KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS INC
10-Q, 1999-11-12
COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, NEC
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                  ------------

                                    FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

|X|      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES
         EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1999

                             OR

         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           (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 of incorporation or organization)

                            1545 ROUTE 206, SUITE 300
                          BEDMINSTER, NEW JERSEY 07921
          (Address, including zip code, of principal executive offices)

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

         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  the  number of  shares  outstanding  of each of the  issuer's
classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

               CLASS                                  OUTSTANDING
               -----                                  -----------
         Common Stock, par value $0.01                852,676 shares,
         per share.                                   as of  November 12, 1999

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



<PAGE>


                           KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.

                                      INDEX


PART I.     FINANCIAL INFORMATION                                       PAGE NO.
- -------     ---------------------                                       --------

ITEM 1.    Financial Statements

           Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets,
              December 31, 1998 and September 30, 1999......................   2

           Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations,
              Three Months Ended September 30, 1998 and 1999
              and Nine Months Ended September 30, 1998 and 1999 ............   3

           Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows,
              Nine Months Ended September 30, 1998 and 1999.................   4

           Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements...   5

ITEM 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
              and Results of Operations.....................................  14

ITEM 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.......  21

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION
- --------  -----------------

ITEM 1.    Legal Proceedings................................................  22

ITEM 2.    Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds........................  22

ITEM 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities..................................  22

ITEM 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders..............  22

ITEM 5.    Other Information................................................  22

ITEM 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.................................  22

SIGNATURES..................................................................  24






<PAGE>
                         PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION


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

<S>                                                                                <C>              <C>
                                                                                    DECEMBER 31,      SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                                        1998              1999
                                                                                   ---------------  ------------------

ASSETS
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents....................................................       $   21,181          $   21,207
   Restricted investments.......................................................                -              37,125
   Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $350 and
      $2,095 in 1998 and 1999, respectively                                                 7,539              23,810
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets....................................            1,315               1,076
                                                                                   ---------------  ------------------


Total current assets............................................................           30,035              83,218
Investments held for future capital expenditures................................           27,920              75,000
Long term restricted investments................................................                -              68,348
Networks and equipment, net.....................................................          224,890             426,782
Intangible assets, net..........................................................            2,829               2,985
Deferred financing costs, net...................................................           20,903              40,045
Other assets....................................................................            4,733               1,118
                                                                                   ---------------  ------------------


                                                                                       $  311,310         $   697,496
                                                                                   ===============  ==================

LIABILITIES,   REDEEMABLE  AND   NONREDEEMABLE   EQUITY   (DEFICIENCY)   Current
liabilities:
   Accounts payable.............................................................       $   21,052          $   33,232
   Accrued expenses.............................................................           10,374              49,109
   Notes payable................................................................                -             125,000
                                                                                   ---------------  ------------------
Total current liabilities.......................................................           31,426             207,341
Notes payable...................................................................           41,414                   -
Senior discount notes payable...................................................          267,811             292,161
Senior notes payable............................................................                -             275,000
                                                                                   ---------------  ------------------
Total liabilities...............................................................          340,651             774,502
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable equity:
   Senior  redeemable,  exchangeable,  PIK preferred  stock,  par value $.01 per
      share;  authorized:  -0- shares in 1998, 630 shares in 1999; shares issued
      and outstanding:
        Series E, - 0 - shares in 1998 and 63 shares in 1999 ($62,681
        liquidation preference).................................................                -              48,130
        Series F, - 0 - shares in 1998 and 43 shares in 1999 ($42,599
        liquidation preference).................................................                -              39,143
  Redeemable  cumulative  convertible  preferred stock, par value $.01 per share
      499 shares authorized; shares issued and outstanding:
        Series A, 124 shares in 1998 and 1999 ($12,380 liquidation preference)..           30,390              50,813
        Series C, 175 shares in 1998 and 1999 ($17,500 liquidation preference)..           21,643              30,727
   Redeemable common stock, 224 shares issued and outstanding...................                               27,459
                                                                                           22,305
   Redeemable common stock warrants.............................................              674              11,664
                                                                                   ---------------  ------------------


Total redeemable equity.........................................................           75,012             207,936
                                                                                   ---------------  ------------------
Nonredeemable equity (deficiency):
   Common stock, par value  $.01 per share; 3,000 shares authorized, 614 shares
      and 629 shares issued and outstanding in 1998 and 1999, respectively......                                    6
                                                                                                6
   Additional paid-in capital...................................................           13,750                   -
   Unearned compensation........................................................          (5,824)             (6,227)
   Accumulated deficit..........................................................        (112,285)           (278,721)

                                                                                   ---------------  ------------------
Total nonredeemable equity (deficiency).........................................        (104,353)           (284,942)
                                                                                   ---------------  ------------------

                                                                                       $  311,310         $   697,496
                                                                                   ===============  ==================
</TABLE>

                             See accompanying notes.

                                       2
<PAGE>




                           KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.

            UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                THREE MONTHS ENDED                   NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                   SEPTEMBER 30,                       SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                         ----------------------------------  ---------------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>
                                                              1998              1999              1998              1999
                                                         ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ---------------
Revenue................................................        $   6,250         $   15,572       $   13,588       $    42,284
Operating expenses:
   Network operating costs.............................           10,658             31,154           24,577            75,209
   Selling, general and administrative.................            6,081             14,956           15,301            41,680
   Stock option compensation expense...................              398            (6,961)            6,594            13,240
   Depreciation and amortization.......................            3,142              7,593            5,198            19,230
                                                          ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ---------------
      Total operating expenses.........................           20,279             46,742           51,670           149,359
                                                          ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ---------------

Loss from operations...................................          (14,029)                            (38,082)        (107,075)
                                                                                   (31,170)
Other expense..........................................                 -                 -                 -          (4,297)
Interest income........................................
                                                                    5,330             3,980            10,349            7,035
Interest expense.......................................          (11,407)          (21,834)          (25,970)         (47,848)
                                                          ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ---------------
Net loss...............................................          (20,106)          (49,024)          (53,703)        (152,185)

Dividends and accretion on redeemable preferred stock..           (4,117)             1,330          (14,157)         (42,085)
                                                          ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ---------------
Net loss applicable to common shareholders.............       $  (24,223)       $ ( 47,694)       $  (67,860)      $ (194,270)
                                                          ================  ================  ================  ===============



Net loss per common share..............................       $   (28.91)       $   (55.93)       $   (81.94)      $  (228.20)
                                                          ================  ================  ================  ===============


Weighted average number of common shares outstanding.            837,876           852,676           828,181          851,321
                                                          ================  ================  ================  ===============

</TABLE>

                                                      See accompanying notes.




                                       3
<PAGE>




                           KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.

            UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                          NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                            SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                                   ---------------------------------
<S>                                                                                <C>              <C>
                                                                                        1998             1999
                                                                                   ---------------  ----------------

OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss........................................................................      $  (53,703)       $ (152,185)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
   Depreciation and amortization................................................            5,198            19,230
   Non-cash interest expense....................................................           22,774            40,174
   Non-cash stock option compensation expense...................................            6,593            13,240
   Changes in assets and liabilities:
      Accounts receivable.......................................................          (3,941)          (16,271)
      Prepaid expenses and other current assets.................................            (354)               239
      Other assets..............................................................            (584)             1,065
      Accounts payable..........................................................          (2,653)            14,707
      Accrued expenses..........................................................            3,571            12,585
      Due from affiliate........................................................             (47)                 -
                                                                                   ---------------  ----------------
Net cash used in operating activities...........................................         (23,146)          (67,216)
                                                                                   ---------------  ----------------

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Construction of networks and purchases of equipment.............................         (90,938)         (216,508)
Acquisitions of franchises, authorizations and related assets...................          (1,100)           (1,221)
Deposit on purchases of equipment...............................................          (3,055)                 -
Purchases of investments, net...................................................         (90,000)          (47,080)
                                                                                   ---------------  ----------------
Net cash used in investing activities...........................................        (185,093)         (264,809)
                                                                                   ---------------  ----------------

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Repayment of notes payable......................................................         (20,801)                 -
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock and related warrants, net of issuance
   costs........................................................................                -            91,235
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants, net of issuance costs .....           10,000                 -
Proceeds from exercise of stock options.........................................                -               333
Proceeds from issuance of senior discount notes, net of issuance costs..........          236,369                 -
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net of issuance costs and purchase of
   portfolio of restricted investments..........................................                -           159,942
Proceeds from senior secured credit facility, net of issuance costs.............                -            82,770
Issuance costs of Lucent facility...............................................                -           (2,229)
Dividends on preferred stock of subsidiary......................................            (592)                 -
                                                                                   ---------------  ----------------
Net cash provided by financing activities.......................................          224,976           332,051
                                                                                   ---------------  ----------------

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents.......................................           16,737                26
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period..................................           15,553            21,181
                                                                                   ---------------  ----------------

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period........................................        $  32,290         $  21,207
                                                                                   ===============  ================

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the period for interest, net of amounts capitalized............         $  3,274         $   5,751
                                                                                   ===============  ================
</TABLE>

                             See accompanying notes.


                                       4
<PAGE>



                           KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.

         NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                               SEPTEMBER 30, 1999

1.   BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ORGANIZATION

         KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries,  KMC Telecom Inc., KMC
Telecom II, Inc., KMC Telecom III, Inc., KMC Telecom of Virginia,  Inc., and KMC
Investments,  Inc.  are  collectively  referred  to herein as the  Company.  All
significant  intercompany  accounts and  transactions  have been  eliminated  in
consolidation.

         On July 1, 1999, the Company  acquired all of the membership  interests
of KMC  Services  LLC from  Harold  N.  Kamine,  the  Chairman  of our  Board of
Directors,  for nominal  consideration.  KMC  Services LLC was formed to provide
services to the Company and its customers,  initially offering a leasing program
for equipment physically installed at a customer's premises. The acquisition was
accounted for as a combination of entities under common control,  and no changes
were  made  to  the  historical   cost  basis  of  KMC  Services  LLC's  assets.
Accordingly, during the second quarter of 1999, the Company reduced the carrying
value of its $709,000 loan  receivable  from KMC Services LLC to an amount equal
to the value of KMC  Services  LLC's net  assets at the  acquisition  date.  KMC
Services LLC has been consolidated with the Company since July 1, 1999.

         The unaudited  condensed  consolidated  financial  statements have been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim
financial  reporting.  Accordingly,  they do not include certain information and
note disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles for annual
financial  reporting  and  should  be read in  conjunction  with  the  financial
statements  and notes  thereto of KMC Telecom  Holdings,  Inc. as of and for the
year ended December 31, 1998.

         The unaudited  interim  financial  statements  reflect all  adjustments
which management  considers  necessary for a fair presentation of the results of
operations for these periods.  The results of operations for the interim periods
are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year.

         The balance  sheet of KMC Telecom  Holdings,  Inc. at December 31, 1998
was derived from the audited consolidated balance sheet at that date.


2.   INVESTMENTS HELD FOR FUTURE CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

         The Company has  designated  certain  amounts as  investments  held for
future capital expenditures. As of September 30, 1999, 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 $69.8
million and debt securities (US government  obligations and commercial bonds due
within 1 year) of $5.2 million.  All debt securities have been designated by the
Company as  held-to-maturity.  Accordingly,  such securities are recorded in the
accompanying  financial statements at amortized cost. At September 30, 1999, the
carrying value of such held-to-maturity debt securities  approximated their fair
value.



                                       5
<PAGE>




3.   NETWORKS AND EQUIPMENT

         Networks and equipment are comprised of the following (in thousands):

                                               DECEMBER 31,      SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                   1998               1999
                                            -----------------  -----------------
Fiber optic systems......................    $        99,502          $ 138,577
Telecommunications equipment.............            115,769            162,011
Furniture and other......................              7,340             19,209
Leasehold improvements...................              1,177              1,555
Construction-in-progress.................             11,770            132,703
                                            -----------------  -----------------
                                                     235,558            454,055
Less accumulated depreciation............            (10,668)           (27,273)
                                            -----------------  -----------------
                                             $       224,890          $ 426,782
                                            =================  =================


         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 for the nine months ended  September  30, 1998 and 1999 amounted to
$2.9 million and $3.5 million, respectively.


4.   INTANGIBLE ASSETS

         Intangible assets are comprised of the following (in thousands):

                                               DECEMBER 31,      SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                   1998               1999
                                              ----------------  ----------------
Franchise costs..........................      $        1,690        $    1,672
Authorizations and rights-of-way.........               1,455             1,965
Building access agreements and other.....               1,062               697
                                              ----------------  ----------------
                                                        4,207             4,334
Less accumulated amortization............              (1,378)           (1,349)
                                              ----------------  ----------------
                                               $        2,829        $    2,985
                                              ================  ================



5.   ACCRUED EXPENSES

         Accrued expenses are comprised of the following (in thousands):

                                                   DECEMBER 31,    SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                       1998            1999
                                                  --------------  --------------
Accrued compensation...........................   $      4,138        $  10,721
Deferred revenue...............................          1,187            2,934
Accrued costs related to financing activities..            380            8,423
Accrued interest payable.......................            162           17,502
Accrued cost of sales..........................            565            2,549
Other accrued expenses.........................          3,942            6,980
                                                  ============== ===============
                                                  $     10,374        $  49,109
                                                  ============== ===============


                                       6
<PAGE>


6.   LUCENT LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

LUCENT LOAN AND SECURITY 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 $250 million is
currently  available to purchase Lucent products.  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.  At September 30, 1999, no amounts had been
borrowed under the Lucent 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 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. 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
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


                                       7
<PAGE>


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.

  WAIVER AND AMENDMENTS TO FINANCIAL COVENANTS

         The Company  obtained a waiver of  compliance,  for the  quarter  ended
September 30, 1999,  with certain  financial  covenants  (related to revenue and
EBITDA)  contained in the Senior Secured  Credit  Facility (for a description of
the Senior Secured Credit Facility,  see Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated
Financial  Statements in the  Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1998).  In addition,  the EBITDA covenant was amended for the
fourth quarter of 1999 to a level which the Company expects to achieve.

         The Company has received a signed  commitment  from Lucent to refinance
the existing  Lucent  Facility  upon terms which would  involve the provision of
additional  funding to the Company and the resetting of the financial  covenants
for periods after the fourth quarter of 1999.  The Company is currently  engaged
in  discussions  with the agents for the lenders under the Senior Secured Credit
Facility  which  presently  contemplate  comparable  amendments to the financial
covenants in the Senior Secured Credit Facility. The Company believes that these
negotiations  will lead to  definitive  agreements  during the first  quarter of
2000. If, however,  the Company is not successful in completing the negotiations
as presently  contemplated  and amending the  financial  covenants in the Senior
Secured Credit Facility and the Lucent  Facility,  the Company is likely to fail
to  comply  with  one or more of the  covenants  presently  contained  in  those
facilities for the quarter ended March 31, 2000,  which failure,  unless waived,
would constitute a default under those credit facilities. Given that, as of this
date, the Company has not yet signed  definitive  agreements with Lucent and the
agents for the lenders under the Senior Secured Credit Facility implementing the
foregoing  refinancings,  under applicable financial accounting  standards,  the
Company was required to reclassify the $125 million outstanding at September 30,
1999 under the Senior  Secured  Credit  Facility as current  liabilities  in the
accompanying balance sheet. If, as expected,  the Company successfully completes
the  contemplated  refinancings of the Senior Secured Credit Facility and Lucent
Facility  prior to the issuance of its financial  statements  for the year ended
December  31,  1999,  the  applicable  accounting  standards  will  permit it to
classify the amounts  outstanding  under the Senior Secured  Credit  Facility as
long-term debt in its balance sheet as of December 31, 1999. A covenant  default
under the  Senior  Secured  Credit  Facility  or the Lucent  Facility  is not an
automatic default under the Company's other outstanding  indebtedness but, under
certain circumstances, may become one, depending upon the actions of the lenders
under the Senior Secured Credit Facility and Lucent Facility.


7.   INTEREST RATE SWAP AGREEMENT

         The Company has entered  into an interest  rate swap  agreement  with a
commercial  bank to  reduce  the  impact of  changes  in  interest  rates on its
outstanding  variable rate debt. The agreement  effectively  fixes the Company's
interest rate on the $125 million of outstanding  variable rate borrowings under


                                       8
<PAGE>


the Senior  Secured  Credit  Facility due 2007. The interest rate swap agreement
terminates in April 2004.  The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of
nonperformance by the other party to the interest rate swap agreement.  However,
the Company does not anticipate nonperformance by the counterparty.


8.   PREFERRED STOCK AND WARRANT ISSUANCES

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.  On April 30, 1999, the
Company issued an additional 35,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock for gross
proceeds  of $25.9  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.  On April
15,  1999 and July 15,  1999,  the Company  issued 695 shares and 1,986  shares,
respectively,  of Series E  Preferred  Stock to pay the  dividends  due for such
periods.

         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


                                       9
<PAGE>


$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. On
April 15, 1999 and July 15,  1999,  the Company  issued  1,112  shares and 1,486
shares,  respectively,  of Series F Preferred Stock to pay the dividends due for
such period.

         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


                                       10
<PAGE>


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.

         In connection with the April 30, 1999 issuance of additional  shares of
the Series E Preferred Stock, warrants to purchase an aggregate of 60,353 shares
of Common Stock were issued to Newcourt  Finance and First Union.  The aggregate
gross proceeds from the sale of these warrants was  approximately  $9.1 million.
These warrants,  at an exercise price of $.01 per share,  are  exercisable  from
February 4, 2000 through February 1, 2009.


9. SERVICE REVENUES

         The Company provides on-net switched and dedicated services and resells
switched  services  previously  purchased  from  the  incumbent  local  exchange
carrier.   On-net  services  include  both  services   provided  through  direct
connections  to our own  networks  and  services  provided by means of unbundled
network elements leased from the incumbent local exchange carrier.

         The Company's service revenues consist of the following (in thousands):


                         THREE MONTHS ENDED              NINE MONTHS ENDED
                            SEPTEMBER 30,                  SEPTEMBER 30,
                      --------------------------    ----------------------------
                        1998            1999           1998            1999
                      ----------     -----------    -----------    -------------
On-net..............   $ 2,125        $ 9,693        $ 4,240         $ 23,992
Resale..............     4,125          5,879          9,348           18,292
                      ----------     -----------    -----------    -------------
Total...............   $ 6,250        $15,572       $ 13,588         $ 42,284
                      ==========     ===========    ===========    =============


10.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

PURCHASE COMMITMENTS

         As of  September  30,  1999,  the Company has  outstanding  commitments
aggregating    approximately    $92.8   million    related   to   purchases   of
telecommunications equipment and fiber optic cable and its obligations under its
agreements with certain suppliers.

ARBITRATION AWARD

         During the second quarter of 1999, the company  recorded a $4.3 million
charge to other expense in connection with an unfavorable arbitration award. The
net amount due under the terms of the award was paid in full in June 1999.

REDEMPTION RIGHTS

         Pursuant  to  a  stockholders  agreement,   certain  of  the  Company's
stockholders  and warrant  holders have "put rights"  entitling them to have the
Company repurchase their preferred and common shares and redeemable common stock
warrants for the fair value of such securities 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.  The  restrictive  covenants of the


                                       11
<PAGE>


Senior Discount Notes limit the Company's ability to repurchase such securities.
All of the  securities  subject to such "put rights" are presented as redeemable
equity in the accompanying balance sheets.

         The redeemable preferred stock,  redeemable common stock and redeemable
common stock  warrants,  which are subject to the  stockholders  agreement,  are
being  accreted up to their fair market  values from their  respective  issuance
dates to their  earliest  potential  redemption  date  (October  22,  2003).  At
September 30, 1999, the aggregate  redemption value of the redeemable equity was
approximately $235 million,  reflecting per share redemption amounts of $897 for
the Series A Preferred Stock, $352 for the Series C Preferred Stock and $185 for
the redeemable common stock and redeemable common stock warrants.


11.  NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE

         The following  table sets forth the  computation of net loss per common
share-basic (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                               THREE MONTHS ENDED                  NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                  SEPTEMBER 30,                      SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                        ----------------------------------  ---------------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>
                                                             1998              1999              1998              1999
                                                        ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ---------------
Numerator:
   Net loss..........................................      $   (20,106)      $   (49,024)      $   (53,703)     $  (152,185)

Dividends and accretion on redeemable preferred stock           (4,117)            1,330           (14,157)         (42,085)
                                                        ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ---------------
   Numerator for net loss per common share - basic...      $   (24,223)      $  ( 47,694)      $   (67,860)     $  (194,270)
                                                        ================  ================  ================  ===============

Denominator:
     Denominator for net loss per common share -
   weighted average number of common shares
   outstanding..........................................       837,876           852,676           828,181          851,321
                                                        ================  ================  ================  ===============


Net loss per common share - basic....................      $   (28.91)       $   (55.93)       $   (81.94)     $   (228.20)
                                                        ================  ================  ================  ===============
</TABLE>


         Options and  warrants to purchase an  aggregate  of 373,135 and 483,273
shares of common  stock were  outstanding  as of  September  30,  1998 and 1999,
respectively,  but a  computation  of diluted net loss per common  share has not
been presented, as the effect would be anti-dilutive.


12.  LOUISIANA RECIPROCAL REVENUE

         During 1998 and the first nine  months of 1999 the  Company  recognized
revenue which it believed was due from  incumbent  local  exchange  carriers for
terminating  local traffic of Internet  service  providers  (ISPs).  The Company
determined to recognize  this revenue  because,  based upon all of the facts and
circumstances  known  at the  time,  including  numerous  state  public  service
commission and state and federal court  decisions  upholding  competitive  local
exchange carriers'  entitlement to reciprocal  compensation for such calls, that
realization  of those  amounts was  reasonably  assured.  On October  13,  1999,
however,  the Louisiana  Public Service  Commission  ruled that local traffic to
ISPs in Louisiana is not eligible for  reciprocal  compensation.  As a result of
that  ruling,  the  Company  determined  that it could no longer  conclude  that
realization  of amounts  attributable  to  termination of local calls to ISPs in
Louisiana was  reasonably  assured.  Accordingly,  an adjustment was recorded to
reduce revenue in the 1999 Third Quarter,  which reversed all reciprocal revenue
recognized  related to ISP traffic in Louisiana  for the entire year of 1998 and
the first nine months of 1999. The adjustment amounted to $4.4 million, of which



                                       12
<PAGE>


$1.1  million  relates  to the year ended  December  31,  1998 and $3.3  million
relates to the nine months ended September 30, 1999.

         The  Company  has been  advised  by its  regulatory  counsel  that this
decision  appears  to be well  out of the  mainstream  on the  issue.  To  date,
Louisiana  is the only state  which has  rendered  a  decision,  pursuant  to an
existing  agreement,  that has permitted an incumbent local exchange  carrier to
use a competitive local exchange carriers'  facilities to complete calls without
compensation  to the  competitive  local exchange  carrier.  Thirty-three  other
states have ruled that the  originating  carrier must compensate the terminating
carrier for such use.  Many of these  decisions  have been affirmed by state and
federal  courts on appeal and none have been  reversed.  The Company  intends to
appeal the decision to the appropriate authority.




                                       13
<PAGE>


ITEM 2.       MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
              CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

         THIS FORM 10-Q CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS WHICH INVOLVE RISKS
AND  UNCERTAINTIES.  THE COMPANY'S ACTUAL RESULTS MAY DIFFER  SIGNIFICANTLY FROM
THE  RESULTS  DISCUSSED  IN  THE  FORWARD-LOOKING   STATEMENTS.   THE  FOLLOWING
DISCUSSION   SHOULD  BE  READ  IN  CONJUNCTION  WITH  THE  UNAUDITED   CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS,   INCLUDING  THE  NOTES  THERETO,  INCLUDED
ELSEWHERE IN THIS FORM 10-Q.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

As a result of the development and rapid growth of the Company's business during
the periods presented, the period-to-period comparisons of the Company's results
of operations are not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as an
indication of future performance.

                THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 COMPARED TO
                      THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998

         REVENUE. Revenue increased from $6.3 million for the three months ended
September  30, 1998 (the "1998 Third  Quarter")  to $15.6  million for the three
months ended  September  30, 1999 (the "1999 Third  Quarter").  This increase is
primarily  attributable  to the fact that we  derived  revenues  from 23 markets
during  the 1999 Third  Quarter  compared  to 11  markets  during the 1998 Third
Quarter.  During  1998 and the first nine months of 1999 we  recognized  revenue
which we believed  was due to us from  incumbent  local  exchange  carriers  for
terminating local traffic of Internet service providers (ISPs). We determined to
recognize  this revenue  because we  concluded,  based upon all of the facts and
circumstances  known to us at the time,  including numerous state public service
commission and state and federal court  decisions  upholding  competitive  local
exchange carriers'  entitlement to reciprocal  compensation for such calls, that
realization  of those  amounts was  reasonably  assured.  On October  13,  1999,
however,  the Louisiana  Public Service  Commission  ruled that local traffic to
ISPs in Louisiana is not eligible for  reciprocal  compensation.  As a result of
that ruling,  we determined that we could no longer conclude that realization of
amounts  attributable  to  termination  of local calls to ISPs in Louisiana  was
reasonably assured.  Accordingly, we recorded an adjustment to reduce revenue in
the 1999 Third Quarter, which reversed all reciprocal revenue recognized related
to ISP  traffic  in  Louisiana  for the  entire  year of 1998 and the first nine
months of 1999. The adjustment  amounted to $4.4 million,  of which $1.1 million
relates to the year ended December 31, 1998 and $3.3 million relates to the nine
months ended September 30, 1999.

         Excluding  the  effect of the  adjustment,  revenue  for the 1999 Third
Quarter would have been $20.0 million, including $4.7 million of revenue related
to reciprocal  compensation.  With the  exception of our two Louisiana  systems,
which are  affected by the  Louisiana  Public  Service  Commission's  reciprocal
compensation  decision,  each of our systems that  generated  revenue during the
1998 Third  Quarter  generated  higher  revenue  during the 1999 Third  Quarter.
Excluding  the effect of the  adjustment,  our two systems  located in Louisiana
also generated higher revenue during the 1999 Third Quarter than during the 1998
Third Quarter.

         Revenue for the 1998 Third Quarter and 1999 Third Quarter included $4.2
million  and $5.9  million,  respectively,  of revenue  derived  from  resale of
switched services and an aggregate of $2.1 million and $9.7 million  (including,
after giving effect to the $4.4 million  adjustment for Louisiana,  $0.3 million
of revenue  related to reciprocal  compensation  during the 1999 Third Quarter),
respectively,  of revenue derived from on-net special  access,  private line and
switched services.


                                       14
<PAGE>


         Although  incumbent local exchange  carriers,  such as BellSouth,  have
generally  withheld  payments  of amounts  due for  reciprocal  compensation  to
competitive  local  exchange  carriers such as the Company for calls to ISPs and
disputed the  entitlement of competitive  local exchange  carriers to reciprocal
compensation  for such calls in  jurisdictions  other than Louisiana as well, we
have  determined  to continue  to  recognize  amounts  due to us for  reciprocal
compensation  for such calls in  jurisdictions  other than Louisiana  because we
have  concluded,  based  upon  all of the  facts  and  circumstances,  including
numerous state public service  commission and state and federal court  decisions
upholding   competitive  local  exchange  carriers'  entitlement  to  reciprocal
compensation  for such calls,  that  realization  of such amounts is  reasonably
assured.

         NETWORK  OPERATING COSTS.  Network operating costs increased from $10.7
million in the 1998 Third  Quarter to $31.2  million in the 1999 Third  Quarter.
This  increase of $20.5  million was due primarily to the increase in the number
of  markets  in which we  operated  in the 1999 Third  Quarter  and the  related
increases of $5.0 million in personnel  costs,  $4.8 million in costs associated
with providing resale services and leasing  unbundled  network element services,
$2.5 million in consultant and professional services related costs, $1.8 million
in  contracted  network  support  costs,  $1.4  million in  reciprocal  expense,
$700,000 in  telecommunications  costs,  $700,000 in  facility  costs,  and $3.6
million in other direct operating costs.

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

         Costs  associated with providing  resale services were greater than the
revenues  generated from these services because of narrow discounts  provided 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. Initially, resale has been used as an interim strategy
for us to  create a  backlog  of  customers  to be  transitioned  to our  on-net
switched facilities as our own switches become commercially operational.  We now
have  switches in commercial  operation in 23 markets.  We are in the process of
transitioning the majority of our resale customers to on-net switched  services,
but this can be a time-consuming task.

         SELLING,  GENERAL AND  ADMINISTRATIVE  EXPENSES.  Selling,  general and
administrative  expenses  increased from $6.1 million for the 1998 Third Quarter
to $15.0  million for the 1999 Third  Quarter.  This  increase  of $8.9  million
resulted  primarily  from  increases of $6.4 million in  personnel  costs,  $1.2
million in professional costs (consisting primarily of legal costs), $800,000 in
travel related expenses and $100,000 in advertising  costs, along with increases
in  other   marketing   and  general  and   administrative   costs   aggregating
approximately $400,000.

         STOCK OPTION COMPENSATION EXPENSE. Stock option compensation expense, a
non-cash charge,  decreased from $398,000 for the 1998 Third Quarter to a credit
of $7.0 million for the 1999 Third  Quarter.  This decrease  primarily  resulted
from a decrease in the estimated fair value of the Company's Common Stock.

         DEPRECIATION AND  AMORTIZATION.  Depreciation and amortization  expense
increased  from $3.1 million for the 1998 Third  Quarter to $7.6 million for the
1999 Third Quarter primarily as a result of depreciation expense associated with
the greater  number of networks in  commercial  operation  during the 1999 Third
Quarter.

         INTEREST EXPENSE.  Interest expense increased from $11.4 million in the
1998 Third  Quarter to $21.8  million in the 1999 Third  Quarter.  The  increase
resulted primarily from the issuance of the Senior Notes in May 1999, additional
accretion on the Senior Discount Notes and increased interest charges related to
higher  borrowings  under  the  Senior  Secured  Credit  Facility.  The  Company


                                       15
<PAGE>


capitalized  interest related to network  construction  projects of $1.5 million
during the 1998 Third Quarter and $2.2 million during the 1999 Third Quarter.

         NET LOSS. For the reasons  stated above,  net loss increased from $20.1
million for the 1998 Third Quarter to $49.0 million for the 1999 Third Quarter.

                NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 COMPARED TO
                      NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998

         REVENUE. Revenue increased from $13.6 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 1998 (the "1998 Nine Months") to $42.3 million for the nine months
ended  September 30, 1999 (the "1999 Nine  Months").  This increase is primarily
attributable to the fact that we derived revenue from 23 markets during the 1999
Nine Months compared to 11 markets during the 1998 Nine Months.  During 1998 and
the first nine months of 1999 we recognized revenue which we believed was due to
us from incumbent local exchange carriers for terminating local traffic of ISPs.
We determined to recognize this revenue because we concluded,  based upon all of
the facts and circumstances  known to us at the time,  including  numerous state
public  service  commission  and state and  federal  court  decisions  upholding
competitive local exchange carriers' entitlement to reciprocal  compensation for
such calls, that realization of those amounts was reasonably assured. On October
13, 1999,  however,  the Louisiana  Public Service  Commission  ruled that local
traffic to ISPs in Louisiana is not eligible for reciprocal  compensation.  As a
result of that  ruling,  we  determined  that we could no longer  conclude  that
realization  of amounts  attributable  to  termination of local calls to ISPs in
Louisiana  was  reasonably  assured.  Accordingly,  we recorded an adjustment to
reduce revenue in the 1999 Third Quarter,  which reversed all reciprocal revenue
recognized  related to ISP traffic in Louisiana  for the entire year of 1998 and
the first nine months of 1999. The adjustment amounted to $4.4 million, of which
$1.1  million  relates  to the year ended  December  31,  1998 and $3.3  million
relates to the nine months ended September 30, 1999.

         Excluding  the  effect  of the  adjustment,  revenue  for the 1999 Nine
Months would have been $46.7 million,  including $9.2 million of revenue related
to reciprocal  compensation.  Each of our systems that generated  revenue during
the 1998 Nine Months generated higher revenue during the 1999 Nine Months.

         Revenue  for the 1998 Nine Months and 1999 Nine  Months  included  $9.4
million  and $18.3  million,  respectively,  of revenue  derived  from resale of
switched services and an aggregate of $4.2 million and $24.0 million (including,
after giving effect to the $4.4 million  adjustment for Louisiana,  $4.8 million
of revenue  related to  reciprocal  compensation  during the 1999 Nine  Months),
respectively,  of revenue derived from on-net special  access,  private line and
switched services.

         Although  incumbent local exchange  carriers,  such as BellSouth,  have
generally  withheld  payments  of amounts  due for  reciprocal  compensation  to
competitive  local  exchange  carriers such as the Company for calls to ISPs and
disputed the  entitlement of competitive  local exchange  carriers to reciprocal
compensation  for such calls in  jurisdictions  other than Louisiana as well, we
have  determined  to continue  to  recognize  amounts  due to us for  reciprocal
compensation  for such calls in jurisdictions  other than Louisiana,  because we
have  concluded,  based  upon  all of the  facts  and  circumstances,  including
numerous state public service  commission and state and federal court  decisions
upholding   competitive  local  exchange  carriers'  entitlement  to  reciprocal
compensation  for such calls,  that  realization  of such amounts is  reasonably
assured.

         NETWORK  OPERATING COSTS.  Network operating costs increased from $24.6
million in the 1998 Nine Months to $75.2  million in the 1999 Nine Months.  This
increase of $50.6  million was due  primarily  to the  increase in the number of
markets in which we operated  in the 1999 Nine Months and the related  increases
of $13.4  million in personnel  costs,  $12.4 million in costs  associated  with
providing resale services and leasing unbundled  network element services,  $5.4
million in contracted  network  support  costs,  $5.1 million in consultant  and


                                       16
<PAGE>


professional  services related costs, $2.7 million in reciprocal  expense,  $1.8
million in facility costs,  $1.5 million in  telecommunications  costs, and $8.3
million in other direct operating costs.

         SELLING,  GENERAL AND  ADMINISTRATIVE  EXPENSES.  Selling,  general and
administrative expenses increased from $15.3 million for the 1998 Nine Months to
$41.7 million for the 1999 Nine Months.  This increase of $26.4 million resulted
primarily  from increases of $15.6 million in personnel  costs,  $4.0 million in
professional costs (consisting primarily of legal costs), $2.4 million in travel
related  expenses,  and $400,000 in advertising  costs,  along with 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,  increased from $6.6 million for the 1998 Nine Months to $13.2
million for the 1999 Nine  Months.  This  increase  primarily  resulted  from an
increase in the estimated fair value of the Company's Common Stock.

         DEPRECIATION AND  AMORTIZATION.  Depreciation and amortization  expense
increased  from $5.2  million for the 1998 Nine Months to $19.2  million for the
1999 Nine Months primarily as a result of depreciation  expense  associated with
the  greater  number of networks in  commercial  operation  during the 1999 Nine
Months.

         OTHER EXPENSE.  During the second quarter of 1999, the Company recorded
a $4.3  million  charge  to other  expense  in  connection  with an  unfavorable
arbitration  award.  The net amount due under the terms of the award was paid in
full in June 1999.

         INTEREST EXPENSE.  Interest expense increased from $26.0 million in the
1998 Nine Months to $47.8 million in the 1999 Nine Months. The increase resulted
primarily  from  the  issuance  of the  Senior  Notes  in May  1999,  additional
accretion on the Senior Discount Notes,  and increased  interest charges related
to higher  borrowings  under the Senior  Secured  Credit  Facility.  The Company
capitalized  interest related to network  construction  projects of $2.9 million
during the 1998 Nine Months and $3.5 million during the 1999 Nine Months.

         NET LOSS. For the reasons  stated above,  net loss increased from $53.7
million for the 1998 Nine Months to $152.2 million for the 1999 Nine Months.

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.  As a result,  there will not be any cash
provided by operations in the near future and we will need to fund the expansion
of our networks.  We have financed our operating losses and capital expenditures
with  equity  invested  by our  founders,  preferred  stock  placements,  credit
facility borrowings, the 12 1/2% Senior Discount Notes and 13 1/2% Senior Notes.

         On May 24, 1999, we issued $275.0 million in aggregate principal amount
of 13 1/2%  Senior  Notes  due 2009.  Approximately  $104.1  million  of the net
proceeds of this  offering  were used to purchase a portfolio  of U.S.  treasury
securities  that have been  pledged to secure the first six  scheduled  interest
payments on these notes.

         In  February  1999,  we issued  PIK  Preferred  Stock and  warrants  to
purchase  common  stock for  aggregate  gross  proceeds of $65.0  million to two
purchasers.  In April 1999, we issued  additional  shares of PIK Preferred Stock
and warrants to purchase common stock to one additional  purchaser for aggregate
gross proceeds of $35.0 million.


                                       17
<PAGE>


         In February 1999, our subsidiary which owns the 14 additional  networks
currently under  development,  entered into a secured vendor financing  facility
with Lucent Technologies Inc. Under this Lucent Facility, our subsidiary 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.  Currently, $250.0 million is available under this
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 the subsidiary,  at least $300.0 million
from the sale of high yield debt or equity. As of September 30, 1999 the Company
had no borrowings outstanding under this facility.

         Net cash provided by financing  activities  from  borrowings and equity
issuances was $332.1  million for the nine months ended  September 30, 1999. Our
net cash used in operating and investing  activities  was $332.0 million for the
nine months ended September 30, 1999.

         We made capital expenditures of $218.5 million in the nine months ended
September 30, 1999. We currently plan to make additional capital expenditures of
approximately $132.0 million during the remainder of 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 our services.  In
addition,  we expect to continue to incur  operating  losses while we expand our
business and build our 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 our control, including economic
conditions,   competition,  regulatory  developments  and  the  availability  of
capital.

         At  September  30,  1999,  the  Company  had  outstanding   commitments
aggregating  approximately  $92.8 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 September 30, 1999, the Company had $125.0  million of  indebtedness
outstanding under the Senior Secured Credit Facility,  and had $125.0 million in
borrowing capacity  available under the Senior Secured Credit Facility,  subject
to  certain  conditions.  On the same  date,  the  Company  had no  indebtedness
outstanding  under the  Lucent  Facility  and had $250.0  million  in  borrowing
capacity available thereunder.

         We obtained a waiver of compliance, for the quarter ended September 30,
1999, with certain financial covenants (related to revenue and EBITDA) contained
in the Senior  Secured Credit  Facility.  In addition,  the EBITDA  covenant was
amended for the fourth quarter of 1999 to a level which we expect to achieve.

         We have  received a signed  commitment  from  Lucent to  refinance  the
existing  Lucent  Facility  upon terms which  would  involve  the  provision  of
additional  funding to the Company and the resetting of the financial  covenants
for  periods  after the fourth  quarter  of 1999.  We are  currently  engaged in
discussions  with the agents for the  lenders  under the Senior  Secured  Credit
Facility  which  presently  contemplate  comparable  amendments to the financial
covenants  in  the  Senior  Secured  Credit  Facility.  We  believe  that  these
negotiations  will lead to  definitive  agreements  during the first  quarter of
2000.  If,  however,  we are not successful in completing  the  negotiations  as
presently  contemplated  and  amending  the  financial  covenants  in the Senior
Secured Credit Facility and the Lucent Facility,  it is likely that we will fail
to  comply  with  one or more of the  covenants  presently  contained  in  those
facilities for the quarter ended March 31, 2000,  which failure,  unless waived,
would  constitute a default under those credit  facilities.  A covenant  default
under the  Senior  Secured  Credit  Facility  or the Lucent  Facility  is not an
automatic  default under our other  outstanding  indebtedness but, under certain


                                       18
<PAGE>


circumstances,  may become one,  depending upon the actions of the lenders under
the Senior Secured Credit Facility and Lucent Facility.

         We  believe  that  our  cash,   investments  held  for  future  capital
expenditures  and borrowings  available under our Senior Secured Credit Facility
and the Lucent Facility,  will be sufficient to meet our liquidity needs through
the completion of the 14 additional  networks  currently  under  development and
anticipated  to be completed in the first half of 2000,  although we can give no
assurance  in this regard.  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  insufficient  to complete all of the networks,  and we may be required to
seek additional financing sooner than we currently expect. Additional sources of
financing  may  include  public  or  private  equity or debt  financings  by the
Company, capitalized leases and other financing arrangements.

         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. Failure to obtain such financing could result in the delay or abandonment
of some or all of our development and expansion plans and  expenditures.  Such a
failure could also limit our ability to make principal and interest  payments on
our 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
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.

YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE

         Similar to all  businesses,  we 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. In addition, the
Senior Secured Credit  Facility and the Lucent Facility impose certain Year 2000
compliance obligations on the Company.

         Management's  plan to address the effect of the Year 2000 issue focuses
on the following areas:  applications  systems (including our 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 our 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,  we expect to  continue  these
phases throughout 1999.

         Further, we have completed the initial  installation and are continuing
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 our business and were
not directly  related to Year 2000  issues,  they have enabled us to utilize new
software for these  purposes  which the  respective  suppliers have certified as
Year 2000 compliant.


                                       19
<PAGE>


         Costs  incurred  to date have  primarily  consisted  of labor  from the
redeployment  of existing  information  services and operational  resources.  We
expect to spend  approximately  $150,000 for these Year 2000 compliance  efforts
which will be  expensed as  incurred.  This amount does not include the costs of
the new billing  software,  operational  software and  financial  and  personnel
software  systems which we are  implementing as a result of the expansion of our
business.

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

         Although  we  do  not   presently   anticipate   a  material   business
interruption as a result of the Year 2000 issue,  the worst case scenario if all
of our Year 2000  efforts  fail  would  result in a daily  loss of  revenues  of
approximately $250,000 calculated based upon our current revenues.




























                                       20
<PAGE>








ITEM 3.       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.  The  Company has  entered  into an  interest  rate swap
agreement  with a  commercial  bank to reduce the impact of changes in  interest
rates on its outstanding variable rate debt. The agreement effectively fixes the
Company's  interest  rate on the  $125  million  of  outstanding  variable  rate
borrowings  under the Senior Secured Credit Facility due 2007. The interest rate
swap agreement terminates in April 2004.

         The  following   table   provides   information   about  the  Company's
significant  financial  instruments  that are  sensitive  to changes in interest
rates (in millions):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                 Fair                Future Principal Payments
                                                  Value on
<S>                                              <C>         <C>   <C>    <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>           <C>
                                                 September   1999  2000   2001  2002  2003  Thereafter    Total
                                                 30, 1999
                                                -------------------------------------------------------------------

Long-Term Debt
Fixed Rate:
Senior Discount Notes,
  Interest payable at 12 1/2%,
   Maturing 2008                                   $ 282.2      -     -     -      -     -     $ 292.3    $ 292.3

Senior Notes,
  Interest payable at 13 1/2 %,
   Maturing 2009                                     275.0      -     -     -      -     -       275.0      275.0


Interest Rate Swap Derivative:
 Variable to fixed
   Senior Secured Credit Facility
   Pay rate at September 30, 1999 - 9.113%(a)
   Receive rate at September 30, 1999 - 6.075%       125.0      -     -     -    0.6   0.8       123.6      125.0
                                                -------------------------------------------------------------------

Total                                              $ 682.2      -     -     -    $.6   $.8     $ 690.9    $ 692.3
                                                ===================================================================
</TABLE>


(a) Pay  interest  rate is  based on a  variable  rate,  which at the  Company's
option,  is  determined  by either a base rate or LIBOR,  plus,  in each case, a
specified margin.


                                       21
<PAGE>


                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

         For a discussion  of an  arbitration  proceeding  between the Company's
subsidiary,  KMC Telecom,  Inc.  and Wang  Laboratories,  Inc. (as  successor to
I-Net, Inc.) see Item 3 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended  December 31, 1998 and Item 1 of the  Company's  Quarterly  Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1999.

ITEM 2.    CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

         Not Applicable.

ITEM 3.    DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

         Not Applicable.

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

         Not Applicable.

ITEM 5.    OTHER INFORMATION.

         Not Applicable.

ITEM 6.    EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

         (a)   EXHIBITS

         4.1      First  Supplemental  Indenture  dated as of May 24, 1999 among
                  KMC Telecom Holdings,  Inc., KMC Telecom  Financing,  Inc. and
                  The Chase Manhattan  Bank, as Trustee,  to the Indenture dated
                  as of January 29, 1998 between KMC Telecom Holdings,  Inc. and
                  The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee.

         4.2      Indenture dated as of May 24, 1999 among KMC Telecom Holdings,
                  Inc.,  KMC Telecom  Financing,  Inc.  and The Chase  Manhattan
                  Bank, as Trustee,  including specimen of KMC Telecom Holdings,
                  Inc.'s 13 1/2% Senior Notes due 2009.

         4.3      Purchase  Agreement  dated  May 19,  1999  among  KMC  Telecom
                  Holdings,  Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated,  Credit
                  Suisse First Boston  Corporation,  First Union Capital Markets
                  Corp., CIBC World Markets Corp., BancBoston Robertson Stephens
                  Inc. and Wasserstein Perella Securities, Inc.

