  provisions  of this  paragraph,  however,  no such special
meeting shall be called during a period within 90 days immediately preceding the
date fixed for the next annual meeting of shareholders.

            (v) At any meeting  held for the purpose of  electing  directors  at
which the Holders of Series E Preferred Stock,  voting as a single class,  shall
have the right to elect a director as provided herein, the presence in person or
by proxy of the Holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of Series E
Preferred  Stock shall be required and be  sufficient  to constitute a quorum of
such class for the election of a director by such class.  At any such meeting or
adjournment  thereof,  (x) the  absence  of a quorum of the  Holders of Series E
Preferred  Stock  shall not prevent the  election  of  directors  other than the
director to be elected by such Holders and the absence of a quorum or quorums of
the holders of Capital Stock  entitled to elect such other  directors  shall not
prevent  the  election  of a director  to be elected by the  Holders of Series E
Preferred Stock, voting as a single class, and (y) in the absence of a quorum of
the  holders  of any  class  of  stock  entitled  to vote  for the  election  of
directors, a majority of the holders present in person or by proxy of such class
shall have the power to adjourn the meeting for the election of directors  which
the  holders of such class are  entitled  to elect,  from time to time,  without
notice (except as required by law) other than announcement at the meeting, until
a quorum shall be present.

            (vi) The term of office of the  director  elected by the  Holders of
Series E Preferred Stock,  pursuant to paragraph VII(B)(i) in office at any time
when the aforesaid voting rights are vested in the Holders of Series E Preferred
Stock,  shall terminate upon the election of his/her successor by the Holders of
the Series E Preferred Stock at any meeting of  shareholders  for the purpose of
electing  directors.  Upon any  termination  of the  aforesaid  voting rights in

<PAGE>

accordance with paragraph VII(B)(ii), the term of office of the director elected
pursuant to paragraph  VII(B)(i)  then in office shall  thereupon  terminate and
upon  such  termination  the  number  of  directors  constituting  the  Board of
Directors  shall,  without further action,  be reduced by one, subject always to
the increase of the number of directors pursuant to paragraph  VII(B)(i) in case
of the  future  right of the  Holders  of  Series E  Preferred  Stock to elect a
director as provided herein.

            (vii) If the director elected pursuant to paragraph VII(B)(ii) shall
cease to serve as director  before  his/her  term shall  expire,  the Holders of
Series E  Preferred  Stock  then  outstanding,  voting as a single  class,  at a
special meeting called as provided  above,  may elect a successor to hold office
for the unexpired terms of the director whose place shall be vacant.


VIII. Change of Control.

            Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Corporation shall be
required (subject to any contractual and other restrictions with respect thereto
and the legal  availability of funds therefor) to make an Offer to Purchase (the
"Change  of  Control  Offer")  to each  Holder  of Series E  Preferred  Stock to
repurchase all or any part, at the Holder's  option,  of such Holder's  Series E
Preferred  Stock  at a cash  purchase  price  equal  to 101% of the  liquidation
preference  thereof,  plus an amount in cash  equal to all  accrued  and  unpaid
dividends  (including  an amount in cash  equal to a prorated  dividend  for the
period  from the  immediately  preceding  Dividend  Payment  Date to the date of
purchase) (the "Change of Control Payment"). The Change of Control Offer must be
made within 30 days following the conclusion of all change of control offers for
the Corporation's debt securities, must remain open for at least 30 and not more
than 60 days and must  comply  with the  requirements  of Rule  14e-1  under the
Exchange Act and any other  securities  laws and  regulations  thereunder to the
extent such laws and regulations are applicable.  Prior to commencing any Change
of Control Offer,  the Corporation  shall first consummate any change of control
offer to  purchase  required to be made to any holder of its  Indebtedness.  The
Corporation  shall make the Change of Control Offer within 30 days following the
consummation  of any  mandatory  offers  to  purchase  and  any  other  required
repayments of the Corporation's Indebtedness resulting from a change of control.

IX.   Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets.

            The Corporation  shall not consolidate  with, merge with or into, or
sell, convey,  transfer,  lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all
of its property and assets (as an entirety or  substantially  an entirety in one
transaction  or a series of related  transactions)  to, any Person or permit any

<PAGE>

Person to merge with or into the Corporation  unless:  (i) the Corporation shall
be the continuing  Person, or the Person (if other than the Corporation)  formed
by such  consolidation  or into which the Corporation is merged or that acquired
or leased such  property and assets of the  Corporation  shall be a  corporation
organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America or
any  jurisdiction  thereof and the Series E Preferred  Stock shall be  converted
into or exchanged for and shall become shares of such successor company,  having
in respect of such successor company or resulting company substantially the same
powers, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights
and the  qualifications,  limitations or restrictions  thereon that the Series E
Preferred  Stock had  immediately  prior to such  transaction  in respect of the
Corporation;  (ii) immediately  after giving effect to such transaction on a pro
forma  basis,  (A) the  Corporation  or any Person  becoming  the  successor  or
resulting company, as the case may be, shall have a Consolidated Net Worth equal
to or greater than the  Consolidated  Net Worth of the  Corporation  immediately
prior to such  transaction  or (B) the  Corporation  or any Person  becoming the
successor or resulting  company,  as the case may be, shall have a  Consolidated
Leverage  Ratio no more than the  greater  of (I) 6:1 and (II) the  Consolidated
Leverage  Ratio  of the  Corporation  immediately  prior  to  such  transaction;
provided that this clause (ii) shall not apply to a consolidation or merger with
or into a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary with a positive net worth; provided
that,  in connection  with any such merger or  consolidation,  no  consideration
(other than  Capital  Stock  (other than  Disqualified  Stock) in the  surviving
Person or the Corporation) shall be issued or distributed to the stockholders of
the  Corporation;  and (iii) the  Corporation  delivers to the Transfer Agent an
Officers'  Certificate  (attaching  the arithmetic  computations  to demonstrate
compliance  with clause (ii)) and Opinion of Counsel,  in each case stating that
such consolidation, merger or transfer complies with this provision and that all
conditions  precedent provided for herein relating to such transaction have been
complied with; provided,  however,  that clause (ii) above does not apply if, in
the good faith determination of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, whose
determination shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution, the principal purpose of
such  transaction is to change the state of incorporation of the Corporation and
any such  transaction  shall not have as one of its  purposes the evasion of the
foregoing limitations.

X.    Exchange.

            (A)  The  Corporation  may,  at the  sole  option  of the  Board  of
Directors (subject to the legal  availability of funds therefor),  exchange all,
but not  less  than  all,  of the  shares  of  Series  E  Preferred  Stock  then
outstanding,  including any shares of Series E Preferred Stock issued as payment
for  dividends,  for a new  series  of  senior  subordinated  debentures  of the
Corporation  (the "Exchange  Debentures")  to be issued pursuant to an indenture
(the  "Indenture")  qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended,
substantially  in the form  attached as an exhibit to the Purchase  Agreement (a
copy of which  shall be  provided  to any  Holder  upon  written  request to the
Secretary  of the  Corporation),  at any time  following  the date on which such

<PAGE>

exchange is  permitted  by the terms of the  then-existing  Indebtedness  of the
Corporation and subject to the conditions contained in paragraph X(B) below. The
Exchange  Debentures will be issued in registered form, without coupons, be duly
executed,  authenticated  as of the date on which the exchange is effective  and
dated the date of  exchange.  In the event of an  exchange,  Holders of Series E
Preferred  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  on the  date of  exchange  Exchange
Debentures  having an aggregate  principal  amount equal to (i) the total of the
liquidation preference for each share of Series E Preferred exchanged, plus (ii)
an amount  equal to all  accrued  but  unpaid  dividends  payable  on such share
(including  a prorated  dividend for the period from the  immediately  preceding
Dividend Payment Date to the date of exchange). In the event such exchange would
result in the  issuance of Exchange  Debentures  in a principal  amount which is
less than $1,000 or which is not an integral  multiple of $1,000 (such principal
amount less than $1,000 or the difference  between such principal amount and the
highest integral of $1,000 which is less than such principal amount, as the case
may be, is hereinafter  referred to as the "Fractional  Principal Amount"),  the
Corporation may,  subject to any restrictions in the terms of the  then-existing
Indebtedness of the  Corporation,  at the option of the Board of Directors,  pay
cash to each  Holder  of  Series E  Preferred  in lieu of  Fractional  Principal
Amounts of Exchange Debentures  otherwise issuable upon exchange of the Series E
Preferred Stock. The Person entitled to receive the Exchange Debentures issuable
upon exchange shall be treated for all purposes as the registered holder of such
Exchange  Debentures as of the date of exchange.  The  Corporation  will mail to
each Holder of Series E  Preferred  Stock  written  notice of its  intention  to
exchange no less than 20 nor more than 60 days prior to the date of exchange.

            (B) As a condition of the right of the Corporation to issue Exchange
Debentures  in exchange  for the Series E Preferred  Stock under  paragraph  (A)
above,  on the date of  exchange,  (A) there  shall be legally  available  funds
sufficient  therefor;  (B) a  registration  statement  relating to the  Exchange
Debentures shall have been declared  effective under the Securities Act prior to
such exchange and shall continue to be effective on the date of exchange, or the
Corporation  shall  have  obtained  a written  opinion  of its  outside  counsel
reasonably  acceptable  to  Holders  of a  majority  of the  shares  of Series E
Preferred  Stock that an exemption  from the  registration  requirements  of the
Securities  Act is  available  for such  exchange  and that upon receipt of such
Exchange  Debentures  pursuant to such an exchange made in accordance  with such
exemption,  each holder of an Exchange Debenture that is not an Affiliate of the
Corporation  will not be subject to any  restrictions  imposed by the Securities
Act upon the resale of such  Exchange  Debenture,  and such  exemption is relied
upon by the  Corporation  for such  exchange,  (C) the Indenture and the trustee
thereunder  shall have been qualified  under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended;  (D)  immediately  after giving effect to such exchange,  no default or
event  of  default  would  exist  under  any  of  the   Corporation's   existing
Indebtedness;  and (E) the Corporation shall have delivered to the Trustee under
the  Indenture  a  written  opinion  of  counsel,  dated  the date of  exchange,
regarding the  satisfaction  of the conditions set forth in clauses (A), (B) and
(C).

<PAGE>

XI.   Covenants.

      (A)   Limitation on Indebtedness

            (a) The  Corporation  shall  not,  and  will not  permit  any of its
Restricted  Subsidiaries  to, Incur any  Indebtedness  (other than  Indebtedness
existing  on  the  Closing  Date);  provided  that  the  Corporation  may  Incur
Indebtedness if, after giving effect to the Incurrence of such  Indebtedness and
the receipt and application of the proceeds therefrom, the Consolidated Leverage
Ratio would be greater than zero and less than 6:1.

            Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the  Corporation and any Restricted
Subsidiary  (except as specified below) may Incur each and all of the following:
(i) Indebtedness outstanding at any time in an aggregate principal amount not to
exceed $400 million;  (ii)  Indebtedness in existence on the Closing Date; (iii)
Indebtedness of the Corporation to a Restricted Subsidiary and Indebtedness of a
Restricted  Subsidiary  to the  Corporation  or another  Restricted  Subsidiary;
provided that such Indebtedness is made pursuant to an intercompany note and any
event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted
Subsidiary or any subsequent  transfer of such  Indebtedness  (other than to the
Corporation or another Restricted  Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to
constitute  an  Incurrence  of such  Indebtedness  not  permitted by this clause
(iii);  (iv)  Indebtedness  issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which
are used to  refinance  or refund,  then  outstanding  Indebtedness  (other than
Indebtedness  Incurred under clause (i),  (iii),  (v) or (ix) of this paragraph)
and any refinancings thereof in an amount not to exceed the amount so refinanced
or refunded (plus premiums, accrued interest, fees and expenses);  provided that
such  new  Indebtedness,  determined  as of the date of  Incurrence  of such new
Indebtedness,  does not mature or have a mandatory redemption or repurchase date
prior to the Stated  Maturity of the  Indebtedness to be refinanced or refunded,
and the Average Life of such new Indebtedness is at least equal to the remaining
Average Life of the Indebtedness to be refinanced or refunded;  (v) Indebtedness
(A) in respect of performance,  surety,  appeal bonds and completion  guarantees
provided in the ordinary course of business;  (B) under Currency  Agreements and
Interest Rate Agreements;  provided that such agreements (a) are designed solely
to protect the Corporation or its Restricted  Subsidiaries  against fluctuations
in foreign currency exchange rates or interest rates and (b) do not increase the
Indebtedness  of the  obligor  outstanding  at any time  (except  to the  extent
Incurred under another clause hereof) other than as a result of  fluctuations in
foreign  currency  exchange  rates  or  interest  rates  or by  reason  of fees,
indemnities and compensation payable thereunder; and (C) arising from agreements
providing  for   indemnification,   adjustment  of  purchase  price  or  similar
obligations,   or  from  Guarantees  or  letters  of  credit,  surety  bonds  or
performance  bonds  securing any  obligations  of the  Corporation or any of its

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Restricted  Subsidiaries  pursuant to such agreements,  in each case Incurred in
connection with the disposition of any business, assets or Restricted Subsidiary
(other than Guarantees of Indebtedness  Incurred by any Person  acquiring all or
any portion of such business, assets or Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of
financing  such  acquisition),  in a  principal  amount  not to exceed the gross
proceeds  actually  received by the Corporation or any Restricted  Subsidiary in
connection with such disposition;  (vi) Indebtedness of the Corporation,  to the
extent the net  proceeds  thereof are promptly (A) used to purchase the Series E
Preferred Stock and/or Series F Preferred Stock tendered in an Offer to Purchase
made as a result of a Change in Control or (B)  deposited  to defease the Senior
Discount  Notes or used to redeem all the Series E  Preferred  Stock or Series F
Preferred Stock; (vii) Indebtedness  Incurred to finance the cost (including the
cost  of   design,   development,   acquisition,   construction,   installation,
improvement,  transportation or integration) to acquire equipment,  inventory or
network assets (including  acquisitions by way of acquisitions of real property,
leasehold improvements, Capitalized Leases and acquisitions of the Capital Stock
of a Person  that  becomes a  Restricted  Subsidiary  to the  extent of the fair
market value of the  equipment,  inventory or network assets so acquired) by the
Corporation  or  a  Restricted   Subsidiary  after  the  Closing  Date;   (viii)
Indebtedness of the Corporation not to exceed, at any one time outstanding,  two
times the sum of (A) the Net Cash  Proceeds  received by the  Corporation  on or
after the Closing Date from the  issuance  and sale of its Capital  Stock (other
than  Disqualified  Stock)  to  a  Person  that  is  not  a  Subsidiary  of  the
Corporation, to the extent such Net Cash Proceeds have not been used pursuant to
clause (iii)(B)(2) of the first paragraph or clause (ii) of the second paragraph
of Section XI(B) or clause (v) of the definition of "Permitted  Investments"  to
make a  Restricted  Payment  and (B) 80% of the fair  market  value of  property
(other than cash and cash  equivalents)  received by the  Corporation  after the
Closing Date from the sale of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified  Stock)
to a Person that is not a Subsidiary of the Corporation, to the extent such sale
of  Capital  Stock has not been used  pursuant  to  clause  (iii) of the  second
paragraph of Section  XI(B) to make a  Restricted  Payment;  provided  that such
Indebtedness  does not  mature  prior to the  Mandatory  Redemption  Date;  (ix)
Indebtedness  Incurred by the Corporation or any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries
constituting  reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit in the
ordinary course of business, including, without limitation, letters of credit in
respect of workers' compensation claims or self insurance, or other Indebtedness
with respect to reimbursement type obligations  regarding workers'  compensation
claims;  provided,  however,  that upon the drawing of such letters of credit or
the Incurrence of such  Indebtedness,  such obligations are reimbursed within 30
days following such drawing or Incurrence;  (x) Indebtedness of Persons that are
acquired by the Corporation or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or merged into
a Restricted  Subsidiary in  accordance  with the terms of this  Certificate  of
Designations;  provided that such  Indebtedness is not incurred in contemplation
of such acquisition or merger;  and provided further that after giving effect to
such  acquisition or merger,  either (x) the  Corporation  would be permitted to
incur at least $1.00 of  additional  Indebtedness  pursuant to the  Consolidated
Leverage  Ratio test set forth in the first sentence of this covenant or (y) the
Consolidated  Leverage  Ratio is lower (if greater than zero) or higher (if less
than  zero)  than  immediately  prior  to  such   acquisition;   (xi)  Strategic
Subordinated Indebtedness; and (xii) Indebtedness under the Lucent Facility.

<PAGE>

            (b)  Notwithstanding  any other provision of this Section XI(A), the
maximum amount of Indebtedness  that the Corporation or a Restricted  Subsidiary
may Incur  pursuant to this  Section  XI(A) shall not be deemed to be  exceeded,
with  respect  to any  outstanding  Indebtedness  due  solely  to the  result of
fluctuations  in the exchange  rates of  currencies.  Accretion on an instrument
issued  at a  discount  will  not be  deemed  to  constitute  an  Incurrence  of
Indebtedness.

            (c)  For  purposes  of   determining   any   particular   amount  of
Indebtedness  pursuant to this Section XI(A),  Guarantees,  Liens or obligations
with respect to letters of credit supporting  Indebtedness otherwise included in
the   determination   of  such  particular   amount  shall  not  be  treated  as
Indebtedness. For purposes of determining compliance with this Section XI(A), in
the event that an item of  Indebtedness  meets the  criteria of more than one of
the types of Indebtedness  described in the above clauses,  the Corporation,  in
its sole  discretion,  shall  classify  such  item of  Indebtedness  and only be
required  to include  the amount  and type of such  Indebtedness  in one of such
clauses.

      (B)   Limitation on Restricted Payments

          The  Corporation  shall  not,  and shall  not  permit  any  Restricted
Subsidiary to,  directly or indirectly,  (i) declare or pay any dividend or make
any  distribution  on or with respect to its Junior  Securities  (other than (x)
dividends or  distributions  payable  solely in shares of its Junior  Securities
(other  than  Disqualified  Stock) or in options,  warrants  or other  rights to
acquire  shares  of  such  Junior  Securities  and  (y) pro  rata  dividends  or
distributions  on  Common  Stock of  Restricted  Subsidiaries  held by  minority
stockholders)  held  by  Persons  other  than  the  Corporation  or  any  of its
Restricted Subsidiaries,  (ii) purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for
value any shares of Junior  Securities of (A) the Corporation or an Unrestricted
Subsidiary  (including options,  warrants or other rights to acquire such shares
of Junior  Securities)  held by any Person or (B) a Restricted  Subsidiary other
than a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary (including options,  warrants or other
rights to acquire such shares of Junior Securities) held by any Affiliate of the
Corporation (other than a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary), or (iii) make any
Investment,  other than a Permitted Investment,  in any Person (such payments or
any  other   actions   described  in  clauses  (i)  through  (iii)  above  being
collectively  "Restricted Payments") if, at the time of, and after giving effect
to, the proposed  Restricted  Payment:  (A) the  Corporation  could not Incur at
least $1.00 of  Indebtedness  under the first paragraph of Section XI(A), or (B)
the aggregate  amount of all Restricted  Payments (the amount,  if other than in
cash,  to  be  determined  in  good  faith  by  the  Board  of  Directors  whose

<PAGE>

determination  shall be  conclusive  and evidenced by a Board  Resolution)  made
after the Closing Date shall exceed the sum of (1) 50% of the  aggregate  amount
of the Adjusted  Consolidated  Net Income (or, if the Adjusted  Consolidated Net
Income  is a  loss,  minus  100% of the  amount  of such  loss)  (determined  by
excluding  income  resulting  from  transfers of assets by the  Corporation or a
Restricted  Subsidiary to an  Unrestricted  Subsidiary)  accrued on a cumulative
basis during the period (taken as one accounting  period) beginning on the first
day of the fiscal quarter  immediately  following the Closing Date and ending on
the last day of the last fiscal quarter preceding the Transaction Date for which
reports have been provided to the Transfer  Agent plus (2) 100% of the aggregate
Net Cash Proceeds and the actual market value of marketable  securities  (on the
date the calculation  hereunder is made) received by the  Corporation  after the
Closing  Date  from the  issuance  and sale  permitted  by this  Certificate  of
Designations  of its Capital Stock (other than  Disqualified  Stock) to a Person
who is not a  Subsidiary  of the  Corporation,  including  an  issuance  or sale
permitted by this Certificate of Designations of Indebtedness of the Corporation
for cash subsequent to the Closing Date upon the conversion of such Indebtedness
into Capital Stock (other than Disqualified  Stock) of the Corporation,  or from
the  issuance  to a Person who is not a  Subsidiary  of the  Corporation  of any
options,  warrants or other rights to acquire  Capital Stock of the  Corporation
(in each case,  exclusive of any Disqualified Stock or any options,  warrants or
other rights that are redeemable at the option of the holder, or are required to
be redeemed,  prior to the Mandatory Redemption Date), and the Net Cash Proceeds
from any capital  contributions  to the Corporation  after the Closing Date from
Persons other than Subsidiaries of the Corporation,  in each case excluding such
Net Cash  Proceeds to the extent used to Incur  Indebtedness  pursuant to clause
(viii) of the second  paragraph of Section XI(A) and excluding Net Cash Proceeds
from the  issuance  of  Capital  Stock to the  extent  used to make a  Permitted
Investment in accordance  with clause (v) of such defined term, plus (3) amounts
received  from  Investments  (other than  Permitted  Investments)  in any Person
resulting from payments of interest on  Indebtedness,  dividends,  repayments of
loans or advances, or other transfers of assets, in each case to the Corporation
or any Restricted  Subsidiary or from the Net Cash Proceeds from the sale of any
such  Investment  (except,  in each  case,  to the  extent  any such  payment or
proceeds are included in the calculation of Adjusted  Consolidated  Net Income),
or from redesignations of Unrestricted  Subsidiaries as Restricted  Subsidiaries
(valued in each case as provided in the  definition  of  "Investments"),  not to
exceed,  in  each  case,  the  amount  of  Investments  previously  made  by the
Corporation  or  any  Restricted  Subsidiary  in  such  Person  or  Unrestricted
Subsidiary or (C) dividends on Series E Preferred Stock shall not have been paid
in full as provided in this Certificate of Designations.

            The foregoing  provision shall not be violated by reason of: (i) the
payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof if,
at said date of  declaration,  such  payment  would  comply  with the  foregoing
paragraph;  (ii) the  redemption,  repurchase  or other  acquisition  of  Junior
Securities of the Corporation  including premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid
dividends,  with the proceeds of, or in exchange for, Junior  Securities  (other
than Disqualified Stock) of the Corporation; (iii) payments or distributions, to

<PAGE>

dissenting stockholders pursuant to applicable law, pursuant to or in connection
with a  consolidation,  merger or transfer of assets that  complies with Article
IX; (iv) the  declaration  or payment of  dividends  on the Common  Stock of the
Corporation following a Public Equity Offering of such Common Stock, of up to 6%
per annum of the Net Cash Proceeds  received by the  Corporation  in such Public
Equity  Offering;  (v)  the  repurchase,  retirement  or  other  acquisition  or
retirement for value of any shares of Junior  Securities of the Corporation that
are not registered  under the Exchange Act and are held by any current or former
employee,  director or consultant (or their estates or the beneficiaries of such
estates) of the Corporation or any Subsidiary, not to exceed (A) in any calendar
year $2.0  million or (B) $5.0 million in the  aggregate;  (vi)  repurchases  of
Junior Securities deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options if such Capital
Stock  represents  a  portion  of the  exercise  price  of such  options;  (vii)
repurchases  of fractional  shares of Junior  Securities in connection  with the
exercise of Warrants in accordance with the Warrant  Agreement or other warrants
to purchase the Corporation's Common Stock; and (viii) other Restricted Payments
in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2.0 million.

            Each  Restricted   Payment  permitted   pursuant  to  the  preceding
paragraph (other than the Restricted Payment referred to in clauses (ii) or (vi)
thereof,  an  exchange  of  Junior  Securities  for  Junior  Securities  and  an
Investment  referred to in clause (iv) thereof) shall be included in calculating
whether the conditions of clause (iii)(B) of the first paragraph of this Section
XI(B) have been met with respect to any subsequent  Restricted Payments.  In the
event the proceeds of an issuance of Capital Stock of the  Corporation  are used
for the redemption,  repurchase or other acquisition of Parity Securities,  then
the Net Cash Proceeds of such issuance  shall be included in clause  (iii)(B) of
the first  paragraph of this Section  XI(B) only to the extent such proceeds are
not used for such redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of securities.

            Any  Restricted  Payments made other than in cash shall be valued at
fair market value. The amount of any Investment  "outstanding" at any time shall
be deemed to be equal to the amount of such  Investment  on the date made,  less
the return of capital to the  Corporation and its Restricted  Subsidiaries  with
respect to such Investment by distribution,  sale or otherwise (up to the amount
of such Investment on the date made).

      (C)   Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting 
            Restricted Subsidiaries

            The  Corporation  shall not,  and shall not  permit  any  Restricted
Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become  effective
any  consensual  encumbrance  or  restriction  of any kind on the ability of any
Restricted  Subsidiary  to (i) pay  dividends  or make any  other  distributions
permitted by applicable law on any Capital Stock of such  Restricted  Subsidiary
owned  by the  Corporation  or any  other  Restricted  Subsidiary,  (ii) pay any
Indebtedness owed to the Corporation or any other Restricted  Subsidiary,  (iii)

<PAGE>

make loans or advances to the Corporation or any other Restricted  Subsidiary or
(iv)  transfer  any of its  property or assets to the  Corporation  or any other
Restricted Subsidiary.

            The  foregoing  provisions  shall not restrict any  encumbrances  or
restrictions:  (i) existing on the Closing Date, in the Newcourt  Facility,  the
Lucent  Facility,  this  Certificate of Designations or any other  agreements in
effect on the  Closing  Date,  and any  extensions,  refinancings,  renewals  or
replacements of such agreements; provided that the encumbrances and restrictions
in any such  extensions,  refinancings,  renewals  or  replacements  are no less
favorable in any  material  respect to the Holders  than those  encumbrances  or
restrictions  that are then in effect and that are being  extended,  refinanced,
renewed or replaced;  (ii) existing under or by reason of applicable  law, rule,
regulation or order;  (iii)  existing with respect to any Person or the property
or  assets  of  such  Person  acquired  by the  Corporation  or  any  Restricted
Subsidiary,  existing  at the  time of such  acquisition  and  not  incurred  in
contemplation  thereof, which encumbrances or restrictions are not applicable to
any Person or the property or assets of any Person other than such Person or the
property or assets of such Person so  acquired;  (iv) in the case of clause (iv)
of the first  paragraph of this Section XI(C),  (A) that restrict in a customary
manner the subletting, assignment or transfer of any property or asset that is a
lease,  license,  conveyance  or  contract  or similar  property  or asset,  (B)
existing by virtue of any  transfer of,  agreement to transfer,  option or right
with  respect to, or Lien on, any property or assets of the  Corporation  or any
Restricted   Subsidiary  not  otherwise   prohibited  by  this   Certificate  of
Designations,  (C) arising or agreed to in the ordinary course of business,  not
relating to any Indebtedness, and that do not, individually or in the aggregate,
detract  from  the  value  of  property  or  assets  of the  Corporation  or any
Restricted  Subsidiary  in  any  manner  material  to  the  Corporation  or  any
Restricted Subsidiary or (D) purchase money obligations for property acquired in
the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of the nature discussed
in clause  (iv)  above on the  property  so  acquired;  (v) with  respect to the
Corporation or a Restricted Subsidiary and imposed pursuant to an agreement that
has been entered  into for the sale of assets,  including,  without  limitation,
customary  restrictions  on the disposition of all or  substantially  all of the
Capital Stock of, or property and assets of, such  Restricted  Subsidiary or the
Corporation;  (vi) contained in the terms of any  Indebtedness  or any agreement
pursuant  to which  such  Indebtedness  was  issued  (in each  case  other  than
Indebtedness  incurred  under the Newcourt  Facility) if (A) the  encumbrance or
restriction  applies  only in the event of a payment  default or a default  with
respect to a financial covenant contained in such Indebtedness or agreement, (B)
the  encumbrance or restriction is not materially  more  disadvantageous  to the
Holders  of the  Series  E  Preferred  Stock  than is  customary  in  comparable
financings (as determined by the Corporation) and (C) the Corporation determines
that  any  such  encumbrance  or  restriction  will not  materially  affect  the
Corporation's  ability to make dividend and mandatory redemption payments on the
Series E Preferred  Stock;  (vii)  restrictions on cash or other deposits or net
worth imposed by customers under  contracts  entered into in the ordinary course
of business;  (viii) customary  provisions in joint venture agreements and other
similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business; and (ix) any

<PAGE>

encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in clauses  (i)-(iv) of the
first  paragraph  of this  covenant  imposed by any  amendments,  modifications,
renewals,  restatements,  increases,  supplements,  refundings,  replacements or
refinancings  of the contracts  referred to in clauses (i) through (viii) above;
provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases,
supplements,  refundings,  replacements or  refinancings  are, in the good faith
judgment of the Corporation,  not materially more disadvantageous to the Holders
than those contained in the restriction  prior to such amendment,  modification,
restatement,   renewal,   increase,   supplement,   refunding,   replacement  or
refinancing.   Nothing  contained  in  this  Section  XI(C)  shall  prevent  the
Corporation  or any Restricted  Subsidiary  from  restricting  the sale or other
disposition  of property or assets of the  Corporation  or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries  that  secure  Indebtedness  of  the  Corporation  or  any  of  its
Restricted Subsidiaries.

      (D)   Limitation on the Issuance and Sale of Capital Stock of 
            Restricted Subsidiaries

            The Corporation  shall not sell, and shall not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary,  directly  or  indirectly,  to issue or sell,  any shares of Capital
Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary (including options, warrants or other rights to
purchase shares of such Capital Stock) except (i) to the Corporation or a Wholly
Owned Restricted  Subsidiary;  (ii) issuances of director's qualifying shares or
sales to  foreign  nationals  of shares of Capital  Stock of foreign  Restricted
Subsidiaries,  to the extent required by applicable  law; (iii) if,  immediately
after giving effect to such issuance or sale, such Restricted  Subsidiary  would
no longer  constitute a Restricted  Subsidiary and any Investment in such Person
remaining after giving effect to such issuance or sale would have been permitted
to be made in accordance with Section XI(B) if made on the date of such issuance
or sale; or (iv) issuances or sales of common stock of a Restricted  Subsidiary,
provided that the  Corporation  or any Restricted  Subsidiary  applies an amount
equal to the Net Cash Proceeds thereof in accordance with Section XI(F).

      (E) Limitation on Transactions with Shareholders and Affiliates

            The  Corporation  shall not,  and shall not  permit  any  Restricted
Subsidiary  to,  directly  or  indirectly,  enter  into,  renew  or  extend  any
transaction  (including,  without  limitation,  the  purchase,  sale,  lease  or
exchange  of property  or assets,  or the  rendering  of any  service)  with any
Affiliate of the Corporation or any Restricted Subsidiary,  except upon fair and
reasonable  terms  no less  favorable  to the  Corporation  or  such  Restricted
Subsidiary than could be obtained,  at the time of such  transaction or, if such
transaction is pursuant to a written agreement,  at the time of the execution of
the agreement providing therefor, in a comparable arm's-length  transaction with
a Person that is not an Affiliate.

            The foregoing  limitation does not limit, and shall not apply to (i)
transactions  (A)  approved  by a majority of the  disinterested  members of the

<PAGE>

Board of Directors or (B) for which the  Corporation or a Restricted  Subsidiary
delivers to the  Transfer  Agent a written  opinion of a  nationally  recognized
investment banking firm or a nationally  recognized firm having expertise in the
specific  area  which is the  subject  of such  determination  stating  that the
transaction is fair to the  Corporation  or such  Restricted  Subsidiary  from a
financial point of view; (ii) any transaction solely between the Corporation and
any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries or solely between  Restricted  Subsidiaries;
(iii) the payment of  reasonable  and  customary  regular fees to, and indemnity
provided on behalf of,  officers,  directors,  employees or  consultants  of the
Corporation  or  its  Restricted  Subsidiaries;   (iv)  any  payments  or  other
transactions  pursuant to any tax-sharing  agreement between the Corporation and
any other Person with which the Corporation  files a consolidated  tax return or
with which the Corporation is part of a consolidated group for tax purposes; (v)
any agreement as in effect as of the Closing Date or any  amendment  thereto (so
long as any such amendment is not disadvantageous to the Holders in any material
respect); (vi) the existence of, or the performance by the Corporation or any of
its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  of  its  obligations  under  the  terms  of,  any
stockholders  agreement (including any registration rights agreement or purchase
agreement related thereto) to which it is a party as of the Closing Date and any
similar  agreements  which it may  enter  into  thereafter  (so long as any such
amendment is not  disadvantageous  to the Holders in any material  respect);  or
(vii) any  Permitted  Investments  and  Restricted  Payments not  prohibited  by
Section  XI(B).  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  any  transaction or series of
related  transactions  covered by the first  paragraph of this Section XI(E) and
not covered by clauses (ii) through (vii) of this paragraph the aggregate amount
of which  exceeds $3.0 million in value,  must be approved or  determined  to be
fair in the manner provided for in clause (i)(A) or (B) above.

      (F)   Limitation on Asset Sales

            The  Corporation  shall not,  and shall not  permit  any  Restricted
Subsidiary to, consummate any Asset Sale, unless (i) the consideration  received
by the Corporation or such  Restricted  Subsidiary is at least equal to the fair
market  value of the  assets  sold or  disposed  of and (ii) at least 75% of the
consideration  received  consists of cash or  Temporary  Cash  Investments.  For
purposes  of this  covenant,  the  following  are  deemed  to be  cash:  (x) the
principal  amount or accreted value (whichever is larger) of Indebtedness of the
Corporation or any Restricted  Subsidiary  with respect to which the Corporation
or such  Restricted  Subsidiary has either (A) received a written release or (B)
been  released by operation of law, in either case,  from all  liability on such
Indebtedness in connection  with such Asset Sale and (y) securities  received by
the  Corporation  or any  Restricted  Subsidiary  from the  transferee  that are
promptly  converted by the Corporation or such Restricted  Subsidiary into cash.
In the  event  and to the  extent  that the Net Cash  Proceeds  received  by the
Corporation or any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries  from one or more Asset Sales

<PAGE>

occurring  on or after the Closing Date in any period of 12  consecutive  months
exceed 10% of Adjusted  Consolidated  Net Tangible Assets  (determined as of the
date  closest  to  the   commencement  of  such  12-month  period  for  which  a
consolidated  balance sheet of the  Corporation  and its  Subsidiaries  has been
provided to the Transfer Agent),  then the Corporation  shall or shall cause the
relevant  Restricted  Subsidiary to (i) within 12 months after the date Net Cash
Proceeds so received exceed 10% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (A)
apply an amount  equal to such  excess Net Cash  Proceeds to  permanently  repay
Indebtedness of the Corporation, repay Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary
or redeem  any  Senior  Securities,  in each case owing to, or held by, a Person
other than the  Corporation or any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries or (B) invest
an equal amount,  or the amount not so applied  pursuant to clause (A) (or enter
into a definitive  agreement  committing to so invest within 12 months after the
date of such agreement),  in property or assets (other than current assets) of a
nature  or type or that are used in a  business  (or in a Person  (other  than a
natural  person) having property and assets of a nature or type, or engaged in a
business)  similar or related to the nature or type of the  property  and assets
of, or the business of, the Corporation and its Restricted Subsidiaries existing
on the date of such  investment  (as  determined  in good  faith by the Board of
Directors  whose  determination  shall be  conclusive  and  evidenced by a Board
Resolution)  and  (ii)  apply  (no  later  than the end of the  12-month  period
referred  to in clause  (i)) such  excess Net Cash  Proceeds  (to the extent not
applied  pursuant to clause (i)) as provided in the following  paragraph of this
Section  XI(F).  The amount of such  excess  Net Cash  Proceeds  required  to be
applied (or to be committed to be applied)  during such  12-month  period as set
forth in clause (i) of the preceding  sentence and not applied as so required by
the end of such period shall constitute "Excess Proceeds."

            If, as of the first day of any calendar month,  the aggregate amount
of Excess Proceeds not theretofore  subject to an Offer to Purchase  pursuant to
this Section XI(F) totals at least $5 million,  the  Corporation  must commence,
not later than the fifteenth Business Day of such month, and consummate an Offer
to Purchase  from the Holders on a pro rata basis,  and an offer to purchase any
outstanding Parity Securities with similar provisions  requiring the Corporation
to make an  offer to  purchase  such  securities,  in an  aggregate  liquidation
preference of Series E Preferred Stock and such Parity  Securities  equal to (A)
with  respect to the  Series E  Preferred  Stock,  the  product  of such  Excess
Proceeds  multiplied by a fraction,  the  numerator of which is the  liquidation
preference  of the  outstanding  shares of the Series E Preferred  Stock and the
denominator of which is the sum of the outstanding liquidation preference of the
Series E Preferred  Stock and such Parity  Securities  (the product  hereinafter
referred to as the "Series E Preferred Stock  Amount"),  and (B) with respect to
the  Parity  Securities,  the excess of the  Excess  Proceeds  over the Series E
Preferred  Stock Amount,  at a purchase  price equal to 100% of the  liquidation
preference  of the Series E Preferred  Stock or such Parity  Securities,  as the
case may be, on the  relevant  Payment  Date or such other date set forth in the
documentation  governing  the Parity  Securities,  plus,  in each case,  accrued
dividends  (if any) to the  Payment  Date or such  other  date set  forth in the
documentation  governing the Parity Securities.  If the aggregate purchase price
of the Preferred  Stock tendered  pursuant to the Offer to Purchase is less than
the Excess Proceeds,  the remaining will be available for use by the Corporation

<PAGE>

for general corporate  purposes.  Upon the consummation of any Offer to Purchase
in accordance with the terms of this Certificate of Designations,  the amount of
Net Cash Proceeds from Asset Sales subject to any future Offer to Purchase shall
be deemed to be zero. Prior to commencing any Offer to Purchase, the Corporation
shall first  consummate any offer to purchase  required to be made to any Holder
of its Indebtedness.

     (G)  Commission Reports and Reports to Holders.

            While the Series E Preferred  Stock is  outstanding,  whether or not
the  Corporation  is then  required to file  reports  with the  Commission,  the
Corporation  shall deliver for filing with the  Commission  all such reports and
other  information  as it would be  required  to file  with  the  Commission  by
Sections 13(a) or 15(d) under the Exchange Act if it were subject  thereto.  All
references  herein to reports  "filed"  with the  Commission  shall be deemed to
refer to the reports then most  recently  delivered  for filing,  whether or not
accepted by the Commission.

XII.  Mutilated or Missing Series E Preferred Stock Certificates.

            If any  of the  Series  E  Preferred  Stock  certificates  shall  be
mutilated,  lost, stolen or destroyed,  the Corporation shall issue, in exchange
and in  substitution  for  and  upon  cancellation  of the  mutilated  Series  E
Preferred Stock  certificate,  or in lieu of and  substitution  for the Series E
Preferred Stock certificate lost, stolen or destroyed,  a new Series E Preferred
Stock  certificate of like tenor and representing an equivalent amount of shares
of Series E  Preferred  Stock,  but only upon  receipt of evidence of such loss,
theft or destruction of such Series E Preferred Stock certificate and indemnity,
if requested, satisfactory to the Corporation.


XIII. Reissuance; Preemptive Rights

            (i) Shares of Series E  Preferred  Stock  that have been  issued and
reacquired in any manner,  including shares  purchased or redeemed,  shall (upon
compliance with any applicable  provisions of the laws of the State of Delaware)
have  the  status  of  authorized  and  unissued   shares  of  Preferred   Stock
undesignated  as to series and may be  redesignated  and reissued as part of any
series of Preferred Stock.

            (ii) No shares of Series E Preferred  Stock shall have any rights of
preemption whatsoever as to any securities of the Corporation,  or any warrants,
rights or options issued or granted with respect thereto, regardless of how such
securities  or such  warrants,  rights or options may be  designated,  issued or
granted.

<PAGE>

XIV.  Business Day.

            If any payment or  redemption  shall be required by the terms hereof
to be made on a day that is not a Business Day, such payment or redemption shall
be made on the  immediately  succeeding  Business  Day and no further  dividends
shall accrued after the day payment was required.

<PAGE>

XV.   Headings of Subdivisions.

            The headings of various  subdivisions  hereof are for convenience of
reference only and shall not affect the  interpretation of any of the provisions
hereof.


XVI.  Severability of Provisions.

            If any right,  preference  or  limitation  of the Series E Preferred
Stock set forth in this Certificate of Designations (as may be amended from time
to time) is invalid,  unlawful or incapable  of being  enforced by reason of any
rule or law or public policy, all other rights,  preferences and limitations set
forth in this Certificate of Designations, as amended, which can be given effect
without the invalid,  unlawful or unenforceable right,  preference or limitation
shall, nevertheless remain in full force and effect, and no right, preference or
limitation herein set forth shall be deemed dependent upon any other such right,
preference or limitation unless so expressed herein.


XVII.  Notice.

            All notices,  requests,  demands, and other communications hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if  delivered by
hand or when sent by telex or telecopier  (with receipt  confirmed),  provided a
copy is also sent by express (overnight, if possible) courier,  addressed (i) in
the case of a Holder of the Series E Preferred  Stock, to such holder's  address
of record shown on the records of the  Corporation,  and (ii) in the case of the
Corporation, to the Corporation's principal executive offices (currently located
on the date of the adoption of these resolutions at the following  address:  KMC
Telecom Holdings, Inc., 1545 Route 206, Suite 300, Bedminster, New Jersey 07921)
to the attention of the Corporation's Chief Financial Officer.

<PAGE>

XVIII.  Limitations.

            Except as may  otherwise  be required by law, the shares of Series E
Preferred   Stock  shall  not  have  any  powers,   preferences   or   relative,
participating,  optional or other special  rights other than those  specifically
set forth in this  Certificate of  Designations  (as may be amended from time to
time) or otherwise in the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation.

XIX.  Transfer and Legending of Shares.

            No  transfer  of shares of the  Series E  Preferred  Stock  shall be
effective until such transfer is registered on the books of the Corporation. Any
shares of the Series E Preferred  Stock so  transferred  must bear the following
legend:


            THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN  REGISTERED  UNDER THE  SECURITIES ACT OF
            1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES  ACT"), NOR HAS IT BEEN REGISTERED
            UNDER THE  SECURITIES  OR BLUE SKY LAWS OF ANY STATE.  THIS SECURITY
            MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER TRANSFERRED
            OR DISPOSED OF UNLESS (I) SUCH  TRANSFER IS IN  COMPLIANCE  WITH THE
            SECURITIES ACT AND THE APPLICABLE  RULES AND REGULATIONS  THEREUNDER
            AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR BLUE SKY LAWS AND (II) PRIOR
            TO ANY SUCH TRANSFER,  THE TRANSFEROR OR THE TRANSFEREE  DELIVERS AN
            OPINION OF COUNSEL (REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE CORPORATION) TO THE
            TRANSFER  AGENT  AND  THE  CORPORATION,  THAT  SUCH  TRANSFER  IS IN
            COMPLIANCE  WITH THE  SECURITIES  ACT AND THE  APPLICABLE  RULES AND
            REGULATIONS THEREUNDER.

            The Corporation  shall refuse to register any attempted  transfer of
shares of Series E Preferred Stock not in compliance with this Article XIX.

            In the event the  shares of Series E  Preferred  Stock are issued as
part of a unit together with  Warrants,  the shares of Series E Preferred  Stock
and the Warrants shall not be separately  transferable from each other until the
next Business Day after the issuance of such shares of Series E Preferred  Stock
or until such other date as may be specified in a legend to the shares of Series
E Preferred Stock.

<PAGE>

XX.   Amendments and Waivers

            (A) Except as  provided in this  Article XX, any right,  preference,
privilege or power of, or restriction  provided for the benefit of, the Series E
Preferred  Stock set forth herein may be amended and the observance  thereof may
be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively
or  prospectively)  only with the  written  consent of the  Corporation  and the
affirmative vote or written consent of the Holders of at least a majority of the
shares of Series E Preferred Stock then  outstanding  (excluding any shares held
by  Affiliates of the  Corporation,  any Existing  Stockholders  or any of their
Affiliates),  and any amendment or waiver so effected  shall be binding upon the
Corporation and all Holders of the Series E Preferred Stock.

            (B) Notwithstanding the  foregoing,  if any amendment is made to the
covenants  of the  Senior  Discount  Note  Indenture,  in  accordance  with  the
provisions therein, then a conforming amendment may be made to the covenants set
forth in Article XI of this  Certificate  of  Designations  by the  Corporation,
without the  consent of any  Holder,  and any  amendment  so  effected  shall be
binding upon the  Corporation  and all Holders of the Series E Preferred  Stock;
provided  however,  that if in connection  with making any such amendment to the
Senior Discount Note Indenture,  the Corporation has paid  consideration  to the
holders  of the  Senior  Discount  Notes to obtain  their  consent  to make such
amendment,  then the Corporation shall pay each Holder  consideration per $1,000
liquidation  preference of Series E Preferred  Stock equal to the  consideration
per $1,000  Accreted Value (as defined in the Senior Discount Note Indenture) of
Senior  Discount  Notes paid to the  holders of the Senior  Discount  Notes.  In
connection  with  any such  amendment,  the  Corporation  shall  deliver  to the
Transfer  Agent an Opinion of Counsel,  reasonably  acceptable  to it, that such
amendment  complies with the terms hereof.  The Corporation shall provide notice
in  accordance  with Article XVII of this  Certificate  of  Designations  of any
amendment effected pursuant to this Section XX(B) to the Holders of the Series E
Preferred Stock.


XXI.  Increase of Authorized Amount of Shares.

            Notwithstanding  any other provision herein,  the Board of Directors
may, from time to time, in its sole discretion, increase the number of shares of
Preferred Stock  designated as Series E Preferred Stock under Article II of this
Certificate  of  Designations,  up to the maximum  amount of shares of Preferred
Stock authorized to be issued,  without the consent of the holders of any shares
of its Capital Stock.

<PAGE>

XXII. Issuance of Additional Shares of Series E Preferred Stock.

            Except with  respect to the issuance of shares of Series E Preferred
Stock to pay dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock or upon conversion of the
Series F Preferred Stock, the Corporation may not issue additional shares of the
Series E Preferred Stock to any purchaser unless (A) it has obtained the consent
of the  Holders of a majority  of the  shares of Series E  Preferred  Stock then
outstanding  and the  holders of a majority  of the shares of Series F Preferred
Stock then  outstanding  or (B)(i) the per share price paid for such  additional
shares is at least equal to the per share price paid to the  Corporation for the
shares  of  Series E  Preferred  Stock  issued  on the  Closing  Date,  (ii) the
Corporation  does not issue to such  purchaser  more than 1,363.64  Warrants per
$1,000,000 of liquidation  preference of Series E Preferred Stock, (iii) (a) the
Holders of Series E  Preferred  Stock  issued on the Closing  Date retain  their
right to receive  at least  227.273  Warrants,  pursuant  to Section  2.4 of the
Warrant Agreement,  per $100,000 of liquidation preference of Series E Preferred
Stock issued on the Closing Date and (b) the holders of Series F Preferred Stock
issued on the  Closing  Date  retain  their  right to receive  at least  227.273
Warrants,  pursuant  to Section 2.4 of the Warrant  Agreement,  per  $100,000 of
liquidation  preference  of Series F Preferred  Stock issued on the Closing Date
and (iv) the aggregate amount of shares of Series E Preferred Stock and Series F
Preferred Stock issued (other than shares of Series E Preferred Stock and Series
F  Preferred  Stock  issued  to pay  dividends  thereon  or  shares  of Series E
Preferred  Stock issued upon  conversion of the Series F Preferred  Stock) shall
not exceed 150,000 shares.

            Except with  respect to the issuance of shares of Series F Preferred
Stock to pay dividends on the Series F Preferred  Stock,  the Corporation  shall
not issue in excess of 40,000 shares of Series F Preferred Stock,  unless it has
obtained  the  consent of the  Holders  of a majority  of the shares of Series E
Preferred Stock then  outstanding and the holders of a majority of the shares of
Series F Preferred Stock then outstanding.

<PAGE>

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Certificate has been signed on this 4th day
of February, 1999.


                                    KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.


                                    By:/s/ CYNTHIA WORTHMAN
                                       ---------------------------
                                       Name:  Cynthia Worthman
                                       Title: Chief Financial Officer

Attested by:


           CERTIFICATE OF VOTING POWERS, DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES
            AND RELATIVE PARTICIPATING, OPTIONAL OR OTHER SPECIAL
                     RIGHTS AND QUALIFICATIONS, LIMITATIONS
                         AND RESTRICTIONS THEREOF OF THE
          SERIES F SENIOR REDEEMABLE, EXCHANGEABLE, PIK PREFERRED STOCK
                          OF KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.

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

                         Pursuant to Section 151 of the
               General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

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

            I, Cynthia  Worthman,  Corporate  Secretary of KMC Telecom Holdings,
Inc.  (the  "Corporation"),  a corporation  organized and existing  under and by
virtue of the General  Corporation  Law of the State of Delaware,  in accordance
with the provisions of Section 151 of the General  Corporation  Law of the State
of Delaware, DO HEREBY CERTIFY:

            That, pursuant to authority conferred upon the Board of Directors by
the  Certificate  of  Incorporation,   as  amended,  of  said  Corporation  (the
"Certificate  of  Incorporation"),  said Board of  Directors,  at a meeting duly
called and held on  February 1, 1999,  adopted a  resolution  providing  for the
issuance   of  55,000   authorized   shares  of  Series  F  Senior   Redeemable,
Exchangeable,  PIK  Preferred  Stock (the  "Series F  Preferred  Stock"),  which
resolution is as follows:

            WHEREAS,   the  Board  of  Directors  is   authorized,   within  the
limitations  and  restrictions  stated in the Certificate of  Incorporation,  as
amended,  to fix by resolution or resolutions  the designation of each series of
preferred  stock  and  the  powers,   designations,   preferences  and  relative
participating,  optional  or  other  rights,  if  any,  or  the  qualifications,
limitations or restrictions thereof, including,  without limiting the generality
of  the  foregoing,  such  provisions  as  may  be  desired  concerning  voting,
redemption,  dividends, dissolution or the distribution of assets, conversion or
exchange,  and such other  subjects or matters as may be fixed by  resolution or
resolutions  of the Board of  Directors  under the  General  Corporation  Law of
Delaware; and

            WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Board of Directors, pursuant to its
authority as aforesaid,  to authorize and fix the terms of a series of preferred
stock and the number of shares constituting such series;

<PAGE>

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that there is hereby authorized such
series of preferred stock on the terms and with the provisions herein set forth:


I.    Certain Definitions.

            As used  herein,  the  following  terms  shall  have  the  following
meanings  (with terms defined in the singular  having  comparable  meanings when
used in the plural and vice versa), unless the context otherwise requires:

            "Acquired  Indebtedness"  means Indebtedness of a Person existing at
      the time such  Person  becomes  a  Restricted  Subsidiary  or  assumed  in
      connection  with an Asset  Acquisition by the  Corporation or a Restricted
      Subsidiary  and not Incurred in connection  with, or in  anticipation  of,
      such Person  becoming a Restricted  Subsidiary or such Asset  Acquisition;
      provided  that  Indebtedness  of such Person which is redeemed,  defeased,
      retired  or  otherwise   repaid  at  the  time  of  or  immediately   upon
      consummation of the transactions by which such Person becomes a Restricted
      Subsidiary or upon  consummation  of such Asset  Acquisition  shall not be
      Acquired Indebtedness.

            "Adjusted  Consolidated  Net  Income"  means,  for any  period,  the
      aggregate  net  income  (or loss) of the  Corporation  and its  Restricted
      Subsidiaries for such period determined in conformity with GAAP;  provided
      that  the  following  items  shall  be  excluded  in  computing   Adjusted
      Consolidated  Net  Income  (without  duplication):  (i) the net income (or
      loss)  of  any  Person  that  is  not a  Restricted  Subsidiary  (or is an
      Unrestricted Subsidiary),  except to the extent of the amount of dividends
      or other  distributions  actually  paid to the  Corporation  or any of its
      Restricted  Subsidiaries  by such  Person  or an  Unrestricted  Subsidiary
      during such period; (ii) solely for the purposes of calculating the amount
      of Restricted Payments that may be made pursuant to clause (iii)(B) of the
      first  paragraph of Section XI(B) (and in such case,  except to the extent
      includable  pursuant to clause (i) above), the net income (or loss) of any
      Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Restricted  Subsidiary or is
      merged into or consolidated  with the Corporation or any of its Restricted
      Subsidiaries  or all or  substantially  all of the  property and assets of
      such  Person are  acquired  by the  Corporation  or any of its  Restricted
      Subsidiaries;  (iii) the net income of any  Restricted  Subsidiary  to the
      extent  that  the   declaration   or  payment  of   dividends  or  similar
      distributions  by such Restricted  Subsidiary of such net income is not at
      the time  permitted  by the  operation  of the terms of its charter or any
      agreement,   instrument,   judgment,   decree,  order,  statute,  rule  or
      governmental  regulation  applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary (except
      to the extent such restriction has been legally waived); (iv) any gains or
      losses (on an after-tax  basis)  attributable to Asset Sales including for
      purposes  hereof the items  referred to in clauses (b), (c) and (e) of the
      definition of "Asset Sale" or the termination of discontinued  operations;
      (v) except for purposes of calculating  the amount of Restricted  Payments

<PAGE>

      that may be made  pursuant to clause  (iii)(B) of the first  paragraph  of
      Section XI(B),  any amount paid or accrued as dividends on Preferred Stock
      (including  the  Series  F  Preferred  Stock)  of the  Corporation  or any
      Restricted  Subsidiary owned by Persons other than the Corporation and any
      of  its  Restricted   Subsidiaries;   (vi)  all  extraordinary  gains  and
      extraordinary   losses;  (vii)  the  cumulative  effect  of  a  change  in
      accounting principles since the High Yield Closing Date; and (viii) at the
      irrevocable  election  of the  Corporation  for each  occurrence,  any net
      after-tax income (loss) from  discontinued  operations;  provided that for
      purposes  of any  subsequent  Investment  in the  entity  conducting  such
      discontinued  operations  pursuant to Section XI(B),  such entity shall be
      treated as an Unrestricted  Subsidiary until such discontinued  operations
      have actually been disposed of.

            "Adjusted  Consolidated  Net Tangible Assets" means the total amount
      of  assets  of the  Corporation  and  its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  (less
      applicable  depreciation,  amortization  and  other  valuation  reserves),
      except to the extent resulting from write-ups of capital assets (excluding
      write-ups in connection  with  accounting for  acquisitions  in conformity
      with GAAP), after deducting  therefrom (i) all current  liabilities of the
      Corporation and its Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding intercompany items)
      and (ii) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks,  patents, unamortized debt
      discount and expense and other like  intangibles,  all as set forth on the
      most  recent  quarterly  or  annual  consolidated  balance  sheet  of  the
      Corporation and its Restricted  Subsidiaries,  prepared in conformity with
      GAAP.

            "Affiliate"  means,  as  applied  to any  Person,  any other  Person
      directly or  indirectly  controlling,  controlled  by, or under  direct or
      indirect  common  control  with,   such  Person.   For  purposes  of  this
      definition,  "control" (including,  with correlative  meanings,  the terms
      "controlling,"  "controlled  by" and  "under  common  control  with"),  as
      applied to any Person,  means the possession,  directly or indirectly,  of
      the power to direct or cause the direction of the  management and policies
      of such Person,  whether  through the ownership of voting  securities,  by
      contract or otherwise.

            "Asset  Acquisition"  means (i) an investment by the  Corporation or
      any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries  in any other Person pursuant to which
      such Person shall become a Restricted  Subsidiary  or shall be merged into
      or consolidated with the Corporation or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
      or  (ii)  an  acquisition  by the  Corporation  or  any of its  Restricted
      Subsidiaries  of the  property  and  assets of any  Person  other than the
      Corporation  or  any  of  its  Restricted   Subsidiaries  that  constitute
      substantially all of a division or line of business of such Person.

<PAGE>

            "Asset  Sale"  means  any  sale,   transfer  or  other   disposition
      (including by way of merger,  consolidation or sale-leaseback transaction)
      in one transaction or a series of related  transactions by the Corporation
      or  any of its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  to any  Person  other  than  the
      Corporation or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of (i) all or any of the
      Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary,  (ii) all or substantially all
      of the  property  and  assets  of an  operating  unit or  business  of the
      Corporation  or any of its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  or (iii)  any  other
      property and assets (other than the Capital  Stock or other  Investment in
      an  Unrestricted  Subsidiary) of the  Corporation or any of its Restricted
      Subsidiaries outside the ordinary course of business of the Corporation or
      such  Restricted  Subsidiary  and, in each case,  that is not  governed by
      Section  IX;  provided  that  "Asset  Sale" shall not include (a) sales or
      other dispositions of inventory, receivables and other current assets, (b)
      sales or other  dispositions of assets for consideration at least equal to
      the fair market  value of the assets  sold or  disposed  of, to the extent
      that the consideration received would constitute property or assets of the
      kind  described in clause (i)(B) of Section  XI(F),  (c) a disposition  of
      cash or Temporary Cash  Investments,  (d) any  Restricted  Payment that is
      permitted to be made, and is made, in accordance  with Section XI(B),  (e)
      sales or  other  dispositions  of  assets  with a fair  market  value  (as
      certified  in an  Officers'  Certificate)  not  in  excess  of $2  million
      (provided that any series of related sales or dispositions in excess of $2
      million shall be considered "Asset Sales"), (f) the lease, assignment of a
      lease or sub-lease of any real or personal property in the ordinary course
      of business, (g) foreclosures on assets, (h) pledges of assets or stock by
      the Corporation or any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries otherwise permitted
      under this  Certificate of  Designations,  including such pledges securing
      Indebtedness under the Newcourt Facility or under the Lucent Facility, (i)
      the  issuance  of the  Warrants  to  Newcourt  Finance  and  Lucent by the
      Corporation  and (j) the exercise of the Warrants by Newcourt  Finance and
      Lucent and the  exercise of common stock  warrants by Newcourt  Finance in
      respect of KMC Telecom.

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

          "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

            "Board  Resolution"  means a copy of a resolution,  certified by the
      Secretary or Assistant  Secretary  of the  Corporation  as required by the
      context 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 Transfer Agent.

<PAGE>

            "Business  Day" means a day other than a  Saturday,  Sunday or other
      day on which  commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required
      by law to close.

            "Capital  Stock"  means,  with  respect to any  Person,  any and all
      shares,   interests,   participations   or  other   equivalents   (however
      designated,  whether  voting or  non-voting)  in  equity  of such  Person,
      whether  outstanding on the Closing Date or issued thereafter,  including,
      without  limitation,  all Common Stock,  Preferred  Stock  (including  the
      Series F Preferred  Stock),  partnership  or membership  interests and any
      other  right  to  receive  a  share  of the  profits  and  losses  of,  or
      distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

            "Capitalized  Lease" means,  as applied to any Person,  any lease of
      any property  (whether  real,  personal or mixed) of which the  discounted
      present  value of the rental  obligations  of such  Person as  lessee,  in
      conformity  with GAAP, is required to be  capitalized on the balance sheet
      of such Person.

            "Capitalized Lease Obligations" means the amount of the liability in
      respect of a  Capitalized  Lease that would at such time be required to be
      capitalized  and reflected as a liability on a balance  sheet  prepared in
      accordance with GAAP.

            "Change of  Control"  means  such time as (i) a "person"  or "group"
      (within the meaning of Sections  13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the  Exchange  Act)
      becomes the  ultimate  "beneficial  owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under
      the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting
      Stock of the  Corporation  on a fully  diluted  basis  and such  ownership
      represents  a greater  percentage  of the total voting power of the Voting
      Stock of the  Corporation,  on a fully diluted basis,  than is held by the
      Existing Stockholders on such date; or (ii) individuals who on the Closing
      Date  constitute  the Board of Directors  (together with any new directors
      whose election by the Board of Directors or whose  nomination by the Board
      of Directors for election by the  Corporation's  stockholders was approved
      by a vote of at least a majority of the members of the Board of  Directors
      then in office who either were  members of the Board of  Directors  on the
      Closing  Date  or  whose  election  or  nomination  for  election  was  so
      previously  approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the
      members of the Board of Directors then in office.

            "Closing Date" means February 4, 1999.

<PAGE>

            "Commission"  means the Securities  and Exchange  Commission and any
      successor agency having similar powers.

            "Common Stock" means the Common Stock,  par value $.01 per share, of
      the Corporation  and any other class of common stock hereafter  authorized
      by the Corporation from time to time.

            "Consolidated  EBITDA" means, for any period,  Adjusted Consolidated
      Net Income for such period plus, to the extent such amount was deducted in
      calculating  such  Adjusted  Consolidated  Net  Income,  (i)  Consolidated
      Interest  Expense,  (ii) income  taxes  (other than income  taxes  (either
      positive or negative)  attributable  to  extraordinary  and  non-recurring
      gains or losses or sales of  assets),  (iii)  depreciation  expense,  (iv)
      amortization  expense and (v) all other non-cash  items reducing  Adjusted
      Consolidated  Net Income (other than items that will require cash payments
      and for which an  accrual  or reserve  is, or is  required  by GAAP to be,
      made),  less all  non-cash  items  increasing  (or, in the case of a loss,
      decreasing) Adjusted Consolidated Net Income, determined,  with respect to
      clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv), on a consolidated  basis for the Corporation
      and its Restricted Subsidiaries in conformity with GAAP; provided that, if
      any  Restricted  Subsidiary is not a Wholly Owned  Restricted  Subsidiary,
      Consolidated  EBITDA shall be reduced (to the extent not otherwise reduced
      in  accordance  with  GAAP) by an  amount  equal to (A) the  amount of the
      Adjusted   Consolidated   Net  Income   attributable  to  such  Restricted
      Subsidiary  multiplied  by (B) the  percentage  ownership  interest in the
      income  of such  Restricted  Subsidiary  not owned on the last day of such
      period by the Corporation or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

            "Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, the aggregate
      amount  (without  duplication)  of  interest  in respect  of  Indebtedness
      (including, without limitation, amortization of original issue discount on
      any  Indebtedness  and  the  interest  portion  of  any  deferred  payment
      obligation, calculated in accordance with the effective interest method of
      accounting;  all  commissions,  discounts  and other fees and charges owed
      with respect to letters of credit and bankers' acceptance  financing;  the
      net costs associated with Interest Rate Agreements;  and Indebtedness that
      is  Guaranteed  or secured  by the  Corporation  or any of its  Restricted
      Subsidiaries) and the interest  component of Capitalized Lease Obligations
      paid,  accrued or scheduled to be paid or to be accrued by the Corporation
      and its Restricted  Subsidiaries during such period;  excluding,  however,
      (i) any amount of such  interest of any  Restricted  Subsidiary if the net
      income of such  Restricted  Subsidiary is excluded in the  calculation  of
      Adjusted   Consolidated  Net  Income  pursuant  to  clause  (iii)  of  the
      definition  thereof (but only in the same  proportion as the net income of

<PAGE>

      such  Restricted  Subsidiary is excluded from the  calculation of Adjusted
      Consolidated  Net  Income  pursuant  to  clause  (iii)  of the  definition
      thereof) and (ii) any premiums,  fees and expenses  (and any  amortization
      thereof)  payable in  connection  with the Lucent  Facility,  the Newcourt
      Facility  and the offering of the Series E Preferred  Stock,  the Series F
      Preferred  Stock and the Senior  Discount  Notes,  all as  determined on a
      consolidated basis (without taking into account Unrestricted Subsidiaries)
      in conformity with GAAP.

            "Consolidated  Leverage Ratio" means,  on any Transaction  Date, the
      ratio of (i) the aggregate  amount of  Indebtedness of the Corporation and
      its Restricted  Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis  outstanding on such
      Transaction Date to (ii) the aggregate  amount of Consolidated  EBITDA for
      the then most recent four fiscal quarters for which  financial  statements
      of the  Corporation  have been  provided to the Transfer  Agent (such four
      fiscal quarter period being the "Four Quarter Period");  provided that, in
      making the foregoing  calculation,  pro forma effect shall be given to the
      following events which occur from the beginning of the Four Quarter Period
      through the Transaction Date (the "Reference Period"):  (i) the Incurrence
      of the  Indebtedness  with respect to which the  computation is being made
      and  (if  applicable)  the  application  of the  net  proceeds  therefrom,
      including to refinance other  Indebtedness,  as if such  Indebtedness  was
      incurred,  and the application of such proceeds occurred, at the beginning
      of the Four Quarter Period;  (ii) the Incurrence,  repayment or retirement
      of  any  other   Indebtedness   by  the  Corporation  and  its  Restricted
      Subsidiaries  since the first  day of the Four  Quarter  Period as if such
      Indebtedness was incurred,  repaid or retired at the beginning of the Four
      Quarter Period;  (iii) in the case of Acquired  Indebtedness,  the related
      acquisition,  as if such acquisition occurred at the beginning of the Four
      Quarter Period; (iv) any acquisition or disposition by the Corporation and
      its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  of any  corporation  or any business or any
      assets out of the ordinary  course of business,  whether by merger,  stock
      purchase or sale or asset  purchase or sale or any  related  repayment  of
      Indebtedness, in each case since the first day of the Four Quarter Period,
      assuming such acquisition or disposition had been consummated on the first
      day of the Four  Quarter  Period and after  giving pro forma effect to net
      cost savings that the Corporation  reasonably believes in good faith could
      have been  achieved  during  the Four  Quarter  Period as a result of such
      acquisition or disposition  (provided that both (A) such cost savings were
      identified  and  quantified in an Officers'  Certificate  delivered to the
      Transfer  Agent  at the time of the  consummation  of the  acquisition  or
      disposition  and (B)  with  respect  to each  acquisition  or  disposition
      completed  prior to the 90th day  preceding  such  date of  determination,
      actions were commenced or initiated by the  Corporation  within 90 days of
      such acquisition or disposition to effect such cost savings  identified in
      such Officers'  Certificate  and with respect to any other  acquisition or
      disposition,  such Officers'  Certificate sets forth the specific steps to
      be taken  within the 90 days  after such  acquisition  or  disposition  to
      accomplish  such cost  savings);  and provided  further that (x) in making

<PAGE>

      such  computation,  the  Consolidated  Interest  Expense  attributable  to
      interest on any Indebtedness computed on a pro forma basis and (A) bearing
      a floating interest rate shall be computed as if the rate in effect on the
      date of computation had been the applicable rate for the entire period and
      (B) which was not outstanding  during the period for which the computation
      is being made but which bears, at the option of the  Corporation,  a fixed
      or floating rate of interest shall be computed by applying,  at the option
      of the  Corporation,  either the fixed or floating rate, and (y) in making
      such  computation,  the  Consolidated  Interest Expense of the Corporation
      attributable  to interest  on any  Indebtedness  under a revolving  credit
      facility  computed on a pro forma  basis shall be computed  based upon the
      pro forma average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable
      period;  and (v) the occurrence of any of the events  described in clauses
      (i)-(iv)  above by any Person that has become a Restricted  Subsidiary  or
      has been merged with or into the Corporation or any Restricted  Subsidiary
      during such Reference Period.

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

          "Corporation"   means  KMC   Telecom   Holdings,   Inc.,   a  Delaware
     corporation.

            "Currency  Agreement" means any foreign exchange contract,  currency
      swap agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement.

            "Disqualified  Stock" means any class or series of Capital  Stock of
      any Person that by its terms or  otherwise  is (i) required to be redeemed
      prior to the Mandatory  Redemption  Date, (ii) redeemable at the option of
      the holder of such  class or series of Capital  Stock at any time prior to
      the Mandatory  Redemption Date or (iii)  convertible  into or exchangeable
      for Capital Stock referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above or  Indebtedness
      having a  scheduled  maturity  prior  to the  Mandatory  Redemption  Date;
      provided  that any Capital  Stock that would not  constitute  Disqualified
      Stock but for  provisions  thereof  giving  holders  thereof  the right to
      require such Person to  repurchase  or redeem such  Capital  Stock (or the
      security for which such Capital Stock is convertible  into or exchangeable
      for)  upon the  occurrence  of an  "asset  sale" or  "change  of  control"
      occurring  prior to the  Mandatory  Redemption  Date shall not  constitute

<PAGE>

      Disqualified  Stock if the "asset sale" or "change of control"  provisions
      applicable  to such Capital  Stock (or the security for which such Capital
      Stock is convertible  into or  exchangeable  for) are no more favorable to
      the holders of such Capital  Stock (or the security for which such Capital
      Stock  is  convertible  into or  exchangeable  for)  than  the  provisions
      contained in Section  XI(F) and Article VIII below and such Capital  Stock
      (or the  security  for which such  Capital  Stock is  convertible  into or
      exchangeable  for)  specifically   provides  that  such  Person  will  not
      repurchase or redeem any such stock  pursuant to such  provision  prior to
      the  Corporation's  repurchase  of such  Series F  Preferred  Stock as are
      required  to be  repurchased  pursuant to Section  XI(F) and Article  VIII
      below.

            "Dividend Payment Date" means any Redemption Date, January 15, April
      15,  July 15 and  October  15 and any other  date on which  dividends  are
      payable or may be paid, as determined by the Board of Directors.

            "Dividend Record Date" means,  with respect to each Dividend Payment
      Date,  the close of business  on the date set forth next to such  Dividend
      Payment Date below:

            DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE             DIVIDEND RECORD DATE
                  January 15                        January 1
                  April 15                          April 1
                  July 15                           July 1
                  October 15                        October 1

      or such other record date as may be  designated  by the Board of Directors
      with respect to dividends  payable on such other  Dividend  Payment  Date;
      provided,  however,  that such record date may not be more than 60 days or
      less than ten days prior to such  Dividend  Payment Date. If any scheduled
      Dividend Record Date is not a Business Day, then such Dividend Record Date
      shall be the Business Day  immediately  preceding such scheduled  Dividend
      Record Date.

            "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
      amended.

            "Existing Stockholders" means Harold N. Kamine, his Affiliates
      and Nassau.

            "fair  market  value"  means  the  price  that  would  be paid in an
      arm's-length  transaction  between an informed and willing seller under no
      compulsion  to sell and an informed and willing  buyer under no compulsion

<PAGE>

      to buy,  as  determined  in good  faith by the Board of  Directors,  whose
      determination  shall be  conclusive  if evidenced  by a Board  Resolution;
      provided  that for  purposes of clause  (vii) of the second  paragraph  of
      Section XI(A), (x) the fair market value of any security  registered under
      the Exchange Act shall be the average of the closing prices,  regular way,
      of such security for the 20 consecutive trading days immediately preceding
      the sale of Capital Stock and (y) in the event the  aggregate  fair market
      value of any other property (other than cash or cash equivalents) received
      by the  Corporation  exceeds $100  million,  the fair market value of such
      property shall be determined by a nationally recognized investment banking
      firm or a nationally recognized firm having expertise in the specific area
      which is the subject of such  determination and set forth in their written
      opinion which shall be delivered to the Transfer Agent.

            "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting  principles in the United
      States  of  America  as in  effect  as of the  High  Yield  Closing  Date,
      including,  without  limitation,  those  set  forth  in the  opinions  and
      pronouncements  of  the  Accounting   Principles  Board  of  the  American
      Institute   of   Certified   Public   Accountants   and   statements   and
      pronouncements  of the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board or in such
      other statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment
      of the accounting  profession.  All ratios and  computations  contained or
      referred  to in this  Certificate  of  Designations  shall be  computed in
      conformity  with  GAAP  applied  on  a  consistent   basis,   except  that
      calculations made for purposes of determining compliance with the terms of
      the  covenants  and  with  other   provisions  of  this   Certificate   of
      Designations  shall be made without giving effect to (i) the  amortization
      of any  expenses  incurred in  connection  with the Lucent  Facility,  the
      Newcourt Facility, the offering of the Senior Discount Notes, the Series E
      Preferred  Stock  and the  Series F  Preferred  Stock  and (ii)  except as
      otherwise provided,  the amortization of any amounts required or permitted
      by Accounting Principles Board Opinion Nos. 16 and 17.

            "Guarantee"  means any obligation,  contingent or otherwise,  of any
      Person directly or indirectly  guaranteeing  any Indebtedness of any other
      Person  and,  without  limiting  the  generality  of  the  foregoing,  any
      obligation,  direct or indirect,  contingent or otherwise,  of such Person
      (i) to  purchase or pay (or  advance or supply  funds for the  purchase or
      payment of) such  Indebtedness  of such other Person  (whether  arising by
      virtue of  partnership  arrangements,  or by agreements  to keep-well,  to
      purchase  assets,  goods,  securities  or services  (unless such  purchase
      arrangements  are on  arm's-length  terms  and  are  entered  into  in the
      ordinary  course of business),  to take-or-pay,  or to maintain  financial
      statement  conditions  or  otherwise) or (ii) entered into for purposes of
      assuring  in any other  manner  the  obligee of such  Indebtedness  of the

<PAGE>

      payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof
      (in  whole or in  part);  provided  that the term  "Guarantee"  shall  not
      include  endorsements  for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of
      business. The term "Guarantee" used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

            "High Yield Closing Date" means January 29, 1998.

            "Holder" means a registered holder of shares of Series F
      Preferred Stock.

            "Incur" means, with respect to any Indebtedness,  to incur,  create,
      issue,  assume,  Guarantee or otherwise  become liable for or with respect
      to, or become responsible for, the payment of,  contingently or otherwise,
      such  Indebtedness,  including an "Incurrence"  of Acquired  Indebtedness;
      provided  that  neither  the  accrual of  interest  nor the  accretion  of
      original issue discount shall be considered an Incurrence of Indebtedness.

            "Indebtedness"  means,  with  respect  to any  Person at any date of
      determination (without  duplication),  (i) all indebtedness of such Person
      for  borrowed  money,  (ii) all  obligations  of such Person  evidenced by
      bonds,  debentures,   notes  or  other  similar  instruments,   (iii)  all
      obligations  of such  Person  in  respect  of  letters  of credit or other
      similar  instruments  (including  reimbursement  obligations  with respect
      thereto,  but excluding trade letters of credit),  (iv) all obligations of
      such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid  purchase  price of property or
      services,  which purchase price is due more than six months after the date
      of placing such  property in service or taking  delivery and title thereto
      or the  completion  of such  services,  except Trade  Payables and accrued
      current  liabilities  arising in the ordinary course of business,  (v) all
      Capitalized  Lease  Obligations  of such  Person,  (vi)  all  Indebtedness
      referred to in clauses (i) through (v) hereof of other Persons  secured by
      a Lien on any asset of such Person,  whether or not such  Indebtedness  is
      assumed by such  Person;  provided  that the  amount of such  Indebtedness
      shall be the  lesser of (A) the fair  market  value of such  asset at such
      date of determination and (B) the amount of such  Indebtedness,  (vii) all
      Indebtedness of other Persons Guaranteed by such Person to the extent such
      Indebtedness  is  Guaranteed  by such  Person and (viii) to the extent not
      otherwise   included  in  this  definition,   obligations  under  Currency
      Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements. The amount of Indebtedness of any
      Person at any date shall be the  outstanding  balance at such date (or, in
      the case of a revolving credit or other similar facility, the total amount
      of funds  outstanding on the date of  determination)  of all unconditional
      obligations   as  described   above  and,   with  respect  to   contingent
      obligations,  the maximum liability upon the occurrence of the contingency
      giving rise to the obligation of the types described  above,  provided (A)
      that the amount  outstanding at any time of any  Indebtedness  issued with

<PAGE>

      original issue discount is the original issue price of such  Indebtedness,
      (B) that money borrowed and set aside at the time of the Incurrence of any
      Indebtedness  in order to  prefund  the  payment of the  interest  on such
      Indebtedness  shall  not be  deemed  to be  "Indebtedness"  and  (C)  that
      Indebtedness shall not include any liability for federal,  state, local or
      other taxes.

            "Interest  Rate  Agreement"   means  any  interest  rate  protection
      agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement,
      interest rate swap agreement,  interest rate cap agreement,  interest rate
      collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement, option or future contract
      or other similar agreement or arrangement.

            "Investment"  means, with respect to any Person,  all investments by
      such  Person  in other  Persons  in the  form of any  direct  or  indirect
      advance, loan or other extension of credit (including, without limitation,
      by way of  Guarantee or similar  arrangement;  but  excluding  advances to
      customers in the ordinary  course of business that are, in conformity with
      GAAP,  recorded  as  accounts  receivable  on  the  balance  sheet  of the
      Corporation or its Restricted  Subsidiaries  and  commissions,  travel and
      similar  advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of
      business) or capital  contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or
      other  property to others or any payment for  property or services for the
      account or use of  others),  or any  purchase  or  acquisition  of Capital
      Stock,  bonds,  notes,  debentures or other similar instruments issued by,
      such other Person and shall  include (i) the  designation  of a Restricted
      Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and (ii) the fair market value of
      the Capital Stock (or any other  Investment),  held by the  Corporation or
      any of its Restricted Subsidiaries,  of (or in) any Person that has ceased
      to be a Restricted Subsidiary, including, without limitation, by reason of
      any transaction  permitted by clause (iii) of Section XI(D); provided that
      the fair market value of the  Investment  remaining in any Person that has
      ceased to be a Restricted Subsidiary shall not exceed the aggregate amount
      of  Investments  previously  made in such  Person  valued at the time such
      Investments  were made less the net  reduction  of such  Investments.  For
      purposes of the definition of "Unrestricted Subsidiary" and Section XI(B),
      (i) "Investment" shall include the fair market value of the assets (net of
      liabilities  (other  than  liabilities  to the  Corporation  or any of its
      Restricted  Subsidiaries))  of any Restricted  Subsidiary at the time that
      such Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary,  (ii)
      the fair  market  value of the  assets  (net of  liabilities  (other  than
      liabilities to the Corporation or any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries)) of
      any Unrestricted  Subsidiary at the time that such Unrestricted Subsidiary
      is designated a Restricted  Subsidiary  shall be considered a reduction in
      outstanding  Investments and (iii) any property  transferred to or from an
      Unrestricted  Subsidiary  shall be valued at its fair market  value at the
      time of such transfer.

<PAGE>

            "Investment   Grade  Securities"  means  (i)  securities  issued  or
      directly and fully  guaranteed or insured by the United States  government
      or any agency or  instrumentality  thereof,  (ii) debt  securities or debt
      instruments  with a rating  of BBB+ or  higher by S&P or Baal or higher by
      Moody's or the equivalent of such rating by such rating organization,  or,
      if no rating by S&P or Moody's then exists,  the equivalent of such rating
      by any other nationally recognized securities rating agency, but excluding
      any debt  securities or instruments  constituting  loans or advances among
      the Corporation  and its  Subsidiaries,  and (iii)  investment in any fund
      that invests  exclusively  in investments of the type described in clauses
      (i) and (ii)  which  fund may also hold  cash  pending  investment  and/or
      distribution.

            "Junior Securities" has the meaning provided in Article III
      hereof.

            "KMC Telecom" means KMC Telecom Inc, a Delaware corporation.

            "KMC Telecom II" means KMC Telecom II, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

            "KMC  Telecom   III"  means  KMC  Telecom  III,   Inc.,  a  Delaware
      corporation.

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

            "Lucent" means Lucent Technologies Inc., a Delaware corporation.

            "Lucent Facility" means the vendor financing facility between Lucent
      and KMC  Telecom  III and KMC  Telecom  Leasing  III  LLC,  providing  for
      aggregate  borrowings  of up to $600  million  and  maturing on the eighth
      anniversary of the closing of such credit facility.

            "Mandatory Redemption Date" means February 1, 2011.

            "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and its
      successors.

            "Nassau" means Nassau Capital Partners L.P., NAS Partners I
      L.L.C. or their respective successors, and their Affiliates.

<PAGE>

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

            "Newcourt Capital" means Newcourt Capital USA, Inc., a Delaware
      corporation.

            "Newcourt  Facility" means the Loan and Security  Agreement dated as
      of December  22,  1998 among KMC  Telecom,  KMC  Telecom II, and  Newcourt
      Finance  and any  other  lenders  or  borrowers  from  time to time  party
      thereto,  collateral  documents,  instruments,  and agreements executed in
      connection  therewith  and  any  amendments,  supplements,  modifications,
      extensions, renewals, restatements, refinancings or refundings thereof.

<PAGE>

            "Newcourt Finance" means Newcourt Commercial Finance Corporation,
      formerly known as AT&T Commercial Finance Corporation, a Delaware
      corporation, and its successors.

            "Offer to  Purchase"  means an offer to purchase  Series F Preferred
      Stock by the Corporation from the Holders commenced by mailing a notice to
      the Transfer Agent and each Holder stating:  (i) the covenant  pursuant to
      which  the  offer is being  made and  that all  Series F  Preferred  Stock
      validly  tendered  will be  accepted  for  payment  on a pro  rata  basis,
      together  with any other  Parity  Securities  subject to similar  offer to
      purchase  provisions;  (ii) the  purchase  price and the date of  purchase
      (which  shall be a Business  Day no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60
      days from the date such notice is mailed) (the "Payment Date"); (iii) that
      any  Series F  Preferred  Stock  not  tendered  will  continue  to  accrue
      dividends  pursuant  to its  terms;  (iv)  that,  unless  the  Corporation
      defaults  in the  payment of the  purchase  price,  any Series F Preferred
      Stock  accepted for payment  pursuant to the Offer to Purchase shall cease
      to accrue  dividends on and after the Payment  Date;  (v) that each Holder
      electing to have Series F Preferred Stock purchased  pursuant to the Offer
      to Purchase  will be required to surrender  to the  Transfer  Agent at the
      address  specified  in the notice  prior to the close of  business  on the
      Business  Day  immediately   preceding  the  payment  date  such  holder's
      certificate  representing such Series F Preferred Stock, together with the
      form entitled  "Option of the Holder to Elect  Purchase"  appearing on the
      reverse side of such Series F Preferred Stock certificate completed,  (vi)
      that  Holders  will be entitled to withdraw  their  election if the Paying
      Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the third Business
      Day  immediately  preceding  the  Payment  Date,  a  telegram,   facsimile
      transmission  or  letter  setting  forth  the  name  of such  Holder,  the
      liquidation  preference of Series F Preferred Stock delivered for purchase
      and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing  its election to have such
      Series F Preferred Stock purchased;  and (vii) that Holders whose Series F
      Preferred  Stock is being purchased only in part will be issued new Series
      F  Preferred  Stock equal in  liquidation  preference  to the  unpurchased
      portion of the Series F Preferred Stock surrendered.  On the Payment Date,
      the Corporation  shall (i) accept for payment on a pro rata basis Series F
      Preferred  Stock,  together  with any other Parity  Securities  subject to
      similar  offer  to  purchase  provisions,  or  portions  thereof  tendered
      pursuant to an Offer to Purchase; (ii) deposit with the Paying Agent money
      sufficient  to pay the  purchase  price of all Series F  Preferred  Stock,
      together  with any other  Parity  Securities  subject to similar  offer to
      purchase provisions,  or portions thereof so accepted;  and (iii) deliver,
      or cause to be  delivered,  to the  Transfer  Agent all Series F Preferred
      Stock  or  portions  thereof  so  accepted   together  with  an  Officers'
      Certificate  specifying shares of the Series F Preferred Stock or portions
      thereof  accepted for payment by the  Corporation.  The Paying Agent shall
      promptly  mail to the  Holders  of Series F  Preferred  Stock so  accepted
      payment in an amount equal to the purchase  price,  and the Transfer Agent

<PAGE>

      shall promptly  authenticate and mail to such Holders new shares of Series
      F  Preferred  Stock equal in  liquidation  preference  to any  unpurchased
      portion of the Series F Preferred Stock surrendered.  The Corporation will
      publicly  announce  the  results  of an  Offer  to  Purchase  as  soon  as
      practicable  after the Payment Date.  The Transfer  Agent shall act as the
      Paying Agent for an Offer to Purchase.  The  Corporation  will comply with
      Rule  14e-1  under  the  Exchange  Act and any other  securities  laws and
      regulations  thereunder  to the  extent  such  laws  and  regulations  are
      applicable,  in the event that the  Corporation  is required to repurchase
      Series F Preferred Stock pursuant to an Offer to Purchase.

            "Officer" means with respect to the Corporation, (i) the Chairman of
      the Board,  the Vice  Chairman  of the  Board,  the  President,  the Chief
      Executive  Officer,  the Chief Financial Officer or a Vice president,  and
      (ii) the  Treasurer or any  Assistant  Treasurer,  or the Secretary or any
      Assistant Secretary of the Corporation.

            "Officers'  Certificate"  means a certificate  signed by one Officer
      listed in clause (i) of the  definition  thereof and one Officer listed in
      clause (ii) of the definition thereof;  provided,  however,  that any such
      certificate  may be signed by any two of the Officers listed in clause (i)
      of the definition thereof in lieu of being signed by one Officer listed in
      clause (i) of the definition thereof and one Officer listed in clause (ii)
      of the definition thereof.

            "Parity Securities" has the meaning specified in Article III
      hereof.

            "Permitted Investment" means (i) an Investment in the Corporation or
      a Restricted  Subsidiary  or a Person which will,  upon the making of such
      Investment,  become a Restricted  Subsidiary or be merged or  consolidated
      with or into or transfer or convey all or substantially all its assets to,
      the  Corporation or a Restricted  Subsidiary;  provided that such person's
      primary business is related,  ancillary or complementary to the businesses
      of the  Corporation  and its Restricted  Subsidiaries  on the date of such
      Investment;   (ii)  Temporary  Cash   Investments  and  Investment   Grade
      Securities;  (iii) payroll,  travel and similar  advances to cover matters
      that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as
      expenses  in  accordance  with  GAAP  and  reasonable  advances  to  sales
      representatives; (iv) any Investment acquired by the Corporation or any of
      its Restricted  Subsidiaries  (x) in exchange for any other  Investment or
      accounts  receivable  held  by  the  Corporation  or any  such  Restricted
      Subsidiary  in connection  with or as a result of a  bankruptcy,  workout,
      reorganization or  recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment
      or  accounts  receivable  or  (y)  as a  result  of a  foreclosure  by the
      Corporation  or any of its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  with  respect to any

<PAGE>

      secured  Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured
      Investment in default;  (v) any Investment  acquired in consideration  for
      the  issuance of Junior  Securities  or the  proceeds  of the  issuance of
      Junior  Securities  to the extent such  amounts  have not been  previously
      applied to a  Restricted  Payment  pursuant to clause  (iii)(B)(2)  of the
      first paragraph of Section XI(B) or clause (ii) of the second paragraph of
      Section XI(B) or used to support the Incurrence of  Indebtedness  pursuant
      to clause (viii) in accordance with Section XI(A) and Investments acquired
      as a capital  contribution;  (vi)  Guarantees  permitted by Section XI(A);
      (vii) loans or advances to employees of the  Corporation or any Restricted
      Subsidiary that do not in the aggregate exceed at any one time outstanding
      $5.0 million;  (viii)  Currency  Agreements  and Interest Rate  Agreements
      permitted  under Section  XI(A);  (ix)  Investments  in prepaid  expenses,
      negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and workers'
      compensation,  performance and other similar deposits;  (x) Investments in
      debt  securities  or other  evidences of  Indebtedness  that are issued by
      companies engaged in the Telecommunications  Business;  provided that when
      each Investment  pursuant to this clause (x) is made, the aggregate amount
      of  Investments  outstanding  under this  clause (x) does not exceed  $3.0
      million;  (xi) Strategic  Investments  and  Investments in Permitted Joint
      Ventures  in an  amount  not to  exceed  $20.0  million  at any  one  time
      outstanding;  (xii) an  Investment  in any Person the primary  business of
      which is  related,  ancillary  or  complementary  to the  business  of the
      Corporation  and its  Subsidiaries  on the date of such  Investment  in an
      amount  not to  exceed  at any time in  respect  of all  such  Investments
      outstanding   the  sum  of  (x)  $200.0   million  plus  (y)  40%  of  the
      Corporation's  Consolidated  EBITDA,  if  positive,  for  the  immediately
      preceding  four  fiscal  quarters  (valued in each case as provided in the
      definition of  "Investments");  (xiii)  securities  received in connection
      with  Asset  Sales  to  the  extent  constituting  non-cash  consideration
      permitted under Section XI(F);  and (xiv)  Investments in an amount not to
      exceed $50.0 million at any time outstanding.

            "Permitted Joint Venture" means any  Unrestricted  Subsidiary or any
      other Person in which the  Corporation  or a Restricted  Subsidiary  owns,
      directly or  indirectly,  an ownership  interest  (other than a Restricted
      Subsidiary)   and  whose  primary   business  is  related,   ancillary  or
      complementary  to the  businesses of the  Corporation  and its  Restricted
      Subsidiaries at the time of determination.

            "Person" means any individual,  partnership,  corporation,  business
      trust,   joint  stock   company,   limited   liability   company,   trust,
      unincorporated association, joint venture, governmental authority or other
      entity of whatever nature.

<PAGE>

            "Preferred   Stock"   means   any   and   all   shares,   interests,
      participations or other equivalents of the Corporation's  preferred stock,
      including  any such  security  with any  priority  over Common  Stock with
      respect to dividends or upon liquidation or similar events.

            "Public  Equity  Offering"  means  an  underwritten  primary  public
      offering  of Common  Stock of the  Corporation  pursuant  to an  effective
      registration statement under the Securities Act.

            "Purchase  Agreement" means the Securities  Purchase Agreement dated
      as of February 4, 1999 among the Corporation, Newcourt Finance and Lucent.

            "Redemption  Date", when used with respect to any Series F Preferred
      Stock to be  redeemed,  means  the date  fixed for such  redemption  by or
      pursuant to the terms of this Certificate of Designations.

            "Redemption  Price"  means,  with  respect  to any share of Series F
      Preferred Stock, the price at which such share of Series F Preferred Stock
      is  to  be  redeemed   pursuant  to  the  terms  of  this  Certificate  of
      Designations.

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

            "Securities  Act" means the  Securities Act of 1933, as amended from
      time to time, or any successor statute.

            "Senior  Discount Note  Indenture"  means the Indenture  dated as of
      January 29, 1998 between the  Corporation  and The Chase  Manhattan  Bank,
      relating to the Senior  Discount  Notes, as such Indenture may be amended,
      supplemented,  extended, renewed, replaced or otherwise modified from time
      to time.

            "Senior  Discount Notes" means the 12 1/2% Senior Discount Notes due
      2008 issued by the Corporation under the Senior Discount Note Indenture.

            "Senior Securities" has the meaning provided in Article III
      hereof.

            "Significant  Subsidiary"  means,  any  Subsidiary  that  would be a
      "significant   subsidiary"   as  defined  in  17  CFR  Part   210.1-01(w),
      promulgated  pursuant  to the  Securities  Act, as such  regulation  is in
      effect on the date hereof.

<PAGE>

            "S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a Division of McGraw
      Hill, Inc., and its successors.

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

            "Strategic  Investments"  means  (a)  Investments  that the Board of
      Directors has determined in good faith will enable the  Corporation or any
      of its Restricted Subsidiaries to obtain additional business that it might
      not be able to obtain without making such  Investment and (b)  Investments
      in entities  the  principal  function of which is to perform  research and
      development  with  respect to products  and  services  that may be used or
      useful in the Telecommunications  Business;  provided that the Corporation
      or one of its Restricted  Subsidiaries is entitled or otherwise reasonably
      expected to obtain rights to such products or services as a result of such
      Investment.

            "Strategic  Subordinated  Indebtedness"  means  Indebtedness  of the
      Corporation Incurred to finance the acquisition of a Person engaged in the
      Telecommunications  Business  that by its  terms,  or by the  terms of any
      agreement  or   instrument   pursuant  to  which  such   Indebtedness   is
      outstanding,  (i) is expressly made subordinate in right of payment to the
      Senior  Discount  Notes and (ii)  provides  that no payment of  principal,
      premium  or  interest  on, or any other  payment  with  respect  to,  such
      Indebtedness  may be  made  prior  to the  payment  in  full of all of the
      Corporation's  obligations  under  the  Series F  Preferred  Stock and the
      Senior Discount Notes; provided that such Indebtedness may provide for and
      be repaid  at any time  from the  proceeds  of the sale of  Capital  Stock
      (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Corporation after the Incurrence of
      such Indebtedness.

            "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation,
      association,  or other business entity (other than a partnership) of which
      more  than 50% of the  total  voting  power of  shares  of  Capital  Stock
      entitled  (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in
      the election of directors,  managers or trustees thereof is at the time of
      determination owned or controlled,  directly or indirectly, by such Person
      or one or more of the other  Subsidiaries  of such Person or a combination
      thereof and (ii) any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company
      or  similar  entity of which (x) more  than 50% of the  capital  accounts,
      distribution  rights,  total  equity  and voting  interests  or general or
      limited  partnership  interests,  as applicable,  are owned or controlled,
      directly  or  indirectly,  by such  Person  or one or  more  of the  other
      Subsidiaries  of such Person or a combination  thereof whether in the form
      of membership,  general,  special or limited  partnership or otherwise and
      (y) such Person or any Wholly Owned  Restricted  Subsidiary of such Person
      is a general partner or otherwise controls such entity.

<PAGE>

            "Telecommunications  Business" means the  development,  ownership or
      operation  of one or more  telephone,  telecommunications  or  information
      systems or the provision of telephony,  telecommunications  or information
      services  (including,  without limitation,  any voice, video transmission,
      data or Internet  services)  and any related,  ancillary or  complementary
      business.

            "Temporary Cash Investment"  means any of the following:  (i) direct
      obligations  of the United  States of  America  or any  agency  thereof or
      obligations fully and  unconditionally  guaranteed by the United States of
      America  or any  agency or  instrumentality  thereof,  (ii)  time  deposit
      accounts,  certificates  of deposit,  eurodollar  time  deposits and money
      market  deposits  maturing  within  180  days  or  less  of  the  date  of
      acquisition  thereof  issued by a bank or trust company which is organized
      under the laws of the United  States of America,  any state thereof or any
      foreign country recognized by the United States of America, and which bank
      or trust company has capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating in
      excess of $50 million (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof) and has
      outstanding debt which is rated "A" (or such similar equivalent rating) or
      higher  by  at  least  one  nationally   recognized   statistical   rating
      organization  (as  defined  in Rule 436 under the  Securities  Act) or any
      money-market  fund sponsored by a registered  broker dealer or mutual fund
      distributor,  (iii) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 30
      days for underlying  securities of the types  described in clauses (i) and
      (ii) above entered into with a bank meeting the  qualifications  described
      in clause (ii) above,  (iv)  commercial  paper,  maturing not more than 90
      days after the date of acquisition, issued by a corporation (other than an
      Affiliate of the Corporation) organized and in existence under the laws of
      the United  States of America,  any state  thereof or any foreign  country
      recognized by the United States of America with a rating at the time as of
      which any  investment  therein is made of "P-1" (or higher)  according  to
      Moody's  or "A-1"  (or  higher)  according  to S&P,  (v)  securities  with
      maturities  of six months or less from the date of  acquisition  issued or
      fully  and  unconditionally  guaranteed  by  any  state,  commonwealth  or
      territory of the United States of America, or by any political subdivision
      or taxing authority thereof, and rated at least "A" by S&P or Moody's, and
      (vi)  investment  funds investing 95% of their assets in securities of the
      type described in clauses (i)-(v) above.

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

<PAGE>

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

            "Transfer Agent" means Chase Mellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C.

            "Unrestricted   Subsidiary"   means  (i)  any   Subsidiary   of  the
      Corporation  that at the  time of  determination  shall be  designated  an
      Unrestricted  Subsidiary by the Board of Directors in the manner  provided
      below; and (ii) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of
      Directors may designate any  Restricted  Subsidiary  (including  any newly
      acquired  or  newly  formed  Subsidiary  of  the  Corporation)  to  be  an
      Unrestricted  Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary owns any Capital Stock of,
      or owns or holds  any Lien on any  property  of,  the  Corporation  or any
      Restricted Subsidiary;  provided that (A) any Guarantee by the Corporation
      or any Restricted  Subsidiary of any  Indebtedness of the Subsidiary being
      so designated shall be deemed an "Incurrence" of such  Indebtedness and an
      "Investment" by the Corporation or such Restricted Subsidiary (or both, if
      applicable) at the time of such designation; (B) either (I) the Subsidiary
      to be so  designated  has  total  assets of $1,000 or less or (II) if such
      Subsidiary  has assets  greater than  $1,000,  such  designation  would be
      permitted in accordance  with Section XI(B);  and (C) if  applicable,  the
      Incurrence of Indebtedness and the Investment referred to in clause (A) of
      this  proviso  would be  permitted in  accordance  with Section  XI(A) and
      Section  XI(B).  The Board of Directors  may  designate  any  Unrestricted
      Subsidiary to be a Restricted  Subsidiary;  provided that all Indebtedness
      of  such  Unrestricted   Subsidiary  outstanding  immediately  after  such
      designation  would,  if Incurred at such time,  have been  permitted to be
      Incurred  (and shall be deemed to have been  Incurred) for all purposes of
      this  Certificate of  Designations.  Any such  designation by the Board of
      Directors shall be evidenced to the Transfer Agent by promptly filing with
      the Transfer  Agent a copy of the Board  Resolution  giving effect to such
      designation and an Officers' Certificate  certifying that such designation
      complied with the foregoing provisions.

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

            "Warrant  Agreement" means the warrant agreement,  dated the Closing
      Date, among the Corporation,  Newcourt Finance,  Lucent and any Additional
      Purchaser (as described  therein) and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as warrant
      agent.

<PAGE>

            "Warrants" means any warrants that may be issued under the
      Warrant Agreement.

            "Wholly Owned" means,  with respect to any Subsidiary of any Person,
      the  ownership  of 95% or more of the  outstanding  Capital  Stock of such
      Subsidiary (other than any director's  qualifying shares or Investments by
      foreign  nationals  mandated by  applicable  law) by such Person or one or
      more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.


II.   Designation.

            The  series  of  Preferred  Stock  authorized   hereunder  shall  be
designated  as the  "Series F Senior  Redeemable,  Exchangeable,  PIK  Preferred
Stock" and is referred  to herein as the "Series F Preferred  Stock." The number
of shares  constituting such series shall be 55,000. The par value of the Series
F  Preferred  Stock shall be $.01 per share of Series F  Preferred  Stock.  Each
share of Series F Preferred Stock  purchased from the  Corporation  shall have a
liquidation  preference of $1,000.  The Corporation may from time to time in its
discretion issue fractional shares of Series F Preferred Stock.

III.  Ranking.

            The  Series F  Preferred  Stock  shall,  with  respect  to  dividend
distributions and distributions upon the liquidation, winding-up and dissolution
of the  Corporation,  rank (i)  senior to all  classes  of  Common  Stock of the
Corporation,  (ii)  senior to each  other  class of  capital  stock or series of
Preferred Stock the terms of which do not expressly provide that it ranks senior
to or on a parity with the Series F Preferred Stock as to dividend distributions
and  distributions  upon the  liquidation,  winding-up  and  dissolution  of the
Corporation (collectively referred to, together with all classes of Common Stock
of the Corporation, as the "Junior Securities");  (iii) on a parity with (A) any
class of Capital Stock or series of Preferred Stock the terms of which expressly
provide  that such  class or  series  will  rank on a parity  with the  Series F
Preferred  Stock  as  to  dividend  distributions  and  distributions  upon  the
liquidation,   winding-up  and  dissolution  of  the  Corporation  and  (B)  the
Corporation's  Series  A  Cumulative   Convertible  Preferred  Stock,  Series  C
Cumulative   Convertible  Preferred  Stock,  Series  D  Cumulative   Convertible
Preferred  Stock and  Series E  Preferred  Stock  (collectively  referred  to as
"Parity  Securities");  and (iv) junior to each class of Capital Stock or series
of  Preferred  Stock  issued by the  Corporation  the  terms of which  expressly
provide  that such class or series  will rank  senior to the Series F  Preferred
Stock  as  to  dividend   distributions  and  distributions   upon  liquidation,

<PAGE>

winding-up  and  dissolution  of the  Corporation  (collectively  referred to as
"Senior  Securities").  The  Series F  Preferred  Stock  will be  subject to the
issuance  of  series  of  Junior   Securities,   Parity  Securities  and  Senior
Securities, provided that the Corporation may not authorize, create or issue, or
increase the  authorized  amount of, any new class of Senior  Securities (or any
class of any security  convertible into shares of any Senior  Security)  without
the  approval  of the  holders of at least a majority  of the shares of Series F
Preferred  Stock then  outstanding,  voting or  consenting,  as the case may be,
separately  as one class,  except  that,  without the approval of holders of the
Series F Preferred Stock, the Corporation may issue shares of Senior  Securities
(or any class of any security convertible into shares of any Senior Security) in
exchange for, or the proceeds of which are used to redeem or repurchase, (1) all
(but not less  than  all)  shares  of  Series E  Preferred  Stock  and  Series F
Preferred Stock then outstanding,  (2) any Senior Securities or (3) Indebtedness
of the Corporation.


IV.   Dividends.

            (A)  Holders  of  Series F  Preferred  Stock  shall be  entitled  to
receive,  when,  as and if  declared  by the  Board of  Directors,  out of funds
legally available therefor,  dividends on the Series F Preferred Stock at a rate
per  annum  equal to 14.5% of the  liquidation  preference  per  share,  payable
quarterly. All dividends will be cumulative,  whether or not earned or declared,
accruing on a daily basis,  whether or not there are  profits,  surplus or other
funds  legally  available  for the payment of such  dividends,  from the date of
issuance  of the  Series F  Preferred  Stock and will be  payable  quarterly  in
arrears on each  Dividend  Payment  Date,  commencing  on April 15, 1999. On and
before January 15, 2004, the  Corporation may pay dividends,  at its option,  in
cash or in additional fully paid and nonassessable  shares of Series F Preferred
Stock having an  aggregate  liquidation  preference  equal to the amount of such
dividends rounded to the nearest $1.00.  After January 15, 2004,  dividends must
be paid in cash, unless the Corporation's debt securities  prohibit such payment
or there are no funds legally available therefor, in which case dividends may be
paid in  additional  fully paid and  nonassessable  shares of Series F Preferred
Stock having an  aggregate  liquidation  preference  equal to the amount of such
dividends  rounded to the nearest  $1.00.  If any dividend (or portion  thereof)
payable on any  Dividend  Payment  Date is not  declared or paid in full on such
Dividend Payment Date, the amount of accrued and unpaid dividends will accrue at
the dividend rate on the Series F Preferred Stock, compounding quarterly,  until
declared and paid in full.

            (B) No full dividends may be declared or paid or funds set apart for
the payment of dividends  on any Parity  Securities  for any period  unless full
cumulative dividends shall have been or contemporaneously  shall be declared and
paid in full on the Series F Preferred Stock. If full dividends are not so paid,
the Series F  Preferred  Stock shall  share  dividends  pro rata with the Parity
Securities.  No  dividends  may be paid or set apart for such  payment on Junior

<PAGE>

Securities (except dividends on Junior Securities in additional shares of Junior
Securities)  and no Junior  Securities or Parity  Securities may be repurchased,
redeemed  or  otherwise  retired  nor may funds be set apart  for  payment  with
respect  thereto if full  cumulative  dividends  shall not have been paid on the
Series F Preferred Stock.

            (C) Each  dividend  paid on the Series F  Preferred  Stock  shall be
payable to Holders of record as their names shall  appear in the stock ledger of
the  Corporation  on the  Dividend  Record Date for such  dividend,  except that
dividends in arrears for any past Dividend Payment Date may be declared and paid
at any time without  reference to such regular  Dividend Payment Date to Holders
of record on a later dividend record date determined by the Board of Directors.


V.    Liquidation Preference.

            (A) Upon any voluntary or  involuntary  liquidation,  dissolution or
winding-up  of the  Corporation,  holders  of Series F  Preferred  Stock will be
entitled  to be  paid,  out  of the  assets  of the  Corporation  available  for
distribution,  $1,000  per share,  plus an amount in cash  equal to accrued  and
unpaid  dividends  thereon to the date  fixed for  liquidation,  dissolution  or
winding-up (including an amount equal to a prorated dividend for the period from
the last Dividend Payment Date to the date fixed for liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up),  before any distribution is made on any Junior Securities. If, upon
any  voluntary or  involuntary  liquidation,  dissolution  or  winding-up of the
Corporation,  the amounts  payable with respect to the Series F Preferred  Stock
and all other Parity  Securities are not paid in full, the holders of the Series
F Preferred  Stock and the Parity  Securities  will share equally and ratably in
any  distribution  of  assets  of the  Corporation  in  proportion  to the  full
liquidation  preference  and  accrued  and  unpaid  dividends  to which  each is
entitled.  After payment of the full amount of the  liquidation  preferences and
accrued and unpaid dividends to which they are entitled, the holders of Series F
Preferred  Stock  will  not be  entitled  to any  further  participation  in any
distribution of assets of the Corporation.

            (B) For the  purposes  of this  Article  V only,  neither  the sale,
lease,  conveyance,  exchange or transfer (for cash, shares of stock, securities
or other consideration) of all or substantially all of the property or assets of
the Corporation nor the  consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into
one or more  corporations  shall be deemed to be a  liquidation,  dissolution or
winding-up of the Corporation.

<PAGE>

VI.   Redemption.

            (A)  Mandatory  Redemption.  The Series F  Preferred  Stock shall be
subject to  mandatory  redemption  (subject to the legal  availability  of funds
therefor and any  contractual  or other  restrictions  with respect  thereto) in
whole on the Mandatory  Redemption Date at a Redemption Price,  payable in cash,
equal to the  liquidation  preference  thereof on the  Redemption  Date plus all
accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the Redemption Date.

            (B)  Optional  Redemption.  The  Series  F  Preferred  Stock  may be
redeemed at any time,  at the  Corporation's  option,  in whole or in part, at a
Redemption Price,  payable in cash, equal to 110% of the liquidation  preference
thereof on the Redemption  Date, plus an amount in cash equal to all accrued and
unpaid dividends thereon to the Redemption Date.

            No  optional  redemption  may be  authorized  or made  unless  prior
thereto full unpaid cumulative dividends shall have been paid or a sum set apart
for such payment on the Series F Preferred Stock.

            (C) Procedure for  Redemption.  (i) Not more than sixty (60) and not
less than thirty (30) days prior to the  Redemption  Date,  written  notice (the
"Redemption  Notice") shall be given by the  Corporation by first-class  mail to
each Holder at such Holder's  address as the same appears on the stock ledger of
the Corporation;  provided, however, that no failure to give such notice nor any
deficiency therein shall affect the validity of the procedure for the redemption
of any  shares  of Series F  Preferred  Stock to be  redeemed,  except as to the
Holders to whom the  Corporation  has failed to give such notice or except as to
the Holders whose notice was defective. The Redemption Notice shall state:

            (a)   the Redemption Price;

            (b)   the Redemption Date;

            (c) that the Holder is to surrender to the Corporation, at the place
      or  places  designated  in  such  Redemption   Notice,   its  certificates
      representing the shares of Series F Preferred Stock to be redeemed; and

            (d) the name of any  bank or trust  company  performing  the  duties
      referred to in Section VI(C)(iv) below.

            (ii) On or  before  the  Redemption  Date,  each  Holder of Series F
Preferred  Stock to be redeemed shall  surrender the certificate or certificates
representing such shares of Series F Preferred Stock to the Corporation,  in the
manner  and  at  the  place  designated  in the  Redemption  Notice,  and on the
Redemption  Date the full  Redemption  Price for such shares shall be payable in

<PAGE>

cash to the Holder whose name appears in the stock ledger of the  Corporation as
the  owner  thereof,  and each  surrendered  certificate  shall be  returned  to
authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock of the Corporation.

            (iii) Unless the Corporation  defaults in the payment in full of the
applicable  Redemption  Price,  dividends on the Series F Preferred Stock called
for redemption  shall cease to accrue on the Redemption Date, and the Holders of
such shares shall cease to have any further  rights with respect  thereto on the
Redemption Date, other than the right to receive the Redemption Price.

            (iv) If a  Redemption  Notice  shall  have been duly given or if the
Corporation shall have given to the bank or trust company  hereinafter  referred
to irrevocable  authorization  promptly to give such notice, and if on or before
the Redemption  Date specified  therein the funds  necessary for such redemption
shall have been irrevocably and  indefeasibly  deposited by the Corporation with
such bank or trust  company in trust for the pro rata  benefit of the Holders of
the Series F Preferred Stock called for redemption,  then,  notwithstanding that
any  certificate  for  shares  so  called  for  redemption  shall  not have been
surrendered  for  cancellation,  from and  after the time of such  deposit,  all
shares so called, or to be so called pursuant to such irrevocable authorization,
for redemption  shall be deemed no longer to be outstanding  and all rights with
respect to such shares shall forthwith  cease and terminate,  excepting only the
right of the Holders  thereof to receive from such bank or trust  company at any
time after the time of such deposit the funds so  deposited,  without  interest.
Any interest accrued on such funds shall be paid to the Corporation from time to
time. Any funds so set aside or deposited,  as the case may be, and unclaimed at
the end of three years from such Redemption Date shall, to the extent  permitted
by law, be  released or repaid to the  Corporation,  after which  repayment  the
Holders of the shares to be  redeemed  shall  look only to the  Corporation  for
payment thereof.

            (v) In the event of partial redemptions of Series F Preferred Stock,
the shares to be redeemed will be  determined  pro rata or by lot, as determined
by the  Corporation,  except that the Corporation may redeem such shares held by
any holder of fewer than 100 shares without  regard to such pro rata  redemption
requirement.  If any Series F Preferred  Stock is to be  redeemed  in part,  the
Redemption  Notice that relates to such Series F Preferred Stock shall state the
portion of the  liquidation  preference  to be redeemed.  New shares of Series F
Preferred  Stock  having  an  aggregate  liquidation  preference  equal  to  the
unredeemed  portion  shall be  issued  in the name of the  Holder  thereof  upon
cancellation of the original Series F Preferred Stock.

            (vi)  Notwithstanding  anything herein to the contrary, a Redemption
Notice will be revocable if (i) it states that it is revocable and provides that
a notice  of  revocation  may be given  not less  than  five  days  prior to the
Redemption  Date by the  Corporation in accordance  with Article XVII hereof and

<PAGE>

(ii) the Board of Directors determines that the availability of funds to pay the
Redemption  Price is subject to the closing of a financing and, at the time such
Redemption Notice is given, such closing is subject to uncertainty.

VII.  Voting Rights.

            (A) The  Holders of Series F  Preferred  Stock  shall have no voting
rights except as set forth below and as otherwise provided by law.

            (B)(i)If and whenever (1) dividends on the Series F Preferred  Stock
are in arrears and remain unpaid with respect to four quarterly periods (whether
or not  consecutive),  (2) the  Corporation  fails to discharge  any  redemption
obligation  with  respect  to the  Series F  Preferred  Stock,  (3) a breach  or
violation  by the  Corporation  of the  provisions  of Article X occurs,  or the
Corporation  fails to exchange  Exchange  Debentures  for the Series F Preferred
Stock tendered for exchange on the exchange date, whether or not the Corporation
satisfies the conditions to permit such exchange,  (4) the Corporation  fails to
make a Change of Control Offer or cash payment with respect  thereto if required
by the  provisions of Article VIII or (5) a breach or violation of any provision
of Article IX or  Article  XI occurs  and is not  remedied  within 30 days after
notice thereof to the  Corporation by Holders of 25% or more of the  liquidation
preference  of the Series F Preferred  Stock then  outstanding  (each such event
referred to as a "Voting Rights Triggering Event"), then the number of directors
then  constituting the Board of Directors of the Corporation  shall be increased
by one director and the Holders of a majority of the then outstanding  shares of
Series F Preferred Stock,  voting as a single class,  shall be entitled to elect
one additional director at any annual meeting of shareholders or special meeting
held in place  thereof,  or at a  special  meeting  of the  Holders  of Series F
Preferred Stock called as hereinafter provided.

            (ii) Whenever a Voting Rights  Triggering Event shall have occurred,
voting  rights of the  Holders  of  Series F  Preferred  Stock may be  exercised
initially either at a special meeting of the Holders of Series F Preferred Stock
called as hereinafter  provided,  or at any annual meeting of shareholders  held
for the  purpose of  electing  directors,  and  thereafter  at each such  annual
meeting or by the written  consent of the  Holders of Series F Preferred  Stock,
voting as a single class,  pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law. The
term of office of any such  elected  director  shall  expire at the next  annual
meeting of shareholders held for the purpose of electing directors, subject to a
new election of a director by the Holders of Series F Preferred Stock, voting as
a single class,  at each successive  annual meeting,  but such voting rights and
the term of office of any such elected director shall expire at such time as (A)
all dividends  accrued on Series F Preferred  Stock shall have been paid in full
and (B)  each  failure,  breach  or  default  referred  to in  paragraph  VII(B)
(i)(A)(2), (3), (4) and (5) above is remedied.

<PAGE>

            (iii) At any time after a Voting Rights  Triggering Event shall have
occurred and such voting rights shall not already have been initially exercised,
a proper  officer of the  Corporation  may, and upon the written  request of any
Holder of Series F Preferred Stock  (addressed to the Secretary at the principal
office of the  Corporation)  shall,  call a special  meeting  of the  Holders of
Series F Preferred  Stock for the  election of a director to be elected by them,
voting as a single  class,  as herein  provided,  such call to be made by notice
similar to that provided in the Bylaws for a special meeting of the shareholders
or as required by law.

            (iv) Such  meeting  shall be held at the earliest  practicable  date
upon the notice  required for annual  meetings of  shareholders at the place for
holding annual  meetings of  shareholders  of the  Corporation or, if none, at a
place designated by the Secretary of the Corporation.  If such meeting shall not
be called  by a proper  officer  of the  Corporation  within  30 days  after the
personal  service of such written request upon the Secretary of the Corporation,
or within 30 days after mailing the same within the United States, by registered
mail,  addressed to the Secretary of the  Corporation  at its  principal  office
(such  mailing to be  evidenced  by the  registry  receipt  issued by the postal
authorities),  then the  holders  of  record  of 10% of the  shares  of Series F
Preferred Stock then outstanding,  may designate in writing a Holder of Series F
Preferred Stock to call such meeting at the expense of the Corporation, and such
meeting may be called by such person so designated  upon the notice required for
annual  meetings  of  shareholders  and  shall be held at the  same  place as is
elsewhere  provided in this  paragraph  VII(B)(iv)  or at such other place as is
selected by such person so  designated.  Any Holder of Series F Preferred  Stock
that would be  entitled  to vote at any such  meeting  shall have  access to the
stock  books  of the  Corporation  for the  purpose  of  causing  a  meeting  of
shareholders  to be  called  pursuant  to  the  provisions  of  this  paragraph.
Notwithstanding  the  provisions  of this  paragraph,  however,  no such special
meeting shall be called during a period within 90 days immediately preceding the
date fixed for the next annual meeting of shareholders.

            (v) At any meeting  held for the purpose of  electing  directors  at
which the Holders of Series F Preferred Stock,  voting as a single class,  shall
have the right to elect a director as provided herein, the presence in person or
by proxy of the Holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of Series F
Preferred  Stock shall be required and be  sufficient  to constitute a quorum of
such class for the election of a director by such class.  At any such meeting or
adjournment  thereof,  (x) the  absence  of a quorum of the  Holders of Series F
Preferred  Stock  shall not prevent the  election  of  directors  other than the
director to be elected by such Holders and the absence of a quorum or quorums of
the holders of Capital Stock  entitled to elect such other  directors  shall not
prevent  the  election  of a director  to be elected by the  Holders of Series F
Preferred Stock, voting as a single class, and (y) in the absence of a quorum of
the  holders  of any  class  of  stock  entitled  to vote  for the  election  of
directors, a majority of the holders present in person or by proxy of such class
shall have the power to adjourn the meeting for the election of directors  which
the  holders of such class are  entitled  to elect,  from time to time,  without
notice (except as required by law) other than announcement at the meeting, until
a quorum shall be present.

<PAGE>

            (vi) The term of office of the  director  elected by the  Holders of
Series F Preferred Stock,  pursuant to paragraph VII(B)(i) in office at any time
when the aforesaid voting rights are vested in the Holders of Series F Preferred
Stock,  shall terminate upon the election of his/her successor by the Holders of
the Series F Preferred Stock at any meeting of  shareholders  for the purpose of
electing  directors.  Upon any  termination  of the  aforesaid  voting rights in
accordance with paragraph VII(B)(ii), the term of office of the director elected
pursuant to paragraph  VII(B)(i)  then in office shall  thereupon  terminate and
upon  such  termination  the  number  of  directors  constituting  the  Board of
Directors  shall,  without further action,  be reduced by one, subject always to
the increase of the number of directors pursuant to paragraph  VII(B)(i) in case
of the  future  right of the  Holders  of  Series F  Preferred  Stock to elect a
director as provided herein.

            (vii) If the director elected pursuant to paragraph VII(B)(ii) shall
cease to serve as director  before  his/her  term shall  expire,  the Holders of
Series F  Preferred  Stock  then  outstanding,  voting as a single  class,  at a
special meeting called as provided  above,  may elect a successor to hold office
for the unexpired terms of the director whose place shall be vacant.


VIII. Change of Control.

            Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Corporation shall be
required (subject to any contractual and other restrictions with respect thereto
and the legal  availability of funds therefor) to make an Offer to Purchase (the
"Change  of  Control  Offer")  to each  Holder  of Series F  Preferred  Stock to
repurchase all or any part, at the Holder's  option,  of such Holder's  Series F
Preferred  Stock  at a cash  purchase  price  equal  to 101% of the  liquidation
preference  thereof,  plus an amount in cash  equal to all  accrued  and  unpaid
dividends  (including  an amount in cash  equal to a prorated  dividend  for the
period  from the  immediately  preceding  Dividend  Payment  Date to the date of
purchase) (the "Change of Control Payment"). The Change of Control Offer must be
made within 30 days following the conclusion of all change of control offers for
the Corporation's debt securities, must remain open for at least 30 and not more
than 60 days and must  comply  with the  requirements  of Rule  14e-1  under the
Exchange Act and any other  securities  laws and  regulations  thereunder to the
extent such laws and regulations are applicable.  Prior to commencing any Change
of Control Offer,  the Corporation  shall first consummate any change of control
offer to  purchase  required to be made to any holder of its  Indebtedness.  The
Corporation  shall make the Change of Control Offer within 30 days following the
consummation  of any  mandatory  offers  to  purchase  and  any  other  required
repayments of the Corporation's Indebtedness resulting from a change of control.

<PAGE>

IX.   Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets.

            The Corporation  shall not consolidate  with, merge with or into, or
sell, convey,  transfer,  lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all
of its property and assets (as an entirety or  substantially  an entirety in one
transaction  or a series of related  transactions)  to, any Person or permit any
Person to merge with or into the Corporation  unless:  (i) the Corporation shall
be the continuing  Person, or the Person (if other than the Corporation)  formed
by such  consolidation  or into which the Corporation is merged or that acquired
or leased such  property and assets of the  Corporation  shall be a  corporation
organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America or
any  jurisdiction  thereof and the Series F Preferred  Stock shall be  converted
into or exchanged for and shall become shares of such successor company,  having
in respect of such successor company or resulting company substantially the same
powers, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights
and the  qualifications,  limitations or restrictions  thereon that the Series F
Preferred  Stock had  immediately  prior to such  transaction  in respect of the
Corporation;  (ii) immediately  after giving effect to such transaction on a pro
forma  basis,  (A) the  Corporation  or any Person  becoming  the  successor  or
resulting company, as the case may be, shall have a Consolidated Net Worth equal
to or greater than the  Consolidated  Net Worth of the  Corporation  immediately
prior to such  transaction  or (B) the  Corporation  or any Person  becoming the
successor or resulting  company,  as the case may be, shall have a  Consolidated
Leverage  Ratio no more than the  greater  of (I) 6:1 and (II) the  Consolidated
Leverage  Ratio  of the  Corporation  immediately  prior  to  such  transaction;
provided that this clause (ii) shall not apply to a consolidation or merger with
or into a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary with a positive net worth; provided
that,  in connection  with any such merger or  consolidation,  no  consideration
(other than  Capital  Stock  (other than  Disqualified  Stock) in the  surviving
Person or the Corporation) shall be issued or distributed to the stockholders of
the  Corporation;  and (iii) the  Corporation  delivers to the Transfer Agent an
Officers'  Certificate  (attaching  the arithmetic  computations  to demonstrate
compliance  with clause (ii)) and Opinion of Counsel,  in each case stating that
such consolidation, merger or transfer complies with this provision and that all
conditions  precedent provided for herein relating to such transaction have been
complied with; provided,  however,  that clause (ii) above does not apply if, in
the good faith determination of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, whose
determination shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution, the principal purpose of
such  transaction is to change the state of incorporation of the Corporation and
any such  transaction  shall not have as one of its  purposes the evasion of the
foregoing limitations.

<PAGE>

X.    Exchange.

            (A)  The  Corporation  may,  at the  sole  option  of the  Board  of
Directors (subject to the legal  availability of funds therefor),  exchange all,
but not  less  than  all,  of the  shares  of  Series  F  Preferred  Stock  then
outstanding,  including any shares of Series F Preferred Stock issued as payment
for  dividends,  for a new  series  of  senior  subordinated  debentures  of the
Corporation  (the "Exchange  Debentures")  to be issued pursuant to an indenture
(the  "Indenture")  qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended,
substantially  in the form  attached as an exhibit to the Purchase  Agreement (a
copy of which  shall be  provided  to any  Holder  upon  written  request to the
Secretary  of the  Corporation),  at any time  following  the date on which such
exchange is  permitted  by the terms of the  then-existing  Indebtedness  of the
Corporation and subject to the conditions contained in paragraph X(B) below. The
Exchange  Debentures will be issued in registered form, without coupons, be duly
executed,  authenticated  as of the date on which the exchange is effective  and
dated the date of  exchange.  In the event of an  exchange,  Holders of Series F
Preferred  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  on the  date of  exchange  Exchange
Debentures  having an aggregate  principal  amount equal to (i) the total of the
liquidation preference for each share of Series F Preferred exchanged, plus (ii)
an amount  equal to all  accrued  but  unpaid  dividends  payable  on such share
(including  a prorated  dividend for the period from the  immediately  preceding
Dividend Payment Date to the date of exchange). In the event such exchange would
result in the  issuance of Exchange  Debentures  in a principal  amount which is
less than $1,000 or which is not an integral  multiple of $1,000 (such principal
amount less than $1,000 or the difference  between such principal amount and the
highest integral of $1,000 which is less than such principal amount, as the case
may be, is hereinafter  referred to as the "Fractional  Principal Amount"),  the
Corporation may,  subject to any restrictions in the terms of the  then-existing
Indebtedness of the  Corporation,  at the option of the Board of Directors,  pay
cash to each  Holder  of  Series F  Preferred  in lieu of  Fractional  Principal
Amounts of Exchange Debentures  otherwise issuable upon exchange of the Series F
Preferred Stock. The Person entitled to receive the Exchange Debentures issuable
upon exchange shall be treated for all purposes as the registered holder of such
Exchange  Debentures as of the date of exchange.  The  Corporation  will mail to
each Holder of Series F  Preferred  Stock  written  notice of its  intention  to
exchange no less than 20 nor more than 60 days prior to the date of exchange.

            (B) As a condition of the right of the Corporation to issue Exchange
Debentures  in exchange  for the Series F Preferred  Stock under  paragraph  (A)
above,  on the date of  exchange,  (A) there  shall be legally  available  funds
sufficient  therefor;  (B) a  registration  statement  relating to the  Exchange
Debentures shall have been declared  effective under the Securities Act prior to
such exchange and shall continue to be effective on the date of exchange, or the
Corporation  shall  have  obtained  a written  opinion  of its  outside  counsel
reasonably  acceptable  to  Holders  of a  majority  of the  shares  of Series F
Preferred  Stock that an exemption  from the  registration  requirements  of the
Securities  Act is  available  for such  exchange  and that upon receipt of such
Exchange  Debentures  pursuant to such an exchange made in accordance  with such
exemption,  each holder of an Exchange Debenture that is not an Affiliate of the

<PAGE>

Corporation  will not be subject to any  restrictions  imposed by the Securities
Act upon the resale of such  Exchange  Debenture,  and such  exemption is relied
upon by the  Corporation  for such  exchange,  (C) the Indenture and the trustee
thereunder  shall have been qualified  under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended;  (D)  immediately  after giving effect to such exchange,  no default or
event  of  default  would  exist  under  any  of  the   Corporation's   existing
Indebtedness;  and (E) the Corporation shall have delivered to the Trustee under
the  Indenture  a  written  opinion  of  counsel,  dated  the date of  exchange,
regarding the  satisfaction  of the conditions set forth in clauses (A), (B) and
(C).


XI.   Covenants.

      (A)   Limitation on Indebtedness

            (a) The  Corporation  shall  not,  and  will not  permit  any of its
Restricted  Subsidiaries  to, Incur any  Indebtedness  (other than  Indebtedness
existing  on  the  Closing  Date);  provided  that  the  Corporation  may  Incur
Indebtedness if, after giving effect to the Incurrence of such  Indebtedness and
the receipt and application of the proceeds therefrom, the Consolidated Leverage
Ratio would be greater than zero and less than 6:1.

            Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the  Corporation and any Restricted
Subsidiary  (except as specified below) may Incur each and all of the following:
(i) Indebtedness outstanding at any time in an aggregate principal amount not to
exceed $400 million;  (ii)  Indebtedness in existence on the Closing Date; (iii)
Indebtedness of the Corporation to a Restricted Subsidiary and Indebtedness of a
Restricted  Subsidiary  to the  Corporation  or another  Restricted  Subsidiary;
provided that such Indebtedness is made pursuant to an intercompany note and any
event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted
Subsidiary or any subsequent  transfer of such  Indebtedness  (other than to the
Corporation or another Restricted  Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to
constitute  an  Incurrence  of such  Indebtedness  not  permitted by this clause
(iii);  (iv)  Indebtedness  issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which
are used to  refinance  or refund,  then  outstanding  Indebtedness  (other than
Indebtedness  Incurred under clause (i),  (iii),  (v) or (ix) of this paragraph)
and any refinancings thereof in an amount not to exceed the amount so refinanced
or refunded (plus premiums, accrued interest, fees and expenses);  provided that
such  new  Indebtedness,  determined  as of the date of  Incurrence  of such new
Indebtedness,  does not mature or have a mandatory redemption or repurchase date
prior to the Stated  Maturity of the  Indebtedness to be refinanced or refunded,
and the Average Life of such new Indebtedness is at least equal to the remaining
Average Life of the Indebtedness to be refinanced or refunded;  (v) Indebtedness
(A) in respect of performance,  surety,  appeal bonds and completion  guarantees

<PAGE>

provided in the ordinary course of business;  (B) under Currency  Agreements and
Interest Rate Agreements;  provided that such agreements (a) are designed solely
to protect the Corporation or its Restricted  Subsidiaries  against fluctuations
in foreign currency exchange rates or interest rates and (b) do not increase the
Indebtedness  of the  obligor  outstanding  at any time  (except  to the  extent
Incurred under another clause hereof) other than as a result of  fluctuations in
foreign  currency  exchange  rates  or  interest  rates  or by  reason  of fees,
indemnities and compensation payable thereunder; and (C) arising from agreements
providing  for   indemnification,   adjustment  of  purchase  price  or  similar
obligations,   or  from  Guarantees  or  letters  of  credit,  surety  bonds  or
performance  bonds  securing any  obligations  of the  Corporation or any of its
Restricted  Subsidiaries  pursuant to such agreements,  in each case Incurred in
connection with the disposition of any business, assets or Restricted Subsidiary
(other than Guarantees of Indebtedness  Incurred by any Person  acquiring all or
any portion of such business, assets or Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of
financing  such  acquisition),  in a  principal  amount  not to exceed the gross
proceeds  actually  received by the Corporation or any Restricted  Subsidiary in
connection with such disposition;  (vi) Indebtedness of the Corporation,  to the
extent the net  proceeds  thereof are promptly (A) used to purchase the Series E
Preferred Stock and/or Series F Preferred Stock tendered in an Offer to Purchase
made as a result of a Change in Control or (B)  deposited  to defease the Senior
Discount  Notes or used to redeem all the Series E  Preferred  Stock or Series F
Preferred Stock; (vii) Indebtedness  Incurred to finance the cost (including the
cost  of   design,   development,   acquisition,   construction,   installation,
improvement,  transportation or integration) to acquire equipment,  inventory or
network assets (including  acquisitions by way of acquisitions of real property,
leasehold improvements, Capitalized Leases and acquisitions of the Capital Stock
of a Person  that  becomes a  Restricted  Subsidiary  to the  extent of the fair
market value of the  equipment,  inventory or network assets so acquired) by the
Corporation  or  a  Restricted   Subsidiary  after  the  Closing  Date;   (viii)
Indebtedness of the Corporation not to exceed, at any one time outstanding,  two
times the sum of (A) the Net Cash  Proceeds  received by the  Corporation  on or
after the Closing Date from the  issuance  and sale of its Capital  Stock (other
than  Disqualified  Stock)  to  a  Person  that  is  not  a  Subsidiary  of  the
Corporation, to the extent such Net Cash Proceeds have not been used pursuant to
clause (iii)(B)(2) of the first paragraph or clause (ii) of the second paragraph
of Section XI(B) or clause (v) of the definition of "Permitted  Investments"  to
make a  Restricted  Payment  and (B) 80% of the fair  market  value of  property
(other than cash and cash  equivalents)  received by the  Corporation  after the
Closing Date from the sale of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified  Stock)
to a Person that is not a Subsidiary of the Corporation, to the extent such sale
of  Capital  Stock has not been used  pursuant  to  clause  (iii) of the  second
paragraph of Section  XI(B) to make a  Restricted  Payment;  provided  that such
Indebtedness  does not  mature  prior to the  Mandatory  Redemption  Date;  (ix)
Indebtedness  Incurred by the Corporation or any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries
constituting  reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit in the
ordinary course of business, including, without limitation, letters of credit in
respect of workers' compensation claims or self insurance, or other Indebtedness
with respect to reimbursement type obligations  regarding workers'  compensation

<PAGE>

claims;  provided,  however,  that upon the drawing of such letters of credit or
the Incurrence of such  Indebtedness,  such obligations are reimbursed within 30
days following such drawing or Incurrence;  (x) Indebtedness of Persons that are
acquired by the Corporation or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or merged into
a Restricted  Subsidiary in  accordance  with the terms of this  Certificate  of
Designations;  provided that such  Indebtedness is not incurred in contemplation
of such acquisition or merger;  and provided further that after giving effect to
such  acquisition or merger,  either (x) the  Corporation  would be permitted to
incur at least $1.00 of  additional  Indebtedness  pursuant to the  Consolidated
Leverage  Ratio test set forth in the first sentence of this covenant or (y) the
Consolidated  Leverage  Ratio is lower (if greater than zero) or higher (if less
than  zero)  than  immediately  prior  to  such   acquisition;   (xi)  Strategic
Subordinated Indebtedness; and (xii) Indebtedness under the Lucent Facility.

            (b)  Notwithstanding  any other provision of this Section XI(A), the
maximum amount of Indebtedness  that the Corporation or a Restricted  Subsidiary
may Incur  pursuant to this  Section  XI(A) shall not be deemed to be  exceeded,
with  respect  to any  outstanding  Indebtedness  due  solely  to the  result of
fluctuations  in the exchange  rates of  currencies.  Accretion on an instrument
issued  at a  discount  will  not be  deemed  to  constitute  an  Incurrence  of
Indebtedness.

            (c)  For  purposes  of   determining   any   particular   amount  of
Indebtedness  pursuant to this Section XI(A),  Guarantees,  Liens or obligations
with respect to letters of credit supporting  Indebtedness otherwise included in
the   determination   of  such  particular   amount  shall  not  be  treated  as
Indebtedness. For purposes of determining compliance with this Section XI(A), in
the event that an item of  Indebtedness  meets the  criteria of more than one of
the types of Indebtedness  described in the above clauses,  the Corporation,  in
its sole  discretion,  shall  classify  such  item of  Indebtedness  and only be
required  to include  the amount  and type of such  Indebtedness  in one of such
clauses.

      (B)   Limitation on Restricted Payments

          The  Corporation  shall  not,  and shall  not  permit  any  Restricted
Subsidiary to,  directly or indirectly,  (i) declare or pay any dividend or make
any  distribution  on or with respect to its Junior  Securities  (other than (x)
dividends or  distributions  payable  solely in shares of its Junior  Securities
(other  than  Disqualified  Stock) or in options,  warrants  or other  rights to
acquire  shares  of  such  Junior  Securities  and  (y) pro  rata  dividends  or
distributions  on  Common  Stock of  Restricted  Subsidiaries  held by  minority
stockholders)  held  by  Persons  other  than  the  Corporation  or  any  of its
Restricted Subsidiaries,  (ii) purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for
value any shares of Junior  Securities of (A) the Corporation or an Unrestricted
Subsidiary  (including options,  warrants or other rights to acquire such shares
of Junior  Securities)  held by any Person or (B) a Restricted  Subsidiary other

<PAGE>

than a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary (including options,  warrants or other
rights to acquire such shares of Junior Securities) held by any Affiliate of the
Corporation (other than a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary), or (iii) make any
Investment,  other than a Permitted Investment,  in any Person (such payments or
any  other   actions   described  in  clauses  (i)  through  (iii)  above  being
collectively  "Restricted Payments") if, at the time of, and after giving effect
to, the proposed  Restricted  Payment:  (A) the  Corporation  could not Incur at
least $1.00 of  Indebtedness  under the first paragraph of Section XI(A), or (B)
the aggregate  amount of all Restricted  Payments (the amount,  if other than in
cash,  to  be  determined  in  good  faith  by  the  Board  of  Directors  whose
determination  shall be  conclusive  and evidenced by a Board  Resolution)  made
after the Closing Date shall exceed the sum of (1) 50% of the  aggregate  amount
of the Adjusted  Consolidated  Net Income (or, if the Adjusted  Consolidated Net
Income  is a  loss,  minus  100% of the  amount  of such  loss)  (determined  by
excluding  income  resulting  from  transfers of assets by the  Corporation or a
Restricted  Subsidiary to an  Unrestricted  Subsidiary)  accrued on a cumulative
basis during the period (taken as one accounting  period) beginning on the first
day of the fiscal quarter  immediately  following the Closing Date and ending on
the last day of the last fiscal quarter preceding the Transaction Date for which
reports have been provided to the Transfer  Agent plus (2) 100% of the aggregate
Net Cash Proceeds and the actual market value of marketable  securities  (on the
date the calculation  hereunder is made) received by the  Corporation  after the
Closing  Date  from the  issuance  and sale  permitted  by this  Certificate  of
Designations  of its Capital Stock (other than  Disqualified  Stock) to a Person
who is not a  Subsidiary  of the  Corporation,  including  an  issuance  or sale
permitted by this Certificate of Designations of Indebtedness of the Corporation
for cash subsequent to the Closing Date upon the conversion of such Indebtedness
into Capital Stock (other than Disqualified  Stock) of the Corporation,  or from
the  issuance  to a Person who is not a  Subsidiary  of the  Corporation  of any
options,  warrants or other rights to acquire  Capital Stock of the  Corporation
(in each case,  exclusive of any Disqualified Stock or any options,  warrants or
other rights that are redeemable at the option of the holder, or are required to
be redeemed,  prior to the Mandatory Redemption Date), and the Net Cash Proceeds
from any capital  contributions  to the Corporation  after the Closing Date from
Persons other than Subsidiaries of the Corporation,  in each case excluding such
Net Cash  Proceeds to the extent used to Incur  Indebtedness  pursuant to clause
(viii) of the second  paragraph of Section XI(A) and excluding Net Cash Proceeds
from the  issuance  of  Capital  Stock to the  extent  used to make a  Permitted
Investment in accordance  with clause (v) of such defined term, plus (3) amounts
received  from  Investments  (other than  Permitted  Investments)  in any Person
resulting from payments of interest on  Indebtedness,  dividends,  repayments of
loans or advances, or other transfers of assets, in each case to the Corporation
or any Restricted  Subsidiary or from the Net Cash Proceeds from the sale of any
such  Investment  (except,  in each  case,  to the  extent  any such  payment or
proceeds are included in the calculation of Adjusted  Consolidated  Net Income),
or from redesignations of Unrestricted  Subsidiaries as Restricted  Subsidiaries
(valued in each case as provided in the  definition  of  "Investments"),  not to
exceed,  in  each  case,  the  amount  of  Investments  previously  made  by the

<PAGE>

Corporation  or  any  Restricted  Subsidiary  in  such  Person  or  Unrestricted
Subsidiary or (C) dividends on Series F Preferred Stock shall not have been paid
in full as provided in this Certificate of Designations.

            The foregoing  provision shall not be violated by reason of: (i) the
payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof if,
at said date of  declaration,  such  payment  would  comply  with the  foregoing
paragraph;  (ii) the  redemption,  repurchase  or other  acquisition  of  Junior
Securities of the Corporation  including premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid
dividends,  with the proceeds of, or in exchange for, Junior  Securities  (other
than Disqualified Stock) of the Corporation; (iii) payments or distributions, to
dissenting stockholders pursuant to applicable law, pursuant to or in connection
with a  consolidation,  merger or transfer of assets that  complies with Article
IX; (iv) the  declaration  or payment of  dividends  on the Common  Stock of the
Corporation following a Public Equity Offering of such Common Stock, of up to 6%
per annum of the Net Cash Proceeds  received by the  Corporation  in such Public
Equity  Offering;  (v)  the  repurchase,  retirement  or  other  acquisition  or
retirement for value of any shares of Junior  Securities of the Corporation that
are not registered  under the Exchange Act and are held by any current or former
employee,  director or consultant (or their estates or the beneficiaries of such
estates) of the Corporation or any Subsidiary, not to exceed (A) in any calendar
year $2.0  million or (B) $5.0 million in the  aggregate;  (vi)  repurchases  of
Junior Securities deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options if such Capital
Stock  represents  a  portion  of the  exercise  price  of such  options;  (vii)
repurchases  of fractional  shares of Junior  Securities in connection  with the
exercise of Warrants in accordance with the Warrant  Agreement or other warrants
to purchase the Corporation's Common Stock; and (viii) other Restricted Payments
in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2.0 million.

            Each  Restricted   Payment  permitted   pursuant  to  the  preceding
paragraph (other than the Restricted Payment referred to in clauses (ii) or (vi)
thereof,  an  exchange  of  Junior  Securities  for  Junior  Securities  and  an
Investment  referred to in clause (iv) thereof) shall be included in calculating
whether the conditions of clause (iii)(B) of the first paragraph of this Section
XI(B) have been met with respect to any subsequent  Restricted Payments.  In the
event the proceeds of an issuance of Capital Stock of the  Corporation  are used
for the redemption,  repurchase or other acquisition of Parity Securities,  then
the Net Cash Proceeds of such issuance  shall be included in clause  (iii)(B) of
the first  paragraph of this Section  XI(B) only to the extent such proceeds are
not used for such redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of securities.

            Any  Restricted  Payments made other than in cash shall be valued at
fair market value. The amount of any Investment  "outstanding" at any time shall
be deemed to be equal to the amount of such  Investment  on the date made,  less
the return of capital to the  Corporation and its Restricted  Subsidiaries  with
respect to such Investment by distribution,  sale or otherwise (up to the amount
of such Investment on the date made).

      (C)   Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting 
            Restricted Subsidiaries

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

            The  foregoing  provisions  shall not restrict any  encumbrances  or
restrictions:  (i) existing on the Closing Date, in the Newcourt  Facility,  the
Lucent  Facility,  this  Certificate of Designations or any other  agreements in
effect on the  Closing  Date,  and any  extensions,  refinancings,  renewals  or
replacements of such agreements; provided that the encumbrances and restrictions
in any such  extensions,  refinancings,  renewals  or  replacements  are no less
favorable in any  material  respect to the Holders  than those  encumbrances  or
restrictions  that are then in effect and that are being  extended,  refinanced,
renewed or replaced;  (ii) existing under or by reason of applicable  law, rule,
regulation or order;  (iii)  existing with respect to any Person or the property
or  assets  of  such  Person  acquired  by the  Corporation  or  any  Restricted
Subsidiary,  existing  at the  time of such  acquisition  and  not  incurred  in
contemplation  thereof, which encumbrances or restrictions are not applicable to
any Person or the property or assets of any Person other than such Person or the
property or assets of such Person so  acquired;  (iv) in the case of clause (iv)
of the first  paragraph of this Section XI(C),  (A) that restrict in a customary
manner the subletting, assignment or transfer of any property or asset that is a
lease,  license,  conveyance  or  contract  or similar  property  or asset,  (B)
existing by virtue of any  transfer of,  agreement to transfer,  option or right
with  respect to, or Lien on, any property or assets of the  Corporation  or any
Restricted   Subsidiary  not  otherwise   prohibited  by  this   Certificate  of
Designations,  (C) arising or agreed to in the ordinary course of business,  not
relating to any Indebtedness, and that do not, individually or in the aggregate,
detract  from  the  value  of  property  or  assets  of the  Corporation  or any
Restricted  Subsidiary  in  any  manner  material  to  the  Corporation  or  any
Restricted Subsidiary or (D) purchase money obligations for property acquired in
the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of the nature discussed
in clause  (iv)  above on the  property  so  acquired;  (v) with  respect to the
Corporation or a Restricted Subsidiary and imposed pursuant to an agreement that
has been entered  into for the sale of assets,  including,  without  limitation,
customary  restrictions  on the disposition of all or  substantially  all of the
Capital Stock of, or property and assets of, such  Restricted  Subsidiary or the
Corporation;  (vi) contained in the terms of any  Indebtedness  or any agreement
pursuant  to which  such  Indebtedness  was  issued  (in each  case  other  than

<PAGE>

Indebtedness  incurred  under the Newcourt  Facility) if (A) the  encumbrance or
restriction  applies  only in the event of a payment  default or a default  with
respect to a financial covenant contained in such Indebtedness or agreement, (B)
the  encumbrance or restriction is not materially  more  disadvantageous  to the
Holders  of the  Series  F  Preferred  Stock  than is  customary  in  comparable
financings (as determined by the Corporation) and (C) the Corporation determines
that  any  such  encumbrance  or  restriction  will not  materially  affect  the
Corporation's  ability to make dividend and mandatory redemption payments on the
Series F Preferred  Stock;  (vii)  restrictions on cash or other deposits or net
worth imposed by customers under  contracts  entered into in the ordinary course
of business;  (viii) customary  provisions in joint venture agreements and other
similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business; and (ix) any
encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in clauses  (i)-(iv) of the
first  paragraph  of this  covenant  imposed by any  amendments,  modifications,
renewals,  restatements,  increases,  supplements,  refundings,  replacements or
refinancings  of the contracts  referred to in clauses (i) through (viii) above;
provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases,
supplements,  refundings,  replacements or  refinancings  are, in the good faith
judgment of the Corporation,  not materially more disadvantageous to the Holders
than those contained in the restriction  prior to such amendment,  modification,
restatement,   renewal,   increase,   supplement,   refunding,   replacement  or
refinancing.   Nothing  contained  in  this  Section  XI(C)  shall  prevent  the
Corporation  or any Restricted  Subsidiary  from  restricting  the sale or other
disposition  of property or assets of the  Corporation  or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries  that  secure  Indebtedness  of  the  Corporation  or  any  of  its
Restricted Subsidiaries.

      (D)   Limitation on the Issuance and Sale of Capital Stock of 
            Restricted Subsidiaries

            The Corporation  shall not sell, and shall not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary,  directly  or  indirectly,  to issue or sell,  any shares of Capital
Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary (including options, warrants or other rights to
purchase shares of such Capital Stock) except (i) to the Corporation or a Wholly
Owned Restricted  Subsidiary;  (ii) issuances of director's qualifying shares or
sales to  foreign  nationals  of shares of Capital  Stock of foreign  Restricted
Subsidiaries,  to the extent required by applicable  law; (iii) if,  immediately
after giving effect to such issuance or sale, such Restricted  Subsidiary  would
no longer  constitute a Restricted  Subsidiary and any Investment in such Person
remaining after giving effect to such issuance or sale would have been permitted
to be made in accordance with Section XI(B) if made on the date of such issuance
or sale; or (iv) issuances or sales of common stock of a Restricted  Subsidiary,
provided that the  Corporation  or any Restricted  Subsidiary  applies an amount
equal to the Net Cash Proceeds thereof in accordance with Section XI(F).

<PAGE>

      (E) Limitation on Transactions with Shareholders and Affiliates

            The  Corporation  shall not,  and shall not  permit  any  Restricted
Subsidiary  to,  directly  or  indirectly,  enter  into,  renew  or  extend  any
transaction  (including,  without  limitation,  the  purchase,  sale,  lease  or
exchange  of property  or assets,  or the  rendering  of any  service)  with any
Affiliate of the Corporation or any Restricted Subsidiary,  except upon fair and
reasonable  terms  no less  favorable  to the  Corporation  or  such  Restricted
Subsidiary than could be obtained,  at the time of such  transaction or, if such
transaction is pursuant to a written agreement,  at the time of the execution of
the agreement providing therefor, in a comparable arm's-length  transaction with
a Person that is not an Affiliate.

            The foregoing  limitation does not limit, and shall not apply to (i)
transactions  (A)  approved  by a majority of the  disinterested  members of the
Board of Directors or (B) for which the  Corporation or a Restricted  Subsidiary
delivers to the  Transfer  Agent a written  opinion of a  nationally  recognized
investment banking firm or a nationally  recognized firm having expertise in the
specific  area  which is the  subject  of such  determination  stating  that the
transaction is fair to the  Corporation  or such  Restricted  Subsidiary  from a
financial point of view; (ii) any transaction solely between the Corporation and
any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries or solely between  Restricted  Subsidiaries;
(iii) the payment of  reasonable  and  customary  regular fees to, and indemnity
provided on behalf of,  officers,  directors,  employees or  consultants  of the
Corporation  or  its  Restricted  Subsidiaries;   (iv)  any  payments  or  other
transactions  pursuant to any tax-sharing  agreement between the Corporation and
any other Person with which the Corporation  files a consolidated  tax return or
with which the Corporation is part of a consolidated group for tax purposes; (v)
any agreement as in effect as of the Closing Date or any  amendment  thereto (so
long as any such amendment is not disadvantageous to the Holders in any material
respect); (vi) the existence of, or the performance by the Corporation or any of
its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  of  its  obligations  under  the  terms  of,  any
stockholders  agreement (including any registration rights agreement or purchase
agreement related thereto) to which it is a party as of the Closing Date and any
similar  agreements  which it may  enter  into  thereafter  (so long as any such
amendment is not  disadvantageous  to the Holders in any material  respect);  or
(vii) any  Permitted  Investments  and  Restricted  Payments not  prohibited  by
Section  XI(B).  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  any  transaction or series of
related  transactions  covered by the first  paragraph of this Section XI(E) and
not covered by clauses (ii) through (vii) of this paragraph the aggregate amount
of which  exceeds $3.0 million in value,  must be approved or  determined  to be
fair in the manner provided for in clause (i)(A) or (B) above.

      (F)   Limitation on Asset Sales

            The  Corporation  shall not,  and shall not  permit  any  Restricted
Subsidiary to, consummate any Asset Sale, unless (i) the consideration  received
by the Corporation or such  Restricted  Subsidiary is at least equal to the fair
market  value of the  assets  sold or  disposed  of and (ii) at least 75% of the
consideration  received  consists of cash or  Temporary  Cash  Investments.  For

<PAGE>

purposes  of this  covenant,  the  following  are  deemed  to be  cash:  (x) the
principal  amount or accreted value (whichever is larger) of Indebtedness of the
Corporation or any Restricted  Subsidiary  with respect to which the Corporation
or such  Restricted  Subsidiary has either (A) received a written release or (B)
been  released by operation of law, in either case,  from all  liability on such
Indebtedness in connection  with such Asset Sale and (y) securities  received by
the  Corporation  or any  Restricted  Subsidiary  from the  transferee  that are
promptly  converted by the Corporation or such Restricted  Subsidiary into cash.
In the  event  and to the  extent  that the Net Cash  Proceeds  received  by the
Corporation or any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries  from one or more Asset Sales
occurring  on or after the Closing Date in any period of 12  consecutive  months
exceed 10% of Adjusted  Consolidated  Net Tangible Assets  (determined as of the
date  closest  to  the   commencement  of  such  12-month  period  for  which  a
consolidated  balance sheet of the  Corporation  and its  Subsidiaries  has been
provided to the Transfer Agent),  then the Corporation  shall or shall cause the
relevant  Restricted  Subsidiary to (i) within 12 months after the date Net Cash
Proceeds so received exceed 10% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (A)
apply an amount  equal to such  excess Net Cash  Proceeds to  permanently  repay
Indebtedness of the Corporation, repay Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary
or redeem  any  Senior  Securities,  in each case owing to, or held by, a Person
other than the  Corporation or any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries or (B) invest
an equal amount,  or the amount not so applied  pursuant to clause (A) (or enter
into a definitive  agreement  committing to so invest within 12 months after the
date of such agreement),  in property or assets (other than current assets) of a
nature  or type or that are used in a  business  (or in a Person  (other  than a
natural  person) having property and assets of a nature or type, or engaged in a
business)  similar or related to the nature or type of the  property  and assets
of, or the business of, the Corporation and its Restricted Subsidiaries existing
on the date of such  investment  (as  determined  in good  faith by the Board of
Directors  whose  determination  shall be  conclusive  and  evidenced by a Board
Resolution)  and  (ii)  apply  (no  later  than the end of the  12-month  period
referred  to in clause  (i)) such  excess Net Cash  Proceeds  (to the extent not
applied  pursuant to clause (i)) as provided in the following  paragraph of this
Section  XI(F).  The amount of such  excess  Net Cash  Proceeds  required  to be
applied (or to be committed to be applied)  during such  12-month  period as set
forth in clause (i) of the preceding  sentence and not applied as so required by
the end of such period shall constitute "Excess Proceeds."

            If, as of the first day of any calendar month,  the aggregate amount
of Excess Proceeds not theretofore  subject to an Offer to Purchase  pursuant to
this Section XI(F) totals at least $5 million,  the  Corporation  must commence,
not later than the fifteenth Business Day of such month, and consummate an Offer
to Purchase  from the Holders on a pro rata basis,  and an offer to purchase any
outstanding Parity Securities with similar provisions  requiring the Corporation
to make an  offer to  purchase  such  securities,  in an  aggregate  liquidation
preference of Series F Preferred Stock and such Parity  Securities  equal to (A)
with  respect to the  Series F  Preferred  Stock,  the  product  of such  Excess

<PAGE>

Proceeds  multiplied by a fraction,  the  numerator of which is the  liquidation
preference  of the  outstanding  shares of the Series F Preferred  Stock and the
denominator of which is the sum of the outstanding liquidation preference of the
Series F Preferred  Stock and such Parity  Securities  (the product  hereinafter
referred to as the "Series F Preferred Stock  Amount"),  and (B) with respect to
the  Parity  Securities,  the excess of the  Excess  Proceeds  over the Series F
Preferred  Stock Amount,  at a purchase  price equal to 100% of the  liquidation
preference  of the Series F Preferred  Stock or such Parity  Securities,  as the
case may be, on the  relevant  Payment  Date or such other date set forth in the
documentation  governing  the Parity  Securities,  plus,  in each case,  accrued
dividends  (if any) to the  Payment  Date or such  other  date set  forth in the
documentation  governing the Parity Securities.  If the aggregate purchase price
of the Preferred  Stock tendered  pursuant to the Offer to Purchase is less than
the Excess Proceeds,  the remaining will be available for use by the Corporation
for general corporate  purposes.  Upon the consummation of any Offer to Purchase
in accordance with the terms of this Certificate of Designations,  the amount of
Net Cash Proceeds from Asset Sales subject to any future Offer to Purchase shall
be deemed to be zero. Prior to commencing any Offer to Purchase, the Corporation
shall first  consummate any offer to purchase  required to be made to any Holder
of its Indebtedness.

      (G) Commission Reports and Reports to Holders.

            While the Series F Preferred  Stock is  outstanding,  whether or not
the  Corporation  is then  required to file  reports  with the  Commission,  the
Corporation  shall deliver for filing with the  Commission  all such reports and
other  information  as it would be  required  to file  with  the  Commission  by
Sections 13(a) or 15(d) under the Exchange Act if it were subject  thereto.  All
references  herein to reports  "filed"  with the  Commission  shall be deemed to
refer to the reports then most  recently  delivered  for filing,  whether or not
accepted by the Commission.


XII.  Mutilated or Missing Series F Preferred Stock Certificates.

            If any  of the  Series  F  Preferred  Stock  certificates  shall  be
mutilated,  lost, stolen or destroyed,  the Corporation shall issue, in exchange
and in  substitution  for  and  upon  cancellation  of the  mutilated  Series  F
Preferred Stock  certificate,  or in lieu of and  substitution  for the Series F
Preferred Stock certificate lost, stolen or destroyed,  a new Series F Preferred
Stock  certificate of like tenor and representing an equivalent amount of shares
of Series F  Preferred  Stock,  but only upon  receipt of evidence of such loss,
theft or destruction of such Series F Preferred Stock certificate and indemnity,
if requested, satisfactory to the Corporation.

<PAGE>

XIII. Reissuance; Preemptive Rights

            (i) Shares of Series F  Preferred  Stock  that have been  issued and
reacquired in any manner,  including shares  purchased or redeemed,  shall (upon
compliance with any applicable  provisions of the laws of the State of Delaware)
have  the  status  of  authorized  and  unissued   shares  of  Preferred   Stock
undesignated  as to series and may be  redesignated  and reissued as part of any
series of Preferred Stock.

            (ii) No shares of Series F Preferred  Stock shall have any rights of
preemption whatsoever as to any securities of the Corporation,  or any warrants,
rights or options issued or granted with respect thereto, regardless of how such
securities  or such  warrants,  rights or options may be  designated,  issued or
granted.


XIV.  Business Day.

            If any payment or  redemption  shall be required by the terms hereof
to be made on a day that is not a Business Day, such payment or redemption shall
be made on the  immediately  succeeding  Business  Day and no further  dividends
shall accrued after the day payment was required.


XV.   Headings of Subdivisions.

            The headings of various  subdivisions  hereof are for convenience of
reference only and shall not affect the  interpretation of any of the provisions
hereof.


XVI.  Severability of Provisions.

            If any right,  preference  or  limitation  of the Series F Preferred
Stock set forth in this Certificate of Designations (as may be amended from time
to time) is invalid,  unlawful or incapable  of being  enforced by reason of any
rule or law or public policy, all other rights,  preferences and limitations set
forth in this Certificate of Designations, as amended, which can be given effect
without the invalid,  unlawful or unenforceable right,  preference or limitation
shall, nevertheless remain in full force and effect, and no right, preference or
limitation herein set forth shall be deemed dependent upon any other such right,
preference or limitation unless so expressed herein.

<PAGE>

XVII.  Notice.

            All notices,  requests,  demands, and other communications hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if  delivered by
hand or when sent by telex or telecopier  (with receipt  confirmed),  provided a
copy is also sent by express (overnight, if possible) courier,  addressed (i) in
the case of a Holder of the Series F Preferred  Stock, to such holder's  address
of record shown on the records of the  Corporation,  and (ii) in the case of the
Corporation, to the Corporation's principal executive offices (currently located
on the date of the adoption of these resolutions at the following  address:  KMC
Telecom Holdings, Inc., 1545 Route 206, Suite 300, Bedminster, New Jersey 07921)
to the attention of the Corporation's Chief Financial Officer.

XVIII.  Limitations.

            Except as may  otherwise  be required by law, the shares of Series F
Preferred   Stock  shall  not  have  any  powers,   preferences   or   relative,
participating,  optional or other special  rights other than those  specifically
set forth in this  Certificate of  Designations  (as may be amended from time to
time) or otherwise in the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation.

XIX.  Transfer and Legending of Shares.

            No  transfer  of shares of the  Series F  Preferred  Stock  shall be
effective until such transfer is registered on the books of the Corporation. Any
shares of the Series F Preferred  Stock so  transferred  must bear the following
legend:

            THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN  REGISTERED  UNDER THE  SECURITIES ACT OF
            1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES  ACT"), NOR HAS IT BEEN REGISTERED
            UNDER THE  SECURITIES  OR BLUE SKY LAWS OF ANY STATE.  THIS SECURITY
            MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER TRANSFERRED
            OR DISPOSED OF UNLESS (I) SUCH  TRANSFER IS IN  COMPLIANCE  WITH THE
            SECURITIES ACT AND THE APPLICABLE  RULES AND REGULATIONS  THEREUNDER
            AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR BLUE SKY LAWS AND (II) PRIOR
            TO ANY SUCH TRANSFER,  THE TRANSFEROR OR THE TRANSFEREE  DELIVERS AN
            OPINION OF COUNSEL (REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE CORPORATION) TO THE
            TRANSFER  AGENT  AND  THE  CORPORATION,  THAT  SUCH  TRANSFER  IS IN
            COMPLIANCE  WITH THE  SECURITIES  ACT AND THE  APPLICABLE  RULES AND
            REGULATIONS THEREUNDER.

            THE  SHARES  OF  SERIES  F  PREFERRED  STOCK   REPRESENTED  BY  THIS
            CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO A COVENANT OF LUCENT  TECHNOLOGIES,  INC.
            ("LUCENT") IN A SECURITIES  PURCHASE  AGREEMENT DATED AS OF FEBRUARY
            4, 1999 WHICH  PROHIBITS  LUCENT  FROM  TRANSFERRING  THIS SERIES OF
            PREFERRED  STOCK  PRIOR TO THE EARLIER OF (i) AUGUST 4, 2000 OR (ii)
            ONE YEAR AFTER A HIGH YIELD OFFERING BY KMC TELECOM  HOLDINGS,  INC.
            YIELDING GROSS PROCEEDS OF AT LEAST $50 MILLION.

            The Corporation  shall refuse to register any attempted  transfer of
shares of Series F Preferred Stock not in compliance with this Article XIX.

            In the event the  shares of Series F  Preferred  Stock are issued as
part of a unit together with  Warrants,  the shares of Series F Preferred  Stock
and the Warrants shall not be separately  transferable from each other until the
next Business Day after the issuance of such shares of Series F Preferred  Stock
or until such other date as may be specified in a legend to the shares of Series
F Preferred Stock.

XX.   Amendments and Waivers

            (A) Except as  provided in this  Article XX, any right,  preference,
privilege or power of, or restriction  provided for the benefit of, the Series F
Preferred  Stock set forth herein may be amended and the observance  thereof may
be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively
or  prospectively)  only with the  written  consent of the  Corporation  and the
affirmative vote or written consent of the Holders of at least a majority of the
shares of Series F Preferred Stock then  outstanding  (excluding any shares held
by  Affiliates of the  Corporation,  any Existing  Stockholders  or any of their
Affiliates),  and any amendment or waiver so effected  shall be binding upon the
Corporation and all Holders of the Series F Preferred Stock.

            (B) Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  if any amendment is made to the
covenants  of the  Senior  Discount  Note  Indenture,  in  accordance  with  the
provisions therein, then a conforming amendment may be made to the covenants set
forth in Article XI of this  Certificate  of  Designations  by the  Corporation,
without the  consent of any  Holder;  and any  amendment  so  effected  shall be
binding upon the  Corporation  and all Holders of the Series F Preferred  Stock,
provided  however,  that if in connection  with making any such amendment to the
Senior Discount Note Indenture,  the Corporation has paid  consideration  to the
holders  of the  Senior  Discount  Notes to obtain  their  consent  to make such

<PAGE>

amendment,  then the Corporation shall pay each Holder  consideration per $1,000
liquidation  preference of Series F Preferred  Stock equal to the  consideration
per $1,000  Accreted Value (as defined in the Senior Discount Note Indenture) of
Senior  Discount  Notes paid to the  holders of the Senior  Discount  Notes.  In
connection  with  any such  amendment,  the  Corporation  shall  deliver  to the
Transfer  Agent an Opinion of Counsel,  reasonably  acceptable  to it, that such
amendment  complies with the terms hereof.  The Corporation shall provide notice
in  accordance  with Article XVII of this  Certificate  of  Designations  of any
amendment effected pursuant to this Section XX(B) to the Holders of the Series F
Preferred Stock.


XXI.  Conversion.

            Upon the  Business  Day  after the  earlier  of (i) the date that is
sixty  days  after the date on which  the  Corporation  closes  an  underwritten
primary  offering of at least $200  million of its Common  Stock  pursuant to an
effective  registration  statement  under the Securities Act or (ii) February 4,
2001 (such Business Day hereinafter  referred to as, the "Conversion Date"), the
Series F Preferred  Stock will  automatically  convert into the right to receive
Series  E  Preferred  Stock  having  a  liquidation   preference  equal  to  the
liquidation  preference  of the Series F  Preferred  Stock).  Each such share of
Series E Preferred  Stock issued upon conversion of the Series F Preferred Stock
and  surrender of the  certificates  representing  the Series F Preferred  Stock
shall accrue  dividends as provided in the Series E Certificate of  Designations
from the last date on which dividends were paid on the Series F Preferred Stock.

            On or after the  Conversion  Date,  each Holder shall  surrender the
certificate(s)  representing its shares of Series F Preferred Stock, accompanied
by transfer  instrument(s)  satisfactory  to the  Corporation  and sufficient to
transfer the Series F Preferred Stock being so converted to the Corporation free
of any  lien or  other  adverse  interest,  at any of the  offices  or  agencies
maintained  for  such  purpose  by  the  conversion   agent  designated  by  the
Corporation  (the  "Conversion  Agent")  and shall  give  written  notice to the
Corporation  that the  Holder  is  surrendering  its  certificates  of  Series F
Preferred  Stock for conversion into shares of Series E Preferred Stock pursuant
to this Article XXI of this Certificate of Designations.  The initial Conversion
Agent shall be the  Transfer  Agent.  Such notice  shall also state the name(s),
together with address(es),  in which the  certificate(s)  for shares of Series E
Preferred Stock shall be issued.  As promptly as practicable after the surrender
of such shares of Series F Preferred Stock as aforesaid,  the Corporation  shall
issue and deliver at the office of such Conversion  Agent to such Holder,  or on
such Holder's  written  order,  certificate(s)  representing  the number of full
shares of Series E Preferred  Stock  issuable upon the conversion of such shares
in accordance with the provisions  hereof.  Each  conversion  shall be deemed to
have been  effected  immediately  prior to the close of  business on the date on
which  shares  of Series F  Preferred  Stock  shall  have  been  surrendered  as
aforesaid,  and the Person(s) in whose name(s) any  certificate(s) for shares of

<PAGE>

Series E Preferred Stock shall be issuable upon such conversion  shall be deemed
to have  become  the  holder(s)  of  record  of the  Series  E  Preferred  Stock
represented  thereby  at such  time,  unless  the  stock  transfer  books of the
Corporation  shall be closed on the date on which  shares of Series F  Preferred
Stock are so surrendered for conversion, in which event such conversion shall be
deemed to have been effected  immediately  prior to the close of business on the
next  succeeding  day on which  such  stock  transfer  books are open,  and such
person(s)  shall be deemed to have become such holder(s) of record of the Series
E Preferred Stock at the close of business on such later day.

            The  Corporation  shall at all times reserve a sufficient  number of
shares of Series E Preferred  Stock to be issued upon conversion of the Series F
Preferred Stock pursuant to this Article XXI.


XXII. Increase of Authorized Amount of Shares.

            Notwithstanding  any other provision herein,  the Board of Directors
may, from time to time, in its sole discretion, increase the number of shares of
Preferred Stock  designated as Series F Preferred Stock under Article II of this
Certificate  of  Designations,  up to the maximum  amount of shares of Preferred
Stock authorized to be issued,  without the consent of the holders of any shares
of its Capital Stock.

            The  Corporation  shall at all times reserve a sufficient  number of
authorized  but unissued  shares of Series F Preferred  Stock to provide for the
payment of all  dividends  that may  accrue on the shares of Series F  Preferred
Stock then outstanding in additional shares of Series F Preferred Stock.


XXIII.   Issuance of Additional Shares of Series F Preferred Stock.

            Except with  respect to the issuance of shares of Series E Preferred
Stock to pay dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock or upon conversion of the
Series F Preferred Stock, the Corporation may not issue additional shares of the
Series E Preferred Stock to any purchaser unless (A) it has obtained the consent
of the  Holders of a majority  of the  shares of Series F  Preferred  Stock then
outstanding  and the  holders of a majority  of the shares of Series E Preferred
Stock then  outstanding  or (B)(i) the per share price paid for such  additional
shares is at least equal to the per share price paid to the  Corporation for the
shares  of  Series E  Preferred  Stock  issued  on the  Closing  Date,  (ii) the
Corporation  does not issue to such  purchaser  more than 1,363.64  Warrants per
$1,000,000 of liquidation  preference of Series E Preferred Stock, (iii) (a) the
holders of Series E  Preferred  Stock  issued on the Closing  Date retain  their
right to receive  at least  227.273  Warrants,  pursuant  to Section  2.4 of the
Warrant Agreement,  per $100,000 of liquidation preference of Series E Preferred
Stock issued on the Closing Date and (b) the Holders of Series F Preferred Stock
issued on the  Closing  Date  retain  their  right to receive  at least  227.273
Warrants,  pursuant  to Section 2.4 of the Warrant  Agreement,  per  $100,000 of
liquidation  preference  of Series F Preferred  Stock issued on the Closing Date
and (iv) the  aggregate  amount of all  shares of Series E  Preferred  Stock and
Series F Preferred  Stock issued (other than shares of Series E Preferred  Stock
and Series F Preferred Stock issued to pay dividends thereon or shares of Series
E Preferred Stock issued upon conversion of the Series F Preferred  Stock) shall
not exceed 150,000 shares.

            Except with  respect to the issuance of shares of Series F Preferred
Stock to pay dividends on the Series F Preferred  Stock,  the Corporation  shall
not issue in excess of 40,000 shares of Series F Preferred Stock,  unless it has
obtained  the  consent of the  Holders  of a majority  of the shares of Series F
Preferred Stock then  outstanding and the Holders of a majority of the shares of
Series E Preferred Stock then outstanding.

<PAGE>

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Certificate has been signed on this 4th day
of February, 1999.


                                    KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.


                                    By:/s/CYNTHIA WORTHMAN
                                       -----------------------------
                                       Name:  Cynthia Worthman
                                       Title: Chief Financial Officer

Attested by:


                               AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO
                 THE AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT

          AMENDMENT  NO. 4 dated  as of  February  4,  1999 to the  Amended  and
Restated  Stockholders  Agreement,  dated as of October 31, 1997 (as  heretofore
amended, the "Stockholders  Agreement") among KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc., Nassau
Capital  Partners  L.P.,  NAS Partners I L.L.C.,  Harold N. Kamine,  AT&T Credit
Corporation,  General Electric Capital  Corporation,  CoreStates Bank, N.A., and
CoreStates Holdings, Inc.

                               W I T N E S S E T H

          WHEREAS,  the parties hereto desire to make certain  amendments to the
Stockholders Agreement;

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

          1. DEFINED TERMS.  Unless  otherwise  defined herein,  all capitalized
terms  defined in the  Stockholders  Agreement and used herein are so used as so
defined.  In  addition,  the  following  terms shall have the meanings set forth
below:

          "1999  PURCHASE  AGREEMENT"  means the Securities  Purchase  Agreement
dated as of February 4, 1999 among the  Company,  Lucent  Technologies  Inc. and
Newcourt Capital USA, Inc.

          "1999  WARRANT   REGISTRATION  RIGHTS  AGREEMENT"  means  the  Warrant
Registration  Rights  Agreement  dated as of February 4, 1999 among the Company,
Newcourt  Capital  USA,  Inc.,  Lucent  Technologies  Inc.  and  any  Additional
Purchasers (as defined therein),  , which Warrant  Registration Rights Agreement
is being  entered  into in  connection  with the  execution  and delivery of the
Preferred Stock Warrant Agreement.

          "PREFERRED STOCK WARRANT  AGREEMENT" means the Warrant Agreement dated
as of February 4, 1999 among the Company,  The Chase  Manhattan Bank, as Warrant
Agent,  Newcourt Capital USA, Inc., Lucent  Technologies Inc. and any Additional
Purchasers (as defined  therein),  which  Preferred  Stock Warrant  Agreement is
being  entered into in  connection  with the  execution and delivery of the 1999
Purchase Agreement.

          "PREFERRED STOCK WARRANT SHARES" means shares of Common Stock issuable
upon exercise of Preferred  Stock  Warrants,  such other  securities as shall be
issuable  upon the exercise of  Preferred  Stock  Warrants,  or shares of Common
Stock or other securities received upon the exercise of Preferred Stock Warrants

<PAGE>

          "PREFERRED  STOCK WARRANTS" means Warrants issued to holders of Series
E Preferred  Stock and Series F Preferred  Stock pursuant to the Preferred Stock
Warrant Agreement,  each such Warrant initially  entitling the holder thereof to
purchase 0.42887 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $.01 per share.

          "SERIES  E  PREFERRED  STOCK"  means  the  Company's  Series E Senior,
Redeemable, Exchangeable PIK Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share.

          "SERIES  F  PREFERRED  STOCK"  means  the  Company's  Series F Senior,
Redeemable, Exchangeable PIK Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share.

          2. AMENDMENTS TO SECTIONS 6.1 AND 6.2 OF THE  STOCKHOLDERS  AGREEMENT.
Paragraphs  (d) and (g) of Section 6.1 and paragraphs (c) and (d) of Section 6.2
of the Stockholders Agreement are amended to read as follows:

          6.1 DEMAND REGISTRATIONS.

          (d) PRIORITY ON DEMAND REGISTRATIONS.  The Company will not include in
any Demand  Registration  any securities  which are not  Registrable  Securities
without the prior written consent of the Demand Holder; provided,  however, that
no such consent shall be required in connection with the inclusion in any Demand
Registration of the Senior  Discount  Notes,  Warrant Shares and Preferred Stock
Warrant Shares as and to the extent provided below. If a Demand  Registration is
an  underwritten  offering and the managing  underwriters  advise the Company in
writing  that in their  opinion  the number of  Registrable  Securities  and, if
permitted hereunder,  other securities requested to be included in such offering
exceeds the number of Registrable Securities and other securities, if any, which
can  be  sold  therein  without  adversely   affecting  the  price,   timing  or
distribution of the offering, the Company will include in such registration, (i)
first, the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration,
pro rata among the holders of such Registrable  Securities,  on the basis of the
number  of shares  of  Registrable  Securities  owned by each  such  holder  and
requested to be included  therein and (ii)  second,  other  securities,  if any,
requested  to be  included  in such  registration  (in  such  relative  order of
priority among such  securities as may be specified with respect  thereto).  Any
Persons other than holders of Registrable  Securities who  participate in Demand
Registrations must pay their proportionate share of the Registration Expenses as
provided in Section 6.5 hereof that are not borne by the Company.

                  (g) OTHER  REGISTRATION  RIGHTS.  (i) Within  the  limitations
prescribed by this paragraph  (i), but not  otherwise,  the Company may grant to
subsequent  investors in the Company rights of incidental  registration (such as
those  provided  in Section  6.2).  Such  rights may only  pertain to the Senior
Discount Notes and Warrant  Shares,  in the case of the HYDEO,  Preferred  Stock
Warrant  Shares,  in the case of the  Preferred  Stock Warrant  Agreement,  and,
otherwise,  shares of Common Stock,  including shares of Common Stock into which

<PAGE>

any other  securities may be converted.  Such rights may be granted with respect
to (a) registrations  actually  requested by a Demand Holder pursuant to Section
6.1,  but only in respect of that  portion of any such  registration  as remains
after inclusion of all Registrable Securities requested by the Demand Holder and
(b) registrations  initiated by the Company, but only in respect of that portion
of such  registration as is available under the limitations set forth in Section
6.2(c)  (which  limitations  shall apply pro rata to all holders of  Registrable
Securities)  and such  rights  shall be  limited  in all cases to sharing in the
available  portion of the  registration  in question with holders of Registrable
Securities and other investors as provided in Section 6.2(c), such sharing to be
based on the number of shares of Common Stock held by the respective  holders of
Registrable  Securities  and held by such  other  investors,  plus the number of
shares of Common  Stock  into  which  other  securities  held by the  holders of
Registrable  Securities  and such other  investors  are  convertible,  which are
entitled to registration  rights.  With respect to  registrations  which are for
underwritten public offerings,  "available portion" as used above shall mean the
portion of the  underwritten  shares  which is available as specified in clauses
(a) and (b) of the third sentence of this paragraph (i).  Shares not included in
such underwriting shall not be registered.

          (ii) The Company may not grant to subsequent  investors in the Company
rights of  registration  upon  request  (such as those  provided in Section 6.1)
unless (a) such  rights are  limited to shares of Common  Stock;  (b) the Demand
Holders are given enforceable contractual rights to participate in registrations
requested by such subsequent  investors (but subject to the right of priority of
registration in the following order:  such subsequent  investors and the holders
of Registrable  Securities on a pro rata basis), such participation to be on the
pro rata  basis and  subject to the  limitations  described  in the final  three
sentences of paragraph  (i) of this  Section  6.1(g);  (c) such rights shall not
become  effective  prior  to 90 days  after  the  effective  date  of the  first
registration  pursuant to Section  6.1;  and (d) such  rights  shall not be more
favorable  than  those  granted  to  the  Demand  Holders.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing or anything to the contrary  contained in this Agreement,  the Company
may file shelf registrations under the Securities Act (x) as required by Section
3 of the Warrant Registration Rights Agreement, substantially upon the terms and
subject to the conditions  contained therein, (y) as required by Section 2(b) of
the Registration  Rights Agreement,  substantially upon the terms and subject to
the  conditions  contained  therein and (z) as required by Section 3 of the 1999
Warrant Registration Rights Agreement,  substantially upon the terms and subject
to the conditions contained therein.

          6.2 PIGGYBACK REGISTRATIONS.

          (c) PRIORITY ON PRIMARY REGISTRATIONS.  If a Piggyback Registration is
an underwritten  primary registration on behalf of the Company, the Company will
include in such  registration  all  securities  requested to be included in such
registration;  PROVIDED, that if the managing underwriters advise the Company in
writing that in their opinion the number of securities  requested to be included
in such  registration  exceeds  the  number  which can be sold in such  offering

<PAGE>

without adversely  affecting the price,  timing or distribution of the offering,
the Company will include in such  registration  (i) first,  the  securities  the
Company proposes to sell, (ii) second, the Registrable  Securities  requested to
be included in such registration, pro rata among the holders of such Registrable
Securities on the basis of the number of  Registrable  Securities  owned by each
such  holder and  requested  to be  included  therein,  and (iii)  third,  other
securities  (including  Warrant Shares and Preferred Stock Warrant  Shares),  if
any,  requested to be included in such  registration  (in such relative order of
priority among such securities as may be specified with respect thereto).

          (d) PRIORITY ON SECONDARY  REGISTRATIONS.  If a Piggyback Registration
is an underwritten  secondary registration on behalf of holders of the Company's
securities,  and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in
their  opinion  the  number  of  securities  requested  to be  included  in such
registration  exceeds  the  number  which can be sold in such  offering  without
adversely  affecting the price,  timing or  distribution  of the  offering,  the
Company will include in such registration (i) first, the Registrable  Securities
requested  to be  included in such  registration,  pro rata among the holders of
such Registrable Securities on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities
owned by each such holder and requested to be included therein, and (ii) second,
other securities requested to be included in such registration (in such relative
order of  priority  among  such  securities  as may be  specified  with  respect
thereto).

          3. Except as expressly  amended  hereby,  all of the provisions of the
Stockholders  Agreement are hereby affirmed and shall continue in full force and
effect in accordance with their terms.

          4. This Amendment  shall be governed and construed in accordance  with
the laws of the  state  of  Delaware  applicable  to  agreements  made and to be
performed  entirely  within  such state,  without  regard to the  principles  of
conflicts of laws thereof.

          5. This Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of
which  shall be  deemed an  original  and all of which,  taken  together,  shall
constitute one and the same instrument.



<PAGE>

          IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the undersigned  have executed,  or caused to be
executed, this Agreement as of the date first above written.


                                   KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.

                                   By: /S/ CYNTHIA WORTHMAN
                                       -------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                   NASSAU CAPITAL PARTNERS L.P.

                                   By: Nassau Capital L.L.C.,
                                       its General Partner

                                   By: /S/ RANDALL A. HACK 
                                       -------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                   NAS PARTNERS I L.L.C.


                                   By: /S/ RANDALL A. HACK 
                                       -------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                   HAROLD N. KAMINE


                                   /S/ HAROLD N. KAMINE
                                   -----------------------------

                                   AT&T CREDIT CORPORATION


                                   By:__________________________
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                   First Union National Bank as Successor to
                                   CORESTATES BANK, N.A.


                                   By: /S/ MARK M. HARDEN 
                                       -------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                   CORESTATES HOLDINGS, INC.


                                   By: /S/ JAMES C. COOK
                                       -------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                   GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION


                                   By: /S/ MARK F. MYLON 
                                       -------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                   KMC TELECOMMUNICATIONS L.P.