         4.4      Collateral Pledge and Security Agreement made and entered into
                  as of May 24, 1999 by KMC Telecom Financing,  Inc. in favor of
                  The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee.

         4.5      Registration  Rights  Agreement  dated May 19,  1999 among KMC
                  Telecom Holdings,  Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated,
                  Credit  Suisse First Boston  Corporation,  First Union Capital
                  Markets Corp., CIBC World Markets Corp.,  BancBoston Robertson
                  Stephens Inc. and Wasserstein Perella Securities, Inc.

         27.1     Financial Data Schedule.


                                       22
<PAGE>


         (b)   REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

         No  reports on Form 8-K were filed by the  Company  during the  quarter
         ended September 30, 1999.





















                                       23
<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the  requirements  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.

DATED:    November 12, 1999



                                           KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.
                                                   (Registrant)



                                           By: /S/        MICHAEL A. STERNBERG
                                               -------------------------------
                                           Michael A. Sternberg
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer
                                           (Principal Executive Officer)



                                           By: /S/          JAMES D. GRENFELL
                                               -------------------------------
                                           James D. Grenfell
                                           Executive Vice President, Chief
                                           Financial Officer and Secretary
                                           (Principal Financial Officer)












                                       24
<PAGE>



EXHIBIT INDEX

         NO.      DESCRIPTION

         4.1      First  Supplemental  Indenture  dated as of May 24, 1999 among
                  KMC Telecom Holdings,  Inc., KMC Telecom  Financing,  Inc. and
                  The Chase Manhattan  Bank, as Trustee,  to the Indenture dated
                  as of January 29, 1998 between KMC Telecom Holdings,  Inc. and
                  The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee.

         4.2      Indenture dated as of May 24, 1999 among KMC Telecom Holdings,
                  Inc.,  KMC Telecom  Financing,  Inc.  and The Chase  Manhattan
                  Bank, as Trustee,  including specimen of KMC Telecom Holdings,
                  Inc.'s 13 1/2% Senior Notes due 2009.

         4.3      Purchase  Agreement  dated  May 19,  1999  among  KMC  Telecom
                  Holdings,  Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated,  Credit
                  Suisse First Boston  Corporation,  First Union Capital Markets
                  Corp., CIBC World Markets Corp., BancBoston Robertson Stephens
                  Inc. and Wasserstein Perella Securities, Inc.

         4.4      Collateral Pledge and Security Agreement made and entered into
                  as of May 24, 1999 by KMC Telecom Financing,  Inc. in favor of
                  The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee.

         4.5      Registration  Rights  Agreement  dated May 19,  1999 among KMC
                  Telecom Holdings,  Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated,
                  Credit  Suisse First Boston  Corporation,  First Union Capital
                  Markets Corp., CIBC World Markets Corp.,  BancBoston Robertson
                  Stephens Inc. and Wasserstein Perella Securities, Inc.

         27.1     Financial Data Schedule.




                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1






                          KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.,
                                    as Issuer,



                           KMC TELECOM FINANCING, INC.
                                  as Guarantor,


                                      and


                           THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                    as Trustee




                         First Supplemental Indenture

                           Dated as of May 24, 1999





                      12 1/2% Senior Discount Notes due 2008






<PAGE>


            THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL  INDENTURE,  dated as of May 24, 1999, among
KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS,  INC., a Delaware corporation,  as issuer (the "COMPANY"),
KMC TELECOM FINANCING,  INC., a Delaware corporation and a Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company, as guarantor (the "GUARANTOR"), and THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as
trustee (the "TRUSTEE").


                             RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

            WHEREAS,  the Company and the Trustee have entered into that certain
indenture dated as of January 29, 1998 (the "SENIOR DISCOUNT NOTES  INDENTURE"),
pursuant to which the Company issued in the original aggregate  principal amount
at maturity of  $460,800,000 12 1/2% Senior Discount Notes due 2008 (the "SENIOR
DISCOUNT NOTES");

            WHEREAS,  the Company covenanted and agreed pursuant to the terms of
the Senior Discount Notes Indenture not to permit any Restricted  Subsidiary (as
defined in the Senior  Discount Notes  Indenture),  directly or  indirectly,  to
guarantee any indebtedness of the Company which is equal or subordinate in right
of payment  with the Senior  Discount  Notes unless such  Restricted  Subsidiary
simultaneously  executes  and  delivers a  supplemental  indenture to the Senior
Discount Notes Indenture to provide for a Guarantee of the payment of the Senior
Discount Notes by such Restricted Subsidiary;

            WHEREAS, the Guarantor is a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

            WHEREAS,  the Company,  the  Guarantor  and the Trustee have entered
into that certain  indenture dated as of the date hereof (as amended,  restated,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the "INDENTURE"), pursuant
to which the Company is issuing on the date  hereof  $275,000,000  in  aggregate
principal  amount of 13 1/2% Senior Notes due 2009 (the "NOTES") which are equal
in right of payment with the Senior Discount Notes; and

            WHEREAS,  the Notes are guaranteed by the Guarantor  pursuant to the
terms of the Indenture.

            NOW,  THEREFORE,  for and in  consideration  of the premises and the
mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree,
for the equal and  proportionate  benefit of all Holders of the Senior  Discount
Notes, as follows:

<PAGE>
                                       2



                                    ARTICLE I

                            RATIFICATION; DEFINITIONS

            SECTION 1.01. FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE.  This First Supplemental
Indenture is  supplemental  to, and is entered into in  accordance  with Section
9.01 of the Senior Discount Notes Indenture, and except as modified, amended and
supplemented by this First Supplemental Indenture,  the provisions of the Senior
Discount  Notes  Indenture are in all respects  ratified and confirmed and shall
remain in full force and effect; and

            SECTION  1.02.  DEFINITIONS.  Unless  the  context  shall  otherwise
require,  all terms  which are  defined in Section  1.01 of the Senior  Discount
Notes  Indenture  shall  have the same  meanings,  respectively,  in this  First
Supplemental  Indenture  as such  terms  are given in said  Section  1.01 of the
Senior Discount Notes Indenture.


                                   ARTICLE II
                       GUARANTEE OF SENIOR DISCOUNT NOTES

            SECTION  2.01.  GUARANTEE.  (a)  Subject to the  provisions  of this
Supplemental  Indenture,   the  Guarantor  hereby  fully,   unconditionally  and
irrevocably guarantees  (hereinafter referred to as the "SUBSIDIARY  GUARANTEE")
to each holder of the Senior Discount Notes (each, a "HOLDER" and  collectively,
the "HOLDERS") and to the Trustee on behalf of itself and such Holders:

            (i) the due and punctual  payment of the Accreted Value or principal
      amount at maturity  of,  premium,  if any, on and  interest on each Senior
      Discount  Note  outstanding  as of the date  hereof,  when and as the same
      shall become due and  payable,  whether at maturity,  by  acceleration  or
      otherwise,  the  due and  punctual  payment  of  interest  on the  overdue
      principal of and interest,  if any, on such Senior  Discount Notes, to the
      extent  lawful,  and  the  due  and  punctual  performance  of  all  other
      obligations  of  the  Company  to  the  Holders  or  the  Trustee,  all in
      accordance  with the terms of such  Senior  Discount  Note and the  Senior
      Discount Note Indenture; and

            (ii) in the case of any  extension  of time of payment or renewal of
      any such Senior Discount Note or any of such other  obligations,  that the
      same will be promptly  paid in full when due or  performed  in  accordance
      with the  terms of the  extension  or  renewal,  at  Stated  Maturity,  by
      acceleration or otherwise.

<PAGE>
                                       3


      (b) The Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment,
filing of  claims  with a court in the  event of  merger  or  bankruptcy  of the
Company,  any right to require a  proceeding  first  against  the  Company,  the
benefit  of  discussion,  protest  or notice  with  respect  to any such  Senior
Discount  Note or the debt  evidenced  thereby and all demands  whatsoever,  and
covenants that this  Subsidiary  Guarantee will not be discharged as to any such
Senior  Discount  Note  except  by  payment  in full of the  Accreted  Value  or
principal  amount  at  maturity  thereof  and  interest  thereon  in the  manner
contemplated  by the  terms of the  Senior  Discount  Notes  Indenture.  For the
purposes of this First Supplemental  Indenture,  the maturity of the obligations
guaranteed  hereby may be  accelerated  as set forth  under  Article  Six of the
Senior Discount Notes Indenture  (hereinafter  referred to as "ARTICLE SIX"). In
the event of any declaration of acceleration of such  obligations as provided in
such  Article  Six,  such  obligations  (whether or not due and  payable)  shall
forthwith  become due and payable by the Guarantor for the purpose of this First
Supplemental Indenture. In addition,  without limiting the foregoing provisions,
upon the  effectiveness  of an  acceleration  under Article Six, the Trustee may
make a demand for payment on the Senior  Discount  Notes  under this  Subsidiary
Guarantee.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  this  Subsidiary  Guarantee by the
Guarantor shall  automatically  terminate upon the earlier of (i) the payment in
full of the Accreted Value or principal amount at maturity of, premium,  if any,
and interest on all  outstanding  Senior Discount Notes and (ii) the termination
of the guarantee of the Notes by the Guarantor in accordance  with Section 11.01
of the Indenture,  unless such termination  under Section 11.01 of the Indenture
results from a payment by the Guarantor under the Note Guarantee. If the Trustee
or the Holder is required by any court or  otherwise to return to the Company or
the Guarantor, or any custodian, receiver, liquidator,  trustee, sequestrator or
other similar  official acting in relation to the Company or the Guarantor,  any
amount paid to the Trustee or such Holder in respect of a Senior  Discount Note,
this  Subsidiary  Guarantee,  to the  extent  theretofore  discharged,  shall be
reinstated  in full force and  effect.  The  Guarantor  further  agrees,  to the
fullest extent that it may lawfully do so, that, as between it, on the one hand,
and the  Holders  and the  Trustee,  on the  other  hand,  the  maturity  of the
obligations  guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Six for
the purposes of this Subsidiary Guarantee,  notwithstanding any stay, injunction
or other prohibition extant under any applicable  bankruptcy law preventing such
acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby.

      (c) Until such time as the Senior  Discount  Notes  outstanding  as of the
date  hereof  are fully and  finally  paid,  including  all  interest,  premium,
principal and  liquidated  damages with respect  thereto,  the Guarantor  hereby
irrevocably  waives  any  claim or other  rights  which it may now or  hereafter
acquire against the Company that arise from the existence,  payment, performance
or  enforcement  of its  obligations  under this  Subsidiary  Guarantee and this
Supplemental Indenture, including, without limitation, any right of subrogation,

<PAGE>
                                       4


reimbursement,   exoneration,   contribution,   indemnification,  any  right  to
participate  in any claim or remedy of the  Holders  against  the Company or any
collateral  which any such  Holder  or the  Trustee  on  behalf  of such  Holder
hereafter acquires, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity,
or under contract,  statute or common law, including,  without  limitation,  the
right to take or receive from the Company,  directly or  indirectly,  in cash or
other  property  or by set-off or in any other  manner,  payment or  security on
account  of such  claim  or other  rights.  If any  amount  shall be paid to the
Guarantor  in  violation of the  preceding  sentence  and the Accreted  Value or
principal  amount at maturity of, premium,  if any, and accrued  interest on the
Senior  Discount  Notes or any other  amounts  payable by the Company  under the
Senior  Discount Notes  Indenture  shall not have been paid in full, such amount
shall be deemed to have been paid to the  Guarantor for the benefit of, and held
in trust for the benefit of, the Holders and the Trustee, and shall forthwith be
paid to the Trustee for the benefit of itself and the Holders to be credited and
applied upon the  principal  of,  premium,  if any, and accrued  interest on the
Senior Discount Notes.

      (d) This Subsidiary  Guarantee shall not be valid or become obligatory for
any purpose  with respect to a Senior  Discount  Note until the  certificate  of
authentication on the Note shall have been signed by or on behalf of the Trustee
pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.

            SECTION  2.02.  OBLIGATIONS  UNCONDITIONAL.  (a)  Subject to Section
2.05,  nothing contained in this First  Supplemental  Indenture or in the Senior
Discount  Notes is  intended to or shall  impair,  as among the  Guarantor,  the
Trustee and the Holders, the obligation of the Guarantor,  which is absolute and
unconditional,  upon failure by the Company,  to pay to the Holders the Accreted
Value or principal  amount at maturity of, premium,  if any, and interest on the
Senior  Discount  Notes  outstanding  as of the date hereof as and when the same
shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms or any other amounts
payable by the Company under the Senior Discount Notes Indenture, or is intended
to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders, the Trustee and creditors
of the Guarantor,  nor shall anything  herein or therein  prevent the Holders of
such Senior  Discount  Notes or the Trustee on their behalf from  exercising all
remedies  otherwise   permitted  by  applicable  law  upon  default  under  this
Indenture.

      (b)  Without  limiting  the  foregoing,  nothing  contained  in this First
Supplemental  Indenture will restrict the right of the Trustee or the Holders to
take any action to declare this Subsidiary Guarantee to be due and payable prior
to the Stated  Maturity of the Senior  Discount Notes or to pursue any rights or
remedies hereunder.

<PAGE>
                                       5


            SECTION 2.03.  NOTICE TO TRUSTEE.  The  Guarantor  shall give prompt
written  notice to the  Trustee of any fact known to the  Guarantor  which would
prohibit  the  making of any  payment  to or by the  Trustee  in respect of this
Subsidiary  Guarantee  pursuant  to the  provisions  of this First  Supplemental
Indenture.

            SECTION  2.04.  THIS ARTICLE NOT TO PREVENT  EVENTS OF DEFAULT.  The
failure to make a payment on account of the Accreted  Value or principal  amount
at maturity of,  premium,  if any, or interest on the Senior  Discount  Notes by
reason  of any  provision  of this  First  Supplemental  Indenture  will  not be
construed as preventing the occurrence of an Event of Default.

            SECTION  2.05.  NET  WORTH  LIMITATION.  Notwithstanding  any  other
provision  of the Senior  Discount  Notes  Indenture,  this  First  Supplemental
Indenture or the Senior Discount Notes and this Subsidiary Guarantee, this First
Supplemental  Indenture  shall not be  enforceable  against the  Guarantor in an
amount  in  excess  of  the  net  worth  of  the  Guarantor  at  the  time  that
determination  of such net worth  is,  under  applicable  law,  relevant  to the
enforceability of the Note Guarantee  pursuant to the terms of the Indenture and
the Collateral Pledge and Security  Agreement.  Such net worth shall include any
claim or future claim of the Guarantor against the Company for reimbursement and
any claim against any grantor of a Guarantee for contribution.


                                   ARTICLE III

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

            SECTION  3.01.  NOTICES.   Any  notice  or  communication  shall  be
sufficiently  given if in  writing  and  delivered  in person or mailed by first
class mail, commercial courier service or telecopier communication, addressed as
follows:

            IF TO THE COMPANY OR THE GUARANTOR:

                  KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc.
                  1545 Route 206, Suite 300
                  Bedminster, New Jersey  07921
                  Telecopier Number:  (908) 719-8775
                  Attention: Chief Financial Officer

                        With a copy to:

                  Kelley Drye & Warren LLP
                  101 Park Avenue
                  New York, NY  10178
                  Attention: Alan M. Epstein, Esq.

<PAGE>
                                       6

                        and a copy to:

                  Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
                  425 Lexington Avenue
                  New York, NY 10017 - 3954
                  Attention: Arthur D. Robinson, Esq.

            IF TO THE TRUSTEE:

                  The Chase Manhattan Bank
                  450 West 33rd Street, 15th Floor
                  New York, New York  10001-2697
                  Telecopier Number:  (212) 946-8159/8160
                  Attention: Capital Markets Fiduciary Services

                        With a copy to:

                  Pryor Cashman Sherman & Flynn, LLP
                  410 Park Avenue
                  New York, NY  10022
                  Attention: Eric Hellige, Esq.

            The  Company,  the  Guarantor or the Trustee by notice to the others
may  designate  additional  or different  addresses  for  subsequent  notices or
communications.

            SECTION 3.02.  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  All covenants and agreements
of the  Company,  the  Guarantor  and the  Trustee  in this  First  Supplemental
Indenture shall bind their respective successors.

            SECTION 3.03. COUNTERPARTS. This First Supplemental Indenture may be
executed in any number of  counterparts  and by the  parties  hereto in separate
counterparts,  each of which when so executed  shall be deemed to be an original
and all of  which  taken  together  shall  constitute  one and  the  same  First
Supplemental Indenture.

            SECTION 3.04. GOVERNING LAW. This First Supplemental Indenture shall
be governed by and construed in  accordance  with the internal laws of the State
of New York.

<PAGE>
                                       7


            SECTION  3.05.  SEPARABILITY.  In case any  provision  in this First
Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity,
legality and enforceability of the remaining  provisions shall not in any way be
affected or impaired thereby.

            SECTION 3.06.  EFFECTIVE  DATE.  This First  Supplemental  Indenture
shall become effective as of the date hereof.

            SECTION 3.07.  INCORPORATION INTO INDENTURE.  All provisions of this
First  Supplemental  Indenture shall be deemed to be  incorporated  in, and made
part of, the Senior  Discount  Notes  Indenture;  and the Senior  Discount Notes
Indenture,  as amended and  supplemented by this First  Supplemental  Indenture,
shall be read, taken and construed as one and the same instrument.

            SECTION 3.08. THE TRUSTEE.  The Trustee shall not be responsible for
or in  respect  of the  validity  or  sufficiency  of  this  First  Supplemental
Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals  contained  herein,  all of which
are made solely by the Company.



<PAGE>



                                  SIGNATURES

            IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  have  caused  this First
Supplemental  Indenture to be duly  executed,  all as of the date first  written
above.


                                            KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.



                                            By:   /s/ James D. Grenfell
                                                  ------------------------
                                            Name:  JAMES D. GRENFELL
                                            Title: EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT,
                                                   CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER



                                            KMC TELECOM FINANCING, INC.
                                                as Guarantor



                                            By:   /s/ James D. Grenfell
                                                  ------------------------
                                            Name:  JAMES D. GRENFELL
                                            Title: EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT,
                                                   CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER


                                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                               as Trustee



                                            By:   /s/ P. Kelly
                                                  ------------------------
                                            Name:
                                            Title:



                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.2







                           KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.,
                                   as Issuer,



                           KMC TELECOM FINANCING, INC.
                                  as Guarantor,


                                       and


                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                   as Trustee




                                    Indenture

                            Dated as of May 24, 1999





                          13 1/2% Senior Notes due 2009






<PAGE>

                              CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE



TIA SECTIONS                                       INDENTURE SECTIONS

ss. 310(a)(1).....................................          7.10
       (a)(5).....................................          7.10
       (b)........................................          7.03; 7.08
ss. 311...........................................          7.03
ss. 313(a)........................................          7.06
       (c)........................................          7.05; 7.06
ss. 314(a)........................................          4.17
       (b)........................................          10.01
       (c)(1).....................................          1.01
       (d)........................................          10.01
       (e)........................................          1.01
ss. 315(a)........................................          7.02
       (b)........................................          7.05; 10.02
ss. 316(a)........................................          6.06

Note: The Cross-Reference Table shall not for any purpose be deemed to be a
      part of the Indenture.


<PAGE>



                                      iii



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                            Page

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

ARTICLE ONE   DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
   SECTION 1.01.  Definitions................................................1
   SECTION 1.02.  Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.........25
   SECTION 1.03.  Rules of Construction.....................................26

ARTICLE TWO  THE NOTES
   SECTION 2.01.  Form and Dating...........................................26
   SECTION 2.02.  Restrictive Legends.......................................28
   SECTION 2.03.  Execution, Authentication and Denominations...............30
   SECTION 2.04.  Registrar and Paying Agent................................31
   SECTION 2.05.  Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.......................32
   SECTION 2.06.  Transfer and Exchange.....................................32
   SECTION 2.07.  Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes....................33
   SECTION 2.08.  Special Transfer Provisions...............................35
   SECTION 2.09.  Replacement Notes.........................................38
   SECTION 2.10.  Outstanding Notes.........................................38
   SECTION 2.11.  Temporary Notes...........................................39
   SECTION 2.12.  Cancellation..............................................39
   SECTION 2.13.  CUSIP Numbers.............................................39
   SECTION 2.14.  Defaulted Interest........................................40
   SECTION 2.15.  Issuance of Additional Notes..............................40

ARTICLE THREE  REDEMPTION
   SECTION 3.01.  Right of Redemption.......................................40
   SECTION 3.02.  Notices to Trustee........................................41
   SECTION 3.03.  Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed.........................41
   SECTION 3.04.  Notice of Redemption......................................41
   SECTION 3.05.  Effect of Notice of Redemption............................43
   SECTION 3.06.  Deposit of Redemption Price...............................43
   SECTION 3.07.  Payment of Notes Called for Redemption....................43
   SECTION 3.08.  Notes Redeemed in Part....................................43

<PAGE>
                                       iv
                                                                            Page

ARTICLE FOUR  COVENANTS
   SECTION 4.01.  Payment of Notes..........................................44
   SECTION 4.02.  Maintenance of Office or Agency...........................44
   SECTION 4.03.  Limitation on Indebtedness................................45
   SECTION 4.04.  Limitation on Restricted Payments.........................48
   SECTION 4.05.  Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions
                  Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.........................52
   SECTION 4.06.  Limitation on the Issuance and Sale of Capital Stock of
                  Restricted Subsidiaries...................................53
   SECTION 4.07.  Limitation on Issuances of Guarantees by Restricted
                  Subsidiaries..............................................54
   SECTION 4.08.  Limitation on Transactions with Shareholders and Affiliates55
   SECTION 4.09.  Limitation on Liens.......................................56
   SECTION 4.10.  Limitation on Sale-Leaseback Transactions.................57
   SECTION 4.11.  Limitation on Asset Sales.................................57
   SECTION 4.12.  Repurchase of Notes upon a Change of Control..............59
   SECTION 4.13.  Existence.................................................59
   SECTION 4.14.  Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.........................59
   SECTION 4.15.  Maintenance of Properties and Insurance...................59
   SECTION 4.16.  Notice of Defaults........................................60
   SECTION 4.17.  Compliance Certificates...................................60
   SECTION 4.18.  Commission Reports and Reports to Holders.................60
   SECTION 4.19.  Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws...................61
   SECTION 4.20   Limitation on Incurrence of Liability by Guarantor .......61

ARTICLE FIVE  SUCCESSOR CORPORATION
   SECTION 5.01.  When Company May Merge, Etc...............................61
   SECTION 5.02.  Successor Substituted.....................................62

ARTICLE SIX  DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
   SECTION 6.01.  Events of Default.........................................63
   SECTION 6.02.  Acceleration..............................................64
   SECTION 6.03.  Other Remedies............................................65
   SECTION 6.04.  Waiver of Past Defaults...................................65
   SECTION 6.05.  Control by Majority.......................................65
   SECTION 6.06.  Limitation on Suits.......................................66
   SECTION 6.07.  Rights of Holders to Receive Payment......................66
   SECTION 6.08.  Collection Suit by Trustee................................66
   SECTION 6.09.  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim..........................67
   SECTION 6.10.  Priorities................................................67
   SECTION 6.11.  Undertaking for Costs.....................................68
   SECTION 6.12.  Restoration of Rights and Remedies........................68
   SECTION 6.13.  Rights and Remedies Cumulative............................68
   SECTION 6.14.  Delay or Omission Not Waiver..............................68

<PAGE>
                                       v
                                                                            Page
ARTICLE SEVEN  TRUSTEE
   SECTION 7.01.  General...................................................69
   SECTION 7.02.  Certain Rights of Trustee.................................69
   SECTION 7.03.  Individual Rights of Trustee..............................70
   SECTION 7.04.  Trustee's Disclaimer......................................70
   SECTION 7.05.  Notice of Default.........................................71
   SECTION 7.06.  Reports by Trustee to Holders.............................71
   SECTION 7.07.  Compensation and Indemnity................................71
   SECTION 7.08.  Replacement of Trustee....................................72
   SECTION 7.09.  Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc..........................73
   SECTION 7.10.  Eligibility...............................................73
   SECTION 7.11.  Money Held in Trust.......................................73
   SECTION 7.12.  Withholding Taxes.........................................73

ARTICLE EIGHT  DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
   SECTION 8.01. Termination of the Company's Obligations...................74
   SECTION 8.02.  Defeasance and Discharge of Indenture.....................75
   SECTION 8.03.  Defeasance of Certain Obligations.........................76
   SECTION 8.04.  Application of Trust Money................................77
   SECTION 8.05.  Repayment to Company......................................77
   SECTION 8.06.  Reinstatement.............................................77
   SECTION 8.07.  Defeasance and Certain Other Events of Default............78

ARTICLE NINE    AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS
   SECTION 9.01.  Without Consent of Holders................................78
   SECTION 9.02.  With Consent of Holders...................................79
   SECTION 9.03.  Revocation and Effect of Consent..........................80
   SECTION 9.04.  Notation on or Exchange of Notes..........................81
   SECTION 9.05.  Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc...........................81
   SECTION 9.06.  Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.......................81

ARTICLE TEN     SECURITY
   SECTION 10.01.  Security.................................................81

<PAGE>
                                       vi
                                                                            Page
ARTICLE ELEVEN  GUARANTEE
   SECTION 11.01.  Guarantee................................................81
   SECTION 11.02.  Obligations Unconditional................................81
   SECTION 11.03.  Notice to Trustee........................................81
   SECTION 11.03.  This Article Not to Prevent Events of Default............81
   SECTION 11.03.  Net Worth Limitation.....................................81

ARTICLE TWELVE  MISCELLANEOUS
   SECTION 12.01.  Trust Indenture Act of 1939..............................83
   SECTION 12.02.  Notices..................................................83
   SECTION 12.03.  Certificate and Opinion As to Conditions Precedent.......85
   SECTION 12.04.  Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion............85
   SECTION 12.05.  Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar..............85
   SECTION 12.06.  Payment Date Other Than a Business Day...................85
   SECTION 12.07.  Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Agent for
                   Service..................................................86
   SECTION 12.08.  No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements............86
   SECTION 12.09.  No Recourse Against Others...............................86
   SECTION 12.10.  Successors...............................................86
   SECTION 12.11.  Duplicate Originals......................................86
   SECTION 12.12.  Separability.............................................86
   SECTION 12.13.  Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.........................87

   EXHIBIT A      Form of Note.............................................A-1
   EXHIBIT B      Form of Certificate......................................B-1
   EXHIBIT C      Form of Certificate to Be Delivered in Connection with
                  Transfers Pursuant to Regulation S.......................C-1
   EXHIBIT D      Form of Certificate to Be Delivered in Connection with
                  Transfers to Non-QIB Accredited Investors................D-1


<PAGE>


            INDENTURE,  dated as of May 24,  1999,  among KMC TELECOM  HOLDINGS,
INC., a Delaware corporation,  as issuer (the "COMPANY"), KMC TELECOM FINANCING,
INC., as guarantor (the  "GUARANTOR"),  and THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as trustee
(the "TRUSTEE").

                             RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

            The Company has duly  authorized  the execution and delivery of this
Indenture to provide for the issuance  from time to time of 13 1/2% Senior Notes
due 2009 as well as the Exchange Notes  (collectively,  the "NOTES") issuable as
provided in this Indenture.  Pursuant to the terms of a Purchase Agreement dated
as of May 19,  1999 (the  "PURCHASE  AGREEMENT")  between the Company and Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated,  Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, First Union
Capital Markets Corp., CIBC World Markets Corp.,  BancBoston  Robertson Stephens
Inc.  and  Wasserstein  Perella  Securities,  Inc.  (collectively,  the "INITIAL
PURCHASERS"),  the Company has agreed to issue and sell  $275,000,000  aggregate
principal  amount of the Notes.  All things  necessary to make this  Indenture a
valid agreement of the Company and the Guarantor,  in accordance with its terms,
have been done, and the Company has done all things necessary to make the Notes,
when  executed by the Company and  authenticated  and  delivered  by the Trustee
hereunder and duly issued by the Company,  the valid  obligations of the Company
as hereinafter provided. The Guarantor has done all things necessary to make the
Note Guarantee (as defined herein), when executed by the Guarantor and the Notes
are  authenticated by and delivered by the Trustee,  the valid obligation of the
Guarantor as  hereinafter  provided.  The Notes will be secured  pursuant to the
terms of a Pledge  Agreement  (as  defined  herein)  by  Pledged  Securities  as
provided by Article Eleven of this Indenture.

            This Indenture  will,  upon the  effectiveness  of the  registration
statement provided for under the Registration  Rights Agreement,  be subject to,
and governed by, the provisions of the Trust  Indenture Act of 1939, as amended,
that are required to be a part of and to govern  indentures  qualified under the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

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


<PAGE>
                                       2




                                   ARTICLE ONE
                  DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

            SECTION 1.01.  DEFINITIONS.

             "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 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.

<PAGE>
                                       3

             "Adjusted  Consolidated  Net Income"  means,  for any  period,  the
aggregate  net income (or loss) of the Company 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 Company
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 (iv) (C) of
paragraph  (a) of Section  4.04 hereof  (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 Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or all or
substantially  all of the property and assets of such Person are acquired by the
Company  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  or  the  termination  of  discontinued
operations;  (v) except for  purposes of  calculating  the amount of  Restricted
Payments  that may be made  pursuant  to  clause  (iv) (C) of  paragraph  (a) of
Section 4.04 hereof,  any amount paid or accrued as dividends on Preferred Stock
of the  Company or any  Restricted  Subsidiary  owned by Persons  other than the
Company 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 Closing Date; and (viii) at the irrevocable election of the
Company 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 under Section 4.04 hereof,  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  Company  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  Company  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  Company  and its  Restricted  Subsidiaries,
prepared in conformity  with GAAP,  and filed with the Commission or provided to
the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.18 hereof.

             "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.

             "Agent" means any Registrar, Paying Agent, authenticating agent
or co-Registrar.

             "Agent Members" has the meaning provided in Section 2.07(a).

             "Asset  Acquisition"  means (i) an investment by the Company 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 Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (ii) an acquisition by
the Company or any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries of the property and assets of
any Person  other than the Company or any of its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  that
constitute substantially all of a division or line of business of such Person.

<PAGE>
                                       4

             "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  Company or any of its
Restricted  Subsidiaries  to any  Person  other  than the  Company 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 Company 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  Company  or  any  of  its
Restricted  Subsidiaries  outside the ordinary course of business of the Company
or such Restricted Subsidiary and, in each case, that is not governed by Article
Five  hereof;  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 (B)
of paragraph (b) of Section 4.11 hereof,  (c) a disposition of cash or Temporary
Cash Investments,  (d) any Restricted  Payment that is permitted to be made, and
is made,  under Section 4.04 hereof,  (e) sales or other  dispositions of assets
with a fair market  value (as  certified  in an  Officers'  Certificate)  not in
excess of $500,000 (provided that any series of related sales or dispositions in
excess of $500,000 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
Company or any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries  otherwise  permitted  under this
Indenture  and the  indenture  for the Senior  Discount  Notes,  including  such
pledges securing  Indebtedness under the Senior Secured Credit Facility or under
the Lucent Facility, and (i) the exercise of warrants to acquire Common Stock of
the Company and the exercise of warrants to acquire Common Stock of KMC Telecom,
Inc. by Newcourt Finance.

             "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 Company or
the  Guarantor  as  required by the  context or any  committee  of such Board of
Directors duly authorized to act under this Indenture.

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

             "Business Day" means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day
on  which  commercial  banks  in The  City of New  York,  or in the  city of the
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, are authorized by law to close.

<PAGE>
                                       5


             "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,  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.

             "Certificated Notes" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.

             "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 35% of the  total  voting  power of the  Voting  Stock of the
Company  on a fully  diluted  basis  and such  ownership  represents  a  greater
percentage  of the total voting  power of the Voting Stock of the Company,  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  Company's
stockholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the members of the
Board of  Directors  then in office  who  either  were  members  of the Board of
Directors on the Closing Date or whose  election or nomination  for election was
previously  so  approved)  cease for any reason to  constitute a majority of the
members of the Board of Directors then in office.

             "Closing  Date"  means the date on which  the Notes are  originally
issued under this Indenture.

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

<PAGE>
                                       6

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

             "Company"  means the party named as such in the first  paragraph of
this  Indenture  until  a  successor  replaces  it  pursuant  to the  applicable
provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor.

             "Company Order" means a written request or order signed in the name
of the Company (i) by its Chairman of the Board, its Vice Chairman of the Board,
its  President  or a Vice  President  and (ii) by its Chief  Financial  Officer,
Treasurer,  an Assistant Treasurer,  its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary and
delivered to the Trustee; PROVIDED,  HOWEVER, that such written request or order
may be signed by any two of the officers or directors listed in clause (i) above
in lieu of being  signed by one of such  officers  or  directors  listed in such
clause (i) and one of the officers listed in clause (ii) above.

             "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 Company
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  Company  or any of its  Restricted
Subsidiaries.

<PAGE>
                                       7

             "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
Company 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  Company 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 Senior Secured  Credit  Facility and the offerings of the
Series E Preferred  Stock,  the Series F Preferred  Stock,  the Senior  Discount
Notes and the Notes,  all as determined on a consolidated  basis (without taking
into account Unrestricted Subsidiaries) in conformity with GAAP.


<PAGE>
                                       8

             "Consolidated  Leverage Ratio" means, on any Transaction  Date, the
ratio  of (i) the  aggregate  amount  of  Indebtedness  of the  Company  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 Company have
been filed with the  Commission  or provided to the Trustee  pursuant to Section
4.18 hereof (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"): (1) 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; (2) the Incurrence, repayment or retirement of any other Indebtedness by
the  Company  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; (3) in the case of Acquired  Indebtedness,
the related acquisition, as if such acquisition occurred at the beginning of the
Four Quarter  Period;  (4) any acquisition or disposition by the Company and its
Restricted  Subsidiaries of any company 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 Company  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 Trustee 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 Company  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 (5) the occurrence of any
of the events described in clauses (1) - (4) above by any Person that has become
a  Restricted  Subsidiary  or has been  merged  with or into the  Company or any
Restricted  Subsidiary during such Reference  Period;  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  (taking into
account any Interest Rate Agreements  applicable to such  Indebtedness)  and (B)
which was not  outstanding  during the period for which the computation is being
made but which bears, at the option of the Company,  a fixed or floating rate of
interest shall be computed by applying, at the option of the Company, either the
fixed or floating rate,  and (y) in making such  computation,  the  Consolidated
Interest  Expense of the Company  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.

             "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 Company 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 Company 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).

<PAGE>
                                       9

             "Corporate  Trust  Office" means the office of the Trustee at which
the corporate  trust business of the Trustee shall,  at any particular  time, be
principally  administered,  which  office  is,  at the  date of this  Indenture,
located at 450 West 33rd Street, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10001-2697, Attention:
Capital Markets Fiduciary Services.

             "Currency Agreement" means any foreign exchange contract,  currency
swap agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement.

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

             "Depository" shall mean The Depository Trust Company, its nominees,
and their respective successors.

             "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 Stated Maturity of the Notes, (ii) redeemable at the option of the holder
of such  class or  series  of  Capital  Stock at any  time  prior to the  Stated
Maturity  of the Notes or (iii)  convertible  into or  exchangeable  for Capital
Stock referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above or Indebtedness having a scheduled
maturity  prior to the Stated  Maturity of the Notes;  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  Stated  Maturity  of  the  Notes  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  contained  in
Sections  4.11 and 4.12 hereof 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  Company's  repurchase  of such  Notes  as are
required to be repurchased pursuant to Sections 4.11 and 4.12 hereof.

             "Equity  Offering" means any public or private sale of Common Stock
or Preferred Stock of the Company  (excluding  Disqualified  Stock),  other than
public  offerings with respect to the Company's  Common Stock registered on Form
S-8.

             "Event of Default" has the meaning provided in Section 6.01.


<PAGE>
                                       10


             "Excess Proceeds" has the meaning provided in Section 4.11.

             "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

             "Exchange  Notes" means any notes of the Company  containing  terms
identical to the Notes (except that such Exchange  Notes (i) shall be registered
under the  Securities  Act, (ii) will not provide for an increase in the rate of
interest (other than with respect to overdue amounts) and (iii) will not contain
terms with respect to transfer  restrictions)  that are issued and exchanged for
the Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and this Indenture.

             "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 (ix) of paragraph  (b) of Section 4.03 hereof,  (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 Company exceeds $10 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 Trustee.

             "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United
States of  America  as in  effect as of the  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  Indenture  shall be computed in  conformity  with GAAP  applied on a
consistent  basis,  except that  calculations  made for purposes of  determining
compliance  with the terms of the  covenants  and with other  provisions of this
Indenture  shall be made without  giving effect to (i) the  amortization  of any
expenses  incurred in connection  with the Lucent  Facility,  the Senior Secured
Credit  Facility and the offerings of the Notes,  the Senior  Discount Notes and
the Company's Series C, Series D, Series E and 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.

             "Global Notes" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.


<PAGE>
                                       11


             "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.

             "Guaranteed Indebtedness" has the meaning provided in Section
4.07.

             "Guarantor" means KMC Telecom Financing, Inc. and its successors
and assigns.

             "Guarantor  Order"  means a written  request or order signed in the
name of the Guarantor (i) by its Chairman of the Board, the Vice Chairman of the
Board,  its  President  or a Vice  President  and  (ii) by its  Chief  Financial
Officer,  Treasurer,  an  Assistant  Treasurer,  its  Secretary  or an Assistant
Secretary and  delivered to the Trustee;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that such written
request or order may be signed by any two of the officers or directors listed in
clause (i) above in lieu of being  signed by one of such  officers or  directors
listed in such clause (i) and one of the officers listed in clause (ii) above.

             "Holder" or "Noteholder" means the registered holder of any
Note.

             "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.


<PAGE>
                                       12

             "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.

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

             "Initial Purchasers" has the meaning specified in the first
paragraph of the recitals to this Indenture.

             "Institutional  Accredited Investor" shall mean an institution that
is an "accredited investor" as that term is defined in Rule 501(a)(1),  (2), (3)
or (7) under the Securities Act.

             "Interest Payment Date" means each semiannual interest payment date
on May 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing November 15, 1999.

             "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>
                                       13

             "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 Company 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  Company  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 4.06 hereof;  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  4.04  hereof,  (i)  "Investment"  shall
include the fair  market  value of the assets  (net of  liabilities  (other than
liabilities  to the  Company  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  Company 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 Baa1 or higher by Moody's or the equivalent
of such rating by such rating  organization,  or, if no rating of 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 Company 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>
                                       14


             "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 Facility" means the vendor financing  facility among Lucent
Technologies  Inc.,  KMC Telecom  III,  Inc.  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,  as the same may be
amended,  restated,  modified,  renewed,  refunded,  replaced, or refinanced, in
whole  or in part,  from  time to time  (and  whether  or not with the  original
administrative  agent and  lenders  or other  administrative  agent or agents or
other lenders and whether  provided  under the original  Lucent  Facility or any
other credit agreement or indenture).

             "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 Company 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 Company 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
Company  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

<PAGE>
                                       15

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 Company 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.

             "Non-U.S. Person" means a Person who is not a U.S. person, as
defined in Regulation S.

             "Note Amount" has the meaning provided in Section 4.11 hereof.

             "Note Guarantee" means the Guarantee of the Notes by the
Guarantor as provided for in this Indenture.

             "Notes" means any of the notes,  as defined in the first  paragraph
of the  recitals  hereof,  that  are  authenticated  and  delivered  under  this
Indenture.  For all purposes of this  Indenture,  the term "Notes" shall include
any  Exchange  Notes to be issued and  exchanged  for any Notes  pursuant to the
Registration  Rights  Agreement  and this  Indenture  and,  for purposes of this
Indenture,  all Notes and  Exchange  Notes shall vote  together as one series of
Notes under this Indenture.

             "Note Register" has the meaning provided in Section 2.04.

             "Offer to Purchase" means an offer to purchase Notes by the Company
from the  Holders  commenced  by mailing a notice to the Trustee and each Holder
stating: (i) the covenant pursuant to which the offer is being made and that all
Notes validly  tendered  will be accepted for payment on a pro rata basis;  (ii)
the purchase  price and the Payment Date;  (iii) that any Note not tendered will
continue to accrue interest pursuant to its terms; (iv) that, unless the Company
defaults in the payment of the  purchase  price,  any Note  accepted for payment
pursuant  to the Offer to Purchase  shall cease to accrue  interest on and after
the Payment Date; (v) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to
the Offer to Purchase will be required to surrender the Note,  together with the
form  entitled  "Option of the Holder to Elect  Purchase" on the reverse side of
the Note completed,  to the Paying Agent at the address  specified in the notice
prior to the close of business on the Business  Day  immediately  preceding  the
Payment Date;  (vi) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw  their election if
the Paying  Agent  receives,  not later than the close of  business on the third
Business Day  immediately  preceding  the Payment  Date,  a telegram,  facsimile
transmission  or letter  setting  forth the name of such Holder,  the  principal
amount of Notes  delivered  for  purchase  and a  statement  that such Holder is
withdrawing  his election to have such Notes  purchased;  and (vii) that Holders

<PAGE>
                                       16


whose Notes are being  purchased  only in part will be issued new Notes equal in
principal amount to the unpurchased  portion of the Notes surrendered;  PROVIDED
that each Note purchased and each new Note issued shall be in a principal amount
of $1,000 or an integral  multiple  thereof.  On the Payment  Date,  the Company
shall:  (i) accept for  payment on a pro rata basis  Notes or  portions  thereof
tendered  pursuant to an Offer to  Purchase;  (ii) deposit with the Paying Agent
money  sufficient to pay the purchase price of all Notes or portions  thereof so
accepted; and (iii) deliver, or cause to be delivered,  to the Trustee all Notes
or  portions  thereof  so  accepted  together  with  an  Officers'   Certificate
specifying  the Notes or portions  thereof  accepted for payment by the Company.
The Paying Agent shall promptly mail to the Holders of Notes so accepted payment
in an amount equal to the purchase  price (or, if the Notes are  represented  by
one or more  permanent  global Notes  registered  in the name of The  Depository
Trust Company or its nominee, by such other method as required thereby), and the
Trustee shall promptly authenticate and mail to such Holders a new Note equal in
principal amount to any unpurchased  portion of the Note  surrendered;  PROVIDED
that each Note purchased and each new Note issued shall be in a principal amount
of $1,000 or an integral  multiple  thereof.  The Company will publicly announce
the  results of an Offer to Purchase  as soon as  practicable  after the Payment
Date.  The Trustee  shall act as the Paying Agent for an Offer to Purchase.  The
Company  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  Company  is  required  to
repurchase Notes pursuant to an Offer to Purchase.

             "Officer" means, with respect to the Company or the Guarantor,  (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 Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be.

             "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.  Each Officers'  Certificate (other than certificates provided pursuant
to TIA Section  314(a)(4)) shall include the statements  provided for in Section
12.04.

             "Offshore Global Note" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.

             "Offshore Certificated Notes" has the meaning provided in
Section 2.01.

             "Opinion  of  Counsel"  means a  written  opinion  signed  by legal
counsel who may be an  employee  of or counsel to the Company or the  Guarantor.
Each such Opinion of Counsel  shall include the  statements  provided for in TIA
Section 314(e).

             "Paying  Agent" has the meaning  provided in Section  2.04,  except
that,  for the  purposes  of Article  Eight,  the Paying  Agent shall not be the
Company or a Subsidiary of the Company or an Affiliate of any of them.  The term
"Paying Agent" includes any additional Paying Agent.


<PAGE>
                                       17

             "Payment  Date"  means  the  date of  purchase,  which  shall  be a
Business Day no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date notice
is mailed pursuant to an Offer to Purchase.

             "Permanent  Regulation S Global Notes" means the  permanent  global
Notes  issued in exchange  for one or more  Temporary  Regulation S Global Notes
upon certification  that the beneficial  interests in such global Note are owned
by either Non-U.S. Persons or U.S. Persons who purchased such interests pursuant
to an  exemption  from,  or in  transactions  not subject  to, the  registration
requirements of the Securities Act.

             "Permitted  Investment" means (i) an Investment in the Company 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 Company
or a Restricted  Subsidiary;  PROVIDED  that such Person's  primary  business is
related,  ancillary or  complementary  to the  businesses of the Company 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 Company
or any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries  (x) in exchange for any other Investment
or accounts receivable held by the Company 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  Company  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 Capital  Stock  (other than  Disqualified
Stock) or the proceeds of the issuance of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified
Stock)  to the  extent  such  amounts  have not  been  previously  applied  to a
Restricted  Payment  pursuant to clause (iv) (C)(2) of paragraph  (a) of Section
4.04 hereof or clause (iii) or (iv) of  paragraph  (b) of Section 4.04 hereof or
used to  support  the  Incurrence  of  Indebtedness  pursuant  to clause  (x) of
paragraph  (b) under Section 4.03 hereof and  Investments  acquired as a capital
contribution;  (vi) Guarantees  permitted by Section 4.03 hereof; (vii) loans or
advances to employees of the Company 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 4.03 hereof;
(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 Company and its
Subsidiaries  on the date of such  Investments in an amount not to exceed at any
time  outstanding  the sum of (x) $23.0  million  plus (y) 10% of the  Company'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 4.11 hereof;  and
(xiv)  Investments  in an  amount  not  to  exceed  $5.0  million  at  any  time
outstanding.

             "Permitted Joint Venture" means any Unrestricted  Subsidiary or any
other Person in which the Company 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
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries at the time of determination.

<PAGE>
                                       18

             "Permitted   Liens"  means:  (i)  Liens  for  taxes,   assessments,
governmental  charges  or  claims  that are  being  contested  in good  faith by
appropriate legal proceedings  promptly instituted and diligently  conducted and
for which a reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required
in  conformity  with GAAP shall have been made;  (ii)  statutory  and common law
Liens of landlords, carriers,  warehousemen,  mechanics, suppliers,  materialmen
and repairmen, or other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business
and with  respect  to  amounts  not yet  delinquent  or that are bonded or being
contested in good faith by appropriate legal proceedings promptly instituted and
diligently conducted and for which a reserve or other appropriate provision,  if
any, as shall be required in  conformity  with GAAP shall have been made;  (iii)
Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection
with  workers'  compensation,  unemployment  insurance and other types of social
security;  (iv) Liens  incurred or deposits  made to secure the  performance  of
tenders, bids, leases, licenses,  statutory or regulatory obligations,  bankers'
acceptances, surety and appeal bonds, trade or government contracts, performance
and return-of-money  bonds and other obligations of a similar nature incurred in
the ordinary  course of business  (exclusive of  obligations  for the payment of
borrowed  money);  (v) easements  (including  reciprocal  easement  agreements),
rights-of-way,  municipal,  building and zoning  ordinances and similar charges,
utility  agreements,  covenants,  reservations,   restrictions,   encroachments,
charges,  encumbrances,  title  defects  or  other  irregularities  that  do not
materially  interfere with the ordinary course of business of the Company or any
of its Restricted  Subsidiaries;  (vi) Liens (including  extensions and renewals
thereof)  upon  real or  personal  property  acquired  after the  Closing  Date;
PROVIDED that (a) such Lien is created  solely for the purpose of securing Trade
Payables  that  the  Company  reasonably  expects  to  pay  within  90  days  or
Indebtedness  Incurred,  in accordance with Section 4.03 hereof,  to finance the
cost  (including  the  cost of  improvements  or  construction)  of the  item of
property or assets  subject  thereto  and such Lien is created  prior to, at the
time of or within six months after the later of the acquisition,  the completion
of construction or the commencement of full operation of such property,  (b) the
principal amount of the Trade Payables or Indebtedness secured by such Lien does
not exceed  100% of such cost and (c) any such Lien shall not extend to or cover
any  property  or assets  other  than such item of  property  or assets  and any
improvements on such item;  (vii) leases or subleases  granted to others that do
not materially interfere with the ordinary course of business of the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (viii) Liens encumbering property
or assets  under  construction  arising from  progress or partial  payments by a
customer of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries relating to such property
or assets; (ix) any interest or title of a lessor in the property subject to any
Capitalized  Lease or operating  lease;  (x) Liens  arising from filing  Uniform
Commercial Code financing  statements  regarding leases;  (xi) Liens on property
of, or on shares of Capital Stock or Indebtedness of, any Person existing at the
time such  Person  becomes,  or  becomes a part of, any  Restricted  Subsidiary;
PROVIDED that such Liens do not extend to or cover any property or assets of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than the property or assets acquired;
(xii) Liens in favor of the Company or any Restricted  Subsidiary;  (xiii) Liens
arising from the  rendering of a final  judgment or order against the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary that does not give rise to an Event of Default;  (xiv)
Liens securing reimbursement  obligations with respect to letters of credit that
encumber documents and other property relating to such letters of credit and the
products  and  proceeds  thereof;  (xv)  Liens in favor of customs  and  revenue
authorities  arising as a matter of law to secure  payment of customs  duties in
connection  with the  importation of goods;  (xvi) Liens  encumbering  customary
initial  deposits  and  margin  deposits,  and other  Liens  that are within the
general parameters customary in the industry and incurred in the ordinary course
of business,  in each case, securing Indebtedness under Interest Rate Agreements
and  Currency  Agreements  and forward  contracts,  options,  future  contracts,

<PAGE>
                                       19


futures options or similar agreements or arrangements designed solely to protect
the Company or any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries from fluctuations in interest
rates,  currencies  or the price of  commodities;  (xvii)  Liens  arising out of
conditional sale, title retention,  consignment or similar  arrangements for the
sale of goods entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries
in the ordinary  course of business in accordance with the past practices of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries prior to the Closing Date; (xviii) Liens
on or sales of receivables; and (xix) Liens on cash set aside at the time of the
Incurrence of any  Indebtedness,  or government  securities  purchased with such
cash,  in either  case to the  extent  that such cash or  government  securities
prefund or secure the payment of interest on such  Indebtedness  and are held in
an escrow account or similar arrangements to be applied for such purpose.

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

             "Pledge Account" means the account established with the Trustee, or
any  successor  trustee,  pursuant to the terms of the Pledge  Agreement for the
purchase of the Pledged Securities.

             "Pledge   Agreement"  means  the  Collateral  Pledge  and  Security
Agreement  and the  Notification  and  Control  Agreement,  each dated as of the
Closing Date, made in favor of the Trustee,  governing the disbursement of funds
from  the  Pledge  Account,   as  such  agreement  may  be  amended,   restated,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

             "Pledged  Securities"  means the United States Treasury  securities
and/or security  entitlements  relating thereto to be held in the Pledge Account
and  pledged by the  Guarantor  in favor of the  Trustee  for the benefit of the
Trustee and the Holders of the Notes in accordance with the Pledge Agreement.

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

             "principal"  of a debt  security,  including  the Notes,  means the
principal amount due on the Stated Maturity as shown on such debt security.

             "Private  Placement Legend" means the legend initially set forth on
the Notes in the form set forth in Section 2.02(a).

             "Public  Equity  Offering"  means an  underwritten  primary  public
offering of Common Stock of the Company  pursuant to an  effective  registration
statement under the Securities Act.


<PAGE>
                                       20

             "QIB" means a "qualified institutional buyer" as defined in Rule
144A.

             "Redemption  Date",  when  used  with  respect  to any Note or part
thereof to be redeemed,  means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant
to the terms of the Notes and this Indenture.

             "Redemption  Price",  when  used with  respect  to any Note or part
thereof to be  redeemed,  means the price at which  such Note is to be  redeemed
pursuant to the terms of the Notes and this Indenture.

             "Registrar" has the meaning provided in Section 2.04.

             "Registration  Rights  Agreement"  means  the  Registration  Rights
Agreement,  dated  as of May 19,  1999,  between  the  Company  and the  Initial
Purchasers relating to the Notes.

             "Registration  Statement" means any  registration  statement of the
Company  and the  Guarantor  that  covers  any of the  Exchange  Notes,  and all
amendments  and  supplements  to  any  such  Registration  Statement,  including
post-effective  amendments,  in each case  including  the  prospectus  contained
therein,  all  exhibits  thereto  and all  material  incorporated  by  reference
therein.

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

             "Regulation S" means Regulation S under the Securities Act.

             "Responsible Officer", when used with respect to the Trustee, means
any officer of the Trustee with direct  responsibility for the administration of
this  Indenture  and also means,  with respect to a particular  corporate  trust
matter,  any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his or her
knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

             "Restricted Payments" has the meaning provided in Section 4.04.

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

             "Rule 144A" means Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

             "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.


<PAGE>
                                       21


             "Senior Discount Notes" means the Company's 12 1/2% Senior Discount
Notes due 2008 issued in the original aggregate  principal amount at maturity of
$460,800,000 under an indenture dated as of January 29, 1998 between the Company
and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee.

             "Senior  Secured  Credit  Facility"  means  the Loan  and  Security
Agreement  dated as of December 22, 1998 among KMC Telecom Inc., KMC Telecom II,
Inc., KMC Telecom of Virginia,  Inc. and Newcourt Commercial Finance Corporation
and any  other  lenders  or  borrowers  from  time to time  party  thereto,  any
collateral   documents,   instruments  and  agreements  executed  in  connection
therewith and any amendments, supplements, modifications,  extensions, renewals,
restatements, refinancings or refundings thereof.

             "Series E Preferred Stock" means the Company's Series E Senior
Redeemable, Exchangeable, PIK Preferred Stock.

             "Series F Preferred Stock" means the Company's Series F Senior
Redeemable, Exchangeable, PIK Preferred Stock.

             "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.

             "Specified Date" means any Redemption Date, any Payment Date for an
Offer to Purchase  or any date on which the Notes  first  become due and payable
after an Event of Default.

             "S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Services 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 (i)  Investments  that the Board of
Directors  has  determined  in good faith will  enable the Company or any of its
Restricted  Subsidiaries to obtain additional business that it might not be able
to obtain without making such  Investment,  and (ii) 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 Company 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.


<PAGE>
                                       22


             "Strategic  Subordinated  Indebtedness"  means  Indebtedness of the
Company  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 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 Company's  obligations under the 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 Company  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.

             "Subsidiary Guarantee" has the meaning provided in Section 4.07
hereof.

             "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>
                                       23

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 Company)
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.

             "Temporary  Regulation S Global Note" means the Global Note bearing
the Private Placement Legend in bearer form without interest coupons,  that will
be issued in a denomination  equal to the  outstanding  principal  amount of the
Notes sold in  reliance on  Regulation  S and  deposited  with the  Trustee,  as
custodian for the Depository.

             "TIA" or "Trust  Indenture  Act" means the Trust  Indenture  Act of
1939,  as amended (15 U.S.  Code ss.ss.  77aaa-77bbb),  as in effect on the date
this  Indenture  was  executed,  except as provided in Section  9.06;  PROVIDED,
HOWEVER,  that,  in the event the Trust  Indenture  Act of 1939 is amended after
such date,  "TIA" or "Trust  Indenture Act" means, to the extent required by any
such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

             "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>
                                       24


             "Transaction  Date" means,  with respect to the  Incurrence  of any
Indebtedness by the Company 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.

             "Trustee"  means the party named as such in the first  paragraph of
this Indenture  until a successor  replaces it in accordance with the provisions
of Article Seven of this Indenture and thereafter means such successor.

             "United States  Bankruptcy Code" means the Bankruptcy Reform Act of
1978,  as amended  and as  codified in Title 11 of the United  States  Code,  as
amended from time to time hereafter, or any successor federal bankruptcy law.

             "Unrestricted  Subsidiary"  means (i) any Subsidiary of the Company
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 Company) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary owns any
Capital  Stock of, or owns or holds any Lien on any  property of, the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary; PROVIDED that (A) any Guarantee by the Company 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
Company 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 under Section 4.04 hereof and (C) if
applicable,  the Incurrence of  Indebtedness  and the Investment  referred to in
clause (A) of this  proviso  would be  permitted  under  Sections  4.03 and 4.04
hereof. The Board of Directors may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a
Restricted  Subsidiary;  PROVIDED  that (i) no Default or Event of Default shall
have  occurred and be  continuing  at the time of or after giving effect to such
designation and (ii) all Liens and 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  Indenture.  Any  such  designation  by the  Board of
Directors  shall be evidenced to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee
a  Board  Resolution   giving  effect  to  such  designation  and  an  Officers'
Certificate  certifying  that  such  designation  complied  with  the  foregoing
provisions.

<PAGE>
                                       25

             "U.S. Global Note" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.

             "U.S. Government  Obligations" means securities that are (i) direct
obligations  of the United  States of America  for the payment of which its full
faith and  credit is  pledged  or (ii)  obligations  of a Person  controlled  or
supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of
America the payment of which is  unconditionally  guaranteed as a full faith and
credit  obligation by the United States of America,  which,  in either case, are
not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof at any time prior
to the Stated Maturity of the Notes, and shall also include depository  receipts
issued by a bank or trust  company as  custodian  with  respect to any such U.S.
Government  Obligation or a specific  payment of interest on or principal of any
such U.S.  Government  Obligation  held by such custodian for the account of the
holder of a depository  receipt;  PROVIDED that (except as required by law) such
custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the
holder of such  depository  receipt from any amount received by the custodian in
respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on
or  principal of the U.S.  Government  Obligation  evidenced by such  depository
receipt.

             "U.S. Person" has the meaning ascribed thereto in Rule 902 under
the Securities Act.

             "U.S. Certificated Notes" has the meaning provided in Section
2.01.

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

             "Wholly-Owned" means, with respect to any Subsidiary of any Person,
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.

             SECTION 1.02.  INCORPORATION  BY REFERENCE OF TRUST  INDENTURE Act.
Whenever  this  Indenture  refers to a provision  of the TIA,  the  provision is
incorporated  by reference in and made a part of this  Indenture.  The following
TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

             "indenture securities" means the Notes;

             "indenture security holder" means a Holder or a Noteholder;

             "indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture;

<PAGE>
                                       26

             "indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the
      Trustee; and

             "obligor" on the indenture securities means the Company, the
      Guarantor or any other obligor on the Notes.

             All other TIA terms used in this  Indenture that are defined by the
TIA,  defined by TIA  reference  to another  statute or defined by a rule of the
Commission and not otherwise  defined herein have the meanings  assigned to them
therein.

             SECTION 1.03.  RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.  Unless the context
otherwise requires:

             (i)  a term has the meaning assigned to it;

             (ii) an  accounting  term not  otherwise  defined  has the  meaning
      assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

             (iii)"or" is not exclusive;

             (iv) words in the singular include the plural, and words in the
      plural include the singular;

             (v)  provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

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


<PAGE>

             (vii)all  references  to Sections or Articles  refer to Sections or
      Articles of this Indenture unless otherwise indicated.


                                   ARTICLE TWO
                                    THE NOTES

             SECTION  2.01.  FORM  AND  DATING.  The  Notes  and  the  Trustee's
certificate of authentication  shall be substantially in the form annexed hereto
as  Exhibit  A. The  Notes  may have  such  appropriate  insertions,  omissions,
substitutions  and  other  variations  as are  required  or  permitted  by  this
Indenture and may have letters,  notations,  legends or endorsements required by
law,  stock  exchange  agreements to which the Company is subject or usage.  Any
portion of the text of any Note may be set forth on the reverse thereof, with an
appropriate reference thereto on the face of the Note. The Company shall approve
the form of the Notes and any notation, legend or endorsement on the Notes. Each
Note shall be dated the date of its authentication.

             The terms and provisions contained in the form of the Notes annexed
hereto as Exhibit A shall  constitute,  and are hereby expressly made, a part of
this  Indenture.  Each of the Company,  the  Guarantor  and the Trustee,  by its
execution  and  delivery of this  Indenture,  expressly  agrees to the terms and
provisions of the Notes applicable to it and to be bound thereby.

             Notes  offered  and sold in  reliance  on Rule 144A shall be issued
initially in the form of one or more permanent  global Notes in registered form,
substantially  in the form set forth in  Exhibit  A (the  "U.S.  GLOBAL  Note"),
deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented  thereby with the
Trustee,  as  custodian  for the  Depository,  duly  executed by the Company and
authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter  provided.  The aggregate  principal
amount of a U.S.  Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by
adjustments made on the records of the Trustee,  as custodian for the Depository
or its nominee, as hereinafter provided.

             Notes  offered  and sold in  offshore  transactions  in reliance on
Regulation  S shall be  issued  initially  in the form of one or more  temporary
global Notes in registered form substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A
(the  "TEMPORARY  REGULATION  S  GLOBAL  NOTE"),  deposited  on  behalf  of  the
purchasers of the Notes represented  thereby with the Trustee,  as custodian for
the Depository, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as
hereinafter  provided.  At any time  following  July 2, 1999 upon receipt by the
Trustee and the Company of a certificate  substantially in the form of Exhibit B
hereto,  one or more permanent global Notes in registered form  substantially in
the form set forth in Exhibit A (the  "PERMANENT  REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE" and,

<PAGE>
                                       27


together  with the  Temporary  Regulation S Global Note,  the  "OFFSHORE  GLOBAL
NOTE")  duly  executed  by the  Company  and  authenticated  by the  Trustee  as
hereinafter  provided shall be deposited with the Trustee,  as custodian for the
Depository, which shall reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease
in the principal amount of the Temporary  Regulation S Global Notes in an amount
equal to the  principal  amount  of the  beneficial  interest  in the  Temporary
Regulation S Global Notes  transferred.  The  aggregate  principal  amount of an
Offshore  Global  Note  may  from  time to time be  increased  or  decreased  by
adjustments made in the records of the Trustee,  as custodian for the Depository
or its nominee, as herein provided.

             Notes which are issued to Institutional  Accredited Investors which
are not  QIBs  (excluding  Non-U.S.  Persons)  shall  be  issued  in the form of
permanent  certificated  Notes in registered form in substantially  the form set
forth in Exhibit A (the "U.S.  CERTIFICATED  NOTES").  Notes issued  pursuant to
Section 2.07 in exchange for  interests in the Offshore  Global Note shall be in
the form of certificated  Notes in registered form substantially in the form set
forth in Exhibit A (the "OFFSHORE CERTIFICATED NOTES"). Notes issued pursuant to
Section 2.07 in exchange for  interests in the U.S.  Global Note shall be in the
form of the U.S. Certificated Note.

             The Offshore Certificated Notes and the U.S. Certificated Notes are
sometimes  collectively referred to herein as the "CERTIFICATED NOTES". The U.S.
Global  Notes and  Offshore  Global  Notes  are  sometimes  collectively  herein
referred to as the "GLOBAL NOTES".

             The  definitive  Notes  shall be typed,  printed,  lithographed  or
engraved or produced by any  combination  of these methods or may be produced in
any other manner permitted by the rules of any securities  exchange on which the
Notes may be listed,  all as determined by the officers executing such Notes, as
evidenced by their execution of such Notes.

             SECTION 2.02.  RESTRICTIVE  LEGENDS.  (a) NOTE LEGENDS.  Unless and
until a Note is  exchanged  for an  Exchange  Note or  otherwise  disposed of in
connection with an effective Registration Statement pursuant to the Registration
Rights  Agreement,  (i) each U.S.  Global Note and each U.S.  Certificated  Note
shall  bear the  legend,  set  forth  below on the face  thereof  and (ii)  each
Offshore  Certificated  Note and each  Temporary  Regulation S Global Note shall
bear the legend set forth below on the face thereof until at least 41 days after
the Closing  Date and  receipt by the  Company and the Trustee of a  certificate
substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto.

      THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED  UNDER THE U.S.  SECURITIES ACT OF 1933,
      AS  AMENDED  (THE  "SECURITIES  ACT"),  OR ANY STATE  SECURITIES  LAWS AND
      ACCORDINGLY,  MAY NOT BE OFFERED,  SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE  TRANSFERRED
      WITHIN THE UNITED  STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE  ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT  OF,  U.S.
      PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE.  BY ITS ACQUISITION
      HEREOF,   THE  HOLDER  (1)   REPRESENTS   THAT  (A)  IT  IS  A  "QUALIFIED
      INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR
      (B) IT IS AN  INSTITUTIONAL  "ACCREDITED  INVESTOR"  (AS  DEFINED  IN RULE
      501(a)(1),  (2), (3) OR (7) OF REGULATION D UNDER THE SECURITIES  ACT) (AN
      "INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR") OR (C) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS
      ACQUIRING THIS NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 903
      OF  REGULATION  S UNDER THE  SECURITIES  ACT; (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT,
      WITHIN THE TIME PERIOD REFERRED TO IN RULE 144(k) AS IN EFFECT ON THE DATE

<PAGE>
                                       28


      OF SUCH TRANSFER, RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS NOTE EXCEPT (A) TO KMC
      TELECOM HOLDINGS,  INC. OR ANY SUBSIDIARY  THEREOF,  (B) INSIDE THE UNITED
      STATES TO A QUALIFIED  INSTITUTIONAL  BUYER IN  COMPLIANCE  WITH RULE 144A
      UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO AN INSTITUTIONAL
      ACCREDITED INVESTOR THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES TO THE TRUSTEE
      A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS RELATING
      TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE (THE FORM OF WHICH LETTER CAN
      BE OBTAINED  FROM THE TRUSTEE)  AND, IF SUCH  TRANSFER IS IN RESPECT OF AN
      AGGREGATE  PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOTES OF LESS THAN $500,000,  AN OPINION OF
      COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS,  INC. THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS IN
      COMPLIANCE  WITH THE  SECURITIES  ACT, (D) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN
      OFFSHORE  TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES
      ACT, (E) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION  PROVIDED BY RULE 144
      UNDER THE  SECURITIES  ACT (IF  AVAILABLE) OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE
      REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  UNDER THE  SECURITIES  ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT
      WILL  DELIVER  TO EACH  PERSON TO WHOM THIS NOTE IS  TRANSFERRED  A NOTICE
      SUBSTANTIALLY  TO THE  EFFECT  OF THIS  LEGEND.  IN  CONNECTION  WITH  ANY
      TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE WITHIN THE TIME PERIOD REFERRED TO ABOVE, THE HOLDER
      MUST CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX SET FORTH ON THE REVERSE HEREOF RELATING TO
      THE MANNER OF SUCH TRANSFER AND SUBMIT THIS CERTIFICATE TO THE TRUSTEE. IF
      THE PROPOSED  TRANSFEREE  IS AN  INSTITUTIONAL  ACCREDITED  INVESTOR,  THE
      HOLDER MUST,  PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER,  FURNISH THE TRUSTEE AND KMC TELECOM
      HOLDINGS, INC. SUCH CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION AS
      SUCH PERSONS MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING
      MADE PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION  FROM,  OR IN A TRANSACTION  NOT SUBJECT TO,
      THE REGISTRATION  REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. AS USED HEREIN,  THE
      TERMS "OFFSHORE  TRANSACTION",  "UNITED STATES" AND "U.S. PERSON" HAVE THE
      MEANINGS  GIVEN TO THEM BY  REGULATION  S UNDER THE  SECURITIES  ACT.  THE
      INDENTURE CONTAINS A PROVISION REQUIRING THE TRUSTEE TO REFUSE TO REGISTER
      ANY TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE IN VIOLATION OF THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.


<PAGE>
                                       29
             (b)  GLOBAL  NOTE  LEGEND.  Each  Global  Note,  whether  or not an
Exchange Note, shall also bear the following legend on the face thereof:

      UNLESS THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN  AUTHORIZED  REPRESENTATIVE  OF
      THE DEPOSITORY  TRUST COMPANY TO KMC TELECOM  HOLDINGS,  INC. OR ITS AGENT
      FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER,  EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS
      REGISTERED  IN THE  NAME  OF  CEDE & CO.  OR TO SUCH  OTHER  ENTITY  AS IS
      REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED  REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY
      OR SUCH OTHER REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY OR SUCH OTHER
      NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN  AUTHORIZED  REPRESENTATIVE  OF THE  DEPOSITORY
      TRUST  COMPANY  (AND ANY  PAYMENT  HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH
      OTHER  ENTITY  AS IS  REQUESTED  BY AN  AUTHORIZED  REPRESENTATIVE  OF THE
      DEPOSITORY  TRUST COMPANY),  ANY TRANSFER,  PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR
      VALUE OR  OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL  SINCE THE  REGISTERED
      OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

      TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE,  BUT
      NOT IN PART,  TO NOMINEES OF CEDE & CO. OR TO A SUCCESSOR  THEREOF OR SUCH
      SUCCESSOR'S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE
      LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN
      SECTION 2.08 OF THE INDENTURE.

             SECTION 2.03. EXECUTION, AUTHENTICATION AND DENOMINATIONS.  Subject
to Article Four, the aggregate  principal  amount of Notes  (including  Exchange
Notes)  which  may be  authenticated  and  delivered  under  this  Indenture  is
unlimited.  The Notes  shall be  executed by two  Officers  of the  Company,  by
facsimile or manual signature, in the name and on behalf of the Company.

             If an Officer  whose  signature  is on a Note no longer  holds that
office at the time the Trustee or authenticating  agent  authenticates the Note,
the Note shall be valid nevertheless.

<PAGE>
                                       30

             A Note shall not be valid until the Trustee or authenticating agent
manually  signs the  certificate  of  authentication  on the Note. The signature
shall be  conclusive  evidence that the Note has been  authenticated  under this
Indenture.

             At any time and  from  time to time  after  the  execution  of this
Indenture,  the Trustee or an  authenticating  agent  shall,  upon  receipt of a
Company Order,  authenticate for original issue Notes in the aggregate principal
amount  specified  in such Company  Order;  PROVIDED  that the Trustee  shall be
entitled to receive an  Officers'  Certificate  and an Opinion of Counsel of the
Company if it so reasonably  requests in connection with such  authentication of
Notes. Such Company Order shall specify the amount of Notes to be authenticated,
the date on which  the issue of Notes is to be  authenticated  and in case of an
issuance of Notes pursuant to Section 2.15,  shall certify that such issuance is
in compliance with Article Four.

             The  Trustee  may  appoint  an   authenticating   agent  reasonably
acceptable to the Company to authenticate  Notes. Unless limited by the terms of
such appointment,  an authenticating  agent may authenticate  Notes whenever the
Trustee may do so. Each  reference in this  Indenture to  authentication  by the
Trustee includes  authentication by such authenticating agent. An authenticating
agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the  Company or an  Affiliate
of the Company.

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

             SECTION  2.04.  REGISTRAR  AND  PAYING  AGENT.  The  Company  shall
maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented  for  registration  of
transfer or for exchange (the "REGISTRAR"),  an office or agency where Notes may
be  presented  for payment  (the  "PAYING  AGENT") and an office or agency where
notices  and  demands  to or upon the  Company  in respect of the Notes and this
Indenture may be served, which shall be in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New York.  The Company shall cause the Registrar to keep a register of the Notes
and of their transfer and exchange (the "NOTE  REGISTER").  The Company may have
one or more co-Registrars and one or more additional Paying Agents.

<PAGE>
                                       31

             The Company shall enter into an appropriate  agency  agreement with
any Agent not a party to this  Indenture.  The  agreement  shall  implement  the
provisions of this Indenture  that relate to such Agent.  The Company shall give
prompt  written  notice to the Trustee of the name and address of any such Agent
and any change in the address of such Agent.  If the Company fails to maintain a
Registrar,  Paying Agent  and/or  agent for service of notices and demands,  the
Trustee  shall act as such  Registrar,  Paying Agent and/or agent for service of
notices and demands for so long as such failure shall continue.  The Company may
remove any Agent upon  written  notice to such Agent and the  Trustee;  PROVIDED
that no such  removal  shall become  effective  until (i) the  acceptance  of an
appointment  by a successor  Agent to such Agent as evidenced by an  appropriate
agency  agreement  entered  into by the  Company  and such  successor  Agent and
delivered  to the Trustee or (ii)  notification  to the Trustee that the Trustee
shall  serve  as such  Agent  until  the  appointment  of a  successor  Agent in
accordance with clause (i) of this proviso.  The Company,  any Subsidiary of the
Company,  or any Affiliate of any of them may act as Paying Agent,  Registrar or
co-Registrar, and/or agent for service of notice and demands; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that neither the Company, a Subsidiary of the Company nor an Affiliate of any of
them shall act as Paying Agent in connection with the defeasance of the Notes or
the discharge of this Indenture under Article Eight.

             The Company  initially  appoints the Trustee as  Registrar,  Paying
Agent,  authenticating agent and agent for service of notice and demands. If, at
any time, the Trustee is not the Registrar,  the Registrar  shall make available
to the Trustee on or before each  Interest  Payment Date and at such other times
as the Trustee may reasonably request, the names and addresses of the Holders as
they appear in the Note Register.

             SECTION 2.05.  PAYING AGENT TO HOLD MONEY IN TRUST.  Not later than
12:00 p.m.  New York City time on each due date of the  principal,  premium,  if
any, or interest on any Notes,  the Company  shall deposit with the Paying Agent
money in immediately available funds sufficient to pay such principal,  premium,
if any, or  interest so becoming  due.  The Company  shall  require  each Paying
Agent, if any, other than the Trustee to agree in writing that such Paying Agent
shall hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders or the Trustee all money held
by the Paying  Agent for the  payment  of  principal  of,  premium,  if any,  or
interest on the Notes  (whether such money has been paid to it by the Company or
any other  obligor on the  Notes),  and that such Paying  Agent  shall  promptly
notify the Trustee of any  default by the  Company (or any other  obligor on the
Notes) in making any such payment.  The Company at any time may require a Paying
Agent to pay all  money  held by it to the  Trustee  and  account  for any funds
disbursed, and the Trustee may at any time during the continuance of any payment
default,  upon written  request to a Paying Agent,  require such Paying Agent to
pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds  disbursed.
Upon doing so, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money so
paid over to the Trustee. If the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any
Affiliate of any of them acts as Paying  Agent,  it will,  on or before each due
date of any principal of, premium,  if any, or interest on the Notes,  segregate
and hold in a separate  trust fund for the benefit of the Holders a sum of money
sufficient to pay such principal,  premium,  if any, or interest so becoming due
until such sum of money shall be paid to such Holders or  otherwise  disposed of
as  provided  in this  Indenture,  and will  promptly  notify the Trustee of its
action or failure to act as required by this Section 2.05.

             SECTION 2.06. TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE. The Notes are issuable only in
registered  form.  A Holder may  transfer a Note by written  application  to the
Registrar  stating the name of the proposed  transferee and otherwise  complying
with the terms of this Indenture.  No such transfer shall be effected until, and
such transferee shall succeed to the rights of a Holder only upon,  registration
of the transfer by the Registrar in the Note Register. Prior to the registration
of any transfer by a Holder as provided herein,  the Company,  the Trustee,  and
any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall treat the Person in whose name the
Note is registered as the owner thereof for all purposes whether or not the Note
shall be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee, nor any such agent shall
be affected by notice to the contrary.  Furthermore, any Holder of a Global Note
shall,  by  acceptance of such Global Note,  agree that  transfers of beneficial

<PAGE>
                                       32


interests in such Global Note may be effected  only through a book-entry  system
maintained by the Depository (or its agent),  and that ownership of a beneficial
interest  in the Note shall be required to be  reflected  in a book entry.  When
Notes are  presented  to the  Registrar  or a  co-Registrar  with a  request  to
register the transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Notes
of other authorized  denominations  (including on exchange of Notes for Exchange
Notes),  the  Registrar  shall  register  the  transfer or make the  exchange as
requested if its  requirements for such  transactions are met;  PROVIDED that no
exchanges of Notes for Exchange Notes shall occur until a Registration Statement
shall have been declared effective by the Commission and that any Notes that are
exchanged  for  Exchange  Notes shall be  cancelled  by the  Trustee.  To permit
registrations   of  transfers  and  exchanges  in  accordance  with  the  terms,
conditions and  restrictions  hereof,  the Company shall execute and the Trustee
shall authenticate Notes at the Registrar's  request. No service charge shall be
made to any Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange or redemption of
the Notes,  but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
transfer tax or similar  governmental  charge  payable in  connection  therewith
(other than any such transfer taxes or other similar governmental charge payable
upon transfers,  exchanges or redemptions pursuant to Sections 2.11, 3.08, 4.11,
4.12 or 9.04 hereof).

             The  Registrar  shall not be required  (i) to issue,  register  the
transfer of or exchange  any Note  during a period  beginning  at the opening of
business  15 days  before the day of the  mailing of a notice of  redemption  of
Notes selected for  redemption  under Section 3.03 or Section 3.08 and ending at
the  close of  business  on the day of such  mailing,  or (ii) to  register  the
transfer of or exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part,
except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.

             SECTION 2.07. BOOK-ENTRY PROVISIONS FOR GLOBAL NOTES. (a) Each U.S.
Global Note and Offshore  Global Note  initially  shall (i) be registered in the
name of the Depository for such Global Notes or the nominee of such  Depository,
(ii) be delivered to the Trustee as custodian for such Depository and (iii) bear
legends as set forth in Section 2.02.


<PAGE>
                                       33


             Members of, or participants  in, the Depository  ("AGENT  MEMBERS")
shall have no rights under this  Indenture  with respect to any Global Note held
on their behalf by the Depository, or the Trustee as its custodian, or under any
Global Note, and the  Depository may be treated by the Company,  the Trustee and
any agent of the  Company or the  Trustee as the  absolute  owner of such Global
Note for all purposes whatsoever.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein
shall  prevent  the  Company,  the  Trustee  or any agent of the  Company or the
Trustee,  from  giving  effect  to any  written  certification,  proxy  or other
authorization  furnished by the Depository or impair,  as between the Depository
and its Agent  Members,  the  operation of  customary  practices  governing  the
exercise of the rights of a beneficial owner of any Note.

             (b)  Transfers  of a Global Note shall be limited to  transfers  of
such Global Note in whole, but not in part, to the Depository, its successors or
their respective  nominees.  Interests of beneficial owners in a Global Note may
be  transferred in accordance  with the  applicable  rules and procedures of the
Depository  and the provisions of Section 2.08. In addition,  U.S.  Certificated
Notes or Offshore  Certificated  Notes shall be  transferred  to all  beneficial
owners in exchange for their  beneficial  interests in a U.S.  Global Note or an
Offshore Global Note,  respectively,  if (i) the Depository notifies the Company
that it is unwilling  or unable to continue as  Depository  for the U.S.  Global
Notes  or the  Offshore  Global  Notes,  as the  case  may be,  and a  successor
depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice or (ii)
an Event of  Default  has  occurred  and is  continuing  and the  Registrar  has
received a request to the foregoing effect from the Depository or the Trustee.

             (c) Any  beneficial  interest  in one of the  Global  Notes that is
transferred  to a Person who takes  delivery  in the form of an  interest in the
other Global Note will,  upon  transfer,  cease to be an interest in such Global
Note and become an interest  in the other  Global  Note and,  accordingly,  will
thereafter be subject to all transfer restrictions, if any, and other procedures
applicable to  beneficial  interests in such other Global Note for as long as it
remains such an interest.

             (d) In  connection  with any transfer  pursuant to paragraph (b) of
this Section 2.07 of a portion of the beneficial interests in a U.S. Global Note
or  Offshore  Global  Note to  beneficial  owners who are  required to hold U.S.
Certificated  Notes,  the  Registrar  shall reflect on its books and records the
date and a decrease in the principal amount of such U.S. Global Note or Offshore
Global  Note in an  amount  equal  to the  principal  amount  of the  beneficial
interest in such U.S. Global Note or Offshore Global Note to be transferred, and
the Company shall execute,  and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver,  one
or more U.S.  Certificated Notes or Offshore Certificated Notes, as the case may
be, of like tenor and amount.


<PAGE>
                                       34

             (e) In connection with the transfer of all the U.S. Global Notes or
Offshore  Global Notes to  beneficial  owners  pursuant to paragraph (b) of this
Section 2.07, the U.S.  Global Notes or Offshore  Global Notes,  as the case may
be, shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for  cancellation,  and the
Company shall execute,  and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver,  to each
beneficial  owner  identified by the  Depository in exchange for its  beneficial
interest in the U.S.  Global Notes or Offshore Global Notes, as the case may be,
an equal  aggregate  principal  amount of U.S.  Certificated  Notes or  Offshore
Certificated Notes, as the case may be, of authorized denominations.

             (f)  Any  U.S.  Certificated  Note  delivered  in  exchange  for an
interest in a U.S.  Global Note  pursuant to  paragraph  (b), (d) or (e) of this
Section 2.07 shall, except as otherwise provided by paragraphs (d) and (f)(i)(x)
of  Section  2.08  hereof,  bear  the  legend  regarding  transfer  restrictions
applicable to the U.S. Certificated Note set forth in Section 2.02.

             (g) Any  Offshore  Certificated  Note  delivered in exchange for an
interest in an Offshore  Global Note  pursuant to  paragraph  (b), (d) or (e) of
this Section  2.07 shall,  except as otherwise  provided by  paragraphs  (d) and
(f)(i)(x)  of  Section  2.08  hereof,   bear  the  legend   regarding   transfer
restrictions  applicable to the Offshore  Certificated Note set forth in Section
2.02 hereof.

             (h) The  registered  holder of a Global Note may grant  proxies and
otherwise  authorize  any Person,  including  Agent Members and Persons that may
hold  interests  through  Agent  Members,  to take any action  which a Holder is
entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.

             (i) QIBs that are  beneficial  owners of interests in a Global Note
may receive Certificated Notes (which shall bear the Private Placement Legend if
required by Section 2.02) in accordance  with the procedures of the  Depository.
In  connection  with  the  execution,   authentication   and  delivery  of  such
Certificated  Notes,  the  Registrar  shall  reflect on its books and  records a
decrease  in the  principal  amount of the  relevant  Global  Note  equal to the
principal  amount of such  Certificated  Notes and the Company shall execute and
the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver one or more Certificated Notes having
an equal aggregate principal amount.

             SECTION 2.08. SPECIAL TRANSFER PROVISIONS.  Unless and until a Note
is exchanged for an Exchange Note in connection  with an effective  Registration
Statement  pursuant  to  the  Registration   Rights  Agreement,   the  following
provisions shall apply:

<PAGE>
                                       35

             (a) TRANSFERS TO QIBS.  The following  provisions  shall apply with
respect to the registration of any proposed transfer of a U.S. Certificated Note
or an interest in a U.S. Global Note to a QIB (excluding Non-U.S. Persons):

             (i) If the Note to be transferred consists of (x) U.S. Certificated
      Notes, the Registrar shall register the transfer if such transfer is being
      made by a proposed  transferor who has checked the box provided for on the
      form of  Note  stating,  or has  otherwise  advised  the  Company  and the
      Registrar in writing,  that the sale has been made in compliance  with the
      provisions of Rule 144A to a transferee  who has signed the  certification
      provided for on the form of Note  stating,  or has  otherwise  advised the
      Company and the Registrar in writing,  that it is purchasing  the Note for
      its own  account or an account  with  respect to which it  exercises  sole
      investment discretion and that it and any such account is a QIB within the
      meaning  of Rule  144A,  and is aware that the sale to it is being made in
      reliance  on  Rule  144A  and  acknowledges  that  it  has  received  such
      information  regarding  the Company as it has  requested  pursuant to Rule
      144A or has  determined  not to request  such  information  and that it is
      aware that the transferor is relying upon its foregoing representations in
      order to claim the exemption  from  registration  provided by Rule 144A or
      (y) an interest in a U.S.  Global Note,  the transfer of such interest may
      be  effected  only  through  the  book  entry  system  maintained  by  the
      Depository.

             (ii) If the proposed transferee is an Agent Member, and the Note to
      be transferred  consists of U.S.  Certificated  Notes, upon receipt by the
      Registrar  of the  documents  referred  to in clause (i) and  instructions
      given in accordance with the Depository's and the Registrar's  procedures,
      the  Registrar  shall  reflect  on its books and  records  the date and an
      increase  in the  principal  amount of such U.S.  Global Note in an amount
      equal  to the  principal  amount  of the  U.S.  Certificated  Notes  to be
      transferred,  and the  Trustee  shall  cancel  the  Certificated  Notes so
      transferred.

             (b)  TRANSFERS OF INTERESTS IN OFFSHORE GLOBAL NOTES OR OFFSHORE
CERTIFICATED NOTES TO U.S. PERSONS.  The following provisions shall apply
with respect to any transfer of interests in Offshore Global Notes or
Offshore Certificated Notes to U.S. Persons:

             (i) prior to the  removal  of the  Private  Placement  Legend  from
      Offshore Global Notes or Offshore  Certificated  Notes pursuant to Section
      2.02, the Registrar shall refuse to register such transfer; and

             (ii) after such removal,  the Registrar shall register the transfer
      of any such Note without requiring any additional certification.


<PAGE>
                                       36

             (c)  TRANSFERS  TO  NON-U.S.  PERSONS  AT ANY TIME.  The  following
provisions shall apply with respect to any transfer of a Note to a Non-U.S.
Person:

             (i) The  Registrar  shall  register  any  proposed  transfer to any
      Non-U.S.  Person if the Note to be transferred is a U.S. Certificated Note
      or an interest in a U.S.  Global Note only upon  receipt of a  certificate
      substantially   in  the  form  of  Exhibit  C  hereto  from  the  proposed
      transferor.

             (ii) (a) If the proposed  transferor  is an Agent Member  holding a
      beneficial  interest in a U.S.  Global Note, upon receipt by the Registrar
      of (x) the  documents  required by paragraph (i) and (y)  instructions  in
      accordance  with the  Depository's  and the  Registrar's  procedures,  the
      Registrar  shall  reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease
      in the principal amount of such U.S. Global Note in an amount equal to the
      principal amount of the beneficial  interest in the U.S. Global Note to be
      transferred,  and (b) if the proposed  transferee is an Agent Member, upon
      receipt by the  Registrar of  instructions  given in  accordance  with the
      Depository's and the Registrar's  procedures,  the Registrar shall reflect
      on its books and records the date and an increase in the principal  amount
      of such Offshore Global Note in an amount equal to the principal amount of
      the U.S.  Certificated Notes or the U.S. Global Notes, as the case may be,
      to be transferred,  and the Trustee shall cancel the Certificated Note, if
      any, so transferred or decrease the amount of the U.S. Global Notes.

             (d) PRIVATE  PLACEMENT  LEGEND.  Upon the registration of transfer,
exchange or replacement of Notes not bearing the Private Placement  Legend,  the
Registrar  shall  deliver Notes that do not bear the Private  Placement  Legend.
Upon the registration of transfer,  exchange or replacement of Notes bearing the
Private Placement  Legend,  the Registrar shall deliver only Notes that bear the
Private  Placement  Legend unless either (i) the Private  Placement Legend is no
longer  required by Section 2.02 or (ii) there is delivered to the  Registrar an
Opinion of Counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee to the
effect that  neither  such legend nor the related  restrictions  on transfer are
required in order to maintain  compliance  with the provisions of the Securities
Act.

             (e)  GENERAL.  By its  acceptance  of any Note  bearing the Private
Placement  Legend,  each Holder of such a Note  acknowledges the restrictions on
transfer of such Note set forth in this  Indenture and in the Private  Placement
Legend and  agrees  that it will  transfer  such Note only as  provided  in this
Indenture.  The Registrar  shall not register a transfer of any Note unless such
transfer  complies with the  restrictions  on transfer of such Note set forth in
this  Indenture.  In connection  with any transfer of Notes to an  Institutional

<PAGE>
                                       37


Accredited  Investor,  each  Holder  agrees  by its  acceptance  of the Notes to
furnish the  Registrar or the Company  such  certifications,  legal  opinions or
other information as either of them may reasonably  require to confirm that such
transfer is being made  pursuant to an  exemption  from,  or a  transaction  not
subject to, the registration  requirements of the Securities Act;  PROVIDED that
the  Registrar   shall  not  be  required  to  determine  (but  may  rely  on  a
determination  made by the Company with respect to) the  sufficiency of any such
certifications, legal opinions or other information.

             (f) TRANSFERS TO NON-QIB INSTITUTIONAL  ACCREDITED  INVESTORS.  The
following  provisions  shall  apply  with  respect  to the  registration  of any
proposed  transfer of a Note to any Institutional  Accredited  Investor which is
not a QIB (excluding Non-U.S. Persons):

             (i) The Registrar shall register the transfer of any Note,  whether
      or not such Note bears the Private  Placement Legend, if (x) the requested
      transfer  is after the time period  referred  to in Rule 144(k)  under the
      Securities  Act as in effect  with  respect  to such  transfer  or (y) the
      proposed  transferee  has  delivered to the  Registrar  (A) a  certificate
      substantially  in the form of  Exhibit D hereto  and (B) if the  aggregate
      principal  amount of the Notes being  transferred is less than $500,000 at
      the time of such transfer, an Opinion of Counsel acceptable to the Company
      that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act.

             (ii) If the  proposed  transferor  is an  Agent  Member  holding  a
      beneficial  interest in a U.S.  Global Note, upon receipt by the Registrar
      and the Company of (x) the  documents,  if any,  required by paragraph (i)
      and (y)  instructions  given in accordance with the  Depository's  and the
      Registrar's  procedures,  the  Registrar  shall  reflect  on its books and
      records  the date and a  decrease  in the  principal  amount  of such U.S.
      Global Note in an amount equal to the principal  amount of the  beneficial
      interest in the U.S. Global Note to be transferred,  and the Company shall
      execute,  and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, one or more U.S.
      Certificated Notes of like tenor and amount.

             The  Registrar  shall  retain,  in  accordance  with its  customary
procedures,  copies of all  letters,  notices and other  written  communications
received  pursuant to Section 2.07 or this Section 2.08.  The Company shall have
the right to  inspect  and make  copies of all such  letters,  notices  or other
written  communications  at any  reasonable  time upon the giving of  reasonable
written notice to the Registrar.