                                   By:__________________________
                                       Name:
                                       Title:


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



                           LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

                          DATED AS OF DECEMBER 22, 1998

                                      AMONG

                                KMC TELECOM INC.,

                              KMC TELECOM II, INC.,

                         KMC TELECOM OF VIRGINIA, INC.,

                           KMC TELECOM LEASING I LLC,

                                       AND

                           KMC TELECOM LEASING II LLC
                                  AS BORROWERS,

                     THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FROM TIME TO
                              TIME PARTIES HERETO,
                                   AS LENDERS,

                                       AND

                            FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK

                     AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT FOR THE LENDERS

                                       AND

                       AT&T COMMERCIAL FINANCE CORPORATION

                       AS COLLATERAL AGENT FOR THE LENDERS



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<PAGE>



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTICLE I
         DEFINITIONS...........................................................1
         SECTION 1.01.  Definitions............................................1
         SECTION 1.02.  Accounting Terms......................................21
         SECTION 1.03.  Others Defined in New York Uniform Commercial Code....21

ARTICLE II
         LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT..........................................22
         SECTION 2.01.  Agreement to Lend.....................................22
         SECTION 2.02.  Loans.................................................22
         SECTION 2.03.  Procedure for Loan Request and Borrowing Commitment...23
         SECTION 2.04.  The Notes.............................................24
         SECTION 2.05.  Interest on Loans.....................................25
         SECTION 2.06. Conversion or Continuation.............................25
         SECTION 2.07.  Special Provisions Governing LIBOR Loans..............26
         SECTION 2.08.  Payments..............................................29
         SECTION 2.09.  Optional and Mandatory Prepayment of Loans;
                        Optional and Mandatory Reduction of Revolving
                        Loan Commitment Amount................................30
         SECTION 2.10.   Letters of Credit....................................32
         SECTION 2.11.  Fees..................................................37
         SECTION 2.12.  Manner of Payment; Special Tax Considerations.........38
         SECTION 2.13.  Maximum Lawful Interest Rate..........................41
         SECTION 2.14.  Funding Issues........................................42
         SECTION 2.15.  Joint and Several Liability; Contribution.............43

ARTICLE III
         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.......................................44
         SECTION 3.01.  Organization; Powers..................................44
         SECTION 3.02.  Corporate Authorization...............................44
         SECTION 3.03.  Financial Statements..................................45
         SECTION 3.04.  No Material Adverse Change............................45
         SECTION 3.05.  Litigation............................................45
         SECTION 3.06.  Tax Returns...........................................45
         SECTION 3.07.  No Defaults...........................................45
         SECTION 3.08.  Properties............................................45
         SECTION 3.09.  Licenses, Material Agreements, Intellectual
                        Property..............................................45
         SECTION 3.10.  Compliance With Laws..................................46
         SECTION 3.11.  ERISA.................................................46
         SECTION 3.12.  Investment Company Act; Public Utility
                        Holding Company Act...................................47
         SECTION 3.13.  Federal Reserve Regulations...........................47
         SECTION 3.14.  Collateral............................................47
         SECTION 3.15.  Chief Place of Business...............................48
         SECTION 3.16.  Other Corporate Names.................................48


                                        i

<PAGE>


         SECTION 3.17.  Insurance.............................................48
         SECTION 3.18.  Milestone Plan........................................48
         SECTION 3.19.  Capitalization and Subsidiaries.......................48
         SECTION 3.20.  Real Property, Leases and Easements...................49
         SECTION 3.21.  Solvency..............................................49
         SECTION 3.22.  Brokers, etc..........................................49
         SECTION 3.23.  No Material Misstatements.............................49
         SECTION 3.24.  Year 2000 Problems....................................49

ARTICLE IV
         CONDITIONS FOR LOANS.................................................49
         SECTION 4.01.  Conditions Precedent to Initial Loan on or
                        after the Closing Date................................50
         SECTION 4.02.  Conditions Precedent to All Loans.....................54

ARTICLE V
         AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS................................................56
         SECTION 5.01.  Corporate and Franchise Existence.....................56
         SECTION 5.02.  Compliance with Laws, Etc.............................56
         SECTION 5.03.  Maintenance of Properties.............................56
         SECTION 5.04.  Insurance.............................................56
         SECTION 5.05.  Obligations and Taxes.................................62
         SECTION 5.06.  Financial Statements, Reports, etc....................62
         SECTION 5.07.  Litigation and Other Notices..........................64
         SECTION 5.08.  Mortgages; Landlord Consents; Licenses
                        and Other Agreements..................................64
         SECTION 5.09.  ERISA.................................................65
         SECTION 5.10.  Access to Premises and Records........................65
         SECTION 5.11.  Design and Construction...............................66
         SECTION 5.12.  Environmental Notices.................................66
         SECTION 5.13.  Amendment of Organizational Documents.................66
         SECTION 5.14. Third Party Agreements and Delivery
                       and Acceptance Certificates............................66
         SECTION 5.15.  Accounts Payable......................................67
         SECTION 5.16.  Intellectual Property.................................67
         SECTION 5.17.  Fiscal Year...........................................67
         SECTION 5.18.  Completed Systems.....................................67
         SECTION 5.19. Year 2000 Problems.....................................67
         SECTION 5.20.  Subsidiary Guarantees and Pledges.....................67
         SECTION 5.21.  Accounting............................................67
         SECTION 5.22.  Further Assurances....................................67

ARTICLE VI
         NEGATIVE COVENANTS...................................................68
         SECTION 6.01.  Liens, etc............................................68
         SECTION 6.02.  Use of Proceeds.......................................69
         SECTION 6.03.  Sale of Assets, Consolidation, Merger, etc............69
         SECTION 6.04.  Dividends and Distributions; Sale of 
                        Equity Interests......................................69


                                       ii

<PAGE>



         SECTION 6.05.  Management Fees and Permitted Corporate Overhead......69
         SECTION 6.06.  Guarantees; Third Party Sales and Leases..............70
         SECTION 6.07.  Investments...........................................70
         SECTION 6.08.  Subsidiaries..........................................70
         SECTION 6.09.  Permitted Activities..................................70
         SECTION 6.10.  Disposition of Licenses, etc..........................70
         SECTION 6.11.  Transactions with Affiliates..........................70
         SECTION 6.12.  ERISA.................................................71
         SECTION 6.13.  Indebtedness..........................................71
         SECTION 6.14.  Prepayment and Debt Documents.........................72
         SECTION 6.15.  Sale and Leaseback Transactions.......................72
         SECTION 6.16.  Margin Regulation.....................................72
         SECTION 6.17.  Management and Tax Sharing Agreements.................72

ARTICLE VII
         FINANCIAL COVENANTS..................................................73
         SECTION 7.01.  Financial Covenants Prior to Achieving
                        Positive EBITDA.......................................73
         SECTION 7.02.  Financial Covenants After Achieving
                        Positive EBITDA.......................................74

ARTICLE VIII
         COLLATERAL SECURITY..................................................75
         SECTION 8.01.  Collateral Security...................................75
         SECTION 8.02.  Preservation of Collateral and Perfection 
                        of Security Interests Therein.........................76
         SECTION 8.03.  Appointment of the Collateral Agent as the
                        Borrowers' Attorney-in-Fact...........................76
         SECTION 8.04.  Collection of Accounts and Restricted
                        Account Arrangements..................................77
         SECTION 8.05.  Cure Rights...........................................78

ARTICLE IX
         EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES..........................................78
         SECTION 9.01.  Events of Default.....................................78
         SECTION 9.02.  Termination of Commitment; Acceleration...............81
         SECTION 9.03.  Waivers...............................................81
         SECTION 9.04.  Rights and Remedies Generally.........................81
         SECTION 9.05.  Entry Upon Premises and Access to Information.........82
         SECTION 9.06.  Sale or Other Disposition of Collateral by the
                        Agent.................................................82
         SECTION 9.07.  Governmental Approvals................................82
         SECTION 9.08.  Appointment of Receiver or Trustee....................83
         SECTION 9.09.  Right of Setoff.......................................83

ARTICLE X
         THE AGENT AND THE COLLATERAL AGENT...................................84
         SECTION 10.01. Appointment of Agent..................................84

731574
                                       iii

<PAGE>


         SECTION 10.02.  Agent's Reliance, Etc................................85
         SECTION 10.03.  FUNB and Affiliates..................................86
         SECTION 10.04.  Lender Credit Decision...............................86
         SECTION 10.05.  Indemnification......................................86
         SECTION 10.06.  Successor Agent......................................87
         SECTION 10.07.  Payments; Non-Funding Lenders; Information;
                         Actions in Concert...................................87
         SECTION 10.08.  Collateral Matters...................................89
         SECTION 10.09.  Agency for Perfection................................90
         SECTION 10.10.  Concerning the Collateral and the Related Loan
                         Documents and the Collateral Agent...................90

ARTICLE XI
         MISCELLANEOUS  ......................................................90
         SECTION 11.01.  Notices; Action on Notices, etc......................90
         SECTION 11.02.  No Waivers; Amendments...............................91
         SECTION 11.03.  Governing Law and Jurisdiction.......................92
         SECTION 11.04.  Expenses.............................................92
         SECTION 11.05.  Equitable Relief.....................................92
         SECTION 11.06.  Indemnification; Limitation of Liability.............93
         SECTION 11.07.  Survival of Representations and Warranties, etc......93
         SECTION 11.08.  Successors and Assigns; Assignments; Participations..94
         SECTION 11.09.  Severability.........................................96
         SECTION 11.10.  Cover Page, Table of Contents and Section Headings...96
         SECTION 11.11.  Counterparts.........................................96
         SECTION 11.12.  Application of Payments..............................97
         SECTION 11.13.  Marshalling; Payments Set Aside......................97
         SECTION 11.14.  SERVICE OF PROCESS...................................97
         SECTION 11.15.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL, ETC............................97
         SECTION 11.16.  Confidentiality......................................98
         SECTION 11.17.  Entire Agreement, etc................................98
         SECTION 11.18.  No Strict Construction...............................98



                                       iv

<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT A       Milestone Plan
EXHIBIT B       Form of Collateral Assignment of Leases
EXHIBIT C       Form of Collateral Assignment of Licenses
EXHIBIT D       Form of Landlord Waiver
EXHIBIT E-1     Form of Revolving Loan Note
EXHIBIT E-2     Form of Term Loan Note
EXHIBIT F       Form of Periodic Reporting Certificate
EXHIBIT G       Form of Guaranty
EXHIBIT H-1     Form of Notice of Borrowing
EXHIBIT H-2     Form of Notice of Continuation/Conversion
EXHIBIT I       Financials
EXHIBIT J-1     Form of Secretary's Certificate of Borrower
EXHIBIT J-2     Form of Secretary's Certificate of KMC Holdings
EXHIBIT K-1     Form of Opinion of Borrowers' Special Counsel
EXHIBIT K-2     Form of Opinion of Borrowers' Regulatory Counsel
EXHIBIT K-3     Form of Opinion of Borrowers' Local Counsel
EXHIBIT L       Form of Pledge Agreement
EXHIBIT M       Form of Loss Payable Endorsement
EXHIBIT N       Form of Restricted Account Agreement
EXHIBIT O       Form of Assignment Agreement
EXHIBIT P       Form of Accession Agreement
EXHIBIT Q       Form of Contribution Agreement
EXHIBIT R       Form of Delivery and Acceptance Certificate
EXHIBIT S       Form of Trademark Security Agreement



                                        v

<PAGE>



                                    SCHEDULES


SCHEDULE 1.01(a)           Applicable Margin

SCHEDULE 3.02              Consents

SCHEDULE 3.05              Litigation

SCHEDULE 3.09(a)           Governmental Authorizations and Approvals

SCHEDULE 3.09(b)           Material Agreements

SCHEDULE 3.09(c)           Intellectual Property

SCHEDULE 3.10              Environmental Matters

SCHEDULE 3.11              Plans

SCHEDULE 3.14              Filing Offices

SCHEDULE 3.16              Corporate and Fictitious Names

SCHEDULE 3.17              Insurance

SCHEDULE 3.19              Capitalization and Subsidiaries

SCHEDULE 3.20              Real Property, Leased Real Property and Easements

SCHEDULE 6.11              Transactions With Affiliates

SCHEDULE 8.04              Collection Accounts


                                     ANNEXES

ANNEX A           -        Commitment Amounts

ANNEX B           -        Financial Covenant Information

ANNEX C           -        Revolving Loan Commitment Reductions



                                       vi

<PAGE>




          LOAN AND  SECURITY  AGREEMENT  ("Agreement")  dated as of December 22,
1998 among KMC TELECOM  INC., a Delaware  corporation  ("KMC"),  KMC TELECOM II,
INC.,  a Delaware  corporation  ("KMC II"),  KMC TELECOM OF  VIRGINIA,  INC.,  a
Virginia public service company ("KMC  Virginia"),  KMC TELECOM LEASING I LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company ("Leasing I"), KMC TELECOM LEASING II, LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company ("Leasing II"), the Additional Borrowers from
time to time parties  hereto (KMC,  KMC II, KMC Virginia,  Leasing I, Leasing II
and any Additional  Borrowers being collectively  referred to hereinafter as the
"Borrowers"  and  sometimes   individually  as  a  "Borrower"),   the  financial
institutions  signatory  hereto  from time to time,  as  "Lenders",  FIRST UNION
NATIONAL BANK, as  administrative  agent for the Lenders (in such capacity,  the
"Agent") and AT&T COMMERCIAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION,  as collateral agent for the
Lenders (in such capacity, the "Collateral Agent").

          WHEREAS,  the Borrowers have requested the Lenders to extend credit to
the Borrowers;

          WHEREAS,  the  Lenders  are  willing  to  extend  such  credit  to the
Borrowers subject to, and on the terms and conditions of, this Agreement; and

          WHEREAS,  the initial  extension of credit hereunder will, inter alia,
refinance  and  refund  the loans  made to KMC and  Leasing I  pursuant  to that
Amended and Restated Loan and Security  Agreement dated as of September 22, 1997
among KMC, Leasing I and AT&T Commercial Finance Corporation;

          Accordingly, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein,
the Borrowers, the Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE I
                                   DEFINITIONS

          SECTION 1.01.  Definitions.  As used in this Agreement,  the following
words and terms shall have the meanings specified below:

          "Access Lines" shall mean the total number of installed business lines
that provide service to a business  customer of a Borrower  including  "resale",
"on-net" and "unbundled network element"; provided, that resale shall constitute
no more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the total Access Lines.

          "Accounts" shall mean all present and future rights of any Borrower to
payment  for  goods  sold or  leased  or for  services  rendered  which  are not
evidenced by  instruments  or chattel  paper,  and whether or not they have been
earned by performance.


                                       1
<PAGE>

          "Additional Borrower" shall mean any Subsidiary of KMC Holdings,  KMC,
KMC II, KMC  Virginia,  Leasing I or Leasing II that  enters  into an  accession
agreement  substantially  in the form of Exhibit P hereto,  is acceptable to the
Requisite Lenders,  and the outstanding Equity Interests of which are pledged to
the Agent pursuant to a pledge agreement  substantially in the form of Exhibit L
attached hereto.

          "Additional  Purchase  Agreement"  shall  mean  a  purchase  agreement
between any  Borrower  and an  Additional  Vendor  relating  to the  purchase of
Telecommunications  Equipment on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to
the Agents, if such purchase agreement contemplates Telecommunications Equipment
purchases  in  excess  of  $5,000,000  in any  one  year or  $15,000,000  in the
aggregate,  otherwise on the terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the
Collateral Agent.

          "Additional   Vendor"  shall  mean  a  vendor  of   Telecommunications
Equipment  other  than  Lucent,  which  Additional  Vendor  shall be  reasonably
satisfactory to the Agents if the Additional  Purchase  Agreement the Additional
Vendor is a party to  contemplates  Telecommunications  Equipment  purchases  in
excess of $5,000,000 in any one year or $15,000,000 in the aggregate,  otherwise
on the terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent.

          "Affiliate"  shall mean any Person  other than any Lender  directly or
indirectly controlling,  controlled by or under common control with any Borrower
and any officer or shareholder of such Person or any Borrower, which shareholder
beneficially  owns at least ten percent  (10%) of the Equity  Interests  of such
Person  or  any  Borrower.  For  the  purposes  of  this  definition,  "control"
(including, with correlative meanings, the terms "controlling," "controlled by",
and "under common control with"), as used with respect to any Person,  means the
possession,  directly  or  indirectly,  of the  power to  direct  or  cause  the
direction  of the  management  or policies of such Person,  whether  through the
ownership of voting securities,  by agreement or otherwise;  provided,  however,
that  beneficial  ownership of at least 10% of the Equity  Interests of a Person
shall be deemed to constitute control.

          "Aged Equipment" shall mean  Telecommunications  Equipment,  which has
been in commercial operation for more than twelve months.

          "Agents" shall mean collectively, the Agent, the Collateral Agent, the
Documentation Agent and the Syndication Agent.

          "Applicable  Margin"  shall mean with respect to (i) each Loan bearing
interest based upon the Base Rate, the margin  determined in accordance with the
criteria  set forth on  Schedule  1.01(a)  hereto,  and (ii)  each Loan  bearing
interest based upon the LIBO Rate, the margin  determined in accordance with the
criteria set forth on Schedule 1.01(a) hereto, which margins shall be calculated
based upon the financial  statements provided pursuant to Section 5.06, with any
readjustments  being  effective five Business Days following the Agent's receipt
thereof.


                                       2
<PAGE>

          "Assignment Agreement" shall mean an assignment agreement entered into
in connection with an assignment pursuant to Section 11.08 hereof  substantially
in the form of Exhibit O hereof.

          "Base LIBO Rate" shall mean,  during any Interest Period,  the rate of
interest  per annum  (rounded  upward to the nearest  whole  multiple of 1/16 of
1.0%,  if such  rate is not  such a  multiple)  equal  to the  rate of  interest
notified  to the Agent by the  Reference  Bank at which  Dollar  deposits in the
approximate  amount of the Loans to be made or continued as, or converted  into,
LIBOR Loans for such  Interest  Period and having a maturity  comparable to such
Interest  Period would be offered by the London  lending office of the Reference
Bank in the London interbank  market at  approximately  11:00 a.m. (London time)
two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period.

          "Base Rate" shall mean the higher of (i) a rate per annum equal to the
corporate  base  rate,  prime  rate or base  rate of  interest,  as  applicable,
announced by the  Reference  Bank from time to time,  changing  when and as such
rate changes,  it being understood that such rate of interest is not necessarily
the lowest or best rate charged by the Reference Bank to its customers, and (ii)
the sum of the Federal Funds  Effective Rate plus one-half  percent  (0.50%) per
annum.

          "Base Rate Loan"  shall mean a Loan,  or portion  thereof,  during any
period in which it bears interest at a rate based upon the Base Rate.

          "Base Rate Revolving Loan" shall mean a Revolving Loan during
any period for which it is a Base Rate Loan.

          "Base Rate Term Loan" shall mean any portion of the Term Loans  during
any period for which such portion is a Base Rate Loan.

          "Benefit Plan" shall mean a defined benefit plan as defined in Section
3(35)  of ERISA  (other  than a  Multiemployer  Plan) in  respect  of which  any
Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is, or within the immediately  preceding six (6)
years was, an "employer" as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

          "Borrower"  shall mean any of KMC,  KMC II, KMC  Virginia,  Leasing I,
Leasing II and any Additional Borrower.

          "Borrowing  Base"  shall  mean  at any  time  the  aggregate  cost  of
Telecommunications  Equipment financed under this Agreement,  minus any reserves
established by the Collateral Agent with respect to Aged Equipment.

          "Business"  shall mean with respect to (i) each of KMC, KMC II and KMC
Virginia,  the business of  constructing,  operating and maintaining the Systems
owned by them and all operations related thereto or in support thereof, and (ii)
each of Leasing I and  Leasing II, the  business  of owning and  leasing  Switch
Equipment.


                                       3
<PAGE>

          "Business Day" shall mean (a) any day not a Saturday,  Sunday or legal
holiday  in the  State of New York or New  Jersey,  on which  banks are open for
business  in New  York  and New  Jersey  and (b) with  respect  to all  notices,
determinations,  fundings and payments in connection with the LIBO Rate or LIBOR
Loans,  any day that is a Business  Day pursuant to clause (a) above and that is
also a day on which  trading is carried  on by and  between  banks in the London
interbank market.

          "Capitalization"  shall  mean  funded  equity  capitalization  of  KMC
Holdings.

          "Capitalized   Lease  Obligations"  shall  mean  Debt  represented  by
obligations  under a lease that is  required  to be  capitalized  for  financial
reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of such Debt shall be
the capitalized amount of such obligations determined in accordance with GAAP.

          "Change of  Control"  shall mean (A) Harold N.  Kamine  ceases to have
senior  management  responsibilities  with  respect  to  the  Borrowers  or  KMC
Holdings,  (B) KMC Holdings no longer  beneficially  owns all of the outstanding
Equity Interests of each Borrower, (C) a "person" or "group" (within the meaning
of  Sections  13(d) and  14(d)(2) of the  Exchange  Act)  becomes  the  ultimate
"beneficial  owner" (as  defined in Rule 13d-3 under the  Exchange  Act) of more
than 35% of the total  voting  power of the Voting  Stock of KMC  Holdings  on a
fully diluted basis and such  ownership  represents a greater  percentage of the
total  voting  power of the Voting  Stock of KMC  Holdings,  on a fully  diluted
basis,  than  is  held  by  the  Existing  Stockholders  on  such  date,  or (D)
individuals who on the Closing Date constitute the Board of Directors  (together
with  any new  directors  whose  election  by the  Board of  Directors  or whose
nomination by the Board of Directors for election by KMC Holdings'  stockholders
was  approved  by a vote of at least a majority  of the  members of the Board of
Directors  then in office who either were  members of the Board of  Directors on
the Closing Date or whose  election or nomination for election was previously so
approved)  cease for any reason to  constitute  a majority of the members of the
Board of Directors then in office.

          "Closing Date" shall mean the date on which this Agreement is executed
and delivered by the parties hereto.

          "Collateral"  shall mean,  all property and  interests in property now
owned  or  hereafter  acquired  by any  Borrower  in or upon  which  a  security
interest,  lien or mortgage is granted to the Collateral  Agent by any Borrower,
whether under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

          "Collateral Assignment of Leases" shall mean the Collateral Assignment
of Leases in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto, to be executed and delivered
pursuant to Section 4.01 hereof.


                                       4
<PAGE>

          "Collateral   Assignment  of  Licenses"   shall  mean  the  Collateral
Assignment of Licenses in the form of Exhibit C attached hereto,  to be executed
and delivered pursuant to Section 4.01 hereof.

          "Collection  Accounts" and "Collection  Agent" shall have the meanings
given to such terms in Section 8.04 hereof.

          "Commitment"  shall mean  Lenders'  commitment to lend as set forth in
Section 2.01 hereof.

          "Commitment  Amount" shall mean (a) as to any Lender, the aggregate of
such Lender's  Revolving Loan Commitment  Amount and Term Loan Commitment Amount
as set forth  opposite such Lender's name on Annex A to this Agreement or in the
most  recent  Assignment  Agreement  executed  by such  Lender and (b) as to all
Lenders,  the aggregate of all Lenders'  Revolving Loan  Commitment  Amounts and
Term Loan Commitment  Amounts,  which aggregate  commitment shall be Two Hundred
Fifty Million Dollars  ($250,000,000) on the Closing Date, as such amount may be
adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement

          "Common  Stock"  shall  mean with  respect to any  Person,  all Equity
Interests of such Person that are generally entitled to (i) vote in the election
of directors of such Person or (ii) if such Person is not a corporation, vote or
otherwise participate in the selection of the governing body, partners, managers
or others that will control the management and policies of such Person.

          "Completed  System" shall mean any System which is fully  operational,
which if contemplated  by the Milestone  Plan,  shall have a Lucent 5-ESS Switch
Equipment  or  other  comparable  Switch  Equipment  deployed,  which  shall  be
switching  paid  traffic on its owned  Telecommunications  Equipment,  and which
shall have  sales,  customer  service  and billing  systems  operational  to the
satisfaction  of the  Collateral  Agent  and  consistent  with the then  current
operating Systems of any Borrower, with switching  capabilities,  encompasses at
least twenty route miles, and with respect to which all  Governmental  Approvals
have been obtained and connectivity to at least one major interexchange  carrier
point-of-presence has been achieved.

          "Consolidated" or "consolidated"  refers,  with respect to any Person,
to the  consolidation  of the accounts of such Person and its  Subsidiaries,  if
any, in  accordance  with GAAP;  provided,  that with  respect to KMC  Holdings,
unless  otherwise  indicated,  its  Subsidiaries  shall not include any Excluded
Subsidiaries.

          "Consolidated  Debt" shall  mean,  with  respect to KMC  Holdings on a
consolidated  basis,  at any  date,  the sum of the  following  determined  on a
consolidated  basis,  without  duplication,  in  accordance  with GAAP:  (a) all
liabilities, obligations and indebtedness for borrowed money, including, but not
limited to, obligations evidenced by bonds,  debentures,  notes or other similar
instruments  of any Borrower or KMC  Holdings,  (b) all  obligations  to pay the
deferred  purchase price of property or services of any Borrower or KMC Holdings


                                       5
<PAGE>

(exclusive of rent for real property  under leases that would not be capitalized
in accordance with GAAP),  including,  but not limited to, all obligations under
noncompetition agreements,  except trade payables arising in the ordinary course
of business not more than ninety (90) days past due, (c) all  obligations of any
Borrower or KMC  Holdings  as lessee  under  capital  leases  (exclusive  of the
interest component thereof),  (d) all Debt of any other Person secured by a Lien
on any asset of any such Borrower or KMC Holdings,  (e) all guaranty obligations
of any Borrower or KMC Holdings,  (f) all obligations,  contingent or otherwise,
of any  Borrower  or KMC  Holdings  relative  to the face  amount of  letters of
credit, whether or not drawn, and banker's acceptances issued for the account of
any  Borrower  or KMC  Holdings,  (g) all  obligations  to  redeem,  repurchase,
exchange,  defease or  otherwise  make  payments in respect of capital  stock or
other  securities of any Borrower or KMC Holdings at any time prior to the third
annual  anniversary of the Term Loan  Termination  Date, and (h) all termination
payments which would be due and payable by any Borrower or KMC Holdings pursuant
to any hedging agreement. "Consolidated Debt" shall not include any intercompany
Debt between the Borrowers or between any Borrower and KMC Holdings.

          "Contaminant"  shall mean any pollutant,  hazardous  substance,  toxic
substance,  hazardous  waste,  special  waste,  petroleum or  petroleum  derived
substance or waste, or any constituent of any such substance or waste.

          "Contributed  Capital" shall mean,  with respect to the Borrowers,  at
any date of determination,  all contributed  capital to such Borrowers including
all funded equity and all Qualified Intercompany Loans.

          "Contribution  Agreement" shall mean the Contribution  Agreement among
the Borrowers of even date herewith substantially in the form of Exhibit Q.

          "Counsel"  shall  mean  Sidley  &  Austin  or such  successor  counsel
selected by the Collateral Agent.

          "Credit  Support" shall have the meaning given to such term in Section
2.10.

          "Debt" shall mean, with respect to any Person,  (i)  indebtedness  for
borrowed money, (ii) obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures,  notes or other
similar  instruments,  (iii)  obligations which have been incurred in connection
with the  acquisition of property or services  (including,  without  limitation,
obligations  to pay the  deferred  purchase  price  of  property  or  services),
excluding trade payables and accrued expenses incurred in the ordinary course of
business,  (iv)  obligations  as lessee  under  leases  which shall have been or
should be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as capital or operating leases, (v)
all Guarantees of such Person,  including  without  limitation,  all debt of any
other  Person  secured  by  a  Lien  on  property  of  such  Person,   (vi)  all
reimbursement  obligations,  contingent or otherwise, with respect to letters of
credit or banker's acceptances issued for the account of any Borrower, and (vii)
all  indebtedness,  obligations or other  liabilities in respect of any Interest
Rate Agreement,  provided that Debt shall not include any liability for Federal,
state, local or other taxes, and provided,  further, that the amount outstanding
at any time of any Debt issued with  original  issue  discount is the  principal
amount of such Debt less the remaining unamortized portion of the original issue
discount of such Debt at such time as determined in  conformity  with GAAP,  and
that with respect to any  high-yield  Debt, the amount thereof shall not include
fees incurred in raising such Debt or overfunded amounts set aside solely to pay
interest..  Notwithstanding any other provision of the foregoing definition, any
trade  payable  arising  from the purchase of goods or materials or for services
obtained in the ordinary  course of business shall not be deemed to be "Debt" of
any Borrower for purposes of this  definition.  Furthermore,  guarantees  of (or
obligations  with  respect  to  letters  of credit  supporting)  Debt  otherwise
included in the determination of such amount shall not be included.


                                       6
<PAGE>

          "Default"  shall mean any event  which but for the  passage of time or
giving of notice would constitute an Event of Default.

          "Documentation Agent" shall mean General Electric Capital Corporation.

          "Dollars"  or "$" shall  mean  lawful  money of the  United  States of
America.

          "Easements"  shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 3.20
hereof.

          "EBITDA" shall mean,  with respect to any Person,  for any period,  an
amount equal to (i) Net Income plus (ii) the sum of the following, to the extent
deducted in determining Net Income: (A) income and franchise taxes, (B) interest
expense, (C) amortization,  depreciation and other non-cash charges, minus (iii)
the sum of interest income plus extraordinary gains, as determined in accordance
with GAAP as calculated at the end of such period.

          "Environmental  Laws"  shall mean all  federal,  state and local laws,
rules, regulations,  ordinances, programs, permits, guidance, orders and consent
decrees or other binding determination of any Governmental Authority relating to
protection of the environment, the handling, disposal or Release of Contaminants
and occupational  safety and health.  Such laws and regulations  include but are
not limited to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 33 U.S.C. ss. 6901 et
seq., as amended;  the Comprehensive  Environmental  Response,  Compensation and
Liability  Act, 42 U.S.C.  ss. 9601 et seq.,  as amended;  the Toxic  Substances
Control  Act, 15 U.S.C.  ss. 2601 et seq.,  as amended;  the Clean Water Act, 33
U.S.C.  ss. 1251 et seq., as amended;  the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C.  ss. 7401 et
seq., as amended; state and federal environmental lien and environmental cleanup
programs; the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. ss. 651 et seq.; and
U.S.  Department of Transportation  regulations related to the transportation of
hazardous materials, each as from time to time hereafter in effect.

          "Equity  Affiliate"  shall mean,  as applied to any Person,  any other
Person  directly or indirectly  controlling,  controlled  by, or under direct or
indirect  common  control with,  such Person.  For purposes of this  definition,
"control"  (including,  with  correlative  meanings,  the  terms  "controlling",
"controlled  by" and "under  common  control  with"),  as applied to any Person,
means the  possession,  directly or indirectly,  of the power to direct or cause
the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

          "Equity Interest" shall mean, with respect to any Person,  any and all
shares or other equivalents  (however  designated) of capital stock,  membership
units,  partnership interests or any other participation right or other interest
in the nature of an equity  interest in such  Person or any  option,  warrant or
other security convertible into any of the foregoing.


                                       7
<PAGE>

          "ERISA"  shall mean the  Employee  Retirement  Income  Security Act of
1974, as amended from time to time.

          "ERISA  Affiliate" shall mean (i) any corporation which is a member of
the same controlled group of corporations  (within the meaning of Section 414(b)
of the IRC) as any  Borrower,  (ii) any  partnership  or other trade or business
(whether  or not  incorporated)  under  common  control  (within  the meaning of
Section  414(c) of the IRC) with any  Borrower  and (iii) any member of the same
affiliated  service group  (within the meaning of Section  414(m) of the IRC) as
any Borrower,  any corporation  described in clause (i) above or any partnership
or trade or business described in clause (ii) above.

          "Eurocurrency  Liabilities"  shall have the  meaning  assigned to that
term in  Regulation D of the Federal  Reserve  Board,  as in effect from time to
time.

          "Event  of  Default"  shall  have the  meaning  given to such  term in
Article IX hereof.

          "Event of Loss" shall mean,  with  respect to any item of  Collateral,
the actual or  constructive  loss of such item of Collateral or the use thereof,
due to theft,  destruction,  damage  beyond  repair or  damage  from any  reason
whatsoever  which is not  reimbursable  by  insurance,  to an extent which makes
repair  uneconomical,  or  rendition  thereof  unfit  for  normal  use,  or  the
condemnation,  confiscation or seizure of, or requisition of title to or use of,
such item of  Collateral  by any  Governmental  Authority  or any other  Person,
acting under or deemed to be acting under color of any Governmental Authority.

          "Excess  Operating Cash Flow" shall mean for any fiscal  quarter,  Net
Income  of the  Borrowers  plus  non-cash  interest  expense,  depreciation  and
amortization  and any other  non-cash items of the  Borrowers,  minus  scheduled
principal  payments of the  Borrowers  to Lenders,  lease  payments  and capital
expenditures  of the Borrowers,  plus or minus changes in working capital of the
Borrowers, as appropriate.

          "Exchange  Act" shall mean the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as
amended from time to time.

          "Excluded  Letters of Credit" shall have the meaning  ascribed to such
term in Section 6.13(viii).

          "Excluded  Subsidiary"  shall mean (a) any  Subsidiary of KMC Holdings
which is neither a Borrower  under this Agreement nor a Person which directly or
indirectly beneficially owns Equity Interests in any Borrower, provided that (i)
at the time such other  Subsidiary was created or acquired,  no Default or Event
of Default shall have  occurred and be continuing  before or after giving effect
to the creation or  acquisition of such  Subsidiary,  and (ii) no portion of the
Required  Contributions or the Revolving Loan Commitment  Amount shall have been
or shall be used to fund the acquisition or operations of such  Subsidiary,  and
the  Guarantor  has  external  sources  of  funding  (other  than  the  Required
Contributions  and  the  Revolving  Loan  Commitment   Amount)  to  finance  the
acquisition and operations of such Subsidiary,  (b) KMC  International,  and KMC
Telecom III,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation  or (c) any other  Subsidiary of the


                                       8
<PAGE>

Guarantor which the Guarantor or any Borrower  requests the Lenders to designate
as such, and which designation is agreed to by the Required Lenders.

          "Existing  Stockholders"  shall  mean  Harold N.  Kamine,  his  Equity
Affiliates,  Nassau  Capital  Partners  L.P.,  NAS  Partners  I L.L.C.  or their
respective successors, and their Equity Affiliates.

          "FCC"  shall  mean  the  Federal  Communications   Commission  or  any
successor   commission  or  agency  of  the  United  States  of  America  having
jurisdiction over any Borrower or any System.

          "Federal  Funds  Effective  Rate"  shall  mean,  for  any  period,   a
fluctuating interest rate per annum equal for each day during such period to (a)
the weighted average of the rates on overnight  federal funds  transactions with
members of the Federal  Reserve  System  arranged by federal funds  brokers,  as
published  for such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, for the preceding
Business Day) by the Federal  Reserve Bank of New York in the Composite  Closing
Quotations  for  U.S.  Government  Securities;  or (b) if  such  rate  is not so
published for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the  quotations at
approximately  10:30  a.m.  (New York  time)  for such day on such  transactions
received by the  Reference  Bank from three  federal funds brokers of recognized
standing selected by it.

          "Federal  Reserve  Board"  shall  mean the Board of  Governors  of the
Federal Reserve System or any successor thereto.

          "Fee  Letters"  shall mean (i) that  certain  letter  agreement  dated
September 25, 1998 among the  Borrowers,  KMC Holdings,  the  Collateral  Agent,
Capital Syndications  Corporation ("CSC"),  General Electric Capital Corporation
("GECC"),  GECC Capital Market Groups,  Inc.  ("GECG"),  the Agent,  First Union
Capital  Markets,  a Division  of Wheat  First  Securities,  Inc.  ("FUCM")  and
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce ("CIBC"),  (ii) that certain letter agreement
dated  September  25, 1998 among the  Borrowers,  KMC Holdings,  the  Collateral
Agent,  CSC,  GECC,  GECG,  the Agent and FUCM,  and (iii) that  certain  letter
agreement  dated  December  22,  1998 among the  Borrowers,  KMC  Holdings,  the
Collateral Agent, CSC, GECC, GECG, the Agent, FUCM and CIBC.

          "Financials"  shall  have the  meaning  given to such term in  Section
3.03.

          "First  Eight  Cities"  shall mean the  following  eight  cities where
Systems have been or will be constructed in accordance  with the Milestone Plan:
Huntsville,  Alabama;  Melbourne,  Florida  (including  the actual  switch  site
located in Palm Bay, Florida); Augusta, Georgia; Savannah, Georgia; Baton Rouge,
Louisiana; Shreveport, Louisiana; Corpus Christi, Texas; and Madison, Wisconsin.


                                       9
<PAGE>

          "Fixed  Charges"  shall  mean  with  respect  to any  period  for  the
Borrowers on a combined basis,  the sum of the following  amounts  calculated at
the end of such period with respect to such period  without  duplication  and in
accordance with GAAP:

               (i) the product of two  multiplied  by  scheduled  principal  and
          interest  payments  with respect to Debt for the six month period then
          ending,  (ii) capital  expenditures  for the four quarter  period then
          ending, (iii) the product of two multiplied by income tax payments for
          the six  month  period  then  ending,  and  (iv)  the  product  of two
          multiplied  by cash  dividend  payments  for the six month period then
          ending.

          "Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" shall have the meaning  assigned to such
term in Section 7.02(c).

          "FUNB"  shall mean  First  Union  National  Bank,  a national  banking
association.

          "Governmental  Approval" shall mean, with respect to any Borrower, any
license,  permit,  franchise or certificate of public  convenience and necessity
issued to any Borrower by the FCC, any PUC or any other  Governmental  Authority
in connection with any System.

          "Governmental Authority" shall mean any federal, state, local or other
political subdivision thereof and any entity exercising executive,  legislative,
judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government.

          "Guarantee" shall mean any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any
Person guaranteeing any indebtedness of any other Person (the "Primary Obligor")
in any manner,  whether directly or indirectly,  and including any obligation of
such Person,  direct or  indirect,  (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply
funds for the  purchase or payment of) such  indebtedness  or to purchase (or to
advance or supply  funds for the  purchase  of) any  security for the payment of
such  indebtedness;  (ii) to purchase  property,  securities or services for the
purpose  of  assuring  the owner of such  indebtedness  of the  payment  of such
indebtedness;  or (iii) to maintain  working  capital,  equity  capital or other
financial statement condition of the Primary Obligor so as to enable the Primary
Obligor to pay such indebtedness.

          "Indenture"  shall mean that certain Indenture dated as of January 29,
1998 between KMC Holdings,  as Issuer and The Chase  Manhattan Bank, as Trustee,
relating to KMC Holdings' 12 1/2 percent Senior Discount Notes due 2008.

          "Initial Funding Date" shall mean the date upon which,  subject to the
satisfaction of all conditions precedent contained in Sections 4.01 and 4.02, or
the waiver thereof by the Agent and the Requisite Lenders, the initial Loans are
made on or after the Closing Date.

          "Intellectual   Property  Documents"  shall  mean  (i)  the  Trademark
Security  Agreement  of even date  herewith,  in the form of  Exhibit S attached
hereto,  executed  by the  Borrowers  in favor of the  Collateral  Agent for the
benefit  of the  Agents and the  Lenders,  as  amended,  restated  or  otherwise
modified  from time to time and (ii) any other  trademark,  patent or  copyright
security agreement executed pursuant to Section 5.16 by any Borrower.


                                       10
<PAGE>

          "Interest  Expense"  shall  mean for any  period,  the total  interest
expense (including, without limitation, interest expense attributable to capital
leases) determined on a combined basis, without  duplication,  for the Borrowers
in accordance with GAAP.

          "Interest  Period"  shall mean,  with respect to each LIBOR Loan,  the
interest  period  applicable  to such LIBOR Loan as set forth in the  applicable
Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion or Continuation.

          "Interest Rate Agreement" shall mean for any Person, any interest rate
swap agreement,  interest rate cap agreement,  interest rate collar agreement or
other similar agreement  designed to protect the party indicated therein against
fluctuations in interest rates.

          "Investment"  shall  mean,  as  applied to any  Person,  any direct or
indirect  purchase or other  acquisition by that Person of  securities,  or of a
beneficial  interest  in  securities,  of any other  Person,  and any  direct or
indirect  loan,  advance  (other  than  deposits  with  financial   institutions
available for  withdrawal on demand,  prepaid  expenses,  advances to employees,
officers and directors and similar items,  each made or incurred in the ordinary
course of business), or capital contribution by that Person to any other Person,
including all Debt of such other Person to that Person,  but excluding  accounts
owed by that other Person in the ordinary course of business.  Investments shall
exclude (i)  extensions  of trade  credit on  commercially  reasonable  terms in
accordance  with normal trade practices and (ii) the repurchase of securities of
any Person by such Person.  The amount of any Investment  shall be determined in
conformity with GAAP.

          "IRC" shall mean the Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as amended from
time to time,  and the rules and  regulations  promulgated  thereunder,  and any
successor statutes or rules and regulations.

          "IRS" shall mean the Internal Revenue Service or any successor agency.

          "KMC  Holdings"  shall mean KMC  Telecom  Holdings,  Inc.,  a Delaware
corporation.

          "KMC Holdings  Guaranty" shall mean that certain unlimited guaranty of
KMC Holdings in the form of Exhibit G hereto.

          "KMC  International"  shall mean KMC Telecom  International,  Inc.,  a
corporation to be formed under the laws of Delaware.

          "Lending  Office" shall mean,  with respect to a Lender or Agent,  any
office, branch, subsidiary or affiliate of such Lender or the Agent.


                                       11
<PAGE>

          "Letter of Credit"  shall mean a letter of credit  issued or caused to
be issued for the account of a Borrower or with respect to which Credit  Support
is provided, in any case pursuant to Section 2.10.

          "Letter of Credit Obligations" shall mean without duplication, the sum
of the  aggregate  maximum  undrawn  face amount of all  outstanding  Letters of
Credit and  unpaid  reimbursement  obligations  with  respect to all  Letters of
Credit.

          "LIBO Rate" shall mean, for any Interest  Period with respect to LIBOR
Loans  comprising  part of the same  borrowing,  the rate of interest  per annum
equal to the per annum rate of interest displayed on the Dow Jones Market Screen
Page 3750, as being the  one-month,  two-month,  three-month  or  six-month,  as
applicable, reserve adjusted "London Interbank Offered Rate", provided, however,
that if such rate is not displayed or  published,  then the rate of interest per
annum  (rounded  upward to the nearest  whole  multiple of 1/16 of 1.0%, if such
rate is not such a multiple) determined by the Agent as follows:

          LIBO Rate  =              Base LIBO Rate
                            -------------------------------
                            1.00 - LIBOR Reserve Percentage

          "LIBOR  Interest  Payment  Date" shall mean,  with  respect to a LIBOR
Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan, and, if such
Interest  Period has a duration  of more than  three  months,  on each day which
occurs during such Interest Period every three months from the first day of such
Interest Period.

          "LIBOR  Interest  Rate  Determination  Date"  shall  mean each date of
calculating  the LIBO Rate for purposes of  determining  the interest  rate with
respect to an Interest Period.  The LIBOR Interest Rate  Determination  Date for
any LIBOR Loan shall be the  second  Business  Day prior to the first day of the
related Interest Period for such LIBOR Loan.

          "LIBOR Loan" shall mean a Loan, or portion thereof,  during any period
in which it bears interest at a rate based upon the LIBO Rate.

          "LIBOR  Reserve  Percentage"  shall mean for any day for any  Interest
Period the maximum reserve percentage (expressed as a decimal, rounded upward to
the next  1/100th of 1.0%) in effect on such day (whether or not  applicable  to
any Lender) for United States domestic banks under regulations  issued from time
to time by the  Federal  Reserve  Board  for  determining  the  maximum  reserve
requirement  (including any emergency,  supplemental  or other marginal  reserve
requirement) with respect to Eurocurrency  Liabilities  having a term comparable
to such Interest Period.

          "LIBOR  Revolving  Loan" shall mean a Revolving Loan during any period
for which it is a LIBOR Loan.

          "LIBOR Term Loan" shall mean any portion of the Term Loans  during any
period for which such portion is a LIBOR Loan.


                                       12
<PAGE>

          "Lien" shall mean any  mortgage,  pledge,  deed of trust,  assignment,
lien, charge, encumbrance or security interest of any kind, or the interest of a
vendor or lessor under any conditional  sale  agreement,  capital lease or other
title retention  agreement,  but excluding  easements,  rights of way or similar
encumbrances  on real property which are in the ordinary course and which do not
materially  affect  the  value,  use and  insurability  of  title  of such  real
property.

          "Loan" shall mean a Revolving Loan or a Term Loan.

          "Loan Documents" shall mean all agreements, instruments and documents,
including,  without limitation,  security  agreements,  loan agreements,  notes,
guarantees, mortgages, deeds of trust, subordination agreements, pledges, powers
of  attorney,  consents,  assignments,  contracts,  notices,  leases,  financing
statements,  Interest Rate  Agreements  between any Borrower and the Agent,  the
Collateral   Agent,  or  the  Lenders  and  all  other  written  matter  whether
heretofore,  now, or  hereafter  executed by or on behalf of any Borrower or any
other  Person  in  connection  with the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  and
delivered to the Agent, the Collateral  Agent or the Lenders,  together with all
agreements and documents referred to therein or contemplated thereby;  provided,
however, that the documents executed in connection with the purchase by Newcourt
Communications  Finance Corporation  (formerly known as AT&T Credit Corporation)
or any Lender of Equity  Interests in KMC or KMC Holdings  shall not  constitute
Loan Documents.

          "Lucent" shall mean Lucent Technologies Inc.

          "Lucent  Purchase  Agreement"  shall  mean an  agreement  between  any
Borrower and Lucent for the purchase of Telecommunications  Equipment,  on terms
and conditions satisfactory to the Agents.

          "Management  Agreement" shall mean that certain  Management  Agreement
dated  as  of  December  18,  1998  among  KMC  Holdings,  the  Borrowers,   KMC
International and KMC Telecom III, Inc.

          "Material  Adverse Effect" shall mean,  with respect to any Person,  a
material adverse effect upon the condition (financial or otherwise),  operations
or  properties  of such  Person,  or upon the  ability of such Person to perform
under the Loan Documents.

          "Maximum  Rate" shall have the  meaning  given to such term in Section
2.13 hereof.

          "Milestone  Plan"  shall  mean  the  Milestone  Plan of the  Borrowers
attached as Exhibit A hereto, as such Milestone Plan may be amended from time to
time with the prior written consent of the Requisite Lenders.

          "Mortgages"  shall  mean  mortgages  or deeds of trust in favor of the
Collateral  Agent,  with respect to any  Borrower's  (i) owned Real Property and
(ii) other interests in those items of real property and Easements, as specified
by the Collateral Agent, which mortgages and deeds of trust shall be in form and
substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent.


                                       13
<PAGE>

          "Multiemployer  Plan" shall mean a "multiemployer  plan" as defined in
Section  4001(a)(3) of ERISA which is, or within the  immediately  preceding six
(6) years was, contributed to by any Borrower or an ERISA Affiliate.

          "Net  Income"  shall mean,  with respect to any Person for any period,
the net income (loss) of such Person determined in accordance with GAAP.

          "Note" shall mean any Revolving Loan Note or any Term Loan Note.

          "Notice of Borrowing" shall mean a notice substantially in the form of
Exhibit H-1 attached hereto.

          "Notice of  Conversion/Continuation"  shall have the meaning  given to
such term in Section 2.06(b).

          "Obligations"  shall mean all the  obligations  of any Borrower now or
hereafter  existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to which any
Borrower  is  a  party,  whether  for  principal,   interest,   fees,  expenses,
reimbursement,  indemnification or otherwise. Obligations shall include, without
limitation,   all  interest,   charges,  expenses,  fees,  attorneys'  fees  and
disbursements,  and paralegals'  fees which accrue after the commencement of any
case  or  proceeding  in  bankruptcy   after  the  insolvency  of,  or  for  the
reorganization of any Borrower,  whether or not allowed in such proceeding,  and
Obligations  shall not include any  reimbursement  obligations  with  respect to
Excluded Letters of Credit.

          "Payment  Account"  shall  mean the  Agent's  account  at First  Union
National  Bank,  ABA No.  053000219,  Account #  5000000016905,  KMC  reference:
Payment Account.

          "Payment  Date" shall mean the first day of January,  April,  July and
October in each calendar  year,  but if any such date is not a Business Day, the
next succeeding Business Day, commencing January 4, 1999.

          "PBGC" shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to
and defined in ERISA.

          "Periodic  Reporting  Certificate"  shall  mean a  periodic  reporting
certificate in the form of Exhibit F attached hereto.

          "Permitted  Liens"  shall have the meaning  set forth in Section  6.01
hereof.

          "Person"  shall mean any natural  person,  corporation,  division of a
corporation,  business trust, joint venture, association,  company, partnership,
unincorporated organization or other legal entity, or a government or any agency
or political subdivision thereof.


                                       14
<PAGE>

          "Plan" shall mean any employee benefit plan as defined in Section 3(3)
of ERISA (other than a  Multiemployer  Plan) in respect of which any Borrower or
any ERISA Affiliate is, or within the  immediately  preceding six (6) years was,
an "employer" as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

          "Pledge Agreement" shall mean a pledge agreement  substantially in the
form of Exhibit L attached hereto.

          "Prepayment  Premium" shall mean (A) for the Revolving Loans, (i) with
respect to the period  commencing  on the  Closing  Date and ending on the first
annual  anniversary  thereof,  two and  one-half  percent  (2.5%) of the  amount
prepaid, (ii) with respect to the period commencing thereafter and ending on the
second annual  anniversary of the Closing Date, one and one-half  percent (1.5%)
of the amount prepaid,  (iii) with respect to the period  commencing  thereafter
and ending on the third anniversary of the Closing Date, one-half percent (0.5%)
of the amount  prepaid,  and (iv) at all times  thereafter,  $0, and (B) for the
Term Loans,  (i) with respect to the period  commencing  on the Closing Date and
ending on the first annual  anniversary  thereof,  three  percent  (3.0%) of the
amount prepaid, (ii) with respect to the period commencing thereafter and ending
on the second annual  anniversary of the Closing Date, two percent (2.0%) of the
amount  prepaid,  (iii) with  respect to the period  commencing  thereafter  and
ending on the third annual  anniversary  of the Closing Date, one percent (1.0%)
of the amount prepaid, and (iv) at all times thereafter, $0.

          "Principal  Payments" shall mean, for any period,  total required Debt
amortization (including, without limitation, the principal payments attributable
to capital leases) determined on a combined basis, without duplication,  for the
Borrowers in accordance with GAAP.

          "Pro Rata Share"  shall mean with  respect to all matters  relating to
any Lender (a) with  respect to the  Revolving  Loans and the Letters of Credit,
the  percentage  obtained  by  dividing  (1) at any time prior to the  Revolving
Credit Commitment Termination Date, the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount of such
Lender by the aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment Amount of all Lenders, and (2)
at any  time  after  the  Revolving  Credit  Commitment  Termination  Date,  the
aggregate  outstanding  principal balance of the sum of the Revolving Loans held
by that Lender plus the Letters of Credit Obligations incurred by such Lender by
the sum of the aggregate  outstanding  principal  balance of the Revolving Loans
held by all Lenders plus the aggregate Letter of Credit Obligations  incurred by
all the Lenders, and (b) with respect to the Term Loans, the percentage obtained
by  dividing  (1) at any time  prior to the date on  which  the Term  Loans  are
funded,  the Term  Loan  Commitment  Amount  of that  Lender  by the  Term  Loan
Commitment  Amount  of all  Lenders,  and (2) on and after the date on which the
Term Loans are funded, the aggregate  outstanding  principal balance of the Term
Loans held by that Lender, by the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the
Term Loans held by all Lenders.

          "PUC" shall mean any state  Governmental  Authority  having utility or
telecommunications regulatory authority over any Borrower or any System.

          "Purchase  Debt" shall have the meaning  given to such term in Section
6.13(iv).


                                       15
<PAGE>

          "Qualified Intercompany Loan" shall mean a loan to a Borrower from KMC
Holdings,  which loan is expressly  subordinated to the Obligations on terms and
conditions satisfactory to the Agents, has a maturity date occurring on or after
the third annual  anniversary of the Term Loan Termination Date, and requires no
cash payment of principal or interest  prior to the  scheduled  maturity date of
such loan.

          "Real  Property"  shall have the meaning given to such term in Section
3.20 hereof.

          "Reference Bank" shall mean First Union National Bank.

          "Register"  shall  have  the  meaning  given to such  term in  Section
11.08(c)(iii).

          "Release" shall mean any release, spill, emission,  leaking,  pumping,
injection, deposit, disposal,  discharge,  dispersal, leaching or migration into
the  environment  or into or out of any  property,  including  the  movement  of
Contaminants  through  or in  the  air,  soil,  surface  water,  groundwater  or
property.

          "Remedial Action" shall mean actions required to (1) clean up, remove,
treat or in any other way address  Contaminants in the environment;  (2) prevent
the Release or threat of Release or prevent or minimize  the further  Release of
Contaminants  so they do not migrate or endanger or threaten to endanger  public
health or welfare or the  environment;  or (3) perform  preremedial  studies and
investigations and postremedial monitoring and care.

          "Reportable  Event"  shall  mean any  reportable  event as  defined in
Section  4043 of ERISA  unless the  reporting  requirement  with respect to such
reportable event has been waived by the PBGC or other  appropriate  Governmental
Authority.

          "Required  Contribution"  shall have the meaning assigned to such term
in the KMC Holdings Guaranty.

          "Requisite Lenders" shall mean (a) prior to the date on which the Term
Loans are made,  Lenders having at least  sixty-six and  two-thirds  percent (66
2/3%) of the aggregate  Commitment  Amount of all Lenders,  (b) on and after the
date on  which  the Term  Loans  are  made  and  prior to the date on which  all
Lenders' Commitment to make Revolving Loans has been terminated, Lenders holding
at  least  sixty-six  and  two-thirds  percent  (66  2/3%) of the sum of (i) the
aggregate  outstanding  amount  of the Term  Loans and (ii) the  Revolving  Loan
Commitment Amount of all the Lenders,  or (c) on and after the date on which all
Lenders'  Commitment  to make  Revolving  Loans  has been  terminated,  at least
sixty-six and two-thirds  percent (66 2/3%) of the aggregate  outstanding amount
of the sum of all Loans plus  Letter of Credit  Obligations  incurred by all the
Lenders.

          "Requisite  Revolving  Lenders" shall mean (a) Lenders having at least
sixty-six  and  two-thirds  percent (66 2/3%) of the  aggregate  Revolving  Loan
Commitment  Amount of all Lenders,  or (b) if the Revolving Loan  Commitment has
been  terminated,  at least  sixty-six and  two-thirds  percent (66 2/3%) of the
aggregate  outstanding  amount of the sum of all Revolving  Loans plus Letter of
Credit Obligations incurred by all the Lenders.


                                       16
<PAGE>

          "Revolving Credit  Commitment  Termination Date" shall mean the eighth
annual anniversary of the Closing Date.

          "Revolving  Lenders" shall mean, as of any date of determination on or
prior to the Revolving  Credit  Commitment  Termination  Date,  Lenders having a
Revolving Loan  Commitment  Amount,  and thereafter  Lenders having  outstanding
Revolving Loans or Letter of Credit Obligations.

          "Revolving Loan" shall mean any loan made to the Borrower  pursuant to
the provisions of Section 2.01(b) below.

          "Revolving Loan Commitment  Amount" shall mean (a) as to any Revolving
Lender,  the aggregate  commitment of such  Revolving  Lender to make  Revolving
Loans and/or  incur  Letter of Credit  Obligations  as set forth  opposite  such
Revolving  Lender's  name on Annex A to this  Agreement  or in the  most  recent
Assignment  Agreement  executed  by  such  Revolving  Lender  and  (b) as to all
Revolving  Lenders,  the aggregate  commitment of all Revolving  Lenders to make
Revolving  Loans  and/or  incur Letter of Credit  Obligations,  which  aggregate
commitment shall be One Hundred Seventy-Five  Million Dollars  ($175,000,000) on
the Closing Date, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance
with this Agreement.

          "Revolving  Loan Note" shall mean a  promissory  note of the  Borrower
substantially in the form of Exhibit E-1 attached hereto.

          "Solvent"  shall mean, at any time of  determination,  with respect to
any Person:

               (i) the assets of such Person, at a fair valuation, are in excess
          of the  total  amount  of its debts  (including,  without  limitation,
          contingent liabilities); and

               (ii) the  present  fair  saleable  value of its assets is greater
          than its probable liability on its existing debts as such debts become
          absolute and matured; and

               (iii) it is then  able and  expects  to be able to pay its  debts
          (including,   without   limitation,   contingent   debts   and   other
          commitments) as they mature; and

               (iv) it has  capital  sufficient  to  carry  on its  business  as
          conducted.

For  purposes  of  determining  whether a Person is  Solvent,  the amount of any
contingent  liability  shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all the
facts and  circumstances  existing at such time,  represents the amount that can
reasonably be expected to become an actual or mature liability.


                                       17
<PAGE>

          "Subsidiary"  shall mean, with respect to any Person, any corporation,
partnership,  joint venture,  association or other business entity,  whether now
existing or hereafter  organized or acquired,  (i) in the case of a corporation,
of which  more  than 50% of the  total  voting  power  of the  Equity  Interests
entitled  (without  regard to the occurrence of any  contingency) to vote in the
election of  directors,  officers or trustees  thereof is held by such Person or
any of its  Subsidiaries;  or (ii) in the case of a partnership,  joint venture,
association or other business  entity,  with respect to which such Person or any
of its  Subsidiaries  has the  power to direct  or cause  the  direction  of the
management  and  policies  of such  entity by  contract  or  otherwise  or if in
accordance  with  GAAP such  entity is  consolidated  with the such  Person  for
financial statement purposes.

          "Supporting  Letter of Credit" shall have the meaning given to such in
Section 2.10(j).

          "Switch   Equipment"  shall  mean   telecommunications   switches  and
associated electronics.

          "Syndication Agent" shall mean Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.

          "System" shall mean each telephone,  telecommunications or information
system (including,  without limitation,  any voice, video transmission,  data or
Internet  services) and any related,  ancillary or  complementary  services,  as
described in the Milestone Plan, and all replacements, enhancements or additions
thereto.

          "Tax Sharing Agreement" shall mean that certain Tax Allocation
Agreement dated as of December 18, 1998 among KMC Holdings,  the Borrowers,  KMC
International and KMC Telecom III, Inc.

          "Taxes" shall mean any and all license,  documentation,  recording and
registration fees, and all taxes, including,  without limitation,  income (other
than net income taxes, franchise taxes and capital taxes imposed on the Lenders,
the Agent or the Collateral  Agent other than by  withholding),  gross receipts,
sales,  value-added,  use, excise,  personal property (tangible and intangible),
real  estate  and stamp,  documentary,  transfer  or  recording  taxes,  levies,
imposts, deductions, duties, assessments, fees, charges, and withholdings of any
nature  whatsoever,  whether or not  presently in  existence,  together with any
penalties,  fines, additions to tax, or interest thereon,  imposed by any taxing
authority or other Governmental Authority.

          "Telecommunications  Equipment"  shall mean fiber optic cable,  Lucent
5-ESS  Switch  Equipment  or other  comparable  Switch  Equipment,  transmission
equipment  and other  ancillary  equipment  necessary for the  installation  and
operation  of a  switch  room or  central  office  and  co-location  with  other
telecommunications  providers  that will  enable a Borrower  to offer  telephony
services,  as well as all  software  and  hardware  associated  with the network
operating center and back office systems (including  operations support systems,
billing  systems  and  data  services),   together  with  all  related  support,
construction  and  installation  costs  associated  with an operational  system,
provided that such costs are capitalized in accordance with GAAP.


                                       18
<PAGE>

          "Temporary Cash Investments" shall mean (i) Investments in marketable,
direct obligations  issued or guaranteed by the United States of America,  or of
any governmental agency or political  subdivision  thereof,  maturing within 365
days of the date of purchase; (ii) Investments in certificates of deposit issued
by a bank organized  under the laws of the United States of America or any state
thereof or the District of Columbia,  in each case having  capital,  surplus and
undivided  profits  totaling  more  than  $500,000,000  and  rated at least A by
Standard & Poor's Ratings  Service and A-2 by Moody's  Investors  Service,  Inc.
maturing  within 365 days of purchase;  or (iii)  Investments  not exceeding 365
days in duration in money  market  funds that invest  substantially  all of such
funds'  assets in the  Investments  described in the  preceding  clauses (i) and
(ii).

          "Term Lenders"  shall mean those Lenders  having Term Loan  Commitment
Amounts or who have made Term Loans.

          "Term  Loan"  shall  mean any loan made to the  Borrower  pursuant  to
Section 2.01(a) below.

          "Term Loan  Commitment  Amount"  shall mean (a) as to any Lender,  the
commitment  of such  Lender  to  make a Term  Loan as set  forth  opposite  such
Lender's  name on  Annex  A to this  Agreement  and (b) as to all  Lenders,  the
aggregate  commitment  of all  Lenders  to  make  Term  Loans,  which  aggregate
commitment  shall be Seventy-Five  Million Dollars  ($75,000,000) on the Closing
Date.

          "Term Loan Funding Date",  shall mean the date upon which,  subject to
the satisfaction of all conditions precedent contained in Section 4.02, the Term
Loans are made, which date shall be the earlier of (i) January 30, 1999 and (ii)
the date on which the general syndication of the Loans is completed.

          "Term  Loan  Note"  shall  mean  a  promissory   note  of  a  Borrower
substantially in the form of Exhibit E-2 attached hereto.

          "Term Loan Termination Date" shall mean July 1, 2007.

          "Termination  Event" shall mean (i) a Reportable Event with respect to
a Benefit Plan;  (ii) the withdrawal of any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from
a Benefit Plan during a plan year in which any Borrower or such ERISA  Affiliate
was a "substantial  employer" as defined in Section  4001(a)(2) of ERISA;  (iii)
the  imposition of an obligation  on any Borrower or any ERISA  Affiliate  under
Section 4041 of ERISA to provide  affected  parties  written notice of intent to
terminate a Benefit Plan in a distress termination  described in Section 4041(c)
of ERISA; (iv) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Benefit
Plan; (v) any event or condition  which might  constitute  grounds under Section
4042 of ERISA  for the  termination  of,  or the  appointment  of a  trustee  to
administer,  any Benefit Plan; or (vi) the partial or complete withdrawal of any
Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan.


                                       19
<PAGE>

          "Third  Party  Interactives"  shall  mean all  Persons  with  whom any
Borrower  exchanges  data  electronically  in the  ordinary  course of business,
including  without  limitation,   customers,  suppliers,   third-party  vendors,
subcontractors, processors-converters, shippers and warehousemen.

          "Total Debt" shall mean,  with respect to the Borrowers,  at any date,
the sum of the following  determined on a combined basis,  without  duplication:
(a) all liabilities, obligations and indebtedness for borrowed money, including,
but not limited to, obligations evidenced by bonds,  debentures,  notes or other
similar  instruments,  (b) all obligations to pay the deferred purchase price of
property  or services  (exclusive  of any rent for real  property  pursuant to a
lease that would not be capitalized in accordance with GAAP), including, but not
limited to, all  obligations  under  non-competition  agreements,  except  trade
payables  arising in the  ordinary  course of business not more than ninety (90)
days past due, (c) all obligations as lessee under capital leases  (exclusive of
the interest component  thereof),  (d) all Debt of any other Person secured by a
Lien on any  asset  of any  Borrower,  (e)  all  guaranty  obligations,  (f) all
obligations,  contingent or otherwise, relative to the face amount of letters of
credit,  whether or not drawn and banker's acceptances issued for the account of
any Borrower, (g) all obligations to redeem,  repurchase,  exchange,  defease or
otherwise  make payments in respect of capital stock or other  securities at any
time prior to the third annual  anniversary of the Term Loan  Termination  Date,
and (h) all termination  payments which would be due and payable by any Borrower
thereof  pursuant to any Interest Rate  Agreement or hedging  agreement.  "Total
Debt" shall not include any  intercompany  Debt between the Borrowers or between
any Borrower and KMC Holdings.

          "Total  Leverage  Ratio"  shall mean the ratio of (i) Total Debt as of
the last day of any fiscal quarter, to (ii) the product of (A) two multiplied by
(B) EBITDA of the Borrowers on a combined basis, for the most recently ended six
month period.

          "Trigger  Date"  shall  mean  the date on  which  KMC,  KMC II and KMC
Virginia shall have sixteen Completed Systems.

          "Unused  Letter of Credit  Subfacility"  shall mean an amount equal to
the lesser of (i) $5,000,000  minus the Letter of Credit  Obligations,  and (ii)
the undrawn portion of the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount of all Lenders.

          "Voting  Stock"  shall  mean  securities  of any class or classes of a
corporation,   the  holders  of  which  are   ordinarily,   in  the  absence  of
contingencies,  entitled  to elect a majority  of the  corporate  directors  (or
Persons performing similar functions).

          "Year 2000  Corrective  Actions" shall mean, as to each Borrower,  all
actions  necessary to eliminate  such  Person's Year 2000  Problems,  including,
without  limitation,  computer code  enhancements  and  revisions,  upgrades and
replacements of Year 2000 Date-Sensitive Systems/Components, and coordination of
such  enhancements,  revisions,  upgrades  and  replacements  with  Third  Party
Interactives.


                                       20
<PAGE>

          "Year 2000 Corrective Plan" shall mean, with respect to each Borrower,
a  comprehensive  plan to eliminate  all of its Year 2000  Problems on or before
September 30, 1999, including without limitations (i) computer code enhancements
or  revisions,  (ii)  upgrades  or  replacements  of  Year  2000  Date-Sensitive
Systems/Components, (iii) test and validation procedures, (iv) an implementation
time line and budget  and (v)  designation  of  specific  employees  who will be
responsible for planning, coordinating and implementing each phase or subpart of
the Year 2000 Corrective Plan.

          "Year 2000  Date-Sensitive  System/Component"  shall  mean,  as to any
Person, any system software, network software,  applications software, database,
computer file, embedded microchip,  firmware or hardware that accepts,  creates,
manipulates, sorts, sequences,  calculates, compares or outputs calendar-related
data accurately;  such systems and components shall include, without limitation,
mainframe computers, file server/client system, computer workstations,  routers,
hubs,  other  network-related  hardware,  and other  computer-related  software,
firmware or hardware and information processing and delivery systems of any kind
and  telecommunications  systems and other communications  processors,  security
systems, alarms, elevators and HVAC systems.

          "Year 2000  Implementation  Testing"  shall mean, as to each Borrower,
(i) the  performance  of test and  validation  procedures  regarding  Year  2000
Corrective Actions on a unit basis and a system wide basis, (ii) the performance
of test and validation  procedures regarding data exchanges among the Borrowers'
Year 2000 Date-Sensitive  Systems/Components and data exchanges with Third Party
Interactives,  and (iii) the design and implementation of additional  Corrective
Actions,  the  need  for  which  has been  demonstrated  by test and  validation
procedures.

          "Year 2000  Problems"  shall  mean,  with  respect  to each  Borrower,
limitations  on the  capacity  or  readiness  of any such  Borrower's  Year 2000
Date-Sensitive  Systems/Components  to accurately  accept,  create,  manipulate,
sort,  sequence,  calculate,  compare or output calendar date  information  with
respect to calendar year 1999 or any  subsequent  calendar year  beginning on or
after January 1, 2000 (including  leap year  computations),  including,  without
limitation,   exchanges   of   information   among   Year  2000   Date-Sensitive
Systems/Components  of the  Borrowers  and  exchanges of  information  among the
Borrowers  and  Year  2000  Date-Sensitive  Systems/Components  of  Third  Party
Interactives and functionality of peripheral  interfaces,  firmware and embedded
microchips.

          SECTION   1.02.   Accounting   Terms.   Except  as  otherwise   herein
specifically  provided,  each accounting term used herein shall have the meaning
given to it under generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") applied on a
consistent basis.

          SECTION 1.03. Others Defined in New York Uniform  Commercial Code. All
other  terms   contained  in  this   Agreement  (and  which  are  not  otherwise
specifically  defined  herein)  shall have the meanings  provided by the Uniform
Commercial Code of the State of New York (the "Code") to the extent the same are
used or defined therein.


                                       21
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE II
                           LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT

          SECTION  2.01.  Agreement  to Lend.  (a) Each  Term  Lender  severally
agrees,  on the terms and conditions  hereinafter set forth, to make on the Term
Loan  Funding  Date a Term  Loan  in the  amount  of  such  Lender's  Term  Loan
Commitment Amount.

          (b)  Each  Revolving  Lender  severally   agrees,  on  the  terms  and
conditions  hereinafter set forth, to make on and after the Initial Funding Date
and until but not including the Revolving Credit  Commitment  Termination  Date,
one or more  Revolving  Loans to the  Borrowers  in an amount  not to exceed the
Revolving Loan Commitment Amount of such Revolving Lender less such Lender's Pro
Rata Share of the Letter of Credit Obligations.

          (c) At any time that the Total  Leverage  Ratio is greater than 6:1 as
determined  by  reference  to the  financial  statements  delivered  pursuant to
Section 5.06,  the maximum  amount of Revolving  Loans that may be borrowed from
all Revolving  Lenders shall not exceed the Borrowing Base and transaction costs
incurred in connection  with the  execution and delivery of the Loan  Documents,
minus,  if the Term  Loans  have not yet been  made,  the Term  Loan  Commitment
Amounts of all Term Lenders, and otherwise, the outstanding principal balance of
the Term Loans.

          (d) Term  Loans  which are repaid or  prepaid  may not be  reborrowed.
Revolving Loans which are repaid or prepaid may be reborrowed.

          SECTION  2.02.  Loans.  (a) The proceeds of the Loans shall be used by
the Borrowers to purchase Telecommunications Equipment, to pay transaction costs
incurred in connection with the execution,  delivery and performance of the Loan
Documents,  and for working capital and other general corporate purposes, all as
specified in the Notice of Borrowing and in accordance  with the Milestone Plan;
provided,  however,  that at any time that the Total  Leverage  Ratio is greater
than 6:1 as  determined  by  reference  to the  financial  statements  delivered
pursuant to Section 5.06,  proceeds of Loans may be used only to pay transaction
costs  incurred  in  connection  with the  execution  and  delivery  of the Loan
Documents and to purchase  Telecommunications  Equipment.  Loans with respect to
Telecommunications Equipment purchases may not be made to finance (i) soft costs
(including  installation,  delivery and engineering  costs) in excess of fifteen
percent (15%) of the invoiced price for the related Switch Equipment or (ii) any
support or installation  costs associated with an operational  system that would
not be capitalized in accordance with GAAP.

          (b) Each  Base Rate Loan  shall be in a  minimum  principal  amount of
$1,000,000 and increments of $250,000 in excess  thereof.  Each LIBOR Loan shall
be in a minimum  principal  amount of $5,000,000 and increments of $1,000,000 in
excess thereof.

          (c) In any calendar month not more than six (6) Revolving Loans may be
requested.


                                       22
<PAGE>

          SECTION 2.03. Procedure for Loan Request and Borrowing Commitment. (a)
A Borrower  requesting  a Loan shall  deliver to the Agent a Notice of Borrowing
substantially in the form of Exhibit H-1 attached hereto on or before 11:00 a.m.
(New York time) at least five (5) Business  Days prior to the date on which such
Loan is requested to be made if such Loan is requested to be a LIBOR Loan and at
least two (2) Business Days prior to the date on which such Loan is requested to
be made if such Loan is requested  to be a Base Rate Loan,  which  notice,  once
given,  shall be  irrevocable.  The Revolving  Loans made on the Initial Funding
Date shall be Base Rate Loans and thereafter may be continued as Base Rate Loans
or converted into LIBOR Loans in the manner provided in Section 2.06 and subject
to the other conditions and limitations  therein set forth and set forth in this
Article II. In the case of a Loan the proceeds of which will be used to purchase
or reimburse  any  Borrower  for  Telecommunications  Equipment  (including  any
Telecommunications  Equipment  being  purchased or  reimbursed  under the Lucent
Purchase Agreement),  the Notice of Borrowing will include a schedule supporting
one hundred  percent  (100%) of  Telecommunications  Equipment  requested  to be
funded. Such schedule will detail all invoices for equipment, third party labor,
permits,  other  third  party costs and all  capitalized  internal  costs of the
Borrowers  with respect to such  Telecommunications  Equipment  permitted  under
GAAP.  All  invoices  over  $25,000  will be attached to such  schedule and when
combined with the above  described  capitalized  internal  costs will support at
least seventy percent (70%) of the total requested funding. In addition,  if the
Telecommunications  Equipment is being purchased or reimbursed  under the Lucent
Purchase  Agreement,  a  certificate  of delivery and  acceptance in the form of
Exhibit R shall be  attached to the Notice of  Borrowing.  In the case of a Loan
the  proceeds  of  which  will be  used to pay or  reimburse  any  Borrower  for
transaction  costs,  the Notice of Borrowing  will include a copy of the invoice
from the provider of the service or other appropriate supporting  documentation.
In the case of a Loan, the proceeds of which will be used for working capital or
other  general  corporate  purposes,  the  Notice of  Borrowing  will  contain a
certification that the making of such Loan does not violate any provision of the
Indenture.  The Notice of Borrowing shall,  with respect to any Loans requested,
specify  whether such requested  Loans are to be Base Rate Loans or LIBOR Loans,
and if such requested Loans are to be LIBOR Loans, the requested Interest Period
for such Loans.

          (b) The Agent agrees,  promptly upon receipt of a Notice of Borrowing,
to notify  each  Revolving  or Term  Lender  of the date and  amount of the Loan
proposed  thereunder and the amount of such Lender's Pro Rata Share therein.  So
long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and upon  fulfillment
of the applicable conditions set forth in Article IV, each such Lender severally
agrees,  on or before  12:00 P.M.  (New York time) on the date of each  proposed
Loan, to pay into the Payment Account, an amount equal to such Lender's Pro Rata
Share of such Loan in dollars and in same day funds.  After the Agent's  receipt
of such Lender's Loan proceeds,  the Agent shall make available such proceeds to
the Borrower  requesting the Loan or the Person  entitled to payment  thereof at
the bank  account(s)  specified in the Notice of Borrowing on the date specified
in such Notice of Borrowing in Dollars in immediately available funds.

          (c) Unless the Agent has received  written  notice from a Lender prior
to the date of any proposed Loan that such Lender will not make available to the
Agent  such  Lender's  Pro Rata Share of such  Loan,  the Agent may,  but is not
obligated  to,  assume that such Lender has made its Pro Rata Share of such Loan
available to the Agent on the date of such Loan in accordance with paragraph (b)
above, and the Lenders may, in reliance upon such assumption,  make available to
the Borrower on such date a corresponding amount. If such Pro Rata Share is not,


                                       23
<PAGE>

in fact,  paid to Agent by such Lender  when due,  the Agent will be entitled to
recover  such amount on demand from such Lender or the Borrower  which  received
the  proceeds of such Loan  without  set-off,  counterclaim  or deduction of any
kind, together with interest thereon,  for each day from the date such amount is
made  available  to such  Borrower  until the date such  amount is repaid to the
Agent  either  by such  Borrower  or such  Lender,  at,  (1) in the case of such
Borrower, the interest rate applicable to such Loan, and (2) in the case of such
Lender,  the Federal Funds  Effective  Rate.  Nothing in this Section 2.03(c) or
elsewhere  in this  Agreement  or the other  Loan  Documents  shall be deemed to
require  Agent to advance funds on behalf of any Lender or to relieve any Lender
from its  obligation  to fulfill its  Commitment  hereunder or to prejudice  any
rights that the  Borrower may have against any Lender as a result of any default
by such Lender  hereunder.  Without limiting the foregoing,  with respect to any
Lender which for any reason fails to make timely payment to the Agent of its Pro
Rata Share of any Loan,  the Agent,  in  addition to other  rights and  remedies
which it may have,  shall be entitled  to withhold or set off from any  payments
due to such Lender hereunder,  an amount equal to the Pro Rata Share required to
have been paid by such Lender plus interest as described  above, and to withhold
from such Lender any right of consent provided to such Lender by Article V or VI
of this  Agreement and to bring an action or suit against such Lender in a court
of competent jurisdiction to recover such Pro Rata Share thereof and any related
interest  thereon.  If such Lender  shall repay to the Agent such  corresponding
amount, such amount so repaid shall constitute such Lender's applicable Pro Rata
Share of such Loan for purposes of this Agreement.  If both such Lender and such
Borrower shall have repaid the  corresponding  amount,  the Agent shall promptly
return to such Borrower its corresponding amount.

          (d) The  Borrowers  commit to the Lenders to request  Loans to be made
(1) on a date not later than the Term Loan Funding Date, of at least $75,000,000
in the aggregate,  the initial $75,000,000 of which shall constitute Term Loans;
provided,  that the Borrowers  shall not be permitted to request Loans in excess
of $75,000,000  until they have provided each item required to be delivered with
respect to Systems located outside of the First Eight Cities, including, without
limitation,  the  mortgages  and third  party  agreements  required  pursuant to
Section 4.02(k),  as further described in Section 5.08, (2) during calendar year
1999 in an aggregate  amount of at least  $80,000,000,  (3) during calendar year
2000 in an aggregate  amount of at least  $80,000,000,  and (4) during  calendar
year 2001 in an aggregate  amount equal to the undrawn  portion of the Revolving
Loan Commitment Amount.

          SECTION 2.04.  The Notes.  Each Borrower  shall execute and deliver to
each Revolving  Lender a Revolving Loan Note and to each Term Lender a Term Loan
Note to evidence the  Commitment of that Lender.  Each Revolving Loan Note shall
be in the  principal  amount  of the  Revolving  Loan  Commitment  Amount of the
applicable  Lender,  dated the  Initial  Funding  Date,  stated to mature on the
Revolving Credit  Commitment  Termination Date and  substantially in the form of
Exhibit E-1.  Each Term Loan Note shall be in the  principal  amount of the Term
Loan Commitment Amount of the applicable Term Lender,  dated the Initial Funding
Date,  stated to mature on the Term Loan Termination  Date and  substantially in


                                       24
<PAGE>

the form of Exhibit  E-2.  The Notes  payable to a Lender  shall  represent  the
obligation of such Borrower to pay the amount of each  Lender's  Revolving  Loan
Commitment  Amount or Term Loan  Commitment  Amount or, if less,  the applicable
Lender's Pro Rata Share of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Loans to
such Borrower and Letter of Credit Obligations  incurred by such Lender together
with interest  thereon as prescribed  in Section 2.05.  The aggregate  principal
amount of all the Notes shall not exceed the  aggregate  Commitments  of all the
Lenders.  The  Agent is  hereby  authorized  by such  Borrower  to record in the
Register  the date and amount of each  Revolving  Loan or Term Loan made to such
Borrower,  as  applicable,  and to record  therein  the date and  amount of each
payment  on each  Loan made to such  Borrower,  and such  recordations  shall be
conclusive  evidence  against such  Borrower of the amounts owing to the Lenders
with respect to the Loans in the absence of manifest error;  provided,  however,
that the failure of the Agent to register any such  information on such schedule
shall not in any manner  affect the  obligation  of such  Borrower  to repay the
Loans made to such Borrower in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

          SECTION  2.05.  Interest  on  Loans.  (a)  General.   Subject  to  the
provisions of Sections 2.05(b),  2.06 and 2.07, each Loan shall bear interest at
the  rate per  annum  equal to (i) the Base  Rate  plus the  Applicable  Margin,
computed on the basis of a 365 or 366 day year, as applicable,  or (ii) the LIBO
Rate plus the  Applicable  Margin,  computed on the basis of a 360 day year,  as
selected  by the  Borrowers  in the  Notices  of  Borrowing  and the  Notices of
Continuation/Conversion.

          (b) Default Interest.  If any Borrower shall default in the payment of
the  principal  of or  interest  on any Loan or any other  amount  becoming  due
hereunder  on its due date and such  default  shall  continue  uncured for three
days,  then the  Borrowers  shall,  on demand,  from the Agent,  thereafter  pay
interest on all Loans at a rate that is four percent (4.00%) per annum above the
rates of interest  otherwise payable on all the Loans from the date such payment
is due to the date such payment  default is either cured or waived in writing by
the  Requisite  Lenders.  If any  other  Event of  Default  shall  occur  and be
continuing  and  shall  be  declared  by the  Agent  upon the  direction  of the
Requisite Lenders, then the Borrowers shall, on demand,  thereafter pay interest
on all the Loans at a rate that is two percent (2.00%) per annum above the rates
of interest  otherwise  payable on the Loans from the date of the  occurrence of
such  Event of Default  until the date such  Event of Default  has been cured or
waived  in  writing  by the  Requisite  Lenders;  provided,  that if an Event of
Default  described  in the first  sentence of this clause (b) shall occur at any
time that an Event of Default described in this second sentence has occurred and
is continuing, then the rate of interest described in the first sentence of this
clause (b) shall apply.  After the occurrence and during the  continuance of any
Event  of  Default,  the  Borrowers  shall  be  subject  to the  limitations  on
borrowings of,  conversions  into and  continuations as LIBOR Loans set forth in
Section 2.07(g).

          SECTION  2.06.   Conversion  or  Continuation.   (a)  Subject  to  the
provisions of Section 2.07,  each Borrower  shall have the option (i) to convert
(A) all or any part of its outstanding  Term Loans or (B) all or any part of its
outstanding  Revolving  Loans,  in a minimum  amount of $5,000,000  and integral
multiples of $1,000,000 in excess of that amount,  from a Term Loan or Revolving
Loans that are Base Rate Loans to LIBOR Term Loans or LIBOR Revolving  Loans, as


                                       25
<PAGE>

the case may be;  (ii) to convert  (A) all or any part of its  outstanding  Term
Loan or (B) all or any part of its outstanding  Revolving Loans from LIBOR Loans
to Base Rate Loans on the expiration of the Interest Period applicable  thereto;
and  (iii)  upon  the  expiration  of  any  Interest  Period  applicable  to its
outstanding LIBOR Term Loan or any outstanding LIBOR Revolving Loan, to continue
(A)  all of  such  LIBOR  Term  Loan or (B)  all or any  portion  of such  LIBOR
Revolving  Loan equal to  $5,000,000  and integral  multiples of  $1,000,000  in
excess  of that  amount  as a  LIBOR  Term  Loan or  LIBOR  Revolving  Loan,  as
applicable;  provided, however, that no outstanding Loans may be converted into,
or  continued  as, LIBOR Loans when any Default or Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing. Any conversion or continuation made with respect to less than
the entire  outstanding  balance of a Borrower's  Revolving  Loans or Term Loans
must be applied pro rata to such  Borrower's  Revolving  Loans or Term Loans, as
applicable,  according to the  outstanding  principal  balance of such Revolving
Loans or Term Loans.

          (b) Whenever a Borrower elects to convert or continue Loans under this
Section  2.06,  such  Borrower  shall  deliver  to the  Agent a  written  notice
substantially  in the form of that attached  hereto as Exhibit H-2 (a "Notice of
Conversion/ Continuation"), signed by an authorized officer of such Borrower (i)
no later than 10:00 a.m. (New York time) two (2) Business Days in advance of the
requested conversion date, in the case of a conversion into Base Rate Loans, and
(ii) no later than 10:00 a.m (New York time) three (3) Business  Days in advance
of the requested  conversion or  continuation  date, in the case of a conversion
into, or  continuation  of, LIBOR Loans.  The Notice of  Conversion/Continuation
shall specify (1) the conversion or continuation date (which shall be a Business
Day), (2) the amount and type of the Loans to be converted or continued, (3) the
nature of the  requested  conversion or  continuation,  and (4) in the case of a
conversion into, or continuation of, LIBOR Loans, the requested Interest Period.
Promptly after receipt of a Notice of  Conversion/Continuation  pursuant to this
Section  2.06(b),  the Agent  shall  notify  the  Revolving  Lenders or the Term
Lenders,  as  applicable,  by  telecopy,  telephone  or  other  similar  form of
transmission,  of the requested conversion or continuation.  In the event that a
Borrower should fail to provide a Notice of Conversion/Continuation with respect
to any LIBOR Loans as provided  above,  such Loans shall, on the last day of the
Interest Period with respect to such Loans, convert to Base Rate Loans.

          (c) Any  Notice  of  Conversion/Continuation  for  conversion  to,  or
continuation  of, Loans made pursuant to this Section 2.06 shall be  irrevocable
and the applicable  Borrower shall be bound to convert or continue in accordance
therewith.

          SECTION   2.07.    Special    Provisions    Governing   LIBOR   Loans.
Notwithstanding   any  other  provisions  to  the  contrary  contained  in  this
Agreement,  the following provisions shall govern with respect to LIBOR Loans as
to the matters covered:

          (a) Amount of LIBOR Loans. Each continuation of or conversion to LIBOR
Term  Loans,  and each  election  of,  continuation  of or  conversion  to LIBOR
Revolving  Loans,  shall be in a minimum  amount of  $5,000,000  and in integral
multiples of $1,000,000 in excess of that amount.


                                       26
<PAGE>

          (b) Determination of Interest Period. By giving notice as set forth in
Section  2.06(b),  a  Borrower  shall  have the  option,  subject  to the  other
provisions of this Section 2.07, to specify whether the Interest Period for such
LIBOR Loan shall be a one, two, three or six month period.  The determination of
Interest Periods shall be subject to the following provisions:

               (i) In the case of immediately  successive Interest Periods, each
          successive  Interest  Period  shall  commence  on the day on which the
          preceding Interest Period expires.

               (ii) If any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day which
          is not a Business Day, the Interest Period shall be extended to expire
          on the next succeeding  Business Day; provided,  however,  that if the
          next succeeding  Business Day occurs in the following  calendar month,
          then such Interest  Period shall expire on the  immediately  preceding
          Business Day.

               (iii) A Borrower may not select an Interest  Period for any LIBOR
          Loan,  which  Interest  Period expires later than the maturity date of
          such Loan.

               (iv) A Borrower may not select an Interest Period with respect to
          any  portion of such  Borrower's  Term Loans which  extends  beyond an
          installment  payment  date for such Term Loans  unless,  after  giving
          effect to such  selection,  the portion of such Term Loans not subject
          to Interest  Periods  ending  after such  installment  payment date is
          equal to or greater than the principal due on such installment payment
          date.

               (v) A Borrower may not select an Interest  Period with respect to
          any portion of such  Borrower's  Revolving  Loans which extends beyond
          any date on which the Revolving Loan Commitment  Amounts are scheduled
          to be reduced  unless,  after  giving  effect to such  selection,  the
          portion of the Revolving Loans not subject to Interest  Periods ending
          after  any such  date is equal to or  greater  than any  amount of the
          Revolving  Loans  required  to be  prepaid  as a  result  of any  such
          reduction.

               (vi) There  shall be no more than eight (8)  Interest  Periods in
          effect at any one time.


                                       27
<PAGE>

          (c) Determination of Interest Rate. As soon as practicable after 10:00
a.m. (New York time) on the LIBOR  Interest Rate  Determination  Date, the Agent
shall  determine  (which   determination   shall,   absent  manifest  error,  be
presumptively  correct)  the  interest  rate for the  LIBOR  Loans  for which an
interest rate is then being  determined  and shall  promptly give notice thereof
(in writing or by telephone confirmed in writing) to the applicable Borrower. In
the event that on any LIBOR  Interest  Rate  Determination  Date the Agent shall
have  determined  (which   determination   shall,   absent  manifest  error,  be
presumptively correct and binding upon all parties) that:

               (i)  adequate  and fair means do not exist for  ascertaining  the
          applicable  interest  rates by  reference  to which the LIBO Rate then
          being determined is to be fixed; or

               (ii) the LIBO Rate plus the  Applicable  Margin for any  Interest
          Period  for such  Loans will not  adequately  reflect  the cost to any
          Lender of  making,  funding  or  maintaining  its LIBOR  Loan for such
          Interest  Period,  the Agent shall  forthwith so notify the applicable
          Borrower and the Lender, whereupon:

                    (A)  each LIBOR Loan will automatically,  on the last day of
                         the then existing  Interest  Period  therefor,  convert
                         into a Base Rate Loan; and

                    (B)  the  obligation  of the Lenders to make,  or to convert
                         Loans into,  LIBOR Loans shall be  suspended  until the
                         Agent  shall  notify the  applicable  Borrower  and the
                         Lenders that the circumstances  causing such suspension
                         no longer exist.

          (d) Illegality. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement,
if any Lender shall notify the Agent that the  introduction  of or any change in
or in the  interpretation  of any law or  regulation  makes it unlawful,  or any
central bank or other  Governmental  Authority asserts that it is unlawful,  for
any Lender to perform its  obligations  hereunder to make LIBOR Loans or to fund
or maintain LIBOR Loans hereunder, (i) the obligation of the Lenders to make, or
to convert  Loans into or to continue  Loans as,  LIBOR Loans shall be suspended
until  the  Agent  shall  notify  the   Borrowers   and  the  Lenders  that  the
circumstances  causing such  suspension  no longer exist and (ii) the  Borrowers
shall on the termination of the Interest Period then applicable  thereto,  or on
such  earlier  date  required  by law,  prepay  in full  all  LIBOR  Loans  then
outstanding  together with accrued interest  thereon,  or convert all such LIBOR
Loans into Base Rate Loans in accordance with Section 2.06.

          (e)  Compensation.  In addition to such  amounts as are required to be
paid by the  Borrowers  pursuant to the other  Sections of this  Article II, the
Borrowers  agree  to  compensate  any  Lender  for  all  losses,   expenses  and
liabilities,  including,  without  limitation,  any loss or expense  incurred by
reason of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by
such  Lender to fund or  maintain  such  Lender's  LIBOR  Loans  (including  the
Applicable  Margin  component  thereof) to the Borrowers,  which such Lender may
sustain  (i) if for any reason a funding of any LIBOR  Loans does not occur on a
date   specified   therefor   in  a   Notice   of   Borrowing   or   Notice   of
Conversion/Continuation, or a successive Interest Period does not commence after
notice  therefor  is given  pursuant  to Section  2.06 as a result of any act or
omission of any Borrower,  (ii) if any voluntary or mandatory  prepayment of any
LIBOR Loans occurs for any reason on a date which is not the last  scheduled day
of an Interest  Period,  (iii) as a  consequence  of any required  conversion of
LIBOR  Loans to Base Rate  Loans as a result of any of the events  indicated  in
Section 2.07(d),  or (iv) as a consequence of any other failure by a Borrower to
repay LIBOR Loans when required by the terms of this Agreement.


                                       28
<PAGE>

          (f) Booking of LIBOR  Loans.  The Lenders may make,  carry or transfer
LIBOR  Loans at,  to, or for the  account  of,  any of their  respective  branch
offices or the office of any of their respective affiliates.

          (g) LIBOR Loans After Event of Default.  Unless the Requisite  Lenders
shall otherwise agree, after the occurrence of and during the continuance of any
Event of Default, the Borrowers may not borrow Revolving Loans as LIBOR Loans or
elect to have any Loans  continued  as, or  converted  to, LIBOR Loans after the
expiration of any Interest Period then in effect for such Loans.

          SECTION  2.08.  Payments.  (a)  Interest  on each  LIBOR Loan shall be
payable in arrears on each LIBOR  Interest  Payment Date and, if such LIBOR Loan
is paid in full other than on such LIBOR  Interest  Payment  date, on such other
date. Interest on each Base Rate Loan will be payable in arrears on each Payment
Date and,  if such Base Rate  Loan is paid in full  other  than on such  Payment
Date, on such other date.

          (b)  Subject  to  the  provisions  of  Sections  2.09  and  9.02,  the
outstanding  principal  balance of the Term Loans made to the Borrowers shall be
payable in twenty consecutive quarterly  installments of $187,500 each beginning
on the  fourteenth  Payment Date (i.e.  the Payment  Date  occurring on April 1,
2002) and continuing on each Payment Date  thereafter  through and including the
thirty-third  Payment Date (i.e.  the Payment Date occurring on January 1, 2007)
and two final  installments of $35,625,000 on April 1, 2007 and on the Term Loan
Termination  Date.  Subject to the  provisions  of Sections  2.09 and 9.02,  the
outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Loans made to the Borrowers shall
be payable on the Revolving Credit Commitment Termination Date.

          (c) Payments made with respect to the Loans by each Borrower  shall be
applied by the Agent first to unpaid and accrued  fees and  interest and then to
the  outstanding  unpaid  principal  balance  of the  Loans  of  such  Borrower;
provided,  however,  that upon the occurrence  and during the  continuance of an
Event of Default,  all payments and prepayments  with respect to the Obligations
and all proceeds of Collateral  shall be applied in the  following  order by the
Agent; provided,  further, that the order of priority set forth in the following
clauses may be altered upon direction from the Requisite Lenders to the Agent:

          (1) first,  to pay Obligations in respect of any expenses then due and
          payable by the  Borrowers  to the  Agents,  the  Lenders or any Person
          which is not a Lender that has issued a Letter of Credit;

          (2) second,  to pay  Obligations  in respect of any  reimbursement  or
          indemnities  then due and  payable to the  Agents,  the Lenders or any
          Person  which is not a  Lender  that has  issued  a Letter  of  Credit
          (excluding any  reimbursement  obligations with respect to any Letters
          of Credit);


                                       29
<PAGE>

          (3) third,  to pay Obligations in respect of any fees due and owing to
          the Agent,  the  Collateral  Agent or any Person which is not a Lender
          that has issued a Letter of Credit;

          (4) fourth,  to pay  Obligations  in respect of the commitment fee and
          any other fees and commissions  then due and owing to the Agents,  the
          Lenders or any Person  which is not a Lender  that has issued a Letter
          of Credit;

          (5) fifth,  to pay  Obligations  in respect of any  accrued and unpaid
          interest due in respect of Loans and Letter of Credit Obligations;

          (6) sixth, to pay termination payments due and payable pursuant to any
          Interest Rate Agreement or hedging agreement;

          (7)  to  the  ratable  payment  or  prepayment  of  principal  of  any
          outstanding  Loans  and  reimbursement  obligations  with  respect  to
          Letters of Credit;

          (8) to provide  required  cash  collateral,  if  required  pursuant to
          Section 2.10(j); and

          (9) to the ratable payment of all other Obligations.

          SECTION 2.09. Optional and Mandatory Prepayment of Loans; Optional and
Mandatory  Reduction of Revolving Loan Commitment  Amount.  (a) Provided that no
Event of Default has occurred and is  continuing,  the Borrowers  shall have the
right upon the provision of sixty (60) days' prior written  notice to the Agent,
which notice, once given, shall be irrevocable, on any Payment Date with respect
to any Base  Rate  Term  Loans  and on the last day of the  applicable  Interest
Period with respect to any LIBOR Term Loans, to prepay the outstanding principal
of the Base Rate Term  Loans in a minimum  principal  amount of  $1,000,000  and
increments of $250,000 in excess thereof,  or the  outstanding  principal of the
LIBOR Term Loans in a minimum  principal  amount of $5,000,000 and increments of
$1,000,000  in excess  thereof,  multiple  thereof,  together  in each case with
accrued  interest  thereon  and  the  aggregate  Prepayment  Premium  applicable
thereto.  The amount of principal so prepaid  shall be applied to the  remaining
principal  payments of the type of Loans prepaid  (i.e.  Base Rate Term Loans or
LIBOR Term Loans) in the inverse order of maturity.

          (b) Upon the  occurrence  of any Event of Loss in excess of $1,000,000
with respect to any item of Collateral that is not repaired or replaced,  or any
Events of Loss which,  in the aggregate,  exceed  $5,000,000 with respect to any
item or items of  Collateral  that are not  repaired or replaced  (in each case,
other than an item of Collateral no longer used or useful in the Business)  such
that after such repair or replacement it has a value at least equal to its value
prior to the  occurrence of such Event of Loss, the Borrower which suffered such
Event of Loss shall make a principal  prepayment within thirty (30) days of such
Event  of Loss in an  amount  equal  to the  replacement  value  of the  item of
Collateral  which  suffered such Event of Loss,  together with accrued  interest
thereon (but without the Prepayment  Premium) with such principal  payment to be
applied,  pro rata, to outstanding  principal balance of the Revolving Loans and
the Term Loans.


                                       30
<PAGE>

          (c) In the event that any  Borrower  finances  any  Telecommunications
Equipment  (exclusive  of soft costs that exceed  fifteen  percent  (15%) of the
invoiced  price of the related  Telecommunications  Equipment)  with a financing
source  other than a Loan  pursuant  to this  Agreement,  then  thirty (30) days
following  such  financing  the  Revolving  Loan  Commitment  Amounts of all the
Revolving  Lenders shall be reduced by the actual or imputed principal amount of
any such  financing,  and any prepayments of the Revolving Loans required by the
provisions of clause (h) below shall be accompanied by any applicable Prepayment
Premium thereon.

          (d) The Borrowers  shall prepay the Revolving Loans and the Term Loans
on a pro rata basis in a principal  amount  equal to (i) all of the net proceeds
of any sales of assets of any Borrower  other than sales in the ordinary  course
of business,  which  proceeds are not  reinvested  within 270 days after receipt
thereof in replacement assets, plus the applicable  Prepayment Premium, and (ii)
the proceeds of insurance  policies paid to any Borrower and not applied  within
270 days after any such  payment  to  replacing,  rebuilding  or  restoring  the
Collateral  which was the subject of  insurance  loss,  without  any  Prepayment
Premium,  in each  case,  within  five  (5) days  after  the  expiration  of the
applicable 270 day period.

          (e) On the first Payment Date of each year,  commencing  in 2002,  the
Revolving  Loan  Commitment  Amounts of all the  Lenders  shall be reduced by an
amount  equal to fifty  percent  (50%) of  Excess  Operating  Cash  Flow for the
preceding  fiscal year until the Borrowers  have achieved and  maintained for at
least two consecutive fiscal quarters,  a Total Leverage Ratio of less than 5:1,
as  determined by reference to the financial  statements  delivered  pursuant to
Section 5.06.