<PAGE>
                                       38

             SECTION 2.09. REPLACEMENT NOTES. If a mutilated Note is surrendered
to the Trustee or if the Holder claims that the Note has been lost, destroyed or
wrongfully  taken, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall  authenticate a
replacement  Note of like tenor and  principal  amount and  bearing a number not
contemporaneously  outstanding;  PROVIDED  that the  requirements  of the second
paragraph of Section 2.10 are met. If required by the Trustee or the Company, an
indemnity  bond must be furnished that is sufficient in the judgment of both the
Trustee and the Company to protect  the  Company,  the Trustee or any Agent from
any loss that any of them may  suffer if a Note is  replaced.  The  Company  may
charge such Holder for its expenses and the expenses of the Trustee in replacing
a Note. In case any such mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Note has
become or is about to become due and payable,  the Company in its discretion may
pay such Note instead of issuing a new Note in replacement thereof.

             Every  replacement Note is an additional  obligation of the Company
and shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

             SECTION 2.10.  OUTSTANDING NOTES. Notes outstanding at any time are
all Notes that have been authenticated by the Trustee except for those cancelled
by it,  those  delivered  to it for  cancellation  and those  described  in this
Section 2.10 as not outstanding.

             If a Note is  replaced  pursuant to Section  2.09,  it ceases to be
outstanding  unless  and  until  the  Trustee  and  the  Company  receive  proof
reasonably  satisfactory  to them that the replaced  Note is held by a protected
purchaser.

             If the Paying  Agent (other than the Company or an Affiliate of the
Company) holds on the maturity date or a redemption date money sufficient to pay
all principal,  premium,  if any, and interest payable on that date with respect
to the Notes (or portions  thereof) to be redeemed or payable on that date, then
on and after that date such Notes cease to be  outstanding  and interest on them
shall cease to accrue.

             A Note does not cease to be outstanding  because the Company or one
of its  Affiliates  holds such Note;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that, in  determining
whether the Holders of the requisite  principal amount of the outstanding  Notes
have given any request,  demand,  authorization,  direction,  notice, consent or
waiver hereunder, Notes owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes
or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other  obligor  shall be  disregarded
and deemed not to be  outstanding,  except  that,  in  determining  whether  the
Trustee  shall  be  protected  in  relying  upon  any  such   request,   demand,
authorization,  direction,  notice,  consent  or  waiver,  only  Notes  which  a
Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded.
Notes so owned  which  have  been  pledged  in good  faith  may be  regarded  as
outstanding if the pledgee  establishes to the  satisfaction  of the Trustee the
pledgee's right so to act with respect to such Notes and that the pledgee is not
the Company or any other  obligor upon the Notes or any Affiliate of the Company
or of such other obligor.

<PAGE>
                                       39

             SECTION 2.11. TEMPORARY NOTES. Until definitive Notes are ready for
delivery,  the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate  temporary
Notes.  Temporary Notes shall be  substantially  in the form of definitive Notes
but  may  have  insertions,   substitutions,   omissions  and  other  variations
determined to be appropriate by the Officers  executing the temporary  Notes, as
evidenced by their  execution of such temporary  Notes.  If temporary  Notes are
issued,  the  Company  will  cause  definitive  Notes  to  be  prepared  without
unreasonable  delay.  After the preparation of definitive  Notes,  the temporary
Notes shall be exchangeable for definitive Notes upon surrender of the temporary
Notes at the  office  or  agency  of the  Company  designated  for such  purpose
pursuant to Section  4.02,  without  charge to the Holder.  Upon  surrender  for
cancellation  of any one or more  temporary  Notes the Company shall execute and
the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal
amount of definitive Notes of authorized denominations.  Until so exchanged, the
temporary  Notes shall be entitled to the same benefits  under this Indenture as
definitive Notes.

             SECTION 2.12. CANCELLATION.  The Company at any time may deliver to
the Trustee for cancellation any Notes  previously  authenticated  and delivered
hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever,  and may
deliver to the  Trustee  for  cancellation  any Notes  previously  authenticated
hereunder  which the  Company  has not issued and sold.  The  Registrar  and the
Paying  Agent shall  forward to the Trustee  any Notes  surrendered  to them for
registration  of  transfer,  exchange,  purchase or payment.  The Trustee  shall
cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer,  exchange,  purchase,
payment or cancellation  and shall dispose of them in accordance with its normal
procedure. The Company shall not issue new Notes to replace Notes it has paid in
full or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

             SECTION 2.13.  CUSIP NUMBERS.  The Company in issuing the Notes may
use "CUSIP" and "CINS" numbers (if then generally in use), and the Trustee shall
use CUSIP numbers or CINS numbers,  as the case may be, in notices of redemption
or exchange as a  convenience  to Holders;  PROVIDED  that any such notice shall
state  that no  representation  is made as to the  correctness  of such  numbers
either as printed on the Notes or as  contained in any notice of  redemption  or
exchange  and that  reliance  may be  placed  only on the  other  identification
numbers printed on the Notes.

             SECTION  2.14.  DEFAULTED  INTEREST.  If the Company  defaults in a
payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay, or shall deposit with the Paying
Agent money in  immediately  available  funds  sufficient  to pay, the defaulted
interest, plus (to the extent lawful) interest on the defaulted interest, to the
Persons who are Holders on a subsequent  special  record date. A special  record
date,  as used in this Section 2.14 with respect to the payment of any defaulted
interest,  shall mean the 15th day  immediately  preceding the date fixed by the
Company  for the  payment of  defaulted  interest,  whether or not such day is a
Business Day. At least 15 days before the  subsequent  special  record date, the
Company  shall mail to each  Holder and to the  Trustee a notice that states the
subsequent  special  record  date,  the payment date and the amount of defaulted
interest to be paid.



<PAGE>
                                       40

             SECTION  2.15.  ISSUANCE OF  ADDITIONAL  NOTES.  The  Company  may,
subject to Article Four of this  Indenture,  issue  additional  Notes under this
Indenture.  The  Notes  issued  on the  Closing  Date and any  additional  Notes
subsequently  issued shall be treated as a single  class for all purposes  under
this Indenture.

                                  ARTICLE THREE
                                   REDEMPTION

             SECTION 3.01. RIGHT OF REDEMPTION. (a) The Notes may be redeemed at
the election of the Company,  in whole or in part,  at any time and from time to
time on or after  May 15,  2004,  upon not less  than 30 nor more  than 60 days'
prior notice  mailed by  first-class  mail to each  Holder's  last address as it
appears in the Note Register,  at the following  Redemption Prices (expressed as
percentages of principal amount),  plus accrued and unpaid interest,  if any, to
the  Redemption  Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant
Regular  Record  Date  that is on or prior  to the  Redemption  Date to  receive
interest due on an Interest  Payment Date that is on or prior to the  Redemption
Date)  if  redeemed  during  the  12-month  period  commencing  on May 15 of the
applicable year set forth below:

                                                REDEMPTION
                  YEAR                             PRICE
                  ----                             -----

                  2004                             106.750%
                  2005                             104.500%
                  2006                             102.250%
                  2007 and thereafter              100.000%

            (b) In  addition,  at any time or from time to time,  on or prior to
May 15, 2002, the Company may, at its option,  redeem up to 35% of the aggregate
principal  amount of the Notes with  proceeds  of one or more  public or private
Equity Offerings,  at a Redemption Price (expressed as a percentage of principal
amount) of 113.500%,  plus accrued and unpaid  interest to the  Redemption  Date
(subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant  Regular  Record Date
that is on or  prior  to the  Redemption  Date  to  receive  interest  due on an
Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date); PROVIDED that
at least 65% of the  aggregate  principal  amount of the Notes issued on May 24,
1999  remains  outstanding  after  each such  redemption  and notice of any such
redemption is mailed within 60 days after the applicable  Equity Offering and in
accordance with the requirements of Section 3.04.

            SECTION 3.02.  NOTICES TO TRUSTEE.  If the Company  elects to redeem
Notes  pursuant to Section  3.01,  it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the
Redemption Date and the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed.

<PAGE>
                                       41


            The Company shall give each notice provided for in this Section 3.02
in an Officers'  Certificate at least 60 days before the Redemption Date (unless
a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee).

            SECTION 3.03. SELECTION OF NOTES TO BE REDEEMED. If less than all of
the Notes are to be redeemed at any time,  the Trustee shall select the Notes to
be  redeemed in  compliance  with the  requirements  of the  principal  national
securities  exchange,  if any, on which the Notes are listed or if the Notes are
not listed on a national securities exchange,  by lot or by such other method as
the  Trustee  in its sole  discretion  shall  deem to be fair  and  appropriate;
PROVIDED  that no Notes of $1,000 in principal  amount or less shall be redeemed
in part.

            The Trustee shall make the selection from the Notes  outstanding and
not  previously  called  for  redemption.  Notes in  denominations  of $1,000 in
principal  amount may only be  redeemed  in whole.  The  Trustee  may select for
redemption  portions  (equal  to  $1,000 in  principal  amount  or any  integral
multiple  thereof)  of Notes  that  have  denominations  larger  than  $1,000 in
principal  amount.  Provisions of this  Indenture that apply to Notes called for
redemption  also apply to portions of Notes called for  redemption.  The Trustee
shall notify the Company and the  Registrar  promptly in writing of the Notes or
portions of Notes to be called for redemption.

            SECTION 3.04.  NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.  With respect to any redemption
of Notes  pursuant to Section  3.01,  at least 30 days but not more than 60 days
before a Redemption Date, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first
class mail to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed.

            The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:

            (i)   the Redemption Date;

            (ii)  the Redemption Price;

            (iii) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

            (iv) that Notes called for  redemption  must be  surrendered  to the
      Paying Agent in order to collect the Redemption Price;

<PAGE>
                                       42

            (v) that,  unless the  Company  defaults  in making  the  redemption
      payment,  interest on Notes (or portions  thereof)  called for  redemption
      ceases to accrue on and after the  Redemption  Date and the only remaining
      right of the Holders is to receive  payment of the  Redemption  Price plus
      accrued interest to the Redemption Date upon surrender of the Notes to the
      Paying Agent;

            (vi) that, if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the
      principal  amount  (equal to $1,000 in  principal  amount or any  integral
      multiple  thereof) of such Note to be redeemed and that,  on and after the
      Redemption  Date,  upon  surrender  of such  Note,  a new Note or Notes in
      principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be reissued;
      and

            (vii)  that,  if any Note  contains a CUSIP  number as  provided  in
      Section 2.13, no representation is being made as to the correctness of the
      CUSIP number  either as printed on the Notes or as contained in the notice
      of redemption.

            At the  Company's  request  (which  request  may be  revoked  by the
Company at any time prior to the time at which the Trustee shall have given such
notice to the Holders), made in writing to the Trustee at least 60 days (or such
shorter  period as shall be  satisfactory  to the  Trustee)  before a Redemption
Date,  the Trustee  shall give the notice of  redemption  in the name and at the
expense of the  Company.  If,  however,  the  Company  gives such  notice to the
Holders,  the Company  shall  concurrently  deliver to the Trustee an  Officers'
Certificate stating that such notice has been given.

            SECTION  3.05.  EFFECT  OF  NOTICE  OF  REDEMPTION.  Once  notice of
redemption is mailed,  Notes called for redemption become due and payable on the
Redemption Date and at the Redemption  Price. Upon surrender of any Notes to the
Paying Agent,  such Notes shall be paid at the  Redemption  Price,  plus accrued
interest, if any, to the Redemption Date.

            Notice  of  redemption  shall be  deemed  to be given  when  mailed,
whether or not the Holder  receives  the notice.  In any event,  failure to give
such  notice,  or any  defect  therein,  shall not affect  the  validity  of the
proceedings  for the redemption of Notes held by Holders to whom such notice was
properly given.

<PAGE>
                                       43

            SECTION  3.06.  DEPOSIT  OF  REDEMPTION  PRICE.  On or  prior to any
Redemption  Date,  the Company  shall  deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the
Company,  one of its Subsidiaries or any of their Affiliates is acting as Paying
Agent,  shall  segregate  and hold in trust as provided  in Section  2.05) money
sufficient to pay the Redemption  Price of and accrued  interest on all Notes to
be  redeemed  on that date  other  than  Notes or  portions  thereof  called for
redemption  on that date that have been  delivered by the Company to the Trustee
for cancellation.

            SECTION 3.07.  PAYMENT OF NOTES CALLED FOR REDEMPTION.  If notice of
redemption has been given in the manner provided above,  the Notes or portion of
Notes  specified  in such notice to be redeemed  shall become due and payable on
the  Redemption  Date at the  Redemption  Price stated  therein,  together  with
accrued interest to such Redemption Date, and on and after such date (unless the
Company shall default in the payment of such Notes at the  Redemption  Price and
accrued  interest to the  Redemption  Date, in which case the  principal,  until
paid, shall bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed in the
Notes),  such Notes shall cease to accrue  interest.  Upon surrender of any Note
for  redemption in accordance  with a notice of  redemption,  such Note shall be
paid and redeemed by the Company at the Redemption Price,  together with accrued
interest, if any, to the Redemption Date; PROVIDED that installments of interest
whose Stated  Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to
the Holders  registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Regular
Record Date.

            SECTION 3.08.  NOTES  REDEEMED IN PART.  Upon  surrender of any Note
that is  redeemed  in part,  the Company  shall  execute  and the Trustee  shall
authenticate  and deliver to the Holder a new Note equal in principal  amount to
the unredeemed portion of such surrendered Note.


                                  ARTICLE FOUR
                                    COVENANTS

            SECTION 4.01.  PAYMENT OF NOTES. The Company shall pay the principal
of,  premium,  if any,  and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner
provided in the Notes and this Indenture. An installment of principal,  premium,
if any, or interest  shall be considered  paid on the date due if the Trustee or
Paying  Agent  (other than the Company,  a  Subsidiary  of the  Company,  or any
Affiliate of any of them) holds on that date money designated for and sufficient
to pay the  installment.  If the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any
Affiliate of any of them,  acts as Paying Agent,  an  installment  of principal,
premium,  if any, or interest  shall be  considered  paid on the due date if the
entity  acting as Paying Agent  complies with the last sentence of Section 2.05.
As provided in Section 6.09,  upon any  bankruptcy or  reorganization  procedure
relative  to the  Company,  the  Trustee  shall  serve as the  Paying  Agent and
conversion agent, if any, for the Notes.

            The Company  shall pay interest on overdue  principal,  premium,  if
any, and interest on overdue installments of interest,  to the extent lawful, at
the rate per annum specified in the Notes.

<PAGE>
                                       44

            SECTION  4.02.  MAINTENANCE  OF OFFICE OR AGENCY.  The Company  will
maintain in the Borough of Manhattan,  the City of New York, an office or agency
where Notes may be surrendered  for  registration of transfer or exchange or for
presentation for payment and where notices and demands to or upon the Company or
the Guarantor in respect of the Notes, the Note Guarantee and this Indenture may
be served.  The Company  will give prompt  written  notice to the Trustee of the
location,  and any change in the location,  of such office or agency.  If at any
time the Company  shall fail to maintain any such  required  office or agency or
shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof,  such presentations,
surrenders,  notices  and  demands  may be made or served at the  address of the
Trustee set forth in Section 12.02 hereof.

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

            The Company hereby  initially  designates the Corporate Trust Office
of the Trustee,  located in the Borough of  Manhattan,  the City of New York, as
such office of the Company in accordance with Section 2.04.

            SECTION 4.03. LIMITATION ON INDEBTEDNESS.  (a) The Company will not,
and  will  not  permit  any  of  its  Restricted   Subsidiaries  to,  Incur  any
Indebtedness  (other  than the Notes and  Indebtedness  existing  on the Closing
Date);  PROVIDED that the Company 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.

            (b)  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the Company and any Restricted
Subsidiary (except as specified below) may Incur each and all of the following:

            (i)  Indebtedness  of the  Company  or its  Restricted  Subsidiaries
      outstanding  at any time in an  aggregate  principal  amount not to exceed
      $100.0  million  of  unsubordinated  Indebtedness  and  $100.0  million of
      subordinated   Indebtedness,   less  any   amount  of  such   Indebtedness
      permanently  repaid  as  provided  under  Section  4.11  hereof  (and  any
      Guarantees thereof by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries);

            (ii) the  Incurrence by the Company of  Indebtedness  represented by
      the Notes;

            (iii) Indebtedness in existence on the Closing Date;

<PAGE>
                                       45


            (iv)  Indebtedness  of the Company to a  Restricted  Subsidiary  and
      Indebtedness  of  a  Restricted  Subsidiary  to  the  Company  or  another
      Restricted Subsidiary; PROVIDED that such Indebtedness is made pursuant to
      an  intercompany  note  (which,  in the case of  Indebtedness  owed to the
      Company,  shall be unsubordinated) 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 Company or
      another  Restricted   Subsidiary)  shall  be  deemed,  in  each  case,  to
      constitute an Incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this clause
      (iv);

            (v)  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 clauses (i), (iv), (vi), (viii) or
      (xi) of this paragraph (b)) and any refinancings  thereof in an amount not
      to exceed the amount so refinanced  or refunded  (plus  premiums,  accrued
      interest,  fees and expenses);  PROVIDED that Indebtedness the proceeds of
      which are used to refinance or refund Indebtedness that is subordinated in
      right of payment to the Notes  shall only be  permitted  under this clause
      (v) if (A)  such new  Indebtedness,  by its  terms or by the  terms of any
      agreement or instrument  pursuant to which such new Indebtedness is issued
      or remains outstanding,  is expressly made subordinate in right of payment
      to the Notes at least to the extent that the Indebtedness to be refinanced
      is subordinated to the Notes and (B) such new Indebtedness,  determined as
      of the date of Incurrence of such new Indebtedness,  does not mature prior
      to the Stated  Maturity of the  Indebtedness to be refinanced or refunded,
      and the  Average  Life of such new  Indebtedness  is at least equal to the
      remaining  Average Life of the  Indebtedness to be refinanced or refunded;
      and PROVIDED  FURTHER that in no event may  Indebtedness of the Company be
      refinanced  by  means of any  Indebtedness  of any  Restricted  Subsidiary
      pursuant to this clause (v);

            (vi)  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  (1) are  designed  solely to protect  the
      Company or its Restricted  Subsidiaries  against  fluctuations  in foreign
      currency  exchange  rates or interest  rates and (2) 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)

<PAGE>
                                       46


      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
      Company 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  Company  or  any  Restricted   Subsidiary  in
      connection with such disposition;

            (vii)  Indebtedness  of the Company,  to the extent the net proceeds
      thereof are promptly (A) used to purchase the Notes or the Senior Discount
      Notes  tendered  in an Offer to  Purchase  made as a result of a Change in
      Control or (B) deposited to defease the Notes or the Senior Discount Notes
      as described below under Article Eight hereof;

            (viii)  Guarantees  of the Notes and the Senior  Discount  Notes and
      Guarantees of  Indebtedness  of the Company by any  Restricted  Subsidiary
      provided the  Guarantee of such  Indebtedness  is permitted by and made in
      accordance  with Section  4.07 hereof and any  Guarantee by the Company of
      Indebtedness or other obligations of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries so
      long as the incurrence of such  Indebtedness  Incurred by such  Restricted
      Subsidiary is permitted under the terms of this Section 4.03;

            (ix)  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 Company or a Restricted
      Subsidiary after the Closing Date;

            (x)  Indebtedness  of the  Company  not to  exceed,  at any one time
      outstanding,  two times the sum of (A) the Net Cash  Proceeds  received by
      the  Company  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 Company,  to the extent such Net Cash Proceeds have not
      been used  pursuant to clause  (iv)(C)(2) of paragraph (a) or clause (iii)
      or (iv) of  paragraph  (b) of  Section  4.04  hereof 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

<PAGE>
                                       47


      equivalents)  received by the Company 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 Company,  to the extent such sale of Capital Stock
      has not been used  pursuant to clause  (iii) or (iv) of  paragraph  (b) of
      Section  4.04  hereof to make a  Restricted  Payment;  PROVIDED  that such
      Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (x) does not mature prior to
      the Stated  Maturity of the Notes and has an Average  Life longer than the
      Notes;

            (xi)  Indebtedness  Incurred by the Company 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;

            (xii)  Indebtedness  of Persons  that are acquired by the Company or
      any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries or merged into a Restricted Subsidiary
      in  accordance  with  the  terms of this  Indenture;  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 Company  would be  permitted  to incur at least
      $1.00 of additional  Indebtedness  pursuant to the  Consolidated  Leverage
      Ratio  test set forth in  paragraph  (a) of this  Section  4.03 or (y) the
      Consolidated  Leverage Ratio is lower (if greater than zero) or higher (if
      less than zero) than immediately prior to such acquisition; and

            (xiii)      Strategic Subordinated Indebtedness.

            (c)  For  purposes  of   determining   any   particular   amount  of
Indebtedness under this Section 4.03, (1) Guarantees,  Liens or obligations with
respect to letters of credit supporting  Indebtedness  otherwise included in the
determination of such particular  amount shall not be included and (2) any Liens
granted  pursuant to the equal and ratable  provisions  referred to in the first
paragraph of Section 4.09 shall not be treated as Indebtedness.  For purposes of
determining  compliance  with this  Section  4.03,  in the event that an item of
Indebtedness  meets the  criteria of more than one of the types of  Indebtedness
described in clauses (i) through (xiii) of paragraph (b) above, the Company,  in
its sole discretion,  shall classify, and may from time to time reclassify, such
item of Indebtedness and only be required to include the amount and type of such
Indebtedness in one of such clauses.

            (d)  Notwithstanding  any other  provision of this Section 4.03, the
maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may
Incur  pursuant to this  Section  4.03 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.

<PAGE>
                                       48

            SECTION 4.04.  LIMITATION ON RESTRICTED PAYMENTS.   (a)  The
Company will not, and will 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 Capital  Stock (other than (x)  dividends or  distributions
      payable  solely in shares of its Capital  Stock  (other than  Disqualified
      Stock) or in options,  warrants or other rights to acquire  shares of such
      Capital Stock and (y) pro rata dividends or  distributions on Common Stock
      of Restricted  Subsidiaries held by minority stockholders) held by Persons
      other than the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries,

            (ii)  purchase,  redeem,  retire or otherwise  acquire for value any
      shares of Capital Stock of (A) the Company or an  Unrestricted  Subsidiary
      (including  options,  warrants or other  rights to acquire  such shares of
      Capital  Stock) 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  Capital  Stock)  held by any
      Affiliate   of  the  Company   (other  than  a   Wholly-Owned   Restricted
      Subsidiary),

            (iii) make any voluntary or optional principal payment, or voluntary
      or optional redemption,  repurchase,  defeasance,  or other acquisition or
      retirement for value,  of Indebtedness of the Company that is subordinated
      in right of payment to the Notes  (other  than the  purchase,  redemption,
      repurchase  or  other  acquisition  of  such   subordinated   Indebtedness
      purchased  in  anticipation  of  satisfying  a  sinking  fund  obligation,
      principal  installment  or final  maturity,  in each case due  within  six
      months of the date of acquisition) or

            (iv) make any Investment,  other than a Permitted Investment, in any
      Person  (such  payments  or any other  actions  described  in clauses  (i)
      through (iv) above being  collectively  "Restricted  Payments") if, at the
      time of, and after giving effect to, the proposed Restricted Payment:  (A)
      a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be  continuing,  (B)
      the Company could not Incur at least $1.00 of Indebtedness under paragraph
      (a) of Section 4.03 hereof or (C) 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 Company or a Restricted

<PAGE>
                                       49


      Subsidiary to an Unrestricted  Subsidiary)  accrued on a cumulative  basis
      during the period (taken as one accounting  period) beginning on the first
      day of the fiscal  quarter  immediately  following  the  Closing  Date and
      ending  on  the  last  day  of  the  last  fiscal  quarter  preceding  the
      Transaction  Date for which reports have been filed with the Commission or
      provided to the Trustee  pursuant to Section  4.18 hereof 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
      Company  after the Closing Date from the  issuance  and sale  permitted by
      this Indenture of its Capital Stock (other than  Disqualified  Stock) to a
      Person who is not a Subsidiary  of the  Company,  including an issuance or
      sale permitted by this Indenture of  Indebtedness  of the Company for cash
      subsequent to the Closing Date upon the  conversion  of such  Indebtedness
      into Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company, or from
      the  issuance  to a Person who is not a  Subsidiary  of the Company of any
      options,  warrants or other rights to acquire Capital Stock of the Company
      (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  Stated  Maturity  of the
      Notes),  and the Net Cash Proceeds from any capital  contributions  to the
      Company after the Closing Date from Persons other than Subsidiaries of the
      Company,  in each case excluding such Net Cash Proceeds to the extent used
      to Incur  Indebtedness  pursuant  to  clause  (x) of  paragraph  (b) under
      Section 4.03 hereof 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
      Company 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 Company or any  Restricted
      Subsidiary in such Person or Unrestricted Subsidiary.

            (b) 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 (a);

            (ii) the redemption,  repurchase, defeasance or other acquisition or
      retirement  for value of  Indebtedness  that is  subordinated  in right of
      payment to the Notes  including  premium,  if any,  and accrued and unpaid
      interest,  with the proceeds of, or in exchange for, Indebtedness Incurred
      under clause (i) or (v) of paragraph (b) of Section 4.03 hereof;

<PAGE>
                                       50

            (iii) the  repurchase,  redemption or other  acquisition  of Capital
      Stock of the Company or an Unrestricted  Subsidiary (or options,  warrants
      or other rights to acquire such Capital  Stock) in exchange for, or out of
      the proceeds of a substantially  concurrent offering of, shares of Capital
      Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (or options, warrants
      or other rights to acquire such Capital Stock);

            (iv)  the  making  of  any  principal  payment  or  the  repurchase,
      redemption,  retirement,  defeasance  or other  acquisition  for  value of
      Indebtedness  of the Company which is  subordinated in right of payment to
      the Notes in exchange  for,  or out of the  proceeds  of, a  substantially
      concurrent   offering  of,   shares  of  the  Capital  Stock  (other  than
      Disqualified  Stock) of the Company (or options,  warrants or other rights
      to acquire such Capital Stock);

            (v) 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 the  provisions of this Indenture
      applicable   to  mergers,   consolidations   and   transfers   of  all  or
      substantially all of the property and assets of the Company;

            (vi) the  declaration or payment of dividends on the Common Stock of
      the Company  following a Public Equity  Offering of Common Stock, of up to
      6% per annum of the Net Cash  Proceeds  received  by the  Company  in such
      Public Equity Offering;

            (vii) the repurchase,  retirement or other acquisition or retirement
      for  value of  Capital  Stock (or  options,  warrants  or other  rights to
      acquire such Capital  Stock) of the Company that is not  registered  under
      the Exchange Act and is held by any current or former  employee,  director
      or consultant (or their estates or the  beneficiaries  of such estates) of
      the Company or any Subsidiary, not to exceed (A) in any calendar year $2.0
      million or (B) $5.0 million in the aggregate;

            (viii) repurchases of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon exercise of
      stock options if such Capital  Stock  represents a portion of the exercise
      price of such options;

<PAGE>
                                       51

            (ix) repurchases of fractional shares of Capital Stock in connection
      with the  exercise  of warrants to acquire  Common  Stock of the  Company,
      PROVIDED that such  repurchase is in compliance  with Section 4.08 hereof;
      and

            (x) other  Restricted  Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed
      $2.0 million;

PROVIDED  that,  except in the case of clauses  (i),  (ii),  (iii) and (iv),  no
Default or Event of Default  shall have occurred and be continuing or occur as a
consequence of the actions or payments set forth therein.

            (c) Each  Restricted  Payment  permitted  pursuant to the  preceding
paragraph (b) (other than the Restricted  Payment  referred to in clause (ii) or
(viii)  thereof,  an exchange of Capital Stock for Capital Stock or Indebtedness
referred to in clause  (iii) or (iv)  thereof and an  Investment  referred to in
clause (vi)  thereof),  and the Net Cash  Proceeds  from any issuance of Capital
Stock  referred to in clauses (iii) and (iv),  shall be included in  calculating
whether the  conditions of clause  (iv)(C) of paragraph (a) of this Section 4.04
have been met with respect to any subsequent  Restricted Payments.  In the event
the  proceeds of an  issuance  of Capital  Stock of the Company are used for the
redemption,  repurchase or other  acquisition of the Notes, or Indebtedness that
is PARI PASSU with the Notes,  then the Net Cash Proceeds of such issuance shall
be included in clause  (iv)(C) of paragraph (a) of this Section 4.04 only to the
extent  such  proceeds  are not used for such  redemption,  repurchase  or other
acquisition of Indebtedness.

            (d) 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 Company 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).

            SECTION 4.05.  LIMITATION ON DIVIDEND AND OTHER PAYMENT RESTRICTIONS
AFFECTING RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES. (a) The Company will not, and will not permit
any Restricted  Subsidiary  to, create or otherwise  cause or suffer to exist or
become  effective any  consensual  encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the
ability of any  Restricted  Subsidiary  to (i) pay  dividends  or make any other
distributions  permitted  by  applicable  law  on  any  Capital  Stock  of  such
Restricted  Subsidiary owned by the Company or any other Restricted  Subsidiary,
(ii)  pay  any  Indebtedness  owed  to  the  Company  or  any  other  Restricted
Subsidiary,  (iii) make loans or advances to the Company or any other Restricted
Subsidiary  or (iv) transfer any of its property or assets to the Company or any
other Restricted Subsidiary.

            (b) The foregoing  provisions shall not restrict any encumbrances or
restrictions:

<PAGE>
                                       52

            (i)  existing  on the  Closing  Date in the  Senior  Secured  Credit
      Facility,  the Lucent  Facility,  this  Indenture,  the  indenture for the
      Senior  Discount  Notes 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  Company 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  paragraph  (a) of this  Section
      4.05, (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  Company  or  any  Restricted
      Subsidiary  not  otherwise  prohibited by this  Indenture,  (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  Company  or any  Restricted
      Subsidiary  in any  manner  material  to  the  Company  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  Company  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 Company;

<PAGE>
                                       53

            (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 Senior Secured Credit 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  Notes  than is
      customary in comparable  financings (as determined by the Company) and (C)
      the Company  determines that any such  encumbrance or restriction will not
      materially  affect the  Company's  ability to make  principal  or interest
      payments on the Notes;

            (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  paragraph  (a) of this  Section 4.05 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
      Company,  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.

            (c) Nothing contained in this Section 4.05 shall prevent the Company
      or any Restricted  Subsidiary  from (1) creating,  incurring,  assuming or
      suffering to exist any Liens otherwise permitted in Section 4.09 hereof or
      (2) restricting the sale or other disposition of property or assets of the
      Company or any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries that secure Indebtedness of
      the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

            SECTION  4.06.  LIMITATION ON THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF CAPITAL STOCK
OF RESTRICTED  SUBSIDIARIES.  The Company will not sell, and will not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary,  directly or indirectly,  to issue or sell, any shares of
Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary  (including options,  warrants or other
rights to purchase  shares of such Capital Stock) except (i) to the Company 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,

<PAGE>
                                       54

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 under Section 4.04 hereof if made on the date of such
issuance or sale; or (iv) issuances or sales of Common Stock (including options,
warrants or other  rights to purchase  shares of Common  Stock) of a  Restricted
Subsidiary,  PROVIDED that the Company or any Restricted  Subsidiary  applies an
amount equal to the Net Cash Proceeds  thereof in  accordance  with Section 4.11
hereof.

            SECTION  4.07.  LIMITATION  ON ISSUANCES OF GUARANTEES BY RESTRICTED
SUBSIDIARIES.  (a) The  Company  will  not  permit  any  Restricted  Subsidiary,
directly or indirectly,  to Guarantee any  Indebtedness  of the Company which is
PARI PASSU  with or  subordinate  in right of payment to the Notes  ("GUARANTEED
INDEBTEDNESS"),  unless (i) such Restricted Subsidiary  simultaneously  executes
and  delivers  a  supplemental  indenture  to  this  Indenture  providing  for a
Guarantee  (a  "SUBSIDIARY  GUARANTEE")  of  payment  of the Notes and the other
obligations  of the Company under this Indenture by such  Restricted  Subsidiary
and (ii) such Restricted Subsidiary waives and will not in any manner whatsoever
claim or take the benefit or advantage of any rights of reimbursement, indemnity
or subrogation  or any other rights against the Company or any other  Restricted
Subsidiary as a result of any payment by such  Restricted  Subsidiary  under its
Subsidiary  Guarantee;  provided that this paragraph (a) shall not be applicable
to any Guarantee of any Restricted  Subsidiary (x) that existed at the time such
Person became a Restricted  Subsidiary and was not Incurred in connection  with,
or in contemplation  of, such Person becoming a Restricted  Subsidiary or (y) of
the Indebtedness Incurred under the Senior Secured Credit Facility.

            (b) If the  Guaranteed  Indebtedness  is (A) PARI  PASSU in right of
payment with the Notes, then the Guarantee of such Guaranteed Indebtedness shall
be PARI PASSU in right of  payment  with,  or  subordinated  to, the  Subsidiary
Guarantee  or (B)  subordinated  in  right of  payment  to the  Notes,  then the
Guarantee of such  Guaranteed  Indebtedness  shall be  subordinated  in right of
payment to the  Subsidiary  Guarantee at least to the extent that the Guaranteed
Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes.

            (c)  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  any Subsidiary  Guarantee by a
Restricted  Subsidiary  may provide by its terms that it shall be  automatically
and  unconditionally  released  and  discharged  upon (i) any sale,  exchange or
transfer, to any Person not an Affiliate of the Company, of all of the Company's
and each Restricted  Subsidiary's  Capital Stock in, or all or substantially all
the assets of, such Restricted  Subsidiary (which sale,  exchange or transfer is
not  prohibited  by this  Indenture)  or (ii) the  release or  discharge  of the
Guarantee which resulted in the creation of such Subsidiary Guarantee,  except a
discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such Guarantee.


<PAGE>
                                       55

            SECTION  4.08.  LIMITATION ON  TRANSACTIONS  WITH  SHAREHOLDERS  AND
AFFILIATES.  (a) The  Company  will  not,  and will not  permit  any  Restricted
Subsidiary  to,  directly  or  indirectly,  enter  into,  renew  or  extend  any
transaction  (including,  without  limitation,  the  purchase,  sale,  lease  or
exchange  of property  or assets,  or the  rendering  of any  service)  with any
Affiliate  of the  Company or any  Restricted  Subsidiary,  except upon fair and
reasonable terms no less favorable to the Company 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 such a holder or an Affiliate.

            (b) 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  Company  or a
      Restricted  Subsidiary  delivers  to the  Trustee 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 Company or such
      Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view;

            (ii) any  transaction  solely  between  the  Company  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 Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

            (iv) any payments or other transactions  pursuant to any tax-sharing
      agreement  between the Company and any other Person with which the Company
      files a  consolidated  tax return or with  which the  Company 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 Company 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);


<PAGE>
                                       56


            (vii)  any  Permitted   Investments  and  Restricted   Payments  not
      prohibited by Section 4.04 hereof; or

            (viii) the issuance of any Capital  Stock  (other than  Disqualified
      Stock) of the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any transaction or series of related transactions
covered by  paragraph  (a) of this  Section 4.08 and not covered by clauses (ii)
through (vii) of this  paragraph (b) 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) of this Section 4.08.

            SECTION  4.09.  LIMITATION  ON LIENS.  (a) The Company will not, and
will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or suffer to
exist any Lien on any of its assets or properties  of any character  (including,
without limitation, licenses), or any shares of Capital Stock or Indebtedness of
any Restricted  Subsidiary,  without making  effective  provision for all of the
Notes and all other  amounts due under this  Indenture  to be  directly  secured
equally and ratably  with (or, if the  obligation  or liability to be secured by
such  Lien is  subordinated  in right of  payment  to the  Notes,  prior to) the
obligation or liability secured by such Lien.

            (b)  The foregoing limitation does not apply to:

            (i)   Liens existing on the Closing Date or required on the
      Closing Date to be provided in the future;

            (ii) Liens  securing  obligations  under the Senior  Secured  Credit
      Facility (including Liens pursuant to after-acquired clauses);

            (iii) Liens  granted after the Closing Date on any assets or Capital
      Stock of the Company or its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  created in favor of
      the Holders;

            (iv) Liens with  respect  to the assets of a  Restricted  Subsidiary
      granted by such  Restricted  Subsidiary  to the  Company  or a  Restricted
      Subsidiary  to secure  Indebtedness  owing to the  Company  or such  other
      Restricted Subsidiary;

            (v) Liens  securing  Indebtedness  which is  Incurred  to  refinance
      secured Indebtedness which is permitted to be Incurred under clause (v) of
      paragraph  (b) of Section  4.03  hereof;  PROVIDED  that such Liens do not
      extend to or cover any property or assets of the Company or any Restricted
      Subsidiary  other than the property or assets  securing  the  Indebtedness
      being refinanced;

<PAGE>
                                       57

            (vi)  Liens on any  property  or assets of a  Restricted  Subsidiary
      securing  Indebtedness  of  such  Restricted  Subsidiary  permitted  under
      Section 4.03 hereof; or

            (vii)       Permitted Liens.

            SECTION 4.10. LIMITATION ON SALE-LEASEBACK TRANSACTIONS. The Company
will not,  and will not  permit any  Restricted  Subsidiary  to,  enter into any
sale-leaseback transaction involving any of its assets or properties whether now
owned or  hereafter  acquired,  whereby the Company or a  Restricted  Subsidiary
sells or transfers such assets or properties and then or thereafter  leases such
assets or properties or any part thereof or any other assets or properties which
the Company or such  Restricted  Subsidiary,  as the case may be, intends to use
for  substantially the same purpose or purposes as the assets or properties sold
or transferred.

            The  foregoing  restriction  does not  apply  to any  sale-leaseback
transaction if:

            (i)   the lease is for a period, including renewal rights, of not
      in excess of three years;

            (ii) the lease secures or relates to industrial revenue or pollution
      control bonds;

            (iii)  the  transaction  is  solely  between  the  Company  and  any
      Wholly-Owned   Restricted   Subsidiary  or  solely  between   Wholly-Owned
      Restricted Subsidiaries; or

            (iv) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, within twelve months
      after the sale or  transfer  of any  assets or  properties  is  completed,
      applies an amount not less than the net proceeds  received  from such sale
      in  accordance  with clause (A) or (B) of  paragraph  (b) of Section  4.11
      hereof.

            SECTION 4.11.  LIMITATION ON ASSET SALES.  (a) The Company will not,
and will not permit any  Restricted  Subsidiary  to,  consummate any Asset Sale,
unless  (i)  the  consideration  received  by the  Company  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 Section 4.11, the following
are deemed to be cash: (x) the principal  amount or accreted value (whichever is
larger) of Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect
to which the Company 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  Company  or any  Restricted  Subsidiary  from  the
transferee  that  are  promptly  converted  by the  Company  or such  Restricted
Subsidiary into cash.


<PAGE>
                                       58

            (b) In the  event  and to the  extent  that  the Net  Cash  Proceeds
received by the Company 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 Company and its  Subsidiaries has
been filed with the  Commission  or provided to the Trustee  pursuant to Section
4.18  hereof),  then the Company  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  unsubordinated
Indebtedness of the Company, or any Restricted Subsidiary providing a Subsidiary
Guarantee  pursuant  to  Section  4.07  hereof  or  Indebtedness  of  any  other
Restricted Subsidiary,  in each case owing to a Person other than the Company 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
Company 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 (c) of this Section 4.11.  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."

            (c) 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  4.11 totals at least $5  million,  the Company  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 Indebtedness with similar provisions requiring
the  Company to make an offer to purchase  such  Indebtedness,  in an  aggregate
principal amount of the Notes and such PARI PASSU Indebtedness equal to (A) with
respect to the  Notes,  the  product of such  Excess  Proceeds  multiplied  by a
fraction,  the  numerator of which is the  outstanding  principal  amount of the
Notes  and the  denominator  of  which is the sum of the  outstanding  principal
amount of the Notes and such PARI PASSU  Indebtedness  (the product  hereinafter
referred  to as the  "NOTE  AMOUNT"),  and (B) with  respect  to the PARI  PASSU
Indebtedness,  the  excess of the Excess  Proceeds  over the Note  Amount,  at a

<PAGE>
                                       59

purchase  price equal to 100% of the principal  amount or accreted value of such
PARI PASSU  Indebtedness,  as the case may be, on the  relevant  Payment Date or
such  other  date  set  forth in the  documentation  governing  the  PARI  PASSU
Indebtedness,  plus, in each case, accrued interest (if any) to the Payment Date
or such  other  date set forth in the  documentation  governing  the PARI  PASSU
Indebtedness.  If the aggregate purchase price of the Notes tendered pursuant to
the Offer to Purchase  is less than the Excess  Proceeds,  the amount  remaining
will be available for use by the Company for general  corporate  purposes.  Upon
the  consummation  of any Offer to Purchase in accordance with the terms of this
Indenture,  the  amount of Net Cash  Proceeds  from Asset  Sales  subject to any
future Offer to Purchase shall be deemed to be zero.

            SECTION  4.12.  REPURCHASE  OF NOTES UPON A CHANGE OF  CONTROL.  The
Company must commence,  within 30 days of the occurrence of a Change of Control,
and  consummate  an Offer to  Purchase  for all  Notes  then  outstanding,  at a
purchase  price  equal  to 101% of the  principal  amount  of the  Notes  on the
relevant  Payment  Date,  PLUS accrued  interest  (if any) to the Payment  Date;
PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that notwithstanding the occurrence of a Change of Control,
the  Company  shall not be  obligated  to  purchase  the Notes  pursuant to this
Section 4.12 in the event that it has  irrevocably  committed to, within 90 days
of such Change of  Control,  redeem all the Notes in  accordance  with the terms
hereof.

            SECTION 4.13.  EXISTENCE.  Subject to Articles Four and Five of this
Indenture,  the  Company  will do or cause to be done all  things  necessary  to
preserve and keep in full force and effect its  existence  and the  existence of
each  of  its  Restricted   Subsidiaries   in  accordance  with  the  respective
organizational  documents of the Company and each such Subsidiary and the rights
(whether pursuant to charter,  partnership  certificate,  agreement,  statute or
otherwise),  material  licenses  and  franchises  of the  Company  and each such
Subsidiary; PROVIDED that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such
right, license or franchise,  or the existence of any Restricted Subsidiary,  if
the maintenance or preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of
the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

            SECTION 4.14.  PAYMENT OF TAXES AND OTHER  CLAIMS.  The Company will
pay or discharge and shall cause each of its  Subsidiaries  to pay or discharge,
or cause to be paid or discharged,  before the same shall become  delinquent (i)
all material taxes,  assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon
(a) the  Company or any such  Subsidiary,  (b) the income or profits of any such
Subsidiary which is a corporation or (c) the property of the Company or any such
Subsidiary and (ii) all material lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies

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                                       60

that, if unpaid,  might by law become a Lien upon the property of the Company or
any such  Subsidiary;  PROVIDED that the Company shall not be required to pay or
discharge, or cause to be paid or discharged,  any such tax, assessment,  charge
or claim the amount,  applicability  or validity of which is being  contested in
good faith by appropriate  proceedings,  for which  adequate  reserves have been
established,  and where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any
material respect to the Holders.

            SECTION 4.15.  MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES AND INSURANCE.  The Company
will cause all  properties  used or useful in the conduct of its business or the
business of any of its  Restricted  Subsidiaries,  to be maintained  and kept in
good  condition,  repair  and  working  order and  supplied  with all  necessary
equipment  and  will  cause  to  be  made  all  necessary   repairs,   renewals,
replacements,  betterments and improvements  thereof,  all as in the judgment of
the Company  may be  necessary  so that the  business  carried on in  connection
therewith may be properly and  advantageously  conducted at all times;  PROVIDED
that  nothing  in this  Section  4.15  shall  prevent  the  Company  or any such
Subsidiary from  discontinuing the use,  operation or maintenance of any of such
properties or disposing of any of them, if such  discontinuance  or disposal is,
in the judgment of the Company,  desirable in the conduct of the business of the
Company or such Subsidiary.

            The Company will provide or cause to be provided, for itself and its
Restricted  Subsidiaries,   insurance  (including  appropriate   self-insurance)
against loss or damage of the kinds customarily  insured against by corporations
similarly  situated and owning like properties,  with reputable insurers or with
the government of the United States of America,  or an agency or instrumentality
thereof, in such amounts,  with such deductibles and by such methods as shall be
customary  for  corporations  similarly  situated  in the  industry in which the
Company or such  Restricted  Subsidiary,  as the case may be, is then conducting
business.

            SECTION  4.16.  NOTICE OF  DEFAULTS.  In the event that the  Company
becomes aware of any Default or Event of Default, the Company, promptly after it
becomes aware thereof, will give written notice thereof to the Trustee.