          (f) Provided that no Event of Default has occurred and is  continuing,
commencing  January  1,  2002,  the  Borrowers  shall  have the  right  upon the
provision of thirty days' prior written notice to the Agent, which notice,  once
given,  shall be irrevocable,  on any Payment Date, to reduce the Revolving Loan
Commitment Amount of all the Lenders.  Each such reduction shall be in a minimum
principal amount of $1,000,000 and increments of $250,000 in excess thereof. Any
Revolving  Loans that must be prepaid in connection  with such  reduction in the
Revolving  Loan  Commitment  Amount  pursuant  to  clause  (h)  below,  shall be
accompanied by any applicable Prepayment Premium thereon.

          (g) The Revolving Loan  Commitment  Amount of all the Lenders shall be
reduced on each  Payment  Date  beginning  April 1, 2002 as set forth on Annex C
hereto.  In addition,  in the event that at any time more than  fifteen  percent
(15.0%) of the average  outstanding  principal balance of Revolving Loans during
the immediately  preceding 90-day period is repaid and is not reborrowed  within
120 days after such repayment,  then on such date, the Revolving Loan Commitment
Amount of all the  Lenders  shall be reduced by an amount  equal to such  amount
that was not reborrowed.  Any Revolving Loans that must be prepaid in connection
with such reduction in the Revolving Loan Commitment  Amount pursuant to Section
2.09(h) below, shall be accompanied by any applicable Prepayment Premium.

          (h) On each date that the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount is reduced,
the Borrowers shall prepay first, the Revolving  Loans,  and second,  provide to
the Agent cash  collateral  with respect to the Letter of Credit  Obligations in
such  amounts  such that the sum of the  outstanding  principal  balance  of the


                                       31
<PAGE>

Revolving  Loans  plus the  Letter of Credit  Obligations  does not  exceed  the
Revolving  Loan  Commitment  Amount of all the  Revolving  Lenders  after giving
effect to the  reduction  thereof  effective  on such  date,  together  with any
applicable  Prepayment  Premium  thereon.  Any reduction in the  Revolving  Loan
Commitment Amount of all the Lenders shall be allocated to each Revolving Lender
based on its Pro Rata Share.  All  prepayments of principal  shall be applied to
the  remaining  principal  payments of the type of Loans  prepaid in the inverse
order of  maturity.  The  Letter of Credit  Obligations  shall be  reduced  on a
dollar-for-dollar basis by the cash collateral.

          SECTION 2.10. Letters of Credit.

          (a) Agreement to Cause  Issuance.  Subject to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement,  and in reliance upon the  representations  and warranties of
the Borrowers  herein set forth, the Agent agrees to (1) cause Letters of Credit
to be issued by Lenders who are willing to do so or (2) provide  credit  support
or  enhancement  or  otherwise   confirm   payment  (any  such  credit  support,
enhancement or payment  confirmation  being referred to as "Credit  Support") to
banks other than Lenders,  which banks are acceptable to the Agent,  which issue
Letters of Credit for the  respective  accounts of the  Borrowers in  accordance
with this Section 2.10 from time to time during the term of this Agreement.

          (b) Amounts;  Outside  Expiration  Date.  The Agent shall not have any
obligation  to cause any Letter of Credit to be issued by a Lender or to provide
Credit Support for any Letter of Credit at any time if: (1) the maximum  undrawn
face amount of the Letter of Credit is greater than the Unused  Letter of Credit
Subfacility;  or (2) such  Letter of Credit  has an  expiration  date later than
thirty (30) days prior to the Revolving Credit  Commitment  Termination Date, or
more than one (1) year from the date of issuance.

          (c) Other Conditions. In addition to being subject to the satisfaction
of the applicable  conditions  precedent contained in Article IV, the obligation
of the  Agent to cause  any  Letter  of  Credit  to be  issued by a Lender or to
provide  Credit  Support  for any Letter of Credit is  subject to the  following
conditions  precedent  having been  satisfied  in a manner  satisfactory  to the
Agent:

               (1) the applicable  Borrower shall have delivered to the proposed
          issuer of such  Letter of Credit,  at such times and in such manner as
          such  proposed  issuer  may  prescribe,  an  application  in form  and
          substance satisfactory to such proposed issuer for the issuance of the
          Letter of Credit and such other documents as may be required  pursuant
          to the terms thereof, and the form and terms of the proposed Letter of
          Credit shall be  satisfactory  to the Agent and such proposed  issuer;
          and

               (2) as of the date of issuance, no order of any court, arbitrator
          or  Governmental  Authority  shall  purport  by its terms to enjoin or
          restrain money center banks  generally from issuing  letters of credit
          of the type and in the amount of the proposed Letter of Credit, and no


                                       32
<PAGE>

          law, rule or regulation applicable to money center banks generally and
          no request or directive  (whether or not having the force of law) from
          any Governmental  Authority with  jurisdiction over money center banks
          generally shall prohibit,  or request that the proposed issuer of such
          Letter of Credit  refrain  from,  the  issuance  of  letters of credit
          generally or the issuance of such Letters of Credit.

          (d) Issuance of Letters of Credit.

               (1) Request for Letter of Credit.  The applicable  Borrower shall
          give  the  Agent  five  (5)  Business  Days'  prior  written   notice,
          containing  the original  signature of an  authorized  officer of such
          Borrower,  of such Borrower's  request for the issuance of a Letter of
          Credit or the provision of Credit Support for a Letter of Credit. Such
          notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the original face amount
          of the Letter of Credit,  the  effective  date  (which date shall be a
          Business Day) of issuance of such proposed  Letter of Credit,  whether
          such  Letter of Credit may be drawn in a single or in  partial  draws,
          the date on which such  proposed  Letter of Credit is to expire (which
          date shall be a Business  Day),  the  purpose for which such Letter of
          Credit is to be issued,  and the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit.
          The  applicable  Borrower  shall attach to such notice the form of the
          proposed Letter of Credit.

               (2)  Responsibilities  of the Agent;  Issuance.  The Agent  shall
          determine,  as of the Business Day immediately preceding the requested
          effective  date of  issuance  of the Letter of Credit set forth in the
          notice from the applicable  Borrower  pursuant to Section  2.10(d)(1),
          the amount of the applicable Unused Letter of Credit  Subfacility.  If
          (A) the undrawn  face amount of the  proposed  Letter of Credit is not
          greater than the applicable Unused Letter of Credit  Subfacility,  and
          (B) the Agent has received a certificate  from such  Borrower  stating
          that the  applicable  conditions  set  forth in  Article  IV have been
          satisfied, the Agent shall cause such Letter of Credit to be issued on
          such proposed effective date of issuance.

               (3) Notice of Issuance. The Agent shall promptly give each Lender
          written notice of the issuance of each Letter of Credit.

               (4) No  Extensions  or  Amendment.  No Letter of Credit  shall be
          extended or amended unless the  requirements  of this Section  2.10(d)
          are met as though a new  Letter of Credit  were  being  requested  and
          issued.

          (e)  Payments Pursuant to Letters of Credit.

               (1) Payment of Letter of Credit Obligations.  The Borrowers agree
          to reimburse  the issuer for any draw under any Letter of Credit,  and
          the Agent,  for the account of the Lenders,  upon any payment pursuant
          to any Credit Support,  immediately upon demand, and to pay the issuer
          of the Letter of Credit the amount of all other  Obligations and other
          amounts  payable to such issuer under or in connection with any Letter
          of Credit  immediately when due,  irrespective of any claim,  set-off,
          defense or other right which a Borrower  may have at any time  against
          such issuer or any other Person.


                                       33
<PAGE>

               (2) Revolving Loans to Satisfy Reimbursement Obligations.  In the
          event that the issuer of any Letter of Credit honors a draw under such
          Letter of Credit, or the Agent shall have made any payment pursuant to
          any Credit  Support,  and the  Borrowers  shall not have  repaid  such
          amount to the  issuer  of such  Letter  of  Credit  or the  Agent,  as
          applicable,  pursuant to Section  2.10(e)(1),  the Agent  shall,  upon
          receiving notice of such failure, notify each Revolving Lender of such
          failure,  and each Revolving Lender shall  unconditionally  pay to the
          Agent, for the account of such issuer or the Agent, as applicable,  as
          and when  provided  hereinbelow,  an  amount  equal to such  Revolving
          Lender's  Pro Rata Share of the amount of such  payment in Dollars and
          in same day funds.  If the Agent so  notifies  the  Revolving  Lenders
          prior  to  12:00  p.m.  (New  York  time) on any  Business  Day,  each
          Revolving  Lender shall make available to the Agent the amount of such
          payment, as provided in the immediately  preceding  sentence,  on such
          Business Day. Such amounts paid by the Revolving  Lenders to the Agent
          shall  constitute  Revolving  Loans which shall be deemed to have been
          requested by the applicable Borrower pursuant to Section 2.03.

          (f)  Participations.

               (1) Purchase of Participations.  Immediately upon issuance of any
          Letter of Credit in accordance  with Section  2.10(d),  each Revolving
          Lender  shall  be  deemed  to  have  irrevocably  and  unconditionally
          purchased  and received  without  recourse or  warranty,  an undivided
          interest  and  participation  in such Letter of Credit (if issued by a
          Revolving  Lender) or the Credit Support provided through the Agent to
          such issuer in connection  with the issuance of such Letter of Credit,
          as applicable,  equal to such Revolving Lender's Pro Rata Share of the
          face  amount of such  Letter of  Credit or the  amount of such  Credit
          Support  (including,   without  limitation,  all  obligations  of  the
          Borrowers with respect thereto,  and any security therefor or guaranty
          pertaining thereto).

               (2) Sharing of Reimbursement  Obligation  Payments.  Whenever the
          Agent  receives a payment from a Borrower on account of  reimbursement
          obligations  in respect of a Letter of Credit or Credit  Support as to
          which the Agent has previously  received for the account of the issuer
          thereof  payment  from a Revolving  Lender  pursuant  to this  Section
          2.10(f)(2), the Agent shall promptly pay to such Lender such Revolving
          Lender's Pro Rata Share of such payment from such Borrower in Dollars.
          Each such  payment  shall be made by the Agent on the  Business Day on
          which the Agent  receives  immediately  available  funds  paid to such
          Person pursuant to the  immediately  preceding  sentence,  if received
          prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York time) on such Business Day and otherwise
          on the next succeeding Business Day.

               (3) Documentation.  Upon the request of any Revolving Lender, the
          Agent shall furnish to such  Revolving  Lender copies of any Letter of
          Credit,  reimbursement  agreement  executed in  connection  therewith,
          application  for any  Letter of Credit  and  Credit  Support  provided
          through  the Agent in  connection  with the  issuance of any Letter of
          Credit, and such other documentation as may reasonably be requested by
          such Revolving Lender.


                                       34
<PAGE>

               (4)  Obligations  Irrevocable.  The obligations of each Revolving
          Lender to make  payments  to the Agent  with  respect to any Letter of
          Credit or with  respect to any Credit  Support  provided  through  the
          Agent with respect to a Letter of Credit,  and the  obligations of the
          Borrowers  to make  payments  to the  Agent,  for the  account  of the
          Revolving   Lenders,   shall  be  irrevocable,   not  subject  to  any
          qualification or exception  whatsoever and shall be made in accordance
          with the terms and conditions of this Agreement (assuming, in the case
          of the  obligations  of the Revolving  Lenders to make such  payments,
          that the Agent has provided  Credit  Support for such Letter of Credit
          in accordance with the terms of Section 2.10(d)),  including,  without
          limitation, any of the following circumstances:

                    (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of this Agreement
               or any of the other Loan Documents;

                    (ii) the existence of any claim,  set-off,  defense or other
               right which a Borrower may have at any time against a beneficiary
               named in a Letter of Credit or any  transferee  of any  Letter of
               Credit  (or any  Person  for  whom  any  such  transferee  may be
               acting),  any Lender, the Agent, the Collateral Agent, the issuer
               of such  Letter  of  Credit,  or any  other  Person,  whether  in
               connection  with  this  Agreement,  any  Letter  of  Credit,  the
               transactions  contemplated  herein or any unrelated  transactions
               (including any underlying  transactions between a Borrower or any
               other Person and the beneficiary named in any Letter of Credit);

                    (iii) any draft, certificate or any other document presented
               under the  Letter of Credit  proving  to be  forged,  fraudulent,
               invalid or insufficient  in any respect or any statement  therein
               being untrue or inaccurate in any respect;

                    (iv) the  surrender  or  impairment  of any security for the
               performance  or observance of any of the terms of any of the Loan
               Documents; or

                    (v) the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default.

          (g) Recovery or Avoidance of Payments.  In the event any payment by or
on behalf of a Borrower received by the Agent with respect to a Letter of Credit
or Credit  Support  provided  for any  Letter of Credit  (or any  guaranty  by a
Borrower  or  reimbursement  obligation  of a  Borrower  relating  thereto)  and
distributed by the Agent to the Revolving Lenders on account of their respective
participations  therein, is thereafter set aside,  avoided or recovered from the
Agent in connection with any receivership, liquidation or bankruptcy proceeding,
the Revolving  Lenders shall,  upon demand by the Agent,  pay to the Agent their
respective  Pro Rata  Shares of such  amount  set aside,  avoided or  recovered,
together  with  interest  at the rate  required to be paid by the Agent upon the
amount required to be repaid by it.

          (h) Compensation for Letters of Credit.

              The Borrowers agree to pay the fees set forth in Section 2.11 with
              respect to any Letters of Credit.


                                       35
<PAGE>

          (i) Indemnification; Exoneration.

               (1) Indemnification.  In addition to amounts payable as elsewhere
          provided in this Section 2.10, the Borrowers  hereby agree to protect,
          indemnify,  pay and save the Lenders and the Agent  harmless  from and
          against any and all claims,  demands,  liabilities,  damages,  losses,
          costs,  charges and expenses  (including  reasonable  attorneys' fees)
          which  any  Lender  or the  Agent  may  incur  or be  subject  to as a
          consequence,  direct or  indirect,  of the  issuance  of any Letter of
          Credit or the provision of any Credit Support in connection therewith.
          The agreements  contained in this Section 2.10(i)(1) shall survive the
          payment in full of the Obligations.

               (2) Assumption of Risk by the Borrowers.  As among the Borrowers,
          the Lenders and the Agent, each Borrower assumes all risks of the acts
          and  omissions  of, or misuse of any of the  Letters of Credit by, the
          respective beneficiaries of such Letters of Credit. In furtherance and
          not in  limitation of the  foregoing,  the Lenders and the Agent shall
          not be responsible for: (A) the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy,
          genuineness or legal effect of any document submitted by any Person in
          connection with the  application for and issuance of and  presentation
          of drafts  with  respect to any of the  Letters of Credit,  even if it
          should  prove  to be in  any or all  respects  invalid,  insufficient,
          inaccurate,  fraudulent or forged;  (B) the validity or sufficiency of
          any instrument  transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or
          assign any Letter of Credit or the rights or  benefits  thereunder  or
          proceeds  thereof,  in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid
          or ineffective  for any reason;  (C) the failure of the beneficiary of
          any Letter of Credit to comply duly with conditions  required in order
          to  draw  upon  such  Letter  of  Credit;   (D)   errors,   omissions,
          interruptions  or delays in  transmission or delivery of any messages,
          by mail, cable, telegraph, telex or otherwise,  whether or not they be
          in cipher;  (E) errors in  interpretation  of technical terms; (F) any
          loss  or  delay  in the  transmission  or  otherwise  of any  document
          required in order make a drawing  under any Letter of Credit or of the
          proceeds  thereof;  (G) the  misapplication  by the beneficiary of any
          Letter of Credit of the  proceeds of any drawing  under such Letter of
          Credit; or (H) any consequences arising from causes beyond the control
          of the Lenders or the Agent, including, without limitation, any act or
          omission,  whether  rightful or wrongful,  of any present or future de
          jure or de facto Governmental  Authority.  None of the foregoing shall
          affect,  impair or prevent  the vesting of any rights or powers of the
          Agent or any Lender under this Section 2.10(i).

               (3)  Exoneration.  In  furtherance  and  extension,  and  not  in
          limitation,  of the specific  provisions  set forth above,  any action
          taken or  omitted by the Agent or any  Lender  under or in  connection
          with any of the  Letters  of Credit or any  related  certificates,  if
          taken or omitted in good faith,  shall not put the Agent or any Lender
          under any resulting  liability to any Borrower or relieve any Borrower
          of any of its obligations hereunder to any such Person.


                                       36
<PAGE>

          (j) Supporting Letter of Credit; Cash Collateral.  If, notwithstanding
the provisions of Section 2.10(b),  any Letter of Credit is outstanding upon the
termination of this  Agreement,  then upon such  termination the Borrowers shall
cause the termination of such Letter of Credit. If, at the Agent's election, any
such Letter of Credit remains outstanding, then the Borrowers shall deposit with
the Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Agent and the Revolving Lenders,  with
respect to each Letter of Credit then  outstanding,  as the Agent shall specify,
either (A) a standby letter of credit (a "Supporting  Letter of Credit") in form
and  substance  satisfactory  to the Required  Revolving  Lenders,  issued by an
issuer  satisfactory  to the Agent in an amount equal to the greatest amount for
which such Letter of Credit may be drawn, plus any fees and expenses  associated
with such Letter of Credit, under which Supporting Letter of Credit the Agent is
entitled to draw  amounts  necessary to  reimburse  the Agent and the  Revolving
Lenders for  payments  made by the Agent and the  Revolving  Lenders  under such
Letter of Credit or under any Credit  Support  provided  through  the Agent with
respect thereto and any fees and expenses associated with such Letter of Credit,
or (B) cash in  amounts  necessary  to  reimburse  the Agent  and the  Revolving
Lenders  for  payments  made by the Agent or the  Revolving  Lenders  under such
Letter of Credit or under any Credit  Support  provided  through  the Agent with
respect  thereto,  and any fees and  expenses  associated  with  such  Letter of
Credit. Such Supporting Letter of Credit or deposit of cash shall be held by the
Agent,  for the  ratable  benefit  of the Agent and the  Revolving  Lenders,  as
security  for,  and to provide for the payment of, the  aggregate  undrawn  face
amount of such Letters of Credit remaining outstanding.

          SECTION  2.11.  Fees.  (a) The  Borrowers  shall pay and the Borrowers
shall be  jointly  and  severally  liable to the Agent  for the  account  of the
Revolving Lenders for payment of a nonutilization  fee calculated on a per annum
basis and equal to the percentage  corresponding to the criteria set forth below
of the average of the unused Revolving Loan Commitment  Amount for the quarterly
period preceding a Payment Date, which fee shall be payable on each Payment Date
following such last day of a quarter beginning on the Payment Date following the
Initial  Funding  Date  until and  including  the  Payment  Date  following  the
Revolving Credit Commitment Termination Date:

                Drawn Portion of
         Revolving Loan Commitment
                 Amount as of the
         Last Day of each Quarter Preceding
                 a Payment Date                                       Percentage
         ----------------------------------                           ----------
         Less than or equal to
         $58,333,333                                                   1.25%

         Greater than $58,333,333 and
         less than or equal to $116,666,666                            1.00%

         Greater than $116,666,666 and
         less than or equal to $175,000,000                            0.75%


                                       37
<PAGE>

In the event that at any time the Borrowers fail to comply with the requirements
of  Section  2.03(d)  for  any  calendar  year,  each  of  the  above  described
nonutilization  fees shall be  increased by 100 basis points for the entire such
calender year with payment of such increment in the nonutilization fee being due
and payable not later than the last Business Day of such calendar year.

          (b) The  Borrowers  shall pay the Agent and the  Collateral  Agent and
shall be jointly and  severally  liable to the Agent and the  Collateral  Agent,
respectively,  for  payment  of an annual  administration  fee and a  collateral
monitoring fee at the times and in the amounts set forth in the Fee Letters.

          (c)  The  Borrowers  shall  on the  Closing  Date  pay the  Agent  the
underwriting fee and the structuring fee referred to in the Fee Letters.

          (d) The  Borrowers  shall pay and the  Borrowers  shall be jointly and
severally  liable to the Agent (i) for the account of the Revolving  Lenders for
payment in arrears on each  Payment  Date of a fee equal to equal to the product
of the Applicable Margin in effect with respect to LIBOR Loans for the preceding
calendar  quarter on an annualized  basis,  multiplied by the average  Letter of
Credit Obligations  outstanding  during such calendar quarter,  and (ii) for the
account of any Person which issues any Letter of Credit,  for payment in arrears
on each  Payment  Date of a fee equal to (A) the product of  one-eighth  percent
(0.125%)  per annum  multiplied  by the average face amount of Letters of Credit
issued by such Person and outstanding during the preceding calendar quarter, and
(B) if such  Person is not a Lender,  any  additional  fees as may be charged by
such Person in  connection  with the issuance or  maintenance  of such Letter of
Credit.

          (e) All fees once paid shall be nonrefundable.

          SECTION 2.12. Manner of Payment;  Special Tax Considerations.  (a) All
payments  by the  Borrowers  hereunder  and under the Notes shall be made to the
Agent by wire transfer or other electronic payment method to the Payment Account
or to such bank  account  as the Agent may  designate,  for the  account  of the
Lenders in Dollars in immediately  available funds by 11:00 a.m., New York time,
on the  date on which  such  payment  shall  be due.  The  Agent  will  promptly
thereafter  cause to be  distributed  like  funds  relating  to the  payment  of
principal or interest or other fees ratably (other than amounts payable pursuant
to  Section  2.14) to each  Lender in  accordance  with  Section  10.07  hereof.
Interest in respect of any Loan hereunder shall accrue from the day such Loan is
made up to and including the day prior to the date on which such Loan is paid in
full.  Payments  received  after 12:00 p.m.  shall not be given credit until the
next  Business  Day, and the  Borrowers  shall be liable for  interest,  if any,
accruing on such payment until the next Business Day.

          (b) (1) Any and all payments by each Borrower  hereunder shall be made
free and clear of and without  deduction for any and all Taxes.  If any Borrower
shall be  required  by law to deduct  any Taxes  from or in  respect  of any sum
payable  hereunder or under the other Loan Documents to any Lender or Agent, (A)
the sum payable  shall be increased as may be necessary so that after making all
required deductions  (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable


                                       38
<PAGE>

under this  Section  2.12) such Lender or Agent  receives an amount equal to the
sum it would have received had no such  deductions  been made, (B) such Borrower
shall make such  deductions,  and (C) such  Borrower  shall pay the full  amount
deducted to the relevant  taxation  authority or other  authority in  accordance
with applicable law. If a withholding tax of the United States of America or any
other Governmental Authority shall be or become applicable (y) after the date of
this  Agreement,  to the payments by any Borrower made to the Lending  Office or
any other  office  that a Lender may claim as its Lending  Office,  or (z) after
such Lender's  selection and  designation of any other Lending  Office,  to such
payments made to such other  Lending  Office,  such Lender shall use  reasonable
efforts to make,  fund and maintain its Loans through  another Lending Office of
such  Lender in another  jurisdiction  so as to reduce,  but not  increase,  the
applicable Borrower's liability hereunder, if the making, funding or maintenance
of such Loans through such other Lending  Office of such Lender does not, in the
judgment of such Lender,  otherwise materially adversely affect such Loans, such
Lender's  obligations  under  its  Commitment  or such  Lender.  Notwithstanding
anything to the  contrary  hereunder,  if a Person  becomes a Lender  under this
Agreement  pursuant to Section 11.08 hereof,  the Borrowers shall in no event be
required to increase any payment  pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 2.12
by an amount that would exceed the amount of any increase that would be required
to be made under paragraph (b) of this Section 2.12 to the assigning Lender.

          (2) The Borrowers will jointly and severally indemnify each Lender and
the  Agents  and hold them  harmless  for the full  amount of Taxes  (including,
without limitation,  any Taxes imposed by any Governmental  Authority on amounts
payable under this Section 2.12 or any other documentary  taxes,  assessments or
charges  made by any  Governmental  Authority  by  reason of the  execution  and
delivery of this  Agreement or any other Loan  Document)  paid by such Lender or
the Agent (as the case may be) and any liability (including penalties, interest,
and expenses)  arising therefrom or with respect thereto.  This  indemnification
shall be made  within  thirty  (30) days after the date such Lender or the Agent
(as the case may be) makes written  demand  therefor.  A  certificate  as to any
additional  amount  payable to any Lender or the Agent under this  Section  2.12
submitted to the Borrowers and the Agent (if a Lender is so  submitting) by such
Lender or the Agent shall show in reasonable  detail the amount  payable and the
calculations  used to determine  such amount.  With respect to such deduction or
withholding  for or on account  of any Taxes and to confirm  that all such Taxes
have been  paid to the  appropriate  Governmental  Authorities,  the  applicable
Borrower  shall promptly (and in any event not later than thirty (30) days after
receipt)  furnish to each Lender and the Agent such  certificates,  receipts and
other documents as may be required (in the judgment of such Lender or the Agent)
to establish any tax credit to which such Lender or the Agent may be entitled.

          (3) Within  thirty (30) days after the date of any payment of Taxes on
amounts  payable  hereunder by any  Borrower,  such Borrower will furnish to the
Agent, at its address  referred to in Section 11.01, the original or a certified
copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof.

          (4) Without  prejudice to the  survival of any other  agreement of any
Borrower hereunder, the agreements and obligations of such Borrower contained in
this  Section 2.12 shall  survive the payment in full of principal  and interest
hereunder and the termination of this Agreement.


                                       39
<PAGE>

          (5) Without  limiting  the  obligations  of the  Borrowers  under this
Section 2.12, each Lender that is not created or organized under the laws of the
United States of America or a political subdivision thereof shall deliver to the
Borrowers  and the Agent on or before the effective  date hereof,  or, if later,
the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender pursuant to Section 11.08 hereof,
a true and  accurate  certificate  executed in  duplicate  by a duly  authorized
officer of such Lender,  in a form  satisfactory to the Borrowers and the Agent,
to the effect that such Lender is capable under the  provisions of an applicable
tax  treaty  concluded  by the  United  States of  America  (in  which  case the
certificate  shall be accompanied by two original,  executed copies of Form 1001
of the IRS) or under  Section  1442 of the IRC (in  which  case the  certificate
shall be accompanied by two original,  executed  copies of Form 4224 of the IRS)
of  receiving  payments  of  interest  hereunder  exempt  from  or at a  reduced
deduction or withholding of United States federal income tax or that such Lender
is not a bank  described in Section  881(c)(3)(A)  of the IRC (in which case the
certificate  should be accompanied by two original,  executed copies of Form W-8
or W-9 of the IRC).  Each such Lender further agrees to deliver to the Borrowers
and the Agent  from time to time a true and  accurate  certificate  executed  in
duplicate by a duly authorized  officer of such Lender  substantially  in a form
satisfactory  to the  Borrowers  and the  Agent,  before  or  promptly  upon the
occurrence  of any  event  requiring  a change  in the most  recent  certificate
previously  delivered  by it to the  Borrowers  and the Agent  pursuant  to this
Section   2.12(b)(5).   Further,   each  Lender  which  delivers  a  certificate
accompanied  by Form 1001 of the IRS  covenants  and  agrees to  deliver  to the
Borrowers and the Agent within  fifteen (15) days prior to January 1, 1999,  and
every third  anniversary  of such date  thereafter,  on which this  Agreement is
still in effect, another such certificate and two accurate and complete original
signed copies of Form 1001 (or any successor  form or forms  required  under the
IRC or the applicable regulations promulgated thereunder),  and each Lender that
delivers a certificate  accompanied by Form 4224 of the IRS covenants and agrees
to deliver to the Borrowers and the Agent within  fifteen (15) days prior to the
beginning  of each  subsequent  taxable  year of such Lender  during  which this
Agreement  is still in effect,  another  such  certificate  and two accurate and
complete original signed copies of IRS Form 4224 (or any successor form or forms
required under the IRC or the applicable  regulations  promulgated  thereunder).
Each such certificate shall certify as to one of the following:

               (a) that such Lender is capable of receiving payments of interest
          hereunder  exempt from or at a reduced  deduction  or  withholding  of
          United States of America federal income tax;

               (b) that such  Lender is not  capable of  receiving  payments  of
          interest   hereunder  exempt  from  or  at  a  reduced   deduction  or
          withholding  of  United  States  of  America  federal  income  tax  as
          specified  therein but is capable of recovering the full amount of any
          such deduction or  withholding  from a source other than the Borrowers
          and will not seek any such recovery from the Borrowers; or


                                       40
<PAGE>

               (c) that,  as a result of the  adoption  of or any  change in any
          law,  treaty,  rule,  regulation,  guideline  or  determination  of  a
          Governmental   Authority  or  any  change  in  the  interpretation  or
          application  thereof by a Governmental  Authority  after the date such
          Lender became a party hereto,  such Lender is not capable of receiving
          payments of interest  hereunder  without  deduction or  withholding of
          United States of America  federal income tax as specified  therein and
          that it is not capable of recovering  the full amount of the same from
          a source other than the Borrowers.

          Each Lender shall promptly furnish to the Borrowers and the Agent such
additional documents as may be reasonably required by the Borrowers or the Agent
to  establish  any  exemption  from or  reduction  of any Taxes  required  to be
deducted or withheld  and which may be obtained  without  undue  expense to such
Lender

          (6) For a period with  respect to which a Lender has failed to provide
the Agent and the Borrowers with the appropriate  form described in this Section
2.12(b)(5)  (other  than if such  failure  is due to a change  in law  occurring
subsequent to the date on which a form  originally was required to be provided),
such Lender  shall not be entitled to  indemnification  under this  Section 2.12
with respect to Taxes  imposed by the United  States by reason of such  failure;
provided,  however,  that should a Lender become subject to Taxes because of its
failure to deliver a form  required  hereunder,  the  Borrowers  shall take such
steps as such Lender shall  reasonably  request to assist such Lender to recover
such Taxes.

          (c)(1) If a Borrower  pays any  additional  amount  under this Section
2.12 and, as a result,  any Lender,  together with the Agent,  subsequently,  in
their sole discretion and based on their own interpretation of any relevant laws
(but  acting in good faith)  receive or are  granted a final and  non-appealable
credit  against  or  deduction  from or in  respect  of any tax  payable by such
Lender,  or obtain any other final and  non-appealable  relief in respect of any
tax, which in the opinion of such Lender and the Agent, acting in good faith, is
both reasonably  identifiable  and  quantifiable  by them without  requiring any
Lender, the Agent or their professional  advisers to expend a material amount of
time or incur a  material  cost in so  identifying  or  quantifying  (any of the
foregoing,  to the extent so reasonably  identifiable  and  quantifiable,  being
referred to as a "Saving"),  such Lender shall,  to the extent that it can do so
without  prejudice  to the  retention  of the Saving,  reimburse  such  Borrower
promptly after such  identification and  quantification  with the amount of such
Saving;  provided,  however,  that any such Saving shall be reduced by any costs
incurred by such Lender or the Agent in obtaining such Saving.

          (2)  Nothing  in this  Section  2.12(c)  shall  require  any Lender to
disclose to any Person any  information  regarding its tax affairs or to arrange
its tax and other affairs in any particular manner.

          SECTION  2.13.  Maximum  Lawful  Interest  Rate.  Notwithstanding  any
provision  contained herein, the total liability of the Borrowers for payment of
interest  pursuant  hereto and the Notes,  including  any other charges or other
amounts, to the extent such charges and other amounts are deemed to be interest,
shall not exceed the  maximum  amount of such  interest  permitted  by law to be
charged,  collected, or received from the Borrowers (the "Maximum Rate"). If any
payments  by any  Borrower  for the  account of any Lender  include  interest in
excess of the Maximum Rate, such Lender shall apply such excess to the reduction
of the unpaid principal  amount owing by such Borrower,  or if none is due, such
excess shall be returned to such Borrower.


                                       41
<PAGE>


          SECTION 2.14.  Funding Issues.  (a) Increased Costs. If, due to either
(i) the  introduction  after the date  hereof of, or any  change  after the date
hereof in or in the interpretation of, any applicable law, rule or regulation by
any Governmental  Authority,  central bank or comparable agency charged with the
interpretation or administration  thereof or (ii) compliance by any Lender after
the date hereof with any final request or final directive  issued after the date
hereof  (whether  or not  having  the  force  of law) by any  such  Governmental
Authority,  central bank or  comparable  agency,  and, as a result of any of the
events  set forth in the above  clauses  (i) and  (ii),  (x) there  shall be any
increase in the cost to such Lender in  maintaining  its  Commitment  under this
Agreement or funding or  maintaining  its Pro Rata Share of the Loans under this
Agreement,  or (y) any Lender is subjected to any charge or  withholding  on its
obligations  hereunder,  or changes in the basis of  taxation of payments to any
Lender in connection  with any of the foregoing  (except for changes in the rate
of tax on overall net income of any Lender)  (collectively,  "Increased Costs"),
then the Borrowers  shall,  from time to time, pay, to the Agent for the benefit
of such Lender  within 15 days after such Lender shall have  provided  notice to
the Agent (and the Agent shall have  provided  notice to the  Borrowers) of such
Increased  Cost,  an  amount  sufficient  to  compensate  such  Lender  for such
Increased Cost, as provided  herein.  A certificate  setting forth in reasonable
detail the  computation of the amount of such Increased Cost (which  increase in
cost shall be determined by such Lender's reasonable allocation of the aggregate
of such cost increases resulting from such event), submitted to the Borrowers by
such Lender,  shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes,  absent manifest
error.

          (b)  Increased  Capital.  If any  Lender  which is  subject to minimum
capital  requirements  determines  that  compliance  by such  Lender,  with  any
guideline  or request  from any  central  bank or other  Governmental  Authority
(whether or not having the force of law)  affects or would  affect the amount of
capital required or expected to be maintained by such Lender, or any corporation
controlling such Lender,  and such Lender reasonably  determines that the amount
of such capital is increased by or based upon any  commitment to lend  hereunder
or making or maintaining  Loans,  its commitment to participate (as provided for
in  Section  2.10(f))  in any Letter of Credit or any  Credit  Support  provided
through the Agent in  connection  with the issuance of any Letter of Credit,  or
other commitments of this type, then, upon demand by such Person,  the Borrowers
agree to, within five (5) days of such demand, pay to such Person,  from time to
time as specified by such Person,  additional  amounts  sufficient to compensate
such Person in the light of such  circumstances,  to the extent that such Person
reasonably  determines such increase in capital to be allocable to such Person's
commitment or  maintenance  of Loans  hereunder or such  Person's  commitment to
participate in any Letter of Credit or Credit  Support.  A certificate as to the
amount of such  increased  cost,  submitted to the  Borrowers by the  applicable
Person shall,  absent manifest error, be conclusive and binding on the Borrowers
for all purposes.


                                       42
<PAGE>

          (c)  Replacement  of  Lender.  If any  Borrower,  as a  result  of the
requirements of either Section 2.14(a) or Section 2.14(b),  shall be required to
pay any particular Lender (an "Affected Lender") the additional amounts referred
to in such Section,  which costs are not imposed by the other Lenders,  and such
additional amounts are material,  then such Borrower shall be entitled to find a
replacement Lender,  reasonably acceptable to the Agents (the Agents' consent to
such  replacement  Lender  not to be  unreasonably  withheld),  to  replace  the
Affected Lender. The Affected Lender and the replacement Lender shall execute an
Assignment  Agreement with respect to all of the Affected  Lender's  Commitments
and all Loans owing to the Affected Lender and comply with the other  provisions
of Section 11.08(c).  Upon the payment by the replacement Lender to the Affected
Lender of the then  outstanding  principal amount of Loans owing to the Affected
Lender,  together with accrued interest thereon, and the payment by the Borrower
to the Affected Lender of any compensation  required with respect to LIBOR Loans
pursuant to Section 2.07(e),  the replacement Lender shall succeed to all of the
Affected Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents.

          SECTION  2.15.  Joint  and  Several   Liability;   Contribution.   (a)
Notwithstanding  anything to the  contrary in this  Agreement  or the other Loan
Documents,  all payment and performance Obligations arising under this Agreement
and the other Loan  Documents  shall be joint and  several  obligations  of each
Borrower secured by all the Borrowers' Collateral.  The Agent and the Collateral
Agent may apply any portion of any  Borrower's  Collateral to satisfy any of the
Obligations of any other Borrower.

          (b) Contribution  and  Indemnification  between the Borrowers.  To the
extent that any Borrower  shall,  as a result of the  operation of Section 2.15,
pay any Obligation of any other Borrower under the Loan Documents  (such payment
being referred to as an  "Accommodation  Payment"),  then such Borrower shall be
entitled to  contribution  and  indemnification  from, and be reimbursed by such
other Borrower, as set forth in the Contribution Agreement. Each Borrower agrees
that any extension,  forbearance  or amendment,  or any  acceptance,  release or
substitution of security,  or any impairment or suspension of Lender's  remedies
or rights  against any other  Borrower or the  cessation of the liability of any
other Borrower for any reason other than full and  indefeasible  satisfaction of
all Obligations shall not in any way affect the liability of such Borrower. Each
Borrower has provided itself of the means of remaining informed of the financial
condition of each other Borrower, and waives any right to require Lender to keep
it informed of the financial condition of any other Borrower.  The provisions of
this section shall, to the extent expressly  inconsistent  with any provision in
any Loan Document, supersede such inconsistent provision.


                                       43
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE III
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

          Each Borrower  represents  and warrants to the Agent,  the  Collateral
Agent and the Lenders that:

          SECTION  3.01.  Organization;  Powers.  (a)  Such  Borrower  (i)  is a
corporation or limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of its  jurisdiction  of  organization  and (ii) is
qualified to do business in the  jurisdiction  in which its  principal  place of
business is located and in every other  jurisdiction where such qualification is
necessary;

          (b) such Borrower has the power and  authority to own its  properties,
to carry on its business as now conducted; and

          (c) such  Borrower has the power and  authority to execute and deliver
and perform this  Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party,
to  borrow  hereunder,  and will  have the  power to  execute  and  deliver  any
Mortgages  and  Collateral  Assignments  of  Leases or other  instruments  to be
delivered by it subsequent to the date hereof.

          SECTION 3.02.  Corporate  Authorization.  The execution,  delivery and
performance  of this  Agreement  and the  other  Loan  Documents  to which  such
Borrower is a party, and the Loans hereunder:

          (a) have been duly authorized by such Borrower's Board of Directors or
managers and, if necessary, such Borrower's stockholders or members;

          (b) (1) do not violate (i) any existing provision of law applicable to
such  Borrower  and  not  immaterial  to  its  business,  (ii)  such  Borrower's
Certificate or Articles of Incorporation or other organizational  documents,  as
the  case  may  be,  or  (iii)  any  applicable  order  of any  court  or  other
governmental  agency,  and (2) do not  conflict  with,  result in a breach of or
constitute  (with  due  notice  or lapse of time or both) a  default  under  any
indenture,  agreement for borrowed money, bond, note or other similar instrument
or any other  material  agreement to which such  Borrower is a party or by which
such Borrower or any of such Borrower's property is bound;

          (c) do not result in the  creation  or  imposition  of any Lien of any
nature  whatsoever  upon any property or assets of such Borrower  other than the
Liens granted pursuant to this Loan Agreement or the other Loan Documents;

          (d) constitute legal, valid and binding  obligations of such Borrower,
enforceable against such Borrower in accordance with their respective terms; and

          (e)  do  not,  as  of  the  date  of  execution  hereof,  require  any
governmental  consent,  filing,  registration or approval except as set forth on
Schedule 3.02.


                                       44
<PAGE>

          SECTION 3.03.  Financial  Statements.  The Borrowers have furnished to
the Agent and the Lenders the audited  consolidated  financial statements of KMC
Holdings dated as of December 31, 1997, and the unaudited consolidated financial
statements  for the fiscal  quarter ended  September 30, 1998 and for the period
ended  October 31,  1998,  which  statements  are  attached  hereto as Exhibit I
(collectively,   the  "Financials").   The  Financials  have  been  prepared  in
accordance  with GAAP  applied  on a basis  consistent  with  that of  preceding
periods and are complete and correct in all material respects. As of the date of
the  Financials,  (a) the Financials  fairly  represent KMC Holdings'  financial
position  and results of  operations;  and (b) there are no  omissions  from the
Financials or any other facts or  circumstances  not reflected in the Financials
which are or may be material according to GAAP.

          SECTION 3.04. No Material  Adverse Change.  There has been no material
adverse  change  in  the  condition  (financial  or  otherwise),  operations  or
properties of such Borrower since the date of the Financials.

          SECTION 3.05. Litigation.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.05, there
are no  actions,  suits or  proceedings  at law or in equity or by or before any
Governmental Authority now pending or, to the knowledge of such Borrower against
or  affecting  such  Borrower or any  property or rights of such  Borrower as to
which there is a reasonable  possibility of an adverse  determination and which,
if adversely  determined,  would  individually  or in the  aggregate  materially
impair the right of any Borrower to carry on business substantially as now being
conducted or as presently  contemplated or would result in any Material  Adverse
Effect.

          SECTION  3.06.  Tax Returns.  Such  Borrower has filed or caused to be
filed all  Federal,  state and local tax returns  which are required to be filed
and has paid or caused to be paid all taxes as shown on such  returns  or on any
assessment  received by it to the extent that such taxes have become due, except
such taxes the amount, applicability or validity of which are being contested in
good faith by  appropriate  proceedings  and with respect to which such Borrower
shall have set aside on its books  adequate  reserves with respect to such taxes
as are required by GAAP.

          SECTION  3.07.  No Defaults.  Such Borrower is not in default (i) with
respect to any judgment,  writ,  injunction,  decree,  rule or regulation of any
Governmental  Authority which is likely to have a Material  Adverse  Effect,  or
(ii) in the  performance,  observance or fulfillment of any of the  obligations,
covenants or  conditions  contained in any material  agreement or  instrument to
which such Borrower is a party or by which any of its assets are bound, which is
likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          SECTION 3.08. Properties.  Such Borrower has good and marketable title
to all its material properties and assets and all Collateral of such Borrower is
free and clear of all Liens of any nature whatsoever, except Permitted Liens.

          SECTION 3.09. Licenses,  Material Agreements,  Intellectual  Property.
(a) Such Borrower has obtained all  Governmental  Approvals and approvals of any
Governmental   Authority   having   jurisdiction   over  such  Borrower,   which
Governmental  Approvals  and  approvals  are  necessary or  appropriate  for the
construction  and  operation  of the  Systems  as are  presently  operating,  as
contemplated in the Milestone Plan,  other than  immaterial  municipal  business

                                       45
<PAGE>


permits.  Such  Governmental  Approvals and  approvals  are correctly  listed on
Schedule  3.09(a)  and  constitute  the  only  material  licenses,   permits  or
franchises  or  other  Governmental  Approvals  of  any  Governmental  Authority
required  in  connection  with  the  Systems  as are  presently  operating.  All
Governmental  Approvals of such Borrower are in full force and effect,  are duly
issued in the name of, or validly  assigned to, such  Borrower and such Borrower
has the power and authority to operate thereunder.

          (b) Schedule  3.09(b)  accurately  and  completely  lists all material
agreements to which such Borrower is a party, including, without limitation, all
purchase agreements,  construction contracts, right of way or right of occupancy
agreements,  lease agreements,  consulting,  employment,  management and related
agreements.  All of the foregoing  agreements are valid,  subsisting and in full
force and effect and none of such Borrower,  or, to the best of such  Borrower's
knowledge and belief,  any other parties,  are in material  default  thereunder.
Such Borrower has given true and complete  copies of all such  agreements to the
Agent and the Lenders.

          (c) Such  Borrower  owns or  possesses  all the  patents,  trademarks,
service marks, trade names, copyrights and licenses, and all rights with respect
to the foregoing (the "Intellectual Property"), necessary for the conduct of its
business as presently  conducted  without any known  conflict with the rights of
others.  Schedule  3.09(c)  accurately  and  completely  lists all  Intellectual
Property owned or possessed by or licensed to such  Borrower.  Such Borrower has
entered into  Intellectual  Property  Documents with respect to its Intellectual
Property, as requested by the Collateral Agent.

          SECTION 3.10.  Compliance  With Laws.  Except as disclosed on Schedule
3.10, the operations of such Borrower  comply in all material  respects with all
applicable federal, state or local laws and regulations, including Environmental
Laws.  Except as  disclosed on Schedule  3.10,  none of the  operations  of such
Borrower is subject to any judicial or  administrative  proceeding  alleging the
violation of any Environmental  Laws. Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.10, such
Borrower neither knows nor reasonably  should know that any of the operations of
such  Borrower  is the  subject  of federal  or state  investigation  evaluating
whether  any  Remedial  Action is  needed to  respond  to a  Release.  Except as
disclosed  on Schedule  3.10,  such  Borrower has not filed any notice under any
federal or state law indicating past or present  treatment,  storage or disposal
of a hazardous  waste or  reporting a Release.  Except as  disclosed on Schedule
3.10,  such  Borrower has no  contingent  liability  of which such  Borrower has
knowledge or reasonably should have knowledge in connection with any Release.

          SECTION 3.11.  ERISA.  None of such Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of
such Borrower  maintains or  contributes to any Plan other than a Plan listed on
Schedule 3.11 hereto.  Each Plan which is intended to be qualified under Section
401(a) of the IRC has been  determined by the IRS to be so  qualified,  and each
trust  related to any such Plan has been  determined  to be exempt from  federal
income tax under  Section  501(a) of the IRC.  Except as  disclosed  on Schedule
3.11, none of such Borrower or any ERISA  Affiliate  maintains or contributes to
any  employee  welfare  benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(1) of ERISA


                                       46
<PAGE>

which provides  benefits to employees after termination of employment other than
as  required  by  Section  601 of  ERISA.  None of such  Borrower  or any  ERISA
Affiliate  has  breached  any of the  responsibilities,  obligations  or  duties
imposed on it by ERISA or regulations promulgated thereunder with respect to any
Plan  which  breach  could  result in a  Material  Adverse  Effect.  No Plan has
incurred any accumulated  funding deficiency (as defined in Section 302(a)(2) of
ERISA and Section 412(a) of the IRC), whether waived or not waived. None of such
Borrower or any ERISA  Affiliate  nor any  fiduciary  of any Plan which is not a
Multiemployer  Plan (i) has  engaged  in a  nonexempt  "prohibited  transaction"
described  in Section 406 of ERISA or Section  4975 of the IRC or (ii) has taken
or failed to take any action which would  constitute  or result in a Termination
Event.  None of such Borrower or any ERISA  Affiliate has incurred any liability
to the PBGC  which  remains  outstanding  and which  could  result in a Material
Adverse  Effect,  other than the payment of  premiums,  and there are no premium
payments  which have become due which are unpaid.  Schedule B to the most recent
annual  report  filed  with the IRS with  respect to each Plan is  complete  and
accurate.  Since the date of each such  Schedule  B,  there has been no  adverse
change in the funding status or financial condition of the Plan relating to such
Schedule B. None of such Borrower or any ERISA  Affiliate has (i) failed to make
a  required  contribution  or  payment  to a  Multiemployer  Plan or (ii) made a
complete  or  partial  withdrawal  under  Sections  4203 or 4205 of ERISA from a
Multiemployer  Plan.  None of such Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has failed to
make a required  installment or any other required  payment under Section 412 of
the IRC on or before the due date for such installment or other payment. None of
such Borrower or any ERISA  Affiliate is required to provide  security to a Plan
under Section  401(a)(29) of the IRC due to a Plan  amendment that results in an
increase in current liability for the plan year.

          SECTION 3.12.  Investment  Company Act; Public Utility Holding Company
Act.  Such Borrower is not an  "investment  company" as that term is defined in,
and is not otherwise subject to regulation under, the Investment  Company Act of
1940.  Such Borrower is not a "holding  company" as that term is defined in, and
is not otherwise subject to regulation under, the Public Utility Holding Company
Act of 1935.

          SECTION  3.13.  Federal  Reserve  Regulations.  Such  Borrower  is not
engaged principally,  or as one of its important activities,  in the business of
extending  credit for the purpose of  purchasing  or carrying  any margin  stock
(within the meaning of  Regulation  U of the Board of  Governors  of the Federal
Reserve System of the United  States),  and no part of the proceeds of the Loans
made to such Borrower will be used to purchase or carry any such margin stock or
to extend  credit to others for the purpose of  purchasing  or carrying any such
margin stock or for any purpose that  violates,  or is  inconsistent  with,  the
provisions of Regulation T, U or X of said Board of Governors.

          SECTION 3.14.  Collateral.  The security  interests granted by Article
VIII  hereof,  and  accompanying  financing  statements,  when duly filed in the
offices and  jurisdictions  set forth on Schedule 3.14 hereof,  create valid and
perfected  first  priority  Liens  in and to the  Collateral  of such  Borrower,
enforceable against other Persons in all jurisdictions  securing the payment, as
applicable, of the Obligations hereunder. Upon filing such financing statements,
to the extent that the filing of a financing  statement is sufficient to perfect


                                       47
<PAGE>

a security  interest,  no further action is required to perfect the Liens of the
Collateral  Agent in favor of the  Lenders in the  Collateral  of such  Borrower
described in Section 8.01.

          SECTION 3.15.  Chief Place of Business.  As of the Closing  Date,  the
chief executive  office and principal place of business address of such Borrower
is 1545  Route 206,  Bedminster,  New  Jersey  07921.  If any change in any such
location  occurs,  such Borrower shall notify the Agent and the Collateral Agent
thereof not later than ten days after the occurrence  thereof. As of the date of
execution  hereof,  the books and records of such Borrower and all chattel paper
and all  records of account are  located at the  principal  place of business or
chief  executive  office of such  Borrower  and if any  change in such  location
occurs,  such Borrower shall notify the Agent and the  Collateral  Agent thereof
not later than ten days after the occurrence thereof.

          SECTION 3.16. Other Corporate  Names.  Except as set forth on Schedule
3.16,  such  Borrower  has not  used  and  does not now use and will not use any
corporate or fictitious name.

          SECTION 3.17.  Insurance.  Schedule 3.17 contains a description of all
insurance which such Borrower  maintains or has maintained on its behalf. All of
such insurance is in full force and effect.

          SECTION 3.18. Milestone Plan. The Milestone Plan represents good faith
projections of future financial performance of the Borrowers for the periods set
forth therein.  Such document has been prepared on the basis of the  assumptions
set forth  therein,  which the  Borrowers  believe  are  reasonable  in light of
current and reasonably foreseeable business conditions.

          SECTION 3.19.  Capitalization and Subsidiaries.  The classes of Equity
Interests,  number of authorized  shares,  number of outstanding  shares and par
values or other  designations of the Equity Interests or other equity securities
or  beneficial  interests of such  Borrower are  correctly set forth on Schedule
3.19. All the outstanding  shares of Equity Interests or other equity securities
or beneficial interests of such Borrower are duly and validly issued, fully paid
and  nonassessable,  and none of such  issued  and  outstanding  shares,  equity
securities  or  beneficial  interests  has been  issued in  violation  of, or is
subject  to,  any  preemptive  or  subscription  rights.  Except as set forth on
Schedule 3.19, there are no: (A) outstanding shares of Equity Interests or other
equity securities or beneficial  interests or other securities  convertible into
or  exchangeable  for shares of Equity  Interests or other equity  securities or
other  beneficial  interests  of  such  Borrower,   (B)  outstanding  rights  of
subscription,  warrants,  calls,  options,  contracts or other agreements of any
kind,  issued,  made or granted to or with any Person under which such  Borrower
may be obligated to issue, sell, purchase, retire or redeem or otherwise acquire
or dispose of any  shares of Equity  Interests  or other  equity  securities  or
beneficial interests of such Borrower, or (C) Subsidiaries of such Borrower. KMC
Holdings beneficially owns, directly or indirectly,  all of the Equity Interests
of such Borrower.


                                       48
<PAGE>

          SECTION  3.20.  Real  Property,  Leases and  Easements.  Such Borrower
leases  or owns the real  property  described  on  Schedule  3.20.  Set forth on
Schedule  3.20  is a list of (i) all  real  property  leased  or  owned  by such
Borrower (the "Real Property") and (ii) all easements,  rights of way, rights of
occupancy,  licenses and similar rights with respect to real property granted to
such Borrower not otherwise disclosed to the Collateral Agent and the Lenders on
a title report delivered to the Collateral Agent and the Lenders pursuant to the
terms hereof  (together with all easements,  rights of way, rights of occupancy,
licenses  and  similar  rights  with  respect to real  property  granted to such
Borrower which are so disclosed,  collectively, the "Easements"). Also set forth
on Schedule 3.20 is a street  address of the Real Property  locations  described
above,  including a description of such  properties'  current use. Except as set
forth in Schedule 3.20, such  Borrower's  interests in the Real Property and the
Easements are  sufficient in order for such Borrower to conduct its business and
operations as presently conducted.

          SECTION 3.21. Solvency.  After giving effect to any Loans made to such
Borrower  hereunder,  the disbursement of the proceeds of such Loans pursuant to
such Borrower's instructions and the execution, delivery and performance of each
of the Loan Documents and transactions  contemplated  thereby,  such Borrower is
Solvent and is not contemplating either the filing of a petition by it under any
state or federal  bankruptcy or insolvency  laws or the  liquidation of all or a
substantial  portion  of its  property,  and  has  no  knowledge  of any  Person
contemplating the filing of any such petition against such Borrower.

          SECTION  3.22.  Brokers,  etc.  Such  Borrower  has not dealt with any
broker, finder,  commission agent or other similar Person in connection with the
Loans or the transactions being effected  contemporaneously with this Agreement,
and such Borrower covenants and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Agent,
the  Collateral  Agent and the  Lenders  from and  against,  any  broker's  fee,
finder's fee or commission in connection with such transactions.

          SECTION 3.23. No Material Misstatements. Neither any report, financial
statement, exhibit or schedule furnished by or on behalf of such Borrower to the
Agent,  the Collateral Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or included  herein or therein,  nor
any other  information  required to be furnished  pursuant to the  provisions of
Article V hereof,  contains any material  misstatement of fact or omits to state
any  material  fact  necessary  to make the  statements  therein not  materially
misleading.

          SECTION 3.24.  Year 2000  Problems.  Each Borrower has made a full and
complete assessment of the Year 2000 Problems and has a realistic and achievable
program for remediating the Year 2000 Problems on a timely basis.  Based on such
assessment and program,  such Borrower does not reasonably  anticipate that Year
2000 Problems will have a Material Adverse Effect.


                                       49
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE IV
                              CONDITIONS FOR LOANS

          The  obligations of each Lender to make Loans hereunder are subject to
the  accuracy,  as of the Initial  Funding  Date and as of the date of making of
each of the Loans after the Initial  Funding  Date, of the  representations  and
warranties  contained  in  Article  III  (except  that  any  representations  or
warranties  that relate to a specified  date shall only be reaffirmed as of such
date) and the other Loan  Documents,  to the performance by each Borrower of its
obligations to be performed  hereunder on or before the date of such Loan and to
the satisfaction of the following further conditions:

          SECTION  4.01.  Conditions  Precedent  to Initial Loan on or after the
Closing  Date.  In the case of the Loans to be made on the Initial  Funding Date
and  Letters of Credit to be issued or Credit  Support for any Letters of Credit
to be incurred on the Initial Funding Date:

          (a) All then applicable  legal matters  incident to this Agreement and
the other Loan Documents shall be reasonably satisfactory to Counsel.

          (b) The Agent and the  Collateral  Agent , as  applicable,  shall have
received  payment in full of the fees set forth in the Fee Letters,  and all the
other documented  out-of-pocket  costs and expenses of the Agent and the Lenders
incurred on or prior to the Initial Funding Date, including, without limitation,
reasonable  attorneys'  and  paralegals'  fees  and  expenses  and the  fees and
expenses  incurred in connection with preparation of any  environmental  audits;
provided,  however,  that any such  attorneys'  and  paralegals'  fees  shall be
limited to those of  Counsel  and to those  permitted  in those  certain  letter
agreements  dated September 25, 1998 between KMC Holdings and the Agent, and KMC
Holdings  and the  Documentation  Agent with respect to the fees and expenses of
counsel for the Agent and the Documentation Agent.

          (c) (1) The Agent and the  Collateral  Agent shall have  received  the
following  items,  in each case in form and substance  satisfactory to the Agent
and the Collateral Agent:

               (i)  the Financials;

               (ii) the  Milestone   Plan  showing  in  reasonable   detail  and
                    specifying  any  material  underlying  assumptions,  for the
                    subsequent nine (9) year period, the Borrower's  anticipated
                    revenues and expenses and projected  statements of cash flow
                    and   information   with   respect  to   projected   capital
                    expenditures  and  changes  in  working  capital  over  such
                    period,  and a detailed  Systems  construction  and buildout
                    schedule;

               (iii)certificates  substantially  in the form of Exhibits J-1 and
                    J-2  hereto,  dated the  Initial  Funding  Date or dated the
                    Closing Date and a reaffirmation of such  certificate  dated
                    the Initial  Funding Date, of the  secretaries  or assistant
                    secretaries  of each of the Borrowers or the sole members of
                    the Borrowers, as applicable,  and KMC Holdings,  certifying
                    (1) the names and true signatures of the officers authorized
                    to sign each Loan  Document  to which  any  Borrower  or KMC


                                       50
<PAGE>

                    Holdings  is a party,  (2) the  resolutions  of the Board of
                    Directors  of any  Borrower or KMC  Holdings  approving  the
                    transactions  contemplated  by the Loan  Documents  to which
                    each  is a  party,  (3)  each  Borrower's  or KMC  Holdings'
                    bylaws,  and only with  respect  to the  certificate  of KMC
                    Holdings, (4) a true and correct copy of the Indenture,  (5)
                    true and correct copies of the Management  Agreement and the
                    Tax Sharing Agreement and (5) that KMC Holdings has made the
                    Required Contributions to the Borrowers;

               (iv) the  written  opinions  of  special,  regulatory  and  local
                    counsel  for the  Borrowers  and  KMC  Holdings,  dated  the
                    Initial Funding Date, addressed to the Agent, the Collateral
                    Agent and the Lenders  satisfactory  to (and containing only
                    such  qualifications and limitations as are satisfactory to)
                    Counsel,  which opinions shall be substantially in the forms
                    set  forth  in  Exhibits  K-1,  K-2 and  K-3,  respectively,
                    attached hereto;

               (v)  certificates of appropriate  public officials dated not more
                    than 30 days prior to the Initial  Funding  Date,  as to the
                    legal existence or qualification,  and good standing of each
                    Borrower and KMC Holdings from such Person's jurisdiction of
                    organization  and from the jurisdiction in which such Person
                    has its principal place of business;

               (vi) each Borrower's and KMC Holdings' Certificate or Articles of
                    Incorporation,  as amended,  modified or  supplemented on or
                    prior to the Initial  Funding  Date,  each  certified  to be
                    true,  correct and complete by the Secretary of State of the
                    state in which such Person is organized;

               (vii)completed   Year  2000   questionnaires   executed  by  each
                    Borrower;

               (viii) the Notes duly  executed and  delivered by the  Borrowers;
                    and

               (ix) this Agreement duly executed and delivered by the Borrowers.

          (2) The  Collateral  Agent shall have received the following  items in
each case in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent:

               (i)  Pledge  Agreements  duly  executed by (A) KMC Holdings  with
                    respect to the Equity  Interests  of KMC and KMC II, (B) KMC
                    with  respect to the Equity  Interests  of KMC  Virginia and
                    Leasing  I,  and  (C)  KMC II  with  respect  to the  Equity
                    Interests of Leasing II,  together  with, in each case,  for


                                       51
<PAGE>

                    all such  Equity  Interests  which are  certificated,  stock
                    certificates  and undated stock powers  executed in blank in
                    form and substance  satisfactory to the Collateral Agent and
                    for all such Equity  Interests  which are limited  liability
                    company   interests,   pledge   instructions   and   initial
                    transaction statements in form and substance satisfactory to
                    the Collateral Agent;

               (ii) the KMC Holdings Guaranty, duly executed by KMC Holdings;

               (iii)loss  payable  endorsements  substantially  in the  form  of
                    Exhibit M attached  hereto with  respect to each  Borrower's
                    insurance policies relating to the Collateral, and insurance
                    certificates  required by Section  5.04(g)  from  nationally
                    recognized insurance brokers with respect to each Borrower's
                    insurance policies;

               (iv) with respect to each  Borrower's  then  existing  Collection
                    Accounts, Restricted Account Agreements substantially in the
                    form of  Exhibit N attached  hereto,  duly  executed  by the
                    applicable   Borrower   and   the   financial   institutions
                    maintaining the Collection Accounts;

               (v)  a duly  executed  Collateral  Assignment of Licenses by each
                    Borrower,  together  with consents to assignment of licenses
                    and rights from Persons  designated by the Collateral  Agent
                    duly  executed by such Persons,  including  agreements as to
                    default  notices,   cure  rights,  waiver  of  lien  rights,
                    conveyance   of   nondisturbance   rights  and  other  terms
                    satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (provided the Borrowers
                    shall have the  post-closing  period provided for in Section
                    5.08 with  respect to obtaining  the consents to  Collateral
                    Assignment of Licenses required pursuant to such Section);

               (vi) a duly  executed  Collateral  Assignment  of  Leases by each
                    Borrower,   together  with  consents  to  assignment,   duly
                    executed by the appropriate Persons, including agreements as
                    to default  notices,  cure  rights,  waiver of lien  rights,
                    conveyance   of   nondisturbance   rights  and  other  terms
                    satisfactory  to the Collateral  Agent with respect to those
                    leased   properties   specified  by  the  Collateral  Agent,
                    together  with  landlord  waivers  in the form of  Exhibit D
                    hereto executed by the appropriate  landlord with respect to
                    those leased properties specified by the Collateral Agent;

               (vii)completed   environmental   questionnaires   and   indemnity
                    agreement   executed   by   each   Borrower   and   Phase  I
                    Environmental  Reports with respect to premises described on
                    Schedule 3.10 (if any);


                                       52
<PAGE>

               (viii) an Access Agreement executed and delivered by Cogeneration
                    Services,  Inc.  with  respect to each  Borrower's  premises
                    located at 1545 Route 206, Suite 300, Bedminster, New Jersey
                    in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent;

               (ix) the  Contribution  Agreement  duly executed and delivered by
                    the Borrowers; and

               (x)  a  Trademark  Security  Agreement  in the form of  Exhibit S
                    hereto, executed and delivered by the Borrowers.

          (d) The Agents or the  Collateral  Agent,  as  applicable,  shall have
satisfactorily  completed  their review of any Lucent  Purchase  Agreement,  any
Additional Purchase Agreements, construction and maintenance contracts, right of
way  agreements  and  interconnection  agreements  related to the Systems  being
financed with the Loans made on the Initial Funding Date.

          (e) The Collateral Agent shall have received evidence  satisfactory to
the  Collateral  Agent that the  Collateral  Agent's  security  interests in the
Collateral have been properly  perfected and constitute first and prior security
interests  subject only to Permitted Liens,  including by (i) filing  Mortgages,
the  Collateral  Assignment of Licenses,  the  Collateral  Assignment of Leases,
leasehold  mortgages  and UCC-1  financing  statements  in  certain  filing  and
recording  offices,  (ii) filing the Trademark  Security Agreement in the United
States Patent and Trademark Office,  (iii) obtaining  consents to the Collateral
Assignments of Licenses and the Collateral  Assignments of Leases  (provided the
Borrowers shall have the  post-closing  period provided for in Section 5.08 with
respect to obtaining the consents to certain Collateral  Assignments of Licenses
required  pursuant  to  such  Section)  and  (iv)  taking  possession  of  stock
certificates and other instruments, in each case, as requested by the Collateral
Agent.

          (f) The Collateral Agent shall have received evidence  satisfactory to
the  Collateral  Agent,  including  the  results of  searches  conducted  in the
mortgage  recording,   UCC,  tax  Lien  and  judgment  filing  records  in  each
appropriate  filing office or jurisdiction,  that there are no Liens against the
Collateral except Permitted Liens.

          (g) The Agent shall have received  evidence  satisfactory to the Agent
that no Borrower  has any Debt other than as  described in Section 6.13 and that
the holders of any such Debt  described in clauses (v) and (vii) of Section 6.13
have executed subordination and standstill agreements satisfactory to the Agent.

          (h) The Collateral  Agent,  as it may require,  shall have obtained or
waived in writing with respect to each real estate and material  equipment lease
and each mortgage of any Borrower  relating to the Systems  being  financed with
the initial Loan made after the Closing  Date (i) the right from the  applicable
lessors  and  mortgagees  to cure all  payment  defaults  under such  leases and
mortgages by making payment  directly to the  applicable  lessors and mortgagees
and (ii) landlord  waivers and consents,  as the  Collateral  Agent may require,
with respect to each leased facility.


                                       53
<PAGE>

          (i) The Agents shall have satisfactorily completed their due diligence
investigation  of the Borrowers and the Systems and the Borrowers' other assets,
and their  respective  officers and  directors  including,  without  limitation,
environmental reviews, engineering reviews, review of material agreements of the
Borrowers and review of easement matters.

          (j) All right of way  agreements  with  respect to each  System  under
construction  shall be  sufficient  to allow full  operation  of such System and
shall,  upon request of the  Collateral  Agent,  be assignable to the Collateral
Agent or its designee.

          (k) Lucent shall have executed and delivered to the Collateral  Agent,
in form and  substance  satisfactory  to the  Agents,  a consent  to  collateral
assignment of the Lucent Purchase Agreement.

          (l)  KMC  Holdings  shall  have,  by  either  the  making  of  capital
contributions or Qualified Intercompany Loans, contributed or loaned cash to the
Borrowers in an aggregate amount equal to at least $260,000,000.

          SECTION 4.02.  Conditions  Precedent to All Loans. In the case of each
Loan hereunder,  including,  without limitation, the Loans made on the Term Loan
Funding Date,  and the  obligation to issue Letters of Credit or provide  Credit
Support therefor:

          (a) The  representations  and warranties of each Borrower set forth in
Article  III or in any other  Loan  Document  shall be true and  correct  in all
material  respects  on and as of the date of such Loan  with the same  effect as
though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of such date,
except that any  representations  or warranties  that relate to a specified date
shall only be reaffirmed as of such date.

          (b) At the time of each such  Loan,  and after  giving  effect to such
Loan, each Borrower shall be in compliance with all the terms and provisions set
forth herein on its part to be observed or performed, and no Event of Default or
Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

          (c) At the time of each such Loan and after giving effect to each such
Loan,  there  shall  have  been no  material  adverse  change  in the  condition
(financial or  otherwise),  operations,  properties or prospects of any Borrower
since the date of the Financials.

          (d)  Such  Loan,  when  combined  with  Loans  previously  made to the
Borrowers, shall not exceed the Commitment Amount.

          (e) All legal  matters  incident  to such Loan and the Loan  Documents
shall be satisfactory to Counsel.

          (f) The Agent shall have  received a Notice of Borrowing  for the Loan
and acceptance certificate and invoices required by Section 2.03.


                                       54
<PAGE>

          (g) The  Collateral  Agent  shall  have  first  priority  Liens on all
personal and real  property  assets that comprise or relate to each System to be
funded by such Loan, shall have received collateral  assignments of all material
third party agreements relating to such Systems,  consented to by the applicable
third  parties,  as requested by the Collateral  Agent,  and shall have received
evidence  that all  necessary  Governmental  Approvals for such System have been
obtained.

          (h) The  Collateral  Agent  shall  have  received  copies of such lien
waivers and other  acknowledgments  from Persons  constructing the Systems,  any
subcontractors  or vendors  (including  Lucent or each  Additional  Vendor) with
respect  to  the  construction  of  the  Systems  as the  Collateral  Agent  may
reasonably request.

          (i) All fees and expenses which are due and payable to the Agent on or
prior to the date of the advance of such Loan shall have been paid.

          (j) The Agents or the  Collateral  Agent,  as  applicable,  shall have
satisfactorily  completed  their review of any Additional  Purchase  Agreements,
construction  and  maintenance  contracts  related to the Systems being financed
with such Loan and the interconnection agreements for each System being financed
with such Loan.

          (k) The Collateral Agent shall have obtained or waived in writing with
respect to each real estate and material  equipment  lease,  each mortgage,  and
each material third party agreement  relating to the Systems being financed with
such Loan (i) the right from the  applicable  lessors and mortgagees to cure all
payment defaults under such leases and mortgages by making payments  directly to
the applicable lessors and mortgagees, as the Collateral Agent may request, (ii)
landlord waivers and consents, as the Collateral Agent may require, with respect
to each leased  facility,  and (iii) consents to collateral  assignment,  as the
Collateral  Agent may require,  with respect to each such  material  third party
agreement.

          (l) There shall not have  occurred  in the opinion of the Agents,  any
material  adverse  change in any two of the three  members of  Borrower's or KMC
Holdings'  senior  management  team,  which shall  comprise its Chief  Executive
Officer,  Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President - Field Sales and
Operations.

          (m) If a Loan is requested to finance Aged  Equipment,  the Collateral
Agent, if it so elects,  shall have obtained an appraisal of such Aged Equipment
from an appraiser  selected by the Collateral  Agent,  which  appraisal shall be
satisfactory  to the  Collateral  Agent and the cost of which  shall be borne by
such Borrower.


                                       55
<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE V
                              AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

          Each  Borrower  covenants  and agrees  that so long as this  Agreement
shall remain in effect,  any  Commitment  hereunder  shall be outstanding or any
Obligations  hereunder  or under any of the other  Loan  Documents  are  unpaid,
unless the Requisite Lenders shall have otherwise given prior written consent:

          SECTION 5.01. Corporate and Franchise  Existence.  Such Borrower shall
preserve and maintain its corporate existence, rights, franchises,  licenses and
privileges  in  its  jurisdiction  of  its   organization,   and  in  all  other
jurisdictions  in which such  qualification is necessary in view of its business
and  operations  and property and  preserve,  protect and keep in full force and
effect its material rights and its Governmental Approvals.

          SECTION 5.02. Compliance with Laws, Etc. Such Borrower shall comply in
all material respects with all laws and regulations applicable to it, including,
without limitation,  Environmental Laws, regulations  promulgated by the FCC and
any PUC, and other  telecommunications  laws and  regulations,  and all material
contractual obligations applicable to it.

          SECTION 5.03.  Maintenance of  Properties.  Such Borrower shall at all
times maintain in good repair,  working order and condition,  excepting ordinary
wear and tear,  all of its  properties  material to its  operations and make all
appropriate repairs,  replacements and renewals thereof, in each case consistent
with prudent industry  practices and sound business judgment and with respect to
the  maintenance  of machinery  and  equipment,  in compliance  with  applicable
government  regulations,  manufacturers'  warranty  requests  and any  licensing
requirements.

          SECTION 5.04. Insurance.

          (a)  Coverage.  Without  limiting  any of  the  other  obligations  or
liabilities of such Borrower under this Agreement, such Borrower shall carry and
maintain,   and  require  each  contractor   retained  in  connection  with  the
construction  of any System to carry and maintain,  each at its own expense,  at
least the  minimum  insurance  coverage  set forth in this  Section  5.04.  Such
Borrower  shall also carry and maintain any other  insurance that the Collateral
Agent may reasonably  require from time to time. All insurance  carried pursuant
to this Section 5.04 shall be placed with such  insurers  that have an A.M. Best
rating of A:X or better,  or as may be acceptable to the Collateral  Agent. Such
coverage shall be in such form, with terms,  conditions,  limits and deductibles
as shall be acceptable to the Collateral Agent.

          (b)  Construction  Period.  During the period from,  and including the
commencement of  construction of any System,  to and including the completion of
construction  of any  System,  such  Borrower  shall  maintain in full force and
effect,  pay all premiums  when due in respect of, and comply with all terms and
conditions of the following coverages:

               (i) All Risk  Builder's  Risk.  Such Borrower  shall maintain all
          risk builder's risk insurance covering physical loss or damage to such
          System  including,  but not limited to,  fire and  extended  coverage,
          collapse,   flood,  earth  movement,   and  comprehensive  boiler  and
          machinery coverage  (including  electrical  malfunction and mechanical
          breakdown).   Such   insurance   shall  cover  all   property   during


                                       56
<PAGE>

          construction and testing, as well as any and all materials,  equipment
          and  machinery  intended for such System during  off-site  storage and
          inland  transit and, if necessary,  during ocean and air transit.  All
          transit coverage shall be on a "warehouse to warehouse" basis. The all
          risk  builder's  risk policy  shall be written on a  replacement  cost
          basis for the full  construction  cost of such  System or in an amount
          acceptable to the Collateral  Agent and shall contain an agreed amount
          endorsement  waiving  any  coinsurance  penalty.  Coverage  shall  not
          exclude  resultant  damage  caused  by faulty  workmanship,  design or
          materials nor shall it exclude machinery and equipment under guarantee
          or warranty; and

               (ii) Delay in Start-Up.  As an extension of the coverage required
          under subsection  (b)(i) or as a separate policy,  such Borrower shall
          maintain  delay in start-up  insurance  covering net profits (if any),
          continuing expenses and debt service payments resulting from delays in
          achieving  the  completion  date for the  construction  of any  System
          caused  by  (i)  physical   loss  or  damage  to  such  System  during
          construction  or testing,  (ii) loss or damage to  equipment  while in
          ocean,  air or inland  transit  or (iii)  loss or damage to  equipment
          while in  storage  away from the site.  Contingent  delay in  start-up
          coverage  shall also be included  to cover  delay  caused by damage to
          critical  path items  while  under  manufacture  or at the  supplier's
          premise.  Such  extension  or separate  policy  shall have a period of
          indemnity  of not less than twelve  (12) months with an agreed  amount
          limit not less than  $1,400,000 per System and shall contain an agreed
          amount endorsement waiving any coinsurance penalty.  Such extension or
          separate policy shall also cover expediting  expenses in an amount not
          less than $1,000,000. Deductibles may not exceed thirty (30) days; and

               (iii)   Comprehensive  or  Commercial  General  Liability.   Such
          Borrower  shall maintain  comprehensive  general  liability  insurance
          written on an occurrence basis with a limit of liability not less than
          $1,000,000.   Coverage   shall   include,   but  not  be  limited  to,
          premises/operations,  explosion,  collapse,  and underground  hazards,
          broad form  contractual,  independent  contractors  products/completed
          operations, broad form property damage, and personal injury liability.
          Such  insurance  shall not exclude  coverage for punitive or exemplary
          damages where insurable by law; and

               (iv) Workers'  Compensation/Employer's  Liability.  Such Borrower
          shall  maintain  workers'  compensation  insurance in accordance  with
          statutory  provisions covering accidental injury,  illness or death of
          an employee of such  Borrower  while at work or in the scope of his or
          her employment with such Borrower and employer's  liability  insurance
          in an amount not less than $1,000,000. Such coverage shall not contain
          any occupational disease exclusions; and

               (v) Automobile Liability. Such Borrower shall maintain automobile
          liability  insurance  covering  owned,  non-owned,  leased,  hired  or
          borrowed  vehicles  against  bodily  injury or property  damage.  Such
          coverage shall have a limit of not less than $1,000,000; and

                                       57
<PAGE>

               (vi)  Excess/Umbrella  Liability.  Such Borrower  shall  maintain
          excess or  umbrella  liability  insurance  in an amount  not less than
          $25,000,000  written on an occurrence basis providing  coverage limits
          in excess of the insurance limits required under Section 5.04(b)(iii),
          (b)(iv) (employer's  liability only), and (b)(v). Such insurance shall
          follow from the primary insurances and drop down in case of exhaustion
          of  underlying  limits and/or  aggregates.  Such  insurance  shall not
          exclude coverage for punitive or exemplary  damages where insurable by
          law.

          (c)  Contractor  Insurance  Coverage.  Such Borrower  shall cause each
contractor  retained in connection with the  construction of any System to carry
and maintain,  in full force and effect,  such  insurance and such bonds as such
contractor is required to maintain pursuant to the following:

               (i) Bond. Such Contractor shall maintain  performance and payment
          bonds written in a form and by a surety  acceptable to the  Collateral
          Agent. Such bonds shall cover all payments, performance,  material and
          other  obligations  of such  contractor  and all  subcontractors.  The
          applicable performance and payment bonds shall, at all times, be in an
          amount  equal to the full value of the  construction  contracts.  Each
          bond  shall  cover  the  faithful   performance  of  the  construction
          contract.  Such  Borrower and the  Collateral  Agent shall be named as
          obligees under each bond; and

               (ii)  Comprehensive  or  Commercial   General   Liability.   Such
          contractor shall maintain  comprehensive  general liability  insurance
          covering  the  construction  of such System  written on an  occurrence
          basis with a limit of liability  not less than  $25,000,000.  Coverage
          shall include, but not be limited to, premises/operations,  explosion,
          collapse,  and underground hazards,  sudden and accidental  pollution,
          broad form contractual,  independent  contractors,  products/completed
          operations, broad form property damage, and personal injury liability.
          Such  insurance  may be written  in any  combination  of  primary  and
          excess/umbrella  forms.  The products  completed  operations  coverage
          shall be extended to cover such System for two years after  completion
          of such System. Such insurance shall not exclude coverage for punitive
          or exemplary damages where insurable by law; and

               (iii) Workers' Compensation/Employer's Liability. Such contractor
          shall  maintain  workers'  compensation  insurance in accordance  with
          statutory  provisions covering accidental injury,  illness or death of
          an employee of such contractor while at work or in the scope of his or
          her employment with such contractor and employer's liability insurance
          in an amount not less than  $25,000,000  written in any combination of
          primary and excess/umbrella policies, and



                                       58
<PAGE>

               (iv)  Automobile   Liability.   Such  contractor  shall  maintain
          automobile  liability  insurance  covering owned,  non-owned,  leased,
          hired or borrowed  vehicles  against bodily injury or property damage.
          Such coverage shall have a limit of not less than $25,000,000  written
          in any combination of primary and excess/umbrella policies.

          (d)  Operations  Period.  Beginning  on the  completion  date  of each
System,  such Borrower shall maintain in full force and effect, pay all premiums
when due in  respect  of,  and  comply  with all  terms  and  conditions  of the
following insurance coverages for each System.

               (i) All Risk Property Insurance. Such Borrower shall maintain all
          risk property  insurance covering such System against physical loss or
          damage,  including  but not  limited  to fire and  extended  coverage,
          collapse, flood, earth movement and comprehensive boiler and machinery
          coverage (including electrical  malfunction and mechanical breakdown).
          Such insurance shall cover each and every component of such System and
          shall not contain any exclusion for resultant  damage caused by faulty
          workmanship,  design or  materials.  Coverage  shall be  written  on a
          replacement  cost  basis in an  amount  acceptable  to the  Collateral
          Agent.   Such   insurance   policy  shall  contain  an  agreed  amount
          endorsement waiving any coinsurance penalty; and

               (ii)  Business  Interruption.  As an  extension  of the  coverage
          required  under  Section  5.04(d)(i),  such  Borrower  shall  maintain
          business  interruption  insurance in an agreed  amount equal to twelve
          (12) months  projected  loss of net profits,  continuing  expenses and
          debt  service  payments  of such  System  and shall  contain an agreed
          amount  endorsement  waiving  any  coinsurance   penalty.   Contingent
          business  interruption  insurance  shall also be included to cover the
          major  suppliers and  customers of the  Borrowers.  Coverage  shall be
          included  for   expediting   expenses  in  an  amount  not  less  than
          $1,000,000.  Such  insurance  shall also cover  service  interruption.
          Deductibles shall not exceed thirty (30) days; and

               (iii)  Comprehensive or Commercial  General Liability  Insurance.
          Such Borrower shall maintain comprehensive general liability insurance
          written  on an  occurrence  basis  with  a  limit  of  not  less  than
          $1,000,000.  Such  coverage  shall  include,  but not be  limited  to,
          premises/operations,   explosion,   collapse,   underground   hazards,
          contractual liability,  independent contractors,  products,  completed
          operations,  property  damage  and  personal  injury  liability.  Such
          insurance shall not exclude coverage for punitive or exemplary damages
          where insurable by law; and

               (iv) Workers'  Compensation/Employer's  Liability.  Such Borrower
          shall  maintain  workers'  compensation  insurance in accordance  with
          statutory  provisions covering accidental injury,  illness or death of
          an employee of such  Borrower  while at work or in the scope of his or
          her employment with such Borrower and employer's  liability  insurance
          in an amount not less than $1,000,000. Such coverage shall not contain
          any occupational disease exclusions; and

               (v) Automobile Liability. Such Borrower shall maintain automobile
          liability  insurance  covering  owned,  non-owned,  leased,  hired  or
          borrowed  vehicles  against  bodily  injury or property  damage.  Such
          coverage shall have a limit of not less than $1,000,000; and

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               (vi)  Excess/Umbrella  Liability.  Such Borrower  shall  maintain
          excess or  umbrella  liability  insurance  in an amount  not less than
          $25,000,000  written on an occurrence basis providing  coverage limits
          in  excess  of  the   insurance   limits   required   under   Sections
          5.04(d)(iii),  (d)(iv)  (employer's  liability only), and (d)(v). Such
          insurance  shall follow from the primary  insurances  and drop down in
          case of  exhaustion  of  underlying  limits  and/or  aggregates.  Such
          insurance shall not exclude coverage for punitive or exemplary damages
          where insurable by law.

          (e) Endorsements.  Such Borrower shall cause all insurance carried and
maintained in accordance with this Section 5.04 to be endorsed as follows:

               (i) Such Borrower  shall be the named insured and the  Collateral
          Agent shall be an additional named insured and loss payee with respect
          to  policies  described  in Section  5.04(b)(i),  (b)(ii),  (d)(i) and
          (d)(ii).  Such Borrower  shall be the named insured and the Collateral
          Agent  shall  be  an  additional  insured  with  respect  to  policies
          described in Section  5.04(b)(iii),  (b)(iv) (to the extent allowed by
          law),  (b)(v),  (b)(vi),  (d)(iii),  (d)(iv) (to the extent allowed by
          law), (d)(v) and (d)(vi). Such Borrower and the Collateral Agent shall
          be additional  insureds  under all  insurances  carried by contractors
          under Section 5.04(c) to the extent allowed by law. All policies shall
          provide  that any  obligation  imposed upon such  Borrower  and/or any
          contractor,  including  but  not  limited  to  the  obligation  to pay
          premiums,  shall be the sole  obligation of such  Borrower  and/or the
          contractor  and not that of the  Agent,  the  Collateral  Agent or any
          Lender; and

               (ii) with respect to policies described in Section 5.04(b)(i) and
          (b)(ii), and (d)(i) and (d)(ii), the interests of the Collateral Agent
          shall not be  invalidated  by any action or inaction of such Borrower,
          or any other Person,  and shall insure the Collateral Agent regardless
          of any breach or violation by such  Borrower,  any  contractor  or any
          other Person,  of any  warranties,  declarations or conditions of such
          policies, and

               (iii)  inasmuch as the  liability  policies  are written to cover
          more than one insured, all terms, conditions,  insuring agreements and
          endorsements,  with the  exception of the limits of  liability,  shall
          operate in the same manner as if there were a separate policy covering
          such insured; and

               (iv)  the   insurers   thereunder   shall  waive  all  rights  of
          subrogation  against the Agent,  the Collateral  Agent or the Lenders,
          any right of setoff or counterclaim  and any other right to deduction,
          whether by attachment or otherwise; and

               (v) such insurance shall be primary without right of contribution
          of any other  insurance  carried  by or on behalf  of the  Agent,  the
          Collateral  Agent or the Lenders  with  respect to their  interests as
          such in such System; and


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                  (vi) if such insurance is canceled for any reason  whatsoever,
         including  nonpayment of premium,  or any changes are initiated by such
         Borrower or carrier which affect the interests of the Collateral Agent,
         such cancellation or change shall not be effective as to the Collateral
         Agent until  thirty  (30) days,  except in the case of  non-payment  of
         premium which shall be ten (10) days,  after receipt by the  Collateral
         Agent of written notice sent by registered mail from such insurer.

          (f)  Certifications.  On the Initial  Funding Date, and at each policy
renewal,  but not  less  than  annually,  such  Borrower  shall  provide  to the
Collateral  Agent approved  certification  from each insurer or by an authorized
representative  of  each  insurer.   Such   certification   shall  identify  the
underwriters,  the type of insurance, the limits, deductibles,  and term thereof
and shall specifically list the special provisions delineated for such insurance
required for this Section 5.04.

          (g)  Insurance  Report.   Concurrently  with  the  furnishing  of  all
certificates  referred to in this Section 5.04,  such Borrower shall furnish the
Collateral  Agent  with  an  opinion  from  an  independent   insurance  broker,
acceptable to the Collateral Agent, stating that all premiums then due have been
paid and that, in the opinion of such broker,  the insurance then  maintained by
such Borrower is in accordance  with this section.  Furthermore,  upon its first
knowledge,  such broker shall advise the Collateral Agent promptly in writing of
any default in the payment of any premiums or any other act or omission,  on the
part of any Person, which might invalidate or render unenforceable,  in whole or
in part, any insurance provided by such Borrower hereunder.

          (h)  Application of Payments.  All payments  received by such Borrower
from any insurance referred in Section 5.04(b)(i),  (b)(ii),  (d)(i) and (d)(ii)
shall be promptly  delivered  directly to the  Collateral  Agent,  which amounts
shall be applied by the  Collateral  Agent,  upon  request by such  Borrower and
provision  to  the  Collateral  Agent  of  detailed  information,   including  a
construction  schedule and cost  estimates,  which  establish to the  reasonable
satisfaction of the Collateral Agent that the amounts available and the proposed
schedule  are adequate to restore,  replace or rebuild the  property  subject to
insurance  payments in a timely  manner,  to such  restoration,  replacement  or
rebuilding  unless an Event of  Default or Default  shall have  occurred  and be
continuing or such Borrower shall have failed to make such request within thirty
(30) days after receipt of such amounts by Collateral  Agent, in which case such
amounts  shall be applied  in the  Requisite  Lenders'  sole  discretion  to the
repayment of the Obligations or such restoration, replacement or rebuilding.

          (i) General.  The Collateral Agent shall be entitled,  upon reasonable
advance  notice,  to review and/or receive  copies of such  Borrower's (or other
appropriate  party's) books and records regarding all insurance policies carried
and maintained with respect to each System and such Borrower's obligations under
this Section 5.04. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no provision
of this  Agreement or any other Loan  Document  shall  impose on the  Collateral
Agent, the Agent or any Lender any duty or obligation to verify the existence or
adequacy of the insurance  coverage  maintained by such Borrower,  nor shall the
Collateral Agent, the Agent or any Lender be responsible for any representations
or warranties  made by or on behalf of such  Borrower to any  insurance  broker,
company or underwriter.  The Collateral  Agent or the Agent, at its sole option,


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<PAGE>

may obtain such insurance if not provided by such Borrower;  in such event, such
Borrower shall  reimburse the Collateral  Agent or the Agent upon demand for the
cost thereof together with interest, and such costs shall constitute Obligations
secured by the Collateral.

          SECTION 5.05.  Obligations  and Taxes.  Such Borrower shall pay all of
its indebtedness and obligations promptly and in accordance with their terms and
pay and discharge  promptly all taxes,  assessments and governmental  charges or
levies  imposed  upon it or upon its  income or  profits  or in  respect  of its
property,  before the same shall become in default, as well as all lawful claims
for labor,  materials and supplies or otherwise which, if unpaid, might become a
Lien upon such  properties or any part  thereof;  provided,  however,  that such
Borrower  shall not be required to pay and  discharge or to cause to be paid and
discharged  any  such  tax,  assessment,  charge,  levy or  claim so long as the
validity  or amount  thereof  shall be  contested  in good faith by  appropriate
proceedings  diligently pursued,  and such Borrower shall set aside on its books
such reserves as are required by GAAP with respect to any such tax,  assessment,
charge, levy or claim so contested.

          SECTION 5.06. Financial Statements,  Reports, etc. Such Borrower shall
furnish to the Agent and the Lenders (except as otherwise provided herein):

          (a) within one hundred  twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal
year  of such  Borrower,  two  sets of  annual  consolidated  and  consolidating
financial  statements for KMC Holdings (one excluding Excluded  Subsidiaries and
one including Excluded Subsidiaries),  and combined financial statements for the
Borrowers,  including the balance sheets and  statements of operations,  income,
stockholders'  equity  and  cash  flows,  for  such  fiscal  year,  prepared  in
accordance with GAAP, which  consolidated  financial  statements and other above
described  financial  information  shall  have  been  audited  by  a  nationally
recognized  independent  certified  public  accounting firm  satisfactory to the
Agent, and accompanied by such independent  certified public  accounting  firm's
unqualified opinion;

          (b) within  forty-five  (45) days after the end of each month and each
fiscal  quarter  during  each  fiscal year of such  Borrower,  consolidated  and
consolidating  unaudited  balance  sheets and  statements of operations  for KMC
Holdings, and combined unaudited balance sheets and statements of operations for
the Borrowers and  consolidated  and  consolidating  statements of stockholders'
equity and cash flows of KMC Holdings,  and combined consolidated  statements of
stockholders'  equity and cash flows of the Borrowers as of the end of each such
month or fiscal quarter, as applicable,  and for the then elapsed portion of the
fiscal year;  provided,  that with respect to the consolidated and consolidating
unaudited  balance  sheets and  statements  of  operations  for KMC Holdings and
statements of stockholders'  equity and cash flows of KMC Holdings  delivered as
of the end of each fiscal quarter,  such Borrower shall provide two sets of such
statements  (one  excluding  Excluded  Subsidiaries  and one including  Excluded
Subsidiaries);  provided,  further,  that such Borrower shall not be required to
deliver the items  described in this Section  5.06(b) on a monthly  basis at any
time that, and only for so long as, the Borrowers have achieved positive EBITDA;


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<PAGE>

          (c) concurrently with provision of the financial  statements  referred
to in clauses (a) and (b) above,  a  certificate  of KMC  Holdings'  independent
certified  public  accountant  or KMC  Holdings'  chief  financial  officer,  as
applicable,  to the effect that the financial  statements  referred to in clause
(a) or  (b)  above,  present  fairly  the  financial  position  and  results  of
operations  of KMC  Holdings,  and the  Borrowers and as having been prepared in
accordance with GAAP consistently  applied,  in each case subject to normal year
end audit adjustments except for the statements referred to in clause (a) above;

          (d) concurrently with (a) above, and any statements delivered pursuant
to (b) above in respect of the month of March and the  period  ending  March 31,
the month of June and the period  ending June 30 or the month of  September  and
the period ending  September 30, a Periodic  Reporting  Certificate of the chief
financial officer of KMC Holdings setting forth the calculations contemplated in
Article VII hereof,  the number of Completed  Systems and  certifying  as to the
fact that such Person has examined the  provisions of this Agreement and that no
Event of Default or any Default,  shall have  occurred and be  continuing  or if
such an event has  occurred,  a statement  explaining  its nature and extent and
setting  forth the steps the  Borrowers  propose  to take to cure such  Event of
Default;

          (e) (i) not later than December 1 of each calendar year, consolidating
and consolidated  projected and annual revenue and income statements,  including
detailed revenue and expense statements, balance sheets and cash flow statements
for  KMC  Holdings  for  the  succeeding  fiscal  year,  such  statements  to be
reasonably  acceptable to the Agents,  and (ii) not later than January 15, 1999,
an annual  operating  budget on a monthly  basis for such  calendar year and not
later than January 15 of each  calendar  year  beginning  January 15,  2000,  an
annual  operating  budget on a quarterly basis for such calendar year, with each
such budget to be in compliance with the Milestone Plan;

          (f) to the  Collateral  Agent,  all  material  agreements  or licenses
affecting  the  Governmental  Approvals of any  Borrower or any System  promptly
after any execution, or material amendment thereto;

          (g) to the Collateral Agent,  promptly upon their becoming  available,
copies of any  material  periodic  or  special  documents,  statements  or other
information  filed  by any  Borrower  with the  FCC,  PUC or other  Governmental
Authority in connection with the construction  and/or operation of any System or
with respect to the transactions  contemplated by any of the Loan Documents, and
copies of any material notices and other material  communications  from the FCC,
PUC or from any other Governmental Authority;

          (h) immediately upon any officer of any Borrower  obtaining  knowledge
of any condition or event (i) which either  constitutes an Event of Default or a
Default,  (ii) which renders any  representation  or warranty  contained  herein
materially false or misleading,  or when made,  renders any document  materially
false or  misleading,  or (iii) which would result in any financial  results for
any fiscal year to materially  deviate from the financial  results projected for
such fiscal year in the Milestone Plan or the financial projections described in
clause (e) above, a certificate signed by an authorized officer of such Borrower
specifying in reasonable  detail the nature and period of existence  thereof and
what corrective  action such Borrower has taken or proposes to take with respect
thereto;

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<PAGE>

          (i) within  thirty (30) days after the end of each fiscal year of such
Borrower,  a certificate  signed by an  authorized  officer of such Borrower (x)
setting  forth all the Real  Property,  Easements,  licenses,  rights of way and
other  similar  interests  in real  property  acquired  by such  Borrower in the
preceding  year and (y)  confirming  that no  Default  or Event of  Default  has
occurred and is continuing;

          (j)  evidence in the manner set forth in Section  5.04(e) of insurance
complying with Section 5.04;

          (k)  following  the  written  request  of the  Agent,  not later  than
forty-five  (45) days after the end of each  fiscal  month,  reports on accounts
receivable  and accounts  payable of such  Borrower in such detail and format as
may be reasonably requested by the Agent;

          (l)  promptly  upon the  filing  thereof,  copies of all  registration
statements and annual,  quarterly,  monthly or other regular  reports which such
Borrower or KMC Holdings files with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and

          (m) promptly  from time to time such other  information  regarding the
operations  (including,  without limitation,  construction  budgeting and System
completion),  business  affairs and  condition  (financial or otherwise) of such
Borrower or KMC Holdings as the Agent may reasonably request.