            SECTION  4.17.  COMPLIANCE  CERTIFICATES.  Both of the two principal
accounting officers of the Company and the Guarantor shall certify, on or before
a date not more than 90 days after the end of each fiscal  year of the  Company,
that a review  has been  conducted  of the  activities  of the  Company  and its
Restricted  Subsidiaries or the Guarantor, as the case may be, and the Company's
and  its  Restricted  Subsidiaries'  or the  Guarantor's,  as the  case  may be,
performance  under this  Indenture and that the Company and the  Guarantor  have
fulfilled  all  obligations  thereunder,  or, if there has been a default in the
fulfillment of any such obligation,  specifying each such default and the nature
and status thereof.  The Company shall also notify the Trustee of any default or
defaults in the performance of any covenants or agreements under this Indenture.
The Company and the  Guarantor  shall also comply with the other  provisions  of
Section 314(a) of the TIA.

<PAGE>
                                       61


            SECTION  4.18.  COMMISSION  REPORTS AND  REPORTS TO HOLDERS.  At all
times  from and  after the  earlier  of (i) the date of the  commencement  of an
Exchange  Offer or the  effectiveness  of a Shelf  Registration  Statement  (the
"Registration")  and (ii) the date that is six months after the Closing Date, in
either  case,  whether or not the Company is then  required to file reports with
the  Commission,  the Company 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.  The Company shall supply the Trustee, within
15 days of filing with the  Commission,  and each Holder or shall  supply to the
Trustee for forwarding to each such Holder,  without cost to such Holder, copies
of such reports and other  information.  In addition,  at all times prior to the
earlier of the date of the  Registration  and the date that is six months  after
the Closing Date, the Company shall, at its cost,  deliver to each Holder of the
Notes quarterly and annual reports substantially equivalent to those which would
be required by the Exchange Act (or, in lieu thereof, the Registration Statement
on Form S-1, S-3 or S-4 filed or to be filed with the  Commission  in connection
with the Exchange Offer or the Shelf  Registration  Statement,  if such Form and
any amendments thereof contains  comparable  information).  In addition,  at all
times  prior  to  the  Registration,  upon  the  request  of any  Holder  or any
prospective  purchaser of the Notes  designated  by a Holder,  the Company shall
supply to such Holder or such  prospective  purchaser the  information  required
under Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

            SECTION 4.19.  WAIVER OF STAY,  EXTENSION OR USURY LAWS. The Company
covenants  (to the extent  that it may  lawfully  do so) that it will not at any
time  insist  upon,  or plead,  or in any  manner  whatsoever  claim or take the
benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or other law
that would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any portion of the
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes as contemplated  herein,
wherever enacted,  now or at any time hereafter in force, or that may affect the
covenants or the performance of this  Indenture;  and (to the extent that it may
lawfully do so) the Company hereby  expressly waives all benefit or advantage of
any such  law and  covenants  that it will  not  hinder,  delay  or  impede  the
execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit
the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

            SECTION  4.20.  LIMITATION  ON  INCURRENCE  OF  LIABILITIES  BY  THE
GUARANTOR. The Guarantor has been formed for the limited purpose of pledging the
Pledged  Securities to secure the Notes pursuant to the Pledge  Agreement and to
Guarantee  the  Notes  and  the  Senior  Discount  Notes.  Other  than as may be
necessary in connection with the purposes  described in the preceding  sentence,
until such time as the  Guarantee  terminates  pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof,

<PAGE>
                                       62

the Guarantor  shall not engage in any business  activities  and shall not Incur
any material  obligations (other than obligations with respect to its Guarantees
of the Notes and the  Senior  Discount  Notes) and 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 Guarantor.

                                  ARTICLE FIVE
                              SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

            SECTION  5.01.  WHEN COMPANY MAY MERGE,  ETC. The Company  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
Company unless:



<PAGE>



            (i) the Company shall be the  continuing  Person,  or the Person (if
      other than the  Company)  formed by such  consolidation  or into which the
      Company is merged or that  acquired or leased such  property and assets of
      the Company shall be a corporation  organized and validly  existing  under
      the laws of the United States of America or any  jurisdiction  thereof and
      shall  expressly  assume,  by  a  supplemental  indenture,   executed  and
      delivered to the Trustee,  all of the obligations of the Company on all of
      the Notes and under this Indenture;

            (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default
      or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

            (iii)  immediately  after giving effect to such transaction on a PRO
      FORMA basis,

                  (A) the Company or any Person  becoming the successor  obligor
            of the  Notes,  as the case may be,  shall have a  Consolidated  Net
            Worth  equal to or greater  than the  Consolidated  Net Worth of the
            Company immediately prior to such transaction; or

                  (B) the Company or any Person  becoming the successor  obligor
            of the Notes, 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 Company immediately prior to such transaction;
            PROVIDED  that this clause (iii) shall not apply to a  consolidation
            or merger with or into a Wholly-Owned  Restricted  Subsidiary with a
            positive net worth;

<PAGE>
                                       63


      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 Company) shall be issued or distributed to the
      stockholders of the Company; and

            (iv) the Company  delivers to the Trustee an  Officers'  Certificate
      (attaching the arithmetic  computations  to  demonstrate  compliance  with
      clause (iii) of this Section 5.01) and an Opinion of Counsel, in each case
      stating that such consolidation,  merger or transfer and such supplemental
      indenture  complies with this provision and that all conditions  precedent
      provided for herein relating to such transaction have been complied with;

PROVIDED,  HOWEVER, that clause (iii) of this Section 5.01 does not apply if, in
the good faith  determination  of the Board of Directors  of the Company,  whose
determination shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution, the principal purpose of
such  transaction is part of a plan to change the state of  incorporation of the
Company; and PROVIDED FURTHER that any such transaction shall not have as one of
its purposes the evasion of the foregoing limitations.

            SECTION  5.02.  SUCCESSOR  SUBSTITUTED.  Upon any  consolidation  or
merger,  or any  sale,  conveyance,  transfer  or  other  disposition  of all or
substantially  all of the property and assets of the Company in accordance  with
Section  5.01  of  this   Indenture,   the  successor   Person  formed  by  such
consolidation  or into  which  the  Company  is merged  or to which  such  sale,
conveyance,  transfer  or other  disposition  is made shall  succeed  to, and be
substituted  for, and may exercise  every right and power of, the Company  under
this Indenture  with the same effect as if such successor  Person had been named
as the Company herein.


                                   ARTICLE SIX
                              DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

            SECTION 6.01.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT.  An "EVENT OF DEFAULT" shall
occur with respect to the Notes if:

            (a) a default occurs in the payment of the principal of (or premium,
      if any,  on) any Note when the same  becomes due and payable at  maturity,
      upon acceleration, redemption or otherwise;

            (b) a default occurs in the payment of interest on any Note when the
      same becomes due and payable,  and such default  continues for a period of
      30 days;

<PAGE>
                                       64


            (c) the Company or the Guarantor  defaults in the  performance of or
      breaches any other  covenant or agreement of the Company or the  Guarantor
      in this  Indenture or under the Notes  (other than a default  specified in
      clause  (a) or (b) of this  Section  6.01)  and  such  default  or  breach
      continues for a period of 30 consecutive  days after written notice to the
      Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of
      25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Notes;

            (d) the Company  shall have failed to make or consummate an Offer to
      Purchase in accordance with Section 4.11 hereof;

            (e) the Company  shall have failed to make or consummate an Offer to
      Purchase in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.12 hereof;

            (f) there occurs with respect to any issue or issues of Indebtedness
      of the  Company  or  any  Significant  Subsidiary  having  an  outstanding
      principal  amount at maturity of $5 million or more in the  aggregate  for
      all such issues of all such Persons,  whether such Indebtedness now exists
      or shall hereafter be created, (I) an event of default that has caused the
      holder thereof to declare such Indebtedness to be due and payable prior to
      its Stated Maturity and such  Indebtedness has not been discharged in full
      or such  acceleration has not been rescinded or annulled within 30 days of
      such  acceleration  and/or (II) the failure to make a principal payment at
      the final (but not any interim) fixed maturity and such defaulted  payment
      shall  not have  been  made,  waived  or  extended  within 30 days of such
      payment default;

            (g) any final  judgment or order (not covered by insurance)  for the
      payment of money in excess of $5 million in the  aggregate  (treating  any
      deductibles,  self-insurance  or  retention  as not so  covered)  shall be
      rendered  against the Company or any Significant  Subsidiary and shall not
      be paid or  discharged,  and there  shall be any period of 30  consecutive
      days  following  entry of the final  judgment  or order  that  causes  the
      aggregate  amount for all such final  judgments or orders  outstanding and
      not paid or  discharged  against  the  Company  or any of its  Significant
      Subsidiaries  to exceed $5 million  during which a stay of  enforcement of
      such final judgment or order,  by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise,
      shall not be in effect;

<PAGE>
                                       65

            (h) a court having  jurisdiction  in the premises enters a decree or
      order for (A) relief in  respect  of the  Company,  the  Guarantor  or any
      Significant  Subsidiary  in  an  involuntary  case  under  any  applicable
      bankruptcy,  insolvency  or other  similar law now or hereafter in effect,
      (B) appointment of a receiver,  liquidator,  assignee, custodian, trustee,
      sequestrator  or similar  official of the  Company,  the  Guarantor or any
      Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property and
      assets of the Company, the Guarantor or any Significant  Subsidiary or (C)
      the winding up or liquidation of the affairs of the Company, the Guarantor
      or any  Significant  Subsidiary  and,  in each case,  such decree or order
      shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 30 consecutive days;

            (i) the Company,  the Guarantor or any  Significant  Subsidiary  (A)
      commences a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy,  insolvency or
      other similar law now or hereafter in effect,  or consents to the entry of
      an order  for  relief in an  involuntary  case  under  any such  law,  (B)
      consents  to  the  appointment  of or  taking  possession  by a  receiver,
      liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official
      of the Company, the Guarantor or any Significant  Subsidiary or for all or
      substantially all of the property and assets of the Company, the Guarantor
      or any  Significant  Subsidiary or (C) effects any general  assignment for
      the benefit of creditors; or

            (j) prior to the payment in full of the first six interest  payments
      on the Notes,  the Note Guarantee ceases to be in full force and effect or
      is declared null and void, or the Guarantor denies that it has any further
      liability under the Note Guarantee,  or gives notice to such effect (other
      than by reason of the termination of this Indenture).



<PAGE>



            SECTION 6.02.  ACCELERATION.  If an Event of Default  (other than an
Event of Default specified in clause (h) or (i) of Section 6.01 that occurs with
respect to the Company or the  Guarantor)  occurs and is  continuing  under this
Indenture,  the  Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in  aggregate  principal
amount of the Notes then  outstanding,  by written notice to the Company (and to
the Trustee if such notice is given by the Holders), may, and the Trustee at the
request of such Holders shall,  declare the principal of,  premium,  if any, and
accrued  interest  on the  Notes  to be  immediately  due  and  payable.  Upon a
declaration of  acceleration,  such principal of,  premium,  if any, and accrued
interest shall be immediately due and payable.  In the event of a declaration of
acceleration because an Event of Default set forth in clause (f) of Section 6.01
has  occurred and is  continuing,  such  declaration  of  acceleration  shall be
automatically  rescinded  and annulled if the event of default  triggering  such
Event of  Default  pursuant  to  clause  (f) shall be  remedied  or cured by the
Company or the relevant  Significant  Subsidiary or waived by the holders of the
relevant  Indebtedness within 60 days after the declaration of acceleration with

<PAGE>
                                       66

respect  thereto.  If an Event of  Default  specified  in  clause  (h) or (i) of
Section  6.01  occurs  with  respect  to  the  Company,  the  Guarantor  or  any
Significant Subsidiary,  the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest
on the Notes then outstanding shall IPSO FACTO become and be immediately due and
payable  without any  declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any
Holder.

            SECTION 6.03.  OTHER REMEDIES.  If an Event of Default occurs and is
continuing,  the Trustee may pursue any available remedy by proceeding at law or
in equity to collect the payment of principal of,  premium,  if any, or interest
on the Notes or to enforce the  performance  of any provision of the Notes,  the
Note Guarantee, the Pledge Agreement or this Indenture.

            The Trustee may  maintain a  proceeding  even if it does not possess
any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.

            SECTION 6.04.  WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS.  Subject to Section 9.02, at
any time after such a  declaration  of  acceleration,  but before a judgment  or
decree for the payment of the money due has been  obtained by the  Trustee,  the
Holders of at least a majority in aggregate  principal amount of the outstanding
Notes by written  notice to the  Company  and to the  Trustee may waive all past
Defaults  and  rescind  and  annul  a  declaration  of   acceleration   and  its
consequences  (except a Default in the payment of, premium,  if any, or interest
on any Note as  specified  in clause  (a) or (b) of  Section  6.01 (but not as a
result of such  acceleration)  or in respect of a covenant or  provision of this
Indenture  which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder
of each outstanding Note affected) if (i) all existing Events of Default,  other
than the  nonpayment of the principal of,  premium,  if any, and interest on the
Notes that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been
cured or waived and (ii) the rescission  would not conflict with any judgment or
decree of a court of competent jurisdiction.  Upon any such waiver, such Default
shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed
to have been  cured,  for every  purpose of this  Indenture;  but no such waiver
shall extend to any  subsequent  or other  Default or Event of Default or impair
any right consequent thereto.

            SECTION  6.05.  CONTROL  BY  MAJORITY.  The  Holders  of at  least a
majority in aggregate  principal amount of the outstanding  Notes may direct the
time,  method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to
the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee.  However,
the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction  that  conflicts with law or this
Indenture,  that may  involve the  Trustee in  personal  liability,  or that the
Trustee  determines  in good  faith may be unduly  prejudicial  to the rights of
Holders of Notes not  joining in the giving of such  direction  and may take any
other action it deems proper that is not  inconsistent  with any such  direction
received from Holders of Notes.

            SECTION 6.06.  LIMITATION ON SUITS.  A Holder may not pursue any
remedy  with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:

<PAGE>
                                       67


            (i)   the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a
      continuing Event of Default;

            (ii) the Holders of at least 25% in  aggregate  principal  amount of
      outstanding  Notes  make a written  request  to the  Trustee to pursue the
      remedy;

            (iii)  such   Holder  or  Holders   offer  the   Trustee   indemnity
      satisfactory to the Trustee against any costs,  liability or expense to be
      incurred in compliance with such request;

            (iv) the Trustee  does not comply  with the  request  within 60 days
      after receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and

            (v)  during  such  60-day  period,  the  Holders  of a  majority  in
      aggregate  principal  amount  of the  outstanding  Notes  do not  give the
      Trustee a direction that is inconsistent with the request.

            For  purposes of Section  6.05 of this  Indenture  and this  Section
6.06,   the  Trustee  shall  comply  with  TIA  Section  316(a)  in  making  any
determination of whether the Holders of the required aggregate  principal amount
of  outstanding  Notes have concurred in any request or direction of the Trustee
to pursue any remedy  available  to the Trustee or the Holders  with  respect to
this Indenture or the Notes or otherwise under the law.

            A Holder  may not use this  Indenture  to  prejudice  the  rights of
another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over such other Holder.

            SECTION 6.07. RIGHTS OF HOLDERS TO RECEIVE PAYMENT.  Notwithstanding
any other  provision  of this  Indenture,  the right of any  Holder of a Note to
receive payment of principal of,  premium,  if any, or interest on such Holder's
Note on or after the  respective  due dates  expressed on such Note, or to bring
suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective  dates,
shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

            SECTION 6.08.  COLLECTION SUIT BY TRUSTEE. If an Event of Default in
payment of  principal,  premium or  interest  specified  in clause (a) or (b) of
Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing,  the Trustee may recover  judgment in its
own name and as trustee of an express  trust  against  the  Company or any other
obligor of the Notes for the whole  amount of  principal,  premium,  if any, and
accrued interest remaining unpaid,  together with interest on overdue principal,

<PAGE>
                                       68

premium,  if any,  and, to the extent that  payment of such  interest is lawful,
interest on overdue installments of interest, in each case at the rate specified
in the Notes,  and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs
and expenses of  collection,  including the reasonable  compensation,  expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other
amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof.

            SECTION 6.09. TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM. The Trustee may file
such  proofs of claim  and other  papers or  documents  as may be  necessary  or
advisable  in order to have the claims of the Trustee  (including  any claim for
the  reasonable  compensation,  expenses,  disbursements  and  advances  of  the
Trustee,  its agents and counsel,  and any other  amounts due the Trustee  under
Section 7.07) and the Holders  allowed in any judicial  proceedings  relative to
the Company (or any other  obligor of the Notes),  its creditors or its property
and  shall be  entitled  and  empowered  to  collect  and  receive  any  monies,
securities or other property  payable or deliverable upon conversion or exchange
of the  Notes  or upon any such  claims  and to  distribute  the  same,  and any
custodian,  receiver,  assignee,  trustee,  liquidator,  sequestrator  or  other
similar  official in any such judicial  proceeding is hereby  authorized by each
Holder to make such  payments to the Trustee  and, in the event that the Trustee
shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders,  to pay to
the  Trustee  any amount due to it for the  reasonable  compensation,  expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee,  its agent and counsel, and any other
amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07.  Nothing herein  contained  shall be
deemed to empower the Trustee to  authorize or consent to, or accept or adopt on
behalf of any Holder,  any plan of  reorganization,  arrangement,  adjustment or
composition  affecting  the Notes or the  rights of any  Holder  thereof,  or to
authorize  the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such
proceeding.

            SECTION 6.10.  PRIORITIES.  If the Trustee collects any money
pursuant to this Article Six, it shall pay out the money in the following
order:

            FIRST:  to the Trustee for all amounts due under Section 7.07;

            SECOND: to Holders for amounts then due and unpaid for principal of,
      premium,  if any, and interest on the Notes in respect of which or for the
      benefit  of  which  such  money  has  been  collected,   ratably,  without
      preference  or  priority  of any kind,  according  to the  amounts due and
      payable  on such  Notes for  principal,  premium,  if any,  and  interest,
      respectively; and

            THIRD:  to the Company or any other obligors of the Notes, as
      their interests may appear, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may
      direct.

            The Trustee,  upon prior  written  notice to the Company,  may fix a
record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section
6.10.

<PAGE>
                                       69

            SECTION 6.11. UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS. In any suit for the enforcement
of any right or remedy  under this  Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee
for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee,  a court may require any party
litigant in such suit to file an  undertaking  to pay the costs of the suit, and
the court may assess reasonable  costs,  including  reasonable  attorneys' fees,
against any party  litigant in the suit having due regard to the merits and good
faith of the claims or defenses  made by the party  litigant.  This Section 6.11
does not apply to a suit by the Trustee,  a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section
6.07 of this  Indenture,  or a suit by  Holders  of more  than 10% in  principal
amount of the outstanding Notes.

            SECTION 6.12.  RESTORATION OF RIGHTS AND REMEDIES. If the Trustee or
any Holder has  instituted  any  proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under
this Indenture and such  proceeding has been  discontinued  or abandoned for any
reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then,
and in every such case,  subject to any  determination in such  proceeding,  the
Company, the Guarantor,  the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally
and respectively to their former  positions  hereunder and thereafter all rights
and  remedies of the  Company,  the Trustee  and the Holders  shall  continue as
though no such proceeding had been instituted.

            SECTION 6.13.  RIGHTS AND REMEDIES  CUMULATIVE.  Except as otherwise
provided with respect to the  replacement  or payment of  mutilated,  destroyed,
lost or  wrongfully  taken  Notes in  Section  2.09,  no right or remedy  herein
conferred  upon or  reserved  to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be
exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the
extent  permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and
remedy  given  hereunder  or now or  hereafter  existing  at law or in equity or
otherwise.  The  assertion or employment  of any right or remedy  hereunder,  or
otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other
appropriate right or remedy.

            SECTION 6.14. DELAY OR OMISSION NOT WAIVER.  No delay or omission of
the Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or remedy  accruing  upon any
Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of
any such Event of Default or an  acquiescence  therein.  Every  right and remedy
given by this  Article  Six or by law to the  Trustee or to the  Holders  may be
exercised  from time to time,  and as often as may be deemed  expedient,  by the
Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.


<PAGE>
                                       70

                                  ARTICLE SEVEN
                                     TRUSTEE

            SECTION  7.01.  GENERAL.  The  duties  and  responsibilities  of the
Trustee shall be as provided by the TIA and as set forth herein. Notwithstanding
the  foregoing,  no provision  of this  Indenture  shall  require the Trustee to
expend or risk its own funds or otherwise  incur any financial  liability in the
performance  of any of its duties  hereunder,  or in the  exercise of any of its
rights or  powers,  if it shall  have  reasonable  grounds  for  believing  that
repayment of such funds or adequate  indemnity against such risk or liability is
not  reasonably  assured to it.  Whether or not therein  expressly  so provided,
every  provision  of this  Indenture  relating to the conduct or  affecting  the
liability  of or  affording  protection  to the Trustee  shall be subject to the
provisions of this Article Seven.

            SECTION 7.02.  CERTAIN RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.  Subject to TIA
Sections 315(a) through (d):

            (i) the  Trustee  may  rely and  shall be  protected  in  acting  or
      refraining  from  acting  upon  any  resolution,  certificate,  statement,
      instrument,  opinion, report, notice, request, direction,  consent, order,
      bond,  debenture,  note,  other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or
      document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented
      by the proper person.  The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter
      stated in the document and may in good faith  conclusively  rely as to the
      truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions therein;

            (ii) before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require
      an Officers' Certificate of the Company or the Guarantor,  as the case may
      be, or an Opinion of Counsel,  which shall conform to the requirements set
      forth in Section  12.04  hereof.  The Trustee  shall not be liable for any
      action  it  takes  or omits  to take in good  faith  in  reliance  on such
      certificate,  opinion and/or an accountants' certificate if required under
      the TIA;

            (iii) the Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall
      not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed
      with due care;

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                                       73

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

            (v) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits
      to take in good  faith that it  believes  to be  authorized  or within its
      rights or powers or for any action it takes or omits to take in accordance
      with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
      Outstanding Notes relating to the time, method and place of conducting any
      proceeding  for any remedy  available to the Trustee,  or  exercising  any
      trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture;  PROVIDED
      that the Trustee's  conduct does not  constitute  gross  negligence or bad
      faith;

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

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

            (viii)  The  Trustee  shall not be  charged  with  knowledge  of any
      Default or Event of Default, of the identity of any Restricted  Subsidiary
      or of the  existence of any Change of Control or Asset Sale unless  either
      (i) a Responsible Officer shall have actual knowledge thereof, or (ii) the
      Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Company or any
      Holder of the Notes; and

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

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                                       72

            SECTION  7.03.  INDIVIDUAL  RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.  The Trustee,  in its
individual or any other  capacity,  may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and
may  otherwise  deal  with  the  Company,  the  Guarantor  or  their  respective
Affiliates  with the same rights it would have if it were not the  Trustee.  Any
Agent may do the same with like rights.  However,  the Trustee is subject to TIA
Sections 310(b) and 311.

            SECTION  7.04.  TRUSTEE'S  DISCLAIMER.  The  Trustee  (i)  makes  no
representation  as to the  validity or adequacy  of this  Indenture,  the Pledge
Agreement,  the Note Guarantee or the Notes,  (ii) shall not be accountable  for
the Company's use or  application of the proceeds from the Notes and (iii) shall
not be responsible  for any statement in the Notes other than its certificate of
authentication.

            SECTION  7.05.  NOTICE OF  DEFAULT.  If any  Default or any Event of
Default  occurs  and is  continuing  and if such  Default or Event of Default is
known to a  Responsible  Officer of the Trustee,  the Trustee shall mail to each
Holder in the manner and to the extent  provided in TIA Section 313(c) notice of
the  Default or Event of Default  within 90 days  after it occurs,  unless  such
Default or Event of Default has been cured;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER, that, except in
the case of a default in the payment of the  principal of,  premium,  if any, or
interest on any Note, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding  such notice
if and so long as the board of  directors,  the  executive  committee or a trust
committee of directors and/or Responsible  Officers of the Trustee in good faith
determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders.
If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall use the
same degree of care and skill in its exercise of the rights and powers  invested
in it under  this  Indenture  as a  prudent  person  would  exercise  under  the
circumstances in the conduct of such person's own affairs.

            SECTION  7.06.  REPORTS BY TRUSTEE TO HOLDERS.  Within 60 days after
each May 15,  beginning with May 15, 2000, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder
as provided in TIA Section  313(c) a brief report that complies with TIA Section
313(a) dated as of such May 15, if required by TIA Section 313(a).

            SECTION  7.07.  COMPENSATION  AND  INDEMNITY.  The  Company  and the
Guarantor  jointly and  severally  covenant and agree to pay to the Trustee such
compensation  as  shall  be  agreed  upon  in  writing  for  its  services.  The
compensation of the Trustee shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a
trustee of an express trust. The Company and the Guarantor jointly and severally
covenant  and agree to reimburse  the Trustee  upon  request for all  reasonable
out-of-pocket  expenses  and  advances  incurred  or made by the  Trustee.  Such
expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee's
agents and counsel.


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                                       71

            The Company and the  Guarantor  jointly and  severally  covenant and
agree to indemnify  the Trustee for, and hold it harmless  against,  any loss or
liability or expense incurred by it without  negligence or bad faith on its part
in connection  with the acceptance or  administration  of this Indenture and its
duties under this  Indenture and the Notes,  including the costs and expenses of
defending  itself  against  any claim or  liability  and of  complying  with any
process served upon it or any of its officers in connection with the exercise or
performance of any of its powers or duties under this Indenture and the Notes.

            To secure the Company's and the Guarantor's  payment  obligations in
this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Notes on all money
or property held or collected by the Trustee, in its capacity as Trustee, except
money or  property  held in trust to pay  principal  of,  premium,  if any,  and
interest on particular Notes.

            If the  Trustee  incurs  expenses  or  renders  services  after  the
occurrence  of an Event of  Default  specified  in clause  (h) or (i) of Section
6.01,  the expenses and the  compensation  for the services  will be intended to
constitute  expenses  of  administration  under  Title 11 of the  United  States
Bankruptcy  Code or any  applicable  federal  or  state  law for the  relief  of
debtors.

            The provisions of this Section 7.07 shall survive the resignation or
removal  of the  Trustee  and  the  defeasance  or  other  termination  of  this
Indenture.

            SECTION 7.08.  REPLACEMENT  OF TRUSTEE.  A resignation or removal of
the Trustee and appointment of a successor  Trustee shall become  effective only
upon the  successor  Trustee's  acceptance  of  appointment  as provided in this
Section 7.08.

            The  Trustee may resign at any time by so  notifying  the Company in
writing  at least 30 days  prior to the date of the  proposed  resignation.  The
Holders of a majority in principal  amount of the  outstanding  Notes may remove
the Trustee by so  notifying  the Trustee in writing and may appoint a successor
Trustee with the consent of the Company.  The Company may at any time remove the
Trustee,  by  Company  Order  given at  least  30 days  prior to the date of the
proposed  removal;  PROVIDED,  that at such date no Event of Default  shall have
occurred and be continuing.


<PAGE>
                                       75


            If the Trustee resigns or is removed,  or if a vacancy exists in the
office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor
Trustee.  Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office,  the Holders
of a  majority  in  principal  amount of the  outstanding  Notes  may  appoint a
successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.  If
the successor  Trustee does not deliver its written  acceptance  required by the
next succeeding paragraph of this Section 7.08 within 30 days after the retiring
Trustee resigns or is removed,  the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders
of a majority in  principal  amount of the  outstanding  Notes may  petition any
court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

            A  successor  Trustee  shall  deliver  a written  acceptance  of its
appointment to the retiring  Trustee and to the Company.  Immediately  after the
delivery of such  written  acceptance,  subject to the lien  provided in Section
7.07, (i) the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee
to the  successor  Trustee,  (ii) the  resignation  or removal  of the  retiring
Trustee shall become  effective  and (iii) the successor  Trustee shall have all
the rights,  powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture.  A successor
Trustee shall mail notice of its succession to each Holder.

            If the Trustee is no longer  eligible under Section 7.10, any Holder
who satisfies the  requirements  of TIA Section 310(b) may petition any court of
competent  jurisdiction  for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a
successor Trustee.

            The Company shall give notice of any  resignation and any removal of
the Trustee and each  appointment  of a successor  Trustee to all Holders.  Each
notice shall  include the name of the  successor  Trustee and the address of its
Corporate Trust Office.

            Notwithstanding  replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section
7.08, the Company's obligation under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit
of the retiring Trustee.

            SECTION  7.09.  SUCCESSOR  TRUSTEE BY MERGER,  ETC.  If the  Trustee
consolidates  with,  merges or converts into, or transfers all or  substantially
all of its corporate trust business to, another  corporation or national banking
association,  the  resulting,  surviving or transferee  corporation  or national
banking  association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee with
the same  effect  as if the  successor  Trustee  had been  named as the  Trustee
herein.

            SECTION  7.10.  ELIGIBILITY.  This  Indenture  shall  always  have a
Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA Sections  310(a)(1) and 310(a)(5).
The Trustee shall have a combined  capital and surplus of at least  $100,000,000
as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

            SECTION 7.11.  MONEY HELD IN TRUST.  The Trustee shall not be liable
for  interest  on any money  received by it except as the Trustee may agree with
the  Company  in  writing.  Money  held in  trust  by the  Trustee  need  not be
segregated  from other funds except to the extent required by law and except for
money held in trust under Article Eight of this Indenture.


<PAGE>
                                       76

            SECTION  7.12.  WITHHOLDING  TAXES.  The  Trustee,  as agent for the
Company,  shall exclude and withhold from each payment of principal and interest
and other amounts due hereunder or under the Notes any and all withholding taxes
applicable  thereto  as  required  by law.  The  Trustee  agrees  to act as such
withholding agent and, in connection  therewith,  whenever any present or future
taxes or similar charges are required to be withheld with respect to any amounts
payable in respect of the Notes,  to  withhold  such  amounts and timely pay the
same to the appropriate authority in the name of and on behalf of the Holders of
the Notes, that it will file any necessary withholding tax returns or statements
when due, and that, as promptly as possible after the payment  thereof,  it will
deliver to each Holder of a Note appropriate  documentation  showing the payment
thereof,  together with such additional documentary evidence as such Holders may
reasonably request from time to time.


                                  ARTICLE EIGHT
                             DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

            SECTION 8.01.  TERMINATION OF THE COMPANY'S  OBLIGATIONS.  Except as
otherwise  provided  in  this  Section  8.01,  the  Company  may  terminate  its
obligations under the Notes and this Indenture if:

            (i) all Notes  previously  authenticated  and delivered  (other than
      destroyed,  lost or stolen Notes that have been replaced or Notes that are
      paid  pursuant  to  Section  4.01 or  Notes  for  whose  payment  money or
      securities have  theretofore  been held in trust and thereafter  repaid to
      the  Company,  as provided  in Section  8.05) have been  delivered  to the
      Trustee for  cancellation  and the Company has paid all sums payable by it
      hereunder; or

            (ii) (A) all the Notes mature  within one year or all of them are to
      be called for redemption within one year under  arrangements  satisfactory
      to the  Trustee  for  giving  the notice of  redemption,  (B) the  Company
      deposits in trust with the Trustee during such one-year period,  under the
      terms of an irrevocable trust agreement in form and substance satisfactory
      to the  Trustee,  as trust funds solely for the benefit of the Holders for
      that  purpose,  money or U.S.  Government  Obligations  sufficient  to pay
      principal,  premium,  if,  any,  and  interest on the Notes to maturity or
      redemption,  as the case may be, and to pay all other  sums  payable by it
      hereunder,  (C) no Default or Event of Default  with  respect to the Notes
      shall have occurred and be  continuing  on the date of such  deposit,  (D)

<PAGE>
                                       77


      such deposit will not result in a breach or violation  of, or constitute a
      default  under,  this  Indenture or any other  agreement or  instrument to
      which the Company is a party or by which it is bound,  (E) if at such time
      the Notes are listed on a national securities exchange, the Notes will not
      be delisted as a result of such  deposit,  defeasance or discharge and (F)
      the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers'  Certificate  and an
      Opinion of Counsel,  in each case  stating that all  conditions  precedent
      provided for herein  relating to the  satisfaction  and  discharge of this
      Indenture have been complied with.

            With respect to the foregoing clause (i), the Company's  obligations
under Section 7.07 shall survive. With respect to the foregoing clause (ii), the
Company's  obligations in Sections 2.02,  2.03,  2.04,  2.05,  2.06, 2.07, 2.08,
2.09,  2.14, 4.01, 4.02, 7.07, 7.08, 8.04, 8.05 and 8.06 shall survive until the
Notes are no longer outstanding.  Thereafter,  only the Company's obligations in
Sections 7.07, 8.05 and 8.06 shall survive.  After any such irrevocable deposit,
the Trustee  upon  request  shall  acknowledge  in writing the  discharge of the
Company's  obligations,  as the case may be, under the Notes and this  Indenture
except for those surviving obligations specified above.

            SECTION 8.02.  DEFEASANCE  AND  DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE.  The Company
will be deemed to have paid and will be discharged  from any and all obligations
in respect of the Notes on the 123rd day after the  deposit  referred  to below,
and the provisions of this Indenture will no longer be in effect with respect to
the Notes if,

            (A) the Company has  deposited  or caused to be  deposited  with the
      Trustee, in trust, money and/or U.S.  Government  Obligations that through
      the payment of interest  and  principal in respect  thereof in  accordance
      with their terms will, in the opinion of a nationally  recognized  firm of
      independent  public  accountants  expressed  in  a  written  certification
      thereof delivered to the Trustee, provide money in an amount sufficient to
      pay the principal of, premium,  if any, and accrued  interest on the Notes
      on the Stated  Maturity of such payments in  accordance  with the terms of
      this Indenture and the Notes;

            (B) the Company  shall have  delivered to the Trustee (i) either (x)
      an Opinion of Counsel to the effect  that the Holders  will not  recognize
      income,  gain or loss for federal  income tax  purposes as a result of the
      Company's  exercise  of its  option  under this  Section  8.02 and will be
      subject to federal  income tax on the same  amount and in the same  manner
      and at the  same  times  as would  have  been  the  case if such  deposit,
      defeasance  and discharge had not occurred,  which Opinion of Counsel must
      be based  upon (and  accompanied  by a copy of) a ruling  of the  Internal
      Revenue Service to the same effect,  unless there has been a change in the
      applicable  federal  income  tax law  after the  Closing  Date such that a
      ruling is no  longer  required  or (y) a ruling  directed  to the  Trustee
      received  from the  Internal  Revenue  Service  to the same  effect as the

<PAGE>
                                       78

      Opinion  of Counsel  described  in clause (x) above and (ii) an Opinion of
      Counsel to the effect that the creation of the  defeasance  trust does not
      violate  the  Investment  Company Act of 1940 and after the passage of 123
      days  following  the  deposit,  the trust  fund will not be subject to the
      effect of Section 547 of the United States  Bankruptcy  Code or Section 15
      of the New York Debtor and Creditor Law;

            (C)  immediately  after giving effect to such deposit on a PRO FORMA
      basis,  no Event of  Default,  or event that after the giving of notice or
      lapse  of time or both  could  become  an  Event of  Default,  shall  have
      occurred  and be  continuing  on the date of such  deposit  or during  the
      period  ending on the 123rd day after the date of such  deposit,  and such
      deposit  shall not result in a breach or  violation  of, or  constitute  a
      default under,  any other  agreement or instrument to which the Company or
      any of its  Subsidiaries  is a party or by which the Company or any of its
      Subsidiaries is bound;

            (D) if at such time the Notes are  listed on a  national  securities
      exchange,  the Company  shall have  delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of
      Counsel to the effect  that the Notes will not be  delisted as a result of
      such deposit, defeasance and discharge; and

            (E) the Company  shall have  delivered  to the Trustee an  Officers'
      Certificate  and an  Opinion of  Counsel,  in each case  stating  that all
      conditions   precedent   provided  for  herein   relating  to   defeasance
      contemplated by this Section 8.02 have been complied with;

            PROVIDED that if simultaneously with the deposit of the money and/or
U.S. Government  Obligations referred to in (A) above, the Company has caused an
irrevocable,  transferable, standby letter of credit to be issued by a bank with
capital  and  surplus   exceeding  the  principal   amount  of  the  Notes  then
outstanding,  expiring not earlier than 180 days from its issuance,  in favor of
the Trustee which permits the Trustee to draw an amount equal to the  principal,
premium,  if any, and accrued  interest on the Notes  through the expiry date of
the  letter  of  credit,  then  the  Company  will be  deemed  to have  paid and
discharged  any and all  obligations  in respect of the Notes on the date of the
deposit and issuance of the letter of credit.

            Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  prior  to the  end of the  123-day
period referred to in clause (B)(ii) of this Section 8.02, none of the Company's
obligations  under this Indenture shall be discharged.  Subsequent to the end of
such 123-day period with respect to this Section 8.02, the Company's obligations
in Sections 2.02,  2.03,  2.04,  2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, 2.14, 4.01, 4.02,
4.17,  7.07,  7.08,  8.05 and 8.06 shall  survive  until the Notes are no longer
outstanding.  Thereafter,  only the Company's obligations in Sections 7.07, 8.05
and 8.06 shall survive.  If and when a ruling from the Internal  Revenue Service
or an Opinion of Counsel  referred to in clause  (B)(i) of this Section 8.02 may
be  provided  specifically  without  regard to, and not in  reliance  upon,  the
continuance of the Company's  obligations under Section 4.01, then the Company's
obligations  under such Section 4.01 shall cease upon delivery to the Trustee of
such  ruling or Opinion  of Counsel  and  compliance  with the other  conditions
precedent  provided for herein  relating to the defeasance  contemplated by this
Section 8.02.

<PAGE>
                                       79

            After  the 123 day  period  referred  to in clause  (B)(ii)  of this
Section 8.02,  the Trustee upon Company Order shall  acknowledge  in writing the
discharge of the Company's obligations under the Notes and this Indenture except
for those surviving obligations in the immediately preceding paragraph.

            SECTION  8.03.  DEFEASANCE OF CERTAIN  OBLIGATIONS.  The Company may
omit to comply with any term,  provision or condition  set forth in clause (iii)
of Section 5.01 and Sections 4.03 through  4.18,  and clause (c) of Section 6.01
with respect to clause (iii) of Section  5.01 and  Sections  4.03 through  4.16,
Section  4.18,  and clauses (c),  (d), (e), (f) and (g) of Section 6.01 shall be
deemed not to be Events of Default, upon:

            (a) the  deposit,  in trust,  with the Trustee  (or another  trustee
      satisfying the  requirements  of Section 7.10 hereof) of money and/or U.S.
      Government Obligations that, through the payment of interest and principal
      in respect thereof in accordance with their terms,  will in the opinion of
      a nationally  recognized firm of independent public accountants  expressed
      in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, provide money
      in an amount  sufficient  to pay the principal  of,  premium,  if any, and
      accrued  interest on the Notes on the Stated  Maturity of such payments in
      accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Notes;

            (b) the  satisfaction of the provisions  described in clauses B(ii),
      (C) and
      (D) of Section 8.02 hereof;

            (c)  delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Opinion of Counsel
      to the effect that,  the Holders will not recognize  income,  gain or loss
      for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance
      and will be subject to  federal  income tax on the same  amount and in the
      same  manner  and at the same  times as would  have  been the case if such
      deposit and defeasance had not occurred; and

            (d) the Company  shall have  delivered  to the Trustee an  Officers'
      Certificate  and an  Opinion of  Counsel,  in each case  stating  that all
      conditions  precedent  provided  for  herein  relating  to the  defeasance
      contemplated by this Section 8.03 have been complied with.

            SECTION 8.04.  APPLICATION OF TRUST MONEY.  Subject to Section 8.06,
the  Trustee  or  Paying  Agent  shall  hold in trust  money or U.S.  Government
Obligations  deposited  with it pursuant to Section  8.01,  8.02 or 8.03, as the
case may be,  and shall  apply  the  deposited  money  and the  money  from U.S.
Government  Obligations  in accordance  with the Notes and this Indenture to the
payment of principal of,  premium,  if any, and interest on the Notes;  but such
money need not be segregated  from other funds except to the extent  required by
law.

<PAGE>
                                       80

            SECTION 8.05. REPAYMENT TO COMPANY.  Subject to Sections 7.07, 8.01,
8.02 and 8.03,  the  Trustee  and the Paying  Agent  shall  promptly  pay to the
Company upon request set forth in an Officers'  Certificate any excess money, as
determined by a nationally  recognized  firm of independent  public  accountants
expressed in a written  certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, and held
by them at any time and  thereupon  shall be relieved  from all  liability  with
respect to such money. The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company
upon request any money held by them for the payment of  principal,  premium,  if
any, or interest that remains unclaimed for two years; PROVIDED that the Trustee
or such Paying Agent  before being  required to make any payment may cause to be
published  at  the  expense  of the  Company  once  in a  newspaper  of  general
circulation  in the City of New  York or mail to each  Holder  entitled  to such
money at such Holder's  address (as set forth in the Note Register)  notice that
such money remains  unclaimed  and that after a date  specified  therein  (which
shall be at least 30 days  from the date of such  publication  or  mailing)  any
unclaimed  balance of such money then  remaining  will be repaid to the Company.
After  payment to the Company,  Holders  entitled to such money must look to the
Company for payment as general  creditors  unless an applicable  law  designates
another  Person,  and all  liability  of the Trustee and such Paying  Agent with
respect to such money shall cease.

            SECTION  8.06.  REINSTATEMENT.  If the  Trustee  or Paying  Agent is
unable to apply any money or U.S.  Government  Obligations  in  accordance  with
Section  8.01,  8.02 or  8.03,  as the  case  may be,  by  reason  of any  legal
proceeding  or by reason of any order or judgment  of any court or  governmental
authority enjoining,  restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the
Company's  obligations  under this  Indenture and the Notes and the  Guarantor's
obligations  under the Note Guarantee  shall be revived and reinstated as though
no deposit had occurred  pursuant to Section 8.01, 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may
be,  until such time as the Trustee or Paying  Agent is  permitted  to apply all
such money or U.S. Government  Obligations in accordance with Section 8.01, 8.02
or 8.03, as the case may be;  PROVIDED that, if the Company has made any payment
of  principal  of,  premium,  if any, or  interest  on any Notes  because of the
reinstatement of its obligations,  the Company shall be subrogated to the rights
of the  Holders  of such Notes to receive  such  payment  from the money or U.S.
Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

            SECTION 8.07. DEFEASANCE AND CERTAIN OTHER EVENTS OF DEFAULT. In the
event the Company exercises its option to omit compliance with certain covenants
and  provisions of this  Indenture with respect to the Notes pursuant to Section
8.03 and such Notes are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of an
Event of  Default  that  remains  applicable,  the amount of money  and/or  U.S.
Government  Obligations  on deposit with the Trustee will be  sufficient  to pay
amounts due on such Notes at the time of their Stated Maturity. If, in the event
the Company  exercises its option to omit compliance with certain  covenants and

<PAGE>
                                       81


provisions of this  Indenture with respect to the Notes pursuant to Section 8.03
and such Notes are  declared  due and payable  because of the  occurrence  of an
Event of  Default  that  remains  applicable,  the amount of money  and/or  U.S.
Government  Obligations  on  deposit  with the  Trustee is  insufficient  to pay
amounts  due on the Notes at the time of the  acceleration  resulting  from such
Event of Default  pursuant to Section  6.02,  the Company will remain liable for
such payments.


                                  ARTICLE NINE
                       AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

            SECTION 9.01.  WITHOUT  CONSENT OF HOLDERS.  Each of the Company and
the Guarantor (so long as it has any obligations hereunder),  when authorized by
resolutions  of their  respective  Board of Directors  (as  evidenced by a Board
Resolution),  and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture  (including
the Note  Guarantee)  or the Notes  without  notice to, or the  consent  of, any
Holder:

            (i) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in this Indenture
      or the Notes;  PROVIDED  that,  in the good faith  opinion of the Board of
      Directors of the Company evidenced by a Board Resolution,  such amendments
      or supplements do not adversely affect the interests of the Holders in any
      material respect;

            (ii) to comply with Section 4.07 or Article Five;

            (iii)  to  comply  with  any   requirements  of  the  Commission  in
      connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

            (iv) to  evidence  and  provide for the  acceptance  of  appointment
      hereunder by a successor Trustee; or

            (v) to make any change that,  in the good faith opinion of the Board
      of Directors  of the Company  evidenced  by a Board  Resolution,  does not
      materially and adversely affect the rights of any Holder.

            SECTION 9.02. WITH CONSENT OF HOLDERS.  Subject to Sections 6.04 and
6.07 and  without  prior  notice to the  Holders,  each of the  Company  and the
Guarantor  (so long as it has any  obligations  hereunder),  when  authorized by
their  respective Board of Directors (as evidenced by a Board  Resolution),  and
the Trustee may amend this  Indenture  (including  the Note  Guarantee)  and the
Notes with the  written  consent of the  Holders of not less than a majority  in

<PAGE>
                                       82


aggregate  principal amount of the Notes then outstanding,  and the Holders of a
majority in principal  amount of the Notes then outstanding by written notice to
the Trustee may waive future  compliance  by the Company  with any  provision of
this Indenture or the Notes.