          SECTION 5.07.  Litigation and Other Notices.  Such Borrower shall give
the Agent prompt written notice upon obtaining  knowledge of the following:  (a)
all Events of Default  or  Defaults  and all events of default or any event that
would  become an event of default upon notice or lapse of time or both under any
of the terms or provisions of any note, or of any other evidence of indebtedness
or agreement or contract  governing the borrowing of money in excess of $250,000
in the aggregate, of such Borrower; (b) any levy, attachment, execution or other
process  against  any of the  property  or  assets,  real or  personal,  of such
Borrower in an amount in excess of $250,000;  (c) the filing or  commencement of
any  action,  suit or  proceeding  by or before  any  court or any  Governmental
Authority which, if adversely determined against such Borrower,  would result in
a Material  Adverse Effect;  (d) any material  adverse  notice,  letter or other
correspondence  of any kind from the FCC or the PUC relating to the Governmental
Approvals  or any System;  (e) any  default  under any other  material  license,
agreement  or  contract to which such  Borrower  is a party;  and (f) any matter
which has resulted in, or which such  Borrower  reasonably  believes will result
in, a Material Adverse Effect on such Borrower.

          SECTION  5.08.  Mortgages;   Landlord  Consents;  Licenses  and  Other
Agreements. As security for the Obligations, such Borrower shall with respect to
each Completed System, and each System which is not a Completed System but which
is requested to be financed with the proceeds of Loans (a) promptly  execute and
deliver to the Collateral  Agent (1) Mortgages in favor of and  satisfactory  to
the  Collateral  Agent  with  respect  to any real  property  purchased  by such
Borrower on which a switch or network  operating  center is located,  and at the
request  of the  Collateral  Agent,  with  respect  to any other  real  property
purchased by such  Borrower,  together with lender's title policies for any such
real  property  satisfactory  to  the  Collateral  Agent,  if  requested  by the
Collateral Agent, (2) leasehold  mortgages or collateral  assignments of leases,
landlord waivers or consents,  and appropriate  Uniform  Commercial Code fixture
financing  statements,  in each case  satisfactory to the Collateral  Agent with
respect  to any real  property  leased  by such  Borrower  and on  which  Switch
Equipment or a network  operating  center is located,  and at the request of the
Collateral  Agent,  with  respect  to any other  leased  real  property  of such
Borrower,  (3) Mortgages or collateral  assignments and consents satisfactory to
the  Collateral  Agent with respect to such  Borrower's  Easements and rights of
way, as requested by the Collateral Agent, (4) collateral  assignments of leases
and lessor consents,  satisfactory to and as requested by the Collateral  Agent,
with respect to any long-haul fiber leased by such Borrower and (5) with respect
to the First Eight Cities,  on or before the Closing  Date,  and with respect to
each other Completed  System or System,  at all times from and after the earlier
of (i) the date on which any Borrower  requests funding for such other Completed
System  or  System  and (ii) the date that is  forty-five  (45)  days  after the
Closing Date,  collateral  assignments and consents to such assignments from the
applicable third Persons,  for each other material lease,  license,  contract or
other  agreement  or  instrument  entered into by such  Borrower  after the date
hereof, as required by the Collateral Agent and (b) (1) update Schedule 1 to the
Collateral  Assignment of Licenses to cover all Governmental  Approvals obtained
by such  Borrower  after the Closing  Date and  agreements  entered into by such
Borrower  after the  Closing  Date with third  Persons,  (2) obtain  consents to
collateral  assignments from the licensors  granting the Governmental  Approvals
referred to in clause (b)(1) above and from those third  Persons  referred to in
clause (b)(1) above that are specified by the Collateral Agent, such consents to
collateral assignment to be in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral
Agent and (3) update Schedule 1 to the Collateral  Assignment of Leases to cover
all leases referred to in clause (a)(2) above.

          SECTION  5.09.  ERISA.  Such  Borrower  shall  comply in all  material
respects with the applicable  provisions of ERISA and furnish to the Agent,  (i)
as soon as  possible,  and in any  event  within  thirty  (30) days  after  such
Borrower  or any officer of such  Borrower  knows or has reason to know that any
Reportable Event with respect to any Plan has occurred or any Termination  Event
has occurred,  a statement of an officer of such Borrower  setting forth details
as to such Reportable Event or Termination  Event and the corrective action that
such Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto, together with a copy of the
notice of any such  Reportable  Event given to the PBGC, and (ii) promptly after
receipt  thereof,  a copy of any notice such  Borrower may receive from the PBGC
relating  to the  intention  of the PBGC to  terminate  any Plan or to appoint a
trustee to administer any such Plan.

          SECTION  5.10.  Access to Premises and Records.  Such  Borrower  shall
permit representatives of the Agents to have access to such Borrower's books and
records and to the  Collateral  and the premises of such  Borrower at reasonable
times upon reasonable notice and to make such excerpts from such records as such
representatives deem necessary and to inspect the Collateral.


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<PAGE>

          SECTION 5.11.  Design and  Construction.  Such Borrower  shall design,
construct,  equip and operate its Systems  substantially as previously disclosed
to  Lenders  in the  Milestone  Plan and in  accordance  with  prudent  industry
standards.

          SECTION  5.12.  Environmental  Notices.  If such  Borrower  shall  (a)
receive written notice that any violation of any Environmental Law may have been
committed  or is about to be  committed by such  Borrower,  (b) receive  written
notice that any  administrative or judicial complaint or order has been filed or
is  about  to  be  filed  against  such  Borrower  alleging  violations  of  any
Environmental  Law or requiring  such  Borrower to take any action in connection
with any Release of any  Contaminant  into the  environment,  or (c) receive any
written notice from a Governmental Authority or private party alleging that such
Borrower may be liable or responsible for costs associated with a response to or
cleanup of a Release or any damages caused thereby,  such Borrower shall provide
the Agent with a copy of such notice  within  twenty (20)  Business Days of such
Borrower's receipt thereof.

          SECTION 5.13.  Amendment of  Organizational  Documents.  Such Borrower
shall  notify  the  Agent  and the  Collateral  Agent  of any  amendment  to its
Certificate  or  Articles of  Incorporation  or other  organizational  documents
within ten (10) days of the occurrence of any such event,  and provide the Agent
with copies of any amendments certified by the secretary of such Borrower and of
all other relevant  documentation.  Such Borrower shall promptly  deliver to the
Collateral Agent such financing  statements  executed by such Borrower which the
Collateral Agent may request as a result of any such event.

          SECTION  5.14.  Third Party  Agreements  and Delivery  and  Acceptance
Certificates.  Such Borrower shall provide the Collateral  Agent with (i) copies
of all interconnection agreements, right of way agreements, easement agreements,
real property leases,  construction  agreements,  equipment purchase agreements,
fiber leases,  telephone line leases,  state and local franchise  agreements and
other agreements with municipalities, that in each case relate to each System of
such  Borrower,  promptly  after  execution  of each such  agreement;  provided,
however,  that with respect to certain of the foregoing categories of agreements
specified by the Collateral  Agent,  such Borrower shall be permitted to provide
the Collateral  Agent with  inventories of the particular types of agreements in
lieu of delivering  copies of the agreements,  which inventories shall be (x) in
form and substance  satisfactory to the Collateral  Agent and (y) updated by the
applicable Borrower promptly following the execution of any additional agreement
of the  type  inventoried;  provided,  further,  however,  that  nothing  in the
foregoing  proviso shall limit the Collateral  Agent's  ability to, at any time,
request  and  receive a copy of any third party  agreement  from the  applicable
Borrower, and (ii) (A) if the Lenders are funding a Completed System, a delivery
and acceptance  certificate  substantially  in the form of Exhibit R hereto with
respect to such  Completed  System and (B)  otherwise,  copies of  delivery  and
acceptance  certificates  substantially  in the form of  Exhibit  R hereto  with
respect to each item of  Telecommunications  Equipment with an invoiced purchase
price in excess of  $250,000,  in each  case,  where such  certificates  are not
required to be  delivered  to the Agent  pursuant to Section  2.03(a),  promptly
after  completion of such System or  acceptance  of such item of  Equipment,  as
applicable.


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<PAGE>

          SECTION 5.15.  Accounts  Payable.  Such Borrower shall pay each of its
accounts  payable in accordance with its practices as of the Closing Date but in
any event no later than sixty (60) days after the due date,  provided,  however,
that such Borrower  shall not be required to pay any account  payable as long as
the validity thereof shall be contested in good faith by appropriate  protest or
proceedings  and such  Borrower  shall  have set aside  adequate  reserves  with
respect thereto in accordance with GAAP.

          SECTION 5.16.  Intellectual  Property.  Such Borrower shall enter into
Intellectual  Property  Documents,  in form and  substance  satisfactory  to the
Collateral Agent, with respect to all of the Intellectual Property owned by such
Borrower.

          SECTION 5.17.  Fiscal Year. Such Borrower shall maintain a fiscal year
ending on December 31.

          SECTION 5.18.  Completed  Systems.  On or prior to June 30, 1999,  the
Borrowers shall have, on a combined basis,  Completed Systems in twenty-one (21)
cities.  On or prior to  September  30, 1999,  the  Borrowers  shall have,  on a
combined basis, Completed Systems in twenty-three (23) cities.

          SECTION 5.19. Year 2000 Problems.  On or prior to March 31, 1999, each
Borrower shall complete and deliver to the Agent a Year 2000 Corrective Plan. On
or prior to April 30, 1999,  each Borrower shall  implement Year 2000 Corrective
Actions.  On or prior to June 30, 1999,  each Borrower  shall complete Year 2000
Corrective  Actions  and  Year  2000  Implementation  Testing.  On or  prior  to
September 30, 1999, each Borrower shall eliminate all Year 2000 Problems, except
where the failure to correct the same could not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect, individually or in the aggregate.

          SECTION 5.20.  Subsidiary  Guarantees and Pledges. Such Borrower shall
(i) cause each Person which  becomes a Subsidiary  of such Borrower and does not
become a Borrower under this Agreement to execute a guaranty of the  Obligations
substantially  in the form of Exhibit G hereto,  but  exclusive of any financial
covenants,  and (ii)  execute a Pledge  Agreement  pursuant  to which all of the
Equity  Interests  in such  Person  will be  pledged  to the  Collateral  Agent,
provided,  that in the event  such  Person  is an  indirect  Subsidiary  of such
Borrower,  such Borrower shall cause each applicable Subsidiary of such Borrower
to pledge all of the Equity Interests in such Person to the Collateral Agent.

          SECTION 5.21. Accounting;  Maintenance of Records. Such Borrower shall
maintain a system of accounting  established and administered in accordance with
GAAP. Such Borrower shall keep and maintain,  and cause each of its Subsidiaries
to keep and  maintain,  in all  material  respects,  proper  books of record and
account in which entries in  conformity  with GAAP shall be made of all dealings
and transactions in relation to their respective businesses and activities.

          SECTION 5.22.  Further  Assurances.  Such  Borrower  agrees to do such
further  acts  and  things  and to  execute  and  deliver  to the  Agent  or the
Collateral   Agent  such   additional   assignments,   agreements,   powers  and
instruments,  at such Borrower's  expense,  as the Agent or the Collateral Agent
may  reasonably  require or deem  advisable to carry into effect the purposes of
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or to better assure and confirm unto
the Agent or the Collateral Agent its rights,  powers and remedies hereunder and
thereunder.

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<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE VI
                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

          Each  Borrower  covenants  and agrees with the Agent,  the  Collateral
Agent and the Lenders that as long as this Agreement shall remain in effect, any
Commitment hereunder shall be outstanding or any Obligations  hereunder or under
any of the Loan Documents  shall be unpaid,  unless the Requisite  Lenders shall
have otherwise given prior written consent:

          SECTION  6.01.  Liens,  etc. Such  Borrower  shall not create,  incur,
assume or suffer to exist, directly or indirectly, any Lien upon or with respect
to any of its properties or the Collateral,  now owned or hereafter acquired, or
upon any proceeds,  products, issues, income or profits therefrom except for the
following ("Permitted Liens"):

               (i) Liens granted pursuant to the Loan Documents;

               (ii) Liens  securing  any  Purchase  Debt to the extent  that the
          Liens cover only the subject assets purchased with such Purchase Debt;

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<PAGE>

               (iii) Liens for taxes,  assessments  or  governmental  charges or
          levies on such  Borrower's  property if the same shall not at the time
          be delinquent or thereafter can be paid without penalty,  or are being
          diligently contested in good faith and by appropriate  proceedings and
          for which such Borrower  shall have set aside reserves on its books as
          required by GAAP;

               (iv)  Liens  imposed  by  law,  such  as  landlord's,  carrier's,
          warehousemen's  and mechanic's  liens,  which liens shall be waived in
          writing to the extent  waivable,  and with respect to obligations  not
          yet due or being  contested in good faith by  appropriate  proceedings
          and in  either  case for  which  such  Borrower  shall  have set aside
          reserves on its books as required by GAAP;

               (v) Liens  arising  out of pledges or  deposits  under  workmen's
          compensation laws, unemployment insurance,  old age pensions, or other
          social security benefits other than any Lien imposed by ERISA;

               (vi) Liens  incurred or deposits  made in the ordinary  course of
          business to secure surety bonds  provided that such Liens shall extend
          only to cash collateral for such surety bonds; or


                                       68
<PAGE>

               (vii) Liens on cash securing the reimbursement  obligations under
          the Excluded Letters of Credit.

          SECTION  6.02.  Use of  Proceeds.  Such  Borrower  shall  not  use the
proceeds  of any Loan for any purpose  other than as  provided  in Section  2.02
hereof.

          SECTION  6.03.  Sale  of  Assets,  Consolidation,  Merger,  etc.  Such
Borrower shall not consolidate  with or merge into any other Person,  or without
the prior written consent of the Requisite  Lenders,  sell,  lease,  transfer or
otherwise  dispose of any  Collateral,  except for (a) sales of inventory in the
ordinary  course  of  business,  and (b) any  sale,  lease,  transfer  or  other
disposition  of assets no longer used or useful in the  conduct of the  Business
for the fair  market  value  thereof not to exceed  $250,000  in the  aggregate;
provided,  however,  that  if no  Event  of  Default  has  then  occurred  or is
continuing or would result  therefrom,  any Borrower,  upon  provision of thirty
days prior written  notice to the Agent and upon  compliance  with Section 8.02,
may merge with another Borrower.

          SECTION 6.04.  Dividends and Distributions;  Sale of Equity Interests.
(a) Such Borrower shall not purchase,  redeem or otherwise  acquire any interest
of such  Borrower,  declare or make or pay any  dividends  in any fiscal year of
such Borrower on any class or classes of stock,  return capital of such Borrower
to its shareholders,  make any other distribution on or in respect of any shares
of any class of capital  stock of such  Borrower  or make other  payments to any
shareholder  of such  Borrower  (including  in the form of  compensation,  loan,
expense  reimbursement or management fee); provided,  however,  that provided no
Event of Default or Default  has  occurred  and is  continuing  or would  result
therefrom,  (i) such  Borrower  may make  payments of fees or  compensation  for
services  which  are  in  the  nature  of  management,   corporate  overhead  or
administrative  services to the extent  permitted by Section  6.05 hereof,  (ii)
provided  further,  that (A) during the  previous  four  fiscal  quarters of the
Borrowers,  EBITDA  equaled at least  eighty-five  percent  (85%) of  "Estimated
EBITDA" (as defined below) and such Estimated EBITDA is a positive  number,  (B)
during the  previous  four  fiscal  quarters  of the  Borrowers,  the  Borrowers
maintained  a Fixed  Charge  Coverage  Ratio of at least 1.10 to 1.00,  (C) with
respect  to the next four  fiscal  quarters  of the  Borrowers,  EBITDA  for the
Borrowers,  as  projected  in the most recent  financial  information  furnished
pursuant to Section 5.06(e),  is projected to equal at least eighty-five percent
(85%) of Estimated  EBITDA for such fiscal quarters and such Estimated EBITDA is
a positive number,  and (D) with respect to the next four fiscal quarters of the
Borrowers,  the Fixed  Charge  Coverage  Ratio as  projected  in the most recent
financial information submitted to the Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section
5.06(e),  is projected to equal at least 1.10 to 1.00,  the Borrowers may pay to
KMC Holdings  dividends in the amount necessary to make scheduled  principal and
interest  payments  under the  Indenture,  and any other  amounts  due under the
Indenture (including Sections 4.14 and 7.07 thereunder).  Estimated EBITDA shall
mean "EBITDA" as calculated in the Milestone Plan.


                                       69
<PAGE>

          (b)  Such  Borrower  shall  not sell or issue  any  additional  Equity
Interests.

          SECTION 6.05.  Management Fees and Permitted Corporate Overhead.  Such
Borrower  shall  not  pay or  enter  into  any  arrangement  to pay  any  fee or
compensation,  or  reimburse  expenses  of, an Affiliate or any other Person for
services  which  are  in  the  nature  of  management,   corporate  overhead  or
administrative services except to the extent provided for in the Milestone Plan,
the Management Agreement or as described on Schedule 6.11 attached hereto.

                  SECTION 6.06.  Guarantees;  Third Party Sales and Leases. Such
Borrower  shall not  directly  or  indirectly,  (i)  assume  any  obligation  or
indebtedness  of another  Person,  (ii) make or assume any  Guarantee,  or (iii)
finance  any third  party  sales or  leases,  other than its  obligations  under
Section 2.15.

          SECTION  6.07.  Investments.  Such  Borrower  shall not,  directly  or
indirectly, make any Investments except:

                   (i)     Temporary Cash Investments;

                  (ii)  Investments  in  certificates  of  deposit,   repurchase
         agreements,  money market or other cash  management  accounts,  bankers
         acceptances  and short term  Eurodollar  time deposits  with  financial
         institutions  having a long  term  deposit  rating  of at least A+ from
         Moody's  Investors  Service,  Inc. or Standard & Poor's  Ratings Group,
         respectively;

                   (iii)  Investments  in  commercial  paper  rated  P1 or A1 by
         Moody's  Investors  Service,  Inc. or Standard & Poor's  Ratings  Group
         respectively; and

                  (iv) until March 15, 1999 an Investment in a corporate bond of
         Associates  Corporation  North  America  in  the  principal  amount  of
         $3,650,000 and maturing March 15, 1999.

          SECTION 6.08. Subsidiaries.  Such Borrower shall not create or acquire
any  Subsidiary  other  than with the prior  written  consent  of the  Requisite
Lenders.

                  SECTION 6.09.  Permitted  Activities.  Such Borrower shall not
engage in any business or activity  other than the  operation of its Business in
accordance  with the  Milestone  Plan without the prior  written  consent of the
Requisite Lenders.

                  SECTION  6.10.  Disposition  of Licenses,  etc.  Such Borrower
shall not sell,  assign,  transfer or otherwise dispose or attempt to dispose of
in any way any Governmental Approval or any other licenses, permits or approvals
(i) prior to the Trigger Date,  material,  in each case, to the operation of any
System in accordance  with the  Milestone  Plan and (ii) on or after the Trigger
Date, the  assignment,  transfer or disposal of which would result in a Material
Adverse Effect, without the prior written consent of the Requisite Lenders.

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<PAGE>

          SECTION 6.11. Transactions with Affiliates.  Except for the Management
Agreement,  the Tax Sharing  Agreement,  or as set forth on Schedule 6.11,  such
Borrower  shall  not  directly  or  indirectly,   enter  into  any  transaction,
including,  without  limitation,  leases or other agreements for the purchase or
use of any goods or services, with any Affiliate,  except in the ordinary course
of and pursuant to reasonable requirements of such Borrower's business upon fair
and reasonable  terms no less favorable to such Borrower than it would obtain in
a comparable arm's length transaction with an unaffiliated Person.

          SECTION 6.12. ERISA. Such Borrower shall not:

          (A) engage, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to engage, in any prohibited
transaction  described  in  Section  406 of ERISA or 4975 of the IRC for which a
statutory or class  exemption is not  available or a private  exemption  has not
been previously obtained from the United States Department of Labor;

          (B) permit to exist any accumulated  funding deficiency (as defined in
Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the IRC), whether or not waived;

          (C)  fail,  or permit  any  ERISA  Affiliate  to fail,  to pay  timely
required  contributions  or annual  installments  due with respect to any waived
funding deficiency to any Benefit Plan;

          (D) terminate, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to terminate, any Benefit
Plan which would result in any material  liability of such Borrower  under Title
IV of ERISA;

          (E) fail to make any contribution or payment to any Multiemployer Plan
which such  Borrower  or any ERISA  Affiliate  may be required to make under any
agreement relating to such Multiemployer Plan, or any law pertaining thereto;

          (F) amend, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to amend, a Plan resulting in
an increase in current  liability  for the plan year such that such  Borrower is
required to provide  security to such Plan under Section  401(a)(29) of the IRC;
or

          (G) fail,  or permit any ERISA  Affiliate to fail, to pay any required
installment  under  Section  412 of the IRC on or  before  the due date for such
installment or other payment.

          SECTION 6.13.  Indebtedness.  Such Borrower shall not create or suffer
to exist any Debt or any other  obligations  for the deferred  purchase price of
property or services except:

          (i) the Obligations;

          (ii) the obligations arising under any Loan Document;

          (iii) obligations under leases  contemplated in the Milestone Plan and
the Schedules to this Agreement;



                                       71
<PAGE>

          (iv) obligations  under Capitalized  Leases,  financing leases or loan
agreements  or  similar  debt  documents  with  respect  to  the  financing  and
contemplated   purchase  of  office   equipment,   vehicles  and   non-essential
telecommunications  equipment,  not  to  exceed  an  aggregate  amount  for  the
Borrowers of $5,000,000 at any time ("Purchase Debt");

          (v)  additional  unsecured  Debt  subordinate  to the  payment  of the
Obligations  on terms and  conditions  approved by the Agents but in no event to
exceed an aggregate  amount for the Borrowers of $1,000,000 in principal  amount
outstanding at any time;

          (vi)  performance   bonds  executed  solely  in  connection  with  the
construction of Systems in the ordinary course of business;

          (vii) Qualified Intercompany Loans; and

          (viii) Debt to the Agent consisting of  reimbursement  obligations for
letters of credit in an aggregate  outstanding  amount not to exceed $250,000 at
any one time for the account of the Borrower and not issued  pursuant to Section
2.10 (the "Excluded Letters of Credit").

          SECTION 6.14.  Prepayment and Debt Documents.  (a) Such Borrower shall
not voluntarily  prepay any Debt,  except the Obligations in accordance with the
terms hereof.

          (b) Such Borrower shall not amend any agreement relating to Debt other
than the Obligations in any manner which would increase the amount of principal,
interest or fees on such debt, or accelerate any payments of such Debt.

          SECTION 6.15.  Sale and Leaseback  Transactions.  Such Borrower  shall
not,  directly  or  indirectly,  enter  into any  arrangement  with  any  Person
providing  for such  Borrower to lease or rent property that any Borrower or KMC
Holdings has sold or will sell or otherwise transfer to such Person.

          SECTION 6.16. Margin Regulation. Such Borrower shall not use or permit
any other Person to use any portion of the proceeds of any credit extended under
this  Agreement in any manner which might cause the  extension of credit made by
any Lender or the  application of such proceeds to violate the Securities Act of
1933 or Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 (each as amended from time to time, and
any successor  statute) or to violate  Regulation G, Regulation U, or Regulation
X, or any other  regulation  of the Federal  Reserve  Board,  in each case as in
effect  on the  date or  dates  of such  extension  of  credit  and  such use of
proceeds.

          SECTION 6.17.  Management  and Tax Sharing  Agreements.  Such Borrower
shall not amend the  Management  Agreement  or the Tax Sharing  Agreement in any
manner that would have a material  adverse effect on the Lenders,  the Borrowers
or the transactions contemplated hereby.


                                       72
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE VII
                               FINANCIAL COVENANTS

          Each Borrower covenants and agrees with the Agent and the Lenders that
as long as this Agreement shall remain in effect, any Commitment hereunder shall
be outstanding or the  Obligations  hereunder or under any of the Loan Documents
shall be unpaid,  unless the Requisite  Lenders shall have otherwise given prior
written consent:

          SECTION 7.01.  Financial Covenants Prior to Achieving Positive EBITDA.
Until the  earlier to occur of (i) June 29,  2001 and (ii) the date on which the
Borrowers  shall  have  achieved  positive  EBITDA  for all the  Borrowers  on a
combined basis for two consecutive fiscal quarters as determined by reference to
the financial statements submitted pursuant to Section 5.06:

          (a) Total Debt to Contributed  Capital. The Borrowers shall not at any
time permit the ratio of the Total Debt to Contributed Capital to exceed 1.00 to
1.00.

          (b) Minimum Revenues.  As of the last day of each fiscal quarter,  the
Borrowers  shall on a combined  basis have revenues at least equal to 85% of the
amount  projected for such date in the Milestone Plan, which amount is set forth
in item 1 on Annex B attached hereto.

          (c) EBITDA.

               (i) As of the last day of each  fiscal  quarter  occurring  on or
          after the Closing  Date and on or prior to  September  30,  2000,  the
          Borrowers  shall not permit the EBITDA losses for all the Borrowers on
          a combined basis for the two fiscal quarters then ending to exceed the
          greater of (A) 115% of such losses projected for each such date in the
          Milestone  Plan,  which  amount  is set  forth  in  item 2 on  Annex B
          attached hereto and (B) $5,000,000  less than the aggregate  amount of
          EBITDA  projected  for each such  date in the  Milestone  Plan,  which
          amount is set forth in item 2 on Annex B attached hereto.

               (ii) As of the last day of each fiscal  quarter  thereafter,  the
          Borrowers  shall not permit EBITDA for all the Borrowers on a combined
          basis  for the two  fiscal  quarters  then  ending to be less than the
          greater  of (A) 85% of the  amount of EBITDA  projected  for each such
          date in the  Milestone  Plan,  which  amount is set forth in item 3 on
          Annex B attached  hereto and (B)  $5,000,000  less than the  aggregate
          amount of EBITDA  projected for each such date in the Milestone  Plan,
          which amount is set forth as item 3 on Annex B attached hereto.

          (d) Capital  Expenditures.  As of the last day of each fiscal quarter,
the Borrowers shall not permit capital  expenditures  on a combined,  cumulative
basis beginning on the Closing Date to exceed the amounts set forth in item 4 on
Annex B attached hereto.


                                       73
<PAGE>

          (e) Minimum  Access Lines.  As of the last day of each fiscal  quarter
beginning   March  31,  2000,  the  Borrowers  shall  have  in  place  at  least
seventy-five  percent (75%) of the Access Lines  projected for each such date in
the  Milestone  Plan,  which amounts are set forth in item 6 on Annex B attached
hereto.

          SECTION 7.02.  Financial Covenants After Achieving Positive EBITDA. On
and  after  the  earlier  of (i) June 30,  2001,  and (ii) the date on which the
Borrowers have achieved  positive EBITDA on a combined basis for two consecutive
fiscal quarters as determined by reference to the financial statements submitted
pursuant to Section 5.06:

          (a) Maximum Total  Leverage  Ratio.  As of the last day of each fiscal
quarter,  the Borrowers  shall not permit the Total Leverage Ratio to be greater
than the following:

                                                   Maximum Total
Fiscal Quarter Ending                              Leverage Ratio
- - ---------------------                              --------------

On or Prior to June 30, 2001                         8.0 to 1.0
September 30, 2001                                   6.0 to 1.0
December 31, 2001                                    4.0 to 1.0
March 30, 2002                                       3.0 to 1.0
June 30, 2002                                        3.0 to 1.0
September 30, 2002                                   3.0 to 1.0
December 31, 2002                                    3.0 to 1.0
Last Day of each                                     2.0 to 1.0
  Fiscal Quarter Thereafter

          (b) Minimum Debt Service  Coverage  Ratio.  As of the last day of each
fiscal  quarter,  the Borrowers shall not permit the ratio of (1) EBITDA for the
Borrowers on a combined basis for the most recently  ended six month period,  to
(2) Interest Expense for the most recently ended six month period plus Principal
Payments  required  during the most  recently  ended six month period to be less
than the following:

                                                     Minimum Debt Service
Fiscal Quarter Ending                                    Coverage Ratio
- - ---------------------                                    --------------

On or prior to December 31, 2001                           1.5 to 1.0
Last Day of each Fiscal                                    2.0 to 1.0
  Quarter Thereafter

          (c) Minimum  Fixed Charge  Coverage  Ratio.  As of the last day of any
fiscal  quarter,  the Borrowers shall not permit the ratio of (1) the product of
two times the EBITDA for the Borrowers on a combined basis for the most recently
ended six month period to (2) Fixed Charges for the Borrowers  (such ratio being
referred to as the "Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio") to be less than the following:


                                       74
<PAGE>

                                               Minimum Fixed Charge
Fiscal Quarter Ending                              Coverage Ratio
- - ---------------------                              --------------

On or prior to June 30, 2001                         0.5 to 1.0
September 30, 2001                                   1.0 to 1.0
December 31, 2001                                    1.0 to 1.0
Last Day of each Fiscal                              1.1 to 1.0
  Quarter Thereafter

          (d) Maximum  Consolidated  Leverage  Ratio.  As of the last day of any
fiscal  quarter,  the Borrowers  shall not permit the ratio of (1)  Consolidated
Debt to (2) the product of two times the sum of EBITDA for KMC  Holdings and its
Subsidiaries  (excluding its Excluded  Subsidiaries) on a consolidated basis for
the most recently ended six month period to be greater than the following:

                                                     Maximum Total
Fiscal Quarter Ending                               Leverage Ratio
- - ---------------------                               --------------

On or Prior to June 30, 2001                         20.0 to 1.0
September 30, 2001                                   15.0 to 1.0
December 31, 2001                                    11.0 to 1.0
March 31, 2002                                       10.0 to 1.0
June 30, 2002                                        10.0 to 1.0
September 30, 2002                                   10.0 to 1.0
December 31, 2002                                    10.0 to 1.0
March 31, 2003                                       8.0 to 1.0
June 30, 2003                                        8.0 to 1.0
September 30, 2003                                   8.0 to 1.0
December 31, 2003                                    8.0 to 1.0
Last Day of Each Fiscal                              6.0 to 1.0
  Quarter Thereafter


                                  ARTICLE VIII
                               COLLATERAL SECURITY

          SECTION  8.01.   Collateral  Security.   (a)  To  secure  payment  and
performance of all of the  Obligations,  each of the Borrowers  hereby grants to
the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Collateral  Agent, the Agent and the
Lenders,  to the  extent  permitted  by law,  a right of  setoff  against  and a
continuing  security  interest  in and to all of such  Borrower's  tangible  and
intangible personal property,  fixtures and real property leasehold and easement
interests,  whether now owned or  existing,  or  hereafter  acquired or arising,
wheresoever  located,  including,  without  limitation,  all  of  the  following
property,   or   interests   in   property:   (a)  all   machinery,   equipment,
Telecommunications  Equipment and fixtures,  including without limitation, fiber
optic and other  cables,  transmission  and  switching  equipment,  transmission
facilities,   connection   equipment,   conduit,   carrier   pipes,   junctions,


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<PAGE>

regenerators, power sources, alarm systems, electronics, structures and shelters
and  cable  laying  equipment;  (b) all  Accounts,  accounts  receivable,  other
receivables,  contract rights, leases,  chattel paper,  investment property, and
general intangibles of such Borrower (including,  without limitation,  goodwill,
going  concern  value,   patents,   trademarks,   trade  names,  service  marks,
blueprints,  designs,  product lines and research and  development),  including,
without  limitation,  all of such Borrower's rights under all present and future
Governmental Approvals, permits, licenses and franchises heretofore or hereafter
granted  to such  Borrower  for  the  operation  and  ownership  of its  Systems
(excluding  licenses  and  permits  issued  by the  FCC,  any  PUC or any  other
Governmental  Authority to the extent, and only to the extent, it is unlawful to
grant a security  interest in such licenses and permits,  but including,  to the
maximum  extent  permitted by law, all rights  incident or  appurtenant  to such
licenses and permits,  including,  without limitation,  the right to receive all
proceeds derived from or in connection with the sale,  assignment or transfer of
such  licenses and  permits),  whether now owned or  hereafter  acquired by such
Borrower,  or in which  such  Borrower  may now  have or  hereafter  acquire  an
interest; (c) all instruments,  letters of credit,  documents of title, policies
and  certificates  of insurance,  securities,  bank deposits,  deposit  accounts
(including such Borrower's Collection Accounts),  checking accounts and cash now
or hereafter  owned by such Borrower,  or in which such Borrower may now have or
hereafter acquire an interest; (d) all inventory, including all merchandise, raw
materials,  work in process, finished goods and supplies, now or hereafter owned
by such Borrower or in which such Borrower may now have or hereafter  acquire an
interest;  (e) all of such Borrower's  leasehold  interest in any real property,
all of such  Borrower's  licenses,  easements  and rights of way with respect to
real property;  (f) all accessions,  additions or improvements to, substitutions
for and all proceeds and products of, all of the foregoing,  including  proceeds
of insurance;  and (g) all books, records,  documents,  computer tapes and discs
relating to all of the foregoing.

          SECTION 8.02.  Preservation  of Collateral  and Perfection of Security
Interests  Therein.  Such Borrower  shall execute and deliver to the  Collateral
Agent for the benefit of the Collateral Agent, the Agent and the Lenders,  prior
to the Initial Funding Date, and at any time or times  thereafter at the request
of the Collateral  Agent,  all financing  statements or other documents (and pay
the cost of filing or recording the same in all public offices deemed  necessary
by the  Collateral  Agent),  as the  Collateral  Agent  may  request,  in a form
satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, to perfect and keep perfected the security
interest in the Collateral  granted by such Borrower to the Collateral  Agent or
to otherwise  protect and preserve the  Collateral  and the  Collateral  Agent's
security interest therein or to enforce the Collateral Agent's security interest
in the Collateral.  Should such Borrower fail to do so, the Collateral  Agent is
authorized to sign any such financing  statements as such Borrower's agent. Such
Borrower  further agrees that a carbon,  photographic  or other  reproduction of
this  Agreement  or  of a  financing  statement  is  sufficient  as a  financing
statement.

          SECTION 8.03.  Appointment of the  Collateral  Agent as the Borrowers'
Attorney-in-Fact.   Such  Borrower   hereby   irrevocably   designates,   makes,
constitutes and appoints the Collateral Agent (and all persons designated by the
Collateral  Agent) as such  Borrower's  true and  lawful  attorney-in-fact,  and
authorizes the Collateral  Agent, in such  Borrower's or the Collateral  Agent's
name, to,  following the  occurrence  and during the  continuance of an Event of
Default: (i) demand payment of such Borrower's Accounts; (ii) enforce payment of


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such Borrower's  Accounts by legal proceedings or otherwise;  (iii) exercise all
of such  Borrower's  rights and remedies with respect to proceedings  brought to
collect an Account;  (iv) sell or assign any Account  upon such terms,  for such
amount and at such time or times as the Collateral  Agent deems  advisable;  (v)
settle,  adjust,  compromise,  extend or renew an Account;  (vi)  discharge  and
release any Account;  (vii) prepare,  file and sign such  Borrower's name on any
proof of claim in bankruptcy or other similar document against an account debtor
of such  Borrower;  (viii)  notify  the post  office  authorities  to change the
address for delivery of such  Borrower's  mail to an address  designated  by the
Collateral  Agent,  and open and deal with all mail  addressed to such Borrower;
(ix) do all acts and things which are necessary,  in the Collateral Agent's sole
discretion,  to fulfill such Borrower's  obligations  under this Agreement;  (x)
take control in any manner of any item of payment or proceeds thereof; (xi) have
access  to any  lockbox  or  postal  box  into  which  such  Borrower's  mail is
deposited;  (xii)  endorse  such  Borrower's  name upon any items of  payment or
proceeds  thereof  and  deposit the same in the  Collateral  Agent's  account on
account of the Obligations; (xiii) endorse such Borrower's name upon any chattel
paper, document, instrument,  invoice, or similar document or agreement relating
to any Account or any goods pertaining  thereto;  and (xiv) sign such Borrower's
name on any verification of Accounts and notices thereof to account debtors.

          SECTION   8.04.   Collection  of  Accounts  and   Restricted   Account
Arrangements.  Such Borrower hereby represents and warrants that each depository
account  ("Collection  Account")  now  maintained  by such  Borrower at any bank
("Collection Agent") for the collection of checks and cash constituting proceeds
of  Accounts  and  sales  of  other  personal  property  which  are  part of the
Collateral  is  identified  on  Schedule  8.04  attached  hereto and made a part
hereof. With respect to each Collection  Account,  such Borrower shall, no later
than the Initial  Funding Date,  deliver to the Collateral  Agent, a "Restricted
Account  Agreement"  substantially  in the form of Exhibit N attached hereto and
made a part  hereof,  duly  executed  and  delivered  by such  Borrower  and the
applicable  Collection  Agent,  authorizing and directing such Collection Agent,
upon  receipt  of  written  notice  from the  Collateral  Agent that an Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing,  to deposit all checks and cash received
into a  restricted  account  (a  "Restricted  Account")  and remit  all  amounts
deposited in such Restricted Account to the Collateral Agent's account specified
in such Restricted  Account  Agreement  until such time as the Collection  Agent
receives written notice from the Collateral  Agent rescinding such  instruction.
Such Borrower  shall,  following the occurrence and during the continuance of an
Event of Default and any subsequent  request by the Collateral  Agent  therefor,
take such further action as the Collateral  Agent may reasonably  deem desirable
to effect the  transfer of  exclusive  ownership  and control of the  Restricted
Accounts and all Collection  Accounts to the Collateral Agent.  Until all of the
Obligations  have been  indefeasibly  paid in full,  such Borrower agrees not to
enter into any  agreement  or execute  and  deliver  any  direction  which would
modify,  impair or adversely  affect the rights and  benefits of the  Collateral
Agent under any  Restricted  Account  Agreement.  Such Borrower  shall not open,
establish or maintain any  Collection  Account  (other than those  identified on
Schedule 8.04 hereto) without first having  delivered to the Collateral  Agent a
duly executed and delivered  Restricted  Account  Agreement with respect to such
Collection  Account.  Such Borrower shall notify the Collateral Agent in writing
not less than five (5) days  prior to the date it shall  open or  establish  any
Collection Account other than an account described on Schedule 8.04 hereto.


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          SECTION 8.05.  Cure Rights.  Such Borrower  expressly  authorizes  the
Collateral Agent, and the Collateral Agent may, but shall not be required to, at
any time and from time to time,  to take any and all action  that it  reasonably
determines  to be  necessary  or  desirable  to cure any  default  or  violation
(including  a payment  default)  of such  Borrower in  connection  with any real
estate lease,  license  agreement,  Governmental  Approval or any other material
lease, agreement or contract entered into with respect to the Systems.


                                   ARTICLE IX
                           EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES

          SECTION  9.01.  Events of Default.  The  following  events  shall each
constitute an "Event of Default":

          (a) Any Borrower shall fail to pay the principal of or interest on its
Notes or any other  amounts  payable  hereunder  or under any of the other  Loan
Documents when due,  whether as scheduled,  at a date fixed for  prepayment,  by
acceleration or otherwise, and five (5) Business Days shall have elapsed; or

          (b) Any Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any other  covenant,
condition or  agreement  to be observed or performed by such  Borrower in any of
the Loan Documents,  and such Borrower fails to cure such breach within ten (10)
Business  Days after  written  notice  thereof  unless  the breach  relates to a
covenant  contained in Sections  5.04, or Article VI (other than Section 6.05 or
Section  6.07) or VII, in which case no notice or grace period  shall apply,  or
unless the breach  relates  to Section  5.06,  in which case an Event of Default
shall  occur on the  thirtieth  day  following  the  breach  without  any notice
requirement, unless the breach shall have been cured before such date; or

          (c)  Any  representation  or  warranty  made  by any  Borrower  or KMC
Holdings in connection  with this Agreement or any other Loan  Document,  or the
Loans  or any  statement  or  representation  made in any  report,  certificate,
financial  statement  or other  instrument  furnished  by or on  behalf  of such
Borrower or KMC Holdings  pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document,
shall prove to have been false or misleading  in any material  respect when made
or delivered or when deemed made in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof;
or

          (d) Any  Borrower or KMC  Holdings  shall fail to make any payment due
(whether by scheduled maturity,  required  prepayment,  acceleration,  demand or
otherwise) on any other obligation for borrowed money in excess of $250,000 with
respect to any Borrower or in excess of $1,000,000 with respect to KMC Holdings,
and such failure shall  continue  after the  applicable  grace  period,  if any,
specified in the agreement or instrument  relating to such indebtedness;  or any
other  default  or event  under any  agreement  or  instrument  relating  to any
indebtedness  for  borrowed  money in excess of  $250,000  with  respect  to any
Borrower or in excess of $1,000,000  with respect to KMC Holdings,  or any other
event, shall occur and shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any,
specified in such agreement or instrument if the effect of such default or event
is to  accelerate,  or to permit  the  acceleration  of,  the  maturity  of such


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<PAGE>

indebtedness  in excess of $250,000 with respect to any Borrower or in excess of
$1,000,000 with respect to KMC Holdings;  or any such  indebtedness in excess of
$250,000 with respect to any Borrower or in excess of $1,000,000 with respect to
KMC  Holdings  shall be declared to be due and payable or required to be prepaid
(other than by a regularly  scheduled  required  prepayment) prior to the stated
maturity thereof; or

          (e) Any Borrower or KMC Holdings shall (i) apply for or consent to the
appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian,  sequestrator or similar official
for such  Borrower or KMC Holdings or for a  substantial  part of its  property,
(ii) make a general  assignment  for the  benefit  of  creditors,  (iii)  become
unable, or admit in writing its inability,  to pay its debts as they become due,
(iv) voluntarily or involuntarily dissolve, liquidate or wind up its affairs, or
(v) take action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; or

          (f) a proceeding under any bankruptcy, reorganization,  arrangement of
debts, insolvency or receivership law is filed by or against any Borrower or KMC
Holdings,  or any Borrower or KMC Holdings  takes any action to authorize any of
the foregoing matters, and in the case of any such proceeding instituted against
any  Borrower  or KMC  Holdings  (but  not  instituted  by any  Borrower  or KMC
Holdings),  either such  proceeding  shall remain  undismissed or unstayed for a
period of 60 days or any of the actions  sought in such  proceeding  (including,
without limitation, the entry of an order for relief against, or the appointment
of a  receiver,  trustee  or other  similar  official  for any  Borrower  or KMC
Holdings  or any  substantial  part of its  property)  shall be granted or shall
occur; or

          (g) a  Termination  Event occurs which the  Requisite  Lenders in good
faith believe would subject any Borrower to a material liability; or

          (h) the plan administrator of any Plan applies under Section 412(d) of
the IRC for a waiver of the minimum  funding  standards of Section 412(a) of the
IRC and the  Requisite  Lenders in good faith  believe that the approval of such
waiver could subject any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to material  liability;
or

          (i)  any  of  the   Governmental   Approvals  or  any  other  license,
Governmental  Approval or other  governmental  consent or approval necessary for
the  continuing  operation of any  Borrower or any System or any other  material
Governmental Approval or approval of or material filing with the FCC, any PUC or
any other Governmental  Authority with respect to the conduct by any Borrower of
its business and  operations,  including its Business,  shall not be obtained or
shall  cease to be in full  force and  effect,  which in  respect  of any of the
Governmental  Approvals  shall,  in the case of an order of the FCC,  any PUC or
other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto, revoking,
or  deciding  not to  renew,  any such  Governmental  Approval,  occur  upon the
issuance  of such  order,  and,  in the  case of any  other  order  revoking  or
terminating  any of the  Governmental  Approvals  or deciding  not to renew such
Governmental  Approvals prior to the termination thereof,  occur when such order
becomes final,  and in each case, with respect to any such event occurring on or
after the  Trigger  Date,  such event is also  reasonably  likely to result in a
Material Adverse Effect; or


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<PAGE>

          (j) the FCC,  any PUC or any other  Governmental  Authority,  by final
order,  determines  that the existence or  performance  of this Agreement or any
other Loan Document will result in a revocation,  suspension or material adverse
modification  of any of the  Governmental  Approvals  for any  System,  and with
respect  to any such  event  occurring  on and  after  the  Trigger  Date,  such
determination is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or

          (k) for any  reason any Loan  Document  shall not be in full force and
effect or shall not be enforceable in accordance with its terms, or any security
interest or lien granted pursuant  thereto with respect to Collateral  having an
aggregate value of $500,000 or greater shall fail to be perfected or to have its
intended  priority,  or any Borrower or any Affiliate  thereof shall contest the
validity of any Lien granted under, or shall disaffirm its obligations under any
Loan Document; or

          (l) any Borrower shall default under any Lucent Purchase  Agreement or
Additional Purchase Agreement, which default shall not have been cured or waived
within the applicable grace period thereunder unless such Borrower is contesting
such default in good faith by appropriate  protest or proceedings and shall have
set aside adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP; or

          (m) for any  reason,  any  Borrower  ceases to  operate  any System or
ceases to own any of its  Governmental  Approvals  necessary for the  continuing
operation  of any System,  and with  respect to any such event  occurring  on or
after the Trigger  Date,  such  cessation  is  reasonably  likely to result in a
Material Adverse Effect; or

          (n) a  judgment  or  judgments  for the  payment of money in excess of
$250,000  individually  or $500,000 in the  aggregate at any one time shall have
been rendered against any Borrower and the same shall have remained  unsatisfied
and in  effect  for any  period  of  sixty  (60)  days  during  which no stay of
execution shall have been obtained; or

          (o) any Borrower is enjoined,  restrained  or in any way  prevented by
the order of any court or  administrative  or regulatory  agency from conducting
its  business in any  material  respect  with  respect to any one or more of its
Systems  and with  respect to any such event  occurring  on or after the Trigger
Date, such event is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or

          (p) any Borrower becomes subject to any liabilities,  costs, expenses,
damages,  fines or  penalties  which  could  reasonably  be  expected  to have a
Material  Adverse Effect arising out of or related to (i) any Remedial Action in
response to a Release or threatened  Release at any location of any  Contaminant
into the indoor or outdoor  environment  or (ii) any  material  violation of any
Environmental Law; or

          (q) a Change of Control shall occur; or

          (r) KMC  Holdings  shall  fail to observe  or  perform  any  covenant,
condition  or  agreement  to be observed or performed by KMC Holdings in the KMC
Holdings Guaranty; or


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<PAGE>

          (s) any  Borrower  shall  fail to observe  or  perform  any  covenant,
condition  or  agreement  to be observed or  performed  by such  Borrower in any
material  agreement  (other than a Loan Document or an agreement  referred to in
Section  9.01(d)),  such  Borrower  fails to cure such  breach  within  ten (10)
Business Days after written notice thereof, and with respect to any such failure
occurring on or after the Trigger  Date,  such failure is  reasonably  likely to
result in a Material  Adverse  Effect,  unless such Borrower is contesting  such
covenant, condition or agreement by appropriate protest or proceedings and shall
have set aside adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP.

          SECTION  9.02.  Termination  of  Commitment;  Acceleration.  Upon  the
occurrence and at any time during the  continuance of any Event of Default,  the
Agent shall upon direction from the Requisite Lenders:

          (a) by notice to the Borrowers,  terminate Lenders' Commitment to make
Loans hereunder; or

          (b)  by  notice  to  the  Borrowers,  declare  the  Obligations  to be
immediately due and payable,  whereupon all the Obligations shall be immediately
due and payable without further notice of any kind, provided,  however,  that if
an Event of Default  described in Section  9.01(f) shall exist or occur,  all of
the Obligations shall automatically,  without declaration or notice of any kind,
be  immediately  due and  payable  and the  Commitment  shall  be  automatically
terminated.

          SECTION 9.03.  Waivers.  Demand,  presentment,  protest and notices of
nonpayment, protest, dishonor and acceptance are hereby waived by each Borrower.
Each Borrower also waives the benefit of all valuation,  appraisal and exemption
laws and the posting of any bond required of the Collateral  Agent, the Agent or
any Lender in connection with any judicial process to realize on the Collateral,
to enforce any judgment or other court order entered in favor of the  Collateral
Agent, the Agent or any Lender or to enforce by specific performance,  temporary
restraining order, or preliminary or permanent injunction, this Agreement or any
other Loan Documents. Each Borrower waives the right, if any, to the benefit of,
or  to  direct  the  application  of,  any  Collateral.   Each  Borrower  hereby
acknowledges  that none of the Collateral Agent, the Agent or any Lender has any
obligation  to resort to any  Collateral  or make claim against any other Person
before seeking payment or performance from any Borrower.

          SECTION 9.04.  Rights and Remedies  Generally.  If an Event of Default
occurs and is  continuing,  the Agent and the  Collateral  Agent shall have,  in
addition to any other rights and remedies  contained in this Agreement or in any
of the other Loan  Documents,  all of the rights and remedies of a secured party
under the Code or other  applicable laws, all of which rights and remedies shall
be cumulative,  and none exclusive,  to the extent permitted by law. In addition
to all such rights and remedies,  the sale,  lease or other  disposition  of the
Collateral,  or any part thereof, by the Collateral Agent or the Agent after the
occurrence  of an Event of Default  may be for cash,  credit or any  combination
thereof,  and the Collateral  Agent or the Agent may purchase all or any part of
the  Collateral at public or, if permitted by law,  private sale, and in lieu of
actual payment of such purchase  price,  may set off the amount of such purchase
price against the  Obligations  then owing.  Any sales of the  Collateral may be
adjourned from time to time with or without notice.  The Agent or the Collateral


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<PAGE>

Agent,  may,  in its sole  discretion,  cause  the  Collateral  to remain on the
premises of any Borrower, at the expense of the Borrowers, pending sale or other
disposition of the Collateral.  The Agent or the Collateral Agent shall have the
right to conduct such sales on the premises of any  Borrower,  at the expense of
the Borrowers, or elsewhere, on such occasion or occasions as it may see fit.

          SECTION  9.05.  Entry Upon Premises and Access to  Information.  If an
Event of Default  occurs and is continuing,  the Agent and the Collateral  Agent
shall  have the  right to enter  upon the  premises  of any  Borrower  where any
Collateral is located (or is believed to be located)  without any  obligation to
pay rent to such Borrower,  or any other place or places where the Collateral is
believed to be located and kept,  and render the  Collateral  unusable or remove
the Collateral therefrom to the premises of the Agent or the Collateral Agent or
any agent of the Agent or the  Collateral  Agent,  for such time as the Agent or
the Collateral  Agent may desire,  in order  effectively to collect or liquidate
the  Collateral,  and/or  the  Agent or the  Collateral  Agent may  require  any
Borrower to assemble  the  Collateral  and make it available to the Agent or the
Collateral  Agent at a place or  places  to be  designated  by the  Agent or the
Collateral Agent. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing,  the Agent or
the  Collateral  Agent shall have the right to obtain  access to any  Borrower's
data  processing  equipment,  computer  hardware  and  software  relating to the
Collateral and to use all of the foregoing and the information contained therein
in any manner the Agent or the Collateral Agent deems appropriate.

          SECTION 9.06.  Sale or Other  Disposition  of Collateral by the Agent.
Any notice required to be given by the Agent or the Collateral  Agent of a sale,
lease  or  other  disposition  or  other  intended  action  by the  Agent or the
Collateral Agent with respect to any of the Collateral which is deposited in the
United States mails, registered or certified, postage prepaid and duly addressed
to the Borrowers at the address  specified in Section 11.01 below,  at least ten
days prior to such proposed action shall  constitute fair and reasonable  notice
to the Borrowers of any such action.  The net proceeds  realized by the Agent or
the Collateral  Agent upon any such sale or other  disposition,  after deduction
for the expense of retaking,  holding,  preparing for sale,  selling or the like
and the reasonable  attorneys' fees and legal expenses  incurred by the Agent or
the  Collateral  Agent in  connection  therewith,  shall be applied as  provided
herein  toward  satisfaction  of the  Obligations.  The Agent or the  Collateral
Agent,  as applicable,  shall account to the Borrowers for any surplus  realized
upon such sale or other  disposition,  and the Borrowers shall remain liable for
any  deficiency.  The  commencement  of any action,  legal or equitable,  or the
rendering  of any  judgment  or decree for any  deficiency  shall not affect the
Collateral Agent's security interest in the Collateral. The Borrowers agree that
the  Collateral  Agent has no  obligation to preserve  rights to the  Collateral
against any other parties. The Agent and the Collateral Agent are hereby granted
a license or other right to use, without charge, the Borrowers' labels, patents,
copyrights,  rights of use of any name, trade secrets, trade names,  trademarks,
service marks and advertising matter, or any property of a similar nature, as it
pertains to the Collateral, and the Borrowers' rights under all licenses and all
franchise  agreements  shall  inure to the Agent's  and the  Collateral  Agent's
benefit until the Obligations are paid in full.

          SECTION  9.07.   Governmental   Approvals.   In  connection  with  the
enforcement by the Agent or the Collateral Agent of any remedies available to it
as a result of any Event of Default, each Borrower agrees that it shall join and


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cooperate fully with, at the request of the Agent or the Collateral  Agent,  any
receiver  referred  to below  and/or  the  successful  bidder or  bidders at any
foreclosure  sale in a filing of an application  (and  furnishing any additional
information  that may be required in connection  with such  application or which
the Agent or the Collateral Agent may believe relevant to such application) with
the FCC, any PUC and all other applicable Governmental  Authorities,  requesting
their prior  approval of (i) the operation or  abandonment of all or the portion
of any System and/or (ii) the transfer of control of such Borrower or assignment
of all licenses,  certificates,  Governmental Approvals,  approvals and permits,
issued to such Borrower by the FCC, any PUC or any such Governmental Authorities
with  respect  to any  System  and the  operation  thereof,  to the Agent or the
Collateral  Agent,  the  receiver or to the  successful  bidder or  bidders.  In
connection  with the foregoing,  each Borrower shall take such further  actions,
and  execute  all  such  instruments,  as  the  Agent  or the  Collateral  Agent
reasonably deems necessary or desirable.  Each Borrower agrees that the Agent or
the Collateral Agent may enforce any obligation of such Borrower as set forth in
this section by an action for specific performance.  In addition,  each Borrower
hereby  irrevocably  constitutes and appoints the Agent and the Collateral Agent
and any agent or officer thereof (which appointment is coupled with an interest)
as its  true  and  lawful  attorney-in-fact  with  full  irrevocable  power  and
authority  and in the place and stead of such  Borrower  and in the name of such
Borrower  or in its own  name,  from  time to time in its  discretion  after the
occurrence  and during the  continuance of an Event of Default and in connection
with the  foregoing,  for the purpose of  executing on behalf and in the name of
such Borrower any and all of the  above-referenced  instruments  and to take any
and all appropriate action in furtherance of the foregoing.  THE EXERCISE OF ANY
RIGHTS OR REMEDIES HEREUNDER OR UNDER ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT BY ANY LENDER, THE
AGENT  OR THE  COLLATERAL  AGENT  THAT MAY  REQUIRE  FCC,  ANY PUC OR ANY  OTHER
GOVERNMENTAL  AUTHORITY  APPROVAL  SHALL BE SUBJECT TO OBTAINING  SUCH APPROVAL.
PENDING  THE  RECEIPT OF ANY FCC,  ANY PUC OR ANY OTHER  GOVERNMENTAL  AUTHORITY
APPROVAL, NO BORROWER SHALL DO ANYTHING TO DELAY, HINDER,  INTERFERE OR OBSTRUCT
THE  EXERCISE  OF THE  AGENT'S  OR THE  COLLATERAL  AGENT'S  RIGHTS OR  REMEDIES
HEREUNDER IN OBTAINING SUCH APPROVALS.

          SECTION 9.08.  Appointment of Receiver or Trustee.  In connection with
the exercise of its remedies under this  Agreement,  the Agent or the Collateral
Agent may, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, obtain the appointment of
a receiver or trustee to assume,  upon receipt of all necessary  judicial,  FCC,
any PUC or other  Governmental  Authority  consents or approvals,  control of or
ownership of any of the Governmental  Approvals.  Such receiver or trustee shall
have all rights and powers  provided  to it by law or by court order or provided
to the Agent or the Collateral Agent under this Agreement.  Upon the appointment
of such trustee or receiver,  the Borrowers  agree to  cooperate,  to the extent
necessary or appropriate,  in the expeditious preparation,  execution and filing
of an application to the FCC, any PUC or any other Governmental Authority or for
consent to the transfer of control or assignment of any Borrower's  Governmental
Approvals to the receiver or trustee.

          SECTION  9.09.  Right of  Setoff.  In  addition  to any  rights now or
hereafter  granted under applicable law and not by way of limitation of any such
rights,  upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default,
each Lender and each holder of any Note is hereby authorized at any time or from
time to time,  without  notice to any Borrower or to any other Person,  any such


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<PAGE>

notice being hereby expressly waived, to set off and to appropriate and to apply
any and all  balances  held by it at any of its  offices  for the account of any
Borrower (regardless of whether such balances are then due to such Borrower) and
any other  properties  or assets  any time held or owing by that  Lender or that
holder to or for the credit or for the  account of any  Borrower  against and on
account  of any of the  Obligations  which are not paid when due.  Any Lender or
holder of any Note  exercising  a right to set off or  otherwise  receiving  any
payment on account of the  Obligations  in excess of its Pro Rata Share  thereof
shall  purchase  for cash (and the other  Lenders  or holders  shall  sell) such
participation  in each such other  Lender's  or  holder's  Pro Rata Share of the
Obligations  as would be  necessary  to cause such Lender to share the amount so
set off or otherwise  received  with each other  Lender or holder in  accordance
with their  respective  Pro Rata Shares.  Each Borrower  agrees,  to the fullest
extent permitted by law, that (a) any Lender or holder may exercise its right to
set off  with  respect  to  amounts  in  excess  of its Pro  Rata  Share  of the
Obligations  and may  sell  participations  in such  amount  so set off to other
Lenders and holders and (b) any Lender or holder so  purchasing a  participation
in the Loans made or other  Obligations  held by other  Lenders  or holders  may
exercise all rights of set-off,  bankers' lien,  counterclaim  or similar rights
with respect to such  participation  as fully as if such Lender or holder were a
direct  holder  of the Loans and the  other  Obligations  in the  amount of such
participation.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  if all or any  portion  of the
set-off amount or payment  otherwise  received is thereafter  recovered from the
Lender that has exercised the right of set-off,  the purchase of  participations
by that Lender  shall be  rescinded  and the  purchase  price  restored  without
interest. Each Borrower hereby agrees that the foregoing provisions are intended
to be construed so as to satisfy the  requirements of Section 553 of the Federal
Bankruptcy Code or amendments thereto (including any requirement of mutuality of
obligations therein).


                                    ARTICLE X
                       THE AGENT AND THE COLLATERAL AGENT

          SECTION 10.01.  Appointment of Agent. (a) First Union National Bank is
hereby appointed to act as contractual  representative  on behalf of all Lenders
under this  Agreement and the other Loan  Documents.  The Agent agrees to act as
such contractual  representative  upon the express conditions  contained in this
Article X. The  provisions  of this Section  10.01 are solely for the benefit of
the Agent and the Lenders and no  Borrower  or any other  Person  shall have any
rights  as a  third  party  beneficiary  of  any of the  provisions  hereof.  In
performing  its  functions  and duties under this  Agreement  and the other Loan
Documents,  the Agent  shall act solely as an agent of the  Lenders and does not
assume  and  shall  not be  deemed  to have  assumed  any  obligation  toward or
relationship  of agency or trust with or for any  Borrower or any other  Person.
The Agent shall have no duties or  responsibilities  except for those  expressly
set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan  Documents.  Notwithstanding  the
use of the defined term "Agent", it is expressly  understood and agreed that the
Agent shall not have any fiduciary  responsibilities  to any Lender by reason of
this Agreement and that the Agent is merely acting as the  representative of the
Lenders with only those duties as are expressly set forth in this  Agreement and
the  other  Loan  Documents.   In  its  capacity  as  the  Lenders'  contractual
representative, the Agent (i) does not assume any fiduciary duties to any of the
Lenders, (ii) is a "representative" of the Lenders within the meaning of Section


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9-105 of the UCC and (iii) is acting as an  independent  contractor,  the rights
and duties of which are limited to those  expressly set forth in this  Agreement
and the other  Loan  Documents.  Each of the  Lenders  agrees to assert no claim
against  the Agent on any agency  theory or any other  theory of  liability  for
breach of fiduciary  duty, all of which claims each Lender  waives.  Neither the
Agent nor any of its Affiliates nor any of their respective officers, directors,
employees,  agents or  representatives  shall be liable  to any  Lender  for any
action  taken or  omitted  to be taken by it  hereunder  or under any other Loan
Document,  or in connection herewith or therewith,  except for damages caused by
its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct.

          (b)  If  the  Agent  shall  request  instructions  from  all  Lenders,
Requisite  Lenders,  Requisite  Revolving  Lenders or all affected  Lenders with
respect to any act or action (including  failure to act) in connection with this
Agreement  or any other  Loan  Document,  then the Agent  shall be  entitled  to
refrain  from such act or taking  such  action  unless and until the Agent shall
have  received  instructions  from all  Lenders,  Requisite  Lenders,  Requisite
Revolving  Lenders or all  affected  Lenders,  as the case may be, and the Agent
shall not incur  liability to any Person by reason of so  refraining.  The Agent
shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action  hereunder or
under any other Loan  Document (a) if such action  would,  in the opinion of the
Agent,  be  contrary  to law or the terms of this  Agreement  or any other  Loan
Document,  (b) if such action  would,  in the  opinion of the Agent,  expose the
Agent to  liabilities  beyond the limits of this  Agreement  or (c) if the Agent
shall not first be indemnified to its satisfaction against any and all liability
and expense  which may be incurred  by it by reason of taking or  continuing  to
take any such action.  Without limiting the foregoing,  no Lender shall have any
right of action whatsoever  against the Agent as a result of the Agent acting or
refraining from acting  hereunder or under any other Loan Document in accordance
with the instructions of all Lenders,  Requisite  Lenders,  Requisite  Revolving
Lenders or all affected Lenders, as applicable.

          SECTION 10.02. Agent's Reliance, Etc. Neither the Agent nor any of its
Affiliates nor any of their respective directors,  officers, agents or employees
shall be liable for any action  taken or omitted to be taken by it or them under
or in connection  with this  Agreement or the other Loan  Documents,  except for
damages  caused by its or their  own gross  negligence  or  willful  misconduct.
Without limitation of the generality of the foregoing,  the Agent: (a) may treat
the payee of any Note as the holder  thereof  until the Agent  receives  written
notice of the  assignment or transfer  thereof  signed by such payee and in form
satisfactory  to the Agent;  (b) may  consult  with legal  counsel,  independent
public  accountants and other experts selected by it and shall not be liable for
any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by it in  accordance  with
the advice of such  counsel,  accountants  or experts;  (c) makes no warranty or
representation  to any Lender and shall not be responsible to any Lender for any
statements,  warranties or  representations  made in or in connection  with this
Agreement or the other Loan Documents;  (d) shall not have any duty to ascertain
or to inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms, covenants
or conditions of this  Agreement or the other Loan  Documents on the part of any
Borrower or to inspect the  Collateral  (including  the books and records);  (e)
shall  not be  responsible  to any  Lender  for  the  due  execution,  legality,
validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement or
the other Loan Documents or any other instrument or document  furnished pursuant
hereto or thereto;  and (f) shall incur no liability under or in respect of this


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Agreement  or the other  Loan  Documents  by acting  upon any  notice,  consent,
certificate or other instrument or writing (which may be by telecopy,  telegram,
cable or telex)  believed  by it to be genuine  and signed or sent by the proper
party or parties.

          SECTION 10.03.  FUNB and  Affiliates.  With respect to its Commitments
hereunder,  FUNB shall have the same rights and powers under this  Agreement and
the other Loan Documents as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though
it were  not the  Agent;  and the  term  "Lender"  or  "Lenders"  shall,  unless
otherwise expressly indicated, include FUNB in its individual capacity. FUNB and
its Affiliates may lend money to, invest in, and generally engage in any kind of
business  with,  any Borrower,  any of its  Affiliates and any Person who may do
business with or own securities of any Borrower or any such Affiliate, all as if
FUNB were not the Agent and  without  any duty to account  therefor  to Lenders.
FUNB and its  Affiliates  may  accept  fees  and  other  consideration  from any
Borrower for services in  connection  with this  Agreement or otherwise  without
having to account for the same to Lenders. FUNB may also purchase or hold Equity
Interests  or warrants in KMC  Holdings or any  Borrower  and make  subordinated
loans to any  Borrower.  Each  Lender  acknowledges  the  potential  conflict of
interest  between  FUNB as a Lender  holding  disproportionate  interests in the
Loans, FUNB as a member or subordinated debt holder, of the Borrower and FUNB as
Agent.

          SECTION 10.04.  Lender Credit Decision.  Each Lender acknowledges that
it has,  independently  and without  reliance upon the Agent or any other Lender
and based on the financial  information given it by the Borrowers and such other
documents and information as it has deemed appropriate,  made its own credit and
financial  analysis  of the  Borrowers  and its own  decision to enter into this
Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without
reliance  upon the Agent or any other  Lender  and based on such  documents  and
information as it shall deem  appropriate at the time,  continue to make its own
credit  decisions  in taking or not taking  action  under this  Agreement.  Each
Lender acknowledges the potential conflict of interest of each other Lender as a
result of Lenders holding disproportionate interests in the Loans, and expressly
consents to, and waives any claim based upon, such conflict of interest.

          SECTION  10.05.  Indemnification.   Each  of  the  Lenders  agrees  to
indemnify  the Agent (to the extent not  reimbursed by the Borrowers and without
limiting the  obligations of Borrowers  hereunder),  ratably  according to their
respective  Pro  Rata  Shares,   from  and  against  any  and  all  liabilities,
obligations,  losses,  damages,  penalties,  actions,  judgments,  suits, costs,
expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature  whatsoever which may be imposed
on, incurred by, or asserted against the Agent in any way relating to or arising
out of this  Agreement or any other Loan Document or any action taken or omitted
by the Agent in connection therewith; provided, however, that no Lender shall be
liable  for any  portion  of such  liabilities,  obligations,  losses,  damages,
penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting
from the Agent's gross  negligence or willful  misconduct.  Without limiting the
foregoing,  each Lender agrees to reimburse  the Agent  promptly upon demand for
its  ratable  share  of any  out-of-pocket  expenses  (including  counsel  fees)
incurred by the Agent in connection with the preparation,  execution,  delivery,
administration,   modification,   amendment  or  enforcement   (whether  through
negotiations,  legal proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of


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rights or  responsibilities  under, this Agreement and each other Loan Document,
to the  extent  that  the  Agent is not  reimbursed  for  such  expenses  by the
Borrowers.

          SECTION 10.06.  Successor  Agent.  The Agent may resign at any time by
giving not less than thirty (30) days' prior written  notice  thereof to Lenders
and the Borrowers.  Upon any such resignation,  the Requisite Lenders shall have
the right to appoint a successor Agent. If no successor Agent shall have been so
appointed by the  Requisite  Lenders and shall have  accepted  such  appointment
within 30 days after the resigning  Agent's giving notice of  resignation,  then
the resigning Agent may, on behalf of Lenders,  appoint a successor Agent, which
shall be a  Lender,  if a Lender  is  willing  to accept  such  appointment,  or
otherwise shall be a commercial bank or financial institution or a subsidiary of
a commercial bank or financial  institution if such commercial bank or financial
institution  is organized  under the laws of the United  States of America or of
any  State  thereof  and  has  a  combined  capital  and  surplus  of  at  least
$300,000,000.  If  no  successor  Agent  has  been  appointed  pursuant  to  the
foregoing,  by the 30th day after the date such notice of resignation  was given
by the  resigning  Agent,  such  resignation  shall  become  effective  and  the
Requisite  Lenders shall  thereafter  perform all the duties of Agent  hereunder
until such time, if any, as the Requisite  Lenders  appoint a successor Agent as
provided above. Any successor Agent appointed by the Requisite Lenders hereunder
shall  be  subject  to  the  approval  of  Borrowers,  such  approval  not to be
unreasonably  withheld  or delayed;  provided  that such  approval  shall not be
required  if a  Default  or an Event  of  Default  shall  have  occurred  and be
continuing.  Upon the  acceptance  of any  appointment  as Agent  hereunder by a
successor  Agent,  such successor  Agent shall succeed to and become vested with
all the rights,  powers,  privileges and duties of the resigning Agent. Upon the
earlier of the acceptance of any  appointment as Agent  hereunder by a successor
Agent or the effective date of the resigning Agent's resignation,  the resigning
Agent shall be discharged from its duties and  obligations  under this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents,  except that any indemnity  rights or other rights
in favor of such resigning  Agent shall  continue.  After any resigning  Agent's
resignation  hereunder,  the provisions of this Section 10.06 shall inure to its
benefit as to any actions  taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent
under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

          SECTION 10.07. Payments; Non-Funding Lenders; Information;  Actions in
Concert.

          (a)  Loans;  Payments.  Whenever  the  Agent  receives  a  payment  of
principal,  interest,  fee or premium (if any) or other payment, or whenever the
Agent makes an application of funds,  in connection  with the Loans or the Notes
(including, without limitation, any payment or application from any Collateral),
the Agent will on the date such  payment is received or applied,  if on or prior
to 11:00 a.m.  (Eastern  time) on such date,  or otherwise on the next  Business
Day, pay over to each Lender as instructed by such Lender in writing,  an amount
equal to such Lender's Pro Rata Share of such payment  provided that such Lender
has  funded  all  Loans  required  to  be  made  by it  and  has  purchased  all
participation  required to be purchased by it under this Agreement and the other
Loan  Documents as of such date.  To the extent that any Lender (a  "Non-Funding
Lender")  has failed to fund all such  payments  and Loans or failed to fund the
purchase of all such  participation,  the Agent shall be entitled to set off the
funding  short-fall  against  that  Non-Funding  Lender's  Pro Rata Share of all
payments  received  from the  Borrowers.  All payments by Agent shall be made by
wire transfer to such  Lender's  account (as specified by such Lender) not later
than 2:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on the applicable Business Day.

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          (b) Return of Payments.  (i) If Agent pays an amount to a Lender under
this Agreement in the belief or expectation  that a related  payment has been or
will be received by the Agent from the Borrowers and such related payment is not
received by Agent,  then the Agent will be entitled to recover  such amount from
such Lender on demand without set-off, counterclaim or deduction of any kind.

               (ii) If the Agent determines at any time that any amount received
          by the Agent under this  Agreement must be returned to any Borrower or
          paid to any other Person  pursuant to any insolvency law or otherwise,
          then, notwithstanding any other term or condition of this Agreement or
          any other Loan Document,  the Agent will not be required to distribute
          any portion thereof to any Lender. In addition, each Lender will repay
          to Agent on  demand  any  portion  of such  amount  that the Agent has
          distributed  to such Lender,  together  with interest at such rate, if
          any,  as the Agent is  required  to pay to any  Borrower or such other
          Person, without set-off, counterclaim or deduction of any kind.

          (c) Non-Funding Lenders. The failure of any Non-Funding Lender to make
any portion of its Loans or any payment  required  by it  hereunder  on the date
specified  therefor  shall not relieve any other Lender (each such other Lender,
an "Other  Lender") of its  obligations  to make any such Loan on such date, but
neither any Other Lender nor the Agent shall be  responsible  for the failure of
any  Non-Funding  Lender to make any Loan.  Notwithstanding  anything  set forth
herein to the  contrary,  a  Non-Funding  Lender  shall  not have any  voting or
consent  rights  under or with  respect to any Loan  Document  or  constitute  a
"Lender" (or be included in the calculation of "Requisite Lenders" or "Requisite
Revolving  Lenders"  hereunder)  for any voting or consent  rights under or with
respect to any Loan Document.

          (d)  Dissemination  of  Information.  The  Agent  will use  reasonable
efforts  to  provide  Lenders  with any  notice of  Default  or Event of Default
received by the Agent from,  or delivered by the Agent to, the  Borrowers,  with
notice of any Event of Default of which the Agent has actually  become aware and
with  notice of any action  taken by the Agent  following  any Event of Default;
provided,  however,  that the Agent  shall not be liable to any  Lender  for any
failure to do so, except to the extent that such failure is  attributable to the
Agent's gross  negligence or willful  misconduct.  Lenders  acknowledge that the
Borrowers are required to provide  financial  statements and other  documents to
Lenders  pursuant to this  Agreement and agree that the Agent shall have no duty
to provide the same to Lenders.

          (e) Actions in Concert.  Anything in this  Agreement  to the  contrary
notwithstanding, each Lender hereby agrees with each other Lender that no Lender
shall  take any action to protect  or  enforce  its rights  arising  out of this
Agreement  or the Notes  (including  exercising  any rights of set-off)  without
first obtaining the prior written consent of the Agent and Requisite Lenders, it
being the intent of Lenders  that any such  action to protect or enforce  rights
under  this  Agreement  and the  Notes  shall  be taken  in  concert  and at the
direction or with the consent of Agent.


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          SECTION 10.08. Collateral Matters.

          (a) The Lenders hereby irrevocably  authorize the Collateral Agent, at
its option and in its reasonable business judgment, to release any Lien upon any
Collateral  (i)  upon  the  termination  of  the  Commitments  and  payment  and
satisfaction  of all Loans and all other  Obligations  and which the  Collateral
Agent has been notified in writing are then due and payable;  (ii)  constituting
property being sold or disposed of if the applicable  Borrower  certifies to the
Collateral Agent that the sale or disposition is made in compliance with Section
6.03 (and the Collateral  Agent may rely  conclusively on any such  certificate,
without  further  inquiry);   or  (iii)  constituting  property  leased  to  the
applicable  Borrower  under a lease  which has expired or been  terminated  in a
transaction  permitted under this Agreement or which will expire  imminently and
which has not been,  and is not  intended  by such  Borrower  to be,  renewed or
extended and with respect to which such  Borrower has not exercised any purchase
option.  Except as provided above,  the Collateral Agent will not release any of
the Liens without the prior  written  authorization  of the  Requisite  Lenders;
provided  that the  Collateral  Agent may not  release  the Liens on  Collateral
valued in the  aggregate  in  excess  of  $500,000  without  the  prior  written
authorization of the Requisite  Lenders and may not release all or substantially
all of the  Collateral  without the consent of the Lenders.  Upon request by the
Collateral  Agent or the  Borrowers  at any time,  the Lenders  will  confirm in
writing the Collateral  Agent's  authority to release any Liens upon  particular
types or items of Collateral pursuant to this Section 10.08(a).

          (b) Upon receipt by the Collateral Agent of any authorization required
pursuant  to  Section  10.08(a)  from  the  Requisite  Lenders  or  Lenders,  as
applicable,  of the  Collateral  Agent's  authority  to  release  any Liens upon
particular  types or items of  Collateral,  and upon at least five (5)  Business
Days' prior written  request by the  applicable  Borrower,  and provided that no
Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing, the Collateral Agent shall
(and is hereby irre vocably authorized by the Lenders to) execute such documents
as may be necessary  to evidence the release of the Liens upon such  Collateral;
provided,  however,  that (i) the  Collateral  Agent  shall not be  required  to
execute any such document on terms which,  in the  Collateral  Agent's  opinion,
would  expose the  Collateral  Agent to liability  or create any  obligation  or
entail any consequence  other than the release of such Liens without recourse or
warranty,  and (ii) such release  shall not in any manner  discharge,  affect or
impair the  Obligations or any Liens (other than those expressly being released)
upon (or  obligations  of the  applicable  Borrower in respect of) all interests
retained by the applicable Borrower, including (without limitation) the proceeds
of any sale, all of which shall continue to constitute part of the Collateral.

          (c) The Collateral Agent shall have no obligation whatsoever to any of
the Lenders to assure that the Collateral  exists or is owned by any Borrower or
is cared for, protected or insured or has been encumbered, or, other than a duty
to act  without  recklessness,  willful  misconduct  or  gross  (but  not  mere)
negligence,  that the Liens  have been  properly  or  sufficiently  or  lawfully
created,  perfected,  protected  or enforced or are  entitled to any  particular
priority, or to exercise at all or in any particular manner or under any duty of
care,  disclosure  or fidelity,  or to continue  exercising,  any of the rights,
authorities  and powers  granted or  available  to the  pursuant to this Section
10.08 or pursuant to any of the Loan Documents,  it being  understood and agreed
that in  respect  of the  Collateral,  or any act,  omission  or  event  related
thereto, the Collateral Agent may act in any manner it may deem appropriate,  in


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its reasonable  business judgment,  given the Collateral Agent's own interest in
the  Collateral  in its  capacity as one of the Lenders and that the  Collateral
Agent shall have no other duty or liability  whatsoever  to any Lender as to any
of the foregoing.

          SECTION 10.09. Agency for Perfection. Each Lender hereby appoints each
other  Lender as agent for the  purpose  of  perfecting  the  Lenders'  security
interest  in  assets  which,  in  accordance  with  Article  9 of the UCC can be
perfected  only by  possession.  Should any Lender  (other  than the  Collateral
Agent) obtain  possession of any such  Collateral,  such Lender shall notify the
Collateral  Agent thereof,  and,  promptly upon the Collateral  Agent's  request
therefor shall deliver such Collateral to the Collateral Agent.

          SECTION  10.10.   Concerning  the  Collateral  and  the  Related  Loan
Documents and the Collateral  Agent. (a) Each Lender  authorizes and directs the
Collateral  Agent to enter  into this  Agreement  and the other  Loan  Documents
relating to the Collateral,  for the ratable benefit of the Lenders. Each Lender
agrees that any action taken by the  Collateral  Agent or  Requisite  Lenders in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents relating
to the  Collateral,  and the exercise by the  Collateral  Agent or the Requisite
Lenders of their  respective  powers set forth therein or herein,  together with
such other powers that are reasonably incidental thereto,  shall be binding upon
all of the Lenders.

          (b) The  Collateral  Agent with respect to the  administration  of the
Collateral  shall have the same rights,  obligations  and status as the Agent as
are set forth in Section 10.01, 10.02, 10.03, 10.04, 10.05, and 10.06 above.


                                   ARTICLE XI
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

          SECTION 11.01. Notices;  Action on Notices, etc. (a) Notices and other
communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by
a courier service of recognized standing  (specifying one (1) day delivery),  or
by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid,  return receipt requested (or,
if by telecopy communications  equipment of the sending party, delivered by such
equipment) addressed,  if to the Borrowers, at KMC Telecom Inc., 1545 Route 206,
Suite 300,  Bedminster,  NJ 07921;  Attention:  President;  (telecopy  no. (908)
719-8775,  confirmation no. (908) 470-2200) with a copy to Alan M. Epstein Esq.,
Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, 101 Park Avenue,  New York,  NY 10178;  (telecopy  no.
(212)  808-7897,  confirmation  no. (212)  808-7800),  if to the Agent, at First
Union National Bank, Communications/Media  Finance-PA4829, 1339 Chestnut Street,
Philadelphia,  PA  19107,  Attention:   Elizabeth  Elmore  (telecopy  no.  (215)
786-7721,  confirmation no. (215) 786-4321),  and if to the Collateral Agent, at
AT&T Commercial Finance, Two Gatehall Drive,  Parsippany,  NJ 07054,  Attention:
Media and Communications,  (telecopy no. (973) 355-7644,  confirmation no. (973)
355-7630).  All notices and other  communications  given to any party  hereto in
accordance  with the provisions of this  Agreement  shall be deemed to have been
given (a) five  Business Days after mailing when sent by registered or certified
mail,  postage prepaid,  return receipt  requested,  or (b) upon receipt,  if by


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courier service or any telecopy communications  equipment of the sender, in each
case  addressed to such party as provided in this Section or in accordance  with
the latest unrevoked direction from such party.

          (b) Each Borrower  agrees that the Agent or the  Collateral  Agent may
act upon any notice, consent,  certificate,  cable, telex or other instrument or
writing  believed by the Agent or the Collateral  Agent to be genuine,  that the
Agent or the Collateral  Agent may consult with legal  counsel,  selected by the
Agent or the  Collateral  Agent and shall not be liable to any  Borrower for any
action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by Lender in  accordance  with
the advice of such counsel.

          SECTION 11.02. No Waivers;  Amendments. (a) No failure or delay of the
Agent,  the  Collateral  Agent or any Lender to exercise any right  hereunder or
under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver  thereof,  nor shall any
single or partial  exercise  of any such  right,  preclude  any other or further
exercise  thereof or the exercise of any other right. No waiver of any provision
of this Agreement or any other Loan Document nor consent to any departure by any
Borrower  therefrom shall in any event be effective  unless the same shall be in
writing and signed by the Agent and the Requisite Lenders,  and then such waiver
or consent shall be effective only in the specific  instance and for the purpose
for which given.  No notice or demand on any Borrower in any case shall  entitle
any  Borrower  to any other or  further  notice or  demand in  similar  or other
circumstances.

          (b) Subject to the provisions of this Section 11.02(b),  the Requisite
Lenders (or the Agent with the consent in writing of the Requisite  Lenders) and
the Borrowers may enter into agreements  supplemental  hereto for the purpose of
adding or  modifying  any  provisions  to the Loan  Documents or changing in any
manner the rights of the Lenders or the Borrowers hereunder or waiving any Event
of Default or Default hereunder;  provided,  however,  that no such supplemental
agreement shall, without the consent of each Lender affected thereby:

               (i)   Postpone  or  extend  the   Revolving   Credit   Commitment
          Termination  Date,  the maturity  date for the loans or any other date
          fixed for any payment of  principal  of, or interest  on, the Loans or
          any fees or other  amounts  payable to such Lender except with respect
          to (A) any modifications of the provisions  relating to prepayments of
          Loans and other Obligations and (B) a waiver of the application of the
          default rate of interest pursuant to Section 2.05(b) hereof.

               (ii) Reduce the principal amount of any Loans, or reduce the rate
          or extend the time of payment of interest or fees thereon.

               (iii)  Reduce  the  percentage  specified  in the  definition  of
          Requisite  Lenders  or  Requisite   Revolving  Lenders  or  any  other
          percentage  of Lenders  specified to be the  applicable  percentage in
          this Agreement to act on specified  matters or amend the definition of
          "Pro Rata Share".


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               (iv)  Increase  the  amount  of  any  Commitment  of  any  Lender
          hereunder or increase any Lender's Pro Rata Share.

               (v)  Permit  any   Borrower  to  assign  its  rights  under  this
          Agreement.

               (vi) Release all or substantially all of the Collateral.

               (vii) Amend this Section 11.02(b).

No amendment of any  provision  of this  Agreement  relating to the Agent or the
Collateral Agent shall be effective  without the written consent of the Agent or
the Collateral Agent, as applicable.

          SECTION 11.03. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION.  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE
OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS  SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE  WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE
INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CONFLICTS OF
LAWS PRINCIPLES.  THE BORROWERS, THE AGENT, THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND THE LENDERS
CONSENT TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY LOCAL,  STATE OR FEDERAL COURT LOCATED IN THE
CITY AND STATE OF NEW YORK AND WAIVE ANY OBJECTION RELATING TO IMPROPER VENUE OR
FORUM NON CONVENIENCE TO THE CONDUCT OF ANY PROCEEDING BY SUCH COURT.

          SECTION  11.04.  Expenses.  The Borrowers will pay, and have joint and
several  liability  for,  all  documented  out-of-pocket   third-party  expenses
(including  in each case all  reasonable  attorneys'  and  paralegals'  fees and
related expenses and costs), (i) incurred by the Agent, the Collateral Agent and
the  Documentation  Agent in connection  with the  negotiation,  preparation and
execution of the Loan Documents  (whether or not the  transactions  contemplated
hereby shall be consummated),  subject, however, to the limitations set in those
certain letters dated September 25, 1998 between KMC Holdings and the Agent, and
KMC Holdings and the Documentation  Agent, with respect to the fees and expenses
of counsel  for the Agent and the  Documentation  Agent,  (ii)  incurred  by the
Agents,  in connection with the  administration  of the Loan Documents,  and the
creation,  perfection,  priority and protection of the Liens in the  Collateral,
and (iii) incurred by any Agent or any Lender in connection with the enforcement
of the rights of any Agent or any Lender in connection with this Agreement,  any
other Loan Documents or the Collateral,  or any restructuring or workout of this
Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

          SECTION 11.05. Equitable Relief. Each Borrower recognizes that, in the
event  such  Borrower  fails  to  perform,  observe  or  discharge  any  of  its
obligations or liabilities under this Agreement, or any other Loan Document, any
remedy at law may prove to be  inadequate  relief to the Agent,  the  Collateral
Agent and the Lenders;  therefore,  such  Borrower  agrees that the Agent or the
Collateral  Agent,  if it so  requests,  shall  be  entitled  to  temporary  and
permanent  injunctive  relief in any such case without the  necessity of proving
actual damages.


                                       92
<PAGE>

          SECTION  11.06.  Indemnification;  Limitation  of  Liability.  (a) The
Borrowers  jointly and severally  agree to protect,  indemnify and hold harmless
the  Agent,  the  Collateral  Agent  each  Lender  and each of their  respective
officers, affiliates, directors, employees, attorneys, accountants, consultants,
representatives  and agents  (collectively  called the  "Indemnitees")  from and
against  any and  all  liabilities,  obligations,  losses,  damages,  penalties,
actions, judgments, suits, claims, costs, expenses and disbursements (including,
without limitation,  payment by the Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender of
any  obligations  due or past due under any  contract or  agreement to which any
Borrower  is or  becomes a party) of any kind or nature  whatsoever  (including,
without limitation, the fees and disbursements of counsel for and consultants of
such  Indemnitees  in  connection  with  any  investigative,  administrative  or
judicial proceeding, whether or not such Indemnitees shall be designated a party
thereto),  which may be  imposed  on,  incurred  by, or  asserted  against  such
Indemnitees (whether direct, indirect, or consequential and whether based on any
federal  or  state  laws or  other  statutory  regulations,  including,  without
limitation, securities, environmental and commercial laws and regulations, under
common law or at  equitable  cause or on  contract or  otherwise)  in any manner
relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents,
or any act, event or transaction related or attendant thereto, the agreements of
the Agent, the Collateral Agent or the Lenders contained  herein,  the making of
Loans,  the management of such Loans or the Collateral  (including any liability
under  Environmental  Laws) or the use or intended  use of the  proceeds of such
Loans hereunder  (collectively,  the "Indemnified  Matters");  provided that the
Borrowers shall not have any obligation to any Indemnitee hereunder with respect
to Indemnified  Matters  caused by or resulting  from the willful  misconduct or
gross  negligence of such Indemnitee;  provided,  further that no Borrower shall
have any obligation to any  Indemnitee  hereunder with respect to taxes that are
imposed on the net income of any  Indemnitee or any franchise or doing  business
taxes  imposed  on any  Indemnitee.  To  the  extent  that  the  undertaking  to
indemnify,  pay and hold  harmless  set forth in the  preceding  sentence may be
unenforceable because it is violative of any law or public policy, the Borrowers
shall contribute the maximum portion which they are permitted to pay and satisfy
under applicable law, to the payment and satisfaction of all Indemnified Matters
incurred by the Indemnitees.

          (b) To the extent permitted by applicable law, no claim may be made by
the Borrowers or any other Person against the Agent,  the Collateral  Agent, any
Lender or any of their respective affiliates,  directors,  officers,  employees,
agents, attorneys, accountants,  representatives or consultants for any special,
indirect,  consequential  or punitive damages in respect of any claim for breach
of contract or any other  theory of  liability  arising out of or related to the
transactions  contemplated by any of the Loan Documents or any act,  omission or
event occurring in connection therewith; and the Borrowers hereby waive, release
and agree not to sue upon any claim for any such damages, whether or not accrued
and whether or not known or suspected to exist in its favor.

          SECTION 11.07.  Survival of Representations  and Warranties,  etc. All
warranties and  representations  made by any Borrower in any Loan Document shall
survive  the  execution  and  delivery  of this  Agreement  and the  other  Loan
Documents and the making and repayment of the Obligations.  The  confidentiality
obligations of each Borrower in Section 11.16, the  indemnification  obligations
of each  Borrower  in Section  11.06,  and to the extent the second  sentence of
Section  11.13 is  applicable,  all  covenants  of each  Borrower,  survive  the
repayment of the Obligations.

                                       93
<PAGE>

          SECTION 11.08. Successors and Assigns; Assignments; Participations.

          (a) General.  The terms and provisions of the Loan Documents  shall be
binding  upon  and  inure  to the  benefit  of the  Borrowers,  the  Agent,  the
Collateral  Agent and the Lenders and their  respective  successors and assigns,
except  that (i) no  Borrower  shall  have any  right to  assign  its  rights or
obligations  under the Loan Documents and (ii) any assignment by any Lender must
be made in compliance with  subsection (c) below.  With respect to any Borrower,
successors and assigns shall include, without limitation,  any receiver, trustee
or debtor-in-possession of or for such Borrower.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,
any Lender may at any time,  without the consent of the  Borrowers or the Agent,
assign all or any portion of its rights under this  Agreement and its Notes to a
Federal Reserve Bank or to an affiliate of such Lender; provided,  however, that
no such  assignment  shall release the  transferor  Lender from its  obligations
hereunder.  The Agent shall be entitled to utilize its Register to determine the
payee of any Note for all purposes hereof. Any request,  authority or consent of
any Person,  who at the time of making such request or giving such  authority or
consent  is the  holder of any Note,  shall be  conclusive  and  binding  on any
subsequent  holder,  transferee or assignee of such Note or of any Note or Notes
issued in exchange therefor.

          (b) Participations.

               (i) Subject to the terms set forth in this Section 11.08(b),  any
          Lender may, in the ordinary  course of its business and in  accordance
          with  applicable  law,  at any time sell to one or more banks or other
          entities ("Participants") participating interests in any Loan owing to
          such Lender,  any Note held by such  Lender,  any  Commitment  of such
          Lender or any other  interest of such Lender under the Loan  Documents
          on a pro rata or non-pro rata basis in an aggregate  principal  amount
          of at least  $5,000,000.  Notice  of such  participation  to the Agent
          shall be required prior to any participation  becoming  effective with
          respect  to a  Participant  which  is  not a  Lender  or an  Affiliate
          thereof.  In the event of any such  sale by a Lender of  participating
          interests to a Participant,  such Lender's  obligations under the Loan
          Documents  shall remain  unchanged,  such Lender  shall remain  solely
          responsible  to the other parties  hereto for the  performance of such
          obligations,  such Lender shall remain the holder of any such Note for
          all  purposes  under the Loan  Documents,  such Lender shall be solely
          responsible  for any  withholding  taxes or any  filing  or  reporting
          requirements in connection therewith relating to such Participant, all
          amounts  payable  by the  Borrowers  under  this  Agreement  shall  be
          determined  as  if  such  Lender  had  not  sold  such   participating
          interests,  and the  Borrowers  and the Agent  shall  continue to deal
          solely and directly with such Lender in connection  with such Lender's
          rights and  obligations  under the Loan  Documents  except  that,  for
          purposes of Section 2.13 hereof, the Participants shall be entitled to
          the same rights as if they were Lenders,  provided that no Participant
          shall be entitled to receive  any greater  amount  pursuant to Section
          2.13 than such Lender  would have been  entitled to receive in respect
          of the amount of the participation transferred to such Participant had
          no transfer occurred.