            Notwithstanding  the  provisions of this Section  9.02,  without the
consent of each Holder  affected  thereby,  an amendment or waiver,  including a
waiver pursuant to Section 6.04, may not:

            (i)   change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any
      installment of interest on, any Note;

            (ii) reduce the principal amount of, or premium, if any, or interest
      on, any Note;

            (iii)  change the place or currency of payment of  principal  of, or
      premium, if any, or interest on, any Note;

            (iv) impair the right to institute  suit for the  enforcement of any
      payment on or after the Stated  Maturity (or, in the case of a redemption,
      on or after the Redemption Date) of any Note;

            (v) reduce the  above-stated  percentage  of  outstanding  Notes the
      consent of whose Holders is necessary to modify or amend this Indenture;

            (vi) waive a default in the payment of  principal  of,  premium,  if
      any, or interest on the Notes;

            (vii)  reduce  the  percentage  or  aggregate  principal  amount  of
      outstanding  Notes the consent of whose Holders is necessary for waiver of
      compliance  with  certain  provisions  of this  Indenture or for waiver of
      certain defaults; or

            (viii) release the Guarantor from any of its  obligations  under the
      Note  Guarantee or this  Indenture  otherwise  than strictly in accordance
      with the terms of this Indenture.

<PAGE>
                                       83


            It shall not be necessary  for the consent of the Holders under this
Section  9.02  to  approve  the  particular  form  of  any  proposed  amendment,
supplement or waiver,  but it shall be  sufficient if such consent  approves the
substance thereof.

            After an  amendment,  supplement  or waiver  under this Section 9.02
becomes  effective,  the Company  shall mail to the Holders  affected  thereby a
notice briefly describing the amendment,  supplement or waiver. The Company will
mail supplemental indentures to Holders upon request. Any failure of the Company
to mail such  notice,  or any defect  therein,  shall not,  however,  in any way
impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture or waiver.

            SECTION 9.03.  REVOCATION AND EFFECT OF CONSENT.  Until an amendment
or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent
by the  Holder and every  subsequent  Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that
evidences the same debt as the Note of the consenting  Holder,  even if notation
of the consent is not made on any Note.  However,  any such Holder or subsequent
Holder  may revoke  the  consent  as to its Note or  portion  of its Note.  Such
revocation  shall be  effective  only if the  Trustee  receives  the  notice  of
revocation  before  the  date  the  amendment,   supplement  or  waiver  becomes
effective. An amendment,  supplement or waiver shall become effective on receipt
by the Trustee of written consents from the Holders of the requisite  percentage
in principal amount of the outstanding Notes.

            The Company may,  but shall not be  obligated  to, fix a record date
for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment,
supplement or waiver. If a record date is fixed, then,  notwithstanding the last
two sentences of the  immediately  preceding  paragraph,  those Persons who were
Holders at such record date (or their duly  designated  proxies)  and only those
Persons shall be entitled to consent to such amendment,  supplement or waiver or
to revoke any consent previously given,  whether or not such Persons continue to
be Holders  after such record date.  No such consent shall be valid or effective
for more than 90 days after such record date.

            After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall
bind every  Holder  unless it is of the type  described  in any of  clauses  (i)
through  (vii) of Section  9.02.  In case of an  amendment or waiver of the type
described in clauses (i) through (vii) of Section 9.02,  the amendment or waiver
shall bind each Holder who has consented to it and every subsequent  Holder of a
Note that evidences the same indebtedness as the Note of the consenting Holder.

            SECTION  9.04.  NOTATION ON OR EXCHANGE OF NOTES.  If an  amendment,
supplement  or waiver  changes the terms of a Note,  the Trustee may require the
Holder to  deliver  it to the  Trustee.  The  Trustee  may place an  appropriate
notation on the Note about the changed terms and return it to the Holder and the
Trustee may place an appropriate notation on any Note thereafter  authenticated.
Alternatively,  if the  Company or the  Trustee so  determines,  the  Company in
exchange for the Note shall issue and the Trustee shall  authenticate a new Note
that reflects the changed terms.

<PAGE>
                                       84


            SECTION 9.05. TRUSTEE TO SIGN AMENDMENTS,  ETC. The Trustee shall be
entitled to receive,  and shall be fully  protected in relying upon, in addition
to the documents  required by Section 12.03,  an Opinion of Counsel stating that
the execution of any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this
Article  Nine is  authorized  or  permitted  by this  Indenture.  Subject to the
preceding sentence, the Trustee shall sign such amendment,  supplement or waiver
if the same does not  adversely  affect the rights of the  Trustee.  The Trustee
may, but shall not be obligated to,  execute any such  amendment,  supplement or
waiver that affects the  Trustee's own rights,  duties or immunities  under this
Indenture or otherwise.

            SECTION  9.06.   CONFORMITY   WITH  TRUST   INDENTURE   ACT.   Every
supplemental  indenture  executed pursuant to this Article Nine shall conform to
the requirements of the TIA as then in effect.

                                   ARTICLE TEN
                                    SECURITY

            SECTION  10.01.  SECURITY.  (a) The  Company  agrees  to  cause  the
Guarantor and the Guarantor agrees to (i) enter into the Pledge Agreement on the
Closing Date and comply with the terms and provisions  thereof and (ii) purchase
the  Pledged  Securities  to be pledged to the  Trustee  for the  benefit of the
Company  and for the  ratable  benefit of the  Holders in such amount as will be
sufficient upon receipt of scheduled  interest and/or principal payments of such
Pledged  Securities  to provide for  payment in full of the first six  scheduled
interest  payments due on the Notes (including any additional  interest that may
be  payable  if the  Exchange  Offer  (as  defined  in the  Registration  Rights
Agreement) is not consummated and the Shelf  Registration  Statement (as defined
in the  Registration  Rights  Agreement)  is not declared  effective in a timely
manner) and to secure repayment of the principal,  premium, if any, and interest
on the Notes in the event that the Notes  become due and  payable  prior to such
time as the first six scheduled  interest  payments thereon shall have been paid
in full. The Pledged Securities shall be pledged by the Guarantor to the Trustee
for the benefit of the Company and for the ratable  benefit of the Holders,  and
shall be held by the Trustee in the Pledge Account pending disposition  pursuant
to the Pledge Agreement.

            (b) Each Holder, by its acceptance of a Note, consents and agrees to
the terms of the Pledge Agreement (including, without limitation, the provisions
providing for foreclosure and release of the Pledged Securities) as the same may
be in effect or may be amended from time to time in  accordance  with its terms,
and authorizes and directs the Trustee to enter into the Pledge Agreement and to
perform its respective obligations and exercise its respective rights thereunder
in accordance  therewith.  The Company and the Guarantor  will do or cause to be
done all such acts and things as may be necessary or reasonably requested by the
Trustee,  or as may be required by the  provisions of the Pledge  Agreement,  to

<PAGE>
                                       85

assure  and  confirm  to the  Trustee  the  security  interest  in  the  Pledged
Securities  contemplated hereby, by the Pledge Agreement or any part thereof, as
from  time to time  constituted,  so as to  render  the same  available  for the
security  and  benefit  of  this  Indenture  and of the  Notes  secured  hereby,
according to the intent and purposes herein and therein  expressed.  The Company
and the Guarantor  shall take,  or shall cause to be taken,  upon request of the
Trustee,  any and all actions reasonably  required to cause the Pledge Agreement
to create and  maintain,  as security for the  obligations  of the Company under
this Indenture and the Notes,  valid and enforceable first priority liens in and
on all the Pledged Securities, in favor of the Trustee, superior to and prior to
the rights of third Persons and subject to no other Liens.

            (c) The  release of any  Pledged  Securities  pursuant to the Pledge
Agreement  will not be deemed to impair the  security  under this  Indenture  in
contravention  of  the  provisions  hereof  if and to  the  extent  the  Pledged
Securities are released pursuant to this Indenture and the Pledge Agreement.  To
the extent  applicable,  the Company and the  Guarantor  shall cause TIA Section
314(d)  relating  to the release of  property  or  securities  from the Lien and
security  interest  created  under the  Pledge  Agreement  and  relating  to the
substitution  therefor of any property or securities to be subjected to the Lien
and security  interest  created under the Pledge  Agreement to be complied with.
Any  certificate  or opinion  required by TIA  Section  314(d) may be made by an
Officer  of the  Company or the  Guarantor,  except in cases  where TIA  Section
314(d)  requires  that such  certificate  or opinion  be made by an  independent
Person, which Person shall be an independent engineer, appraiser or other expert
selected by the Company or the Guarantor.

            (d) The Company or the  Guarantor  shall  cause TIA Section  314(b),
relating to opinions of counsel  regarding the Lien under the Pledge  Agreement,
to be complied with. The Trustee may accept, to the extent permitted by Sections
7.01  and  7.02  as  conclusive   evidence  of  compliance  with  the  foregoing
provisions, the appropriate statements contained in such instruments.

            (e) The Trustee may, in its sole  discretion and without the consent
of the  Holders,  on behalf  of the  Holders,  take all  reasonable  actions  in
accordance  with the Pledge  Agreement  necessary or appropriate in order to (i)
enforce any of the terms of the Pledge  Agreement  and (ii)  collect and receive
any and all  amounts  payable  in respect of the  obligations  of the  Guarantor
thereunder. The Trustee shall have power to institute and to maintain such suits
and  proceedings  as the Trustee may  reasonably  deem  expedient to preserve or

<PAGE>
                                       86


protect its interests and the interests of the Holders in the Pledged Securities
(including  power to institute and maintain suits or proceedings to restrain the
enforcement  of  or  compliance  with  any  legislative  or  other  governmental
enactment,  rule or order that may be  unconstitutional  or otherwise invalid if
the  enforcement of, or compliance  with,  such  enactment,  rule or order would
impair the security interest under the Pledge Agreement or be prejudicial to the
interests of the Holders or of the Trustee).


                                 ARTICLE ELEVEN
                             GUARANTEE OF SECURITIES

            SECTION 11.01. GUARANTEE.  Subject to the provisions of this Article
Eleven, the Guarantor hereby fully,  unconditionally and irrevocably  guarantees
to each Holder and to the Trustee on behalf of itself and the  Holders:  (i) the
due and punctual  payment of the principal of, premium,  if any, on and interest
on each Note,  when and as the same shall  become  due and  payable,  whether at
maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest
on the overdue  principal of and interest,  if any, on the Notes,  to the extent
lawful,  and the due and punctual  performance  of all other  obligations of the
Company to the Holders or the Trustee,  all in accordance with the terms of such
Note and this Indenture and (ii) in the case of any extension of time of payment
or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations,  that the same will be
promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance  with the terms of the
extension or renewal,  at Stated  Maturity,  by acceleration  or otherwise.  The
Guarantor hereby waives  diligence,  presentment,  demand of payment,  filing of
claims with a court in the event of merger or  bankruptcy  of the  Company,  any
right to  require a  proceeding  first  against  the  Company,  the  benefit  of
discussion,  protest  or  notice  with  respect  to any  such  Note or the  debt
evidenced thereby and all demands whatsoever,  and covenants that this Guarantee
will not be  discharged  as to any such Note  except by  payment  in full of the
principal  thereof and  interest  thereon  and as  provided in Section  8.01 and
Section  8.02  (subject  to  Section  8.06).  The  maturity  of the  obligations
guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Six for the purposes
of this Article Eleven.  In the event of any declaration of acceleration of such
obligations as provided in Article Six, such obligations (whether or not due and
payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantor for the purpose
of this Article Eleven. In addition,  without limiting the foregoing provisions,
upon the  effectiveness of an acceleration  under Article Six, the Trustee shall
promptly make a demand for payment on the Notes under the Guarantee provided for

<PAGE>
                                       87

in this Article Eleven.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing but subject to the first
sentence of the next paragraph,  this Guarantee by the Guarantor and any and all
other obligations of the Guarantor under this Indenture and the Pledge Agreement
of any nature whatsoever, shall automatically terminate, and the Guarantor shall
be released from any and all liability  under such documents upon the earlier of
(i) the  payment in full of the first six  scheduled  interest  payments  on the
Notes or (ii) the payment in full of the  principal  of,  premium,  if any,  and
interest on all outstanding Notes.

            If the Trustee or the Holder of any Note is required by any court or
otherwise to return to the Company or the Guarantor, or any custodian, receiver,
liquidator,  trustee,  sequestrator or other similar official acting in relation
to the Company or the  Guarantor,  any amount paid to the Trustee or such Holder
in respect of a Note,  this  Guarantee,  to the extent  theretofore  discharged,
shall be reinstated in full force and effect.  The Guarantor  further agrees, to
the fullest  extent that it may lawfully do so, that,  as between it, on the one
hand,  and the Holders and the Trustee,  on the other hand,  the maturity of the
obligations  guaranteed  hereby may be  accelerated  as  provided in Article Six
hereof for the purposes of this Guarantee,  notwithstanding any stay, injunction
or other prohibition extant under any applicable  bankruptcy law preventing such
acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby.

            Until such time as the Notes are fully and finally  paid,  including
all interest,  premium,  principal and liquidated  damages with respect thereto,
the Guarantor hereby  irrevocably  waives any claim or other rights which it may
now or  hereafter  acquire  against the Company  that arise from the  existence,
payment,  performance or enforcement of its obligations under this Guarantee and
this  Indenture,  including,  without  limitation,  any  right  of  subrogation,
reimbursement,   exoneration,   contribution,   indemnification,  any  right  to
participate  in any claim or remedy of the  Holders  against  the Company or any
collateral  which any such  Holder  or the  Trustee  on  behalf  of such  Holder
hereafter acquires, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity,
or under contract,  statute or common law, including,  without  limitation,  the
right to take or receive from the Company,  directly or  indirectly,  in cash or
other  property  or by set-off or in any other  manner,  payment or  security on
account  of such  claim  or other  rights.  If any  amount  shall be paid to the
Guarantor in violation of the preceding  sentence and the principal of, premium,
if any, and accrued interest on the Notes shall not have been paid in full, such
amount  shall be deemed to have been paid to the  Guarantor  for the benefit of,
and held in trust for the benefit of, the Holders,  and shall  forthwith be paid
to the Trustee for the  benefit of the Holders to be credited  and applied  upon
the  principal  of,  premium,  if any,  and accrued  interest on the Notes.  The
Guarantor  acknowledges  that it will receive direct and indirect  benefits from
the issuance of the Notes  pursuant to this  Indenture  and that the waivers set
forth  in  this  Section  11.01  are  knowingly  made in  contemplation  of such
benefits.

            The  Guarantee set forth in this Section 11.01 shall not be valid or
become  obligatory for any purpose with respect to a Note until the  certificate
of  authentication  on such Note shall  have been  signed by or on behalf of the
Trustee.

            SECTION 11.02. OBLIGATIONS UNCONDITIONAL.  Subject to Section 11.05,
nothing  contained in this Article  Eleven or elsewhere in this  Indenture or in
the Notes is intended to or shall impair, as among the Guarantor and the Holders
of  the  Notes,  the  obligation  of  the  Guarantor,   which  is  absolute  and
unconditional,  upon failure by the Company,  to pay to the Holders of the Notes
the  principal  of,  premium,  if any, and interest on the Notes as and when the
same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended

<PAGE>
                                       88


to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders of the Notes and creditors
of the Guarantor, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Holder of any
Notes or the Trustee on their  behalf from  exercising  all  remedies  otherwise
permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture.

            Without  limiting the foregoing,  nothing  contained in this Article
Eleven  will  restrict  the right of the  Trustee or the Holders of the Notes to
take any action to declare  the  Guarantee  to be due and  payable  prior to the
Stated Maturity of the Notes pursuant to Section 6.02 or to pursue any rights or
remedies hereunder.

            SECTION 11.03.  NOTICE TO TRUSTEE.  The Guarantor  shall give prompt
written  notice to the  Trustee of any fact known to the  Guarantor  which would
prohibit  the  making of any  payment  to or by the  Trustee  in  respect of the
Guarantee pursuant to the provisions of this Article Eleven.

            SECTION 11.04.  THIS ARTICLE NOT TO PREVENT  EVENTS OF DEFAULT.  The
failure to make a payment  on  account of  principal  of,  premium,  if any,  or
interest on the Notes by reason of any provision of this Article Eleven will not
be construed as preventing the occurrence of an Event of Default.

            SECTION  11.05.  NET  WORTH  LIMITATION.  Notwithstanding  any other
provision  of  this  Indenture  or  the  Notes,  this  Guarantee  shall  not  be
enforceable against the Guarantor in an amount in excess of the net worth of the
Guarantor at the time that  determination of such net worth is, under applicable
law,  relevant to the  enforceability  of this  Guarantee.  Such net worth shall
include  any claim or future  claim of the  Guarantor  against  the  Company for
reimbursement and any claim against any grantor of a Guarantee for contribution.


                                 ARTICLE TWELVE
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

            SECTION  12.01.   TRUST   INDENTURE  ACT  OF  1939.   Prior  to  the
effectiveness of the Registration  Statement,  this Indenture shall  incorporate
and be governed by the provisions of the TIA that are required to be part of and
to govern  indentures  qualified under the TIA. After the  effectiveness  of the
Registration Statement, this Indenture shall be subject to the provisions of the
TIA that are required to be a part of this  Indenture  and shall,  to the extent
applicable, be governed by such provisions.

<PAGE>
                                       89

            SECTION  12.02.  NOTICES.  Any  notice  or  communication  shall  be
sufficiently  given if in  writing  and  delivered  in person or mailed by first
class mail, commercial courier service or telecopier communication, addressed as
follows:


            IF TO THE COMPANY:

                  KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc.
                  1545 Route 206, Suite 300
                  Bedminster, New Jersey  07921
                  Telecopier Number:  (908) 719-8775
                  Attention: Chief Financial Officer

                        With,  in the  case  of any  notice  given  pursuant  to
                        Article Six, a copy to:

                  Kelley Drye & Warren LLP
                  101 Park Avenue
                  New York, NY  10178
                  Attention: Alan M. Epstein, Esq.

                        and a copy to:

                  Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
                  425 Lexington Avenue
                  New York, NY 10017 - 3954
                  Attention: Arthur D. Robinson, Esq.

            IF TO THE TRUSTEE:

                  The Chase Manhattan Bank
                  450 West 33rd Street, 15th Floor
                  New York, New York  10001-2697
                  Telecopier Number:  (212) 946-8159/8160
                  Attention: Capital Markets Fiduciary Services


<PAGE>
                                       90


                        With a copy to:

                  Pryor Cashman Sherman & Flynn, LLP
                  410 Park Avenue
                  New York, NY  10022
                  Attention: Eric Hellige, Esq.

            The Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee, or the Depository by notice
to the others may  designate  additional or different  addresses for  subsequent
notices or communications.

            Any notice or  communication  mailed to a Holder  shall be mailed to
him at his  address as it appears on the Note  Register  by first class mail and
shall be  sufficiently  given to him if so mailed  within  the time  prescribed.
Copies of any such  communication  or notice to a Holder shall also be mailed to
the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

            Failure to mail a notice or  communication to a Holder or any defect
in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. Except for
a notice to the Trustee, which is deemed given only when received, and except as
otherwise provided in this Indenture,  if a notice or communication is mailed in
the manner provided in this Section 12.02, it is duly given,  whether or not the
addressee receives it.

            Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner,  such notice
may be waived in writing by the Person  entitled to receive such notice,  either
before or after the  event,  and such  waiver  shall be the  equivalent  of such
notice.  Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee,  but such
filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in
reliance upon such waiver.

            In case by reason of the  suspension  of regular  mail service or by
reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail,
then such  notification  as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall
constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.
<PAGE>
                                       91


            SECTION 12.03.  CERTIFICATE AND OPINION AS TO CONDITIONS  Precedent.
Upon any request or  application  by the Company or the Guarantor to the Trustee
to take any action under this  Indenture,  the Company or the Guarantor,  as the
case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee:

            (i) an Officers'  Certificate  stating  that,  in the opinion of the
      signers, all conditions precedent,  if any, provided for in this Indenture
      relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

            (ii) an Opinion  of Counsel  stating  that,  in the  opinion of such
      Counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

            SECTION 12.04.  STATEMENTS REQUIRED IN CERTIFICATE OR OPINION.  Each
certificate  or opinion with respect to compliance  with a condition or covenant
provided for in this Indenture shall include:

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

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

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

            (iv) a  statement  as to whether or not, in the opinion of each such
      person,  such  condition or covenant  has been  complied  with;  PROVIDED,
      HOWEVER,  that, with respect to matters of fact, an Opinion of Counsel may
      rely on an Officers' Certificate or certificates of public officials.

            SECTION  12.05.  RULES BY TRUSTEE,  PAYING AGENT OR  REGISTRAR.  The
Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders.  The
Paying Agent or Registrar may make reasonable rules for its functions.

            SECTION  12.06.  PAYMENT  DATE  OTHER  THAN A  BUSINESS  DAY.  If an
Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Payment Date, Stated Maturity or date of
maturity of any Note shall not be a Business  Day, then payment of principal of,
premium,  if any, or interest on such Note, as the case may be, need not be made
on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding  Business Day with the same
force and effect as if made on the  Interest  Payment  Date,  Payment  Date,  or

<PAGE>
                                       92


Redemption  Date,  or at the Stated  Maturity  or date of maturity of such Note;
PROVIDED  that no interest  shall  accrue with  respect to such  payment for the
period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Payment Date, Redemption Date,
Stated Maturity or date of maturity, as the case may be.

            SECTION 12.07. GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION;  AGENT FOR
SERVICE.  This Indenture  (including the Note  Guarantee) and the Notes shall be
governed  by the laws of the  State of New  York.  Each of the  Company  and the
Guarantor  hereby  appoints  CT  Corporation  System as its agent for service of
process in any suit,  action or proceeding with respect to this Indenture or the
Notes and for actions  brought under the U.S.  federal or state  securities laws
brought in any federal or state  court  located in The City of New York and each
of the Company and the  Guarantor  agrees to submit to the  jurisdiction  of any
such court.

            SECTION 12.08. NO ADVERSE  INTERPRETATION OF OTHER AGREEMENTS.  This
Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement
of the Company or any  Subsidiary of the Company.  Any such  indenture,  loan or
debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

            SECTION  12.09.  NO RECOURSE  AGAINST  OTHERS.  No recourse  for the
payment of the principal of,  premium,  if any, or interest on any of the Notes,
or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof,  and no recourse
under or upon any  obligation,  covenant  or  agreement  of the  Company  or the
Guarantor contained in this Indenture, or in any of the Notes, or because of the
creation  of any  Indebtedness  represented  thereby,  shall be had  against any
incorporator  or  against  any  past,  present  or future  stockholder  or other
equityholder,  officer, director,  employee or controlling person of the Company
or the Guarantor or of any successor Person thereof,  either directly or through
the Company or the Guarantor or any successor  Person,  whether by virtue of any
constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or
penalty or otherwise;  it being expressly understood,  each Holder, by accepting
the Notes,  expressly  waives and releases all such liability as a condition of,
and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the
Notes.

            SECTION 12.10.  SUCCESSORS.  All agreements of the Company and
the Guarantor in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors.  All
agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind their respective
successors.

            SECTION 12.11.  DUPLICATE ORIGINALS.  The parties may sign any
number of copies of this Indenture.  Each signed copy shall be an original,
but all of them together represent the same agreement.


<PAGE>
                                       93


            SECTION 12.12. SEPARABILITY. In case any provision in this Indenture
or in the Notes  shall be  invalid,  illegal  or  unenforceable,  the  validity,
legality and enforceability of the remaining  provisions shall not in any way be
affected or impaired thereby.

            SECTION  12.13.  TABLE OF  CONTENTS,  HEADINGS,  ETC.  The  Table of
Contents,  Cross-Reference  Table and  headings of the  Articles and Sections of
this Indenture have been inserted for  convenience of reference only, are not to
be  considered  a part hereof and shall in no way modify or restrict  any of the
terms and provisions hereof.


<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to
be duly executed, all as of the date first written above.


                                            KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.



                                            By:   /s/ James D. Grenfell
                                                  ------------------------
                                            Name:  JAMES D. GRENFELL
                                            Title: EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT,
                                                   CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER



                                            KMC TELECOM FINANCING, INC.
                                                as Guarantor



                                            By:   /s/ James D. Grenfell
                                                  ------------------------
                                            Name:  JAMES D. GRENFELL
                                            Title: EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT,
                                                   CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER



                                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                               as Trustee



                                            By:   /s/ P. Kelly
                                                  ------------------------
                                            Name:
                                            Title:


<PAGE>





                                                                       EXHIBIT A


                                 [FACE OF NOTE]

                           KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.

                          13 1/2% Senior Note Due 2009


                                                         [CUSIP] [CINS] ______


[insert Private Placement Legend, if applicable]

UNLESS THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS  PRESENTED  BY AN  AUTHORIZED  REPRESENTATIVE  OF THE
DEPOSITORY  TRUST  COMPANY  TO KMC  TELECOM  HOLDINGS,  INC.  OR ITS  AGENT  FOR
REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED
IN THE  NAME OF  CEDE & CO.  OR TO  SUCH  OTHER  ENTITY  AS IS  REQUESTED  BY AN
AUTHORIZED  REPRESENTATIVE  OF  THE  DEPOSITORY  TRUST  COMPANY  OR  SUCH  OTHER
REPRESENTATIVE  OF THE  DEPOSITORY  TRUST  COMPANY  OR  SUCH  OTHER  NAME  AS IS
REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED  REPRESENTATIVE  OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (AND
ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED
BY AN AUTHORIZED  REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY), ANY TRANSFER,
PLEDGE  OR OTHER  USE  HEREOF  FOR  VALUE OR  OTHERWISE  BY OR TO ANY  PERSON IS
WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN
PART,  TO NOMINEES OF CEDE & CO. OR TO A SUCCESSOR  THEREOF OR SUCH  SUCCESSOR'S
NOMINEE  AND  TRANSFERS  OF  PORTIONS  OF THIS  GLOBAL  NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO
TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE  RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN SECTION 2.08 OF
THE INDENTURE.



<PAGE>

                                      A-2



[THIS NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITORY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS
NOTE) IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE  BENEFICIAL  OWNERS  HEREOF,  AND IS NOT
TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY  CIRCUMSTANCES  EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE
MAY MAKE SUCH  NOTATIONS  HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED  PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.07 OF
THE  INDENTURE,  (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART
PURSUANT  TO SECTION  2.07(a) OF THE  INDENTURE,  (III) THIS  GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE
DELIVERED  TO THE  TRUSTEE  FOR  CANCELLATION  PURSUANT  TO SECTION  2.12 OF THE
INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR BOOK-ENTRY
DEPOSITORY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.]*


<PAGE>

                                      A-3


                           KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.

                          13 1/2% Senior Note Due 2009
                                                          [CUSIP][CINS] ______
No. ______                                                             $______


           KMC TELECOM  HOLDINGS,  INC., a Delaware  corporation (the "Company",
which term includes any successor under the Indenture  hereinafter referred to),
for value received, promises to pay to ____________,  or its registered assigns,
the principal sum of ______ ($______) on May 15, 2009.

           Interest  Payment  Dates:  May  15  and  November  15,   commencing
November 15, 1999.

           Regular Record Dates: May 1 and November 1.

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

           Terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have their meanings
as defined in the  Indenture.  The  provisions of this Note do not purport to be
complete and are subject to, and  qualified in their  entirety by reference  to,
the provisions of the Indenture.


<PAGE>

                                      A-4


           IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  Company  has caused this Note to be signed
manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized officers.


Date:                                    KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.



                                          By:     ________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:


                                          By:     ________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:


This  is  one  of  the  13  1/2%  Senior   Notes  due  2009   described  in  the
within-mentioned Indenture.



                                          THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                             as Trustee



                                          By: _________________________
                                                  Authorized Officer


<PAGE>

                                      A-5


                             [REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]

                           KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.

                          13 1/2% Senior Note Due 2009



1.    PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST.

            The Company will pay the principal of this Note on May 15, 2009.

            The Company promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this
Note on each Interest  Payment  Date, as set forth below,  at the rate per annum
shown above.

            Interest  will be payable  semiannually  in cash (to the  holders of
record  of the  Notes  at the  close  of  business  on the May 1 or  November  1
immediately  preceding the Interest Payment Date) on each Interest Payment Date,
commencing  November  15,  1999.  Interest  will be  computed  on the basis of a
360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

            If an exchange  offer  registered  under the  Securities  Act is not
consummated,  and a shelf  registration  statement under the Securities Act with
respect to resales of the Notes is not declared effective by the Commission,  on
or before the date that is six months after the Closing Date in accordance  with
the terms of the  Registration  Rights  Agreement dated May 19, 1999 between the
Company and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated,  for itself and as representative
of the several Initial Purchasers named on Schedule I to the Purchase Agreement,
dated May 19, 1999,  interest (in addition to the interest  otherwise due on the
Notes) will accrue, at an annual rate of 0.5% per annum of the principal amount,
payable in cash semiannually, in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year,
commencing May 15, 2000 until the consummation of a registered exchange offer or
the  effectiveness of a  shelf-registration  statement with respect to resale of
this  Note.  The  Holder  of  this  Note is  entitled  to the  benefits  of such
Registration Rights Agreement.

            The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal and premium,  if
any, and interest on overdue installments of interest,  to the extent lawful, at
a rate per annum that is 13 1/2% per annum.

2.    METHOD OF PAYMENT.

            The  Company  will pay  principal  as  provided  above and  interest
(except  defaulted  interest) on the  principal  amount of the Notes as provided
above  on  each  May 15 and  November  15 to the  Persons  who are  Holders  (as
reflected  in the  Note  Register  at the  close of  business  on such May 1 and
November 1, immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date), in each case, even
if the Note is cancelled on registration of transfer or registration of exchange
after such record date; PROVIDED that, with respect to the payment of principal,
the Company will not make payment to the Holder unless this Note is  surrendered
to a Paying Agent.


<PAGE>
                                       A-6


            The Company  will pay  principal,  premium,  if any, and as provided
above,  interest  in money of the United  States  that at the time of payment is
legal tender for payment of public and private debts.  However,  the Company may
pay principal, premium, if any, and interest by its check payable in such money.
It may mail an interest check to a Holder's  registered address (as reflected in
the Note  Register).  If a payment date is a date other than a Business Day at a
place of payment,  payment may be made at that place on the next  succeeding day
that is a Business Day and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

3.    PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR.

            Initially,  the Trustee will act as Paying Agent and Registrar.  The
Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar  without  notice.  The Company,
any  Subsidiary  or any  Affiliate  of any of  them  may  act as  Paying  Agent,
Registrar or co-Registrar.

4.    INDENTURE; ISSUANCE OF ADDITIONAL NOTES.

            This Note is one of a duly authorized  issue of Notes of the Company
designated  its 13 1/2% Senior Notes due 2009,  issued and to be issued under an
Indenture dated as of May 24, 1999 (the "Indenture"),  between the Company,  KMC
Telecom Financing,  Inc., as Guarantor, and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee
(the "Trustee").  Capitalized  terms herein are used as defined in the Indenture
unless otherwise  indicated.  The terms of the Notes include those stated in the
Indenture  and  those  made  part of the  Indenture  by  reference  to the Trust
Indenture Act. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred
to the Indenture and the Trust  Indenture Act for a statement of all such terms.
To the extent  permitted by  applicable  law, in the event of any  inconsistency
between the terms of this Note and the terms of the Indenture,  the terms of the
Indenture  shall  control.  The  Company  may,  subject  to  Article  IV of  the
Indenture,  issue additional Notes under the Indenture. The 13 1/2% Senior Notes
due 2009 issued on May 24, 1999 (including  this Note) and any additional  Notes
subsequently  issued under the Indenture  shall be treated as a single class for
all purposes under the Indenture.

5.    REDEMPTION.

            The Notes will be redeemable,  at the Company's  option, in whole or
in part, at any time and from time to time on or after May 15, 2004 and prior to
maturity,  upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior  notice  mailed by
first-class  mail to each  Holders'  last  address  as it  appears  in the  Note
Register,  at the  following  Redemption  Prices  (expressed as  percentages  of
principal amount),  plus accrued and unpaid interest,  if any, to the Redemption

<PAGE>
                                       A-7


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

                                                 REDEMPTION
                  YEAR                             PRICE
                  ----                             -----
                  2004                            106.750%
                  2005                            104.500%
                  2006                            102.250%
                  2007 and thereafter             100.000%

            In  addition,  at any time or from time to time,  on or prior to May
15,  2002,  the Company  may, at its option,  redeem up to 35% of the  aggregate
principal  amount of the Notes with the net  proceeds  of one or more  public or
private Equity  Offerings,  at a Redemption  Price (expressed as a percentage of
principal  amount)  of  113.500%,  plus  accrued  and  unpaid  interest  to  the
Redemption  Date  (subject  to the right of  Holders  of record on the  relevant
Regular  Record  Date  that is on or prior  to the  Redemption  Date to  receive
interest due on an Interest  Payment Date that is on or prior to the  Redemption
Date); PROVIDED that at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes
issued on May 24, 1999 remains outstanding after each such redemption and notice
of any such  redemption  is mailed  within 60 days after the  applicable  Equity
Offering and in accordance with the requirements of Section 3.04.

6.    NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.

            Notice of any  optional  redemption  will be mailed at least 30 days
but not more than 60 days before the Redemption  Date to each Holder of Notes to
be redeemed  at his last  address as it appears in the Note  Register.  Notes in
original denominations larger than $1,000 of principal amount may be redeemed in
part. On and after the Redemption  Date,  interest  ceases to accrue on Notes or
portions of Notes  called for  redemption,  unless the  Company  defaults in the
payment of the Redemption Price.

7. REPURCHASE UPON CHANGE IN CONTROL.

            Upon the occurrence of any Change of Control, each Holder shall have
the right to require the repurchase of its Notes by the Company in cash pursuant
to the offer to purchase described in the Indenture at a purchase price equal to
101% of the principal  amount of the Notes on the relevant  Payment  Date,  plus
accrued and unpaid  interest,  if any, to the date of purchase  (the  "Change of
Control Payment").

<PAGE>

                                      A-8


            A notice of such  Change of  Control  will be mailed  within 30 days
after any  Change of  Control  occurs to each  Holder at his last  address as it
appears in the Note Register. Notes in original denominations larger than $1,000
of principal amount may be sold to the Company in part. On and after the date of
the Change of Control Payment, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of
Notes  surrendered for purchase by the Company,  unless the Company  defaults in
the payment of the Change of Control Payment.

8.    REGISTRATION RIGHTS

            Pursuant to the Registration  Rights Agreement,  the Company will be
obligated, within six months after the issue date of this Note, to consummate an
exchange offer pursuant to which the Holder of this Note shall have the right to
exchange  this  Note  for  the  Company's  Exchange  Notes  (as  defined  in the
Registration  Rights  Agreement) which have been registered under the Securities
Act,  in like  principal  amount  and having  terms  identical  in all  material
respects  as the  Initial  Notes.  The  Holders of the  Initial  Notes  shall be
entitled  to receive  certain  additional  interest  payments  in the event such
exchange  offer  is not  consummated  and upon  certain  other  conditions,  all
pursuant and in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement.

9.    DENOMINATIONS; TRANSFER; EXCHANGE.

            The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of
$1,000 of principal  amount and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.  A Holder
may register the transfer or exchange of Notes in accordance with the Indenture.
The Registrar may require a Holder,  among other things, to furnish  appropriate
endorsements  and transfer  documents  and to pay any taxes and fees required by
law or permitted by the Indenture.  The Registrar need not register the transfer
or exchange of any Notes selected for redemption. Also, it need not register the
transfer or exchange of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection  of
Notes to be redeemed is made.

10.   PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS.

            A Holder shall be treated as the owner of a Note for all purposes.

<PAGE>

                                      A-9

11.   UNCLAIMED MONEY.

            If money for the payment of principal,  premium, if any, or interest
remains  unclaimed for two years,  the Trustee and the Paying Agent will pay the
money back to the Company at its request.  After that,  Holders  entitled to the
money must look to the Company for  payment,  unless an  abandoned  property law
designates  another  Person,  and all  liability  of the Trustee and such Paying
Agent with respect to such money shall cease.


12. DISCHARGE PRIOR TO REDEMPTION OR MATURITY.

            If  the  Company   deposits  with  the  Trustee  money  and/or  U.S.
Government  Obligations  sufficient  to pay the then  outstanding  principal of,
premium,  if any,  and  accrued  interest  on the  Notes  to  redemption  (a) or
maturity,  the Company  will be  discharged  from the  Indenture  and the Notes,
except in certain  circumstances  for certain  sections  thereof,  and (b) or to
Stated Maturity, the Company will be discharged from certain covenants set forth
in the Indenture.

13.   AMENDMENT; SUPPLEMENT; WAIVER.

            Subject to certain  exceptions,  the  Indenture  or the Notes may be
amended or  supplemented  with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority
in principal amount of the Notes then  outstanding,  and any existing default or
compliance  with any  provision may be waived with the consent of the Holders of
at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then  outstanding.  Without
notice  to or the  consent  of any  Holder,  the  parties  thereto  may amend or
supplement  the  Indenture  or the  Notes  to,  among  other  things,  cure  any
ambiguity,  defect or inconsistency and make any change that does not materially
and adversely affect the rights of any Holder.

14.   RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS.

            The  Indenture  imposes  certain  limitations  on the ability of the
Company  and  its  Restricted   Subsidiaries,   among  other  things,  to  Incur
Indebtedness,  make  Restricted  Payments,  use the  proceeds  from Asset Sales,
engage in transactions  with Affiliates or, with respect to the Company,  merge,
consolidate or transfer  substantially  all of its assets.  Within 90 days after
the end of the last fiscal  quarter of each year, the Company must report to the
Trustee on compliance with the terms of the Indenture.


<PAGE>
                                       A-10


15.   SUCCESSOR PERSONS.

            When a successor  Person or other entity assumes all the obligations
of its predecessor  under the Notes and the Indenture,  the  predecessor  Person
will be released from those obligations.

16.   DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES.

            The  following  events  constitute  "Events  of  Default"  under the
Indenture:  (a) a default occurs in the payment of principal of (or premium,  if
any,  on) any Note when the same  becomes  due and  payable  at  maturity,  upon
acceleration,  redemption or otherwise;  (b) a default  occurs in the payment of
interest on any Note when the same  becomes due and  payable,  and such  default
continues for a period of 30 days; (c) the Company or the Guarantor  defaults in
the performance of or breaches any other covenant or agreement of the Company or
the  Guarantor  in the  Indenture  or under  the  Notes  (other  than a  default
specified in clause (a) or (b) above) and such default or breach continues for a
period of 30 consecutive days after written notice to the Company by the Trustee
or to the Company  and the  Trustee by the  Holders of 25% or more in  aggregate
principal  amount of the Notes;  (d) the  Company  shall have  failed to make or
consummate  an  Offer  to  Purchase  in  accordance  with  Section  4.11  of the
Indenture;  (e) the Company  shall have failed to make or consummate an Offer to
Purchase in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.12 of the Indenture; (f)
there occurs with respect to any issue or issues of  Indebtedness of the Company
or any Significant Subsidiary having an outstanding principal amount at maturity
of $5 million or more in the  aggregate for all such issues of all such Persons,
whether such Indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created, (I) an event
of default that has caused the holder thereof to declare such Indebtedness to be
due and payable prior to its Stated Maturity and such  Indebtedness has not been
discharged  in full or such  acceleration  has not been  rescinded  or  annulled
within 30 days of such acceleration  and/or (II) the failure to make a principal
payment at the final (but not any interim)  fixed  maturity  and such  defaulted
payment  shall not have been  made,  waived or  extended  within 30 days of such
payment default;  (g) any final judgment or order (not covered by insurance) for
the  payment  of money in excess of $5 million in the  aggregate  (treating  any
deductibles,  self-insurance  or retention as not so covered)  shall be rendered
against  the  Company  or any  Significant  Subsidiary  and shall not be paid or
discharged, and there shall be any period of 30 consecutive days following entry
of the final  judgment  or order that causes the  aggregate  amount for all such
final  judgments or orders  outstanding  and not paid or discharged  against the
Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries to exceed $5 million during which
a stay of enforcement  of such final  judgment or order,  by reason of a pending
appeal or otherwise,  shall not be in effect; (h) a court having jurisdiction in
the premises  enters a decree or order for (A) relief in respect of the Company,
the Guarantor or any  Significant  Subsidiary in an  involuntary  case under any
applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency  or other  similar law now or  hereafter  in
effect, (B) appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee,
sequestrator  or  similar  official  of  the  Company,   the  Guarantor  or  any
Significant  Subsidiary  or for all or  substantially  all of the  property  and
assets of the Company,  the Guarantor or any  Significant  Subsidiary or (C) the
winding up or  liquidation  of the affairs of the Company,  the Guarantor or any

<PAGE>
                                       A-11


Significant  Subsidiary  and, in each case,  such  decree or order shall  remain
unstayed and in effect for a period of 30 consecutive days; (i) the Company, the
Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary (A) commences a voluntary case under any
applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency  or other  similar law now or  hereafter  in
effect,  or consents to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary  case
under any such law, (B) consents to the appointment of or taking possession by a
receiver,  liquidator,  assignee,  custodian,  trustee,  sequestrator or similar
official of the Company, the Guarantor or any Significant  Subsidiary or for all
or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company, the Guarantor or
any Significant Subsidiary or (C) effects any general assignment for the benefit
of  creditors;  or (j) prior to the  payment  in full of the first six  interest
payments on the Notes,  the Note Guarantee ceases to be in full force and effect
or is declared null and void,  or the  Guarantor  denies that it has any further
liability under the Note  Guarantee,  or gives notice to such effect (other than
by reason of the termination of the Indenture).

            If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default  specified in
clause  (h) or (i)  above  that  occurs  with  respect  to  the  Company  or the
Guarantor)  occurs and is  continuing  under the  Indenture,  the Trustee or the
Holders  of at least  25% in  aggregate  principal  amount  of the  Notes,  then
outstanding, by written notice to the Company (and to the Trustee if such notice
is given by the  Holders),  may,  and the Trustee at the request of such Holders
shall,  declare the principal of, premium,  if any, and accrued  interest on the
Notes to be immediately due and payable.

            If an Event of Default,  as defined in the Indenture,  occurs and is
continuing,  the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in  aggregate  principal
amount of the Notes then  outstanding  may  declare  all the Notes to be due and
payable. If a bankruptcy or insolvency default with respect to the Company,  the
Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary occurs and is continuing,  the principal
of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the Notes automatically  become due
and  payable.  Holders  may not  enforce the  Indenture  or the Notes  except as
provided in the Indenture.  The Trustee may require indemnity satisfactory to it
before it enforces the Indenture or the Notes.  Subject to certain  limitations,
Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding
may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power.

17.   TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY.

            The Trustee  under the  Indenture,  in its  individual  or any other
capacity,  may make loans to, accept deposits from and perform  services for the
Company  or its  Affiliates  and may  otherwise  deal  with the  Company  or its
Affiliates as if it were not the Trustee.

<PAGE>
                                       A-11


18.   NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS.

            No incorporator or any past, present or future partner, stockholder,
other equity holder, officer, director,  employee or controlling person as such,
of the  Company  or the  Guarantor  or of any  successor  Person  shall have any
liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantor under the Notes or
the  Indenture  or for any claim  based on, in respect of or by reason of,  such
obligations  or their  creation.  Each  Holder by  accepting  a Note  waives and
releases  all  such   liability.   The  waiver  and  release  are  part  of  the
consideration for the issuance of the Notes.


19.   AUTHENTICATION.

            This Note shall not be valid  until the  Trustee  or  authenticating
agent signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.

20.   ABBREVIATIONS.

            Customary  abbreviations  may be used in the name of a Holder  or an
assignee,  such as:  TEN COM (= tenants  in  common),  TEN ENT (= tenants by the
entireties),  JT TEN (= joint  tenants  with  right of  survivorship  and not as
tenants in common),  CUST (=  Custodian)  and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors
Act).

21. CUSIP NUMBERS.

            Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform
Security  Identification  Procedures,  the Issuer has caused CUSIP numbers to be
printed  on the Notes  and the  Trustee  may use CUSIP  numbers  in  notices  of
redemption  as a convenience  to Holders.  No  representation  is made as to the
accuracy of such  numbers  either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any
notice of redemption.

<PAGE>
                                       A-13

22.   GUARANTEE.

            This  Note is  guaranteed  (the  "Note  Guarantee")  by KMC  Telecom
Financing,   Inc.   (the   "Guarantor"),   as  set   forth  in  the   Indenture.
Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  the  Note  Guarantee  by the  Guarantor  shall
automatically terminate upon the earlier of (i) the payment in full of the first
six scheduled  interest payments on the Notes or (ii) the payment in full of the
principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all outstanding Notes.