                                       94
<PAGE>

               (ii) Each Lender shall retain the sole right to approve,  without
          the consent of any Participant, any amendment,  modification or waiver
          of any  provision  of the Loan  Documents  other  than any  amendment,
          modification or waiver with respect to any Loan or Commitment in which
          such Participant has an interest which forgives principal, interest or
          fees or reduces  the  interest  rate or fees  payable  pursuant to the
          terms of this  Agreement  with respect to any such Loan or Commitment,
          postpones  any  date  fixed  for any  regularly-scheduled  payment  of
          principal of, or interest or fees on, any such Loan or Commitment,  or
          releases all or substantially all of the Collateral,  if any, securing
          any such Loan.

               (iii) The Borrowers agree that each  Participant  shall be deemed
          to have the right of setoff provided in Section 9.09 hereof in respect
          to  its  participating  interest  in  amounts  owing  under  the  Loan
          Documents  to the same  extent as if the  amount of its  participating
          interest  were  owing  directly  to  it as a  Lender  under  the  Loan
          Documents,  provided that each Lender shall retain the right of setoff
          provided  in  Section  9.09  hereof  with  respect  to the  amount  of
          participating  interests sold to each Participant except to the extent
          such Participant  exercises its right of setoff.  The Lenders agree to
          share with each Participant,  and each Participant,  by exercising the
          right of setoff provided in Section 9.09 hereof,  agrees to share with
          each Lender, any amount received pursuant to the exercise of its right
          of setoff,  such amounts to be shared in accordance  with Section 9.09
          as if each Participant were a Lender.

          (c)  Assignments.

               (i) Any Lender may, in the ordinary course of its business and in
          accordance  with  applicable  law,  at any time  assign to one or more
          banks or other entities  ("Purchasers") all or a portion of its rights
          and obligations under this Agreement  (including,  without limitation,
          its Commitment and the Loans owing to it hereunder) in accordance with
          the provisions of this Section 11.08(c). Each assignment shall be of a
          constant,  and  not a  varying,  ratable  percentage  of  all  of  the
          assigning  Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement.  Such
          assignment  shall be evidenced by an Assignment  Agreement in form and
          substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to the  Agent  and  shall  not be
          permitted  hereunder  unless such assignment is either for all of such
          Lender's rights and obligations under the Loan Documents or, for Loans
          and Commitments in an aggregate  principal  amount equal to the lesser
          of  $5,000,000  (which  minimum  amount may be waived by the Requisite
          Lenders  after  the   occurrence  of  a  Default)  and  such  Lender's
          Commitment Amount.

               (ii) Upon (i) delivery to the Agent of a notice of  assignment (a
          "Notice of Assignment"), together with any consent required hereunder,
          and  (ii)  payment  of a  $3,500  processing  fee  to  the  Agent  for
          processing  such assignment if such assignment is to a Person which is
          not an affiliate of the assigning Lender, such assignment shall become
          effective  on  the  effective   date   specified  in  such  Notice  of
          Assignment.  The assigning  Lender shall be obligated to reimburse the


                                       95
<PAGE>

          Agent for all other costs and expenses associated with the preparation
          and execution of such assignment (including reasonable attorneys' fees
          arising out of such preparation and execution of such assignment). The
          Notice of Assignment shall contain a  representation  by the Purchaser
          to the effect that none of the consideration used to make the purchase
          of the Commitment and Loans under the applicable  assignment agreement
          are "plan  assets"  as  defined  under  ERISA and that the  rights and
          interests of the Purchaser in and under the Loan Documents will not be
          "plan  assets" under ERISA.  On and after the  effective  date of such
          assignment,  such  Purchaser,  if not already a Lender,  shall for all
          purposes  be a  Lender  party to this  Agreement  and any  other  Loan
          Documents  executed  by the  Lenders and shall have all the rights and
          obligations of a Lender under the Loan  Documents,  to the same extent
          as if it were an  original  party  hereto,  and no further  consent or
          action by the Borrowers, the Lenders or the Agent shall be required to
          release the  transferor  Lender with respect to the  percentage of the
          aggregate  Commitment and Loans assigned to such  Purchaser.  Upon the
          consummation of any assignment to a Purchaser pursuant to this Section
          11.08(c)(ii), the transferor Lender, the Agent and the Borrowers shall
          make appropriate  arrangements so that replacement Notes are issued to
          such transferor  Lender and new Notes or, as appropriate,  replacement
          Notes, are issued to such Purchaser, in each case in principal amounts
          reflecting their  Commitment and their Loans, as adjusted  pursuant to
          such assignment.

               (iii) The Agent  shall  maintain  at its  address  referred to in
          Section 11.01 a copy of each  assignment  delivered to and accepted by
          it pursuant to this Section 11.08 and a register (the  "Register") for
          the  recordation  of the names and  addresses  of the  Lenders and the
          Commitment of and principal  amount of the Loans owing to, each Lender
          from time to time and whether such Lender is an original Lender or the
          assignee  of  another  Lender  pursuant  to an  assignment  under this
          Section  11.08.  The entries in the Register  shall be conclusive  and
          binding for all purposes,  absent manifest  error,  and the Borrowers,
          the Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded
          in the  Register  as a  Lender  hereunder  for  all  purposes  of this
          Agreement.  The Register  shall be  available  for  inspection  by the
          Borrowers or any Lender at any  reasonable  time and from time to time
          upon reasonable prior notice.

          SECTION 11.09. Severability. In case any one or more of the provisions
contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be invalid, illegal
or unenforceable in any respect,  the validity,  legality and  enforceability of
the remaining  provisions  contained  herein and therein shall not in any way be
affected or impaired thereby.

          SECTION 11.10. Cover Page, Table of Contents and Section Headings. The
cover  page,  Table  of  Contents  and  section  headings  used  herein  are for
convenience  of reference  only,  are not part of this  Agreement and are not to
affect the construction of or be taken into  consideration in interpreting  this
Agreement.

          SECTION  11.11.   Counterparts.   This  Agreement  may  be  signed  in
counterparts  with the same effect as if the signatures  thereof and hereto were
upon the same instrument.


                                       96
<PAGE>

          SECTION 11.12.  Application of Payments.  Notwithstanding any contrary
provision  contained in this  Agreement  or in any of the other Loan  Documents,
upon the  occurrence and during the  continuance  of any Event of Default,  each
Borrower  irrevocably  waives the right to direct the application of any and all
payments at any time or times hereafter received by the Agent or any Lender from
such Borrower or with respect to any of the  Collateral,  and such Borrower does
hereby  irrevocably agree that the Agent or any Lender shall have the continuing
exclusive  right to apply and reapply any and all payments  received at any time
or times hereafter, whether with respect to the Collateral or otherwise, against
the  Obligations  in such manner as the Agent or any Lender may deem  advisable,
notwithstanding  any entry by the Agent or any Lender  upon any of its books and
records, subject, however, to the provisions of Section 2.08(c).

          SECTION 11.13. Marshalling;  Payments Set Aside. Neither the Agent nor
the  Collateral  Agent shall be under any  obligation  to marshall any assets in
favor of any  Borrower or any other party or against or in payment of any or all
of the Obligations.  To the extent that any Borrower makes a payment or payments
to any Agent or any  Lender or the  Agent,  the  Collateral  Agent or any Lender
enforces its security  interests  or  exercises  its rights of setoff,  and such
payment or payments or the  proceeds of such  enforcement  or setoff or any part
thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential,
set aside and/or required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party
under any bankruptcy law, state or federal law,  common law or equitable  cause,
then to the extent of such recovery,  the obligation or part thereof  originally
intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect
as if such  payment  had not been made or such  enforcement  or  setoff  had not
occurred.

          SECTION  11.14.  SERVICE OF PROCESS.  EACH  BORROWER  WAIVES  PERSONAL
SERVICE OF ANY PROCESS UPON IT AND,  CONSENTS  THAT ALL SERVICE OF PROCESS SHALL
BE MADE BY REGISTERED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED,  DIRECTED TO SUCH BORROWER
AT THE ADDRESS INDICATED IN SECTION 11.01 AND SERVICE SO MADE SHALL BE DEEMED TO
BE  COMPLETED  FIVE (5)  BUSINESS  DAYS AFTER  SAME  SHALL  HAVE BEEN  POSTED AS
AFORESAID.

          SECTION 11.15.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL, ETC. EACH OF THE BORROWERS,  THE
AGENT,  THE  COLLATERAL  AGENT AND THE  LENDERS  WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO HAVE A JURY
PARTICIPATE  IN RESOLVING ANY DISPUTE,  WHETHER  SOUNDING IN CONTRACT,  TORT, OR
OTHERWISE,  BETWEEN  THE  AGENT,  THE  COLLATERAL  AGENT OR ANY  LENDER  AND ANY
BORROWER  ARISING  OUT OF,  CONNECTED  WITH,  RELATED  TO OR  INCIDENTAL  TO THE
RELATIONSHIP  ESTABLISHED  BETWEEN THEM IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY
OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR ANY OTHER INSTRUMENT,  DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT  EXECUTED OR
DELIVERED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH OR THE TRANSACTIONS  RELATED THERETO.  EACH OF
THE BORROWERS, THE AGENT, THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND THE LENDERS HEREBY AGREES AND
CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED
BY COURT  TRIAL  WITHOUT  A JURY  AND  THAT ANY OF THEM MAY FILE AS AN  ORIGINAL
COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS  AGREEMENT  WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN  EVIDENCE OF
THE CONSENT OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

                                       97
<PAGE>

          SECTION 11.16.  Confidentiality.  No Borrower shall at any time before
or after payment in full and  satisfaction  of all of the  Obligations,  reveal,
divulge or make known, or knowingly  permit to be so revealed,  divulged or made
known, to any Person  (including  Persons within its own organization who do not
have a definite need to know for the purpose of performance of this  Agreement),
the terms or  conditions of the Fee Letters;  provided that the foregoing  shall
not  apply  to  information  required  to be  disclosed  by  order of a court of
competent jurisdiction or in connection with any governmental  investigation (in
each case to the extent disclosure is required,  but no further) so long as such
Borrower  notifies  the Agent in  writing  of any  circumstances  of which  such
Borrower is aware that may lead to such a requirement  or order,  so as to allow
the  Agent to take  steps to  contest  such  order or  investigation;  provided,
further,  that the foregoing shall not apply to information which is required to
be  disclosed  by  such  Borrower  or   information   which  in  the  reasonable
determination  of such  Borrower is  desirable  for such  Borrower to  disclose,
pursuant  to  federal  or  state  securities  laws,  pursuant  to the  rules  or
regulations of the FCC, any PUC or other applicable  Governmental  Authority, or
to Persons who are consultants, advisors (including but not limited to attorneys
and auditors),  officers, directors or employees of such Borrower, provided that
each  such  Person  is  required  by  such  Borrower  to keep  such  information
confidential.

          SECTION 11.17.  Entire Agreement,  etc. This Agreement  (including all
schedules and exhibits  referred to herein),  the Notes, the Fee Letters and all
other Loan Documents  constitute the entire contract  between the parties hereto
with respect to the subject  matter  hereof and thereof and shall  supersede and
take the place of any other  instrument  purporting  to be an  agreement  of the
parties hereto relating to such subject matter.

          SECTION  11.18.  No  Strict  Construction.  The  parties  hereto  have
participated,  jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the
event of any  ambiguity  or question of intent or  interpretation  arises,  this
Agreement  shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no
presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring  any party by
virtue of authorship of any provisions of this Agreement.


                                       98
<PAGE>

          IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed by their duly authorized  officers as of the day and year first
above written.


                                       KMC TELECOM INC., as a Borrower


                                       By:/S/CYNTHIA WORTHMAN
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Cynthia Worthman
                                          Title: Vice President & Chief
                                                 Financial Officer

                                       KMC TELECOM II, INC., as a Borrower


                                       By:/S/CYNTHIA WORTHMAN
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Cynthia Worthman
                                          Title: Vice President & Chief
                                                 Financial Officer

                                       KMC TELECOM OF VIRGINIA, INC., as a
                                        Borrower

                                       By:/S/CYNTHIA WORTHMAN
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Cynthia Worthman
                                          Title: Vice President & Chief
                                                 Financial Officer


                                       KMC TELECOM LEASING I LLC, as a Borrower
                                        BY: KMC TELECOM INC., as Sole Member


                                       By:/S/CYNTHIA WORTHMAN
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Cynthia Worthman
                                          Title: Vice President & Chief
                                                 Financial Officer


                                       KMC TELECOM LEASING II LLC, as a Borrower
                                        BY: KMC TELECOM II, INC., as Sole Member


                                       By:/S/CYNTHIA WORTHMAN
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Cynthia Worthman
                                          Title: Vice President & Chief
                                                 Financial Officer


<PAGE>

                                       AT&T COMMERCIAL FINANCE CORPORATION, as a
                                       Lender and as Collateral Agent


                                       By:/S/MICHAEL V. MONAHAN
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Michael V. Monahan
                                          Title: Vice President


                                       FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, as a Lender
                                       and as Administrative Agent


                                       By:/S/MARK M. HARDEN
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Mark M. Harden
                                          Title: Senior Vice President


                                       GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, as
                                       a Lender


                                       By:/S/MOLLY S. FERGUSON
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Molly S. Ferguson
                                          Title: Manager - Operations


                                       CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE, as a
                                       Lender


                                       By:/S/ELLEN E. MARSHALL
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Ellen B. Marshall
                                          Title: Managing Director

<PAGE>

                                     ANNEX A


                               COMMITMENT AMOUNTS


                                 REVOLVING LOANS

                                                         Revolving Loan
Lender                                                 Commitment Amount
- - ------                                                 -----------------

AT&T Commercial Finance                                    $43,750,000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce                         $43,750,000
First Union National Bank                                  $43,750,000
General Electric Capital Corporation                       $43,750,000
                                                          ------------
TOTAL                                                     $175,000,000


                                   TERM LOANS

                                                           Term Loan
Lender                                                  Commitment Amount
- - ------                                                  -----------------

AT&T Commercial Finance                                    $18,750,000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce                         $18,750,000
First Union National Bank                                  $18,750,000
General Electric Capital Corporation                       $18,750,000
                                                           -----------
TOTAL                                                      $75,000,000

                                                          ------------
TOTAL COMMITMENTS                                         $250,000,000
                                                          ------------


<PAGE>



                                     ANNEX B


                         FINANCIAL COVENANT INFORMATION




<PAGE>



                                     ANNEX C


                      REVOLVING LOAN COMMITMENT REDUCTIONS


         Payment Date              Percentage Reduction

         April 1, 2002                      2.5%
         July 1, 2002                       2.5%
         October 1, 2002                    2.5%
         January 1, 2003                    2.5%
                                                            July 1, 200
         April 1, 2003                      5.0%
         July 1, 2003                       5.0%
         October 1, 2003                    5.0%
         January 1, 2004                    5.0%
                                                            July 1, 200
         April 1, 2004                      5.0%
         July 1, 2004                       5.0%
         October 1, 2004                    5.0%
         January 1, 2005                    5.0%
                                                            July 1, 200
         April 1, 2005                      5.0%
         July 1, 2005                       5.0%
         October 1, 2005                    5.0%
         January 1, 2006                    5.0%
                                                            July 1, 200
         April 1, 2006                      7.5%
         July 1, 2006                       7.5%
         October 1, 2006                    7.5%
         Revolving Loan Termination Date    7.5%



<PAGE>


                                SCHEDULE 1.01(A)

                      APPLICABLE MARGIN FOR REVOLVING LOANS



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Applicable            Applicable
                                                                                Margin for            Margin for
                                                                                Base Rate                LIBOR
                                                                                  Loans                  Loans
                                                                                  -----                  -----
<S>                                                                                <C>                   <C>  
The Borrowers have fewer than 12 Completed Cities                                  3.00%                 4.00%
The Borrowers have 12 or more Completed Cities and the                             2.75%                 3.75%
 Total Leverage Ratio > = 12.0x
The Total Leverage Ratio > = 10.0x and < 12.0x                                     2.50%                 3.50%
The Total Leverage Ratio > = 8.0x and < 10.0x                                      2.25%                 3.25%
The Total Leverage Ratio > = 6.0x and < 8.0x                                       2.00%                 3.00%
The Total Leverage Ratio < 6.0x                                                    1.75%                 2.75%
</TABLE>


                        APPLICABLE MARGIN FOR TERM LOANS



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Applicable            Applicable
                                                                                Margin for            Margin for
                                                                                Base Rate                LIBOR
                                                                                  Loans                  Loans
                                                                                  -----                  -----
<S>                                                                                <C>                   <C>  
The Borrowers have fewer than 12 Completed Cities                                  3.25%                 4.25%
The Borrowers have 12 or more Completed Cities and the                             3.00%                 4.00%
 Total Leverage Ratio > = 12.0x
The Total Leverage Ratio > = 10.0x and < 12.0x                                     2.75%                 3.75%
The Total Leverage Ratio > = 8.0x and < 10.0x                                      2.50%                 3.50%
The Total Leverage Ratio > = 6.0x and < 8.0x                                       2.25%                 3.25%
The Total Leverage Ratio < 6.0x                                                    2.00%                 3.00%
</TABLE>



                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                           LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT


         AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT  ("AMENDMENT")  dated as
of March 3, 1999, among KMC TELECOM INC., a Delaware  corporation  ("KMC"),  KMC
Telecom II, Inc., a Delaware  corporation  ("KMC II"),  KMC Telecom of Virginia,
Inc., a Virginia public service company ("KMC VIRGINIA"),  KMC Telecom Leasing I
LLC, a Delaware limited  liability company ("LEASING I"), KMC Telecom Leasing II
LLC, a Delaware  limited  liability  company  ("LEASING  II";  KMC,  KMC II, KMC
Virginia,  Leasing I and Leasing II being hereinafter  collectively  referred to
hereinafter as the "BORROWERS" ), the financial  institutions  from time to time
parties thereto (the  "LENDERS"),  FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, as  administrative
agent for the Lenders (the "AGENT") and NEWCOURT  COMMERCIAL FINANCE CORPORATION
(f/k/a AT&T COMMERCIAL FINANCE CORPORATION), as collateral agent for the Lenders
(the  "COLLATERAL  AGENT";  the Agent together with the  Collateral  Agent being
referred to as the "AGENTS").

         WHEREAS, the Borrowers,  the Agents and the Lenders are parties to that
certain Loan and Security Agreement (the "LOAN AGREEMENT"; undefined capitalized
terms  used  herein  shall  have  the  meanings  assigned  thereto  in the  Loan
Agreement)  dated as of December  22,  1998,  pursuant to which the Lenders have
agreed  to make  certain  "Loans"  and  other  financial  accommodations  to the
Borrowers; and

         WHEREAS,  the Borrowers  have requested that the Agents and the Lenders
amend the Loan Agreement in the manner set forth herein,  and the Agents and the
Lenders have agreed to such request;

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the premises set forth above, and
for other good and valuable consideration,  the receipt and sufficiency of which
are hereby  acknowledged,  the  Borrowers,  the Agents and the Lenders  agree as
follows:

         1.  AMENDMENT  TO THE LOAN  AGREEMENT.  Effective  as of the date first
above  written and subject to the  execution  of this  Amendment  by the parties
hereto, the Loan Agreement shall be and hereby is amended as follows:

         1.1 SECTIONS  2.03(A) and (B) of the Loan  Agreement are hereby deleted
in their entirety and the following language is substituted therefor:

         SECTION 2.03. PROCEDURE FOR LOAN REQUEST AND BORROWING COMMITMENT.  (a)
         A Borrower requesting a Loan shall deliver to each of the Agent and the
         Collateral  Agent a Notice of  Borrowing  substantially  in the form of
         EXHIBIT H-1 attached  hereto on or before 11:00 a.m. (New York time) at
       


<PAGE>



         least  five (5)  Business  Days prior to the date on which such Loan is
         requested  to be made if such Loan is  requested to be a LIBOR Loan and
         at least two (2) Business  Days prior to the date on which such Loan is
         requested  to be made if such Loan is requested to be a Base Rate Loan,
         which notice, once given, shall be irrevocable; provided, however, that
         only the Collateral  Agent shall receive the  attachments to the Notice
         of  Borrowing,  as  outlined  below.  The  Revolving  Loans made on the
         Initial  Funding  Date shall be Base Rate Loans and  thereafter  may be
         continued  as Base Rate  Loans or  converted  into  LIBOR  Loans in the
         manner provided in SECTION 2.06 and subject to the other conditions and
         limitations  therein set forth and set forth in this ARTICLE II. In the
         case of a Loan  the  proceeds  of  which  will be used to  purchase  or
         reimburse any Borrower for Telecommunications  Equipment (including any
         Telecommunications  Equipment being  purchased or reimbursed  under the
         Lucent Purchase  Agreement),  the Notice of Borrowing  delivered to the
         Collateral Agent will include a schedule supporting one hundred percent
         (100%) of  Telecommunications  Equipment  requested to be funded.  Such
         schedule  will detail all  invoices for  equipment,  third party labor,
         permits,  other third party costs and all capitalized internal costs of
         the  Borrowers  with  respect  to  such  Telecommunications   Equipment
         permitted  under GAAP.  All  invoices  over $25,000 will be attached to
         such schedule  delivered to the Collateral  Agent who shall review such
         invoices  and  verify  that,  when  combined  with the above  described
         capitalized internal costs, such invoices will support at least seventy
         percent  (70%) of the total  requested  funding.  In  addition,  if the
         Telecommunications Equipment is being purchased or reimbursed under the
         Lucent Purchase Agreement,  a certificate of delivery and acceptance in
         the form of  EXHIBIT R shall be  attached  to the  Notice of  Borrowing
         delivered to the Collateral  Agent.  In the case of a Loan the proceeds
         of which will be used to pay or reimburse any Borrower for  transaction
         costs,  the Notice of Borrowing  delivered to the Collateral Agent will
         include a copy of the invoice from the provider of the service or other
         appropriate  supporting  documentation.  In the  case  of a  Loan,  the
         proceeds  of which will be used for  working  capital or other  general
         corporate purposes, the Notice of Borrowing delivered to the Collateral
         Agent will  contain a  certification  that the making of such Loan does
         not violate any  provision  of the  Indenture.  The Notice of Borrowing
         shall,  with  respect  to any Loans  requested,  specify  whether  such
         requested  Loans are to be Base Rate Loans or LIBOR Loans,  and if such
         requested  Loans are to be LIBOR Loans,  the requested  Interest Period
         for such Loans.

                  (b) The Agent agrees, promptly upon (i) receipt of a Notice of
         Borrowing  and (ii)  acknowledgment  by the  Collateral  Agent that the
         Borrowers have  delivered and the Collateral  Agent has reviewed to its
         satisfaction  (x) each of the invoices or  certificates  required to be
         provided to the Collateral  Agent pursuant to SECTION 2.03(A) above and
         (y) each of the collateral  documents,  including,  without limitation,
         all third  party  agreements  and the related  consents  to  collateral
         assignments required pursuant to SECTION 5.08 of the Loan Agreement, as
         requested by the  Collateral  Agent,  to notify each  Revolving or Term
         Lender of the date and amount of the Loan proposed  thereunder  and the
         amount of such Lender's Pro Rata Share therein.  So long as no Event of
         Default has  occurred and is  continuing  and upon  fulfillment  of the
         applicable conditions set forth in ARTICLE IV and the

                                        2

<PAGE>



         requirements  set forth in SECTION  2.03(A) above and in the applicable
         Notice of Borrowing,  each such Lender severally  agrees,  on or before
         12:00 P.M.  (New York time) on the date of each  proposed  Loan, to pay
         into the Payment  Account,  an amount  equal to such  Lender's Pro Rata
         Share of such Loan in dollars and in same day funds.  After the Agent's
         receipt of such Lender's Loan proceeds,  the Agent shall make available
         such  proceeds  to the  Borrower  requesting  the  Loan  or the  Person
         entitled to payment  thereof at the bank  account(s)  specified  in the
         Notice of Borrowing  on the date  specified in such Notice of Borrowing
         in Dollars in immediately available funds.

                  1.2 EXHIBIT H-1 to the Loan Agreement is hereby deleted in its
         entirety and the Form of Notice of Borrowing attached hereto as EXHIBIT
         H-1 is substituted therefor.

         2. CONDITIONS  PRECEDENT.  This Amendment shall become  effective as of
the date above written,  if, and only if, the Agents have received duly executed
originals of this Amendment from the Borrowers, the Lenders and the Agents.

         3.  REPRESENTATIONS  AND  WARRANTIES  OF THE  BORROWERS.  The Borrowers
hereby represent and warrant as follows:

         (a)  This  Amendment  and  the  Loan  Agreement,   as  amended  hereby,
constitute  legal,  valid  and  binding  obligations  of the  Borrowers  and are
enforceable against the Borrowers in accordance with their terms.

         (b) Upon the  effectiveness  of this  Amendment,  the Borrowers  hereby
reaffirm all representations  and warranties made in the Loan Agreement,  and to
the extent the same are not amended hereby,  agree that all such representations
and warranties shall be deemed to have been remade as of the date of delivery of
this  Amendment,  unless  and to the  extent  that any such  representation  and
warranty  is stated to relate  solely to an  earlier  date,  in which  case such
representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date.

         4. REFERENCE TO AND EFFECT ON THE LOAN AGREEMENT.

         (a) Upon the  effectiveness of SECTION 1 hereof,  on and after the date
hereof,  each  reference  in  the  Loan  Agreement  to  "this  Loan  Agreement,"
"hereunder,"  "hereof,"  "herein"  or words of like  import  shall mean and be a
reference to the Loan  Agreement as amended  hereby,  and each  reference to the
Loan Agreement in any other document,  instrument or agreement shall mean and be
a reference to the Loan Agreement as modified hereby.

         (b) The Loan  Agreement,  as amended hereby,  and all other  documents,
instruments and agreements  executed and/or  delivered in connection  therewith,
shall remain in full force and effect, and are hereby ratified and confirmed.


                                        3

<PAGE>



         (c) Except as expressly  provided herein,  the execution,  delivery and
effectiveness  of this  Amendment  shall not  operate  as a waiver of any right,
power or remedy of the Agents or the  Lenders,  nor  constitute  a waiver of any
provision  of  the  Loan  Agreement  or any  other  documents,  instruments  and
agreements executed and/or delivered in connection therewith.

         5. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AMENDMENT  SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE OTHER REMAINING TERMS OF THE LOAN AGREEMENT AND THE INTERNAL
LAWS (AS OPPOSED TO CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS) OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

         6.  PARAGRAPH  HEADINGS.  The  paragraph  headings  contained  in  this
Amendment  are and shall be  without  substance,  meaning or content of any kind
whatsoever and are not a part of the agreement among the parties hereto.

         7.  COUNTERPARTS.  This  Amendment  may be  executed  in  one  or  more
counterparts,  each of  which  shall be  deemed  an  original,  but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.



                            [Signature Page Follows]

                                        4

<PAGE>



                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  this Amendment has been duly executed as
of the day and year first above written.

THE BORROWERS:                             KMC TELECOM INC.

                                           KMC TELECOM II, INC.

                                           KMC TELECOM OF VIRGINIA, INC.

                                           In each case:


                                           By:/s/ CYNTHIA WORTHMAN
                                              ----------------------------------
                                                Name:  Cynthia Worthman
                                                Title:  Vice President and CFO


                                           KMC TELECOM LEASING I LLC
                                           By:  KMC TELECOM  INC., as its Sole
                                           Member


                                           By:/s/ CYNTHIA WORTHMAN
                                              ----------------------------------
                                                Name:  Cynthia Worthman
                                                Title:  Vice President and CFO


                                           KMC TELECOM LEASING II LLC
                                           By: KMC TELECOM II, INC., as its Sole
                                           Member


                                           By:/s/ CYNTHIA WORTHMAN
                                              ----------------------------------
                                                Name:  Cynthia Worthman
                                                Title:  Vice President and CFO






                                Signature Page-1
                        Amendment No. 1 to Loan Agreement

<PAGE>



                                           FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, as the
                                           Agent and as a Lender


                                           By:/s/ MARK M. HARDEN
                                              ----------------------------------
                                           Name:   Mark M. Harden
                                           Title:  Senior Vice President


                                           NEWCOURT COMMERCIAL FINANCE
                                           CORPORATION (f/k/a AT&T COMMERCIAL
                                           FINANCE CORPORATION), as the 
                                           Collateral Agent and  as  a Lender


                                           By:/s/ MICHAEL V. MONIHAN
                                              ----------------------------------
                                           Name:   Michael V. Monihan
                                           Title:  Vice President


                                           CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE,
                                           as a Lender


                                           By:/s/ ELLEN MARSHALL 
                                              ----------------------------------
                                           Name:   Ellen Marshall
                                           Title:  Managing Director


                                           GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL
                                           CORPORATION, as a Lender


                                           By:/s/  MARK F. MYLON
                                              ----------------------------------
                                           Name:   Mark F. Mylon
                                           Title:  Manager - Operations





                                Signature Page-2
                        Amendment No. 1 to Loan Agreement

<PAGE>



                                           BANKBOSTON, N.A., as a Lender


                                           By:/s/ ILLEGIBLE
                                              ----------------------------------
                                           Name:
                                           Title:  Vice President


                                           CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON, as a
                                           Lender


                                           By:/s/ KRISTEN LEPRI
                                              ----------------------------------
                                           Name:  Kristin Lepri
                                           Title: Associate


                                           DRESDNER BANK AG NEW YORK AND
                                           GRAND CAYMAN BRANCHES, as a
                                           Lender


                                           By:/s/ CONSTANCE ROOSMORE
                                              ----------------------------------
                                           Name:  Constance Roosmore
                                           Title: Assistant Vice President


                                           By:/s/ LAURA FAZIO
                                              ----------------------------------
                                           Name:  Laura Fazio
                                           Title: Assistant Vice President


                                           MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR
                                           FUNDING, INC., as a Lender


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


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



                                Signature Page-3
                        Amendment No. 1 to Loan Agreement

<PAGE>




                                           SUMMIT BANK, as a Lender


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


                                           MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
                                           PRIME INCOME TRUST, as a Lender


                                           By:/s/ ILLEGIBLE
                                              ----------------------------------
                                           Name:  ILLEGIBLE
                                           Title: AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY


                                           UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, as a
                                           Lender


                                           By:/s/ RYAN D. FLANAGAN
                                              ----------------------------------
                                           Name:  Ryan D. Flanagan
                                           Title: Assistant Vice President





                                Signature Page-4
                        Amendment No. 1 to Loan Agreement

<PAGE>


                                                                     EXHIBIT H-1

                               NOTICE OF BORROWING



To:      First Union National Bank, as Agent
         Agency Services-PA4830
         1339 Chestnut Street
         Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  19107
         Facsimile no.  (215) 973-1887

         Newcourt Commercial Finance Corporation
         (f/k/a AT&T Commercial Finance Corporation),
         as Collateral Agent
         2 Gatehall Drive
         Parsippany, New Jersey  07054
         Attention:  Vice President-Operations/Media & Communication


Dated:______________________

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         The undersigned,  KMC Telecom Inc., a Delaware corporation, KMC Telecom
II, Inc.,  a Delaware  corporation,  KMC Telecom of  Virginia,  Inc., a Virginia
public service company,  KMC Telecom Leasing I LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company,  KMC Telecom Leasing II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company,  the
"Additional  Borrowers"  signatory thereto from time to time (collectively,  the
"BORROWERS"),  refer to that  certain Loan and  Security  Agreement  dated as of
December 22, 1998 among the  Borrowers,  the  financial  institutions  signatory
thereto  from  time to time (the  "LENDERS"),  First  Union  National  Bank,  as
administrative  agent for the Lenders (the "AGENT") and AT&T Commercial  Finance
Corporation,  as  collateral  agent for the  Lenders  (the  "COLLATERAL  AGENT";
together with the Agent,  the "AGENTS") (as amended,  restated,  supplemented or
otherwise  modified  from  time  to  time,  the  "LOAN  AGREEMENT";   undefined,
capitalized  terms used herein shall have the meanings  assigned  thereto in the
Loan  Agreement)  and hereby  give the Agent  notice,  irrevocably,  pursuant to
SECTION  2.03 of the Loan  Agreement  that [KMC  Telecom  Inc.] [KMC Telecom II,
Inc.] [KMC Telecom of Virginia,  Inc.] [KMC Telecom  Leasing I LLC] [KMC Telecom
Leasing  II LLC]  [Additional  Borrower]  hereby  requests a Loan under the Loan
Agreement,  and in that connection sets forth below the information  relating to
such  Loan  (the  "PROPOSED  LOAN")  as  required  by  SECTION  2.03 of the Loan
Agreement:

         (i)  The Business Day of the Proposed Loan is _________ __, ____;




                                       H-1

<PAGE>



         (ii) The proceeds of the Proposed  Loan are to be used for the purposes
as specified on SCHEDULE A attached hereto;

          (iii) The bank account  into which the  proceeds of the Proposed  Loan
are  to  be  [credited]1[transferred]2  is  account  no.  [___________________]3
maintained at [___________]4;

          (iv) If the bank  referenced in (iii) above is not the Agent,  the ABA
number of the above-referenced bank is [___________],  and the name and address,
phone and fax numbers of the contact person at such bank, are as follows:

                                    ________________________________________
                                    ________________________________________
                                    ________________________________________
                                    Telephone Number:_______________________
                       Fax Number: ______________________;

          (v) The aggregate amount of the Proposed Loan is $[_____________];

          (vi) Such Loan,  if the initial  Loan is to bear  interest at the Base
Rate;

         (vii) Such Loan,  if after the initial Loan, is to bear interest at the
[Base Rate] [LIBO Rate,  with an applicable  Interest Period of [one month] [two
months] [three months] [six months]];

         (viii) The Borrowing Base at such time is $[________________].

         The undersigned hereby certifies that the following statements are true
on the date hereof, and will be true on the Business Day of the Proposed Loan:

         (A) The representations and warranties  contained in ARTICLE III of the
Loan  Agreement  and  contained in the other Loan  Documents  are correct in all
respects,  before  and  after  giving  effect  to the  Proposed  Loan and to the
application of the proceeds therefrom, as though made on as of such date;

         (B) No event has occurred and is continuing,  or would result from such
Proposed  Loan  or  from  the  application  of  the  proceeds  therefrom,  which
constitutes either an Event of Default or an event which but for the requirement




- - -----------------------
1  Select if the Agent is the depository bank.

2  Select if the depository bank is not the Agent.

3  Insert specific account number.

4  Insert name of financial institution.



                                       H-2

<PAGE>



that notice be given  and/or the elapse of time,  would  constitute  an Event of
Default; and

         (C) All agreements  and all conditions to the Proposed Loan,  contained
in the Loan Agreement or any other of the Loan  Documents  which are required to
be  performed or satisfied by the Borrower on the date hereof or by the Business
Day of the Proposed Loan have been and will be performed and satisfied.

         (D) [To be  included  in the Notice of  Borrowing  at any time that the
Total  Leverage  Ratio is greater  than 6:1 as  determined  by  reference to the
financial  statements  delivered pursuant to SECTION 5.06 of the Loan Agreement]
The sum of the Proposed Loans and all other Revolving  Loans  outstanding at the
time of such  Proposed  Loan do not exceed the  Borrowing  Base and  transaction
costs  incurred  in  connection  with the  execution  and  delivery  of the Loan
Documents,  MINUS,  if the Term  Loans  have not yet been  made,  the Term  Loan
Commitment Amounts of all Term Lenders, and otherwise, the outstanding principal
balance of the Term Loans.

         (E) In addition, by its acknowledgment  signature below, the Collateral
Agent hereby confirms that the Borrowers have delivered and the Collateral Agent
has  reviewed  to its  satisfaction  (i) each of the  invoices  or  certificates
required to be provided to the Collateral  Agent pursuant to SECTION  2.03(A) of
the Loan Agreement and (ii) each of the collateral documents, including, without
limitation,  all third party  agreements and the related  consents to collateral
assignments  required  pursuant  to  SECTION  5.08  of the  Loan  Agreement,  as
requested by the Collateral Agent.



















                                       H-3

<PAGE>



         The  undersigned  hereby  further  certifies  that in  accordance  with
SECTION 6.02 of the Loan  Agreement  the proceeds of the Proposed  Loan shall be
used only for the purposes permitted in accordance with SECTION 2.02 of the Loan
Agreement.

                                           Very truly yours,

                                           KMC TELECOM INC.
                                           KMC TELECOM II, INC.
                                           KMC TELECOM OF VIRGINIA, INC.

                                           In each case:


                                           ---------------------------
                                           By:
                                           Its:


                                           KMC TELECOM LEASING I LLC
                                           By:      KMC TELECOM INC., as Sole
                                           Member


                                           ---------------------------
                                           By:
                                           Its:


                                           KMC TELECOM LEASING II LLC
                                           By:     KMC TELECOM II, INC., as Sole
                                           Member


                                           ---------------------------
                                           By:
                                           Its:









                                       H-4

<PAGE>







Acknowledged  and agreed  solely  with  respect to the  assertions  set forth in
section (E) above this [____] day of [______________]:

NEWCOURT COMMERCIAL FINANCE
CORPORATION
(f/k/a AT&T COMMERCIAL FINANCE
CORPORATION),
as Collateral Agent


- - ------------------------------
By:
Its:


















                                       H-5

<PAGE>


                                   SCHEDULE A
                                       TO
                               NOTICE OF BORROWING


               DESCRIPTION OF THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THE PROCEEDS
                        OF THE PROPOSED LOAN WILL BE USED


[If the  proceeds  of the  Proposed  Loan  will be used to fund  the  costs  and
expenses  of a System,  copies of lien  waivers and other  acknowledgments  from
Persons  constructing such System and any subcontractors or vendors with respect
to such construction,  will be required to be delivered to the Collateral Agent,
together with all applicable consents to collateral  assignments of any licenses
or leases with respect to such System.  Additionally,  any schedules to the Loan
Agreement  which,  as of the date of such proposed Loan,  require  modification,
shall be appropriately  supplemented  and delivered to the Agent.  Exceptions to
such requirements should be set forth and attached to the Notice of Borrowing.]

[If the proceeds of the Proposed  Loan will be used to purchase or reimburse any
Borrower for  Telecommunications  Equipment,  a schedule  supporting one hundred
percent (100%) of  Telecommunications  Equipment requested to be funded shall be
delivered to the  Collateral  Agent.  Such schedule will detail all invoices for
equipment,  third  party  labor,  permits,  other  third  party  costs  and  all
capitalized   internal   costs   of  the   Borrowers   with   respect   to  such
Telecommunications  Equipment  permitted  under GAAP.  All invoices over $25,000
will be attached to such schedule  delivered to the Collateral  Agent, who shall
review such invoices and verify that,  when  combined  with the above  described
capitalized  internal costs, such invoices will support at least seventy percent
(70%) of the total requested  funding.  Additionally,  any schedules to the Loan
Agreement  which,  as of the date of such Proposed Loan,  require  modification,
shall  be  supplemented  and  delivered  to  the  Agent.  In  addition,  if  the
Telecommunications  Equipment is being purchased or reimbursed  under the Lucent
Purchase  Agreement,  a  certificate  of delivery and  acceptance in the form of
EXHIBIT  R shall  be  attached  to the  Notice  of  Borrowing  delivered  to the
Collateral Agent.]

[If the  proceeds  of the  Proposed  Loan will be used to pay or  reimburse  for
transaction  costs,  a copy of the invoice  from the  provider of the service or
other appropriate  supporting  documentation must be included for the Collateral
Agent.]

[If the proceeds of the Proposed Loan will be used for working  capital or other
general  corporate  purposes,  a certificate will be required to be delivered to
the  Collateral  Agent  verifying  that the making of the Proposed Loan does not
violate any provision of the Indenture.]





                                       H-6


                             MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT












[object omitted]               EFTIA OSS SOLUTION



                                [object omitted]



                           KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc.
                                  CLEC Solution

                                                       -------------------------
                                                       Prepared by:
                                                              Gupta & Somji
                                                       Revision:         3.1
                                                            October 26th, 98
                                                       -------------------------




                             EFTIA OSS SOLUTION INC.



<PAGE>



          RESTRICTIONS

               This  document  contains  information  intended  for KMC  Telecom
               Holdings,  Inc.  and Eftia OSS  Solutions  Inc.  The  information
               herein  is   restricted  to  Eftia  and  KMC  personnel  and  any
               organizations authorized by Eftia.














                                        i


<PAGE>



          TABLE OF CONTENTS


1.   PROJECT...................................................................1


2.   DELIVERABLES..............................................................3


3.   PRICING...................................................................4


4.   PROJECT MILESTONES........................................................4


5.   PAYMENT TERMS.............................................................6


6.   CHANGE REQUEST............................................................9


7.   LICENSE AGREEMENT.........................................................9


8.   SOFTWARE SUPPORT AGREEMENT................................................9


9.   ATTACHMENTS...............................................................9


10.  ACCEPTANCE...............................................................10





                                       ii

<PAGE>


                             MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
                                     Between
                           KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.
                                       And
                            EFTIA OSS SOLUTIONS INC.

               This  Memorandum  of Agreement,  dated as of October  26th,  1998
               ("Effective Date") sets forth the mutual agreement of KMC TELECOM
               HOLDINGS,  INC.  ("KMC") and EFTIA OSS SOLUTIONS  INC.  ("Eftia")
               with regard to the following:


          1.   PROJECT

               Implementation of the Master.Scribe  CLEC package with associated
               software packages as listed in the attached quotation  identified
               as Appendix A.

               Eftia  will  provide  all  the  required  customizations  to  the
               Enhanced Data Services and Long Distance Service Order options as
               agreed  to  in  writing  during  the  assessment   process.   The
               customizations will not include any interfaces.

               All  the  required  customizations  and  implementation  services
               including data  migration  required for the  Maintenance,  Number
               Tracking and Circuit Inventory applications will be billable at a
               daily rate of $1,250.


          2.   DELIVERABLES

               The deliverables  consist of Eftia's  Master.Scribe  CLEC package
               and  associated  software  packages  as  listed  in the  attached
               quotation  identified  as Appendix A. All the  software  packages
               will include complete set of documentation and media.



<PAGE>

          3.   PRICING

               All prices are in US Dollars.  THE  FOLLOWING  PRICE  PROPOSAL IS
               ONLY VALID UP TO OCTOBER  30TH,  1998.  New  product  prices will
               apply for orders received after October 30th 1998.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              PHASE I     PHASE 11    PHASE III   PHASE IV     PHASE V
                           ------------ ------------ ----------- ---------- -------------
<S>                         <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>        <C>       
               SOFTWARE     $1,493,128   $1,176,200   $710,000    $213,000   $1,000,000
               SUPPORT        $286,380     $245,700   $127,800     $38,340     $180,000
               TRAINING       $103,000      $25,000         $0          $0           $0
                           ------------ ------------ ----------- ---------- -------------
               TOTAL COST   $1,882,508   $1,446,900   $837,800    $251,340   $1,180,000
</TABLE>

               The  prices   quoted   above  do  not  include   any   additional
               customizations,  implementation  or data migration  services that
               may be required by KMC.  Eftia will provide  these  services at a
               per them rate of $1,250.

               All travel  expenses will be reasonable,  itemized and subject to
               prior written approval by KMC.

               All applicable taxes are extra.


               NOTE:

               1.   EFTIA  WILL  OFFER KMC  SUBSIDIARY  A 25%  DISCOUNT  ON CLEC
                    MASTER.SCRIBE PACKAGE IF THIS PACKAGE WAS TO BE PURCHASED AS
                    PART OF THIS MOA.

               2.   THE PRICES  QUOTED FOR PHASES II TO V ARE VALID FOR ONE YEAR
                    FROM   THE   DATE  OF   QUOTATION,   BUT  ARE   SUBJECT   TO
                    RE-NEGOTIATION  SHOULD KMC'S BUSINESS  REQUIREMENTS  CHANGE.
                    ALL  SUPPORT  PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND WILL BE BASED
                    ON THEN CURRENT LIST PRICE OF SUPPORT.


          4.   PROJECT MILESTONES

               The project milestones will be agreed to, in writing,  by KMC and
               Eftia after project kickoff meeting.  Proposed  milestones are as
               follows:


                                        2
<PAGE>

               PHASE I        CLEC Master.Scribe

                              Service Order for Long Distance

                              Service Order for Enhanced Data Services

                              Form Generation System - Two forms (ASR, LSR)

                              Additional Forms for Service Order - Seven Forms
                              (E911, LIDB, CNAM, MCI LD, Calling Card,
                              Toll-Free, Lucent Service Order Form)

                              Integrated Fax Server

                              Basic Network Management Interface

                              Interface to Billing System Service Bureau - Note
                              2

                              AR System Software Licenses - As per quotation in
                              Appendix A

                              All Required Training (as per quotation in
                              Appendix A)


               PHASE II       Integrated Paging and IVR System

                              Workforce Management

                              ASR Order Gateway with single set of transactions

                              LSR Order Gateway with single set of transactions

                              Interface to LNP Service Bureau (Illuminet)

                              All Required Training (as per quotation in
                              Appendix A)


               PHASE III      Integrated Basic Network Management Interface

                              Service Impact Module

                              E911 and Directory Assistance Interfaces

                              Interface to LIDB / CNAM Service Bureau
                              (Illuminet)


                                        3
<PAGE>

               PHASE IV       WEB Interface for Order Submission and Query

                              Real Time Business Process Metrics for Service
                              Order

                              WEB Interface for Ticket Submission and Query

                              Real Time NOC Metrics

                              ARSystem Software Licenses - As per quotation in
                              Appendix A


               PHASE V        Trouble Administration Gateway - Client

                              Trouble Administration Gateway - Manager


               NOTE:

               1.   ALL PHASES ARE SUCCESSIVE. IMPLEMENTATION OF PHASES II TO V
                    IS DEPENDENT UPON THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF EACH
                    PREVIOUS PHASE. KMC WILL INFORM EFTIA OF PHASE CONTENTS AND
                    START DATES WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE SHOULD KMC'S
                    BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS CHANGE.

               2.   INTERFACE TO BILLING SYSTEM MILESTONE IS BASED UPON THE
                    IMPLEMENTATION OF AN INDUSTRY STANDARD BILLING PLATFORM. AN
                    INTERFACE TO ANY OTHER BILLING SYSTEM REQUIRES EFTIA'S
                    APPROVAL AND COULD CHANGE THE COST AND THE PHASE IN WHICH
                    THE INTERFACE TO THE BILLING SYSTEM WOULD OCCUR.


          5.   PAYMENT TERMS

               All payments are due net 30 days from receipt of invoice.
               Interest rate of 2% per month will apply on any late payment.

               Training and additional Customizations will be billed at the end
               of the month they are delivered.

               All travel expenses will be billed on a monthly basis and are due
               on receipt of detailed invoice. Actual expense bills will be
               provided with each invoice.


                                        4
<PAGE>

                                   DESCRIPTION                           AMOUNT
                                   -----------                           ------
               PHASE I     On completion of JAD (Joint                  $342,726
                           Application Design ) With
                           KMC And KMC's selected billing
                           vendor.

                           Upon implementation of CLEC                  $685,454
                           Master.Scribe System

                           This includes cost for CLEC
                           package, ARSystem licenses and
                           one-year support on AR System
                           licenses only.

                           Upon implementation of Service               $103,000
                           Order for Long Distance

                           Upon implementation of Service               $103,000
                           Order for Enhanced Data Services

                           Upon completion of above items -             $180,000
                           Support for CLEC package

                           Upon implementation and                       $35,400
                           Integration of Form Generation
                           System - Two forms

                           Upon implementation and                       $23,600
                           Integration of each additional
                           forms for Service Order
                                                                           Total

                                                                        $165,200

                           Upon implementation of Integrated             $35,400
                           Fax Server

                           Upon implementation of Inter-face             $82,128
                           to Billing System Service Bureau
                           (Note 2)

                           Upon implementation of Backup                 $47,200
                           Software 

               PHASE II    Upon implementation of Integrated             $35,400
                           Paging and IVR System

                           Upon integration of Workforce                $118,000
                           Management 

                           Upon Implementation of Interface             $177,000
                           to LNP Service Bureau (Illuminet)
                           - APPROXIMATE COST

                           Upon Implementation of ASR Order             $619,500
                           Gateway with single set of
                           transactions



                                        5
<PAGE>

                           Upon Implementation of LSR Order             $472,000
                           Gateway with single set of
                           transactions

               PHASE III   Upon Integration of Basic Network             $70,800
                           Management Interface 

                           Upon Implementation and                      $236,000
                           Integration of Service Impact
                           Module

                           Upon implementation of E911 and              $354,000
                           Directory Assistance Interfaces

                           Upon Implementation of Interface             $177,000
                           to LIDB/CNAM Service Bureau
                           (Illuminet) - APPROXIMATE COST

               PHASE IV    Upon implementation of WEB                    $59,000
                           Interface for Order Submission
                           and Query

                           Upon implementation of Real Time              $41,300
                           Business Process Metrics for
                           Service Order

                           Upon implementation of WEB                    $59,000
                           Interface for Ticket Submission
                           and Query

                           Upon implementation of Real Time              $39,530
                           NOC Metrics

                           AR System Licenses and Support                $52,510

               PHASE V     Upon implementation of Trouble               $590,000
                           Administration Gateway - Client

                           Upon implementation of Trouble               $590,000
                           Administration Gateway - Manager


                           NOTES:

                           1.       EACH TIME EFTIA SELLS AND COLLECTS FROM SALE
                                    OF TA  GATEWAY,  A ROYALTY OF 20% OF THE NET
                                    SALE  PROCEEDS  COLLECTED BY EFTIA FROM SUCH
                                    SALE WILL BE PAID TO KMC. THIS  PAYMENT,  BY
                                    EFTIA TO KMC, IN AGGREGATE,  WILL NOT EXCEED
                                    50% OF THE TA  GATEWAY  COST  PAID BY KMC TO
                                    EFTIA.

                           2.       INTERFACE  TO BILLING  SYSTEM  MILESTONE  IS
                                    BASED UPON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AN INDUSTRY
                                    STANDARD BILLING  PLATFORM.  AN INTERFACE TO
                                    ANY OTHER BILLING  SYSTEM  REQUIRES  EFTIA'S
                                    APPROVAL  AND COULD  CHANGE THE COST AND THE
                                    PHASE IN WHICH THE  INTERFACE TO THE BILLING
                                    SYSTEM WOULD OCCUR.


                                        6
<PAGE>

          6.   CHANGE REQUEST

               Any change  request is  required in  writing.  Upon  receipt of a
               change request, system development timelines and associated costs
               will be provided to KMC for approval.


          7.   LICENSE AGREEMENT

               The attached License Agreement  identified as Appendix B needs to
               be read and initialized for acceptance of the terms.


          8.   SOFTWARE SUPPORT AGREEMENT

               The attached Software Support Agreement  identified as Appendix C
               needs to be read and initialized for acceptance of the terms.


          9.   ATTACHMENTS

               Appendix A - Quotations dated October 26th, 1998
               Appendix B - Software License Agreement
               Appendix C - Software Support Agreement


                                        7
<PAGE>

          10.  ACCEPTANCE

               IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties have caused this  Memorandum of
               Agreement    to   be   executed   by   their   duly    authorized
               representatives.



               KCM Telecom Holdings, INC               EFTIA OSS SOLUTIONS INC

               By:  /S/                                By:  /S/
                  ----------------------                  ----------------------

               Title:    CIO                           Title:   CFO
                     -------------------                     -------------------

               Date:      10 NOV. 1998                 Date:    NOV. 17, 1998
                    --------------------                    --------------------


                                        8
<PAGE>

                            EFTIA OSS SOLUTIONS, INC.
                        APPENDIX "B" - LICENSE AGREEMENT

               This is a legal and binding  agreement between you "End User" and
               Eftia OSS Solutions Inc  ("Eftia").  By accepting the delivery of
               the software, the End User agrees to and accept all terms of this
               license  agreement.  If the End User does not agree to all terms,
               do not accept the application software and return the product(s),
               all manuals and  documentation  within 30 days of first acquiring
               this product.


               1. DEFINITION

               As used herein,  the term "Software" means the EFTIA  Application
               Module  Software  provided  with  this  License,   including  all
               associated schema definitions, filters, escalations, active links
               and menus and all supporting documentation ("`Documentation") for
               which  the End User has  purchased  licenses.  Software,  as used
               herein,  does not refer to source  code and no license is granted
               with respect to source code software.  No license is granted with
               respect to EFTIA  Application  Module  Software for which the End
               User has not paid the applicable license fee. Evaluation Licenses
               for the  Software are provided for a limited term as described in
               Paragraph 2 below.


               2. LIMITED USE LICENSE

               In  consideration  of the End User's  license  fee,  EFTIA hereby
               grants  to  the  End  User  and  the  End  User's  affiliates,  a
               non-exclusive,  nontransferable  License to  install  and use the
               programs(s)  on a  server  directly  connected  to a  local  area
               network,  object code form only, upon the terms and conditions of
               this License Agreement. The total number of users that may access
               the server on which the  Software is  installed is limited to the
               number of designated  users for which Remedy client licenses have
               been purchased.  THE SOFTWARE MAY ONLY BE USED FOR THE PROCESSING
               OF THE END USER'S OWN  INFORMATION  AND DATA. If the Software has
               been provided to the End User for  evaluation,  the license grant
               above shall be limited to a 30-calendar  day term after which the
               license shall  automatically  terminate.  Eftia and its licensors
               retain  all  rights  not  expressly  granted  herein.   With  the
               exception of evaluation Software, the End User may assign the End
               User's  rights under this License  Agreement to a third party who
               agrees in writing to be bound by this License  Agreement prior to
               the assignment and provided that the End User transfer all copies
               of the Software and related  documentation to the third party and
               destroy any copies not  transferred.  Except as set forth  above,
               the End User may not  assign  the End  User's  rights  under this
               License  Agreement.  The End User  agrees that EFTIA may cause an
               audit and/or  inspection to be made of the End User's  applicable
               records and  facilities  in order to verify  compliance  with the
               terms and conditions of this License Agreement.




<PAGE>

               3. OWNERSHIP OF SOFTWARE

               This license is not a sale of the  Software or any copy  thereof.
               All worldwide ownership of and rights,  title and interest in and
               to the Software,  and all copies and portions thereof,  including
               without  limitation,  all  copyrights,  patent rights,  trademark
               rights,  trade secret rights,  inventions  and other  proprietary
               rights therein and thereto,  are and shall remain  exclusively in
               EFTIA and its Licensors.


               4. COPY RESTRICTIONS

               The  Software  and  the  accompanying   written  materials  ("the
               Documentation")  are  protected  by  federal  copyright  law  and
               international  treaties.  The End User may not prepare derivative
               works of the  Software  but may combine the  Software  with other
               software  and  customize  the  Software  in  accordance  with the
               supporting  Documentation.  The End User may create a  reasonable
               number of backup or archive copies of the Software.  In addition,
               the End User may copy the  Software,  provided  that the End User
               has  purchased a license for each copy of the  Software  that the
               End User makes.  The End User agrees that: (a) the End User shall
               not,  (b) the End User shall not permit a third  party to and (c)
               if the  End  User  is a  corporation,  the  End  User  shall  use
               reasonable  efforts  to  prevent  the End  User's  employees  and
               contractors  from  attempting  to  (i)  decompile,   disassemble,
               reverse engineer or otherwise  attempt to reconstruct or discover
               the source  code of any  Software,  or to (ii) remove any product
               identification,  copyright  or other  notice from the Software or
               the Documentation.  The End User shall not release the results of
               any  benchmark of the  Software to any third  party.  without the
               written prior consent of EFTIA.


               5. TERMINATION

               The license granted herein is effective until terminated,  except
               for  evaluation  copies of the Software  which have a 30 calendar
               day license term. This license will terminate immediately without
               prior additional  notice if the End User fails to comply with any
               material provisions of this License Agreement and fail to correct
               such  default   within  30  days  after  notice   thereof.   Upon
               termination  or expiration of the  evaluation  term, the End User
               shall  remove all copies of the Software or any part thereof from
               the server and any and all of the End User's  systems and storage
               devices, and destroy the same and destroy all Documentation. Upon
               EFTIA'S  written  request the End User shall  certify to EFTIA in
               writing that all complete and Partial  copies of the Software and
               the Documentation have been destroyed and that none remain in the
               End  User's  possession  or under  the End  User's  control.  The
               provisions of this License Agreement other then the license grant
               contained  in Section 2 ("Limited  Use  License")  hereof,  shall
               survive termination.


                                        2

<PAGE>

               6. LIMITED WARRANTY AND DISCLAIMERS

               EFTIA  warrants  to the End User,  for the period of thirty  (30)
               days from the date of delivery to the End User, that the software
               will be free from  defects in media,  and, if not modified and if
               properly  installed and used, will  substantially  conform to the
               material  specifications set forth in the documentation ("limited
               warranty").  Such  warranties  are for the End User's benefit and
               the   benefit  of  the  End  User's   affiliates   only  and  are
               non-transferable.  EFTIA does not warrant that the software  will
               operate error free, or uninterrupted, or will meet the End User's
               requirements.  Except for the express  warranties  stated in this
               section 6 ("Limited Warranty and Disclaimers"),  the software and
               documentation   are  each  licensed  "as  is"  and  EFTIA  hereby
               specifically  excludes  and  disclaims  all  warranties,  whether
               express, implied or statutory, including, without limitation, the
               implied  warranties  of  merchantability  and  of  fitness  for a
               particular purpose.

               7. EXCLUSIVE REMEDY

               The End User's sole and  exclusive  remedy,  and EFTIA'S sole and
               exclusive  obligation  and  liability,  with  respect to Software
               which does not conform to an express warranty set forth above, or
               with  respect to Software or the quality or  performance  thereof
               under any warranty, negligence, strict liability or other theory,
               shall be (a) in the case of a defect,  to  provide  non-defective
               replacement  of  the  Software,  or  (b) in  case  of a  material
               non-conformance   with   specifications   to   use   commercially
               reasonable efforts to correct such material  non-conformance  or,
               if such is not reasonably feasible, in EFTIA'S opinion, to refund
               the  Software  license  fee  upon  return  of  the  Software  and
               destruction  of all remaining  copies.  The End User  understands
               that   EFTIA  does  not   guarantee   that  any  error  or  other
               non-conformance can and will be corrected.  This limited Warranty
               is void if  failure of the  Software  has  resulted  from the End
               User's  negligence  or  misapplication.  The End User  agrees  to
               report any material  non-conformance in the Software to EFTIA and
               provide  EFTIA  with all  available  information  in  written  or
               electronic   form  so  as  to  enable  EFTIA  to  reproduce   the
               non-conformance.

                                        3

<PAGE>

               8. LIMITED LIABILITY

               Neither  EFTIA or the End User  will be liable  for any  special,
               indirect,  incidental  or  consequential  damages  of any kind or
               nature  whatsoever,  arising out of or in any way related to this
               agreement,  the  software or the use of or  inability  to use the
               software,  including,  without  limitation,  lost goodwill,  lost
               profits, loss of data or software, work stoppage or impairment of
               other  goods,  and  whether  arising  out of breach of  warranty,
               breach of contract, tort (including negligence), strict liability
               or otherwise,  even if advised of the  possibility of such damage
               or if such  damage  could  have  been  reasonably  foreseen,  and
               notwithstanding any failure of essential purpose of any exclusive
               remedy  provided  herein,  in  addition,  except  for  Section 11
               ("Patent  and  Copyright  Indemnity")  in no event shall  EFTIA'S
               total liability  relating to or in connection with this agreement
               or any  software,  whether  based  on  contract,  warranty,  tort
               (including negligence), strict liability or otherwise, exceed the
               actual  amount  paid to EFTIA  for  software  giving  rise to the
               liability.  In no event  shall  EFTIA be liable  for the costs of
               procurement of substitute software or services.


               9. U.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS

               If this Software is being  acquires by the U.S.  Government,  the
               Software  and  related   documentation  is  commercial   computer
               software  and  documentation  developed  exclusively  at  private
               expense,  and  (a) if  acquired  by or on  behalf  of a  civilian
               agency,  shall be subject to the terms to this computer  software
               License  as  specified  in  48  C.F.R.   12.212  of  the  Federal
               Acquisition  Regulations and its successors;  and (b) if acquired
               by or on behalf of units of the  Department  of  Defense  ("DoD")
               shall  be  subject  to the  terms  of  this  commercial  computer
               software  license as specified in 48 C.F.R.  227.720202,  DoD FAR
               Supplement and its successors.


               10. EXPORT

               The   Software  is  subject  to  the  export   control  laws  and
               regulations  of the  United  States,  and the End User  agrees to
               fully comply with all U.S. export control laws and regulations


               11. PATENT AND COPYRIGHT INDEMNITY

               EFTIA will defend,  at its own expense,  any legal action brought
               against  the End User to the  extent  that it is based on a claim
               that  the  Software  used  within  the  scope  of this  Agreement
               infringes  a patent,  copyright  or other  intellectual  property
               right of third  party,  and EFTIA will pay any costs and  damages
               finally  awarded against the End User in any such action that are


                                     4

<PAGE>

               attributable  to any  such  claim  or  incurred  by the End  User
               through settlement  thereof.  However,  such defense and payments
               are subject to the condition  that the End User must:  (i) notify
               EFTIA  promptly  in writing of such claim,  (ii) permit  EFTIA to
               have sole control of the defence,  compromise  or  settlement  of
               such claim, including, any appeals,  provided that EFTIA will not
               settle any claims  against  the End User  without  the End User's
               prior written consent,  which will not be unreasonably  withheld,
               and (iii)  reasonably  cooperate  with  EFTIA in the  defence  or
               settlement  of such  claim  at no  charge  to  EFTIA.  Except  as
               described  above,  EFTIA shall not be liable for any other costs,
               damages or fees incurred by the End User in connection  with such
               action or claim unless authorized in writing by EFTIA.

               Should the Software  become,  or in EFTIA'S  opinion be likely to
               become,  the subject of any such claim, the End User shall permit
               EFTIA, at EFTIA'S option and expense,  to (a) procure for the End
               User the right to  continue  using the  Software,  (b) replace or
               modify the Software so that it becomes non-infringing,  or (c) if
               the foregoing, is nor practicable, terminate the right to use the
               Software and remove the Software,  upon which termination the End
               User agrees to promptly  return and/or  destroy all copies of the
               Software  and  certify  the same to EFTIA,  whereupon  EFTIA will
               refund the End User license fees for the Software as  depreciated
               on a straightens three (3) year basis.

               EFTIA  shall  have no  liability,  for any  claim  of  patent  or
               copyright  infringement  which  is  based on (a) the use of other
               than the then latest version the Software,  if such  infringement
               could have been avoided by the use of the latest  version so long
               as the latest  version is available to the End User at no charge,
               (b)  the  use or  combination  of  the  Software  with  software,
               hardware or other  materials  not  provided or approved by EFTIA,
               provided such infringement would not have arisen but for such use
               or  combination,  (c) use of the  Software in a manner other than
               for which it was designed or contemplated as evidenced by EFTIA'S
               published specification,  (d) any modification by the End User or
               a third party of the Software  that is not approved by EFTIA,  or
               (e) any compliance with specific, detailed written designs, plans
               or specifications  furnished by the End User or on the End User's
               behalf.

               This section 11 ("Patent  and  Copyright  Indemnity")  states the
               entire  liability of EFTIA, and the End User's sole and exclusive
               remedy, with respect to infringement of any patents,  copyrights,
               or other  intellectual  property rights,  and EFTIA shall have no
               additional  liability  with  respect  to any  alleged  or  proved
               infringement.


                                        5

<PAGE>

               12. GOVERNING LAW

               This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey
               without  regard to conflict of laws,  rules and  principles.  The
               United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale
               of Goods is specifically disclaimed.


               13. MISCELLANEOUS

               If any  provision  hereof  shall  be  held  illegal,  invalid  or
               unenforceable,  in  whole  or in part,  such  provision  shall be
               modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it legal,  valid
               and enforceable, and the legality, validity and enforceability of
               all other  provisions  of this  Agreement  shall not be  affected
               thereby.  No delay or  failure  by either  party to  exercise  or
               enforce  at any  time  any  right or  provision  hereof  shall be
               considered a waiver thereof,  or of such party's right thereafter
               to exercise or enforce each and every right and provision of this
               Agreement.  A waiver or amendment  hereto shall be effective only
               if it is in writing  (by  non-preprinted  agreement  or terms and
               conditions) and signed by an authorized representative of the End
               User and EFTIA. No single waiver shall constitute a continuing or
               subsequent  waiver. The prevailing party in any action to enforce
               this  Agreement  shall be entitled to recover costs and expenses,
               including  reasonable  attorneys'  fees.  The price terms of this
               Agreement  are  confidential  and no press  release  or any other
               written  or oral  disclosure  of any  price  terms may be made by
               either party without the other  party's  prior  written  consent.
               This Agreement is the complete and exclusive statement of the End
               User  and  EFTIA  relating  to  the  subject  matter  hereof  and
               supersedes  all prior oral and  written  and all  contemporaneous
               oral negations, commitments and understandings of the parties.

EFTIA OSS SOLUTIONS INC.                   KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS INC.


Signature:         /S/                     Signature:       /S/                 
          -------------------------                  -------------------------

Name/Title:     CFO                        Name/Title:   CIO                    
           ------------------------                   ------------------------

Date:   NOV. 17, 1998                      Date:    10 NOV. 1998                
     ------------------------------             ------------------------------


                                        6

<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX C


[object omitted]            Eftia OSS Solutions Inc.


                      CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES AGREEMENT


               This Customer  Support  Services  Agreement (the  "Agreement") is
               effective as of 1 December 1998 ("Effective Date") by and between
               Eftia OSS Solutions, Inc. ("'EFTIA"), with its principal place of
               business at 1600 Scott Street, 3rd Floor, Ottawa, Ontario KlY 4N7
               and KMC TELECOM  HOLDINGS INC.  ("Licensee"),  with its principal
               place of business at 1545 ROUTE 206,  SUITE 300,  BEDMINSTER,  NJ
               07921.


               The following are included  herein by reference as integral parts
               of this Agreement:

               EXHIBIT A: Licensed  Software  Products Covered by this Agreement
               EXHIBIT B: Explanation of Escalation Procedures

               1. DEFINITIONS

               1.1 "Documentation"  shall mean any user manuals,  release notes,
               installation  notes,  and other materials in any form provided in
               conjunction with the Licensed Software Products.

               1.2 "Error"  means a problem  which causes the Licensed  Software
               Products  not to perform  substantially  in  accordance  with the
               specifications set forth in applicable Licensed Software Products
               Documentation.

               1.3  "Licensee"  shall  mean  that End User  which  acquires  the
               Licensed  Software Product for its own use and which has no right
               to  sublicense or transfer the Licensed  Software  Product to any
               third party, and its subsidiaries and affiliates.

               1.4  "Licensed  Software  Product(s)"  shall mean the software in
               object  code  specified  on a  purchase  order  referencing  this
               agreement,  together  with  the  Documentation,  licensed  to the
               Licensee by way of a separate license agreement.



                                        7

<PAGE>

               1.5 "Release" shall mean any update, enhancement, or bug-fix of a
               Licensed  Software Product which is substantially  similar to and
               is marketed  under the same product  number and  nomenclature.  A
               Release  is  designated  by a number to the right of the  decimal
               point (such as Vx.1 or Vx.2 or Vx.2.2).

               1.6 "Site"  shall mean a single  corporate  or  business  entity,
               located  within an area having a radius of less than 25 miles (40
               kilometers)  for  which  a  single  Customer   Support   Services
               Agreement  exists  to  cover  support  of all  Licensed  Software
               Products.

               1.7  "Software  Maintenance"  shall  mean  the  issuance  of  new
               Releases of Licensed  Software  Products on an as-needed basis in
               order to correct "bugs" or to add functional enhancements.


               1.8  "Software   Support"  shall  mean   providing   commercially
               reasonable   responses  to  a  reasonable   amount  of  technical
               questions  posed via  telephone,  facsimile  or  electronic  mail
               during  Eftia's  normal  business  hours - 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
               EST.


               1.9  "Update"  shall  mean at Release  of the  Licensed  Software
               Product or new Documentation  designated to correct any Errors or
               to improve performance or functionality.


               1.10  "Version"  shall  mean  specific  edition  of the  Licensed
               Software  Products and is designated  by a number  located to the
               left of the  decimal  point  (such  as Vl.x or  V2.x).  Each  new
               Version of the Licensed Software  Products  contains  significant
               functionality changes or improvements.

               2. PURPOSE AND SUPPORT PLANS AVAILABLE

               2.1 Purpose:  Eftia offers optional support and maintenance plans
               for the Licensed  Software  Products  detailed in Exhibit A on an
               annual subscription  basis.  Licensee desires to subscribe to one
               of these support plans as indicated on Exhibit A.

               2.2  Support  Plans:  Licensee  may  obtain  services  under this
               Agreement by issuing a purchase order to Eftia. No purchase order
               is  binding  on Eftia  unless  and  until  accepted  by Eftia and
               nothing contained in any purchase order, P.O. Acknowledgment,  or
               invoice  shall in any way modify the terms of this  Agreement  or
               add any additional terms or conditions.

               The Basic Plan: Eftia will provide diagnostic  assistance through
               telephone,  facsimile or  electronic  mail to assist  Licensee in
               isolating and resolving  Errors and other problems  during normal


                                        8

<PAGE>

               business hours. Response time is two (2) hours or less. The Basic
               Plan also  includes  updates to  Licensed  Software  Product  and
               Documentation or delivery of software patches and workarounds.

                Support Coverage:          Monday to Friday 8:00 to 17:00 EST,
                                           excluding Eftia Holidays
                Telephone Number:          1-888-423-3842 (1 888 42EFTIA)
                E-mail Address:            [email protected]


                    B.   Consulting Services:  Licensee questions concerning the
                         adaptation or  modification  of the supported  Software
                         Licensed  Products  are not  covered  by this  Customer
                         Support Agreement. Eftia does offer optional Consulting
                         Services for areas  beyond the scope of this  Agreement
                         for additional fees.

               3. EFTIA RESPONSIBILITIES

               3.1  Eftia will provide the standard Software Support services on
                    weekdays  from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM,  Eastern  Standard  Time,
                    excluding Eftia holidays.

               3.2  Eftia  shall  investigate  Errors in the  Licensed  Software
                    Product reported by the Licensee.  If Eftia's  investigation
                    reveals an Error or  malfunction  in the supported  Licensed
                    Software  Products,  Eftia will use commercially  reasonable
                    efforts to either  provide a  correction  to the Error or to
                    provide a suitable workaround solution.


                                        9

<PAGE>

               3.3  Eftia shall have no obligation to support:

                    A.   Altered  or  Licensee/Third   Party-modified   Licensed
                         Software Products that have not been approved by Eftia;

                    B.   Derivative works;

                    C.   Any  combination  of the  supported  Licensed  Software
                         Product  with  other   software  not  covered  by  this
                         Agreement that has not been approved by Eftia;

                    D.   Software Errors created through  Licensee's  negligence
                         or misapplication of the Licensed Software Products for
                         purposes   other   than   those    specified   in   the
                         Documentation;

                    E.   Software Errors resulting from hardware  malfunction or
                         Licensee's failure to backup data;

                    F.   Licensed   Software   Product  used  on   non-qualified
                         computer systems or hardware. Eftia will provide to the
                         Licensee a list of qualified hardware and software upon
                         releasing  any  enhancements  to the product as part of
                         the support agreement.

               3.4: Eftia will  provide  support  services  for the most  recent
                    Release of the Licensed  Software  Product.  Eftia will also
                    support  the   preceding   release   ("Previous   Sequential
                    Release")  until the most recent  Release has been generally
                    commercially available for one (1) year.

               3.5  Product  Updates:  The  Licensee  will be provided  software
                    upgrades from Eftia, if annual maintenance fees are current.

               3.6  Eftia  will  provide   temporary  re-host  of  the  Licensed
                    Software  Product at extra cost to a  substantially  similar
                    back-up  system  when  the  primary   designated  system  is
                    inoperable.

               4.   LICENSEE RESPONSIBILITIES

               4.1  Licensee  shall appoint a Technical  Representative,  and an
                    Alternate if the system size warrants i, who will be trained
                    and  qualified  to maintain  the  integrity  of the Licensed
                    Software  Products  on  Licensee's   system.  The  Technical
                    Representative   or  Alternate   shall  make  all  technical
                    communications   by   Licensee  to  Eftia.   All   technical
                    information and materials provided to Eftia pursuant to this
                    Agreement will be routed to the Technical Representative.


                                       10

<PAGE>

               4.2  Licensee  end users  shall use  reasonable  efforts to read,
                    comprehend and follow operating  instructions and procedures
                    specified in Documentation.

               4.3  Licensee  will use  reasonable  efforts  to notify  Eftia if
                    problems or Errors with the  Licensed  Software  Product are
                    encountered.  Licensee  shall  provide  descriptions  of the
                    Error to  Eftia.  Licensee  will  answer  questions  and use
                    reasonable  efforts to assist  Eftia's  efforts to duplicate
                    any Licensed Software Product Errors or problems. Subject to
                    Licensee's   security  and   confidentiality   requirements,
                    Licensee  will  provide  Eftia  with  access  to and  use of
                    information  and  system  facilities  reasonably  determined
                    necessary by Eftia to provide timely support.

               4.4  Licensee will provide reasonable remedial corrective action,
                    if   necessary,   under  the   direction  of  Eftia  support
                    personnel.

               4.5  For  customers on the Eftia Support Plan, at least two named
                    technical contacts must have received training on all of the
                    Licensed Software Products in use at Licensee's site.

               5.   TERM

               5.1  Term:  Unless  terminated  earlier as provided herein,  this
                    Agreement is effective  for one (1) year from the  Effective
                    Date of this Agreement.

               5.2  Renewal:  This Agreement will be  automatically  renewed for
                    additional one year terms unless Licensee  notifies Eftia in
                    writing that support is not being renewed.  Licensee  agrees
                    to provide at least  thirty  (30) days  written  notice that
                    support  is not  being  renewed.  Eftia has the right not to
                    renew this Agreement  with respect to the Licensed  Software
                    Products by  providing  written  notice of such  election at
                    least ninety (90) days prior to the anniversary date, if and
                    only if Eftia no longer generally  provides support for such
                    Licensed  Software  Products,  or  no  longer  provides  the
                    specific services previously offered.

               6.   PAYMENT TERMS

               6.1  Payment Terms: Payment terms are net 30 days from receipt of
                    Eftia invoice.

               6.2  Payment  will be made in U.S.  dollars to Eftia's  Corporate
                    Address.

               6.3  All prices are F.O.B. at Ottawa, ONTARIO, Canada.


                                       11

<PAGE>

               6.4  In addition to any other sums  payable  hereunder,  Licensee
                    shall pay all reasonable  transportation  charges,  shipping
                    insurance or duties,  and shall be  responsible  for any and
                    all  taxes,   import  or  export  fees,  excise  taxes,  and
                    withholding  taxes arising from use of the licensed Software
                    Products (excluding taxes based upon Eftia's income).

               7.   CONFIDENTIALITY

               7.1  Both parties  understand and  acknowledge  that by reason of
                    their relationship with each other, they will have access to
                    certain  information  and  materials  concerning  the  other
                    party's business, plans, customers, and technology, that are
                    confidential and of substantial  value, which value would be
                    impaired  if  such   information  were  disclosed  to  third
                    parties.  Both parties  agree that they shall not use in any
                    way for its own account or the  account of any third  party,
                    nor  disclose  to any  third  party,  any such  confidential
                    information  revealed to it by the other party other than to
                    fulfill its express  obligations under this Agreement except
                    as otherwise  required by applicable  law or legal  process.
                    Each party will take every reasonable  precaution to protect
                    the confidentiality of such information.

               7.2  All customer lists,  potential customer lists, marketing and
                    financial   information,   business  plans,   and  technical
                    information,  whether  written  or  verbal,  shall be deemed
                    confidential information.

               7.3  Licensed  Software   Products  and  all  code,   inventions,
                    algorithms,  know how and ideas obtained from Eftia shall be
                    deemed confidential information.

               7.4  This Agreement is confidential  and neither party shall make
                    any   public   announcement   of  this   Agreement   or  the
                    relationship   between  the  parties  without  the  advance,
                    written consent of the other party.

               8.   TERMINATION

               8.1  Termination  for Cause:  Upon default in the  performance of
                    any provision of this Agreement,  the  non-defaulting  party
                    will issue a written notice to the  defaulting  party and if
                    the default is not cured,  or the defaulting  party does not
                    submit  a Plan  for Cure  acceptable  to the  non-defaulting
                    party,  within 30 days then the  non-defaulting  party shall
                    have the right to terminate the agreement immediately.

                    A.   Eftia may  suspend  or  terminate  services  under this
                         Agreement if Licensee fails to timely pay support fees.


                                       12

<PAGE>

                    B.   In the event Licensee terminates this Agreement,  Eftia
                         will refund any unused  support  fees that have already
                         been paid by the Licensee to Eftia.

               8.2  Termination for Insolvency:  Either party may terminate this
                    Agreement  immediately  upon written notice in the event the
                    other  party  shall (a)  become  insolvent  or files or have
                    filed  against it a petition  for  bankruptcy  (which is not
                    dismissed within 90 days after it is filed),  or (b) make an
                    assignment for the benefit of creditors,  or (c) dissolve or
                    cease to do business in the ordinary course.

               8.3  Services under this Agreement shall automatically  terminate
                    upon termination of the License Agreement.

               9.   LIMITED LIABILITY

               9.1  EFTIA'S SOLE LIABILITY AND LICENSEE'S  EXCLUSIVE  REMEDY FOR
                    DAMAGES WITH RESPECT TO SERVICES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT,  TORT
                    (INCLUDING  NEGLIGENCE),  STRICT  LIABILITY OR OTHER THEORY,
                    SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT PAID ANNUALLY BY LICENSEE FOR
                    THESE SERVICES.

               9.2  UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, SHALL EFTIA OR
                    LICENSEE   BE  LIABLE  FOR  ANY   SPECIAL,   INCIDENTAL   OR
                    CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES
                    FOR LOST PROFITS,  LOSS OF DATA, OR COSTS OF  PROCUREMENT OF
                    SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES, ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THIS
                    AGREEMENT  OR THE USE OF THE  LICENSED  SOFTWARE  PRODUCT OR
                    DOCUMENTATION.

               10.  ASSIGNMENT

               10.1 This Agreement and the rights hereunder are not transferable
                    or  assignable  without  the prior  written  consent  of the
                    parties hereto, except for rights to payment and except to a
                    person or entity who  acquires all or  substantially  all of
                    the assets or business of a party,  whether by sale,  merger
                    or otherwise.

               11.  GENERAL

               11.1 Headings: Headings and captions are for convenience only and
                    are not to be used in the interpretation of this Agreement.


                                       13

<PAGE>

               11.2 Governing  Law:  This  agreement  shall be  governed  by and
                    construed under the laws of the State of New Jersey.  In any
                    action or proceeding to enforce rights under this Agreement,
                    the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable
                    costs and attorneys' fees.

               11.3 No Waiver:  Failure by either party to enforce any provision
                    of this  Agreement  will not be  deemed a waiver  of  future
                    enforcement of that or any other provision.

               11.4 Partial Invalidity: If any portion of this Agreement is held
                    to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, then the
                    remaining provisions shall nevertheless remain in full force
                    and effect.

               11.5 Notices:  Notices under this  Agreement  shall be sufficient
                    only  if   personally   delivered,   delivered  by  a  major
                    commercial  rapid  delivery  courier  service  or  mailed by
                    certified or registered mail,  return receipt requested to a
                    party at its addresses  first set forth herein or as amended
                    by  notice  pursuant  to this  subsection.  If not  received
                    sooner, notice by mail shall be deemed received 5 days after
                    deposit in Canada or international mails.

               11.6 Entire  Agreement:  This  Agreement  sets  forth the  entire
                    agreement and  understanding  of the parties relating to the
                    subject  matter  and  supersedes  all  prior  agreements  or
                    representations,  oral or written,  regarding  such  subject
                    matter.  No  modification of or amendment to this Agreement,
                    nor any  waiver of rights  under  this  Agreement,  shall be
                    effective   unless   in   writing   signed   by   authorized
                    representatives of both parties.


                                       14

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A
                       SOFTWARE COVERED BY THIS AGREEMENT


               |X|  Licensee elects to subscribe to the Basic Support Plan.


         EFTIA OSS MODULES:

         Master.Scribe CLEC




    Licensee      /S/                        Date   10 NOV. 1998              
            ---------------------------          -----------------------------

    Eftia           /S/                      Date   NOV. 17, 1998             
         ------------------------------          -----------------------------



                                       15
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT B
                              ESCALATION PROCEDURES


               Eftia shall  investigate  Errors in the Licensed Software Product
               reported by the  Licensee.  If Eftia's  investigation  reveals an
               Error or malfunction in the supported Licensed Software Products,
               Eftia will use commercially  reasonable efforts to either provide
               a  correction  to the Error or to provide a  suitable  workaround
               solution.

               Eftia classifies Errors as follows:

                    A.   CRITICAL:  Licensee  is  unable  to  use  the  Licensed
                         Software  Product  because   specified   functions  are
                         consistently  failing,  resulting in critical impact to
                         operations;  with no known  workaround.  Eftia will use
                         commercially  diligent  efforts  to  have  a  two  hour
                         acknowledgment,  and same day  response,  and a one-day
                         resolution/work around/patch.

                    B.   MAJOR:  Licensee is able to use the  Licensed  Software
                         Product but is severely  restricted  because  specified
                         functions   are   failing,    resulting   in   impaired
                         productivity.  There is a workaround but it is awkward.
                         Eftia will use commercially  diligent efforts to have a
                         two hour acknowledgment,  one day response, and two-day
                         resolution/work around/patch.

                    C.   MODERATE: Licensee Nvork is impeded but progress is not
                         seriously   impacted.   Eftia  will  use   commercially
                         diligent efforts to have a one day acknowledgment and a
                         four day response.

                    D.   MINOR:   Licensee  has  discovered   Licensed  Software
                         Product behavior that is different from  specifications
                         in  Documentation,  but  operations  are not  impacted.
                         There may be a known workaround. Eftia will acknowledge
                         problem  and will  endeavor to resolve the problem in a
                         future bug-fix or minor release.

               If Licensee does not receive the level of attention that Licensee
               feels is necessary  to resolve the Error or problem,  or Licensee
               feels the problem  should be  reclassified,  the Licensee  should
               contact the manager of the Eftia Customer Care (Telephone Number:
               1 613 722 4407). Eftia encourages Licensee to use this option any
               time that  Licensee  would  like to speak  with an Eftia  manager
               about concerns with the level of support.

               Eftia's  modules are supported by the developers  that engineered
               them.  Our  software   developers  are  on  a  support   rotation
               specifically  to focus on  customer  concerns  or  troubles.  The
               support  line  takes  the  initial  call and then  passes  on the
               trouble to the  appropriate  developer for  resolution.  Eftia 's
               staff  wear  pagers to ensure  prompt  response  to any  troubles
               during the support hours.


                                       16

<PAGE>

KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc.        /S/             Date       10 NOV. 1998
                          ----------------------      --------------------------


                    Eftia         /S/             Date       NOV 17, 1998
                          ----------------------      --------------------------

<PAGE>
QUOTATION FROM:                             QUOTATION TO:
AllKarim Somji                 (graphic     Daphne Howard
Eftia OSS Solutions, Inc.       omitted)    KMC Telecom
1600 Scott St., 3rd Floor                   Suite 245, 3005 Breckenridge Blvd.
P.O. Box 165                                Duluth, Georgia
Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 4S1                     30096
                            EFTIA OSS SOLUTIONS INC.

Tel:  (613) 722-4407                        Tel:  (770) 935-2592
Fax:  (613)  722-4430                       Fax:  (770) 935-2500

                               PHASE I KMC REVISED
                                   APPENDIX: A

Quotation Number:  102698.1                 Quotation Expiry: October 30th, 1998
Quotation Date:  October 26th, 1998         Currency:  US $$'s


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM      PART NO.    DESCRIPTION                           QTY      UNIT PRICE      EXT. PRICE     COMMENTS

<S>       <C>        <C>                                    <C>     <C>             <C>             <C>
01A                   Eftia's CLEC Package.  Includes:         1.00    $1,000,000      $1,000,000
                        Service Order
                        Circuit Inventory and Asset
                        Telephone Number Administration

                        Maintenance System
                        Includes CLR and DLR
                          forms

                      Notes:
                      1) All the required
                      customizations for Service Order
                      are included - up to 20 days.
                      This does not include any work on
                      the interfaces.

                      One Year Support Cost                    1.00      $180,000        $180,000

                      Discount - 15%                                                    ($150,000)


01B                   Service Order for Long Distance          1.00      $100,000        $100,000   Process ASRs from
                                                                                                    AT&T
                      - Required customizations included

                      One Year Support Cost                    1.00       $18,000         $18,000

                      Discount - 15%                                                     ($15,000)

01C                   Service Order for Enhanced Data          1.00      $100,000        $100,000   Process orders for
                      Services                                                                      ATM, Frame Relay,
                                                                                                    etc.


<PAGE>

                      - Required customizations included

                      One Year Support Cost                    1.00       $18,000         $18,000

                      Discount - 15%                                                    ($15,000)

02                    Fax Integration Option

                      Form Generation System.  Includes:       1.00       $30,000         $30,000
                      - Software and implementation of
                        two forms - ASR & LSR
                      - Integration to the fax server

                      One Year Support Cost                    1.00        $5,400          $5,400

                      Additional Forms for Service Order       7.00       $20,000        $140,000
                      - E911, LIDB, CNAM, MCI LD, Calling
                        Card, Toll-Free and Lucent
                        Service Order Form

                      One Year Support Cost                    1.00                       $25,200


                      Integrated Fax Software Option.          1.00       $30,000         $30,000
                      Includes
                      - Server based software with
                        integration to Service Order

                      One Year Support Cost                    1.00        $5,400          $5,400

03        Training
                      - All training is offered at
                        customer site
                      - Maximum number of ten (10)
                        students per class
                      - Training costs provided are per
                        class costs

                      Service Order Training

                      Four days of application and             2.00       $12,000         $24,000
                      "process" training
                      Two days of administration training      1.00        $7,000          $7,000

                      Circuit Inventory and Asset Training

                      Four days of user training               2.00       $12,000         $24,000
                      Two days of administration training      1.00        $7,000          $7,000


<PAGE>

                      Telephone Number Administration Training

                      Three days of user training              1.00        $9,000          $9,000
                      Two days of administration training      1.00        $7,000          $7,000

                      Maintenance Training

                      Three days of user training              2.00        $9,500         $19,000
                      Two days of administration training      1.00        $7,000          $7,000

04                    Required Software Licenses

                      AR System Server with multiple           2.00        $9,500         $19,000
                      server option.  Includes three
                      fixed write licenses

                      AR System Floating Write licenses -     10.00       $10,000        $100,000
                      In packs of five (5)

                      AR System Fixed Write licenses - In      8.00        $4,000         $32,000
                      packs of five (5)

                      One Year Support Cost                    1.00                       $27,180

05                    Backup Solution

                      Backup Software, Installation and        1.00       $40,000         $40,000
                      Customization Services for CLEC
                      Master.Scribe Package

                      One Year Support Cost                    1.00                        $7,200

06                    Required Interfaces

                      Interface to Billing System Service      1.00      $160,000        $160,000
                      Bureau

                      - Includes ORB Software

                      One Year Support Cost                    1.00                       $28,800

                      Development Discount                                              ($106,672)
          NOTES:
          -   Cost   for   distributed   application   and   disaster   recovery
              environments  would be provided  after detailed  discussions  with
              KMC.
          -   No costing has been provided for setting up test and development environments.
          -   Customization and Integration assistance (including development of interfaces)
              will be provided at a per diem rate of $1,250 or on a fixed price based on an
              assessment.

          ASSUMPTIONS:
          -   KMC would be providing  the  appropriate  hardware and software to
              run the Eftia OSS  applications  including  the selected  database
              software.


<PAGE>

                                                                     Subtotal          $1,882,508
</TABLE>


GENERAL NOTES:

[1]      All Taxes are extra
[2]      Travel Expenses are extra
[3]      Payment terms are net 30 days; 2% per month charged on all 
         overdue accounts
[4]      FOB Ottawa



<PAGE>


QUOTATION FROM:                             QUOTATION TO:
AllKarim Somji                              Daphne Howard
Eftia OSS Solutions, Inc. (graphic omitted) KMC Telecom
1600 Scott St., 3rd Floor                   Suite 245, 3005 Breckenridge Blvd.
P.O. Box 165                                Duluth, Georgia
Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 4S1                     30096
                            EFTIA OSS SOLUTIONS INC.
Tel:  (613) 722-4407                        Tel:  (770) 935-2592
Fax:  (613)  722-4430                       Fax:  (770) 935-2500

                              PHASE II KMC REVISED
                                   APPENDIX: A

Quotation Number:  102698.2                 Quotation Expiry: October 30th, 1998
Quotation Date:  October 26th, 1998         Currency:  US $$'s


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM      PART NO.    DESCRIPTION                           QTY      UNIT PRICE      EXT. PRICE     COMMENTS

<S>       <C>        <C>                                    <C>     <C>             <C>             <C>
01                    Trouble Notification

                      Integrated Paging and Basic IVR          1.00       $30,000         $30,000
                      System
                      -   Integrated and automated
                          notification from Maintenance
                      -   Paging and Basic IVR hardware
                          and software

                      One Year Support Cost                    1.00        $5,400          $5,400

02                    Workforce Management

                      Workforce Management integrated to       1.00      $100,000        $100,000
                      Service Order and Maintenance
                      -   For up to 100 scheduled users

                      One Year Support Cost                    1.00       $18,000          $18,000

                      Workforce Management Training

                      Three days of user training              2.00        $9,000         $18,000
                      Two days of administration training      1.00        $7,000          $7,000

03                    Required Interfaces


                      Interface to LNP Service Bureau          1.00      $150,000        $150,000   Approximate Cost
                      (Illuminet)


<PAGE>

                      One Year Support Cost                    1.00                       $27,000

                      ASR Order Gateway with single set                                  $525,000
                      of transactions.  Customization
                      required for individual interfaces
                      - at extra cost

                      One Year Support Cost                    1.00                       $94,500

                      LSR Order Gateway with single set                                  $400,000
                      of transactions.  Customization
                      required for individual interfaces
                      - at extra cost

                      One Year Support Cost                    1.00                       $72,000

          NOTES:
          -   Cost   for   distributed   application   and   disaster   recovery
              environments  would be provided  after detailed  discussions  with
              KMC.
          -   No costing has been provided for setting up test and development environments.
          -   Customization and Integration assistance (including development of interfaces)
              will be provided at a per diem rate of $1,250 or on a fixed price based on an
              assessment.

          ASSUMPTIONS:
          -   KMC would be providing  the  appropriate  hardware and software to
              run the Eftia OSS  applications  including  the selected  database
              software.


                                                                     Subtotal          $1,446,900
</TABLE>


GENERAL NOTES:

[1]      All Taxes are extra
[2]      Travel Expenses are extra
[3]      Payment terms are net 30 days; 2% per month charged on all 
         overdue accounts
[4]      FOB Ottawa



<PAGE>
QUOTATION FROM:                             QUOTATION TO:
AllKarim Somji                 (graphic     Daphne Howard
Eftia OSS Solutions, Inc.       omitted)    KMC Telecom
1600 Scott St., 3rd Floor                   Suite 245, 3005 Breckenridge Blvd.
P.O. Box 165                                Duluth, Georgia
Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 4S1                     30096
                            EFTIA OSS SOLUTIONS INC.