23.   SECURITY.

            The  Holder of this Note is  entitled  to the  benefits  of a Pledge
Agreement,  dated as of May 24,  1999,  between the  Guarantor,  a  wholly-owned
Restricted  Subsidiary  of the Company,  and the Trustee,  pursuant to which the
Guarantor  has  placed  in  the  Pledged  Account  cash  or  Pledged  Securities
sufficient  to  provide  for the  payment  of the first six  scheduled  interest
payments due on the Notes (including any additional interest that may be payable
if the Exchange Offer is not consummated and the Shelf Registration Statement is
not  declared  effective  in a timely  manner)  and to secure  repayment  of the
principal,  premium  (if any) and  interest  on the Notes in the event  that the
Notes  become  due and  payable  prior to such time as the  first six  scheduled
interest payments thereon shall have been paid in full.

      THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

            The  Company  will  furnish to any Holder upon  written  request and
without  charge a copy of the  Indenture.  Requests  may be made to KMC  Telecom
Holdings,  Inc.,  1545 Route 206,  Suite 300,  Bedminster,  New  Jersey,  07921,
Attention: Chief Financial Officer.


<PAGE>

                                      A-14

                            [FORM OF TRANSFER NOTICE]


            FOR  VALUE  RECEIVED  the  undersigned  registered  holder  hereby
sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto

INSERT TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NO.


Please print or typewrite name and address including zip code of assignee

the within Note and all rights  thereunder,  hereby  irrevocably  constituting
and appointing
                                                                        attorney
to  transfer  said  Note  on the  books  of  the  Company  with  full  power  of
substitution in the premises.


                    [THE FOLLOWING PROVISION TO BE INCLUDED
                    ON ALL NOTES OTHER THAN EXCHANGE NOTES,
                      UNLEGENDED OFFSHORE GLOBAL NOTES AND
                     UNLEGENDED OFFSHORE CERTIFICATED NOTES]

      In connection  with any transfer of this Note occurring  prior to the date
which is the earlier of (i) the date of an  effective  Registration  or (ii) the
end of the period  referred  to in Rule 144(k)  under the  Securities  Act,  the
undersigned  confirms that without utilizing any general solicitation or general
advertising that:

                                   [CHECK ONE]

[           ] (a)  this  Note  is  being  transferred  in  compliance  with  the
            exemption  from  registration  under the  Securities Act of 1933, as
            amended, provided by Rule 144A thereunder.

                                       OR

[                 ] (b) this Note is being  transferred other than in accordance
                  with (a) above and documents are being  furnished which comply
                  with the conditions of transfer set forth in this Note and the
                  Indenture.


<PAGE>

                                      A-16

If none of the foregoing boxes is checked,  the Trustee or other Registrar shall
not be obligated to register  this Note in the name of any Person other than the
Holder  hereof  unless  and  until  the  conditions  to  any  such  transfer  of
registration  set forth herein and in Section 2.08 of the  Indenture  shall have
been satisfied.



Date: _________________       __________________________________________________
                              NOTICE:  The signature to this  assignment  must
                              correspond  with  the name as  written  upon the
                              face  of  the  within-mentioned   instrument  in
                              every  particular,  without  alteration  or  any
                              change whatsoever.


TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (a) ABOVE IS CHECKED.

      The  undersigned  represents and warrants that it is purchasing  this Note
for its own  account  or an account  with  respect  to which it  exercises  sole
investment  discretion  and  that  it  and  any  such  account  is a  "qualified
institutional buyer" within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended,  and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on
Rule 144A and acknowledges  that it has received such information  regarding the
Company as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined
not to request  such  information  and that it is aware that the  transferor  is
relying upon the undersigned's  foregoing  representations in order to claim the
exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.


Dated:
                                    NOTICE:  To be  executed  by an  executive
                                    officer.


                                      A-17


                       OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE


            If you wish to have this Note  purchased  by the Company  pursuant
to Section 4.11 or Section 4.12 of the Indenture, check the Box:  |_|

            If you wish to have a portion of this Note  purchased by the Company
pursuant to Section 4.11 or Section 4.12 of the Indenture,  state the amount (in
principal amount): $___________________.


Date: ____________________


Your Signature:_________________________________________________________________
              (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)

Signature Guarantee:  ______________________________



<PAGE>



                                                                       EXHIBIT B


                               FORM OF CERTIFICATE



The Chase Manhattan Bank                                     __________ __, 19__
450 West 33rd Street, 15th Floor
New York, NY  10001-2697
Attention: Capital Markets Fiduciary Services

                 Re: KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc. (the "Company")
                     13 1/2% Senior Notes Due 2009 (The "Notes")
                     -------------------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          This letter relates to U.S.  $_____________  principal amount of Notes
represented  by a Note (the  "Legended  Note")  which  bears a legend  outlining
restrictions  upon transfer of such Legended  Note.  Pursuant to Section 2.02 of
the Indenture (the "Indenture")  dated as of May 24, 1999 relating to the Notes,
we hereby certify that we are (or we will hold such Notes on behalf of) a person
outside the United States to whom the Notes could be  transferred  in accordance
with Rule 904 of Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933,
as amended.  Accordingly,  you are hereby  requested  to exchange  the  legended
certificate for an unlegended  certificate  representing an identical  principal
amount of Notes, all in the manner provided for in the Indenture.

           You and the  Company  are  entitled  to rely upon this letter and are
irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested
party in any  administrative  or legal  proceedings  or  official  inquiry  with
respect to the matters covered hereby.  Terms used in this  certificate have the
meanings set forth in Regulation S.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    [Name of Holder]



                                    By:_________________________________________
                                               Authorized Signature


<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT C



                       Form of Certificate to Be Delivered
                          in Connection with Transfers
                            Pursuant to Regulation S
                            ------------------------



The Chase Manhattan Bank.                                  __________ __, 19__
450 West 33rd Street, 15th Floor
New York, NY  10001-2697
Attention: Capital Markets Fiduciary Services


                 Re: KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc. (the "Company")
                     13 1/2% Senior Notes Due 2009 (The "Notes")
                     -------------------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

           In  connection  with our proposed sale of U.S.$  aggregate  principal
amount of the Notes, we confirm that such sale has been effected pursuant to and
in  accordance  with  Regulation  S under the U.S.  Securities  Act of 1933,  as
amended, and, accordingly, we represent that:

           (1)   the  offer  of the  Notes  was not  made to a  person  in the
United States;

           (2) at the time the buy  order was  originated,  the  transferee  was
     outside  the  United  States  or we and any  person  acting  on our  behalf
     reasonably believed that the transferee was outside the United States;

           (3) no directed  selling  efforts  have been made by us in the United
     States in  contravention  of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b)
     of Regulation S, as applicable; and

           (4) the  transaction  is not part of a plan or  scheme  to evade  the
     registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933.


<PAGE>



                                       C-3


           You and the  Company  are  entitled  to rely upon this letter and are
irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested
party in any  administrative  or legal  proceedings  or  official  inquiry  with
respect to the matters covered hereby.  Terms used in this  certificate have the
meanings set forth in Regulation S.

                                             Very truly yours,

                                             [Name of Transferor]


                                             By:________________________________
                                                      Authorized Signature


<PAGE>



                                                                       EXHIBIT D

                            Form of Certificate to Be
                          Delivered in Connection with
                   Transfers to Non-QIB Accredited Investors
                   -----------------------------------------





The Chase Manhattan Bank.                                  __________ __, 19__
450 West 33rd Street, 15th Floor
New York, NY  10001-2697
Attention:  Capital Markets Fiduciary Services

                 Re: KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc. (the "Company")
                     13 1/2% Senior Notes Due 2009 (The "Notes")
                     -------------------------------------------

Dear Sirs:

           In connection with our proposed  purchase of  $___________  aggregate
principal amount of the Notes, we confirm that:

           1. We understand that any subsequent transfer of the Notes is subject
     to certain  restrictions and conditions set forth in the Indenture dated as
     of May 24, 1999 relating to the Notes (the "Indenture") and the undersigned
     agrees to be bound by, and not to resell,  pledge or otherwise transfer the
     Notes except in compliance  with, such  restrictions and conditions and the
     Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").

           2. We  understand  that the offer and sale of the Notes have not been
     registered  under the Securities Act, and that the Notes may not be offered
     or sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree, on our own
     behalf and on behalf of any accounts for which we are acting as hereinafter
     stated,  that if we should  sell any  Notes,  we will do so only (A) to the
     Company or any subsidiary  thereof,  (B) in accordance with Rule 144A under
     the  Securities  Act  to a  "qualified  institutional  buyer"  (as  defined
     therein), (C) to an institutional  "accredited investor" (as defined below)
     that, prior to such transfer,  furnishes (or has furnished on its behalf by
     a  U.S.   broker-dealer)  to  you  and  to  the  Company  a  signed  letter
     substantially in the form of this letter,  (D) outside the United States in
     accordance  with Rule 904 of  Regulation  S under the  Securities  Act, (E)
     pursuant to the  provisions  of Rule 144 under the  Securities  Act, or (F)
     pursuant to an effective  registration  statement under the Securities Act,
     and we further agree to provide to any person  purchasing  any of the Notes
     from us a notice  advising  such  purchaser  that  resales of the Notes are
     restricted as stated herein.

           3. We understand  that, on any proposed  resale of any Notes, we will
     be required to furnish to you and the Company  such  certifications,  legal
     opinions  and  other  information  as you and the  Company  may  reasonably
     require to confirm  that the  proposed  sale  complies  with the  foregoing
     restrictions.  We further  understand  that the Notes  purchased by us will
     bear a legend to the foregoing effect.

           4. We are an institutional  "accredited investor" (as defined in Rule
     501(a)(1),  (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the  Securities  Act) and
     have such knowledge and experience in financial and business  matters as to
     be capable of  evaluating  the  merits and risks of our  investment  in the
     Notes,  and we and any  accounts  for which we are  acting are each able to
     bear the economic risk of our or its investment.

           5. We are acquiring the Notes  purchased by us for our own account or
     for one or more  accounts  (each of which is an  institutional  "accredited
     investor") as to each of which we exercise sole investment discretion.

           You and the  Company  are  entitled  to rely upon this letter and are
irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested
party in any  administrative  or legal  proceedings  or  official  inquiry  with
respect to the matters covered hereby.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        [Name of Transferee]


                                        By:_____________________________________
                                                  Authorized Signature



- --------
Note: The Table of Contents shall not for any purposes be deemed to be a part
      of the Indenture.
* For Global Notes only













                           KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.




                  $275,000,000 OF 13 1/2% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2009




                               PURCHASE AGREEMENT



                                  May 19, 1999


                           KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.

                               PURCHASE AGREEMENT


                                                                    May 19, 1999


Morgan Stanley & Co.  Incorporated
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation
First Union Capital Markets Corp.
CIBC World Markets Corp.
BancBoston Robertson Stephens Inc.
Wasserstein Perella Securities, Inc.
c/o Morgan Stanley & Co.  Incorporated
1585 Broadway
New York, New York  10036-8293

Dear Sirs and Mesdames:

          KMC Telecom  Holdings,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation (the "Company"),
proposes to issue and sell to the initial  purchasers named in Schedule I hereto
(the "Initial  Purchasers") an aggregate of $275,000,000 of 13 1/2% Senior Notes
Due 2009 of the Company (the "Notes") to be issued pursuant to the provisions of
an indenture (the "Indenture") between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank,
as trustee (in such capacity, the "Trustee"), to be dated as of the Closing Date
(as defined below).

          The  Indenture  will provide that on the Closing Date the Company will
cause its wholly-owned restricted subsidiary,  KMC Telecom Financing,  Inc. (the
"Guarantor"),  to  purchase  and pledge to the  Trustee  for the  benefit of the
registered holders of the Notes (collectively,  the "Note Holders"), pursuant to
the  terms  of  a  Collateral   Pledge  and  Security   Agreement  (the  "Pledge
Agreement"),  a portfolio of United States Treasury  securities  and/or security
entitlements relating thereto in an amount sufficient, upon receipt of scheduled
interest and principal  payments on such securities,  to provide for the payment
in full of the first six scheduled  interest payments on the Notes (the "Pledged
Securities").

          The  Notes  will  be  offered  without  being   registered  under  the
Securities  Act of  1933,  as  amended  (the  "Securities  Act"),  to  qualified
institutional buyers in compliance with the exemption from registration provided
by Rule 144A under the Securities Act and in offshore  transactions  in reliance
on Regulation S under the Securities Act ("Regulation S").



<PAGE>

                                        2

          The Initial Purchasers and their direct and indirect  transferees will
be entitled to the benefits of a Registration  Rights Agreement  relating to the
Notes, to be dated the date hereof, and to be substantially in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit A (the "Registration Rights Agreement").

          In connection  with the sale of the Notes,  the Company has prepared a
preliminary  private  placement  memorandum dated May 6, 1999 (the  "Preliminary
Memorandum") and will prepare a final private  placement  memorandum  (including
any  supplements  thereto,  the "Final  Memorandum"  and,  with the  Preliminary
Memorandum, each a "Memorandum") setting forth or including a description of the
terms of the Notes,  the terms of the offering and a description  of the Company
and its business.

          1. Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and warrants
to, and agrees with, you that as of the date hereof:

                  (a) The Preliminary  Memorandum as of the date hereof does not
         contain  and the  Final  Memorandum,  in the form  used by the  Initial
         Purchasers to confirm  sales and on the Closing Date,  will not contain
         any untrue  statement  of a  material  fact or omit to state a material
         fact  necessary  to make the  statements  therein,  in the light of the
         circumstances  under which they were made, not misleading,  except that
         the  representations  and warranties set forth in this paragraph do not
         apply to  statements  or  omissions  in either  Memorandum  based  upon
         information relating to the Initial Purchasers furnished to the Company
         in writing by the Initial Purchasers expressly for use therein.

                  (b)  The  Company  has  been  duly  incorporated,  is  validly
         existing as a corporation  in good standing under the laws of the State
         of Delaware,  has the corporate power and authority to own its property
         and to conduct its business as described in each Memorandum and is duly
         qualified  to  transact  business  and  is in  good  standing  in  each
         jurisdiction  in which the conduct of its business or its  ownership or
         leasing of property requires such  qualification,  except to the extent
         that the failure to be so  qualified or be in good  standing  would not
         have a material  adverse  effect on the Company  and its  subsidiaries,
         taken as a whole.

                  (c) Each  subsidiary  of the  Company  is listed on  Exhibit B
         hereto (each a "Subsidiary" and, collectively,  the "Subsidiaries") and
         has been duly incorporated or otherwise organized,  is validly existing
         as a corporation or limited liability  company,  as the case may be, in
         good standing under the laws of the  jurisdiction of its  incorporation
         or  organization,  has the corporate and/or limited  liability  company
         power and authority, as appropriate, to own its property and to conduct
         its business as described in each  Memorandum  and is duly qualified to
         transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which

<PAGE>
                                      3

         the  conduct of its  business or its  ownership  or leasing of property
         requires such  qualification,  except to the extent that the failure to
         be so  qualified  or be in good  standing  would  not  have a  material
         adverse effect on the Company and the  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole;
         all of the issued shares of capital  stock or  membership  interests of
         each  Subsidiary  of the Company have been duly and validly  authorized
         and issued, are fully paid and  non-assessable and are owned,  directly
         or  indirectly,   by  the  Company,   free  and  clear  of  all  liens,
         encumbrances,  equities or claims, other than those indicated in either
         Memorandum.

                  (d)  This  Purchase  Agreement  has  been  duly  authorized,
          executed and delivered by the Company.

                  (e) The Notes have been duly  authorized  by the Company  and,
         when executed and  authenticated in accordance with the Indenture,  and
         delivered to and paid for by the Initial  Purchasers in accordance with
         the terms of this  Purchase  Agreement,  will (x) be valid and  binding
         obligations of the Company  enforceable in accordance with their terms,
         except as (A) the enforceability  thereof may be limited by bankruptcy,
         insolvency,  moratorium  or similar laws  affecting  creditors'  rights
         generally  and (B)  rights  of  acceleration,  if  applicable,  and the
         availability  of  equitable   remedies  may  be  limited  by  equitable
         principles of general applicability and (y) be entitled to the benefits
         of the  Indenture  pursuant  to which such Notes are to be issued,  the
         Registration Rights Agreement and the Pledge Agreement.

                  (f)  Each  of  the  Indenture  and  the  Registration   Rights
         Agreement  has been duly  authorized  by the Company and, when executed
         and delivered by the Company, will be a valid and binding agreement of,
         the Company,  enforceable in accordance  with its terms except that (w)
         the  enforceability  thereof may be limited by bankruptcy,  insolvency,
         moratorium or similar laws affecting  creditors' rights generally,  (x)
         rights  of  acceleration,   if  applicable,  and  the  availability  of
         equitable  remedies may be limited by equitable  principles  of general
         applicability,  (y) rights to  indemnification  and contribution may be
         limited by public policy and (z) provisions of the  Indenture,  if any,
         requiring any waiver of stay or extension laws, diligent performance or
         other  acts  on the  part of the  Trustee  may be  unenforceable  under
         principles of public policy.

                  (g) The  Pledge  Agreement  has been  duly  authorized  by the
         Guarantor and, when executed and delivered by the Guarantor,  will be a
         valid and binding agreement of the Guarantor  enforceable in accordance
         with its terms, except as (x) the enforceability thereof may be limited
         by  bankruptcy,  insolvency,  fraudulent  conveyance,   reorganization,
         moratorium or other  similar laws  relating to or affecting  creditors'
         rights generally and subject to general  equitable  principles  whether
         considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.


<PAGE>
                                       4

                  (h) Upon the  delivery to the Trustee of the  certificates  or
         instruments, if any, representing the Pledged Securities, the pledge of
         and grant of a security  interest  in the  Pledged  Securities  for the
         benefit of the Trustee and the Note  Holders,  as the case may be, will
         constitute  a  first   priority   security   interest  in  the  Pledged
         Securities, enforceable against all creditors of the Guarantor (and any
         persons  purporting to purchase any of the Pledged  Securities from the
         Guarantor).

                  (i) The  execution  and  delivery  by the  Company of, and the
         performance  by the Company of its  obligations  under,  this  Purchase
         Agreement,  the Indenture,  the  Registration  Rights Agreement and the
         Notes  (collectively,  the  "Transaction  Documents") and the issuance,
         sale and  delivery of the Notes by the Company in  accordance  with the
         terms  of the  Notes  and the  Indenture  will not  contravene  (i) any
         provision of applicable law, (ii) the certificate of  incorporation  or
         bylaws of the Company,  (iii) any agreement or other instrument binding
         upon the  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries,  or (iv) any  judgment,
         order or  decree  of any  governmental  body,  agency  or court  having
         jurisdiction over the Company or any Subsidiary, except with respect to
         clauses  (i) and (iii) to the extent that any  contravention  would not
         have a material  adverse  effect on the Company  and its  Subsidiaries,
         taken as a whole, and no consent, approval,  authorization or order of,
         or qualification  with, any governmental body or agency is required for
         the performance by the Company of its obligations under the Transaction
         Documents, except (x) such as may be required by the securities or Blue
         Sky laws of the various states in connection with the offer and sale of
         the Notes,  (y) such as may be required by Federal and state securities
         laws with respect to the Company's  obligations  under the Registration
         Rights Agreement and (z) for any consents,  approvals,  authorizations,
         orders or qualifications,  the failure to obtain which would not have a
         material  adverse  effect on the  ability of the Company to perform its
         obligations under the Transaction Documents.

                  (j) The  execution  and delivery by the  Guarantor of, and the
         performance by the Guarantor of its obligations  under,  the Indenture,
         the First Supplemental Indenture,  the Pledge Agreement and the Control
         Agreement  (collectively,  the "Guarantor Transaction  Documents") will
         not  contravene   (i)  any  provision  of  applicable   law,  (ii)  the
         certificate  of  incorporation  or bylaws of the  Guarantor,  (iii) any
         agreement or other instrument  binding upon the Guarantor,  or (iv) any
         judgment,  order or decree of any  governmental  body,  agency or court
         having jurisdiction over the Guarantor,  except with respect to clauses
         (i) and (iii) to the  extent  that any  contravention  would not have a
         material  adverse  effect on the Guarantor,  and no consent,  approval,
         authorization or order of, or qualification with, any governmental body
         or agency is  required  for the  performance  by the  Guarantor  of its
         obligations under the Guarantor Transaction Documents,  except (x) such
         as may be  required by the  securities  or Blue Sky laws of the various
         states in  connection  with the offer and sale of the Notes and (y) for

<PAGE>
                                       5

         any consents, approvals, authorizations,  orders or qualifications, the
         failure to obtain which would not have a material adverse effect on the
         ability of the Guarantor to perform its obligations under the Guarantor
         Transaction Documents.

                  (k) There has not occurred any material adverse change, or any
         development  involving a prospective  material  adverse change,  in the
         condition,  financial or  otherwise,  or in the  earnings,  business or
         operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole, from
         that set  forth in the  Preliminary  Memorandum.  Furthermore,  (1) the
         Company and its Subsidiaries  have not incurred any material  liability
         or  obligation,  direct or  contingent,  nor entered  into any material
         transaction not in the ordinary course of business; (2) the Company has
         not purchased  (except for the repurchase of shares of its common stock
         from  employees,  officers,  directors,  consultants  or other  persons
         providing  services to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries  pursuant
         to agreements under which the Company has the option to repurchase such
         shares of its  common  stock at cost  upon the  occurrence  of  certain
         events such as the termination of employment or other service-providing
         relationship) any of its outstanding capital stock, nor declared,  paid
         or  otherwise  made any  dividend  or  distribution  of any kind on its
         capital  stock other than  ordinary and  customary  dividends;  and (3)
         there has not been any material change in the capital stock, short-term
         debt or long-term debt of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries
         taken  as a  whole,  except  in each  case as  described  in the  Final
         Memorandum.

                  (l) There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or,
         to the knowledge of the Company, threatened to which the Company or any
         of its Subsidiaries is a party or to which any of the properties of the
         Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  is subject other than  proceedings
         accurately  described in all material  respects in each  Memorandum and
         proceedings  that are not reasonably  likely to have a material adverse
         effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or on the
         power or ability of the Company to perform its obligations under any of
         the   Transaction   Documents  or  to   consummate   the   transactions
         contemplated by the Final Memorandum.

                  (m) Neither the Company nor any  affiliate (as defined in Rule
         501(b) of Regulation D under the Securities Act, an "Affiliate") of the
         Company has directly, or through any agent, (i) sold, offered for sale,
         solicited  offers to buy or  otherwise  negotiated  in respect  of, any
         security  (as  defined  in the  Securities  Act)  which  is or  will be
         integrated  with the sale of the Notes in a manner  that would  require
         the registration  under the Securities Act of the Notes or (ii) engaged
         in any form of general  solicitation  or general  advertising (as those
         terms are used in Regulation D under the Securities  Act) in connection
         with the  offering  of the Notes or in any  manner  involving  a public
         offering within the meaning of Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.

<PAGE>
                                       6


                  (n) The  Company  is  not,  and  after  giving  effect  to the
         offering  and sale of the Notes  and the  application  of the  proceeds
         thereof  as  described  in  the  Final  Memorandum,   will  not  be  an
         "investment  company" as such term is defined in the Investment Company
         Act of 1940, as amended.

                  (o) It is not necessary in connection with the offer, sale and
         delivery  of  the  Notes  to  the  Initial  Purchasers  in  the  manner
         contemplated by this Purchase Agreement to register the Notes under the
         Securities  Act or to qualify the Indenture  under the Trust  Indenture
         Act of 1939, as amended.

                  (p) The Company  and its  Subsidiaries  (i) are in  compliance
         with any and all applicable foreign,  federal, state and local laws and
         regulations  relating to the protection of human health and safety, the
         environment or hazardous or toxic  substances or wastes,  pollutants or
         contaminants  ("Environmental  Laws"),  (ii) have received all permits,
         licenses  or  other  approvals   required  of  them  under   applicable
         Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses and (iii) are
         in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license
         or approval,  except where such noncompliance with Environmental  Laws,
         failure to receive  required  permits,  licenses or other  approvals or
         failure  to  comply  with the  terms and  conditions  of such  permits,
         licenses or approvals  would not,  singly or in the  aggregate,  have a
         material adverse effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a
         whole.

                  (q)  There  are  no  costs  and  liabilities  associated  with
         Environmental  Laws  (including,  without  limitation,  any  capital or
         operating expenditures required for clean-up,  closure of properties or
         compliance with Environmental Laws or any permit,  license or approval,
         any related  constraints  on  operating  activities  and any  potential
         liabilities to third parties) which would,  singly or in the aggregate,
         have a material  adverse  effect on the Company  and its  Subsidiaries,
         taken as a whole.

                  (r) The  Notes  satisfy  the  requirements  set forth  in Rule
          144A(d)(3) under the Securities Act.

                  (s) None of the Company,  its  Affiliates or any person acting
         on its or their behalf (other than the Initial  Purchasers) has engaged
         in any directed  selling efforts (as that term is defined in Regulation
         S under the Securities Act) with respect to the Notes,  and the Company
         and its  Affiliates and any person acting on its or their behalf (other
         than  the  Initial   Purchasers)   have   complied  with  the  offering
         restrictions requirement of Regulation S.

                  (t) Except as  described in each  Memorandum,  the Company and
         its  Subsidiaries  (i) have  all  necessary  consents,  authorizations,
         approvals,  orders, certificates and permits of and from, and have made
         all declarations and filings with, all federal,  state, local and other
         governmental,    administrative   or   regulatory   authorities,    all
         self-regulatory  organizations  and all courts and other tribunals,  to
         own, lease,  license and use their properties and assets and to conduct

<PAGE>
                                       7

         their business in the manner  described in each  Memorandum,  except to
         the extent that the failure to obtain  such  consents,  authorizations,
         approvals, orders, certificates or permits or make such declarations or
         filings would not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its
         Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and (ii) has not received any notice of
         proceedings  relating to the violation,  revocation or  modification of
         any such license, consent, authorization,  approval, order, certificate
         or permit  which,  singly or in the  aggregate,  if the  subject  of an
         unfavorable decision,  ruling or finding,  would reasonably be expected
         to result in a material  adverse change in the condition,  financial or
         otherwise,  in the earnings,  business or operations of the Company and
         its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                  (u) The Company and its Subsidiaries  have good and marketable
         title in fee simple to all real property and good and marketable  title
         to all  personal  property  owned  by them  which  is  material  to the
         business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in each
         case free and clear of all liens,  encumbrances  and defects except (i)
         such  as  are  described  in  each  Memorandum,  (ii)  such  as do  not
         materially  affect the value of such property and do not interfere with
         the use made and  proposed  to be made of such  property by the Company
         and its  Subsidiaries;  or (iii) such as do not have a material adverse
         effect on the Company and its  Subsidiaries  taken as a whole;  and any
         real  property  and  buildings  held under lease by the Company and its
         Subsidiaries  are held by them under valid,  subsisting and enforceable
         leases with such  exceptions as are not material and do not  materially
         interfere  with the use made and  proposed to be made of such  property
         and buildings by the Company and its Subsidiaries,  in each case except
         as described in or contemplated by each Memorandum.

                  (v) The Company and its  Subsidiaries  own or possess,  or can
         acquire on  reasonable  terms,  all material  patents,  patent  rights,
         licenses, inventions, copyrights, know-how (including trade secrets and
         other  unpatented  and/or  unpatentable   proprietary  or  confidential
         information,  systems or  procedures),  trademarks,  service  marks and
         trade names currently  employed by them in connection with the business
         now  operated  by them,  and,  except as set forth in each  Memorandum,
         neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice
         of  infringement  of or conflict  with  asserted  rights of others with
         respect to any of the foregoing which,  singly or in the aggregate,  if
         the subject of an  unfavorable  decision,  ruling or finding,  would be
         reasonably  likely  to  result in any  material  adverse  change in the
         condition,  financial or  otherwise,  or in the  earnings,  business or
         operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                  (w) No  material  labor  dispute  with  the  employees  of the
         Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  exists,  except as described in or
         contemplated by each  Memorandum,  or, to the knowledge of the Company,
         is imminent;  and the Company is not aware of any existing,  threatened
         or imminent labor  disturbance by the employees of any of its principal
         suppliers,  manufacturers  or  contractors  that  might  reasonably  be
         expected to result in any  material  adverse  change in the  condition,
         financial or otherwise,  or in the earnings,  business or operations of
         the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.


<PAGE>
                                       8


                  (x) The Company and its  Subsidiaries are insured against such
         losses and risks and in such amounts as the Company reasonably believes
         are prudent and customary in the  businesses in which they are engaged;
         neither  the  Company  nor any such  Subsidiary  has been  refused  any
         insurance  coverage  sought or applied for; and neither the Company nor
         any such  Subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not be able
         to renew its  existing  insurance  coverage  as and when such  coverage
         expires or to obtain similar  coverage from similar  insurers as may be
         necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not  materially
         and adversely  affect the  condition,  financial or  otherwise,  or the
         earnings,  business or operations of the Company and its  Subsidiaries,
         taken  as a whole,  except  as  described  in or  contemplated  by each
         Memorandum.

                  (y) The  Company  and its  Subsidiaries  maintain  a system of
         internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance
         that (i)  transactions  are executed in  accordance  with  management's
         general or specific  authorizations;  (ii) transactions are recorded as
         necessary to permit  preparation of financial  statements in conformity
         with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles and to maintain asset
         accountability;  (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance
         with  management's  general  or  specific  authorization;  and (iv) the
         recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets
         at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to
         any differences.

                  (z) The terms of the Notes and the  Indenture  conform  in all
         material  respects to the  description  thereof  contained in the Final
         Memorandum under the headings "Description of the Notes."

                  (aa) The Company has reviewed its  operations  and that of its
         Subsidiaries to evaluate the extent to which the business or operations
         of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries  will be affected by the Year
         2000 Problem (that is, any significant  risk that computer  hardware or
         software  applications  used by the Company and its  Subsidiaries  will
         not, in the case of dates or time periods  occurring after December 31,
         1999,  function at least as effectively as in the case of dates or time
         periods  occurring  prior to  January  1,  2000);  as a result  of such
         review, (i) the Company has no reason to believe, and does not believe,
         that (A) there are any issues related to the Company's  preparedness to
         address the Year 2000  Problem  that are of a character  required to be

<PAGE>
                                       9

         described  or  referred  to in each  Memorandum  which  have  not  been
         accurately  described  in each  Memorandum  and (B) with respect to the
         systems of the Company and its Subsidiaries, the Year 2000 Problem will
         have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the  condition,   financial  or
         otherwise,  or on the  earnings,  business or operations of the Company
         and its Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole, or result in any material loss
         or interference  with the business or operations of the Company and its
         Subsidiaries,  taken  as a  whole;  and  (ii)  the  Company  reasonably
         believes, after due inquiry, that the suppliers,  vendors, customers or
         other  material  third  parties  used or served by the Company and such
         Subsidiaries  are addressing or will address the Year 2000 Problem in a
         timely manner,  except to the extent that a failure to address the Year
         2000 Problem by any supplier,  vendor, customer or material third party
         would not have a material adverse effect on the condition, financial or
         otherwise,  or on the  earnings,  business or operations of the Company
         and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                  2. Agreements to Sell and Purchase.  The Company hereby agrees
to sell to the several Initial Purchasers and each Initial  Purchaser,  upon the
basis of the representations and warranties herein contained, but subject to the
conditions   hereinafter  stated,  agrees  to  purchase  from  the  Company  the
respective principal amount of Notes set forth in Schedule I hereto opposite its
name,  at a  purchase  price of  96.5%  of the  principal  amount  thereof  (the
"Purchase Price") plus accrued interest,  if any, on the Notes from May 24, 1999
to the Closing Date.

                  The Company  hereby  agrees  that,  without the prior  written
consent  of  Morgan  Stanley  &  Co.  Incorporated  on  behalf  of  the  Initial
Purchasers,  it will not,  during the period  beginning  on the date  hereof and
continuing to and including the Closing Date, offer,  sell,  contract to sell or
otherwise dispose of any debt of the Company or warrants to purchase debt of the
Company  substantially  similar to the Notes  (other  than the sale of the Notes
under this Purchase Agreement).

                  3. Terms of  Offering.  You have  advised the Company that the
Initial  Purchasers  will make an offering of the Notes purchased by the Initial
Purchasers hereunder on the terms set forth in the Final Memorandum,  as soon as
practicable after this Purchase Agreement is entered into as in your judgment is
advisable.

                  4. Payment and  Delivery.  Payment for the Notes shall be made
to the Company in Federal or other funds immediately  available in New York City
against  delivery of the Notes at a closing  (the  "Closing")  to be held at the
office of Shearman & Sterling,  599  Lexington  Avenue,  New York,  New York, at
10:00 A.M.,  local time,  on May 24, 1999,  or at such other time on the same or

<PAGE>
                                       10


such other date,  not later than June 7, 1999, as shall be designated in writing
by you. The time and date of such payment are herein referred to as the "Closing
Date."

                  Certificates  for the  Notes  shall be in  definitive  form or
global  form,  as specified  by you,  and  registered  in such names and in such
denominations  as you shall  request in writing not later than one full business
day prior to the Closing Date.  The  certificates  evidencing the Notes shall be
delivered to you on the Closing Date for the respective  accounts of the several
Initial  Purchasers,  with any transfer  taxes  payable in  connection  with the
transfer of the Notes to the Initial  Purchasers  duly paid,  against payment of
the purchase price therefor.

                  5.  Conditions  to the Initial  Purchasers'  Obligations . The
several  obligations of the Initial Purchasers to purchase and pay for the Notes
on the Closing Date is subject to the following conditions:

                    (a)  Subsequent  to  the  execution  and  delivery  of  this
          Purchase Agreement and prior to the Closing Date,

                           (i) there shall not have  occurred  any  downgrading,
                  nor  shall  any  notice  have been  given of any  intended  or
                  potential  downgrading or of any review for a possible  change
                  that does not indicate the  direction of the possible  change,
                  in the rating accorded any of the Company's  securities by any
                  nationally  recognized  statistical  rating  organization," as
                  such term is defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2)  under the
                  Securities Act; and

                           (ii) there shall not have occurred any change, or any
                  development  involving a prospective change, in the condition,
                  financial  or  otherwise,  or in  the  earnings,  business  or
                  operations,  of the Company and its  subsidiaries,  taken as a
                  whole, from that set forth in the Final Memorandum  (exclusive
                  of any  amendments or  supplements  thereto  subsequent to the
                  date of this  Purchase  Agreement)  that,  in the  judgment of
                  Morgan Stanley & Co.  Incorporated,  as  representative of the
                  Initial Purchasers, is material and adverse and that makes it,
                  in the  judgment  of  Morgan  Stanley & Co.  Incorporated,  as
                  representative  of the Initial  Purchasers,  impracticable  to
                  market the Notes on the terms and in the  manner  contemplated
                  in the Final Memorandum.

                  (b) The Initial  Purchasers shall have received on the Closing
         Date a  certificate,  dated the Closing Date and signed by an executive
         officer of the Company,  to the effect set forth in Section  5(a)(i) of
         this Purchase Agreement and to the effect that the  representations and
         warranties of the Company contained in this Purchase Agreement are true
         and  correct as of the Closing  Date and that the Company has  complied
         with  all of  the  agreements  and  satisfied  all  of  the  conditions
         contained herein on its part to be performed or satisfied  hereunder on
         or before the Closing Date.

                  The officer signing and delivering  such  certificate may rely
         upon the best of his or her knowledge as to proceedings threatened.

<PAGE>
                                       11

                  (c) The Initial  Purchasers shall have received on the Closing
         Date an opinion of Kelley  Drye & Warren  LLP,  outside  counsel to the
         Company,  dated the Closing Date, to the effect set forth in Exhibit C.
         Such opinion shall be rendered to the Initial Purchasers at the request
         of the Company and shall so state therein.

                  (d) The Initial  Purchasers shall have received on the Closing
         Date an opinion of Swidler Berlin  Shereff  Friedman,  LLP,  regulatory
         counsel to the Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect set forth
         in Exhibit D. Such opinion shall be rendered to the Initial  Purchasers
         at the request of the Company and shall so state therein.

                  (e) The Initial  Purchasers shall have received on the Closing
         Date  an  opinion  of  Shearman  &  Sterling,  counsel  to the  Initial
         Purchasers,  dated the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory
         to you.

                  (f) The Initial  Purchasers shall have received on each of the
         date hereof and the Closing Date a letter, dated the date hereof or the
         Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to
         the  Initial  Purchasers,  from Ernst & Young LLP,  independent  public
         accountants,   containing   statements  and  information  of  the  type
         ordinarily  included in accountants'  "comfort letters" to underwriters
         with  respect  to  the  financial   statements  and  certain  financial
         information contained in the Final Memorandum; provided that the letter
         delivered  on the Closing  Date shall use a "cut-off  date" not earlier
         than the date hereof.

                  (g) The  Transaction  Documents  shall  have been executed and
          shall be in full force and effect.

                  (h) The  Initial  Purchasers  shall have  received  payment in
         full,  no later than the Closing  Date, of all fees and expenses due in
         connection  with the  offering by the Company of the Notes  pursuant to
         the Final Memorandum.

                  (i)  You  shall  have  received   such  other   documents  and
         certificates as are reasonably requested by you or your counsel.

                  6. Covenants of the Company.  In further  consideration of the
agreements of the Initial Purchasers  contained in this Purchase Agreement,  the
Company covenants with the Initial Purchasers as follows:

                  (a) To use its  reasonable  best  efforts to furnish to you in
         New York City,  without charge,  prior to 10:00 a.m. New York City time
         on the business day next succeeding the date of this Purchase Agreement
         and during the period  mentioned in Section 6(c), as many copies of the
         Final Memorandum and any supplements and amendments  thereto as you may
         reasonably request.

                  (b) Before amending or  supplementing  either  Memorandum,  to
         furnish to you a copy of each such proposed amendment or supplement and
         not to use any such  proposed  amendment or  supplement to which Morgan
         Stanley & Co. Incorporated objects without unreasonable delay.

<PAGE>
                                       12


                  (c) If,  during such period after the date hereof and prior to
         the date on which all of the Notes  shall have been sold by the Initial
         Purchasers,  any event  shall occur or  condition  exist as a result of
         which it is necessary to amend or  supplement  the Final  Memorandum in
         order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
         when the Final Memorandum is delivered to a purchaser,  not misleading,
         or if, in the  opinion  of  counsel  to the  Initial  Purchasers  it is
         necessary to amend or  supplement  the Final  Memorandum to comply with
         applicable law,  forthwith to prepare and furnish,  at its own expense,
         to the Initial  Purchasers,  either  amendments or  supplements  to the
         Final  Memorandum so that the statements in the Final  Memorandum as so
         amended or  supplemented  will not,  in the light of the  circumstances
         when the Final Memorandum is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or
         so that the Final  Memorandum,  as so  amended  or  supplemented,  will
         comply in all material respects with applicable law.

                  (d) To  endeavor to qualify the Notes for offer and sale under
         the  securities  or Blue Sky laws of such  jurisdictions  as you  shall
         reasonably  request;  provided  that in no event  shall the  Company be
         obligated to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not
         now so  qualified  or to take any  action  which  would  subject  it to
         taxation  in any  jurisdiction  where  it is not now so  subject  or to
         service  or  process in suits,  other  than  those  arising  out of the
         offering or sale of the Notes in any  jurisdiction  where it is not now
         so subject.

                  (e)  Whether  or not  the  transactions  contemplated  in this
         Purchase  Agreement  are  consummated  or this  Purchase  Agreement  is
         terminated,  to pay or cause to be paid all  expenses  incident  to the
         performance  of  its   obligations   under  this  Purchase   Agreement,
         including:  (i) the  preparation of each  Memorandum and all amendments
         and supplements thereto, (ii) the preparation, issuance and delivery of
         the Notes,  (iii) the fees and  disbursements of the Company's  counsel
         and accountants and the Trustee and its counsel, (iv) the qualification
         of such Notes under  securities or Blue Sky laws in accordance with the
         provisions  of Section  6(d),  including  filing  fees and the fees and
         disbursements  of one counsel for the Initial  Purchasers in connection
         therewith and in  connection  with the  preparation  of any Blue Sky or
         legal  investment  memoranda,  (v) the  printing  and  delivery  to the
         Initial Purchasers in quantities as hereinabove stated of copies of the
         Memorandum  and any amendments or  supplements  thereto,  (vi) any fees
         charged by rating agencies,  (vii) all document  production charges and
         expenses of one counsel to the Initial  Purchasers  (but not  including
         their  fees  for   professional   services)  in  connection   with  the
         preparation of this Purchase  Agreement,  (viii) the fees and expenses,
         if any,  incurred in  connection  with the  admission of such Notes for
         trading  in PORTAL or any other  appropriate  market  system,  (ix) the
         fees,  expenses and losses,  if any,  incurred in  connection  with the
         purchase of the Pledged  Securities,  (x) the costs and expenses of the
         Company   relating  to  investor   presentations  on  any  "road  show"
         undertaken  in  connection  with the  marketing  of the offering of the
         Notes,  including,  without  limitation,  expenses  associated with the
         production of road show slides and  graphics,  fees and expenses of any
         consultants engaged in connection with the road show presentations with
         the prior  approval of the Company,  travel and lodging  expense of the
         representatives  and officers of the Company and any such  consultants,
         and the cost of any aircraft chartered in connection with the road show
         with the prior  approval of the  Company,  and (xi) all other costs and
         expenses  incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company
         hereunder for which provision is not otherwise made in this Section. It
         is  understood,  however,  that  except as  provided  in this  Section,
         Section 8 and Section 11, the Initial  Purchasers will pay all of their
         costs and expenses,  including fees and disbursements of their counsel,
         transfer  taxes  payable  on resale of any of the Notes by them and any
         advertising expenses connected with any offers they may make.

                  (f) Neither the Company nor any Affiliate will sell, offer for
         sale or solicit offers to buy or otherwise  negotiate in respect of any
         security (as defined in the  Securities  Act) which could be integrated
         with  the  sale of the  Notes  in a  manner  which  would  require  the
         registration under the Securities Act of such Notes.

<PAGE>
                                       13

                  (g) Neither the Company  nor any  Affiliate  will  solicit any
         offer to buy or offer or sell the Notes by means of any form of general
         solicitation  or  general  advertising  (as  those  terms  are  used in
         Regulation  D under the  Securities  Act) or in any manner  involving a
         public  offering  within the meaning of Section 4(2) of the  Securities
         Act,  except  as  may  be  contemplated  by  the  Registration   Rights
         Agreement.

                  (h)  While  any of the Notes  remain  "restricted  securities"
         within the  meaning of the  Securities  Act,  to make  available,  upon
         request, to any seller of such Notes the information  specified in Rule
         144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act, unless the Company is then subject
         to  Section  13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934 (the
         "Exchange Act").

                  (i) Except as may be contemplated by the  Registration  Rights
         Agreement,  none of the Company, its Affiliates or any person acting on
         its or their behalf (other than the Initial  Purchasers) will engage in
         any directed  selling efforts (as that term is defined in Regulation S)
         with respect to the Notes,  and the Company and its Affiliates and each
         person   acting  on  its  or  their  behalf  (other  than  the  Initial
         Purchasers) will comply with the offering restrictions of Regulation S.

                  (j) To refuse, and to cause the Trustee to refuse, to register
         any  transfer  of the  Notes  sold  pursuant  to  Regulation  S if such
         transfer is not made in accordance  with the provisions of Regulation S
         and the Indenture.

                  (k) To use its reasonable  best efforts to permit the Notes to
         be  designated  PORTAL  securities  in  accordance  with the  rules and
         regulations adopted by the National  Association of Securities Dealers,
         Inc. relating to trading in the PORTAL Market.

                  (l) The Company  shall not,  and shall use its best efforts to
         cause its  Affiliates  not to,  purchase  and then resell or  otherwise
         transfer any Notes.

                  7.  Offering  of Notes;  Restrictions  on  Transfer.  (a) Each
Initial Purchaser,  severally and not jointly, represents and warrants that such
Initial  Purchaser  is a qualified  institutional  buyer as defined in Rule 144A
under the  Securities  Act (a "QIB").  Each  Initial  Purchaser  agrees with the
Company  that (i) it will not solicit  offers for, or offer or sell the Notes by
any form of general solicitation or general advertising (as those terms are used
in Regulation D under the  Securities  Act) or in any manner  involving a public
offering  within the meaning of Section 4(2) of the  Securities  Act and (ii) it

<PAGE>
                                       14


will solicit  offers for the Notes only from, and will offer such Notes only to,
persons that it  reasonably  believes to be (A) in the case of offers inside the
United States,  QIBs and (B) in the case of offers outside the United States, to
persons other than U.S. persons ("foreign purchasers",  which term shall include
dealers  or other  professional  fiduciaries  in the United  States  acting on a
discretionary  basis for  foreign  beneficial  owners  (other  than an estate or
trust)) in reliance  upon  Regulation S under the  Securities  Act that, in each
case,  in  purchasing  such Notes are deemed to have  represented  and agreed as
provided in the Final Memorandum under the caption "Transfer Restrictions."