Tel:  (613) 722-4407                        Tel:  (770) 935-2592
Fax:  (613)  722-4430                       Fax:  (770) 935-2500

                              PHASE II KMC REVISED
                                    APPENDIX:

Quotation Number:  102698.3                 Quotation Expiry: October 30th, 1998
Quotation Date:  October 26th, 1998         Currency:  US $$'s


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM      PART NO.    DESCRIPTION                           QTY      UNIT PRICE      EXT. PRICE     COMMENTS

<S>       <C>        <C>                                    <C>     <C>             <C>             <C>
01                    Options for Maintenance

                      Integrated Basic Network Management      1.00       $60,000         $60,000
                      Interface.  Includes:
                      -   Customization of rules (maximum
                          of eight)
                      -   Following Reports:  Event
                          History, Category and Trend
                      -   Event Archival

                      One Year Support Cost                    1.00       $10,800         $10,800

                      Service Impact Module - Integrated       1.00      $200,000        $200,000
                      to Maintenance and Circuit
                      Inventory to provide circuit trace
                      and customer impact

                      One Year Support Cost                    1.00       $36,000         $36,000

02                    Required Interfaces

                      Interface to E911 and Directory          1.00      $300,000        $300,000
                      Assistance Service Bureau

                      One Year Support Cost                    1.00                       $54,000

                      Interface to LIDB/CNAM Service           1.00      $150,000        $150,000   Approximate Cost
                      Bureau (Illuminet)

                      One Year Support Cost                    1.00                        $27,000

<PAGE>

          NOTES:
          -   Cost   for   distributed   application   and   disaster   recovery
              environments  would be provided  after detailed  discussions  with
              KMC.
          -   No costing has been provided for setting up test and development environments.
          -   Customization and Integration assistance (including development of interfaces)
              will be provided at a per diem rate of $1,250 or on a fixed price based on an
              assessment.

          ASSUMPTIONS:
          -   KMC would be providing  the  appropriate  hardware and software to
              run the Eftia OSS  applications  including  the selected  database
              software.


                                                                     Subtotal            $837,800

</TABLE>

GENERAL NOTES:

[1]      All Taxes are extra
[2]      Travel Expenses are extra
[3]      Payment terms are net 30 days; 2% per month charged on all 
         overdue accounts
[4]      FOB Ottawa



<PAGE>
QUOTATION FROM:                             QUOTATION TO:
AllKarim Somji                 (graphic     Daphne Howard
Eftia OSS Solutions, Inc.       omitted)    KMC Telecom
1600 Scott St., 3rd Floor                   Suite 245, 3005 Breckenridge Blvd.
P.O. Box 165                                Duluth, Georgia
Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 4S1                     30096
                            EFTIA OSS SOLUTIONS INC.

Tel:  (613) 722-4407                        Tel:  (770) 935-2592
Fax:  (613)  722-4430                       Fax:  (770) 935-2500

                              PHASE IV KMC REVISED
                                   APPENDIX: A

Quotation Number:  102698.4                 Quotation Expiry: October 30th, 1998
Quotation Date:  October 26th, 1998         Currency:  US $$'s


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM      PART NO.    DESCRIPTION                           QTY      UNIT PRICE      EXT. PRICE     COMMENTS

<S>       <C>        <C>                                    <C>     <C>             <C>             <C>
01A                   WEB Interface for Order Submission       1.00       $50,000        $50,000   Requires ARWeb Server
                      and Query                                                                    product

                      One Year Support Cost                    1.00        $9,000         $9,000

01B                   "Real Time" Business Process             1.00       $35,000        $35,000   Requires Flashboards
                      Metrics for Service Order                                                    Server product

                      One Year Support Cost                    1.00        $6,300         $6,300

02A                   WEB Interface for Ticket Submission      1.00       $50,000        $50,000   Requires ARWeb Server
                      and Query                                                                    Product

                      One Year Support Cost                    1.00        $9,000         $9,000

02B                   "Real Time" NOC Metrics                  1.00       $33,500        $33,500   Requires Flashboards
                                                                                                   Server Product

                      One Year Support Cost                    1.00        $6,030         $6,030

03                    Action Request System - ARWeb            2.00       $12,000        $24,000

                      Action Request System - Flashboards      2.00        $8,500        $17,000
                      with one five pack fixed licenses

                      Additional five pack fixed licenses      1.00        $3,500         $3,500
                      for Flashboards

                      One Year Support                         1.00                       $8,010

<PAGE>

          NOTES:
          - Cost for distributed  application and disaster recovery environments
          would be provided  after detailed  discussions  with KMC. - No costing
          has been provided for setting up test and development environments.  -
          Customization  and Integration  assistance  (including  development of
          interfaces)  will be  provided  at a per diem  rate of  $1,250 or on a
          fixed price based on an assessment.

          ASSUMPTIONS:
          - KMC wold be providing the  appropriate  hardware and software to run
          the Eftia OSS applications including the selected database software.


                                                                     Subtotal           $251,340
</TABLE>


GENERAL NOTES:

[1]      All Taxes are extra
[2]      Travel Expenses are extra
[3]      Payment terms are net 30 days; 2% per month charged on all 
         overdue accounts
[4]      FOB Ottawa





<PAGE>
QUOTATION FROM:                             QUOTATION TO:
AllKarim Somji                 (graphic     Daphne Howard
Eftia OSS Solutions, Inc.       omitted)    KMC Telecom
1600 Scott St., 3rd Floor                   Suite 245, 3005 Breckenridge Blvd.
P.O. Box 165                                Duluth, Georgia
Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 4S1                     30096
                            EFTIA OSS SOLUTIONS INC.

Tel:  (613) 722-4407                        Tel:  (770) 935-2592
Fax:  (613)  722-4430                       Fax:  (770) 935-2500

                              PHASE IV KMC REVISED
                                   APPENDIX: A

Quotation Number:  102698.4                 Quotation Expiry: October 30th, 1998
Quotation Date:  October 26th, 1998         Currency:  US $$'s


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM      PART NO.    DESCRIPTION                           QTY      UNIT PRICE      EXT. PRICE     COMMENTS
<S>       <C>        <C>                                    <C>     <C>             <C>             <C>
01                    Trouble Administration Gateway

                      Trouble Administration Gateway -         1.00      $500,000       $500,000   Electronically receive
                      Client Integrated to Maintenance                                             trouble admin. data from
                      Module                                                                       trading partners

                      One Year Support Cost                    1.00                      $90,000   with electronic bonding
                                                                                                   TA capability

                      Trouble Administration Gateway -         1.00      $500,000       $500,000   Electronically receive
                      Manager Integrated to Maintenance                                            trouble admin. data from
                      Module                                                                       trading partners

                      One Year Support Cost                    1.00                      $90,000   with electronic bonding
                                                                                                   TA capability

                      50% of the TA Gateway will be
                      refunded to KMC as part of royalty

          NOTES:
          - Cost for distributed  application and disaster recovery environments
          would be provided  after detailed  discussions  with KMC. - No costing
          has been provided for setting up test and development environments.  -
          Customization  and Integration  assistance  (including  development of
          interfaces)  will be  provided  at a per diem  rate of  $1,250 or on a
          fixed price based on an assessment.

          ASSUMPTIONS:
          - KMC wold be providing the  appropriate  hardware and software to run
          the Eftia OSS applications including the selected database software.


                                                                     Subtotal          $1,180,000
</TABLE>


GENERAL NOTES:

[1]      All Taxes are extra
[2]      Travel Expenses are extra
[3]      Payment terms are net 30 days; 2% per month charged on all
         overdue accounts
[4]      FOB Ottawa


                         BILLING CONCEPTS SYSTEMS, INC.
                            MASTER LICENSE AGREEMENT
















Customer                               Effective Date:


KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.             _____________________________________


                                       Agreement Number:


                                       _____________________________________

<PAGE>


                         BILLING CONCEPTS SYSTEMS, INC.
                            MASTER LICENSE AGREEMENT

      This Master License  Agreement  (this  "License") is made and entered into
this 31st day of December,  1998 (the "Effective  Date"), by and between Billing
Concepts  Systems,  Inc.,  a  Delaware  corporation  ("BCS"),  and  KMC  Telecom
Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Customer").

      WHEREAS,  Customer  desires to license from BCS the  proprietary  software
system known as the Modular Business Application  System (the "MBA System"); and

      WHEREAS, BCS has agreed to license the MBA System to Customer,  subject to
the terms and conditions set forth herein;

      NOW, THEREFORE,  in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein,
BCS and Customer agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I
                                   DEFINITIONS

     1.1 CURRENT RELEASE shall mean, at any time, the MBA System as described in
the MBA System  Specifications  in effect on the date of the most recent  major,
formal software  release (e.g.,  Version 3.0).  Current Release does not include
modifications  made by BCS  pursuant to an agreement  between BCS and  Customer,
modifications  made by  Customer to the MBA  System,  or  Optional  Applications
Software as defined herein.

     1.2 MBA BASE  SYSTEM  shall mean  Version 3.0 of the MBA System and related
documentation as described in Exhibit A of this License.

     1.3 MBA SYSTEM  shall mean the MBA Base System,  together  with any and all
future  System  Releases,  PTFs and  modifications  that may be  acquired in the
future by  Customer  through  a product  support  agreement  or other  agreement
between BCS and Customer.

     1.4 MBA  SYSTEM  SPECIFICATIONS  shall  mean the  documentation  of the MBA
System on file at BCS' offices in San Antonio,  Texas, and which is delivered to
Customer in Exhibit A. The MBA System  Specifications  also  include the minimum
hardware and software configuration  recommended by BCS for the operation of the
MBA System.

     1.5 PROGRAM TEMPORARY FIX (PTF) shall mean the program and/or documentation
changes and associated installation instructions which at Customer's request are
made available to Customer at no charge in advance of the next System Release to
correct a specific problem reported by Customer during the term of this License.

     1.6 SYSTEM  RELEASE  shall mean a collection  of program and  documentation
changes  (revisions,  deletions  and/or  additions) and associated  installation
instruction  which  are  periodically  made  available  to  Customer  at a price
determined by BCS for the purpose of updating a Current Release to produce a new
Current Release.


                                       2
<PAGE>

     1.7 CUSTOMER as used herein shall mean both KMC Telecom Holdings,  Inc. and
any of its  Affiliates.  An  Affiliate  of  Customer  shall mean any entity that
directly  or  indirectly  through  one  or  more  intermediaries   controls,  is
controlled by, or is under common  control with  Customer.  For purposes of this
Section,  "control"  means  the  ownership  of over  50% of the  voting  capital
securities of an entity.


                                   ARTICLE II
                               MBA SYSTEM LICENSE

     2.1  TERM.  The  license  granted  herein  shall  be for a  perpetual  term
commencing as of the Effective Date, and continuing until terminated as provided
herein.

     2.2 GRANT OF LICENSE.  Subject to all of the terms and  conditions  of this
License,  BCS  hereby  grants  to  Customer,  and  Customer  hereby  accepts,  a
nonexclusive,  non-transferable and perpetual license to use the software listed
in Exhibit A of this License (the "Licensed Software").  This License authorizes
the use of the  Licensed  Software  solely  for the  purpose of  processing  its
internal  business  data and/or  external  data as  required  to perform  normal
operations for Customer's  business.  Customer may not use the Licensed Software
for any purpose other than those expressly authorized hereunder.  Customer shall
not:  (i) use the Licensed  Software to act as a service  bureau or provide data
processing  services  to any third  persons;  (ii) make  copies of the  Licensed
Software for distribution to third parties;  (iii) reverse-engineer or decompile
the  Licensed  Software  for  the  purpose  of  designing,   or  developing  for
distribution,  license or sale to third  parties a software  system  competitive
with the  Licensed  Software;  and/or  (iv)  sublicense  or resell the  Licensed
Software or any license rights granted hereunder.


     No transfer of title to the Licensed  Software is effected by this License,
and BCS shall retain sole and exclusive  title to the Licensed  Software and all
modifications thereto and all intellectual property rights associated therewith.

     This  License is limited to use of the  Licensed  Software by Customer  for
processing of Customer's own internal data (and/or  external data as required to
perform  normal  operations  for  Customer's  business)  and  files  at  a  data
processing  facility owned and controlled by Customer or BCS.  Customer may make
copies of the Licensed  Software only for  Customer's  internal use in training,
testing, development, backup and disaster recovery purposes.

     2.3  SUBLICENSING  AND  ASSIGNMENT.  This License may not be sublicensed by
Customer to any other  person,  firm or  organization  without the prior written
consent of BCS.  This License  shall be binding on the parties  hereto and their
respective  successors  and  assigns.  Neither  party may assign or transfer its
rights or obligations  under this License  without the prior written  consent of
the other party,  except that a party may assign this License  without the prior
written  consent of the other  party if such  assignment  is made to a person or
entity  acquiring  substantially  all of the  assets  of such  assigning  party.
Notwithstanding the foregoing,  however,  Customer shall have the right, without
the consent of BCS, to collaterally  assign this License to any lender providing
financing  to  Customer;  provided,  however,  that  any such  assignment  shall
expressly  provide that: (i) Customer shall remain jointly and severally  liable


                                       3
<PAGE>

with  the  assignee  for all  obligations  arising  under  this  License  unless
expressly  released  therefrom by BCS; (ii) the assignee  shall have no right to
further  assign this License to any person or entity  without the prior  written
consent of BCS, which shall not be unreasonably  withheld;  and (iii) any breach
by the assignee or Customer of any of the terms of this License shall constitute
a breach  entitling  BCS to terminate  this License as to both  Customer and the
assignee  (subject  to the  conditions  set forth in  Article  III  hereof.  Any
collateral  assignment  by Customer  to a lender  which does not comply with the
conditions of the preceding sentence shall be null and void. Within a reasonable
time after receiving a written  request from Customer,  BCS will issue a consent
to a collateral  assignment of this License to a lender of Customer  without any
further  consideration so long as such collateral  assignment  complies with the
conditions provided herein.

     2.4 LICENSE. Upon the Effective Date, Customer shall pay to BCS the initial
license  fee  referenced  on Exhibit B for the  Licensed  Software.  The initial
license fee shall entitle Customer to use the licensed software components up to
the  capacities  referenced  in  Exhibit  B.  If any of  the  licensed  software
components  are used by  Customer  in excess  of the  capacities  referenced  in
Exhibit B, then Customer shall pay to BCS  additional  license fees as set forth
in Exhibit B.

     2.5  MODIFICATION  OF THE  LICENSED  SOFTWARE.  BCS shall have the sole and
exclusive right to design and develop any derivative works from or modifications
to the Licensed Software. Any and all modifications and/or derivative works made
from the Licensed Software,  including any and all intellectual  property rights
associated therewith, shall be the sole and exclusive property of BCS regardless
of whether those  modifications  or derivative works are prepared at the request
of Customer.

     2.6 USE OF PROPRIETARY  MATERIALS BY CUSTOMER.  Following execution of this
License by BCS and Customer,  BCS shall deliver to Customer certain confidential
and  proprietary   documentation   of  BCS  concerning  the  Licensed   Software
(collectively, the "Confidential Materials"). Customer shall be permitted to use
the Confidential Materials in order to operate the Licensed Software, or for any
other purpose for which Customer has been licensed to use the Licensed Software.
Customer  shall  not be  permitted  to use the  Confidential  Materials  for any
purpose  for  which  Customer  is not  licensed  to use the  Licensed  Software.
Customer  represents  and  warrants to BCS that it will  establish  and maintain
reasonable  procedures to protect the Confidential  Materials from  unauthorized
disclosure or use. Customer shall not disclose the Confidential Materials to any
third persons without the advance written consent of BCS.

     2.7 BCS INSPECTION OF LICENSED SOFTWARE. In order to assure compliance with
the  provisions  of this  License,  BCS and its  representatives,  employees and
agents will have the right to inspect, at BCS' expense,  the use of the Licensed
Software at Customer's site (and at any backup or disaster  recovery sites) from
time to time during normal  business  hours.  Customer will assist BCS in making
such inspections in such manner as BCS may reasonably request.  Such inspections
shall be  conducted  with at least twenty four (24) hours prior notice and shall
not unduly disrupt the conduct of Customer's business.

     2.8 INFRINGEMENT. BCS represents and warrants that BCS is the sole owner of
the MBA  System.  BCS also  represents  and  warrants  that BCS has the right to


                                       4
<PAGE>

license the MBA System and that this License does not and will not infringe upon
any United States copyrights, United States patent or other proprietary interest
of any person, firm or organization.

          2.8.1  NOTICE OF CLAIM.  If any action,  claim or suit is  threatened,
brought or made against  Customer  based upon  infringement  of a United  States
copyright,  United States patent,  or other  proprietary right under the laws of
the United  States,  in  connection  with the use of the MBA System by Customer,
Customer  will promptly  notify BCS in writing of such action,  claim or suit of
which it has actual  knowledge and the failure to so notify shall relieve BCS of
its obligations hereunder.

          2.8.2 DEFENSE. BCS shall at BCS' expense take charge of the defense of
any infringement action through attorneys of BCS' selection. If any infringement
action is instituted against BCS and Customer jointly,  BCS will at BCS' expense
defend such action on behalf of both parties. Customer will cooperate at its own
expense in such defense as reasonably  requested by BCS.  Customer will have the
right to  participate  in the defense of such  action,  at  Customer's  expense,
and/or  take its own  position  in any  litigation.  If BCS  appeals  an adverse
decision it will obtain  judicial  relief for Customer or post a bond protecting
Customer from liability for judgment on the adverse  decision  pending the final
determination of the appeal.  BCS will pay in full any settlement  negotiated by
BCS relating to a claim under this Section 2.8, which settlement shall provide a
full release of Customer from all claims.  BCS will  indemnify and hold harmless
Customer of and from all costs and expenses of litigation hereunder,  as well as
the amount of any adverse  judgment  rendered  against Customer as a result of a
finding of  infringement  in favor of any third party as a result of  Customer's
use of the Licensed Software.

          2.8.3 REMEDIAL ACTION. If BCS anticipates an action, claim or suit for
such infringement, or if such an action, claim or suit has been made and the MBA
System, or any part of thereof,  has been held to constitute an infringement and
the use of the MBA  System  or any  part of it is  enjoined,  BCS  will,  at its
expense,  either:  (i) obtain for the  Customer the right to continue to use the
MBA System,  or (ii) replace the MBA System,  or part of the MBA System,  with a
noninfringing   functionally  equivalent  substitute  reasonably  acceptable  to
Customer,   or  (iii)  modify  the  MBA  System  so  as  to  be  non-infringing,
functionally equivalent and reasonably acceptable to Customer.

      A replacement or partial  replacement  of, or a  modification  to, the MBA
System shall be acceptable  to Customer if Customer  remains able to process its
business in substantially  the same manner as before such  replacement,  partial
replacement  or  modification,  and  the  effect  of such  replacement,  partial
replacement  or  modification  is not to require the  expenditure of substantial
additional effort by Customer in the day to day conduct of Customer's business.

      If, however,  BCS is unable,  despite diligent  efforts,  to effect any of
these  options,  Customer  may then  terminate  the  License  granted  herein by
notifying BCS in writing  thereof.  In the event of such  termination,  Customer
shall:

          i.   return the MBA System and all Confidential Materials to BCS; and

          ii.  be relieved of any further  obligation to pay license fees to BCS
               hereunder.

                                       5
<PAGE>

      In any event,  BCS agrees to provide  Customer with reasonable  transition
assistance   should  the  License  be   terminated   for  patent  or   copyright
infringement.

          2.8.4  LIMITATION  OF  LIABILITY  FOR  INFRINGEMENT.  BCS will have no
liability  for any claim of  infringement  of copyright,  patent or  proprietary
interest  to the extent  such  claim is based on either  (i) use of any  version
other than the  unmodified  version of the MBA  System,  except as  modified  by
enhancements and pre-release  enhancements  provided by BCS which become part of
the MBA Base System at a later date if  infringement  could have been avoided by
use of such  unmodified  version;  or (ii) use or  combination of the MBA System
with other than BCS provided or approved  programs,  if infringement  could have
been  avoided  by not using the MBA System in  combination  with other than such
programs.

     2.9  CUSTOMER'S  OBLIGATIONS  UPON  TERMINATION.  Upon  termination of this
License for any reason whatsoever, Customer agrees to return to BCS the Licensed
Software and all  Confidential  Materials,  including all copies of object code,
documentation, programs and other materials delivered by BCS under this License,
and to certify to BCS in writing within thirty (30) days after  termination that
Customer  has not  retained  any  copies  of  those  items.  Following  any such
termination,  Customer agrees to cease and permanently  refrain from any and all
use whatsoever of the Licensed Software,  and all Confidential Materials and any
other information supplied by BCS pursuant to this License.

     2.10 SPECIAL WARRANTY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.

          2.10.1  SPECIAL  WARRANTY.  BCS  warrants  that for 90 days  following
installation of the MBA Base System: (i) the MBA Base System will conform in all
material respects to the MBA System Specifications;  and (ii) the media in which
the  Licensed  Software  is  contained  shall  be free of  material  defects  in
materials  and  workmanship.  During the 90 day  warranty  period,  Customer may
request  the  services of BCS to analyze  any  apparent  failure of the MBA Base
System to conform to the MBA System Specifications.  Any failure to conform must
be reported to BCS on a System Problem Report in the format specified by BCS.

On or before July 31,  1999:  (a) BCS shall  install  upgrades to the MBA System
licensed  by Customer  (including  any  enhancements)  which will render the MBA
System Year 2000 Compliant, as defined below; and (b) BCS will provide Customer,
at BCS' expense,  an independent  certification  certifying to such  compliance.
Year 2000 Compliant means that:

(1)   date data from at least 1900 through 2100 will  process  without  error or
      interruption in the MBA System, including leap year calculations; and

(2)   there will be no loss of any  functionality of the MBA System with respect
      to the  introduction,  processing  or output of records  containing  dates
      falling on or after January 1, 2000.

Year 2000 Compliance does not include any processing  failure  resulting from or
related to any operating system software, hardware, microcode,  firmware, system
interface not developed by BCS, or failure of any hardware,  software,  firmware
or other program used in  combination  with the MBA System to properly  exchange
date data with it.

                                       6
<PAGE>

The Year 2000  Compliance  Systems(s)  shall be  provided to Licensee as part of
BCS's regular  maintenance and support  services,  subject to Licensee's  timely
payment of maintenance and support fees, except as otherwise provided in Section
5.4 of the Product Support Agreement.

      Customer's  sole and exclusive  remedy for any breach of these  warranties
shall  be to  require  BCS to  cause  the MBA  Base  System  to  conform  to the
applicable System Specifications;  provided, however, that in the event that BCS
cannot  remedy such breach and such failure to so remedy such breach  materially
impacts Customer's  ability to use the Licensed Software,  then BCS shall refund
to Customer all license fees paid for the Licensed  Software on a pro-rata basis
based on a straight line basis over a sixty (60) month period.

BCS' LIABILITY FOR BREACH OF THE WARRANTIES  PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION IS LIMITED
TO THE REMEDIES SET FORTH HEREIN. THE WARRANTIES  PROVIDED HEREIN ARE IN LIEU OF
ANY AND ALL  WARRANTIES,  EXPRESS OR  IMPLIED,  INCLUDING,  BUT NOT  LIMITED TO,
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  BCS
EXPRESSLY  DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR OF FITNESS FOR
A  PARTICULAR  PURPOSE.   THERE  ARE  NO  WARRANTIES  WHICH  EXTEND  BEYOND  THE
DESCRIPTION HEREIN.

          2.10.2 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.  BCS' LIABILITY TO CUSTOMER UNDER THIS
LICENSE,  SHALL NOT  EXCEED,  AND SHALL BE  LIMITED  TO,  ALL  PAYMENTS  MADE BY
CUSTOMER  UNDER  THIS  LICENSE.  BCS WILL NOT BE LIABLE  FOR ANY  OTHER  DAMAGES
HEREUNDER,  INCLUDING,  BUT NOT LIMITED TO, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES,  LOSS OF PROFITS
AND OTHER  CONSEQUENTIAL  DAMAGES AND ANY CLAIMS OR DEMANDS AGAINST  CUSTOMER BY
ANY OTHER PARTY, EVEN IF BCS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.


                                  ARTICLE III
                                  TERMINATION

     3.1 TERMINATION FOR CAUSE. In the event that Customer breaches the terms of
this License by making any unauthorized use of the Licensed Software or engaging
in any other  conduct  which  could  impair  BCS'  copyrights  and  intellectual
property rights in the Licensed  Software,  then following five (5) days' notice
of such breach by BCS and  failure of  Customer to cure such breach  within such
five (5) day period,  BCS shall have the right to terminate this License without
notice  immediately and require Customer to return to BCS the Licensed Software,
all Confidential Materials, and all object code and documentation.  In the event
of any other kind of  material  breach of this  License by either  party  hereto
(except for  nonpayment  by Customer  which is controlled by Section 3.2 of this
License),  and the  breaching  party fails to cure such breach within sixty (60)
days after its receipt of a written notice  specifying the details of the breach
or, with respect to any material breach which cannot  reasonably be cured within
sixty days,  should the  breaching  party fail to proceed  within  sixty days to
commence  curing the breach and  thereafter to proceed with all due diligence to
cure the  breach,  the party not in breach of this  License may  terminate  this
License by giving prompt written notice of termination.


                                       7
<PAGE>

     3.2 TERMINATION FOR NONPAYMENT. In the event that Customer fails to pay all
amounts due BCS in accordance with the terms of this License, then following ten
(10) days' notice of such breach by BCS and failure to remedy such breach within
such ten (10) day period,  BCS may terminate this License upon written notice to
Customer.

     3.3  TERMINATION  DUE TO  INSOLVENCY.  In the  event  either  party to this
License  becomes or is declared  insolvent,  becomes  subject to a voluntary  or
involuntary  bankruptcy or similar  proceeding,  or makes an assignment  for the
benefit of all or  substantially  all of its  creditors,  then in such event the
other party to this License may terminate  this License by giving written notice
thereof to such party which notice shall specify the date of termination.

     3.4 BANKRUPTCY OF BCS. In the event that BCS becomes  subject to bankruptcy
proceedings,  this License shall continue in full force and effect, and Customer
shall  continue to enjoy all License rights granted herein subject to Customer's
continued  compliance with all of the terms and conditions of this License.  BCS
acknowledges that if BCS as a  debtor-in-possession  (or a trustee in bankruptcy
in a case under the United States  bankruptcy  code) rejects this License or any
agreement  supplementary  hereto,  Customer may elect to retain its rights under
this License or any agreement supplementary hereto as provided in Section 365(n)
of the bankruptcy code.

Upon written  request of the Customer to BCS or the bankruptcy  trustee,  BCS or
such  bankruptcy  trustee  shall not  interfere  with the rights of  Customer as
provided in this  License or any  agreement  supplementary  hereto to obtain the
Confidential  Materials  from  BCS or  the  bankruptcy  trustee  and  shall,  if
requested,  cause a copy of the  Confidential  Materials to be made available to
Customer at no additional charge.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                    OWNERSHIP OF PROGRAMS, CONFIDENTIALITY
                                AND AUDIT RIGHTS

     4.1  ACKNOWLEDGMENT  OF  INTELLECTUAL  PROPERTY  RIGHTS AND TRADE  SECRETS.
Customer acknowledges that the Licensed Software (including, without limitation,
the database,  data model and any  modifications  to the MBA System and any work
product of BCS which is related to the MBA  System) is a  commercially  valuable
proprietary product of BCS, the design and development of which has involved the
expenditure of substantial  amounts of money and the use of skilled  development
experts over a long period of time and which affords BCS a commercial  advantage
over  its  competitors,  and  that  loss of this  competitive  advantage  due to
unauthorized disclosure or use of such proprietary information would cause great
injury  and  harm to BCS.  Customer  acknowledges  that  the  Licensed  Software
(specifically   including,  but  not  limited  to,  the  documentation  thereof)
constitute intellectual property and TRADE SECRETS, disclosed to Customer on the
basis of the  confidential  relationship  between  Customer  and BCS under  this
License,  to be  used  only  as may be  expressly  permitted  by the  terms  and
conditions of this License,  and that the restrictions  imposed upon Customer by
this  Section  4.1 are  necessary  to protect  the  secrecy of such  proprietary
information and prevent the occurrence of such injury and harm to BCS.


                                       8
<PAGE>

Customer  covenants that it will not,  without the prior written consent of BCS,
disclose,  divulge, publish to others or employ to its own advantage, other than
as herein provided, the Licensed Software or any proprietary  information of BCS
relating  thereto  and  that it will  reveal  the  same  only  to  those  of its
employees, employees of Customer's affiliates, attorneys or auditors who require
it for the purpose of Customer's use of the Licensed Software hereunder and only
if such  employees,  attorneys  or auditors  are  subject to use and  disclosure
restrictions as complete as those assumed by Customer hereunder.

The obligations of Customer in this Section 4.1 shall survive any termination of
this License.

     4.2   CONFIDENTIALITY.   BCS  and  Customer  agree  that  all   proprietary
information in whatever form delivered by one party to the other shall be deemed
of  proprietary  and trade secret status and shall be held in strict  confidence
and  shall be used only for  purposes  of this  License.  Each  party  agrees to
exercise  at least  the same  standard  of care to  protect  the  other  party's
proprietary  information  as  is  used  to  protect  its  own  such  proprietary
information  from  unauthorized  disclosures  (but  no  less  than a  reasonable
standard of care).  No such  information  shall be  disclosed  by the  recipient
party,  its agents or employees  without the prior written  consent of the other
party, except as may be necessary to enforce this License or by reason of legal,
accounting  or  regulatory  requirements  beyond the  reasonable  control of the
recipient party.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  proprietary  information shall
not include such information that: (a) is or becomes generally  available to the
public other than as a result of a disclosure by the receiving  party; (b) is or
becomes  available to the  receiving  party on a  non-confidential  basis from a
source (other than the disclosing party or one if its agents, representatives or
employees) that is not prohibited  from disclosing such  information by a legal,
contractual or fiduciary obligation;  or (c) was known to the receiving party on
a  non-confidential  basis prior to its disclosure to the receiving party by the
disclosing  party.  The provisions of this Section shall survive  termination of
this License for any reason.


                                   ARTICLE V
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

     5.1 TAXES.  Customer shall be solely  responsible  for all state,  local or
federal taxes, however designated, levied or based on any fees payable hereunder
(excluding those taxes based on net income derived from BCS),  including but not
limited to state and local  privilege  and excise taxes based on gross  revenue,
and any sales  taxes or  amounts  in lieu  thereof,  paid or  payable  by BCS in
respect of the foregoing. Customer shall pay any such taxes to BCS no later than
thirty (30) days after Customer's  receipt of invoice from BCS.  Customer hereby
indemnifies  and  holds BCS  harmless  from and  against  any  losses  caused by
Customer's  failure to pay any such taxes,  including  any penalties or interest
thereon  incurred  with respect to such taxes.  BCS will inform  Customer of any
audit by any governmental authority regarding such taxes, will allow Customer to
control any challenge to, settlement of or payment of any amounts deemed payable
by such  government  authority  as a result of such audit or  inquiry,  and will
cooperate  with  all  reasonable  requests  by  Customer  for BCS to  assist  in
challenging,  settling and paying such amounts.  Customer's obligations pursuant
to this Section 5.1 shall survive any termination or expiration of this License.


                                       9
<PAGE>

     5.2  EXCUSED  PERFORMANCE.  Except  for  Customer's  obligation  to pay BCS
hereunder, Customer and BCS shall be excused from performance, and shall have no
liability,  for any period and to the extent that  either of them is  prevented,
hindered or delayed from performing any services or other obligations under this
License,  in whole or in part,  as a result of acts,  omissions or events beyond
the reasonable  control of such party,  including by way of illustration and not
limitation, acts or omissions of Customer; failure or malfunction of computer or
telecommunications  hardware,  equipment  or  software,  beyond  the  reasonable
control of such party (other than the telecommunications  hardware, equipment or
software that is the subject of this License); breach or other nonperformance by
BCS' or Customer's vendors and suppliers; strikes or labor disputes; riots; war;
fire; acts of God or governmental regulations (excluding any problems due to the
Licensed  Software's  failure to be Year 2000  Compliant  as required  under the
License).

     5.3  EMPLOYEES.  Customer and BCS  acknowledge  that their success in their
respective industries is largely dependent on the performance of their personnel
and that, therefore, Customer and BCS expend substantial resources in connection
with employment and training.  Accordingly,  neither Customer nor BCS shall hire
or retain, either as an employee or independent contractor, any person who was a
Restricted Employee of the other party at any time during the twelve (12) months
preceding  such hiring or  retention,  without  obtaining  the  advance  written
consent of such other  party.  A  Restricted  Employee of Customer or BCS is any
employee  or third party  independent  contractor  of Customer or BCS,  except a
member of the  clerical  staff.  This  undertaking  by Customer and BCS shall be
deemed an essential element of this License and shall survive its termination.

     5.4 NO WAIVER.  No failure of either  party to exercise  any power or right
given either party hereunder or to insist upon strict compliance by either party
with its  obligations  hereunder,  and no custom or  practice  of the parties at
variance with the terms hereof shall constitute a waiver of either party's right
to demand exact compliance with the terms hereof.

     5.5  RIGHTS  CUMULATIVE.  All  rights,  powers,  and  privileges  conferred
hereunder  upon the parties  shall be  cumulative  and shall not restrict  those
given by law.

     5.6  SINGULAR  INCLUDES  PLURAL.  The  singular of any word in this License
includes the plural.

     5.7 NOTICES. Whenever under this License one party is required or permitted
to give notice to the other, such notice shall be deemed given when delivered in
hand or three (3)  business  days after the date mailed by United  States  mail,
certified mail, return receipt requested,  postage prepaid,  or one business day
after deposit with Federal Express where the notice has been designated for next
day priority delivery, and addressed as follows:



                                       10
<PAGE>

In the case of BCS:

            Billing Concepts Systems, Inc.
            7411 John Smith Drive
            San Antonio, Texas 78229
            Attention:  Mike Hancock
            cc:  General Counsel
            Facsimile: (210) 949-4375

In the case of Customer:

            KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc.
            1545 Route 206, Suite 300
            Bedminster, New Jersey 07921
            Attention:  Paul DiMarco
            Facsimile:  (908) 719-8775

Either  party may change its  address  for  notification  purposes by giving the
other three (3) days prior  written  notice of the new address and the date upon
which it will become effective.

     5.8 DISPUTE RESOLUTION. This Section 5.8 governs any dispute, disagreement,
claim or  controversy  between  Customer and BCS arising from or related to this
License (a "Disputed  Matter").  All Disputed  Matters shall be submitted to the
following dispute resolution process:

     (a)  INTERNAL  ESCALATION.  First,  the  Disputed  Matter shall be referred
          jointly  to  senior  executives  of  each  of  the  parties.  If  such
          executives  do not agree upon a  resolution  within ten (10)  business
          days after referral of the matter to them, the complaining party shall
          proceed to the next stage of this dispute resolution procedure.

     (b)  MEDIATION. The complaining party shall, upon written notice and within
          ten (10) business days after the conclusion of the internal escalation
          procedure,  elect to have the Disputed  Matter referred to non-binding
          mediation before a single impartial mediator to be jointly agreed upon
          by the parties.  The mediation hearing shall be attended by executives
          of both parties  possessing  authority to resolve the Dispute  Matter,
          and shall be conducted no more than thirty (30)  business days after a
          party serves a written notice of an intention to mediate. Customer and
          BCS shall share equally all costs of such  mediation.  If the Disputed
          Matter cannot be resolved at mediation,  the  complaining  party shall
          proceed to the next stage of this dispute resolution procedure.

     (c)  ARBITRATION. In the event that a Disputed Matter has not been resolved
          through  mediation,  the  complaining  party shall submit the Disputed
          Matter to binding arbitration  pursuant to the Commercial  Arbitration
          Rules  of  the  American  Arbitration  Association  (the  "AAA").  The
          arbitration  panel  shall  have the  authority  to render any award or
          remedy  allowed by law. The  arbitration  panel shall consist of three
          neutral arbitrators selected from the AAA's Panel of Arbitrators,  and


                                       11
<PAGE>

          the arbitration  hearing shall be conducted in Dallas,  Texas.  Within
          ten (15) days  after  receipt  of notice by a party of  submission  to
          arbitration,  each party  shall  designate  in writing one (1) neutral
          arbitrator  from  the  AAA's  Panel  of  Arbitrators,  and the two (2)
          arbitrators  named by the parties  shall  select the third  arbitrator
          from the AAA's Panel of Arbitrators.  If the two arbitrators  selected
          cannot agree upon a third  arbitrator,  the third  arbitrator  will be
          selected by the AAA in accordance with the AAA Rules. Each party shall
          be  entitled to conduct  not more than three (3)  depositions,  not to
          exceed  8  hours  each,  within  thirty  (30)  days  after  the  third
          arbitrator has been selected.  The parties shall diligently attempt to
          schedule  the  arbitration  hearing  for a time within one hundred and
          twenty (120) days after the demand for arbitration  hereunder has been
          issued.  Following the hearing,  the arbitrators shall issue a written
          decision  specifying the basis of their decision,  and the award made,
          if any. The cost of the arbitration proceeding shall be shared equally
          by the parties, but the prevailing party in any arbitration proceeding
          shall be entitled to recover its reasonable  and necessary  attorneys'
          fees  and  expenses  incurred  in  connection  with  the  arbitration.
          Provided  that  Customer  continues  to  timely  pay BCS for  services
          rendered  under this  License,  BCS shall  continue  to  provide  such
          services   during  the   pendency  of  any  Disputed   Matter   before
          arbitration. The arbitrators shall have no authority to award punitive
          or exemplary damages or to award damages in excess or in contravention
          of this License.

     (d)  INJUNCTIVE RELIEF PENDING ARBITRATION.  NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING,
          HOWEVER,  IT IS AGREED  THAT ANY BREACH OF THIS  LICENSE  BY  CUSTOMER
          MAKING ANY  UNAUTHORIZED  USE OF THE LICENSED  SOFTWARE OR ENGAGING IN
          ANY OTHER CONDUCT WHICH COULD IMPAIR BCS'  COPYRIGHTS OR  INTELLECTUAL
          PROPERTY  RIGHTS IN THE LICENSED  SOFTWARE  WILL CAUSE  IMMEDIATE  AND
          IRREPARABLE  HARM TO BCS. IN THE EVENT OF ANY SUCH BREACH BY CUSTOMER,
          BCS SHALL BE  ENTITLED  TO PURSUE  IMMEDIATE  AND  INTERIM  INJUNCTIVE
          RELIEF  FROM ANY COURT OF  COMPETENT  JURISDICTION  TO  RESTRAIN  SUCH
          UNAUTHORIZED USE OR CONDUCT, AND OBTAIN OTHER INJUNCTIVE RELIEF AS MAY
          BE NECESSARY  TO PROTECT BCS'  COPYRIGHTS  AND  INTELLECTUAL  PROPERTY
          RIGHTS.

     5.9  RELATIONSHIP  OF  PARTIES.  In  licensing  the  Licensed  Software  to
Customer,  BCS is acting only as an  independent  software  licensor.  Except as
expressly set forth in this  License,  BCS does not undertake by this License or
otherwise  to  perform  any  obligation  of  Customer,   whether  regulatory  or
contractual,  or  to  assume  any  responsibility  for  Customer's  business  or
operations.  This  License  shall not be deemed to create a  partnership,  joint
venture or fiduciary relationship between the parties.

     5.10 CONSEQUENTIAL  DAMAGES OF BCS. Customer shall not be liable to BCS for
any loss of  profits,  any  incidental,  special,  exemplary,  or  consequential
damages of any kind in connection with this License.

                                       12
<PAGE>

     5.11 SEVERABILITY. In the event any provision of this License is held to be
unenforceable  or invalid by any court of competent  jurisdiction,  the validity
and  enforceability  of the  remaining  provisions  of this License shall not be
affected and, in lieu of such invalid or unenforceable provision, there shall be
added automatically as part of this License one or more provisions as similar in
terms as may be valid and enforceable under applicable law.

     5.12 ENTIRE  AGREEMENT.  This  License  and all  Exhibits  and  attachments
hereto,  together with the Hardware and Software Procurement Agreement,  Product
Support Agreement,  Outsourcing Agreement and the Consulting Services Agreement,
all dated as of the date  hereof,  between BCS and  Customer  (collectively  the
"Other  Agreements"),  constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with
respect  to  the   subject   matter   hereof  and   supersedes   all  prior  and
contemporaneous  representations,  understandings or agreements, whether oral or
written,  relating to the subject  matter hereof.  All prior or  contemporaneous
representations, understandings or agreements, whether oral or written, that are
not  expressly  set forth  within the four  corners of this License or the Other
Agreements are hereby deemed waived, superseded and abandoned.

     5.13  AMENDMENTS.  No  amendment  or  modification  of this License will be
binding on either of the  parties  to this  License  unless  such  Amendment  is
contained  in a written  document  which  expresses  an  intention to amend this
License and is executed by both the parties.

     5.14 COUNTERPARTS. This License may be executed in several counterparts all
of which  taken  together  shall  constitute  one single  agreement  between the
parties.

     5.15 HEADINGS.  The article and section  headings  included in this License
are  for  reference  and   convenience   only  and  shall  not  enter  into  the
interpretation of this License.

     5.16 GOVERNING LAW AND VENUE.  This License shall be governed and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas,  without regard to the choice
of law rules of Texas.  All suits  concerning any and all matters  related to or
arising  under or by virtue of this License  shall be commenced  exclusively  in
either the State Courts  located in Dallas,  Texas or the federal courts located
in Dallas, Texas, and venue of any such action shall rest exclusively in Dallas,
Texas.

     5.17  CURRENCY.  All monetary  amounts stated in this License are stated in
United States  Dollars,  and all amounts due hereunder shall be paid by Customer
in United States Dollars.

     5.18 TERMS  CONFIDENTIAL.  The terms and  conditions  of this  License  are
confidential  and shall be treated as such by Customer and BCS. Neither Customer
nor BCS will disclose the terms of this License to third parties,  including the
amount of fees to be paid hereunder, except as may be required for the filing of
reports and forms with  governmental  agencies  under  applicable  statutes  and
regulations.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  however,  BCS may disclose that it
has  entered  into this  License  in a press  release  (previously  approved  by
Customer,   such  approval  not  to  be  unreasonably  withheld)  and  in  sales
presentations  to third  parties,  and BCS may  generally  describe the services
provided to Customer without disclosing the pricing terms contained herein.


                                       13
<PAGE>

IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto,  each  acting  under due and proper
authority, have executed this License on the dates indicated below.

BILLING CONCEPTS SYSTEMS, INC.            KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC


By:    /S/  MICHAEL A. HARRELSON          By:    /S/  MICHAEL STERNBERG         

      (Signature-Authorized Officer)         (Signature-Authorized Officer)


Name:   Michael A. Harrelson              Name:  Michael Sternberg 
Title:  President/COO                     Title:  President        
Date:   12/31/98                          Date:  December 31, 1998 
                                          


                                       14
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A

                                   MBA SYSTEM
                                LICENSE SCHEDULE

Customer is licensing the BCS system known as the MBA Base System, Release
No. 3.0, which includes the following Standard Modules: Customer Acquisition,
Customer Care, Product and Rate Definition, Invoice Preparation, Accounts
Receivable and Payments Processing.

Customer is also licensing the following MBA Base Options:

Travel Card Processing
Switch Interface

Customer is also licensing the following MBA Item Rating Modules:

Local
Data
Private Line
Internet

Customer is also licensing the following Usage Rating Modules:

Usage
Carrier Access Billing

Customer is also licensing the following Non-MBA Software: Seagull (GUI), at the
license fees reflected in Exhibit B.

In  addition   to  the   above-listed   software,   BCS  grants  to  Customer  a
non-exclusive,  nontransferable  and  perpetual  license to use:  (i) any System
Releases or PTFs for the  above-listed  software  obtained by Customer  from BCS
pursuant  to a  product  support  or  other  agreement  entered  into by BCS and
Customer;   and  (ii)  any  modifications  made  by  BCS  for  Customer  to  the
above-listed  software.  Customer  shall  be  entitled  to use  such  additional
software items at no additional license fee.

Customer  acknowledges  that it will be  necessary  for  Customer  to enter into
separate  licensing  arrangements at Customer's expense with Vertex and Bellcore
to license related software  necessary to process  Customer's data using the MBA
System.




                                       15
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT B

                                THE LICENSE FEES

Customer  shall pay to BCS an initial  license  fee of  $1,749,166  which  shall
entitle Customer to use the licensed software components up to the maximum usage
levels indicated below:

MBA LICENSED SOFTWARE COMPONENT  MAXIMUM USAGE LEVEL              LICENSE FEE

MBA Base System                  125,000 Accounts                 $250,000
Travel Card Processing           125,000 Accounts                 $12,500
Switch Interface                 125,000 Accounts                 $25,000
Local Item Rating Module         125,000 Billed Items Per         $375,000
                                   Month                         
Data Item Rating Module          50,000 Billed Items Per Month    $50,000
Private Line Item Rating Module  50,000 Billed Items Per Month    $35,000
Internet Item Rating Module      25,000 Billed Items Per Month    $35,000
Usage Rating Module              50,000,000 Billed Records        $933,333
                                 Per Month]                      
CABS Usage Rating Module         2,500,000 Billed Records Per     $33,333
                                 Month]                          
================================================================================
GRAND TOTAL OF MBA LICENSE FEE                                    $1,749,166

NON-MBA LICENSED SOFTWARE        MAXIMUM USAGE LEVEL              LICENSE FEE
                                                    
Seagull GUII Software Copies     150 Seats                        $37,750
================================================================================
GRAND TOTAL OF NON-MBA LICENSE FEE                                $37,750


In the event that Customer's  usage of any of the licensed  software  components
exceeds the maximum usage levels  indicated  above for any three (3) consecutive
calendar monthly periods,  then Customer shall pay to BCS an additional  license
fee for the  licensed  software  component(s)  involved  at the prices set forth
below, and for the maximum usage levels set forth below:

A.    MBA BASE SYSTEM

      MAXIMUM USAGE LEVEL (TOTAL NUMBER OF ACCOUNTS)  LICENSE FEE

      250,000                                         $500,000
      350,000                                         $700,000
      500,000                                         $1,000,000
      650,000                                         $1,300,000
      800,000                                         $1,600,000
      1,000,000                                       $2,000,000


                                       16
<PAGE>

B.    MBA BASE OPTIONS

      1.    TRAVEL CARD PROCESSING

      5% of the applicable license fee set forth in subsection A above.

      2.    SWITCH INTERFACE

      10% of the applicable license fee set forth in subsection A above.

C.   MBA ITEM RATING MODULES

      1.    LOCAL

      BILLED ITEMS PER MONTH                          LICENSE FEE

      250,000                                         $750,000
      350,000                                         $1,050,000
      500,000                                         $1,500,000
      650,000                                         $1,950,000
      800,000                                         $2,400,000
      1,000,000                                       $3,000,000

      2.    DATA

      BILLED ITEMS PER MONTH                          LICENSE FEE

      125,000                                         $125,000
      250,000                                         $250,000
      350,000                                         $350,000
      500,000                                         $500,000
      650,000                                         $650,000
      800,000                                         $800,000
      1,000,000                                       $1,000,000

      3.    PRIVATE LINE

BILLED ITEMS PER MONTH                                LICENSE FEE

      125,000                                         $93,750
      250,000                                         $187,500
      350,000                                         $262,500
      500,000                                         $375,000
      650,000                                         $487,500
      800,000                                         $600,000
      1,000,000                                       $750,000


                                       17
<PAGE>

      4.    INTERNET

      BILLED ITEMS PER MONTH                          LICENSE FEE

      50,000                                          $50,000
      125,000                                         $125,000
      250,000                                         $250,000
      350,000                                         $350,000
      500,000                                         $500,000
      650,000                                         $650,000
      800,000                                         $800,000
      1,000,000                                       $1,000,000

D.   USAGE RATING MODULES

      1.    USAGE

      BILLED RECORDS PER MONTH                        LICENSE FEE

      75,000,000                                      $2,000,000

      2.    CABS

      BILLED RECORDS PER MONTH                        LICENSE FEE

      5,000,000                                       $66,667
      10,000,000                                      $133,333
      20,000,000                                      $266,667
      35,000,000                                      $466,667
      50,000,000                                      $666,667
      75,000,000                                      $1,000,000

E.   CALCULATION OF SEAGULL NON-MBA LICENSE FEES

     BCS will  procure for  Customer  the Seagull GUI software at a rate of $225
     per seat.

      INITIAL SEATS ORDERED                           LICENSE FEE
      150                                             $33,750

F.    CALCULATION OF ADDITIONAL LICENSE FEES.

      When Customer  exceeds the appreciable  maximum usage level for any of the
software components for three (3) consecutive calendar months, Customer shall be
required to pay the  difference  between its  currently  licensed  maximum usage


                                       18
<PAGE>

level and the new maximum  usage level  license fee. For example,  if Customer's
total number of accounts  increases to 175,000,  then Customer shall be required
to pay an additional license fees calculated as follows:

MBA Base System Additional License Fee = $250,000 ($500,000 - $250,000)
Travel Card Processing Additional License Fee = $12,500 ([$500,000 -
$250,000] * .05)
Switch Interface Additional License Fee = $25,000 ([$500,000 - $250,000] * .
10)

Similarly,  if Billed Internet Items Per Month increases from 25,000 to 130,000,
then the additional license fee would be $220,000 ($250,000 - $35,000).

Payment by  Customer  of any  additional  license  fees due to BCS shall be made
within thirty (30) days after the end of the third consecutive  calendar monthly
period in which usage has  exceeded the capacity for which the software has been
licensed.  Thereafter,  further  increases  in  usage of the  licensed  software
components by Customer over any three (3) consecutive  calendar  monthly periods
shall require  Customer to pay further  additional  license fees as set forth in
Exhibit B.

Customer  shall in no event be  entitled  to receive  any refunds or credits for
license fees in the event that Customer's  maximum usage levels decrease for any
period of time.


                                       19


The Lease  Summary  attached  hereto is a part of this  Lease  Agreement  and is
incorporated  by reference as if fully set forth herein.  Capitalized  terms not
otherwise  defined  herein  shall  have the  meanings  as set forth in the Lease
Summary.

                                 LEASE AGREEMENT

THIS LEASE AGREEMENT, made on the Date of This Lease Agreement, between Landlord
and Tenant;

1. LEASED PREMISES:  The Landlord does hereby lease to the Tenant and the Tenant
does  hereby  rent from the  Landlord  the  Gross  Rentable  Square  Feet in the
building (the "Building") which space is more  particularly  shown on Exhibit A,
(Site Plan), and Exhibit B. (Demised Premises), attached hereto.

2. TERM OF LEASE:  Notwithstanding anything contained in this Lease Agreement to
the contrary:

         (a) The Term  of this Lease shall  be as  defined in the Lease Summary.

         (b) If the Term of the Lease  shall  commence  on a date other than the
first day of the calendar month, the monthly  installment of the annual rent for
the calendar  month shall be prorated  accordingly.  The Term of the Lease shall
end after the  Commencement  Date plus such number of years and days,  if any as
will cause this Lease to expire on the last day of the month.

3. BASE RENT:  Tenant  shall pay to  Landlord  the base rent (Base  Rent) at the
respective  rates  set forth on  Schedule  'C'  hereof,  in  twelve  (12)  equal
installments,  payable monthly in advance,  due on the first (lst) of the month.
The Tenant shall pay to the Landlord one month of Base Rent and Additional  Rent
at the time of the complete execution of this Lease Agreement. Said amount shall
be credited to the first  partial month or first full month (as the case may be)
that  Tenant is to pay Base Rent and  Additional  Rent.  In the event  Tenant is
delinquent  more the  number  of days as noted on the Lease  Summary,  after the
first day of the month,  in the payment of any Base Rent or Additional  Rent (as
hereafter  defined) due under this Lease,  Tenant shall pay to Landlord the Late
Charge as noted in the Lease Summary.  The Gross Rentable  Square Feet shall for
the purposes of  determining  the rental  payment  include the space occupied by
Tenant;  (outside  dimensions)  and a prorata  share of any  common  area of the
Building as verified by Landlord's Architect.

4. RIGHTS IN COMMON:  Tenant  shall have the right in common with other  tenants
and occupants of the Building to use the access  driveways to public streets and
to park in the  parking  area.  Tenant  will not permit or cause  access to said
areas to be blocked, restricted or otherwise hindered.

5. ADDITIONAL RENT:

         A. In  addition to the annual  Base Rent  payable by Tenant  under this
Lease, from

the date of  Tenant's  occupancy  of the Leased  Premises,  Tenant  shall pay as
additional rent any and all other charges required to be paid in connection with
this Lease at the times  herein  provided for the payment  thereof  ("Additional
Rent").

         B. Tenant shall pay monthly as Additional Rent, Tenant's  Proportionate
Share of all real estate  taxes  including  municipal  sewer and water rents and
charges,  if any, and extraordinary  expenses and assessments,  if any, assessed
against  the entire  parcel of which the Demised  Premises  forms a part for the
lease  year.  In  addition  to the  obligation  to pay taxes,  Tenant  shall pay
Tenant's  Proportionate  Share  of  any  levy  for  the  installation  of  local
improvements  affecting the real estate of which the Demised Premises are a part
which may be assessed by  applicable  governmental  entities for all purposes of
this Lease. In the event that Landlord obtains a reduction in real estate taxes,
as established  during the Term of this Lease Agreement,  Landlord shall pass on
to Tenant Tenant's


<PAGE>


         C.  Tenant  shall  pay  to  Landlord  as   Additional   Rent   Tenant's
Proportionate  Share of all  maintenance  and management  costs for the exterior
areas of the Building and the common areas of the Building,  including,  but not
limited  to,  items  noted on  Exhibit D.  Landlord  shall,  at its own  expense
maintain the foundations and the steel structure of the Building;  provided that
Tenant shall be solely  responsible for damage to any of these areas  occasioned
by the fault or negligence of Tenant, its employees,  agents, contractors and/or
invitees.

         D. The Tenant shall pay to the Landlord utility meter  installation and
maintenance  charges and such gas,  electric,  water and sewer service and usage
charges or rentals as may, during the Term of this Lease, be assessed or imposed
for the  utilities  used or  consumed  in or on the  Demised  Premises,  whether
determined  by meter or otherwise,  as soon as the same may be payable.  If such
charges or rentals are not so paid, the same shall be added as Additional Rent.

         E. Tenant shall, at Tenant's  expense,  maintain Service Contracts with
reliable contractors to perform regular,  monthly or other required services and
maintenance  to the heating,  plumbing,  electrical,  fire safety and mechanical
systems in the Demised  Premises.  Tenant  shall pay for either  directly to the
appropriate utility company or as Additional Rent all gas,  electricity,  water,
sewer and/or other  utilities  consumed or used in the Demised  Premises and the
proportionate share of common area utilities during the Term of the Lease.

         F. If  Landlord  shall  incur any  charge or  expense  on behalf of the
Tenant under the terms of this Lease, such charge or expense shall be considered
Additional Rent (including construction costs and expenses for the fit up of the
Demised Premises)  hereunder;  in addition to and not in limitation of any other
rights and remedies  which Landlord may have in case of the failure by Tenant to
pay such sums when due, such non-payment  shall entitle Landlord to the remedies
available to it hereunder for  non-payment of rent. All such charges or expenses
shall be paid to Landlord at its office or its successor assignee or nominee, in
Gladstone,  New  Jersey  or at such  other  place  and to such  other  person as
Landlord  may  from  time to time  designate  in  writing.  Any  unpaid  rent or
additional  rent shall accrue  interest  thereon at the rate of fifteen  percent
(15%) per annum, commencing thirty (30) days after the date it is due.

         G. Tenant shall pay the cost of insurance,  as defined in Paragraph 14,
as Additional Rent.

         H. With  respect to  Tenants'  obligations  under this  Paragraph 6 and
Paragraphs 7 and 14 hereafter,  Landlord  shall estimate and bill Tenant monthly
for Tenant's  Proportionate Share of the costs thereof,  which sums Tenant shall
pay as Additional  Rent together with the monthly Base Rent due hereunder.  Said
estimates  may be  revised  upward  or  downward  from  time to time to  reflect
increased or decreased costs.  Sometime after the end of each calendar year, (or
at the end of the Term of the Lease, if other than December 31),  Landlord shall
determine  the actual costs  incurred and bill Tenant for any balance due or pay
Tenant any  monies  due it. In the event  Tenant  does not  question  Landlord's
estimate, in writing, within 2 months of Tenant's receipt of said estimate, said
estimate shall be considered non-negotiable and a valid claim.

6. NET RENT LEASE:  It is the purpose and intent of the  Landlord and the Tenant
that the adjusted annual rental shall be absolutely net to the Landlord, so that
this Lease shall yield, net to the Landlord,  the net Base Rent specified in the
Lease  Summary in each year during the Term of this  Lease,  and that all costs,
fees, interest, charges, expenses,  reimbursements and obligations of every kind
and nature whatsoever relating to the Demised Premises which may arise or become
due during or out of the Term of the Lease  shall be paid or  discharged  by the
Tenant as Additional Rent, and the Tenant hereby agrees to indemnify and to save
the Landlord  harmless from and against such costs,  fees,  interests,  charges,
expenses, reimbursements and obligations and any interest thereon.


                                       2
<PAGE>


7. USE: Tenant  covenants to use and occupy the Demised  Premises for the Use of
the Demised Premises,  which use by Tenant,  however,  is and shall be expressly
subject to all applicable  zoning ordinances and regulations of any governmental
institutional instrumentality's,  board, or bureaus having jurisdiction thereof.
Tenant may not use the Demised  Premises  for any other use  whatsoever  without
Landlord's prior written consent. Tenant shall not allow the Demised Premises to
be vacant for more than thirty (30)  consecutive  days. If Tenant  violates this
provision,  Landlord  may, at  Landlord's  option upon ten (10) days'  notice to
Tenant, terminate this Lease.

8. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND INSURANCE:

         A. Tenant will not do or permit to be done in the Demised Premises,  or
the Building of which they form a part, or bring or keep anything therein, which
shall in any way increase the rate of fire or other  insurance in said  Building
or on the property kept therein,  or obstruct,  or interfere  with the rights of
the other tenants,  or in any way injure or annoy them or those having  business
with them, or conflict with the fire laws or  regulations  or with any insurance
policy upon said  Building or any part thereof,  or with any statutes,  rules or
regulations  enacted or  established  by the Federal  Government or by the State
Municipality or County in which the subject property is located. Any increase in
fire insurance premiums caused by Tenant's  activities will be paid by Tenant as
Additional Rent.

         B. The Tenant shall  promptly  comply at its own expense with all laws,
ordinances,  rules,  regulations,  requirements  and  directives of the Federal,
State  and  Municipal  Governments  or  Public  Authorities  and  of  all  their
departments,  bureaus and subdivisions,  applicable to and affecting the Demised
Premises, their use and occupancy. Tenant shall take all steps necessary for the
correction,   prevention  and  abatement  of  nuisances,   violations  or  other
grievances  in, upon or  connected  with the Demised  Premises.  During the term
thereof, Tenant shall promptly comply with all orders, regulations, requirements
and directives of the Board of Fire Underwriters or similar authority and of any
insurance  companies  which  have  issued  or are  about  to issue  policies  of
insurance covering the Demised Premises and its contents,  for the prevention of
fire or other casualty, damage or injury, at the Tenant's own cost and expense.

9. ALTERATIONS:

         A.  Tenant  will  not  make any  alterations,  installations,  changes,
replacements,  additions, or improvements, structural or otherwise, in or to the
Demised  Premises or any part thereof,  without the prior written consent of the
Landlord. All alterations, etc., shall be made at the sole expense of the Tenant
and  shall be in  compliance  with all  applicable  governmental  and  insurance
requirements  and shall not interfere  with the occupancy by any other tenant in
the Building. Landlord's consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

         B. No  alterations,  additions or  improvements  shall be made,  and no
climate  regulating,  air conditioning,  cooling,  heating or sprinkler systems,
television or radio antennas, heavy equipment,  apparatus and fixtures, shall be
installed in or attached to the Demised  Premises without the written consent of
the Landlord. Unless otherwise provided herein, all such alterations,  additions
or improvements and systems,  when made, installed in or attached to the Demised
Premises,  shall  belong to and become the property of the Landlord and shall be
surrendered with the Demised Premises and as part thereof upon the expiration or
sooner termination of the Lease, without hindrance, molestation or injury.


                                       3
<PAGE>


10. COVENANT AGAINST LIENS:  Unless  otherwise  provided by law, any contract(s)
executed by Tenant for  alterations,  additions or  improvements  to the Demised
Premises which  Landlord  permits Tenant to do pursuant to Paragraph 10, whether
in the nature of  erection,  construction,  alteration  or repair,  shall not be
deemed to have been authorized by Landlord merely by reason of any consent given
by  Landlord  to  Tenant  to  improve  the  Demised   Premises  unless  Landlord
specifically   reviews  such   contract(s)  and  consents  in  writing  to  such
contract(s).   Landlord,  in  granting  its  consent  to  Tenant  for  any  such
alterations,  additions or improvements to the Demised  Premises,  shall have no
obligation to authorize in writing any  contract(s)  executed by Tenant for such
work, it being the intention of the parties that to the extent  permitted by the
New Jersey  Construction Lien Law, N.J.S.A.  2A:44A-1 ET SEQ. (the "Construction
Lien Law") any liens by any contractor,  subcontractor  or supplier who provides
work,  services,  material or equipment to Tenant  pursuant to such  contract(s)
shall attach only to the leasehold interest of Tenant. Tenant shall pay promptly
all persons  furnishing work,  equipment,  services or materials with respect to
any work performed by Tenant or its contractor on or about the Demised Premises.
In the event any  construction  or other  liens or any other  notices  of claim,
including,  without  limitation  any Notice of Unpaid  Balance and Right to File
Lien ("lien"),  shall at any time be filed pursuant to the Construction Lien Law
by reason of work,  services,  equipment or materials  performed or furnished to
Tenant or to anyone holding the Demised Premises through or under Tenant, Tenant
shall immediately notify Landlord of the same and shall forthwith cause the same
to be discharged by paying the claimant and obtaining a discharge or by filing a
surety bond or making a deposit of funds with the Clerk of the Superior Court of
New Jersey as provided in N.J.S.A. 2A:44A-31. If Tenant shall fail to cause such
lien forthwith to be so discharged in compliance  with all the provisions of the
Construction  Lien Law within ten (10) business days after being notified of the
filing  thereof,  then,  in addition  to any other right or remedy of  Landlord,
Landlord may discharge  the same by paying the amount  claimed to be due and the
amount so paid by Landlord  together with interest thereon at three (3%) percent
over the prime  rate of the  First  Fidelity  Bank and all  costs and  expenses,
including  reasonable  attorneys'  fees  incurred by Landlord in  procuring  the
discharge  of such lien,  shall be due and payable by Tenant to the  Landlord as
Additional  Rent on the first day of the next  following  month,  or may, at the
Landlord's election,  be subtracted from any sums owing to Tenant.  Tenant shall
provide Landlord with copies of any contracts,  subcontracts,  supply contracts,
equipment leases,  consulting agreements or similar documents and any amendments
thereto with respect to any work performed by Tenant or its  contractor(s) on or
about the Demised  Premises  within ten (10) days of execution of same.  Tenant,
without  further  request,  written or oral,  is hereby  required  and agrees to
provide Landlord each month during any period work is performed by Tenant or its
contractor(s)  on or about the Demised  Premises with an accurate and full list,
verified   under  oath,  of  the  names  and   addresses  of  each   contractor,
subcontractor,  construction  manager,  design  professional,  supplier or other
persons or entities  providing  work,  services,  materials or equipment who may
have a right to file a lien  pursuant to the  Construction  Lien Law.  Said list
shall be in compliance with all provisions of the Construction Lien Law.

11. SURRENDER OF PREMISES:

         A. It is distinctly  understood  that all  alterations,  installations,
changes,  replacements,  additions to or improvements  upon the Demised Premises
(whether with or without  Landlord's  consent) shall at the election of Landlord
remain upon the Demised Premises and be surrendered with the Demised Premises at
the expiration of this Lease without disturbance,  molestation or injury. Should
Landlord elect that alterations, installations, changes, replacements, additions
to or improvements  upon the Demised  Premises be removed,  upon  termination of
this Lease or upon  termination  of any renewal  period  hereof,  Tenant  hereby
agrees to cause same to be removed at Tenant's sole cost and expense, and should
Tenant  fail to remove the same,  then and in such event,  Landlord  shall cause
same to be removed at Tenant's  expense and Tenant  hereby  agrees to  reimburse
Landlord for the cost of such  removal,  together with any and all damages which
Landlord  may  suffer  and  sustain by reason of failure of Tenant to remove the
same.


                                       4
<PAGE>


         B. The Tenant covenants, at the expiration or other termination of this
Lease,  to remove  all goods  and  effects  from the  Demised  Premises  not the
property of the Landlord,  and to yield up to the Landlord the Demised  Premises
and all  keys,  locks and  other  fixtures  connected  therewith  (except  trade
fixtures and other fixtures belonging to the Tenant), in good repair,  order and
condition in all respects, reasonable wear and use thereof and damage by fire or
other  casualty  and damage from risk with respect to which Tenant is not herein
expressly  made liable  excepted.  In the event  Tenant does not  surrender  the
Demised  Premises as herein  required,  Tenant shall indemnify  Landlord against
loss or liability  resulting  from delay by Tenant in  surrendering  possession.
Unless  Landlord  agrees in writing to Tenant's  holding over after the Lease is
terminated, Tenant's continued occupancy will be as a month-to-month tenant upon
all the same terms and conditions set forth in this Lease except that the annual
base rent shall be two (2) times the fixed annual rent payable  during the month
the Lease terminated.

12. TENANT'S INSURANCE:  It is expressly agreed by the parties that Tenant shall
assume  all  risk of  damage  to its  property,  equipment  and  trade  fixtures
occurring in or about the Demised Premises  whatever the cause of such damage or
casualty.  Landlord assumes no liability or responsibility whatever with respect
to the conduct and  operation  of the  business to be  conducted  in the Demised
Premises  nor for  any  loss or  damage  of  whatsoever  kind  or  nature  or by
whomsoever caused, to personal property, documents, records, monies, or goods of
Tenant or to anyone in or about the Demised Premises, however caused, and Tenant
agrees to hold Landlord harmless against all such claims.

Tenant will, at its own cost and expense maintain all risk insurance coverage on
its trade fixtures,  and other personal property located in the Demised Premises
in an amount equal to full replacement cost thereof.

The Tenant,  at Tenant's own cost and expense,  shall obtain or provide and keep
in full force for the benefit of the Landlord,  during the term hereof,  general
public liability insurance,  insuring the Landlord against any and all liability
or claims of  liability  arising out of,  occasioned  by or  resulting  from any
accident or  otherwise  in or about the Demised  Premises,  for  injuries to any
person or persons,  for limits of not less than the Limit of Liability Insurance
To Be  Maintained  by Tenant as set forth in the Lease  Summary.  The  policy or
policies  of  insurance  shall be of a company  or  companies  authorized  to do
business  in the State of New Jersey  and shall be  delivered  to the  Landlord,
together  with evidence of the payment of the premiums  therefor,  not less than
fifteen  days prior to the  commencement  of the term hereof or of the date when
the Tenant shall enter into possession, whichever occurs sooner. At least thirty
(30) days prior to the expiration or termination date of any policy,  the Tenant
shall deliver a renewal or  replacement  policy with proof of the payment of the
premium therefor.

13. LANDLORD'S  INSURANCE:  Tenant  shall pay to  Landlord as  Additional  Rent
Tenant's  Proportionate  Share of the premium cost for comprehensive  insurance,
including  liability  insurance,  fire insurance with loss of rent and customary
all risk conditions, insuring the Building and improvements of which the Demised
Premises  are a part in an amount  equal to the full  replacement  value of said
Building and  insurable  improvements,  exclusive  or footings and  foundations,
which insurance shall include, at Landlord's election,  any customary extensions
or  Overages  or  additional  policy  Overages,  including  but not  limited to,
vandalism,  malicious mischief,  sprinkler damage,  flood insurance,  broad form
boiler and machinery  coverage  (inclusive of air conditioning  system, if any),
glass insurance,  and rent/business  interruption  insurance  (inclusive of real
estate taxes and maintenance items and applicable insurance premiums).


                                       5
<PAGE>


14. HOLD HARMLESS:

         A. The Tenant also agrees to and shall save, hold and keep harmless and
indemnify  the  Landlord  from and for any and all  payments,  expenses,  costs,
attorney  fees and from and for any and all claims and  liability  for losses or
damage to property or  injuries  to persons  occasioned  wholly or in part by or
resulting  from any acts or  omissions  by the  Tenant or the  Tenant's  agents,
employees, guests, licensees, invitees, subtenants,  assignees or successors, or
for any cause or reason whatsoever  arising out of or by reason of the occupancy
by the Tenant and the conduct of the Tenant's business.

         B. Tenant  shall  indemnify  and hold the  Landlord  harmless  from and
against all suits, actions,  damages, losses,  penalties,  liabilities,  claims,
costs and expenses including,  without limitation,  reasonable  attorney's fees,
which the Landlord may suffer or incur in connection with (i) any matter,  cause
or thing  arising out of Tenant's use,  occupancy,  control or management of the
Demised Premises; (ii) any negligence,  or acts of omission or commission on the
part  of  Tenant  or any of its  agents,  contractors,  servants,  employees  or
invitees;  (iii) any failure on the part of Tenant to perform or comply with any
of the covenants, agreements, terms or conditions contained in this Lease on its
part to be performed or complied with; (iv) any loss of life, bodily or personal
injury or property  damage  which is not due to the fault of the  Landlord,  its
employees,  contractors or agents.  Landlord shall promptly notify Tenant of any
such claim  asserted  against it and shall promptly send to Tenant copies of all
papers  or  legal  process  served  upon  it in  connection  with an  action  or
proceeding brought against Landlord by reason of any such claim.  Nothing herein
shall  impose on Tenant any  obligation  to indemnify  Landlord  for  Landlord's
negligence.

15. TENANT'S  DEMISED  PREMISES:  The Tenant shall take good care of the Demised
Premises and at the Tenant's own cost and expense,  make all repairs,  including
painting  and  decorating,  and shall  maintain  the  Demised  Premises  in good
condition  and state of repair,  and at the end or other  expiration of the term
thereof, shall deliver up the Demised Premises in good order and condition, wear
and tear from a reasonable use thereof, and damage by the elements not resulting
from the neglect or fault of the Tenant, excepted.

16. SUBLEASING: Tenant shall not assign, transfer, or encumber this Lease or any
interest  therein,  or sublet the Premises or any part thereof,  or acquiesce in
any such assignment,  transfer,  or encumbrance,  without in each case obtaining
the prior  written  consent of Landlord.  Landlord may withhold this consent for
any reason in its sole discretion. Any transfer or assignment of any controlling
interest in Tenant, whether voluntarily or by operation of law, shall constitute
an assignment  for purposes of this Section of the Lease.  In the event Landlord
shall consent to an assignment or sublease,  the obligations of this Lease shall
bind and benefit the assignees and transferees of Tenant with the same effect as
if they were mentioned in each instance where Tenant herein is named or referred
to. No such  assignment  or transfer  shall  relieve  Tenant of any  obligations
hereunder and Tenant shall remain primarily liable for such obligations.  Tenant
shall  deliver to  Landlord a true and  complete  copy of every  assignment  and
sublease  relating to the  Premises  promptly  after  execution  thereof.  Every
sublease  relating to the Premises shall contain the agreement of the sub-tenant
thereunder to attorn to Landlord in the event of termination by Landlord of this
Lease.  Tenant shall pay to Landlord the reasonable  cost, if any, of Landlord's
professional review of the transaction.

17. FIRE DAMAGE:

         A. In the event the Building or the Demised Premises shall be destroyed
or rendered  untenantable  either in whole or in part by fire or other casualty,
Landlord may at its option  restore the Building or Demised  Premises to as near
their previous conditions as is reasonably possible. In the meantime, unless the
damage was caused by acts,  omissions,  or  negligence  of Tenant,  its  agents,
employees,  contractors,  or  invitees,  the rent  shall be  abated  in the same
proportion  as the  untenantable  portion of the Demised  Premises  bears to the
whole  thereof.  But,  unless  Landlord  within  twenty-one  (21) days after the
happening  of any such  casualty  shall  notify  Tenant of its  election  not to
restore  the damage  within nine (9) months  from date of  casualty,  this Lease
shall continue and Landlord shall commence the necessary restoration.


                                       6
<PAGE>


         Such restoration by Landlord shall not include  replacement of Tenant's
trade fixtures, furniture,  equipment, or other items that do not become part of
the Building or any improvements to the Premises in excess of those provided for
in the allowance for building standard items as of the Commencement Date of this
Lease. Restoration of the premises required beyond Landlords obligation shall be
performed by the Tenant at no cost to the Landlord.  If Landlord  shall elect to
notify Tenant that Landlord shall not restore,  this Lease shall terminate as of
the date of the occurrence and Tenant shall promptly vacate the Premise.

         B. No  penalty  shall  accrue to  landlord  to delay in  commencing  or
completing  repairs  caused  by  adjustment  of  insurance  claims,   government
requirements, or any cause beyond Landlord's reasonable control.

         C. No  damages,  compensation,  or claim  shall be payable by  Landlord
except as such is provided for in Landlord's  standard  insurance policy if any,
for  inconvenience,  loss of business,  or annoyance  arising from any repair or
restoration  of any portion of the Premises or of the Building.  Landlord  shall
use commercially  reasonable efforts to effect such repairs promptly and in such
manner as not to unreasonably interfere with Tenant's occupancy.

         D. Landlord will not carry  insurance of any kind on any  improvements,
additions,  or alterations made and paid for by Tenant or Tenant's  furniture or
furnishings or on any fixtures,  equipment,  improvements,  or  appurtenances of
Tenant under this lease,  and  Landlord  (except as provided by law by reason of
its  negligence)  shall not be obligated to repair any damage thereto or replace
the same.

         E. In case the  Building  shall be  substantially  destroyed by fire or
other causes at any time during the last year of the term of this Lease,  either
Landlord or Tenant may  terminate  this Lease upon  written  notice to the other
party hereto given within twenty-one (21) days of the date of such destruction.

         F.  Upon  any  termination  of this  Lease  as a result  of  damage  or
destruction of the Building or Premises as provided herein, the parties shall be
released  thereby  without  further  obligation  to  the  other  from  the  date
possession of the Premises is surrendered  to Landlord,  except for rent and any
other monies which have accrued and are then unpaid, and further, except for any
prepaid rent due to tenant.

18. LANDLORD'S  RIGHT OF ENTRY:  The Tenant  agrees that the  Landlord  and the
Landlord's agents,  employees or other representatives,  shall have the right to
enter into and upon the Demised Premises or any part thereof.  at all reasonable
hours (or at any hour in the event of an emergency) for the purpose of examining
the same or making such repairs or  alterations  therein as may be necessary for
the  safety and  preservation  thereof  or for the  purpose  of showing  same to
prospective  purchasers  or  mortgagees  or placing a suitable "For Sale" or "To
Let" sign  therein.  This  clause  shall not be deemed to be a  covenant  by the
Landlord nor be construed to create an obligation on the part of the Landlord to
make such inspection or repairs.

19. GLASS: Tenant agrees to replace,  at its cost and expense,  any broken glass
in the  windows or  apertures  of the Demised  Premises  which may be damaged or
destroyed.  If Landlord does not obtain plate glass insurance  coverage,  Tenant
will either carry plate glass insurance or in lieu thereof, will self-insure and
replace said plate  glass.  In case of the  destruction  of or any damage to the
glass in the  Demised  Premises,  or the  destruction  of or  damage of any kind
whatsoever to the said Demised Premises, caused by the carelessness,  negligence
or improper conduct on the part of the Tenant or the Tenant's agents, employees,
guests, licensees,  invitees,  subtenants,  assignees or successors,  the Tenant
shall  repair the said damage or replace or restore any  destroyed  parts of the
Demised Premises, as speedily as possible, at the Tenant's own cost and expense.


                                       7
<PAGE>


20. TENANT'S SIGNS:  The Tenant shall not place nor allow to be placed any signs
of any kind whatsoever,  upon, in or about the said Demised Premises or any part
thereof,  except of a design and  structure  and in or at such  places as may be
indicated  and  consented to by the Landlord in writing.  Tenant  shall,  at its
expense,  apply for any such sign  approval as is required  from any  applicable
governing body and shall  maintain the sign(s) in good condition and repair.  In
case the Landlord or the Landlord's agents,  employees or representatives  shall
deem it  necessary  to  remove  any  such  signs  in  order to paint or make any
repairs, alterations or improvements in or upon the Demised Premises or any part
thereof, they may be so removed, but shall be replaced at the Landlord's expense
when the said repairs,  alterations or  improvements  shall have been completed.
Any  signs  permitted  by the  Landlord  shall  at all  times  conform  with all
municipal ordinances or other laws and regulations applicable thereto.

21. LANDLORD'S  NON-LIABILITY:   The Landlord shall not be liable to Tenant for,
nor shall Base Rent or Additional  Rent be abated or  diminished  because of any
damage or injury which may be sustained by the Tenant or any other person,  as a
consequence  of the  failure,  breakage,  leakage or  obstruction  of the water,
plumbing,  steam sewer,  waste or soil pipes, roof,  drains,  leaders,  gutters,
valleys,  down spouts or the like or of the electrical,  gas,  power,  conveyor,
refrigeration,  sprinkler,  air  conditioning or heating  systems,  elevators or
hoisting  equipment;  or by  reason  of the  elements;  or  resulting  from  the
carelessness,  negligence or improper  conduct on part of any other tenant or of
the Landlord or the  Landlord's or this Tenant's or any other  tenant's  agents,
employees, guests, licensees, invitees, subtenants,  assignees or successors; or
attributable  to  any  inconvenience,  interference  with,  interruption  of  or
failure,  beyond the control of the Landlord, of any services to be furnished or
supplied by the  Landlord or repairs to be made,  materials to be stored or work
to be performed and the same shall not constitute an eviction.

22. SUBORDINATION:  This Lease is and shall always be subject and subordinate at
all times to the lien of any  mortgages or ground  leases or other  encumbrances
now existing or hereafter  placed upon the Demised Premises and to all renewals,
modifications,   consolidations,   replacements  and  extensions  thereof.   The
recording of such mortgage or mortgages shall have preference and precedence and
be  superior  and  prior  in lien to this  Lease,  irrespective  of the  date of
recording and the Tenant agrees to execute any instruments,  without cost, which
may be deemed  necessary or desirable,  to further effect the  subordination  of
this Lease to any such mortgage or mortgages. A refusal by the Tenant to execute
such  instruments  shall  entitle the Landlord to the option of  canceling  this
Lease, and the term hereof expressly limited accordingly.

23.  CONDEMNATION:  If the land and/or Building herein,  or of which the Demised
Premises are a part, or any portion thereof, shall be taken under eminent domain
or condemnation proceedings,  or if suit or other action shall be instituted for
the taking or  condemnation  thereof,  or if in lieu of any formal  condemnation
proceedings or actions,  the Landlord  shall grant an option to purchase  and/or
shall sell and convey the land and/or Building of which the Demised Premises are
a part or any portion thereof,  to the  governmental or other public  authority,
agency, body or public utility, seeking to take said land and/or Building or any
portion  thereof,  then  this  Lease,  at  the  option  of the  Landlord,  shall
terminate,  and the term hereof shall end as of such date as the Landlord  shall
fix by notice in writing;  and the Tenant  shall have no claim or right to claim
or be entitled  to any portion of any amount  which may be awarded as damages or
paid as the  result of such  condemnation  proceedings  or paid as the  purchase
price  for  such  option,  sale or  conveyance  in lieu of  formal  condemnation
proceedings;  and all rights of the  Tenant's  to  damages,  if any,  are hereby
assigned to the  Landlord.  Tenant shall have the right to make a claim  against
the condemning  authority for such independent claim which it may have as may be
allocated  by law,  for costs and  damages due to  relocating,  moving and other
similar costs and charges  directly  incurred by Tenant and resulting  from such
condemnation  provided  the same  does not in any way  diminish  the  Landlord's
award. The Tenant agrees to execute and deliver any instruments,  at the expense
of the  Landlord,  as may be  deemed  necessary  or  required  to  expedite  any
condemnation  proceedings  or to  effectuate a proper  transfer of title to such
governmental or other public authority,  agency,  body or public utility seeking
to take or acquire the said lands and/or  Building or any portion  thereof.  The
Tenant  covenants  and agrees to vacate  the  Demised  Premises,  remove all the
Tenant's personal property therefrom and deliver up peaceable possession thereof
to the  Landlord  or to such  other  party  designated  by the  Landlord  in the
aforementioned  notice.  Failure by the Tenant to comply with any  provisions in
this clause shall subject the Tenant to such costs, expenses, damages and losses
as the Landlord may incur by reason of the Tenant's breach hereof.


                                       8
<PAGE>


24. DEFAULT OF TENANT:

         A. If there  should  occur any default on the part of the Tenant in the
due and punctual  payment of any Base Rent or Additional Rent when due or in the
performance of any conditions and covenants herein  contained,  or if during the
term  hereof  the  Demised  Premises  or any part  thereof  shall  be or  become
abandoned  or  deserted,  vacated or vacant,  or should the Tenant be evicted by
summary  proceedings  or  otherwise,  the  Landlord,  in  addition  to any other
remedies herein  contained or as may be permitted by law, may either by force or
otherwise,  without  being  liable for  prosecution  therefor,  or for  damages,
re-enter the Demised  Premises and the same have again possess and enjoy; and as
agent for the Tenant or otherwise,  re-let the Demised  Premises and receive the
rents  therefor  and apply  the same,  first to the  payment  of such  expenses,
reasonable  attorney  fees and costs,  as the  Landlord  may have been put to in
re-entering and repossessing the same and in making such repairs and alterations
as may be necessary;  and second to the payment of the rents due hereunder.  The
Tenant  shall  remain  liable for such  rents as may be in arrears  and also the
rents as may accrue subsequent to the re-entry by the Landlord, to the extent of
the  difference  between the rents  reserved  hereunder  and the rents,  if any,
received by the  Landlord  during the  remainder of the  unexpired  term hereof,
after deducting the aforementioned expenses, fees and costs; the same to be paid
as such  deficiencies  arise and are ascertained  each month.  Tenant  expressly
waivers  any and all rights of  redemption  granted  by or under any  present or
future  law in the  event it is  evicted  or  dispossessed  for any  cause or if
Landlord  obtains  possession of the Demised  Premises by reason of violation or
any terms, covenants and conditions of the Lease.

         B. Upon the  occurrence  of any of the  contingencies  set forth in the
proceeding  clause, or should the Tenant be adjudicated  bankrupt,  insolvent or
placed in  receivership,  or should  proceedings be instituted by or against the
Tenant for  bankruptcy,  insolvency,  receivership,  agreement of composition or
assignment  for the  benefit of  creditors,  or should  Tenant be  dissolved  or
liquidated or possession of the property of Tenant be taken by any  governmental
officer   or  agency   pursuant   to   statutory   authority   for   dissolution
rehabilitation, reorganization or liquidation, or if this Lease or the estate of
the Tenant  hereunder shall pass to another by virtue of any court  proceedings,
writ of  execution,  levy,  sale,  or by operation of law, the Landlord  may, in
addition to any other remedies  Landlord may have, if the Landlord so elects, at
any time  thereafter,  terminate this Lease and the term hereof,  upon giving to
the Tenant or to any trustee, receiver, assignee or other person in charge of or
acting as custodian of the assets or property of the Tenant, five days notice in
writing,  of the Landlord's  intention so to do. Upon the giving of such notice,
this Lease and the term hereof  shall end on the date fixed in such notice as if
the said date was the date  originally  fixed in this  Lease for the  expiration
hereof;  and the  Landlord  shall have the right to remove all  persons,  goods,
fixtures and chattels  therefrom,  by force or otherwise,  without liability for
damages.

         C. The parties  hereby  shall and they hereby do waive trial by jury in
any action or  proceeding  brought by either of the parties  hereto  against the
other on any matters whatsoever arising out of or in any way connected with this
Lease, the relationship of Landlord and Tenant, Tenant's use or occupancy of the
Demised Premises any claim of injury or damage. In the event Landlord  commences
any  proceedings  for non-payment of Base Rent and/or  Additional  Rent,  Tenant
waives its right to file a  counterclaim  or remove such action to the  Superior
Court from Special Civil Part. This shall not, however, be construed as a waiver
of Tenant's rights to assert such claims in any special action or actions.

         D. If the Tenant  shall fail or refuse to comply  with and  perform any
conditions and covenants of the within Lease, the Landlord may (but shall not be
obligated to) if the Landlord so elects,  carry out and perform such  conditions
and  covenants,  at the cost and  expense of the  Tenant,  and the said cost and
expense  shall be payable on demand,  or at the option of the Landlord  shall be
added to the installment of rent due immediately thereafter but in no case later
than one month after such demand,  whichever occurs sooner, and shall be due and
payable as such.  This remedy shall be in addition to such other remedies as the
Landlord may have hereunder by reason for the breach by the Tenant of any of the
covenants and conditions in this Lease contained.  Landlords delay or failure to
insist upon strict  performance  of any of the covenants and  conditions of this
Lease or to exercise  any other  available  right or remedy shall not impair any
such right or remedy, nor shall it be construed to be a forbearance or waiver.


                                       9
<PAGE>


25. FORCE  MAJEURE:   This  Lease and the  obligation  of the Tenant to pay rent
hereunder and to comply with the covenants and conditions  hereof,  shall not be
affected,  curtailed, impaired or excused because of the Landlord's inability to
obtain or supply any service,  labor or material called for herein, by reason of
any rule, order, regulation or preemption or embargo by any governmental entity,
authority, department, agency or subdivision or for any delay which may arise by
reason of negotiations for the adjustment of any fire, catastrophe or other loss
or because of strikes, lockouts or other labor trouble, civil commotion, acts of
God or of the public enemy, the act or default of the other party,  holding over
by any existing tenant of the Demised Premises or for any cause or effect beyond
the control of the Landlord  (collectively "Force Majeure").  The period of time
during  which  Landlord is  prevented  from  performing  any act  required to be
performed  under this Lease due to Force  Majeure shall be added to the time for
performance of such act.

26. SEVERABILITY: The terms, conditions,  covenants and provisions of this Lease
shall be deemed to be  severable.  If any clause or provision  herein  contained
shall be  adjudged  to be  invalid  or  unenforceable  by a court  of  competent
jurisdiction  or by  operation  of any  applicable  law, it shall not affect the
validity of any other  clause or  provision  herein,  but such other  clauses or
provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

27. CUMULATION  RIGHTS: The various rights,  remedies,  options and elections of
the Landlord,  expressed  herein,  are  distinct,  separate and  cumulative.  In
addition,  to other legal  remedies for  violation or breach by Tenant or anyone
holding or claiming under Tenant of the restrictions, agreements or covenants of
this Lease on Tenant's  part to be performed  or  fulfilled,  such  violation or
breach shall be restrainable  by injunction of the suit of Landlord.  No receipt
of money by  Landlord  from any  receiver,  trustee  or  custodian  or debtor in
possession shall reinstate,  continue or extend the term of this Lease or affect
any notice  continue  or  theretofore  given to Tenant or to any such  reseller,
trustee, custodian or debtor in possession or operate as a waiver or estoppel of
the right of Landlord to recover  possession of the Demised  Premises for any of
the caused therein  enumerated by any lawful remedy. The failure of the Landlord
to enforce  strict  performance by the Tenant of the conditions and covenants of
this Lease or to exercise any  election or option or to resort or have  recourse
to any  remedy  herein  conferred  or the  acceptance  by  the  Landlord  of any
installment  of  rent  after  any  breach  by the  Tenant,  in any  one or  more
instances,  shall not be construed or deemed to be a waiver or a  relinquishment
for the future by the Landlord of any such  conditions and  covenants,  options,
elections or remedies, but the same shall continue in full force and effect.

28. NOTICES:  All notices  required under the terms of this Lease shall be given
and shall be complete by mailing such notices by certified or  registered  mail,
return receipt requested,  to the address of the parties as shown at the head of
this Lease,  or to such other  address as may be  designated  in writing,  which
notice of change of address shall be given in the same manner.

29.  ENTIRE  CONTRACT:  This Lease  contains  the entire  contract  between  the
parties.  No  representative,  agent  or  employee  of  the  Landlord  has  been
authorized to make any  representations or promises with reference to the within
letting or to vary, after or modify the terms hereof.  No additions,  changes or
modifications, renewals or extensions hereof, shall be binding unless reduced to
writing and signed by the Landlord and the Tenant.


                                       10
<PAGE>


30. ISRA: Tenant represents that its Standard Industrial  Classification ("SIC")
number is the number set forth in the Lease Summary.  Tenant shall, with respect
to its use and occupancy of the Demised Premises, or its SIC classification,  at
Tenant's own expense,  comply with the  Industrial  Site Recovery Act,  N.J.S.A.
13:1 K-6 ET SEQ. ("ISRA"), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C.
6901 ET SEQ. ("RCRA"), the Comprehensive Environmental Response,  Compensation &
Liability Act, 42 U.S.C.  9601 ET SEQ.  ("CERCLA"),  the Spill  Compensation and
Control Act, N.J.S.A. 58:10-23.11 ET SEQ. ("Spill Act"), the Clean Water Act, 33
U.S.C.  1241 ET SEQ.,  the New Jersey  Water  Pollution  Control  Act,  N.J.S.A.
58:10A-1 ET SEQ., the Worker and Community Right-To-Know Act, N.J.S.A.34:5A-1 ET
SEQ., the occupational  Safety and Health Act of 1979, 29 U.S.C. 651 ET SEQ. and
such other  environmental  statutes as may now or  hereafter  be enacted and are
applicable  to the Demised  Premises,  land or Building  (the above acts and any
future  environmental  enactment's are hereinafter  collectively  referred to as
"Environmental  Laws")  and any  and  all  amendments,  orders  and  regulations
promulgated  pursuant to the  Environmental  Laws. Tenant shall, at Tenant's own
expense,  provide all information  within Tenant's control requested by Landlord
or the Bureau of Industrial Site Evaluation (or such other entity  authorized to
administer  and/or  enforce  the  Environmental  Laws)  for the  preparation  of
submissions, declarations, reports and plans pursuant to the Environmental Laws.
If the New Jersey  Department of Environmental  Protection and Energy (DEPE) (or
such other entity  authorized to  administer  and/or  enforce the  Environmental
Laws) shall  determine  that a clean-up  plan be prepared and that a clean-up or
any other required  action be undertaken  because of any spills or discharges of
hazardous  substances or wastes at the Demised  Premises  which occur during the
term of this Lease or that any other action be taken in order to comply with the
Environmental  Laws,  then Tenant  shall,  at Tenant's own expense,  prepare and
submit the required  plans and carry out the approved  plans and/or perform such
other  required  actions.  Tenant  shall  indemnify,  defend  and save  harmless
Landlord  from all fines,  suits,  procedures,  claims  and  actions of any kind
arising  out of or in any  way  connected  with  any  spills  or  discharges  of
hazardous  substances or wastes at the Demised  Premises  which occur during the
term of this Lease and/or other required  compliance  with  Environmental  Laws.
Tenant's  obligations  and liability under this paragraph shall survive the term
of this Lease and shall  continue  so long as  Landlord  remains  subject to the
Environmental  Laws or is held  responsible  for any  spills  or  discharges  of
hazardous  substances or wastes at the Demised  Premises  which occur during the
term of this Lease and/or other required compliance with Environmental Laws.

31. BROKER:  Tenant and Landlord  represent and warrant to each other that there
are no claims or brokerage  commissions or finder's fees in connection  with the
execution of the Lease,  except for the Real Estate Broker as noted in the Lease
Summary.  Each party agrees to indemnify the other against, and hold it harmless
from,  all  liabilities  arising  from claims of any entity  other than the Real
Estate  Broker  (including,  without  limitation,  the cost of  counsel  fees in
connection  therewith)  arising out of acts by the warranting party in violation
of its covenant herein.

32. SHORT FORM LEASE:  It is  understood  between  the parties  hereto that this
Lease will not be recorded but that a short form lease,  describing  the Demised
Premises,  giving the term and making particular  mention of any special clauses
as herein  contained,  may only at Landlord's  option, be recorded in accordance
with the laws  governing and  regulating  the recording of such documents in the
State of New Jersey.


                                       11
<PAGE>


33. ARBITRATION:  Except with respect to any summary dispossess  proceedings for
non-payment of rent, in the event of any controversy between Landlord and Tenant
hereafter  arising  out of any of the  provisions  of this  Lease  or out of the
refusal  of  Landlord  or Tenant to observe  or  perform  any of the  provisions
hereof,  then, if the parties hereto have not agreed to settle such  controversy
within  thirty  (30) days  after the same shall have  arisen,  either  party may
submit  such  matter to a binding  arbitration  in New Jersey  before  three (3)
arbitrators of the American  Arbitration  Association (or any successor thereto)
in accordance  with its  commercial  Rules then  obtaining.  In the event of the
failure,  refusal or inability of the American  Arbitration  Association (or any
successor  thereto) to act,  application  may be made for such  appointment to a
court of competent  jurisdiction.  The determination  made by the arbitrators so
appointed  shall be  conclusive  upon the parties and judgment may be entered on
the award of the arbitrators in any court of competent jurisdiction. The request
for formal  arbitration  may be made by either party upon written  notice to the
other party which  notice  shall  include an express  statement of the matter in
dispute. The arbitrators may only interpret and apply the terms of the Lease and
may  neither  change  such terms nor  deprive  either  party to the Lease of any
rights hereunder. The expenses of arbitration shall be borne equally by Landlord
and Tenant, except that each party shall pay its own counsel fees. The existence
of any  dispute or the  submission  thereof to  arbitration  shall not affect or
delay the performance by Tenant of its obligations under the Lease. Tenant shall
continue to pay all rent and other sums owing under the Lease and shall make any
required deposits (as reasonably  determined by Landlord,  if necessary) without
prejudice to Tenant's rights; and, if required by reason of the determination of
the arbitrators, Landlord shall make any appropriate refund to Tenant.

34.  ESTOPPEL:  The Tenant shall deliver to the  Landlord's  mortgage  lender or
Landlord  within ten (10) days of a request,  from time to time,  a statement in
writing  certifying  (a) that this Lease is unmodified  and is in full force and
effect (or if there have been modifications,  that the same is in full force and
effect as  modified  and stating the  modifications),  (b) that there  exists no
default or if a default is claimed, stating the exact nature of the default) (c)
the dates to which Base Rent and Additional  Rent have been paid in advance,  if
any (d) whether any security has been  deposited by Tenant with  Landlord and if
so the amount  thereof;  it being  intended  that any such  statement  delivered
pursuant to this paragraph may be relied upon as to the facts contained therein.
Tenant shall from the date hereof send to any Landlord's  mortgage lender,  upon
written request, a copy of any notice or statement required to be sent under the
Lease to the Landlord,  at the same time such notice is sent to the Landlord. If
Landlord's  mortgage lender  requests  reasonable  modifications  to this Lease,
Tenant will not  unreasonably  withhold or delay its consent  thereto,  provided
such modifications do not increase Tenant's obligations  hereunder or materially
adversely  affect the  leasehold  interest  hereby  created or Tenant's  use and
enjoyment of the Demised Premises.

35. MISCELLANEOUS:

         A. The Landlord  may pursue the relief or remedy  sought in any invalid
clause, by conforming the said clause with the provisions of the statutes or the
regulations of any governmental  agency in such case made and provided as if the
particular  provisions of the applicable  statutes or regulations were set forth
herein at length.

         B. Tenant agrees not to encumber or suffer or permit to be  encumbered,
the Demised Premises or the fee thereof by any lien, charge, or encumbrance, and
Tenant shall have no authority to mortgage or hypothecate  this Lease in any way
whatsoever.


                                       12
<PAGE>


         C.  Notwithstanding  anything set forth in this Lease to the  contrary,
neither  Landlord nor any partner of Landlord shall have any personal  liability
in connection with its obligations  under this Lease,  and Tenant agrees to look
solely to the property described on Exhibit A hereof to enforce any claim it may
have against  Landlord.  When the term "Landlord" is used in this Lease it shall
be construed to mean and include only the owner of the fee title, to the Demised
Premises.  Upon  transfer by Landlord of the fee title,  Landlord  shall  notify
Tenant of Landlord's transferee.  In such event, Landlord shall be automatically
freed and  relieved  from and after  the date of such  transfer  of title of all
liability with respect to the performance of any covenants on and obligations on
Landlord's  part to be performed  after the date of transfer  provided  that any
such transfer and conveyance by Landlord is expressly  subject to the assumption
by the grantee or  transferee  of the  obligations  of Landlord to be  performed
pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Lease.

         D. In all  references  herein  to any  parties,  persons,  entities  or
corporations  the use of any particular  gender of the plural or singular number
is  intended  to  include  the  appropriate  gender or number as the text of the
within instrument may require. All the terms,  covenants,  and conditions herein
contained  shall be for and shall  inure to the  benefit  of and shall  bind the
respective parties hereto and their heirs, executors,  administrators,  personal
or legal representatives, successors and assigns.

         E.  This  Lease  is to be  construed  pursuant  to laws of state of New
Jersey.

         F. Tenant  represents  that:  (a) it is a  corporation,  partnership or
limited liability company as defined in the Lease Summary,  validly existing and
in good  standing  under the laws of the State as defined in the Lease  Summary;
(b) that the officer,  partner or member executing and delivering this Lease has
been duly  authorized  to enter  into this  Lease;  (c) that the  execution  and
delivery  of this  Lease does not and shall not  violate  any  provision  of any
by-law,   partnership   agreement,   operating   agreement,   order,   judgment,
governmental regulation or any other obligation to which Tenant is a party or to
which it is subject.

36. APPLICATION OF UNDERLYING LEASE:

Except as set forth in this Lease and to the extent not  otherwise  inconsistent
with the  agreements  and  understandings  expressed  in this Lease,  the terms,
provisions,  covenants  and  conditions  of  the  Underlying  Lease  are  hereby
incorporated herein by reference upon the understanding that the term "Landlord"
as used in the Underlying  Lease shall refer to Landlord  hereunder and the term
"Tenant"  as used in the  Underlying  Lease  shall  refer to  Tenant  hereunder.
Landlord and Tenant  hereunder  each agree to perform and comply with the terms,
provisions,  covenants,  and conditions of the Underlying Lease and not to do or
cause the Underlying Lease to be terminated except where the Underlying Lease or
this Lease  specifically  provide for termination  upon the happening of certain
events.

37. LANDLORD AS OWNER:

The Landlord  covenants and represents that the Landlord is not the owner of the
Demised  Premises but is the tenant under the Underlying Lease and has the right
and  authority to enter into,  execute and deliver this Lease;  and does further
covenant that the Tenant on paying the rent and  performing  the  conditions and
covenants  herein  contained,  shall and subject to the provisions of this Lease
and the Underlying Lease, peaceably and quietly have, hold and enjoy the Demised
Premises for the term aforementioned.

                                       13
<PAGE>


THE LANDLORD  HEREBY LEASES THE DEMISED  PREMISES TO THE TENANT,  AND THE TENANT
HEREBY LEASES THE PREMISES FROM THE  LANDLORD,  IN ACCORDANCE  WITH THE TERMS OF
THIS LEASE AGREEMENT.

                                LANDLORD:

                                           COGENERATION SERVICES INC.           
                                                                                
                                           /S/ Harold N. Kamine                 
                                By:        --------------------------(Signature)

                                           Hal Kamine
                                           --------------------------(Name)

                                           President
                                           --------------------------(Title)
                                                             

                                                              

                                TENANT:

                                           KMC TELECOM INC.

                                           /S/ Harold N. Kamine                 
                                By:        --------------------------(Signature)

                                           Hal Kamine
                                           --------------------------(Name)

                                           President
                                           --------------------------(Title)
                                                                               
















                                       14
<PAGE>


                                   EXHIBIT A



                                [GRAPHIC OMITTED]







                  FORM OF NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

          THIS  AGREEMENT,  dated as of ___________  ___,  199__, is made by and
between KMC Telecom Holdings,  Inc., a Delaware corporation hereinafter referred
to  as  the  "Corporation",   and  ____________________,   an  employee  of  the
Corporation  or a Subsidiary  (as defined below) or Affiliate (as defined below)
of the Corporation, hereinafter referred to as "Optionee".

          WHEREAS, the Corporation wishes to afford the Optionee the opportunity
to purchase  shares of its Common  Stock,  par value $.01 per share (the "Common
Stock");

          WHEREAS,  the Corporation wishes to carry out the Plan (as hereinafter
defined),  the terms of which are hereby  incorporated  by reference  and made a
part of this Agreement; and

          WHEREAS,  the  Committee  (as  hereinafter   defined),   appointed  to
administer the Plan,  has determined  that it would be to the advantage and best
interest of the  Corporation  and its  stockholders  to grant the  Non-Qualified
Options  provided  for herein to the  Optionee  as an  incentive  for  increased
efforts during his term of office with the  Corporation or its  Subsidiaries  or
Affiliates,   and  has  advised  the  Corporation  thereof  and  instructed  the
undersigned officers to issue said Options;

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


                                    Article I

                                   DEFINITIONS

          Whenever the following  terms are used in this  Agreement,  they shall
have the  meaning  specified  in the Plan or below  unless the  context  clearly
indicates to the contrary. 

SECTION 1.1 - AFFILIATE

          "Affiliate"   shall  mean,  with  respect  to  the  Corporation,   any
corporation directly or indirectly  controlling,  controlled by, or under common
control with,  the  Corporation  or any other entity  designated by the Board of
Directors of the  Corporation  in which the  Corporation  or an Affiliate has an
interest.

<PAGE>
                                                                              2




SECTION 1.2 - CAUSE

          "Cause" shall mean,  except if such term or similar term is defined in
an employment agreement between the Corporation and the Optionee,  in which case
the employment agreement definition shall apply in lieu of this Section 1.2, (a)
the commission of an act of fraud or  embezzlement  (including the  unauthorized
disclosure of confidential or proprietary  information of the Corporation or any
of its subsidiaries which results in financial loss to the Corporation or any of
its Affiliates),  (b) the conviction of a felony,  (c) willful  misconduct as an
employee of the Corporation or any of its Affiliates which is reasonably  likely
to result in material  injury or financial loss to the Corporation or any of its
Affiliates or (d) the willful  failure to render  services to the Corporation or
any of its Affiliates in accordance with his employment which failure amounts to
a material neglect of duties to the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries  that
is not corrected by the Optionee, to the satisfaction of the Corporation, in its
sole  discretion,  within 30 days after the Corporation  provides  Optionee with
written  notice of its intention to terminate his employment for Cause by virtue
of this section (d). Any voluntary termination of employment by the Optionee (i)
within 40 days after having  received the written notice provided in section (d)
or (ii) after the Corporation  first has reason to believe that the Optionee has
committed a felony and before any final  judicial  determination  regarding such
felony,  shall be deemed to be a  termination  of  Optionee's  employment by the
Corporation for Cause.

SECTION 1.3 - CODE

          "Code"  shall mean the  Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as  amended.

SECTION 1.4 - COMMITTEE

          "Committee" shall mean  the Compensation Committee of the Corporation.

SECTION 1.5 - COMMON STOCK

          "Common Stock" shall mean the  Corporation's  common stock,  par value
$.0l per share.

SECTION 1.6 - COST

          "Cost"  shall mean the  exercise  price per share paid to exercise the
option, as adjusted for stock splits, subdivisions,  combinations,  Common Stock
dividends and similar transactions. 

SECTION 1.7 - GRANT DATE

          "Grant Date" shall mean the date on which the Options  provided for in
this Agreement were granted or, if earlier,  the date the Optionee's  employment
with the Company or any Affiliate began, but in no event earlier than January 1,
1995. 

<PAGE>
                                                                               3


SECTION 1.8 - MANAGER STOCKHOLDER'S AGREEMENT

          "Manager  Stockholder's  Agreement" shall mean a Manager Stockholder's
Agreement substantially in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit A.

SECTION 1.9 - OPTIONS

          "Options"  shall mean the  non-qualified  options to  purchase  Common
Stock granted under this Agreement. 

SECTION 1.10 - OPTION SHARES

          "Option  Shares" shall mean any Common Stock issuable or issued by the
Company  upon  exercise  of any  Option,  as  adjusted  as a result of any stock
dividend,   stock  split,   merger,   consolidation,   reorganization  or  other
recapitalization. 

SECTION 1.11 - PERMANENT DISABILITY

          The Optionee  shall be deemed to have a "Permanent  Disability" if the
Optionee is unable to engage in the activities required by the Optionee's job by
reason of any  medically  determined  physical  or mental  impairment  which has
lasted for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. 

SECTION 1.12 - PLAN

          "Plan"  shall mean the 1998  Stock  Purchase  and Option  Plan for Key
Employees of KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc. and Affiliates,  as amended from time to
time. 

SECTION 1.13 - PRONOUNS

          The masculine  pronoun shall include the feminine and neuter,  and the
singular  the plural,  where the  context so  indicates.  

SECTION  1.14 - PUBLIC OFFERING

          "Public  Offering"  shall  mean a sale of shares of the  Corporation's
common  stock to the  public  pursuant  to a  registration  statement  under the
Securities  Act of 1933,  as amended,  that has been  declared  effective by the
Securities and Exchange Commission (other than a registration  statement on Form
S-4 or Form  S-8,  or any  successor  or other  forms  promulgated  for  similar
purposes,  or a  registration  statement  in  connection  with  an  offering  to
employees  of the  Corporation  and its  Affiliates).  

SECTION  1.15 - QUALIFIED PUBLIC OFFERING

          "Qualified  Public  Offering"  shall mean the first  offer for sale of
Common  Stock,  in any single  transaction  or series of  related  transactions,
pursuant to an effective  registration  statement filed by the Company under the
Securities  Act of 1933,  as amended,  in which the Company  receives  aggregate
gross proceeds (before deduction of underwriting discounts and expenses of sale)
of at least $40,000,000, provided that, the price per share at which such shares
are  sold in the  offering  (before  deduction  of  underwriting  discounts  and
expenses  of sale)  is at  least  four (4)  times  the  Conversion  Price of the
Company's Series A Convertible  Preferred Stock (it being  acknowledged that, as
of May 31, 1998, such Conversion Price was $20.63 per share) which would then be
in effect  if  determined  pursuant  to the  terms of the  Series A  Convertible
Preferred  Stock in effect  (whether  or not any  shares of such  stock are then
outstanding). 


<PAGE>
                                                                               4


SECTION 1.16 - RETIREMENT

          "Retirement" shall mean the voluntary termination of employment by the
Optionee  after the later of (i) having been employed by the  Corporation  for a
period of 5 years  following the Grant Date or by an Affiliate for a period of 5
years  from the  later of (a)  January  1, 1995 or (b) the date  Optionee  first
rendered  service to the Affiliate and (ii) the date on which the sum of (a) the
Optionee's years of service  (calculated as in (i) above) and (b) the Optionee's
age,  equals or exceeds 65, unless the Committee  shall have provided,  prior to
the Grant Date or  thereafter,  that some other  lesser age,  period of service,
combination thereof or other terms or conditions shall constitute  "Retirement".

SECTION 1.17 - SECRETARY

          "Secretary" shall mean the Secretary of the Corporation.  

SECTION 1.18 - SUBSIDIARY

          "Subsidiary"  shall  mean  any  corporation  in an  unbroken  chain of
corporations  beginning  with the  Corporation if each of the  corporations,  or
group of commonly  controlled  corporations  (other than the last corporation in
the  unbroken  chain),  then  owns  stock  possessing  50% or more of the  total
combined  voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other  corporations
in such chain. 


                                   ARTICLE II

                                GRANT OF OPTIONS


SECTION 2.1 - GRANT OF OPTIONS

          For good and valuable consideration,  on and as of the date hereof the
Corporation irrevocably grants to the Optionee an Option to purchase any part or
all of an  aggregate of the number of shares set forth with respect to each such
Option on the signature  page hereof of its $.0l par value Common Stock upon the
terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

SECTION 2.2 - EXERCISE PRICE

          Subject  to Section  2.4,  the  exercise  price of the shares of stock
covered by the Options  shall be at the price per share,  without  commission or
other charge, as follows:

     -  shares (representing 60 percent of the shares hereunder) shall be at $20
     -  shares (representing 20 percent of the shares hereunder) shall be at $30
     -  shares (representing 20 percent of the shares hereunder) shall be at $40

<PAGE>
                                                                               5


SECTION 2.3 - CONSIDERATION TO THE CORPORATION

          In  consideration of the granting of these Options by the Corporation,
the Optionee agrees to render faithful and efficient services to the Corporation
or a  Subsidiary  or  Affiliate,  with such duties and  responsibilities  as the
Corporation  shall from time to time  prescribe  but  subject to the  employment
agreement,  if any,  between  the  Company  and the  Optionee.  Nothing  in this
Agreement or in the Plan shall confer upon the Optionee any right to continue in
the employ of the  Corporation or any Subsidiary or Affiliate or shall interfere
with or restrict in any way the rights of the Corporation  and its  Subsidiaries
or Affiliates,  which are hereby expressly reserved, to terminate the employment
of the Optionee at any time for any reason  whatsoever,  with or without  cause.
Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,   any  termination  shall  be  subject  to  the
employment agreement, if any, between the Company and the Optionee.

SECTION 2.4 - ADJUSTMENTS IN OPTIONS PURSUANT TO MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, ETC.

          Subject  to Section 9 of the Plan,  in the event that the  outstanding
shares of the stock subject to an Option are, from time to time, changed into or
exchanged for a different  number or kind of shares of the  Corporation or other
securities   of  the   Corporation   by  reason  of  a  merger,   consolidation,
recapitalization,  Change  of  Control,  reclassification,  stock  split,  stock
dividend,  combination  of shares,  or otherwise,  the  Committee  shall make an
appropriate and equitable adjustment in the number and kind of shares and/or the
amount  of  consideration  as to which or for  which,  as the case may be,  such
Option,  or portions thereof then  unexercised,  shall be exercisable.  Any such
adjustment  made by the Committee  shall be final and binding upon the Optionee,
the Corporation and all other interested persons.


                                  Article III

                            PERIOD OF EXERCISABILITY

SECTION 3.1        - COMMENCEMENT OF EXERCISABILITY

          (a)  The  Option  shall  become  exercisable  as to 10% of the  shares
subject to the Option on the sixth month anniversary of the Grant Date and shall
become  exercisable  as to an  additional  10% of the shares upon each six month
anniversary  thereafter;  provided,  however,  that  subject  to  the  foregoing
schedule,  the portion of the Option which shall first become  exercisable shall
be those shares  exercisable  at $20 per share;  thereafter,  commencing  in the
fourth year after  grant,  the shares  with an  exercise  price of $30 per share
shall become  exercisable  and,  commencing  in the fifth year after grant,  the
shares with an exercise  price of $40 per share shall  become  exercisable.  (b)
Notwithstanding  any other provision of this  Agreement,  no Option shall become
exercisable  as  to  any  additional   shares  of  Common  Stock  following  the
termination  of  employment  of the  Optionee  for any  reason and any Option or
portion  thereof which is not  exercisable as of the  Optionee's  termination of
employment shall be immediately cancelled.

<PAGE>
                                                                               6


SECTION 3.2 - ACCELERATION OF EXERCISABILITY

          The exercisability of the Option shall be accelerated as follows:

          (a) In the event of a Qualified Public Offering, the 10% of the shares
subject to the Option which would have become  exercisable at the next six month
anniversary  of  the  Grant  Date  shall  become  immediately  exercisable.  The
remaining  portion of the shares  subject to the Option shall continue to become
exercisable  as to each 10% of the shares  subject to the Option,  following the
Qualified Public Offering,  upon each six month anniversary of the Grant Date so
that the final  unvested  10% of the shares  subject to the Option  shall become
exercisable six months earlier than originally  scheduled.

          (b) The Option shall become exercisable immediately following a Change
of Control as to the  greater of (i) 25% of the shares  subject to the Option as
of the Grant Date or (ii) 50% of the unvested shares subject to the Option,  but
only to the extent such Option has not otherwise terminated (75% of the unvested
shares  if the sale  price  per share is  between  $60 - $79.99  and 100% of the
unvested shares if the sale price per share is $80 or greater) (in either (i) or
(ii),  starting with the shares with the lowest exercise  price).  The remaining
Options shall  continue to vest in accordance  with the terms of this  Agreement
and the Plan.

SECTION 3.3 - EXPIRATION OF OPTIONS

          The Options may not be exercised  to any extent by the Optionee  after
the first to occur of the following  events:

          (a) The tenth anniversary of the Grant Date; or

          (b) The first anniversary of the date of the Optionee's termination of
     employment by reason of death, Permanent Disability or Retirement; or

          (c) The first  business day which is fifteen  calendar  days after the
     earlier of (i) 75 days after  termination of employment of the Optionee for
     any reason other than for death, Permanent Disability,  Retirement or Cause
     or (ii) the delivery of notice by the  Corporation,  after  termination  of
     Optionee's  employment,  that it does not intend to exercise its call right
     pursuant to Section 5.3; or

          (d)  The  date  the  Option  is  terminated  pursuant  to the  Manager
     Stockholder's Agreement;

          (e)  The  date  of an  Optionee's  termination  of  employment  by the
     Corporation for Cause; or

          (f) If the Committee so determines  pursuant to Section 9 of the Plan,
     the effective date of either the merger or consolidation of the Corporation
     into  another  Person,  a  Change  of  Control,  or  the  recapitalization,
     reclassification,  liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation.  At least
     ten (10) days prior to the  effective  date of such merger,  consolidation,
     exchange, acquisition, recapitalization,  reclassification,  liquidation or
     dissolution,  the Committee shall give the Optionee notice, in writing,  of
     such event if the Option has then neither been fully  exercised  nor become
     unexercisable under this Section 3.2.

<PAGE>
                                                                               7


                                   ARTICLE IV

                               EXERCISE OF OPTIONS

SECTION 4.1 - PERSON ELIGIBLE TO EXERCISE

          During the lifetime of the Optionee, only he may exercise an Option or
any portion thereof. After the death of the Optionee, any exercisable portion of
an Option  may,  prior to the time when an Option  becomes  unexercisable  under
Section  3.3,  be  exercised  by his  personal  representative  or by any person
empowered to do so under the Optionee's  will or under the then  applicable laws
of descent and distribution.

SECTION  4.2 - PARTIAL  EXERCISE  AND PERIODS OF UNEXERCISABILITY

          Any  exercisable  portion of an Option or the entire  Option,  if then
wholly  exercisable,  may be exercised in whole or in part at any time,  or from
time to time,  prior to the time when the  Option  or  portion  thereof  becomes
unexercisable  under Section 3.3; provided,  however,  that any partial exercise
shall be for  whole  shares  of  Common  Stock  only;  provided,  further,  that
notwithstanding  any other  provision  of this  Agreement,  no  Option  shall be
exercisable  during: a) the 40 day period commencing on the date the Corporation
provides written notice to the Optionee that it intends to terminate  Optionee's
employment  pursuant to provision (d) of the definition of Cause if the Optionee
does not cure;  or b) the  period  between  the time the  Corporation  first has
reasonable  cause to believe that  Optionee has committed a felony and any final
judicial determination regarding such felony.

SECTION 4.3 - MANNER OF EXERCISE

          An Option, or any exercisable portion thereof, may be exercised solely
by delivering  to the Secretary or his office all of the following  prior to the
time when the Option or such portion  becomes  unexercisable  under Section 3.3:

          (a) Notice in writing  signed by the Optionee or the other person then
     entitled to exercise the Option or portion thereof, stating that the Option
     or portion  thereof is thereby  exercised,  such notice  complying with all
     applicable  administrative rules established by the Committee. In the event
     such rules are materially  modified by the Committee such Optionee shall be
     notified in writing;

          (b) Full  payment  (in  cash,  by  check,  unrestricted  shares of the
     Company held for at least six months (but only following a Public Offering)
     or by a  combination  thereof)  for the shares  with  respect to which such
     Option or portion thereof is exercised;

          (c) A  bona  fide  written  representation  and  agreement,  in a form
     satisfactory to the Committee,  signed by the Optionee or other person then
     entitled  to  exercise  such Option or portion  thereof,  stating  that the
     shares of stock are being acquired for his own account,  for investment and
     without any present  intention of  distributing or reselling said shares or
     any of them except as may be permitted under the Securities Act of 1933, as
     amended (the "Act"), and then applicable rules and regulations  thereunder,
     and that the Optionee or other person then entitled to exercise such Option
     or portion thereof will indemnify the Corporation  against and hold it free
     and harmless from any loss, damage,  expense or liability  resulting to the
     Corporation  if any sale or  distribution  of the shares by such  person is
     contrary to the representation  and agreement referred to above;  provided,
     however,  that  the  Committee  may,  in  its  discretion,   take  whatever
     additional  actions  it deems  appropriate  to ensure  the  observance  and
     performance of such  representation  and agreement and to effect compliance
     with the Act and any other federal or state securities laws or regulations;

<PAGE>
                                                                               8

          (d) Full  payment  to the  Corporation  of all  amounts  which,  under
     federal,  state or local law, it is required to withhold  upon  exercise of
     the Option;

          (e) An executed Manager Stockholder's  Agreement, or appropriate proof
     that a Manager Stockholder's  Agreement has been previously executed by the
     Optionee; and

          (f) In the event the  Option or  portion  thereof  shall be  exercised
     pursuant to Section 4.1 by any person or persons  other than the  Optionee,
     appropriate  proof of the right of such person or persons to  exercise  the
     option.

Without  limiting the generality of the foregoing,  the Committee may require an
opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to it to the effect that any subsequent
transfer  of shares  acquired on exercise of an Option does not violate the Act,
and.  may  issue  stop-transfer  orders  covering  such  shares,  provided  such
stop-transfer  orders remain in effect only so long as is required to Permit the
Company to remain in  compliance  with the Act.  Share  certificates  evidencing
stock  issued on  exercise  of this  Option  shall  bear an  appropriate  legend
referring to the provisions of subsection  (c) above and the agreements  herein.
The written  representation  and agreement  referred to in subsection  (c) above
shall,  however,  not be  required  if the shares to be issued  pursuant to such
exercise  have been  registered  under the Act,  and such  registration  is then
effective in respect of such shares.

          In  addition,   after  the  occurrence  of  a  Public  Offering,   the
Corporation  shall  pay  the  interest  expenses  incurred  by the  Optionee  in
connection  with any loan from a broker  incurred  by the  Optionee  in order to
exercise  his  Option;  provided,  however,  that  the  Corporation  shall  only
reimburse  the interest  relating to such loan  outstanding  for a period not to
exceed 5 business days.

SECTION 4.4 - CONDITIONS TO ISSUANCE OF STOCK CERTIFICATES

          The shares of stock deliverable upon the exercise of an Option, or any
portion  thereof,  may be either  previously  authorized but unissued  shares or
issued shares which have then been  reacquired by the  Corporation.  Such shares
shall be fully paid and nonassessable.  The Corporation shall not be required to
issue or deliver any certificate or  certificates  for shares of stock purchased
upon the exercise of an Option or portion thereof prior to fulfillment of all of
the following conditions:

          (a) The  obtaining  of approval or other  clearance  from any state or
     federal  governmental  agency which the  Committee  shall,  in its absolute
     discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable; and

          (b) The lapse of such reasonable period of time following the exercise
     of the Option as the Committee may from time to time  establish for reasons
     of administrative convenience.

SECTION 4.5 - RIGHTS AS STOCKHOLDER

          The  holder of an Option  shall not be,  nor have any of the rights or
privileges  of, a  stockholder  of the  Corporation  in  respect  of any  shares
purchasable  upon the exercise of the Option or any portion  thereof  unless and
until certificates  representing such shares shall have been issued or, upon the
determination of a court of competent  jurisdiction,  should have been issued by
the Corporation to such holder.


<PAGE>
                                                                               9

                                    ARTICLE V

                                  MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 5.1 - ADMINISTRATION

          The  Committee  shall  have the  power,  such  power  to be  exercised
reasonably, to interpret the Plan and this Agreement and to adopt such rules for
the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent
therewith  and  herewith  and to  interpret  or revoke any such rules.  All such
actions taken and all  interpretations  and determinations made by the Committee
shall be final and binding  upon the  Optionee,  the  Corporation  and all other
interested  persons.  No member of the Committee shall be personally  liable for
any action,  determination or interpretation  made in good faith with respect to
the Plan or the Options. In its absolute discretion,  the Board of Directors may
at any time and from time to time  exercise any and all rights and duties of the
Committee under the Plan and this Agreement.

SECTION  5.2 -  OPTIONS  NOT TRANSFERABLE

          Except as provided in the Manager Stockholder's Agreement, neither the
Options nor any interest or right  therein or part  thereof  shall be liable for
the debts,  contracts  or  engagements  of the  Optionee  or his  successors  in
interest  or  shall  be  subject  to   disposition   by  transfer,   alienation,
anticipation,  pledge,  encumbrance,  assignment or any other means whether such
disposition  be  voluntary  or  involuntary  or by operation of law by judgment,
levy,  attachment,  garnishment  or any  other  legal or  equitable  proceedings
(including bankruptcy),  and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and
void and of no  effect;  provided,  however,  that  this  Section  5.2 shall not
prevent transfers by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution.

SECTION 5.3 - CORPORATION'S OPTION TO PURCHASE UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

          (a) Upon any  termination of Optionee's  employment,  the  Corporation
shall have the right for 75 days following the date of such  termination to give
notice to the  Optionee  and the  Optionee  shall be  required  to sell,  on one
occasion,  within 60 days of the receipt of such notice, a specified  portion of
the Option and Option  Shares then held by the Optionee at a specified  price as
follows:  

          (i) If the  Optionee  is  terminated  without  Cause or due to  death,
Permanent  Disability or  Retirement,  the Optionee shall be required to sell to
the Company 50% of the Option and Option  Shares then held by the  Optionee at a
price equal to:

          (A) with respect to Option  being sold to the  Company,  the excess of
(a) the  Fair  Market  Value,  at the  time  of the  termination  of  Optionee's
employment,  of the shares to be  received  upon  exercise  of the  Option  (not
including  any shares as to which the Option was not  exercisable)  over (b) the
aggregate exercise price for those shares; and

          (B) with respect to the Option  Shares being sold to the Company,  the
Fair Market Value of the shares,  at the time of the  termination  of Optionee's
employment; 

          (ii) If the Optionee voluntarily terminates  employment,  the Optionee
shall be required  to sell to the Company all the Option and Option  Shares then
held by the Optionee at a price equal to:

          (A) with respect to Option  being sold to the  Company,  the excess of
(a) the  Fair  Market  Value,  at the  time  of the  termination  of  Optionee's
employment,  of the shares to be  received  upon  exercise  of the  Option  (not
including  any shares as to which the Option was not  exercisable)  over (b) the
aggregate exercise price for those shares; and


<PAGE>
                                                                              10


          (B) with respect to the Option  Shares being sold to the Company,  the
Fair Market Value of the shares,  at the time of the  termination  of Optionee's
employment;

          (iii) If the  Optionee is  terminated  by the  Company for Cause,  the
Optionee  shall be  required  to sell to the  Company  all or any portion of the
Option  Shares then held by the  Optionee at a price equal to the lesser of Cost
or Fair Market Value.

          (b) If the Company  exercises its right under (a) above,  the Optionee
shall receive payments for such Option and/or Option Shares as follows:

          (i) If the  Optionee  is  terminated  without  Cause or due to  death,
Permanent Disability or Retirement,  the Optionee shall receive payment in cash;
provided,  however'  that if the Company  cannot make such payment in cash,  the
Company's  shareholders  shall have the ability to exercise the rights specified
in (a) above.

          (ii) If the  Optionee is  terminated  for Cause,  the  Optionee  shall
receive,  at the  Company's  discretion,  payment in the form of cash or Company
notes; any such Company notes will bear interest,  payable  semi-annually,  at a
rate of prime  plus 1% per annum and shall  mature on the later of (A) the fifth
anniversary of the issuance  thereof and (B) the earliest date  permitted  under
the terms of any indebtedness of the Company or its subsidiaries  outstanding at
the time of such issuance.

          (iii) If the Optionee voluntarily terminates employment,  the Optionee
shall receive, at the Company's  discretion,  payment in the form of cash or 50%
in the form of cash and 50% in the form of Company notes; any such Company notes
will bear interest, payable semi-annually,  at a rate of prime plus 1% per annum
and shall mature on the later of (A) the fifth  anniversary  thereof and (B) the
earliest date permitted  under the terms of any  indebtedness  of the Company or
its subsidiaries outstanding at the time of such issuance; i) PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that if the Optionee does not violate the  noncompete  provisions of the Manager
Stockholder's  Agreement,  the  note  shall be paid,  if  earlier  than the date
specified in the immediately  preceding  clause of this paragraph  (iii), at the
conclusion of the Noncompete  Period  (including  extensions) (as defined in the
Manager Stockholder's Agreement).

SECTION 5.4 - SHARES TO BE RESERVED

          The  Corporation  shall at all times  during  the term of the  Options
reserve and keep  available such number of shares of stock as will be sufficient
to satisfy the requirements of this Agreement.

SECTION 5.5 - NOTICES

          Any  notice  to be given  under  the  terms of this  Agreement  to the
Corporation shall be addressed to the Corporation in care of its Secretary,  and
any notice to be given to the Optionee  shall be addressed to him at the address
given beneath his signature  hereto.  By a notice given pursuant to this Section
5.5, either party may hereafter  designate a different address for notices to be
given to him. Any notice which is required to be given to the Optionee shall, if
the  Optionee  is  then   deceased,   be  given  to  the   Optionee's   personal
representative if such representative has previously informed the Corporation of
his status and address by written  notice  under this  Section  5.5.  Any notice
shall have been deemed  duly given three days after the date when  enclosed in a
properly  seated  envelope  or  wrapper  addressed  as  aforesaid  and  sent via
certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.

SECTION 5.6 - TITLES

          Titles are provided herein for  convenience  only and are not to serve
as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Agreement.



<PAGE>
                                                                              11

SECTION 5.7 - APPLICABILITY OF PLAN AND MANAGER STOCKHOLDER'S AGREEMENT

          The Option and the shares of Common Stock issued to the Optionee  upon
exercise of the Options  shall be subject to all of the terms and  provisions of
the Plan and the Manager  Stockholder's  Agreement,  to the extent applicable to
the Options and such shares. In the event of any conflict between this Agreement
and the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control.  In the event of any conflict
between this Agreement and the employment agreement, if any, between the Company
and the Optionee, the terms of the employment agreement shall control; provided,
that such employment agreement, and any amendments thereto, has been approved by
the Committee.  In the event of any conflict  between this Agreement or the Plan
and the Manager Stockholder's  Agreement, the terms of the Manager Stockholder's
Agreement shall control.

SECTION 5.8 - AMENDMENT

          This  Agreement  may be  amended  only by a  writing  executed  by the
parties hereto which specifically states that it is amending this Agreement.

SECTION 5.9 - GOVERNING LAW

          The laws of the State of New York  shall  govern  the  interpretation,
validity and  performance of the terms of this  Agreement  regardless of the law
that might be applied under principles of conflicts of laws.

SECTION 5.10 - JURISDICTION

          Any suit,  action or  proceeding  against the Optionee with respect to
this Agreement,  or any judgment entered by any court in respect of any thereof,
may be brought in any court of competent  jurisdiction in the State of New York,
and the Optionee hereby submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts
for the purpose of any such suit, action,  proceeding or judgment.  The Optionee
hereby  irrevocably  waives any objections which he may now or hereafter have to
the  laying of the venue of any suit,  action or  proceeding  arising  out of or
relating to this Agreement brought in any court of competent jurisdiction in the
State of New York, and hereby further irrevocably waives any claim that any such
suit,  action or  proceeding  brought in any such court has been  brought in any
inconvenient  forum. No suit, action or proceeding  against the Corporation with
respect to this Agreement may be brought in any court,  domestic or foreign,  or
before  any  similar  domestic  or  foreign  authority  other than in a court of
competent  jurisdiction  in the  State  of New  York,  and the  Optionee  hereby
irrevocably  waives any right which he may  otherwise  have had to bring such an
action in any other court,  domestic or foreign,  or before any similar domestic
or foreign authority. The Corporation hereby submits to the jurisdiction of such
courts for the purpose of any such suit,  action or  proceeding.

SECTION 5.11 - CANCELLATION OF KMC TELECOM, INC. OPTIONS

          The  Optionee  hereby  agrees,  that in  consideration  of the Options
granted hereunder,  that any and all options granted to the Optionee pursuant to
the 1996 Stock  Purchase and Option Plan for Key Employees of KMC Telecom,  Inc.
and  Affiliates  shall  become  null and void  and of no  force or  effect  upon
approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  this Agreement has been executed and delivered by
the parties hereto.

                                               KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.



                                               By ______________________________
                                                  Name:
                                                  Title:



<PAGE>
                                                                              12





                                           
                                           Aggregate number of shares of Common
                                           Stock for which the Option granted
- - ---------------------------------          hereunder is exercisable:
           Optionee                        
- - ---------------------------------          ------------------ 
                                            

- - ---------------------------------
            Address



Optionee's Taxpayer
Identification Number:


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


<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT A
                                                                       ---------
                         MANAGER STOCKHOLDER'S AGREEMENT

          This Manager  Stockholder's  Agreement  (this  "Agreement") is entered
into as of ____________ __, 199_ between KMC Telecom Holdings,  Inc., a Delaware
corporation  (the  "COMPANY") , (the  "Manager"),  Nassau Capital  Partners L.P.
("Nassau  Capital"),  NAS  Partners I L.L.C.  ("NAS" and,  together  with Nassau
Capital, "Nassau") and Harold N. Kamine ("HNK")


                                    RECITALS

          The Company has  established  the 1998 Stock  Purchase and Option Plan
for Key  Employees  of KMC Telecom  Holdings,  Inc. and  Affiliates  (the Option
Plan"),  providing for, among other things, the grant of options  ("Options") to
purchase  Common  Stock,  par value  $.01 per  share,  of the  Company  ("Common
Stock").

          Effective  as of the date hereof,  the Company is granting  Options to
the  Manager,  certain of which  ("Replacement  Options")  are being  granted in
replacement of options ("Predecessor Options") to purchase Class C Common Stock,
par  value  $.01 per  share,  of KMC  Telecom,  Inc.  ("KMC"),  a  wholly  owned
subsidiary  of the  Company,  heretofore  granted to the Manager  under the 1996
Stock  Purchase  and  Option  Plan of KMC  Telecom,  Inc.  and  Affiliates  (the
"Predecessor Plan") .

          The Company also is granting,  or will grant, Options to certain other
individuals  who are or will be key employees or directors of, or persons having
a unique relationship with, the Company or one of its affiliates  (collectively,
the "Other  Managers") , each of whom is entering  into,  or will enter into, an
agreement  substantially  in the  form of this  Agreement  (the  "Other  Manager
Agreements").

          The  Company  is a  party  to an  Amended  and  Restated  Stockholders
Agreement  dated as of  October  31,  1997 (as  amended  from time to time,  the
"Stockholders  Agreement")  with  certain  stockholders  of  the  Company  (such
stockholders as are, from time to time,  parties to the  Stockholders  Agreement
being referred to collectively as the "Existing Stockholders").

          The Company also is a party to a Warrant Registration Rights Agreement
dated as of January 26, 1998 (as amended or supplemented  from time to time, the
"Registration  Rights  Agreement")  with  Morgan  Stanley  &  Co.  Incorporated,
pursuant to which the Company has  granted  certain  registration  rights to the
record  holders of the warrants to purchase  shares of Common Stock  referred to
therein (the "Warrants") and the holders of Stock (or other securities) received
upon exercise thereof (the "Warrant Holders").

<PAGE>
                                                                               2


          The Company and the Manager wish to make  provision  for certain terms
of ownership of Capital Stock (as herein  defined) by the Manager as a result of
the exercise of Options,  Consistent  with the Company's  obligations  under the
Stockholders Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement.

          Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

          1.  DEFINITIONS.  As used herein,  the following  terms shall have the
following meanings:

          "ACT" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in section 2(a).

          "AFFILIATE"  shall mean,  with respect to the  Company,  any person or
entity  directly  or  indirectly  controlling,  controlled  by, or under  common
control with, the Company,  and/or any other person or entity  designated by the
Board of Directors  of the Company in which the Company or an  Affiliate  has an
interest.

          "BUYOUT  NOTICE"  shall  have the  meaning  ascribed  to such  term in
Section 5.

          "CAPITAL  STOCK" shall mean capital stock,  share capital and/or other
equity participations of the Company, including, without limitation, partnership
interests,  and/or conversion privileges,  warrants, options and/or other rights
to acquire such capital stock, share capital and/or other equity participations.

          "CAUSE"  shall mean,  except if such term or a similar term is defined
in an employment  agreement  between the Company and the Manager,  in which case
such employment agreement definition shall apply in lieu of this definition, (a)
the commission of an act of fraud or  embezzlement  (including the  unauthorized
disclosure of confidential  or proprietary  information of the Company or any of
its  subsidiaries  which results in financial  loss to the Company or any of its
Affiliates),  (b) the  conviction  of a felony,  (c)  willful  misconduct  as an
employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates  which is reasonably  likely to
result  in  material  injury  or  financial  loss to the  Company  or any of its
Affiliates or (d) the willful  failure to render  services to the Company or any
of its  Affiliates in accordance  with the  Manager's  employment  which failure
amounts to a material  neglect of duties to the Company or any of its Affiliates
that is not corrected by the Manager, to the satisfaction of the Company, in its
sole  discretion,  within 30 days after the Company  provides  the manager  with
written notice of its intention to terminate the Manager's  employment for Cause
by virtue of this clause (d). Any  voluntary  termination  of  employment by the
Manager (i) within 40 days after having  received the written notice provided in
clause (d) above or (ii) after the Company  first has reason to believe that the
Manager  has  committed  a felony and before  any final  judicial  determination
regarding  such  felony  shall be deemed to be a  termination  of the  Manager's
employment by the Company for Cause.

<PAGE>
                                                                               3

          "COMMON  STOCK"  shall have the  meaning  ascribed to such term in the
Recitals of this Agreement.

          "COMMON STOCK  EQUIVALENTS"  means any security or obligation which is
by its terms convertible into shares of Common Stock and any option,  warrant or
other subscription or purchase right with respect to Common Stock.

          "COMPANY"  shall  have  the  meaning  ascribed  to  such  term  in the
introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

          "CUSTODY  AGREEMENT  AND POWER OF  ATTORNEY"  shall  have the  meaning
ascribed to such term in Section 9.

          "DEFAULT" shall mean an event of default or an event that, with notice
or  lapse  of time  or  both,  would  become  an  event  of  default  under  any
indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

          "EXCHANGE ACT" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
8 (b).
          "EXISTING  STOCKHOLDERS"  shall have the meaning ascribed to such term
in the Recitals of this Agreement.

          "FULLY DILUTED" or "FULLY DILUTED BASIS" shall mean, at any date as of
which the number of shares of Common Stock is to be  determined,  such number of
shares  determined  on  a  basis  that  includes  all  shares  of  Common  Stock
outstanding  at such date and the  maximum  shares of Common  Stock  issuable in
respect  of  Common  Stock  Equivalents  (giving  effect  to  the  then  current
respective  conversion  prices)  and  other  rights  to  purchase  (directly  or
indirectly) shares of Common Stock or Common Stock  Equivalents,  outstanding on
such  date,  whether  or not  such  rights  to  convert,  exchange  or  exercise
thereunder are presently exercisable.

          "GRANT  DATE"  shall mean the date that  Options  were  granted to the
Manager or, if earlier,  the date the Manager's  employment  with the Company or
any of its Affiliates began, but in no event earlier than January 1, 1995.

          "HNK" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the introductory
paragraph of this Agreement.

          "KMC" shall have the meaning  ascribed to such term in the Recitals of
this Agreement.

<PAGE>
                                                                               4


          "MANAGEMENT GROUP" shall mean the Manager and the Other Managers.

          "MANAGER"  shall  have  the  meaning  ascribed  to  such  term  in the
introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

          "MANAGER  AGREEMENTS"  shall mean this Agreement and the other Manager
Agreements.

          "MANAGER'S  ESTATE"  shall have the  meaning  ascribed to such term in
Section 2.

          "NAS" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the introductory
paragraph of this Agreement.

          "NASSAU"  shall  have  the  meaning  ascribed  to  such  term  in  the
introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

          "NASSAU  CAPITAL" shall have the meaning  ascribed to such term in the
introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

          "NONCOMPETE  EXTENSION PERIOD" shall have the meaning ascribed to such
term in Section 23.

          "NONCOMPETE  PERIOD"  shall have the meaning  ascribed to such term in
Section 23.

          "OPTION  PLAN"  shall have the  meaning  ascribed  to such term in the
Recitals of this Agreement.

          "OPTIONS" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Recitals
of this Agreement.

          "OTHER  MANAGER  AGREEMENTS"  shall have the meaning  ascribed to such
term in the Recitals of this Agreement.

          "OTHER  MANAGERS" shall have the meaning  ascribed to such term in the
Recitals of this Agreement.

          "PREDECESSOR  OPTIONS" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in
the Recitals of this Agreement.

          "PREDECESSOR PLAN" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the
Recitals of this Agreement.

          "PRIME RATE" shall mean the prime rate of interest as indicated,  from
time to time, in the Money Tables section of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.

          "PRINCIPAL  BUSINESS  ACTIVITIES"  shall have the meaning  ascribed to
such term in Section 23.

<PAGE>
                                                                               5


          "PRINCIPAL HOLDERS" shall mean,  collectively,  Nassau and HNK (to the
extent participating in a transaction described in Section 4).

          "PUBLIC  OFFERING"  shall  mean an  offer  for  sale of  Common  Stock
pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Act.

          "QUALIFIED  PUBLIC  OFFERING"  shall mean the first  offer for sale of
Common  Stock,  in any single  transaction  or series of  related  transactions,
pursuant to an effective  registration  statement filed by the Company under the
1933  Act in  which  the  Company  receives  aggregate  gross  proceeds  (before
deduction  of  underwriting   discounts  and  expenses  of  sale)  of  at  least
$40,000,000, provided that, the price per share at which such shares are sold in
the offering (before  deduction of underwriting  discounts and expenses of sale)
is at least  four (4)  times  the  Conversion  Price of the  Company's  Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock which would then be in effect if determined pursuant
to the terms of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock in effect as of October
31, 1997, whether or not any shares of such stock are then outstanding (it being
acknowledged  that, as of May 31., 1998,  such  Conversion  Price was $20.63 per
share).

          "REGISTRABLE  MANAGEMENT  SECURITIES"  shall  mean  (i)  Common  Stock
comprising  any portion of the Stock;  (ii) any Common  Stock owned by the Other
Managers;  and  (iii) any  shares  of  Capital  Stock of the  Company  issued or
issuable with respect to the Common Stock referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) by
way of a stock  dividend or stock split or in connection  with a combination  of
shares, recapitalization,  merger, consolidation or other reorganization.  As to
any particular Registrable  Management  Securities,  once issued such securities
shall cease to be Registrable  Management  Securities  when (i) such  securities
shall have been  registered  under the Act and the  registration  statement with
respect to the sale of such securities shall have become effective under the Act
and such  securities  sold  thereunder or such  securities  shall have been sold
under  circumstances  in which  all  applicable  conditions  of Rule 144 (or any
similar  provision  then in force) under the Act are met or may be sold pursuant
to Rule 144(k), (ii) such securities shall have been otherwise transferred,  new
certificates  for them not bearing a legend  restricting  further transfer shall
have been delivered by the Company and subsequent disposition of such securities
shall not require registration or qualification of such securities under the Act
or state  securities or blue sky laws then in force in a preponderance of states
or (iii) such securities shall cease to be outstanding.

          "RETIREMENT" shall mean the voluntary termination of employment by the
Manager  after the later of (i) having been employed by the Company for a period
of 5 years  following  the Grant Date or by an Affiliate for a period of 5 years
from the later of (a) January 1, 1995 or (b) the date the Manager first rendered
service to the Affiliate and (ii) the date on which the sum of (a) the Manager's
years of service  (calculated as in (i) above) and (b) the Manager's age, equals
or exceeds 65,  unless the  Compensation  Committee of the Board of Directors of
the Company shall have  provided,  prior to the Grant Date or  thereafter,  that
some other lesser age, period of service,  combination thereof or other terms or
conditions shall constitute "Retirement".

<PAGE>
                                                                               6


          "SEC" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 8(b).

          "RULE  144" shall have the  meaning  ascribed  to such term in Section
2(c).

          "SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK" shall mean the Company's Series
A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share.

          "STOCK" shall mean all Capital Stock now owned or hereafter
acquired by the Manager pursuant to any Option.

          "STOCKHOLDERS  AGREEMENT" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term
in the Recitals of this Agreement.

          "SUBJECT  MATTER"  shall  have the  meaning  ascribed  to such term in
Section 23.

          "TAG-ALONG  NOTICE"  shall have the  meaning  ascribed to such term in
Section 4.

          "TAG-ALONG  PURCHASER" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 4.

          "TAG-ALONG  SHARES"  shall have the  meaning  ascribed to such term in
Section 4.

          "THIRD PARTY  PURCHASER"  shall have the meaning ascribed to such term
in Section 5.

          2.  MANAGER'S REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS.

          (a) Unless the shares of Common Stock to be acquired upon the exercise
of the Options are then registered under the Act (as hereinafter  defined):  the
manager hereby  represents  and warrants that the Manager will be acquiring,  at
the time of exercise  (or other  acquisition),  the Common Stock  issuable  upon
exercise of the Options (and any other Stock  acquired from time .to time by the
Manager) for investment for the Manager's own account and not with a view to, or
for resale in connection  with, the distribution or other  disposition  thereof.
The  Manager  agrees and  acknowledges  that the Manager  will not,  directly or
indirectly,  offer,  transfer,  sell, assign,  pledge,  hypothecate or otherwise
dispose of any  shares of the Stock  unless  such  transfer,  sale,  assignment,
pledge,  hypothecation or other disposition complies with this Agreement and all
applicable  provisions  of state  securities  laws and (i) the  transfer,  sale,
assignment,  pledge,  hypothecation  or  other  disposition  is  pursuant  to an
effective  registration  statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and the  rules and  regulations  in effect  thereunder  (the  "Act") or (ii) (A)
counsel  for  the  manager  (which  may be the  Company's  counsel)  shall  have
furnished  the Company  with an  opinion,  reasonably  satisfactory  in form and
substance to the Company,  that no such  registration is required because of the
availability  of an  exemption  from  registration  under the Act and (B) if the
Manager is a citizen or resident of any country other than the United States, or
the Manager desires to effect any such transaction in any such country,  counsel
for the Manager  (which may be the Company's  counsel)  shall have furnished the

<PAGE>
                                                                               7


Company with an opinion,  reasonably  satisfactory  in form and substance to the
Company,  that  such  transaction  will not  violate  the laws of such  country.
Notwithstanding the foregoing,  the Company  acknowledges and agrees that any of
the following  transfers  are deemed to be in  compliance  with the Act and this
Agreement and no opinion of counsel is required in connection  therewith:  (x) a
transfer  made  pursuant  to Section 4, 5 or 6 hereof;  (y) a transfer  upon the
death of the Manager to the Manager's  executors,  administrators,  testamentary
trustees,  legatees or beneficiaries  (the "Manager's  Estate") or a transfer to
the executors, administrators,  testamentary trustees, legatees or beneficiaries
of a person  who has  become a holder of Stock in  accordance  with the terms of
this Agreement,  provided that prior to any such transfer the transferee  agrees
in a  writing  reasonably  satisfactory  to  the  Company  to be  bound  by  the
provisions of this Agreement to the same extent as if such  transferee  were the
Manager;  and (z) a transfer made in compliance with the federal securities laws
to a trust or  custodianship  the  beneficiaries  of which may include  only the
Manager,  the  Manager's  spouse  and/or the  Manager's  lineal  descendants  (a
"Manager's Trust").

          (b) The certificate  (or  certificates)  representing  the Stock shall
bear the following legend:

          "THE  SHARES  REPRESENTED  BY  THIS  CERTIFICATE  MAY  NOT  BE
          TRANSFERRED,   SOLD,   ASSIGNED,   PLEDGED,   HYPOTHECATED  OR
          OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF UNLESS SUCH TRANSFER,  SALE, ASSIGNMENT,
          PLEDGE,  HYPOTHECATION OR OTHER DISPOSITION  COMPLIES WITH THE
          PROVISIONS OF THE MANAGER STOCKHOLDER'S  AGREEMENT DATED AS OF
          _____________  ____, 199__ BETWEEN KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS,  INC.
          ("THE  COMPANY")  AND  __________________________  (A  COPY OF
          WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY). EXCEPT AS
          OTHERWISE  PROVIDED  IN SUCH  AGREEMENT,  NO  TRANSFER,  SALE,
          ASSIGNMENT,  PLEDGE, HYPOTHECATION OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THE
          SHARES  REPRESENTED BY THIS  CERTIFICATE MAY BE MADE EXCEPT IN
          COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE  PROVISIONS OF STATE SECURITIES
          LAWS AND (A) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT
          UNDER THE  SECURITIES  ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED,  AND THE RULES
          AND REGULATIONS IN EFFECT THEREUNDER (THE "ACT") OR (B) IF (I)
          THE COMPANY HAS BEEN FURNISHED WITH A SATISFACTORY  OPINION OF
          COUNSEL FOR THE HOLDER  ACCEPTABLE  TO THE  COMPANY  THAT SUCH
          TRANSFER,  SALE,  ASSIGNMENT,  PLEDGE,  HYPOTHECATION OR OTHER
          DISPOSITION  IS EXEMPT FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE
          ACT AND (II) IF THE  HOLDER IS A CITIZEN  OR  RESIDENT  OF ANY
          COUNTRY OTHER THAN THE UNITED STATES, OR THE HOLDER DESIRES TO
          EFFECT ANY SUCH  TRANSACTION IN ANY SUCH COUNTRY,  THE COMPANY
          HAS BEEN FURNISHED WITH A SATISFACTORY  OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR
          THE HOLDER  ACCEPTABLE  TO THE COMPANY  THAT SUCH  TRANSACTION
          WILL NOT VIOLATE THE LAWS OF SUCH COUNTRY."

<PAGE>
                                                                               8


          (c) Unless the Stock is then  registered  under the Act,  the  Manager
acknowledges  that the Manager has been  advised that (i) the Stock has not been
registered  under the Act,  (ii) the  Stock  must be held  indefinitely  and the
Manager must continue to bear the economic  risk of the  investment in the Stock
unless the Stock is subsequently  registered  under the Act or an exemption from
such  registration  is available and the Stock is disposed of in accordance with
this Agreement, (iii) it is not anticipated that there will be any public market
for the  Stock,  (iv) Rule 144  promulgated  under the Act  ("Rule  144") is not
currently  available with respect to the sales of any securities of the Company,
and the Company has made no covenant to make such Rule  available,  (v) when and
if shares of the Stock may be  disposed of without  registration  in reliance on
Rule 144,  such  disposition  can be made only in limited  amounts in accordance
with the terms and  conditions  of such Rule,  (vi) if the Rule 144 exemption is
not available,  public sale without  registration  will require  compliance with
Regulation A or some other exemption  under the Act, (vii) a restrictive  legend
in  the  form  heretofore  set  forth  shall  be  placed  on  the   certificates
representing  the Stock and (viii) a notation  shall be made in the  appropriate
records of the Company  indicating  that the Stock is subject to  restriction on
transfer  and,  if the  Company  should at some time in the  future  engage  the
services of a stock transfer agent,  appropriate stop transfer restrictions will
be issued to such transfer agent with respect to the Stock.

          (d) If any  shares of the Stock are to be  disposed  of in  accordance
with an exemption from  registration  under the Act (other than pursuant to Rule
144), the Manager shall promptly notify the Company of such intended disposition
and shall  deliver to the  company  at or prior to the time of such  disposition
such documentation as the Company may reasonably request in connection with such
sale and, in the case of a  disposition  pursuant to Rule 144,  shall deliver to
the Company an executed copy of any notice on Form 144 required to be filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.

          (e) The  Manager  agrees  that,  if any  shares of  Capital  Stock are
offered to the public pursuant to an effective  registration statement under the
Act, the Manager will not effect any public sale or  distribution  of any shares
of Stock not  covered  by such  registration  statement  during  any  period (i)
required  by the  managing  underwriter  and  (ii)  agreed  to by  the  Existing
Stockholders with respect to their shares of Capital Stock.

          (f) The Manager  represents and warrants that the Manager has received
and reviewed a copy of the Company's Prospectus dated July 13, 1998; the Manager
further  represents and warrants that the Manager has been given the opportunity
to obtain any  information or documents and to ask questions and receive answers
about such documents,  the Company and the business and prospects of the Company
which the Manager  deems  necessary to evaluate the merits and risks  related to
the Manager's  investment in the Stock and to verify the information received as
indicated  in this  Section  2(f),  and the  Manager  has relied  solely on such
information.


<PAGE>
                                                                               9


          (g) The Manager further represents and warrants that (i) the Manager's
financial  condition  is such that the Manager  can afford to bear the  economic
risk of  holding  the Stock for an  indefinite  period of time and has  adequate
means for providing for the Manager's current needs and personal  contingencies,
(ii)  the  Manager  can  afford  to  suffer  a  complete  loss of the  Manager's
investment in the Stock, (iii) all information which the manager has provided to
the  Company  concerning  the Manager and the  Manager's  financial  position is
correct  and  complete  as of the  date  of this  Agreement,  (iv)  the  Manager
understands and has taken cognizance of all risk factors related to the purchase
of the Stock,  and (v) the Manager's  knowledge and  experience in financial and
business  matters are such that the Manager is capable of evaluating  the merits
and  risks  of the  Manager's  purchase  of the  Stock as  contemplated  by this
Agreement.

          3.  RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER.

          The Manager agrees that sell, assign, pledge, hypothecate options. The
Manager agrees that sell,  assign,  pledge,  hypothecate  shares of Stock at any
time  prior the  Manager  will not  transfer,  or  otherwise  dispose of any the
Manager will not transfer,  or otherwise  dispose of any to  registration of the
sale of such shares of Stock, except for: (a) transfers permitted by clauses (x)
, (y) and (z) of Section 2 (a); (b) a sale of shares of Capital  Stock  pursuant
to an effective  registration  statement under the Act filed by the Company; and
(c) a sale of shares of Stock pursuant to Rule 144 (if then available) following
the lapse of the  Company's  right to  purchase  such  shares of Stock under the
circumstances  referred  to in  Section  6. No  transfer  of any such  shares in
violation  hereof  shall be made or recorded on the books of the Company and any
such transfer  shall be void and of no effect.

          4.  TAG-ALONG RIGHT.

          (a) If the Principal  Holders  intend to transfer (in a transaction in
which  each  of  the   Principal   Holders  that  then  owns  Capital  Stock  is
participating)  to  any  third  party  (the  "TAG-ALONG  PURCHASER")  ,  in  one
transaction or a series of related transactions  (excluding securities offerings
registered  under  the Act) ,  shares  of  Capital  Stock  constituting,  in the
aggregate,  more than 20% of the total  number  of shares of Common  Stock  then
outstanding  on a Fully Diluted Basis (in the first instance of such a transfer)
, then the Principal  Holders shall permit each member of the Management  Group,
at such member's option,  to transfer,  for the same  consideration,  and on the
same terms and  conditions,  if any, upon which the Principal  Holders intend to
transfer  such  shares,  a number of shares of Common  Stock  (including  shares
subject to then exercisable  Options and Options that will become exercisable as
a result  of such  transaction  or series of  transactions)  then  owned by such
member of the Management  Group  determined in accordance with this Section 4(a)
(the "INITIAL  TAG-ALONG  SHARES") . Each member of the  Management  Group shall
have the right,  pursuant to this Section 4(a), to sell pursuant to the offer by
the Tag-Along  Purchaser,  a percentage of the shares of Common Stock (including
shares  subject to then  exercisable  options)  held by such member equal to the
Applicable Percentage.


<PAGE>
                                                                              10


          (b)  For  purposes  hereof,  the  "APPLICABLE   PERCENTAGE"  shall  be
determined as follows:

         (i)  if  such  transaction  or  series  of  related  transactions
    constitutes  the first instance in which the rights under Section 4(a)
    apply,  the Applicable  Percentage shall be equal to the percentage of
    the  holdings  of  Capital  Stock  (on a Fully  Diluted  Basis)  being
    transferred in such  transaction or series of related  transactions by
    the  Principal  Holder  transferring  the  smaller  percentage  of its
    aggregate  holdings  of  Capital  Stock  (the  "APPLICABLE   HOLDER");
    provided that the Applicable Percentage shall be zero if the number of
    shares  proposed to be  transferred  in such  transaction or series of
    related  transactions by the Principal  Holders in the aggregate (when
    combined with all prior  transactions  or series of  transactions of a
    type to which  Section  4(a)  applies) is not greater  than 20% of the
    total number of shares of Common Stock  outstanding on a Fully Diluted
    Basis;

         (ii) if such transaction or series of related  transactions  does
    not  constitute  the first  instance in which the rights under Section
    4(a) apply, the Applicable Percentage shall be equal to the percentage
    of the  holdings of Capital  Stock (on a Fully  Diluted  Basis)  being
    transferred in such  transaction or series of related  transactions by
    the Applicable Holder;  provided that the Applicable  Percentage shall
    be zero if the percentage of the moldings of Capital Stock (on a Fully
    Diluted  Basis) being  transferred  in such  transaction  or series of
    related transactions by the Applicable Holder is not greater than five
    percent.

          (c) Not less than 15  Business  Days  prior to any  proposed  transfer
pursuant to this Section 4, the  Principal  Holders shall deliver to each member
of the Management Group written notice thereof (the "TAG-ALONG  NOTICE") , which
notice shall set forth the  consideration to be paid by the Tag-Along  Purchaser
and the other terms and conditions,  if any, of such transaction.  If any member
of the Management  Group elects to transfer some or all of the Tag-Along  Shares
pursuant  to this  Section 4, then such  member  shall so notify  the  Principal
Holders within 10 Business Days after the date of the Tag-Along Notice,  and, at
the  Principal  Holders'  request not less than two  Business  Days prior to the
proposed transfer,  such member of the Management Group shall deliver to counsel
to the Principal Holders, to be held in escrow,  certificates  representing such
Tag-Along Shares (and/or other appropriate  documentation to permit the exercise
of Options),  duly  endorsed or with duly  completed  and executed  stock powers
attached, in proper form for transfer, together with a limited power-of-attorney
authorizing  the  Principal  Holders to  transfer  the  Tag-Along  Shares to the
Tag-Along  Purchaser (in  accordance  with the terms and conditions set forth in
the Tag Along Notice) and to execute all other documents required to be executed
in connection with such transaction.

          (d) If,  within 90  Business  Days after  delivery  by a member of the
Management  Group to the  Principal  Holders  of the  certificates  and  related
documents  described  in  paragraph  (c) , no  transfer  of  shares  held by the
Principal Holders and Tag-Along Shares in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 4 shall have been completed,  or if earlier the Principal  Holders shall
determine not to proceed with such transfer, then the Principal Holders' counsel
shall promptly  return to the members of the Management  Group,  in proper form,
all   certificates   representing   the   Tag-Along   Shares  and  the   limited
power-of-attorney previously delivered by the members of the Management Group to
the Principal Holders.


<PAGE>
                                                                              11


          (e)  Concurrently  with  the  consummation  of  the  transfer  of  the
Tag-Along  Shares pursuant to this Section 4, the Principal  Holders shall remit
or cause to be remitted to each member of the Management Group the consideration
with respect to the Tag-Along Shares so transferred and shall furnish such other
evidence of the  completion  of such transfer and the terms and  conditions  (if
any) thereof as may  reasonably  be  requested by such member of the  Management
Group.

          (f)  The  provisions  of  this  Section  4  shall  remain  in  effect,
notwithstanding  any return to any member of the  Management  Group of Tag-Along
Shares as provided herein.

          5.  BRING ALONG RIGHT.

          If the Company or one or more of the Existing  Stockholders receives a
bona fide offer from a person or persons not then an Affiliate or  Affiliates (a
"Third Party Purchaser") to purchase Capital Stock representing more than 50% of
the total number of shares of Common Stock then  outstanding  on a Fully Diluted
Basis,  then the  Company  shall have the right to  deliver a written  notice (a
"Buyout  Notice") to the Manager  which shall state (i) that the Company or such
Existing  Stockholders  propose to effect such  transaction,  (ii) the  proposed
purchase  price  per  share  of  Capital  Stock  to be paid by the  Third  Party
Purchaser,  and (iii) the name or names of the Third Party Purchaser,  and which
attaches  a  copy  of  all  writings   between  the  Company  or  such  Existing
Stockholders  and the other parties to such  transaction  necessary to establish
the terms of such transaction. The manager agrees that, upon receipt of a Buyout
Notice,  the Manager  shall be obligated to sell a percentage  of the  Manager's
shares of Stock equal to the Bring Along  Percentage (as defined below) upon the
terms and  conditions  of such  transaction  (and  otherwise  take all necessary
action to cause consummation of the proposed  transaction);  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,
that the Manager shall only be obligated as provided  above in this Section 5 if
(i) more than 50% of the total number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding
on a Fully Diluted Basis actually is sold to the Third Party Purchaser  pursuant
to the terms contained in the Buyout Notice,  (ii) the manager receives the same
per share (or per share equivalent)  consideration as such Existing Stockholders
receive in the transaction and (iii) the  consideration  received by the Manager
is in the form of cash or a combination of cash and securities  that will become
freely tradable in the public  securities  markets within 180 days of receipt of
such  consideration  by the  Manager.  The Bring Along  Percentage  shall be the
percentage of the total number of shares of Common Stock  outstanding on a Fully
Diluted Basis that is actually sold to the Third Party Purchaser pursuant to the
terms  contained in the Buyout Notice;  provided that if, after giving effect to
such sale, the Existing  Stockholders  would own not more than twenty percent of
the  fully-diluted  common  equity  interests  in the  Company,  the Bring Along
Percentage shall be one hundred percent.

          6.  THE  COMPANY'S  OPTION TO REPURCHASE  CAPITAL STOCK AND OPTIONS OF
              MANAGER.

          If the Manager's active employment with the Company and its affiliates
is  terminated  for any reason  whatsoever,  the Company shall have the right to
purchase  shares of Stock then held by the Manager,  the  manager's  Estate or a
Manager's  Trust,  and  make  provision  with  respect  to  the  termination  or
cancellation of all Options and payments in respect thereof,  all as provided in
accordance with the terms of the Option Plan and any option agreements  executed
and delivered thereunder.

          7.  CANCELLATION OF PREDECESSOR OPTIONS.

          In  further  consideration  of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby
(including,  without  limitation,  the grant of the options) the Manager  hereby
agrees that all of the Manager's  Predecessor  options (together with any right,
title or  interest  of the  Manager in or to any other  grant or award under the
Predecessor  Plan) shall be  automatically  cancelled and of no further force or
effect,  without further action by any party hereto,  at such time as the Option
Plan,  the initial  grant of options to the Manager and this  Agreement are duly
approved by the  affirmative  vote of holders of Capital  Stock then entitled to
cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by all holders of Capital Stock
then outstanding.


<PAGE>
                                                                              12


          8. THE COMPANY'S REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS.

          (a) The Company  represents  and  warrants  to the  Manager  that this
Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

          (b) After the Company consummates an initial Public offering,  (i) the
Company shall diligently use reasonable  efforts to register the options and the
Common  Stock to be  acquired  on  exercise  thereof on a Form S-8  Registration
Statement or any successor to Form S-8 to the extent that such  registration  is
then  available  with  respect to such  Options  and  Common  Stock and (ii) the
Company  will file the reports  required to be filed by it under the Act and the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the rules
and  regulations  adopted by the  securities  and  Exchange  Commission  ("SEC")
thereunder,  to the extent  required  from time to time to enable the Manager to
sell  shares of Common  Stock  without  registration  under the Act  within  the
limitations  of the  exemptions  provided by (A) Rule 144 under the Act, as such
Rule may be amended  from time to time,  or (B) any similar  rule or  regulation
hereafter adopted by the SEC. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section
9(b), the Company may  deregister  under Section 12 of the Exchange Act if it is
then  permitted  to do so  pursuant  to the  Exchange  Act  and  the  rules  and
regulations thereunder. Nothing in this Section 8(b) shall be deemed to limit in
any manner the restrictions on sales of Stock contained in this Agreement.

          9.  "PIGGYBACK" REGISTRATION RIGHTS.

          (a)  Whenever  the  Company  proposes  to  register  any of its equity
securities  (including,  without  limitation,  the Common  Stock)  under the Act
(other  than  pursuant  to a  registration  statement  on Form S-8 or S-4 or any
successor  forms),  and the  form  used  may be used  for  the  registration  of
Registrable Management Securities (a "Piggyback Registration"), the Company will
give  prompt  written  notice to all  members of the  Management  Group  holding
Registrable  Management Securities of its intent to effect such registration and
(subject  to the  further  provisions  of this  Section 9) will  include in such
registration  all  Registrable  Management  Securities with respect to which the
Company has received requests for inclusion therein within 20 days after receipt
of the Company's notice.

          (b)  The  Registration   Expenses  (as  defined  in  the  Stockholders
Agreement) of the holders of Registrable  Management  Securities will be paid by
the Company in all Piggyback Registrations.

          (c)  If  a  Piggyback   Registration   is  an   underwritten   primary
registration  on  behalf  of the  Company,  the  Company  will  include  in such
registration all Registrable  Management  Securities requested to be included in
such  registration;  provided,  that if the  managing  underwriters  advise  the
Company in writing that in their opinion the number of  securities  requested to
be included in such  registration  exceeds the number  which can be sold in such
offering without  adversely  affecting the  marketability  of the offering,  the
Company will include in such  registration,  in the following order of priority,
(i) first,  the securities  the Company  proposes to sell,  (ii) second,  to the
extent  so  required  by the  provisions  of  the  Stockholders  Agreement,  the
registrable  securities  requested  to be included in such  registration  by the
Existing Stockholders,  (iii) third, to the extent so required by the provisions
of the Registration Rights Agreement, the registrable securities requested to be
included in such  registration  by the Warrant  Holders,  (iv)  fourth,  if such
Public  Offering is the initial Public  offering,  such  additional  registrable
securities  requested  to be  included  in  such  registration  by any  Existing
Stockholder  as may be required (in the  reasonable  estimation  of the managing
underwriters)  to  assure  that  the net  proceeds  of sale of such  registrable
securities  (when added to the net  proceeds of sale of  registrable  securities
subject  to the  priority  set  forth in  clause  (ii)  above)  are equal to the
aggregate  purchase price paid for all Capital Stock then owned by such Existing
Stockholder,  (v) fifth, the Registrable  Management  Securities requested to be
included  in such  registration,  the  registrable  securities  requested  to be
included in such  registration by the Existing  Stockholders  (to the extent not
then  subject to the priority set forth in clause (ii) or clause (iv) above) and
the registrable  securities requested to be included in such registration by the
Warrant  Holders (to the extent not then  subject to the  priority  set forth in
clause (iii) or clause (iv) above, pro rata among the holders of such securities
on the basis of the number  thereof  owned by each  holder and  requested  to be
included  therein and (vi) sixth,  other  securities,  if any,  requested  to be
included in such registration.


<PAGE>
                                                                              13


         (d)  If  a  Piggyback   Registration  is  an  underwritten   secondary
registration  on  behalf  of the  Company,  the  Company  will  include  in such
registration all Registrable  Management  Securities requested to be included in
such  registration;  provided,  that if the  managing  underwriters  advise  the
Company in writing that in their opinion the number of  securities  requested to
be included in such  registration  exceeds the number  which can be sold in such
offering without  adversely  affecting the  marketability  of the offering,  the
Company will include in such  registration,  in the following order of priority,
(i) first,  to the extent so  required  by the  provisions  of the  Stockholders
Agreement,   the  registrable  securities  requested  to  be  included  in  such
registration  by the  Existing  Stockholders,  (ii)  second,  to the  extent  so
required by the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, the registrable
securities requested to be included in such registration by the Warrant Holders,
(iii)  third,  if such  Public  Offering is the initial  Public  offering,  such
additional  registrable securities requested to be included in such registration
by any Existing Stockholder as may be required (in the reasonable  estimation of
the  managing  underwriters)  to assure  that the net  proceeds  of sale of such
registrable  securities  (when added to the net proceeds of sale of  registrable
securities  subject to the  priority set forth in clause (i) above) are equal to
the  aggregate  purchase  price  paid for all  Capital  Stock then owned by such
Existing  Stockholder,   (iv)  fourth,  the  Registrable  Management  Securities
requested  to be  included  in such  registration,  the  registrable  securities
requested to be included in such  registration by the Existing  Stockholders (to
the extent not then  subject to the  priority  set forth in clause (i) or clause
(iii)  above) and the  registrable  securities  requested to be included in such
registration  by the  Warrant  Holders  (to the extent  not then  subject to the
priority  set forth in clause  (ii) or clause  (iii)  above,  pro rata among the
holders  of such  securities  on the basis of the number  thereof  owned by each
holder and requested to be included therein and (v) fifth, other securities,  if
any, requested to be included in such registration.

          (e) If any Piggyback  Registration  is an underwritten  offering,  the
investment   banker(s),   underwriters)  and  manager(s)  for  the  offering  or
distribution will be selected by the Company.

          (f) The  Manager  hereby  agrees  to be,  and any  Manager's  Trust or
Manager's  Estate  shall  be,  bound  by all of the  obligations  applicable  to
Existing Stockholders under Section 6 of the Stockholders Agreement.

          (g) In connection with the exercise of the Manager's rights under this
Section 9, the Manager will, if requested by the Company,  execute and deliver a
reasonable custody agreement and power of attorney with respect to the shares of
Stock to be registered pursuant to this Section 9 a "Custody Agreement and Power
of Attorney").  The Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney will provide,  among
other  things,  that the Manager will deliver to and deposit in custody with the
custodian  and  attorney-in-fact  named therein a  certificate  or  certificates
representing  such  shares of Stock (duly  endorsed  in blank by the  registered
owner or owners  thereof or  accompanied by duly executed stock powers in blank)
and  irrevocably  appoint said custodian and  attorney-in-fact  as the Manager's
agent  and  attorney-in-fact  to act under the  Custody  Agreement  and Power of
Attorney on the manager's behalf with respect to the matters specified therein.

          (h) The Manager  agrees that he will execute such other  agreements as
the  Company  may  reasonably  request to further  evidence  and  implement  the
provisions of this Section 9.


<PAGE>
                                                                              14


          10. RIGHTS TO NEGOTIATE REPURCHASE PRICE.

          Nothing in this Agreement  shall be deemed to restrict or prohibit the
Company  from  purchasing  shares of  Capital  Stock or stock  options  from the
Manager, at any time, upon such terms and conditions, and for such price, as may
be mutually agreed upon between the parties  hereto,  whether or not at the time
of such purchase  circumstances  exist which  specifically grant the Company the
right to purchase shares of Stock or the Company has the right to pay the Option
Excess Price under the terms of this Agreement.

          11. BROKER LOAN PROGRAM.

          Following the initial  Public  Offering of Common  Stock,  the Company
will use reasonable efforts to assist in the establishment of a customary broker
loan program for the purpose of facilitating the exercise of Options.

          12. NOTICE OF CHANGE OF BENEFICIARY.

          Immediately  prior to any transfer of Stock to a manager's  Trust, the
Manager  shall provide the Company with a copy of the  instruments  creating the
Manager's  Trust and with the  identity of the  beneficiaries  of the  Manager's
Trust. The Manager shall notify the Company  immediately  prior to any change in
the identity of any beneficiary of the Manager's Trust.

          13. EXPIRATION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS.

          The provisions  contained in Sections 4, 5 and 6 of this Agreement and
the portion of any other  provision of this  Agreement  which  incorporates  the
provisions of Sections 4, 5 and 6, shall terminate and be of no further force or
effect with respect to any shares of Stock sold by the Manager,  as permitted by
this Agreement,  either pursuant to an effective registration statement filed by
the Company  pursuant to Section 9 hereof or in accordance  with all  applicable
requirements of Rule 144.

          The  provisions  contained  in  Sections  2(e),  3, 4, 5 and 6 of this
Agreement,  and the  portion of any other  provisions  of this  Agreement  which
incorporate  the  provisions  of such  Sections,  shall  terminate  and be of no
further force or effect upon the consummation of a Qualified Public Offering.

          14. RECAPITALIZATIONS, ETC.

          The provisions of this Agreement  shall apply,  to the full extent set
forth  herein with respect to the Stock or the  options,  or any capital  stock,
partnership units or any other security  evidencing  ownership  interests in any
successor or assignee of the Company (whether by merger, consolidation,  sale of
assets or  otherwise)  which may be issued in respect  of, in  exchange  for, or
substitution  of Stock or  options,  by  reason of any  stock  dividend,  split,
reverse split,  combination,  recapitalization,  liquidation,  reclassification,
merger, consolidation or otherwise.

          15. MANAGER'S EMPLOYMENT BY THE COMPANY.

          Nothing  contained in this Agreement or in any other agreement entered
into by the Company and the  Manager,  contemporaneously  with the  execution of
this  Agreement (i) obligates the Company or any  subsidiary or Affiliate of the
Company to employ the Manager in any capacity  whatsoever  or (ii)  prohibits or
restricts the Company (or any such subsidiary or Affiliate) from terminating the
employment,  if any,  of the  Manager at any time or for any reason  whatsoever,
with or without  cause,  and the  Manager  hereby  acknowledges  and agrees that
neither  the  Company  nor any  other  person  has made any  representations  or
promises  whatsoever  to the Manager  concerning  the  Manager's  employment  or
continued employment by the Company.


<PAGE>
                                                                              15


          16. STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

          The Company hereby agrees to use all reasonable efforts to comply with
all  state  securities  or "blue  sky" laws  which  might be  applicable  to the
issuance of the Options to the Manager.

          17. BINDING EFFECT.

          The provisions of this  Agreement  shall be binding upon and accrue to
the  benefit  of  the  parties  hereto  and  their   respective   heirs,   legal
representatives,  successors and assigns. In the case of a transferee  permitted
under  Section  2(a)  hereof,  such  transferee  shall  be  deemed  the  Manager
hereunder;  provided, however, that no transferee (including without limitation,
transferees  referred to in Section 2(a)  hereof)  shall derive any rights under
this Agreement  unless and until such  transferee has delivered to the Company a
valid  undertaking  and  becomes  bound  by the  terms  of this  Agreement.

          18. AMENDMENT.

          This Agreement may be-amended only by a written  instrument  signed by
the parties hereto.

          19. APPLICABLE LAW.

          The laws of the State of New York  applicable to contracts made and to
be performed therein shall govern the  interpretation,  validity and performance
of the terms of this  Agreement.  Any suit,  action or  proceeding  against  the
Manager, with respect to this Agreement, or any judgment entered by any court in
respect of any thereof, may be brought in an court of competent  jurisdiction in
the State of New York, as the Company may elect in its sole discretion,  and the
Manager hereby submits to the non-exclusive  jurisdiction of such courts for the
purpose of any such suit, action,  proceeding or judgment.  By the execution and
delivery of this Agreement,  the Manager appoints The Corporation  Trust Company
(or such other qualified  corporate agent as the Company may designate),  at its
office in New York,  New York as the  Manager's  agent upon which process may be
served in any such suit,  action or  proceeding.  Service  of process  upon such
agent,  together  with notice of such service given to the Manager in the manner
provided  in  Section  22  hereof,  shall be deemed in every  respect  effective
service of process upon him in any suit,  action or  proceeding.  Nothing herein
shall in any way be deemed to limit the ability of the Company to serve any such
writs,  process or summonses in any other manner  permitted by applicable law or
to obtain jurisdiction over the Manager, in such other jurisdictions and in such
manner,  as may be permitted by applicable  law. The Manager hereby  irrevocably
waives any objections  which the Manager may now or hereafter have to the laying
of the venue of any suit,  action or  proceeding  arising  out of or relating to
this Agreement  brought in any court of competent  jurisdiction  in the State of
New York,  and hereby further  irrevocably  waives any claim that any such suit,
action  or  proceeding  brought  in any  such  court  has  been  brought  in any
inconvenient  forum.  No suit,  action or  proceeding  against the Company  with
respect to this Agreement may be brought in any court,  domestic or foreign,  or
before  any  similar  domestic  or  foreign  authority  other than in a court of
competent  jurisdiction  in the  State  of New  York,  and  the  Manager  hereby
irrevocably  waives any right which the Manager may otherwise  have had to bring
such an action in any other  court,  domestic or foreign,  or before any similar
domestic or foreign authority. The Company hereby submits to the jurisdiction of
such courts for the purpose of any such suit, action or proceeding.

<PAGE>
                                                                              16


          20. ASSIGNABILITY OF CERTAIN RIGHTS BY THE COMPANY.

          The Company shall have the right to assign any or all of its rights or
obligations to purchase  shares of Stock pursuant to the Option Plan and Section
6 hereof.

          21. MISCELLANEOUS.

          In this  Agreement  all  references  to  "dollars"  or $ are to United
States dollars.  If any provision of this Agreement  shall be declared  illegal,
void  or  unenforceable  by any  court  of  competent  jurisdiction,  the  other
provisions shall not be affected, but shall remain in full force and effect.

          22. NOTICES.

          All notices and other  communications  provided for herein shall be in
writing  and  shall be  deemed to have  been  duly  given if  delivered  by hand
(whether by overnight  courier or  otherwise) or sent by registered or certified
mail,  return receipt  requested,  postage  prepaid,  to the Party to whom it is
directed:

          (a) if to the Company or HNK:

                    KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc.
                    1545 Route 206
                    Bedminster, New Jersey  07921
                    Attn:  Chief Executive Officer
                    Telecopier No:  (908) 719-8775

                    with a copy to:

                    Kelley Drye & Warren
                    101 Park Avenue
                    New York, New York  10178
                    Attn:  Alan Epstein, Esq.
                    Telecopier No:  (212) 808-7898/7899
          
          (b) if to the Manager:
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
              with a copy to:
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
              Attn:

<PAGE>
                                                                              17


          (c) if to Nassau:

                    Nassau Capital L.L.C.
                    22 Chambers Street
                    Princeton, New Jersey 08542
                    Attn:  John Q. Quigley
                    Telecopier No:  (609) 924-8887

                    with a copy to:

                    Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
                    425 Lexington Avenue
                    New York, New York  10017
                    Attn:  George R. Krouse, Jr., Esq.
                    Telecopier No:  (212) 455-2502

              or at such other  address as each party  shall have  specified  by
              notice in writing to the other.

          23. COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE; CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

          (a) In  consideration of the Company entering into this Agreement with
the Manager,  the Manager hereby agrees,  for so long as the Manager is employed
by the Company or one of its Affiliates and for a period of six (6) months after
the date of termination of the Manager's  employment (the "Noncompete  Period"),
that the Manager shall not (i) directly or  indirectly,  as an employee,  agent,
manager,  director,  officer,  stockholder,  partner or otherwise,  own, manage,
operate,  control,  be employed by, participate in or be connected in any manner
whatsoever with the ownership,  management, operation or control of any business
in competition  with the principal  business  activities in which the Company is
engaged,  or has material plans to engage in, at the time of the  termination of
the  manager's  employment,  (ii)  solicit from any  company,  or any  division,
department or subsidiary of any company,  or any  individual  employed by any of
the foregoing,  any business  relating to services similar to the services which
were  performed  by the Company  relating to the  Company's  principal  business
activities,  its joint  venturers  or  affiliates  for such  company  during the
Manager's  employment by the Company or its Affiliates or (iii) request or cause
any company to cancel or terminate any business  relationship  with the Company,
its joint  venturers  or  affiliates,  or  directly  or  indirectly  solicit  or
otherwise cause any employee to terminate such employee's  relationship with the
Company,  its joint  venturers  or  affiliates.  At the  Company's  option,  the
Noncompete  Period may be extended for an additional three (3) month period (the
"Noncompete  Extension  Period") if within one month of the  termination  of the
Noncompete Period the Company gives the Manager notice of such extension and the
Company pays the Manager an amount equal to one-fourth the Manager's annual base
salary as of the date of termination of employment. Such amount shall be paid in
installments  in a  manner  consistent  with  the then  current  salary  payment
policies of the Company.  At the  Company's  option,  the  Noncompete  Extension
Period may be extended for an additional  three (3) month period pursuant to the
provisions  of the two  preceding  sentences.  For  purposes of this Section 23,
"principal  business  activities"  of the  Company  shall  mean  those  business
activities of the Company  pursuant to which the Company has derived  during the
preceding  twelve month period,  or  reasonably  expects to derive within twelve
months of the termination of the Manager's employment, ten percent (10%) or more
of its consolidated revenues.

<PAGE>
                                                                              18


          (b) The manager shall promptly and fully disclose to the Company,  and
with all Necessary detail for development, marketing; sale and installation, any
and  all  know-how,  discoveries,  inventions,  improvements,  ideas,  writings,
formulae, processes and methods (whether copyrightable, patentable or otherwise)
made, received, conceived, acquired or written by the Manager (whether or not at
the  request  or upon the  suggestion  of the  Company)  during  the term of the
Manager's  employment,  solely or jointly  with  others,  in or  relating to any
activities of the Company or an affiliate  known to the Manager as a consequence
of the  Manager's  employment  (collectively  referred to herein as the "Subject
Matter").

          (c) The Manager hereby assigns and transfers, and agrees to assign and
transfer,  to the Company,  all right,  title and interest in and to the Subject
Matter, and the Manager further agrees' to execute,  acknowledge and deliver all
such further papers,  including  applications for copyrights and patents, as may
be  necessary  to obtain  copyrights  or patents  for any thereof in any and all
countries and to vest title thereto to the Company. The Manager shall assist the
Company  in  obtaining  such  copyrights  or  patents  during the period of this
Agreement  and  any  time  thereafter  and  to  testify  in any  prosecution  or
litigation involving any of the Subject Matter.

          (d) The Manager shall not, during the period of this Agreement,  or at
any time thereafter,  directly or indirectly, disclose or permit to be known, to
any person, f inn or cooperation,  any trade-secrets or confidential information
acquired  by him  during  the  course  of or as an  incident  to the  employment
hereunder, relating to the Company, its officers or directors, any company which
the Manager has  knowledge of or dealt with in the course of his  employment  by
the Company,  or any joint venture or affiliate of the Company,  or in which any
of the foregoing has a beneficial interest,  including,  but not limited to, the
business affairs of each of the foregoing.  Such confidential  information shall
include,  but is not  limited  to,  the  Subject  Matter as well as  information
relating to agreements,  research,  methods,  writings,  manuals,  developments,
marketing  and any  other  document  embodying  such  confidential  information.
Confidential  information  shall not include any information  that (i) is in the
public  domain  other  than by  reason  of a breach  hereof;  or (ii) was in the
possession of the Manager at the time of the  disclosure;  or (iii) was obtained
by the Manager in good faith from a third party entitled to disclose it; or (iv)
was  required  to  be  disclosed  by a  court  of  competent  jurisdiction  or a
governmental  authority  with  authority  over the  Company,  in which  case the
Manager shall use the Manager's best efforts, prior to such disclosure,  to give
timely notice of such requirement to the Board of Directors of the Company which
shall have the right to object to such disclosure or seek confidential treatment
of the confidential information.

          (e) All names of actual or potential clients which have been solicited
or are on any mailing lists, rolodex,  files or directories in the possession or
under the  control of the  Manager  (whether  in  written,  electronic  or other
formats), and all information and documents relating to the Company or its joint
venturers or affiliates,  shall be the-exclusive property of the Company and the
Manager  shall use the  Manager's  best  efforts to prevent any  publication  or
disclosure  thereof.  Upon  termination  of the  Manager's  employment  with the
Company,  all  names of  actual  or  potential  customers,  documents,  records,
reports,   writings  and  other  similar   documents   containing   confidential
information,  or trade-secrets  including copies thereof,  then in the Manager's
possession or control shall be promptly returned to the Company.

<PAGE>
                                                                              19


          (f) Notwithstanding  clauses (a) and (d) above, if at any time a court
holds that the restrictions  stated in such clauses (a) and (d) are unreasonable
or otherwise unenforceable under circumstances then existing, the parties hereto
agree  that the  maximum  period,  scope or  geographic  area  determined  to be
reasonable  under such  circumstances  by such court will be substituted for the
stated  period,  scope or area.  The Manager and the Company  recognize that the
services  to be  rendered  by the  Manager  are of a special,  unique,  unusual,
extraordinary  and intellectual  character  involving a high degree of skill and
having a peculiar value,  the loss of which may cause the Company  immediate and
irreparable harm which cannot be adequately compensated in damages. In the event
of a breach or threatened  breach by the Manager of this Agreement,  the Manager
consents  that  the  Company  shall  be  entitled  to  injunctive  relief,  both
preliminary  and  permanent,  without  bond,  and the Manager will not raise the
defense that the Company has an adequate remedy at law. In addition, the Company
shall be entitled to any other legal or  equitable  remedies as may be available
under law. The remedies  provided in this Agreement  shall be deemed  cumulative
and the  exercise of one shall not  preclude the exercise of any other remedy at
law or in equity for the same event or any other event.


<PAGE>
                                                                              20


          IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the undersigned  have executed,  or caused to be
executed, this Agreement as of the date first above written.

                                          KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.



                                          By:___________________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:



                                          ______________________________________
                                          Name:

                                          NASSAU CAPITAL PARTNERS L.P.

                                          By:  Nassau Capital L.L.C., its
                                               General Partner


                                               By:______________________________
                                                  Name:
                                                  Title:

                                           NAS PARTNERS I L.L.C.



                                           By:__________________________________
                                              Name:
                                              Title:

                                           HAROLD N. KAMINE


                                           _____________________________________




                                  Exhibit 21.1

                   Subsidiaries of KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Company                                      State of Incorporation/Organization
- - -------                                      -----------------------------------
<S>                                            <C>
KMC Telecom Inc.                                Delaware

KMC Telecom II, Inc.                            Delaware

KMC Telecom III Holdings, Inc.                  Delaware

KMC Telecom III, Inc.                           Delaware
(subsidiary of KMC Telecom III Holdings, Inc.)

KMC Telecom Leasing I, LLC                      Delaware
(subsidiary of KMC Telecom Inc.)

KMC Telecom Leasing II, LLC                     Delaware 
(subsidiary of KMC Telecom II, Inc.)

KMC Telecom Leasing III, LLC                    Delaware 
(subsidiary of KMC Telecom III, Inc.)

KMC Telecom of Virginia, Inc.                   Virginia
(subsidiary of KMC Telecom Inc.)
</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This  schedule   contains  summary   financial   information
extracted  from  the  consolidated  balance  sheets  of  KMC
Telecom  Holdings,   Inc.  at  December  31,  1998  and  the
consolidated  statements  of  operations  for the year ended
December  31,  1998  and is  qualified  in its  entirety  by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                         1
       
<S>                                        <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          Dec-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                              Jan-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               Dec-31-1998
<CASH>                                      21,181,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                7,889,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                  (350,000)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            30,035,000
<PP&E>                                     235,558,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             (10,668,000)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             311,310,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       31,426,000
<BONDS>                                    309,225,000
                       75,012,000
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         6,000
<OTHER-SE>                                (104,359,000)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               311,310,000
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            22,425,000
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               37,336,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            40,871,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          29,789,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (76,753,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (76,753,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (76,753,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (114.42)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (114.42)
        


</TABLE>


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