                  (b)  Each  Initial  Purchaser,   severally  and  not  jointly,
         represents,  warrants,  and  agrees  with  respect  to offers and sales
         outside the United States that:

                           (i) it understands that no action has been or will be
                  taken in any  jurisdiction  by the Company that would permit a
                  public offering of the Notes, or possession or distribution of
                  either Memorandum or any other offering or publicity  material
                  relating to the Notes,  in any country or  jurisdiction  where
                  action for that purpose is required;

                           (ii) such  Initial  Purchaser  will  comply  with all
                  applicable laws and regulations in each  jurisdiction in which
                  it  acquires,  offers,  sells or delivers  Notes or has in its
                  possession or distributes  either Memorandum or any such other
                  material, in all cases at its own expense;

                           (iii)  the  Notes  have  not  been  and  will  not be
                  registered  under the Securities Act and may not be offered or
                  sold  within  the United  States or to, or for the  account or
                  benefit of, U.S.  persons except in accordance  with Rule 144A
                  or  Regulation  S under  the  Securities  Act or  pursuant  to
                  another  exemption from the  registration  requirements of the
                  Securities Act;

                           (iv) such Initial Purchaser has offered the Notes and
                  will   offer   and  sell  the  Notes  (A)  as  part  of  their
                  distribution at any time and (B) otherwise until 40 days after
                  the  Closing  Date  only  in  accordance   with  Rule  903  of
                  Regulation  S or  as  otherwise  permitted  in  Section  7(a);
                  accordingly,  neither such Initial  Purchaser,  its Affiliates
                  nor any persons  acting on its or their behalf have engaged or
                  will  engage  in any  directed  selling  efforts  (within  the
                  meaning of  Regulation  S) with respect to the Notes,  and any
                  such Initial  Purchaser,  its  Affiliates and any such persons
                  have  complied and will comply with the offering  restrictions
                  requirement of Regulation S;

                           (v) such  Initial  Purchaser  has (A) not  offered or
                  sold and, prior to the date six months after the Closing Date,
                  will not  offer or sell any  Notes to  persons  in the  United
                  Kingdom  except to persons whose ordinary  activities  involve
                  them  in   acquiring,   holding,   managing  or  disposing  of
                  investments  (as principal or agent) for the purposes of their
                  businesses  or  otherwise  in  circumstances  which  have  not
                  resulted  and will not result in an offer to the public in the
                  United  Kingdom  within the  meaning  of the Public  Offers of
                  Securities Regulations 1995; (B) complied and will comply with
                  all applicable  provisions of the Financial  Services Act 1986
                  with  respect to anything  done by it in relation to the Notes
                  in, from or otherwise  involving the United  Kingdom;  and (C)
                  only issued or passed on and will only issue or pass on in the
                  United Kingdom any document  received by it in connection with
                  the issue of the Notes to a person who is of a kind  described
                  in  Article   11(3)  of  the   Financial   Services  Act  1986
                  (Investment  Advertisements)  (Exemptions)  Order 1996 or is a
                  person to whom such document may otherwise  lawfully be issued
                  or passed on;

                           (vi)  such  Initial  Purchaser  understands  that the
                  Notes  have not been and  will  not be  registered  under  the
                  Securities and Exchange Law of Japan,  and represents  that it
                  has not offered or sold,  and agrees that it will not offer or
                  sell,  any Notes,  directly or  indirectly in Japan or for the

<PAGE>
                                       15

                  account  of  any  resident  thereof  except  pursuant  to  any
                  exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities
                  and Exchange Law of Japan and  otherwise  in  compliance  with
                  applicable provisions of Japanese law; and

                           (vii) such Initial Purchaser agrees that, at or prior
                  to  confirmation  of sales of the Notes,  it will have sent to
                  each  distributor,   dealer  or  person  receiving  a  selling
                  concession,  fee or other  remuneration  that purchases  Notes
                  from it during the restricted  period a confirmation or notice
                  to substantially the following effect:

                    "The Notes covered hereby have not been registered under the
                    U.S.  Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities  Act") and may
                    not be offered and sold  within the United  States or to, or
                    for the account or benefit  of, U.S.  persons (i) as part of
                    their  distribution  at any time or (ii) otherwise  until 40
                    days  after the  closing  date,  except  in  either  case in
                    accordance  with  Regulation  S (or Rule 144A if  available)
                    under the Securities  Act. Terms used above have the meaning
                    given to them by Regulation S."

          Terms used in this  Section  7(b) have the  meanings  given to them by
          Regulation S.

                  8. Indemnification and Contribution. (a) The Company agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless each Initial Purchaser, and each person, if any, who
controls any Initial  Purchaser  within the meaning of either  Section 15 of the
Securities  Act or Section 20 of the  Exchange  Act from and against any and all
losses,  claims,  damages and liabilities  (including,  without limitation,  any
legal or other  expenses  reasonably  incurred in connection  with  defending or
investigating  any such  action or  claim)  caused by any  untrue  statement  or
alleged untrue  statement of a material fact contained in either  Memorandum (as
amended or  supplemented  if the Company shall have  furnished any amendments or
supplements  thereto),  or caused by any  omission or alleged  omission to state
therein a material fact necessary to make the statements therein in the light of
the circumstances  under which they were made not misleading,  except insofar as
such  losses,  claims,  damages or  liabilities  are  caused by any such  untrue
statement  or  omission  or alleged  untrue  statement  or  omission  based upon
information  relating  to any  Initial  Purchaser  furnished  to the  Company in
writing by such Initial Purchaser expressly for use therein.

                  (b) Each Initial Purchaser agrees,  severally and not jointly,
         to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, its officers
         and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of
         either  Section 15 of the  Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange
         Act to the same extent as the foregoing  indemnity  from the Company to
         such Initial Purchaser, but only with reference to information relating
         to such Initial  Purchaser  furnished to the Company in writing by such
         Initial  Purchaser  expressly  for  use  in  either  Memorandum  or any
         amendments or supplements thereto.

<PAGE>
                                       16

                  (c)  In  case  any  proceeding   (including  any  governmental
         investigation)  shall be instituted  involving any person in respect of
         which  indemnity may be sought pursuant to either Section 8(a) or 8(b),
         such person (the "indemnified  party") shall promptly notify the person
         against whom such indemnity may be sought (the "indemnifying party") in
         writing and the  indemnifying  party,  upon request of the  indemnified
         party, shall retain counsel reasonably  satisfactory to the indemnified
         party  to  represent   the   indemnified   party  and  any  others  the
         indemnifying  party may designate in such  proceeding and shall pay the
         fees and  disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding.  In
         any such  proceeding,  any  indemnified  party  shall have the right to
         retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall
         be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (i) the indemnifying
         party and the  indemnified  party  shall  have  mutually  agreed to the
         retention  of such  counsel  or (ii)  the  named  parties  to any  such
         proceeding   (including  any  impleaded   parties)   include  both  the
         indemnifying party and the indemnified party and representation of both
         parties by the same  counsel  would be  inappropriate  due to actual or
         potential  differing  interests between them. It is understood that the
         indemnifying  party shall not, in respect of the legal  expenses of any
         indemnified   party  in  connection  with  any  proceeding  or  related
         proceedings  in the  same  jurisdiction,  be  liable  for the  fees and
         expenses  of more  than one  separate  firm (in  addition  to any local
         counsel)  for all such  indemnified  parties and that all such fees and
         expenses  shall be reimbursed as they are incurred.  Such firm shall be
         designated in writing by Morgan Stanley & Co.  Incorporated in the case
         of parties  indemnified  pursuant to Section 8(a) and by the Company in
         the  case  of  parties  indemnified   pursuant  to  Section  8(b).  The
         indemnifying  party  shall  not be  liable  for any  settlement  of any
         proceeding  effected without its written  consent,  but if settled with
         such  consent or if there be a final  judgment for the  plaintiff,  the
         indemnifying  party agrees to indemnify the indemnified  party from and
         against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.
         Notwithstanding the foregoing  sentence,  if at any time an indemnified
         party shall have  requested  an  indemnifying  party to  reimburse  the
         indemnified  party for fees and expenses of counsel as  contemplated by
         the second and third  sentences  of this  paragraph,  the  indemnifying
         party  agrees  that  it  shall  be  liable  for any  settlement  of any
         proceeding  effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement
         is entered  into more than 60 days after  receipt by such  indemnifying
         party of the aforesaid request and (ii) such  indemnifying  party shall
         not have  reimbursed  the  indemnified  party in  accordance  with such
         request prior to the date of such  settlement.  No  indemnifying  party
         shall,  without the prior  written  consent of the  indemnified  party,
         effect any  settlement  of any  pending  or  threatened  proceeding  in
         respect  of which any  indemnified  party is or could have been a party
         and  indemnity  could have been sought  hereunder  by such  indemnified
         party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such
         indemnified  party from all  liability  on claims  that are the subject
         matter of such proceeding.

                  (d) To the extent the indemnification  provided for in Section
         8(a) or 8(b) is unavailable to an indemnified  party or insufficient in
         respect of any  losses,  claims,  damages or  liabilities  referred  to
         therein,  then each indemnifying  party under such section,  in lieu of
         indemnifying such indemnified party thereunder, shall contribute to the
         amount  paid or payable by such  indemnified  party as a result of such
         losses,  claims,  damages or liabilities  (i) in such  proportion as is
         appropriate to reflect the relative  benefits  received by the Company,
         on the one hand, and the Initial  Purchasers,  on the other hand,  from
         the offering of such Notes or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause
         8(d)(i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as
         is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in

<PAGE>
                                       17

         clause  8(d)(i) above but also the relative fault of the Company on the
         one hand and the  Initial  Purchasers  on the other hand in  connection
         with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses,  claims,
         damages  or  liabilities,  as  well  as any  other  relevant  equitable
         considerations.  The relative  benefits  received by the Company on the
         one hand and the  Initial  Purchasers  on the other hand in  connection
         with the  offering  of such  Notes  shall be  deemed  to be in the same
         respective  proportions  as the net proceeds  from the offering of such
         Notes (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the total
         discounts and commissions received by the Initial Purchasers in respect
         thereof  bear  to the  aggregate  offering  price  of such  Notes.  The
         relative  fault  of the  Company  on the one  hand  and of the  Initial
         Purchasers on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among
         other  things,  whether  the untrue or alleged  untrue  statement  of a
         material  fact or the omission or alleged  omission to state a material
         fact relates to  information  supplied by the Company or by the Initial
         Purchasers  and the  parties'  relative  intent,  knowledge,  access to
         information  and  opportunity  to correct or prevent such  statement or
         omission.

                  (e) The Company and the Initial Purchasers agree that it would
         not be just or  equitable  if  contribution  pursuant to this Section 8
         were  determined  by pro rata  allocation  or by any  other  method  of
         allocation  that does not take account of the equitable  considerations
         referred  to  in  Section  8(d).  The  amount  paid  or  payable  by an
         indemnified  party as a  result  of the  losses,  claims,  damages  and
         liabilities  referred  to in  Section  8(d)  above  shall be  deemed to
         include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other
         expenses  reasonably  incurred by such indemnified  party in connection
         with   investigating   or   defending   any  such   action   or  claim.
         Notwithstanding   the   provisions  of  this  Section  8,  the  Initial
         Purchasers  shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of
         the amount by which the total  price at which the Notes  resold by them
         in the  initial  placement  of such  Notes were  offered  to  investors
         exceeds  the amount of any  damages  that such  Initial  Purchaser  has
         otherwise  been  required  to pay by reason of such  untrue or  alleged
         untrue statement or omission or alleged  omission.  No person guilty of
         fraudulent  misrepresentation  (within the meaning of Section  11(f) of
         the Securities Act) shall be entitled to  contribution  from any person
         who was not guilty of such fraudulent  misrepresentation.  The remedies
         provided  for in this Section 8 are not  exclusive  and shall not limit
         any  rights  or  remedies  which  may  otherwise  be  available  to any
         indemnified party at law or in equity.

                  (f) The indemnity  and  contribution  provisions  contained in
         this Section 8 and the representations, warranties and other statements
         of the  Company  contained  in this  Purchase  Agreement  shall  remain
         operative  and  in  full  force  and  effect   regardless  of  (i)  any
         termination of this Purchase Agreement,  (ii) any investigation made by
         or on behalf of any Initial  Purchaser  or any person  controlling  any
         Initial  Purchaser or by or on behalf of the  Company,  its officers or
         directors or any person controlling the Company and (iii) acceptance of
         and payment for any of the Notes.

                  9.  Termination.  This Purchase  Agreement shall be subject to
termination  by  notice  given  by  Morgan  Stanley  &  Co.   Incorporated,   as
representative  of the  Initial  Purchasers,  to the  Company,  if (a) after the
execution and delivery of this Purchase  Agreement and prior to the Closing Date
(i) trading generally shall have been suspended or materially  limited on or by,
as the case may be,  any of the New York  Stock  Exchange,  the  American  Stock
Exchange,  the National  Association  of Securities  Dealers,  Inc., the Chicago
Board of Options Exchange,  the Chicago Mercantile Exchange or the Chicago Board
of  Trade,  (ii)  trading  of any  securities  of the  Company  shall  have been

<PAGE>
                                       18


suspended on any  exchange or in any  over-the-counter  market,  (iii) a general
moratorium on commercial banking activities in New York shall have been declared
by either  Federal  or New York  State  authorities  or (iv)  there  shall  have
occurred any outbreak or  escalation of  hostilities  or any change in financial
markets or any calamity or crisis that, in the judgment of Morgan  Stanley & Co.
Incorporated,  as  representative  of the Initial  Purchasers,  is material  and
adverse and (b) in the case of any of the events  specified  in clauses  9(a)(i)
through 9(a)(iv),  such event singly or together with any other such event makes
it, in the judgment of Morgan Stanley & Co.  Incorporated,  as representative of
the Initial  Purchasers,  impracticable  to market the Notes on the terms and in
the manner contemplated in the Final Memorandum.

                  10.  Effectiveness.   This  Purchase  Agreement  shall  become
effective upon the execution and delivery hereof by the parties hereto.

                   11. Miscellaneous. If, on the Closing Date any one or more of
the Initial  Purchasers  shall fail or refuse to purchase  Notes that it or they
have agreed to purchase  hereunder  on such date,  and the amount of Notes which
such defaulting  Initial  Purchaser or Initial  Purchasers  agreed but failed or
refused to purchase is not more than one-tenth of the aggregate  amount of Notes
to be purchased on such date,  the other Initial  Purchasers  shall be obligated
severally in the  proportions  that the amount of Notes set forth opposite their
respective  names in Schedule I bears to the aggregate amount of Notes set forth
opposite the names of all such  non-defaulting  Initial  Purchasers,  or in such
other  proportions  as you  may  specify,  to  purchase  the  Notes  which  such
defaulting  Initial Purchaser or Initial Purchasers agreed but failed or refused
to  purchase on such date;  provided  that in no event shall the amount of Notes
that any  Initial  Purchaser  has agreed to  purchase  pursuant  to Section 2 be
increased  pursuant  to Section 11 by an amount in excess of  one-ninth  of such
amount of Notes without the written  consent of such Initial  Purchaser.  If, on
the Closing  Date,  any Initial  Purchaser or Initial  Purchasers  shall fail or
refuse to purchase  Notes which it or they have agreed to purchase  hereunder on
such date and the  aggregate  amount of Notes with respect to which such default
occurs is more than  one-tenth of the aggregate  amount of Notes to be purchased
on such  date  and  arrangements  satisfactory  to you and the  Company  for the
purchase  of such Notes are not made within 36 hours  after such  default,  this
Purchase  Agreement  shall  terminate  without  liability  on  the  part  of any
non-defaulting  Initial Purchaser or the Company. In any such case either you or
the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing  Date,  but in no event
for longer than seven days, in order that the required  changes,  if any, in the
Final Memorandum or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected.  Any
action  taken under this  paragraph  shall not relieve  any  defaulting  Initial
Purchaser  from  liability in respect of any default of such  Initial  Purchaser
under this Purchase Agreement.

                  If this Purchase  Agreement shall be terminated by the Initial
Purchasers, or any of them, because of any failure or refusal on the part of the
Company to comply  with the terms or to fulfill  any of the  conditions  of this
Purchase Agreement,  or if for any reason the Company shall be unable to perform
its obligations under this Purchase  Agreement (other than by reason of a breach
of this  Purchase  Agreement  by the Initial  Purchasers,  or any of them),  the
Company will  reimburse the Initial  Purchasers or such Initial  Purchasers  who
have so  terminated  this  Purchase  Agreement  for all  out-of-pocket  expenses
(including the fees and  disbursements  of its counsel)  reasonably  incurred by
such  Initial  Purchaser  in  connection  with this  Purchase  Agreement  or the
offering contemplated hereunder.

<PAGE>
                                       19

                  12. Notices. All notices and other communications  required or
permitted  to be given  under this  Purchase  Agreement  shall be in writing and
shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered  personally  to the parties
hereto as follows:

                    (a)   If to the Initial Purchasers:

                          Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
                          1585 Broadway
                          New York, New York  10036
                          Attention: Gregory Attori

                          with a copy to:

                          Shearman & Sterling
                          599 Lexington Avenue
                          New York, New York 10022
                          Attention: James S. Scott, Sr.

                    (b)   If to the Company:

                          KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc.
                          1545 Route 206, Suite 300
                          Bedminster, NJ 07921
                          Attention:    James D. Grenfell

                          with a copy to:

                          Kelley Drye & Warren LLP
                          101 Park Ave.
                          New York, NY 10178
                          Attention: Brian J. Calvey

                  13. Counterparts. This Purchase Agreement may be signed in any
number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect
as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

                  14. Applicable Law. This Purchase  Agreement shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.

                  15.  Headings.  The headings of the sections of this  Purchase
Agreement have been inserted for  convenience of reference only and shall not be
deemed a part of this Purchase Agreement.

                  Please  confirm your  agreement to the foregoing by signing in
the space  provided  below for that  purpose and  returning to us a copy hereof,
whereupon this Purchase  Agreement shall constitute a binding  agreement between
us.


                                     Very truly yours,

                                     KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.


                                     By:___________________________
                                     Name:
                                     Title:


Agreed, May 19, 1999

MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
FIRST UNION CAPITAL MARKETS CORP.
CIBC WORLD MARKETS CORP.
BANCBOSTON ROBERTSON STEPHENS INC.
WASSERSTEIN PERELLA SECURITIES, INC.

By: MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED

    In its individual capacity and as representative
    of the other Initial Purchasers



    By:  ______________________________
    Name:
    Title:



<PAGE>


                                   SCHEDULE I



                                                       Principal Amount of
                                                      13 1/2% Senior Notes
Initial Purchasers                                      To Be Purchased

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated......................   $196,250,000

Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation.................    $33,750,000

First Union Capital Markets Corp.......................    $27,000,000

CIBC World Markets Corp................................     $9,000,000

BancBoston Robertson Stephens Inc......................     $4,500,000

Wasserstein Perella Securities, Inc. ..................     $4,500,000
                                                          ------------
  Total................................................   $275,000,000
                                                           -----------


<PAGE>


                                                                       EXHIBIT A
                                                                       ---------

                      FORM OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT



<PAGE>
                                                                       EXHIBIT B
                                                                       ---------


                   SUBSIDIARIES OF KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.

Name of Subsidiary               Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization
- ------------------               ---------------------------------------------

KMC Telecom Inc.                               Delaware

KMC Telecom II, Inc.                           Delaware

KMC Telecom Leasing I LLC                      Delaware

KMC Telecom Leasing II LLC                     Delaware

KMC Telecom of Virginia, Inc.                  Virginia

KMC Telecom III, Inc.                          Delaware

KMC Telecom III Holdings, Inc.                 Delaware

KMC Telecom Leasing III LLC                    Delaware

KMC Telecom Financing, Inc.                    Delaware


<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT C

                               FORM OF OPINION OF
                            KELLEY DRYE & WARREN LLP

                  Pursuant to Section  5(c) of the  Purchase  Agreement,  Kelley
Drye & Warren shall deliver an opinion to the effect that:

                  (A)  the  Company  has  been  duly  incorporated,  is  validly
         existing as a corporation  in good standing under the laws of the State
         of Delaware,  has the corporate power and authority to own its property
         and to  conduct  its  business  as  described  in the Final  Memorandum
         (references  herein to the  Final  Memorandum  being  taken to mean the
         same, as amended or  supplemented),  and is duly  qualified to transact
         business and is in good standing in New Jersey;

                  (B) each  subsidiary of the Company listed in Exhibit B to the
         Purchase  Agreement has been duly organized,  is validly  existing as a
         corporation or limited liability  company,  as the case may be, in good
         standing under the laws of the  jurisdiction of its  organization,  has
         the corporate and/or limited liability company power and authority,  as
         appropriate,  to own  its  property  and to  conduct  its  business  as
         described in the Final  Memorandum,  except as otherwise noted therein,
         and is duly  qualified to transact  business and is in good standing in
         each jurisdiction listed opposite its name on Annex I hereto;

                  (C)  the  Purchase   Agreement  has  been  duly  authorized,
          executed and delivered by the Company;

                  (D) the Notes have been duly  authorized  and, when  executed,
         authenticated  and  delivered  to and paid for in  accordance  with the
         terms  of the  Purchase  Agreement,  will  (x)  be  valid  and  binding
         obligations of the Company  enforceable in accordance with their terms,
         except as (A) the enforceability  thereof may be limited by bankruptcy,
         insolvency,  moratorium  or similar laws  affecting  creditors'  rights
         generally,  and (B)  rights of  acceleration,  if  applicable,  and the
         availability  of  equitable   remedies  may  be  limited  by  equitable
         principles of general applicability and (y) be entitled to the benefits
         of  the  Indenture,  the  Registration  Rights  Agreement,  the  Pledge
         Agreement and the Control Agreement;



<PAGE>

                  (E) each of the Indenture,  the First  Supplemental  Indenture
         and  the  Registration  Rights  Agreement  has  been  duly  authorized,
         executed and delivered by, and is a valid and binding agreement of, the
         Company,  enforceable  in  accordance  with its terms except as (w) the
         enforceability  thereof  may  be  limited  by  bankruptcy,  insolvency,
         moratorium or similar laws affecting  creditors' rights generally,  (x)
         rights  of  acceleration,   if  applicable,  and  the  availability  of
         equitable  remedies may be limited by equitable  principles  of general
         applicability,  (y) rights to  indemnification  and contribution may be
         limited by public policy and (z) provisions of the  Indenture,  if any,
         requiring any waiver of stay or extension laws, diligent performance or
         other  acts  on the  part of the  Trustee  may be  unenforceable  under
         principles of public policy;

                  (F) each of the Pledge  Agreement  and Control  Agreement  has
         been duly  authorized,  executed and  delivered by the  Guarantor,  and
         assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Trustee, each
         of the Pledge  Agreement and Control  Agreement will constitute a valid
         and legally binding obligation of the Company,  enforceable against the
         Guarantor in accordance  with its terms,  except as the  enforceability
         thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent
         conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws affecting
         creditors'   rights   generally  and  equitable   principles   (whether
         considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);

                  (G)  upon  (i)  the  execution  and  delivery  of  the  Pledge
         Agreement and the Control Agreement, (ii) the execution and delivery of
         the Control  Agreement by The Chase Manhattan Bank in its capacity as a
         securities intermediary,  (iii) the identification by book-entry by The
         Chase  Manhattan  Bank  as a  securities  intermediary  of the  Pledged
         Securities as belonging to, or otherwise subject to a security interest
         in favor of, the Trustee,  and (iv) the filing of financing  statements
         with  the  Secretary  of  State  of the  State of New York and the City
         Register of New York City;  the  Trustee  will have in the case of each
         Pledged  Security  and the  Pledged  Account  (as defined in the Pledge
         Agreement),  a valid and perfected,  first-priority  security  interest
         therein for the benefit of the holders of the Notes as security for the
         Secured  Obligations (as defined in the Pledge  Agreement) with respect
         to the Notes;

                  (H) the  execution  and  delivery  by the  Company of, and the
         performance  by the  Company of its  obligations  under,  the  Purchase
         Agreement,   the  Indenture,  the  First  Supplemental  Indenture,  the
         Registration  Rights  Agreement  and  the  Notes   (collectively,   the
         "Transaction  Documents")  and the  issuance,  sale and delivery of the
         Notes  by  the  Company  will  not  contravene  (i)  any  provision  of

<PAGE>


         applicable law, (ii) the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the
         Company,  (iii) to such  counsel's  knowledge,  any  agreement or other
         instrument  binding upon the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is
         material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (iv)
         to such  counsel's  knowledge,  any  judgment,  order or  decree of any
         governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over the Company
         or any Subsidiary,  except, in the case of clauses (i), (iii) and (iv),
         for such contraventions  which would not have a material adverse on the
         Company  and  its  Subsidiaries,  taken  as a  whole  and  no  consent,
         approval,  authorization  or  order  of,  or  qualification  with,  any
         governmental  body or agency is  required  for the  performance  by the
         Company or its subsidiaries of their  obligations under the Transaction
         Documents, except such as may be required by the securities or Blue Sky
         laws of the various states in connection with the offer and sale of the
         Notes;

                  (I) after inquiry of the executive officers of the Company, to
         such  counsel's  knowledge,  there is not now pending or threatened any
         legal or  governmental  proceedings  to which the Company or any of its
         subsidiaries  is a  party  or to  which  any of the  properties  of the
         Company or any of its  subsidiaries  is subject other than  proceedings
         fairly  summarized in all material respects in the Final Memorandum and
         proceedings  which such counsel  believes are not reasonably  likely to
         have a material  adverse  effect on the Company  and its  Subsidiaries,
         taken as a whole,  or on the power or ability of the Company to perform
         its obligations  under the  Transaction  Documents or to consummate the
         transactions contemplated by the Final Memorandum;

                  (J) the  Company  is  not,  and  after  giving  effect  to the
         offering  and sale of the Notes  and the  application  of the  proceeds
         thereof  as  described  in  the  Final  Memorandum,   will  not  be  an
         "investment  company" as such term is defined in the Investment Company
         Act of 1940, as amended;

                  (K) the statements in the Final  Memorandum under the captions
         "Business  - Legal and  Administrative  Proceedings",  "Description  of
         Certain Indebtedness", "Private Placement" and "Transfer Restrictions",
         in each case  insofar as such  statements  constitute  summaries of the
         legal  matters,  documents or proceedings  referred to therein,  fairly
         summarize the matters referred to therein in all material respects;

                  (L) the statements in the Final Memorandum,  under the caption
         "Certain United States Federal Income Tax  Considerations" are accurate
         in all material  respects and fairly  summarize the matters referred to
         therein; and

                  (M) based upon the representations, warranties, and agreements
         of the Company in the Purchase  Agreement and of the Initial Purchasers
         in  Section  7 of  the  Purchase  Agreement,  it is  not  necessary  in
         connection  with the  offer,  sale  and  delivery  of the  Notes to the
         Initial  Purchasers under the Purchase  Agreement or in connection with
         the  initial  resale  of  such  Notes  by  the  Initial  Purchasers  in
         accordance  with  Section 7 of the  Purchase  Agreement to register the
         Notes under the  Securities  Act of 1933, it being  understood  that no
         opinion is expressed as to any subsequent resale of any Note.


<PAGE>


                                  ATTACHMENT A
                                       TO
                    FORM OF KELLEY DRYE & WARREN LLP OPINION


                  In the course of the  preparation  by the Company of the Final
Memorandum,  we have  participated in conferences  with officers,  directors and
representatives of the Company, its independent  auditors,  your representatives
and  representatives  of your counsel at which  conferences  the contents of the
Final  Memorandum  and  related  matters  were  discussed.  Although we have not
independently  verified the accuracy or completeness  of, or otherwise  verified
the statements made in the Final  Memorandum  (other than as expressly  provided
above),  nothing has come to our  attention  that has led us to believe that the
Final  Memorandum,  as of its  date or the  date  hereof,  contained  an  untrue
statement of a material  fact or omitted to state a material  fact  necessary in
order the make the statements  therein in the light of the  circumstances  under
which they were made, not misleading.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, we are not
expressing  any opinion or belief as to the financial  statements and supporting
notes and schedules and other  financial data contained in the Final  Memorandum
nor with respect to any FCC data  contained  therein.  Nor are we expressing any
opinion  or  belief  as to any  statements  in the  Final  Memorandum  under the
captions  "Risk  Factors -  Government  Regulation"  and  "Business  Regulation"
insofar as such statements constitute a summary of the legal matters, documents,
or proceedings of the FCC and any state authority  overseeing  telecommunication
matters with respect to telecommunications regulation referred to therein.



<PAGE>




                                     ANNEX I
                                       TO
                          KELLEY DRYE & WARREN OPINION

KMC TELECOM INC.                                              Delaware
                                                              Alabama
                                                              Florida
                                                              Georgia
                                                              Indiana
                                                              Illinois
                                                              Kansas
                                                              Louisiana
                                                              Maryland
                                                              Michigan
                                                              Minnesota
                                                              Mississippi
                                                              New Hampshire
                                                              New Jersey
                                                              North Carolina
                                                              Puerto Rico
                                                              South Carolina
                                                              Texas
                                                              Wisconsin

KMC TELECOM II, INC.                                         Delaware
                                                             Florida
                                                             Georgia
                                                             Indiana
                                                             Illinois
                                                             Kansas
                                                             Maryland
                                                             Michigan
                                                             Minnesota
                                                             Mississippi
                                                             Nevada
                                                             New Hampshire
                                                             New Jersey
                                                             North Carolina
                                                             Ohio
                                                             Tennessee
                                                             Texas


<PAGE>



KMC TELECOM LEASING I LLC                                     Delaware
                                                              Alabama
                                                              Florida
                                                              Georgia
                                                              Louisiana
                                                              New Jersey
                                                              Texas
                                                              Wisconsin

KMC TELECOM LEASING II LLC                                    Delaware
                                                              Florida
                                                              Georgia
                                                              Indiana
                                                              Kansas
                                                              Maryland
                                                              Michigan
                                                              Minnesota
                                                              New Jersey
                                                              North Carolina
                                                              Texas

KMC TELECOM OF VIRGINIA, INC.                                 New Jersey
                                                              Virginia

KMC TELECOM III, INC.                                         Alabama
                                                              Delaware
                                                              Florida
                                                              Indiana
                                                              Louisiana
                                                              Maryland
                                                              Michigan
                                                              Mississippi
                                                              New Jersey
                                                              North Carolina
                                                              Ohio
                                                              South Carolina
                                                              Tennessee
                                                              Texas


<PAGE>


KMC Telecom Leasing III LLC                                    Delaware
                                                               Florida
                                                               Louisiana
                                                               Michigan
                                                               New Jersey
                                                               Ohio
                                                               South Carolina

KMC TELECOM III HOLDINGS, INC.                                 Delaware
                                                               Georgia
                                                               New Jersey

KMC TELECOM FINANCING, INC.                                    Delaware
                                                               New Jersey


<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT D

                               FORM OF OPINION OF
                      SWIDLER BERLIN SHEREFF FRIEDMAN, LLP

                  Pursuant to Section 5(d) of the Purchase Agreement,  Swidler &
Berlin, Chartered , regulatory counsel for the Company, shall furnish an opinion
to the effect that:

                  (A) (1) the execution  and delivery of the Purchase  Agreement
         by KMC Telecom Holdings,  Inc. and the consummation of the transactions
         contemplated thereby do not violate (i) the federal  Communications Act
         of 1934, as amended, and the  Telecommunications Act of 1996, any rules
         or  regulations  of  the  Federal  Communications   Commission  ("FCC")
         applicable to the Company  (collectively,  the  "Communications  Act"),
         (ii) any state  telecommunications  law, rules or  regulations  ("State
         Law")  applicable  to the  Company,  and  (iii)  to the  best  of  such
         counsel's  knowledge,  any decree  from any court,  and (2) no consent,
         approval, authorization or order of or filing with the FCC or any state
         authority overseeing telecommunications matters ("State Authority"), is
         necessary for the  execution and delivery of the Purchase  Agreement by
         KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc. and except to the extent that the failure to
         obtain such consents,  approvals,  authorizations  or orders or to make
         filings with, the FCC or any State Authority would not, individually or
         in the  aggregate,  have a material  adverse  effect on the  prospects,
         condition  (financial or  otherwise)  or in the  earnings,  business or
         operations  of KMC Telecom  Holdings,  Inc. and KMC Telecom  Inc.,  KMC
         Telecom II, Inc., KMC Telecom Leasing I LLC, KMC Telecom Leasing II LLC
         and KMC  Telecom of  Virginia,  Inc.  (the  "Subsidiaries")  taken as a
         whole;

                  (B) except as  indicated  in this  paragraph B, to the best of
         our knowledge,  based on our understanding of operations of the Company
         and its  Subsidiaries  from the Certificate  [see Attachment A] (1) the
         Company and its  Subsidiaries  have made all reports and  filings,  and
         paid all fees, required by the FCC and the State Authorities,  and have
         all certificates, orders, permits, licenses,  authorizations,  consents
         and approvals of and from, and have made all filings and registrations,
         with the FCC and the State Authorities necessary to own, lease, license
         and use  its  properties  and  assets  and to  conduct  its  respective
         business  in  the  manner   described  in  the  Preliminary  and  Final
         Memorandum,  except for those filings,  fees, and approvals the failure
         to obtain or file of which would not have  material  adverse  effect on
         the financial condition, or on the earnings, business, or operations of
         the  Company  and  its  Subsidiaries,  taken  as a  whole;  (2) has not
         received  any  notice  of   proceedings   relating  to  the  violation,
         revocation or modification of any such certificates,  orders,  permits,
         licenses, authorizations,consents or approvals, or the qualification or
         rejection  of any such  filing or  registration,  the  effect of which,
         singly or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on the
         prospects,  condition,  financial  or  otherwise,  or in the  earnings,
         business  or  operations  of the  Company,  taken as a  whole;  and (3)
         neither the  Company nor its  Subsidiaries  is in  violation  of, or in
         default under the Communications Act or State Law, the effect of which,
         singly or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on the
         prospects,  condition,  financial  or  otherwise,  or in the  earnings,
         business or operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries,  taken as a
         whole;



<PAGE>

                                       D-2

                  (C) to the best of such counsel's  knowledge after due inquiry
         (i) no  adverse  judgment,  decree  or  order  of the FCC or any  State
         Authority has been issued against the Company or its  Subsidiaries  and
         (ii) no  litigation,  proceeding,  inquiry  or  investigation  has been
         commenced or threatened against the Company or its Subsidiaries  before
         or by the FCC or any State Authority which, if decided adversely to the
         interests  of the  Company  or its  Subsidiaries  would have a material
         adverse effect on the Company and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole;
         and

                  (D) the statements in the Final  Memorandum under the captions
         "Risk Factors - Our Industry is Extremely  Competitive  and Many of our
         Competitors Have Greater  Resources Than We Do," "Risk Factors - We Are
         Subject to  Significant  Government  Regulation  Which May Change in an
         Adverse  Manner,"  "Business  -  Industry  Overview"  and  "Business  -
         Regulation,"  insofar as such  statements  constitute  a summary of the
         legal   matters,   documents  or  proceedings  of  the  FCC  and  State
         Authorities with respect to  telecommunications  regulation referred to
         therein, fairly summarize the matters referred to therein.



<PAGE>


                                      D-3


                                  ATTACHMENT A
                                       TO
             FORM OF OPINION OF SWIDLER BERLIN SHEREFF FRIEDMAN, LLP


                             CERTIFICATE OF OFFICER


                  Except as otherwise stated herein,  all capitalized terms used
herein  shall have the  respective  meanings  ascribed  to them in the Swidler &
Berlin Opinion Letter,  dated May ___, 1999 or the documents  referred to in the
Opinion Letter.

                  The undersigned is an officer of KMC Telecom  Holdings,  Inc.,
KMC Telecom III  Holdings,  Inc.,  KMC Telecom Inc.,  KMC Telecom II, Inc.,  KMC
Telecom III, Inc., KMC Telecom Leasing I LLC, KMC Telecom Leasing II LLC and KMC
Telecom of Virginia, Inc.
(collectively, "KMC").

                  The undersigned,  in the capacity as an officer of KMC and not
in an  individual  capacity,  does  hereby  certify  to Swidler  Berlin  Shereff
Friedman, LLP, that:

                  1.  KMC  has  all  certificates,  orders,  permits,  licenses,
         authorizations,  consents,  and approvals of and from, and has made all
         filings  and  registrations  with,  the FCC and the  State  Authorities
         necessary to own, lease,  license and use its properties and assets and
         to provide the  services  authorized  by the  certifications  listed in
         Exhibit A hereto. As of the date of this Certificate, KMC Telecom Inc.,
         KMC Telecom II, Inc. and KMC Telecom III,  Inc. are not  providing  any
         services other than those authorized by the terms and conditions of the
         certificates  issued to them by the State Authorities listed in Exhibit
         A thereto.  In  addition,  KMC Telecom  Leasing I, LLC, and KMC Telecom
         Leasing II, LLC do not hold out or provide telecommunications  services
         to the public. KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc. is a holding company and does
         not hold out or provide telecommunications services to the public.

                  2. KMC has made all reports and periodic filings, and paid all
         fees, required by the FCC and the State Authorities.

                  3. KMC has not received notice of any  litigation,  complaint,
         inquiry or investigation,  formal or informal, pending or threatened by
         or  before  the  FCC or  any  State  Authority  based  on  any  alleged
         violations by the Company or its  Subsidiaries of a character which, if
         adversely determined,  is likely to impair materially the FCC or any of
         the  State  Authority   authorizations  held  by  the  Company  or  its
         Subsidiaries.  KMC  has  not  received  notice  of any  proceedings  or
         threatened  proceedings  relating to the  revocation,  restriction,  or
         modification of any of the licenses or certifications listed in Exhibit
         A hereto.

<PAGE>

                  4. To the  best of my  knowledge,  based  on a  review  of the
         Offering Memorandum,  the description in the Offering Memorandum of the
         manner  in  which  the  Company  and  its  Subsidiaries  conduct  their
         respective businesses and the factual  representations made therein are
         complete and accurate.

                  This Certificate is given with the express  understanding that
it will be relied upon by the law firm of Swidler Berlin Shereff Friedman,  LLP,
in rendering its opinion pursuant to Section 5(e) of the Purchase Agreement.


                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned has set his/her hand this
___ day of May, 1999.



                                             By:      __________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:



                    COLLATERAL PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT


          This   COLLATERAL   PLEDGE  AND  SECURITY   AGREEMENT   (this  "Pledge
Agreement")  is  made  and  entered  into  as of May  24,  1999  by KMC  Telecom
Financing,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation (the "Pledgor"),  having its principal
office at 1545 Route 206, Suite 300,  Bedminster,  New Jersey 07921, in favor of
THE CHASE  MANHATTAN BANK, a New York banking  corporation,  having an office at
450 West 33rd Street, 15th Floor, New York, New York 10001-2697, in its capacity
as trustee (the  "Trustee")  for the  registered  holders from time to time (the
"Holders") of the Notes (as defined  herein),  issued by KMC (as defined  below)
under the Indenture referred to below. Capitalized terms used and not defined in
this  Pledge  Agreement  have  the  meanings  set  forth or  referred  to in the
Indenture.

                               W I T N E S S E T H

          WHEREAS,  KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS,  INC., a Delaware corporation ("KMC"),
and the Trustee have entered  into that certain  indenture  dated as of the date
hereof (as amended,  restated,  supplemented or otherwise  modified from time to
time,  the  "Indenture"),  pursuant  to which KMC is issuing on the date  hereof
$275,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of 13 1/2% Senior Notes due 2009 (the
"Notes");

          WHEREAS, the Pledgor is a wholly owned subsidiary of KMC;

          WHEREAS,  KMC has  agreed,  pursuant  to the  Indenture,  to cause the
Pledgor  to  (i)  purchase  or  cause  the  purchase  of  the  Pledged  Security
Entitlements  (as  defined  herein) in an amount  that will be  sufficient  upon
receipt of  scheduled  interest  and  principal  payments in respect  thereof to
provide for the payment of the first six scheduled  interest payments due on the
Notes  (including  any  additional  interest that may be payable if the Exchange
Offer is not  consummated and the Shelf  Registration  Statement is not declared
effective in a timely manner as provided in the  Indenture)  and (ii) place such
Pledged  Security  Entitlements  (or cause  them to be  placed)  in the  Pledged
Account (as defined herein), in each case held by the Trustee for the benefit of
Holders of the Notes;  provided that the Pledged  Security  Entitlements  may be
purchased by Morgan Stanley & Co.  Incorporated  ("Morgan Stanley") on behalf of
the Pledgor;

          WHEREAS,  the Pledgor is the beneficial owner of (i) the United States
Treasury securities and/or security  entitlements  identified by CUSIP number in
Schedule I hereto and (ii)  $18,929,583.74  delivered to the Trustee on the date
hereof for deposit into the Pledged  Account (as defined  herein) and to be used

<PAGE>
                                       2

by the Trustee on the date hereof for the purchase of the United States Treasury
securities and/or security  entitlements  identified by CUSIP number in Schedule
II hereto (collectively, the "Pledged Security Entitlements");

          WHEREAS,  the  Pledgor  has  opened  a  trust  account  (the  "Pledged
Account")  with The Chase  Manhattan Bank at its office at 450 West 33rd Street,
15th Floor, New York, New York  10001-2697,  Account No. C 28947, in the name of
"The Chase  Manhattan  Bank, as Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the 13
1/2%  Senior  Notes Due 2009 of KMC Telecom  Holdings,  Inc.  Collateral  Pledge
Account";

          WHEREAS, to secure the obligations of KMC under the Indenture
and the Notes to pay in full each of the first six scheduled  interest  payments
on the Notes and to secure  repayment  of the  principal,  premium  (if any) and
interest on the Notes in the event that the Notes  become due and payable  prior
to such time as the first six  scheduled  interest  payments  thereon shall have
been paid in full (collectively, the "Obligations"), KMC has agreed to cause the
Pledgor (i) to pledge to the Trustee for its benefit and the ratable  benefit of
the  Holders of the Notes,  a security  interest in the  Collateral  (as defined
herein) and (ii) to execute and deliver this Pledge Agreement in order to secure
the payment and performance by KMC of all of the Obligations;

          WHEREAS,  it is a condition  precedent to the initial  purchase of the
Notes by the initial  Holders  thereof  that the Pledgor  shall have granted the
security interest and made the pledge contemplated by this Pledge Agreement;

          WHEREAS,  the Pledgor  will  derive  substantial  direct and  indirect
benefits from the transactions contemplated by the Indenture; and

          WHEREAS,  unless otherwise  defined herein or in the Indenture,  terms
used in Articles 8 or 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State
of New York ("UCC") are used herein as therein defined.

                                    AGREEMENT

          NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of  the  mutual  promises  herein
contained,  and in order to induce the initial  Holders of the Notes to purchase
the Notes,  the Pledgor  hereby agrees with the Trustee,  for the benefit of the
Trustee and for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes, as follows:

          SECTION 1. Pledge and Grant of Security  Interest.  The Pledgor hereby
pledges  to the  Trustee  for its  benefit  and for the  ratable  benefit of the
Holders of the Notes,  and hereby  grants to the Trustee for its benefit and for
the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes, a continuing  security interest

<PAGE>
                                       3

in and to all of the following,  whether now owned or hereafter  acquired by the
Pledgor,  wherever  located and whether now or hereafter  existing  (hereinafter
collectively  referred  to  as  the  "Collateral"),   whether  characterized  as
investment property, general intangibles or otherwise:

                  (a) the  Pledged  Security  Entitlements  and  all  dividends,
         interest,  cash,  instruments  and  other  property  from  time to time
         received,  receivable  or otherwise  distributed  or  distributable  in
         respect  of or in  exchange  for  any or all of such  Pledged  Security
         Entitlements;

                  (b) the Pledged Account, all securities, security entitlements
         and other  financial  assets  from time to time  carried in the Pledged
         Account,  any and all securities accounts in which the Pledged Security
         Entitlements   are  carried,   and  all  dividends,   interest,   cash,
         instruments  and other property from time to time received,  receivable
         or otherwise  distributed or distributable in respect of or in exchange
         for any or all of  such  securities,  security  entitlements  or  other
         financial assets;

                  (c)  all  securities,   securities   entitlements   and  other
         financial assets acquired by the Pledgor pursuant to Article Ten of the
         Indenture; and

                  (d) all  proceeds of any and all of the  foregoing  Collateral
         (including,  without  limitation,  proceeds that constitute property of
         the types described in clauses (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 1) and,
         to the extent not otherwise included, all cash.

          SECTION 2. Security for Obligations; Limitation of Liability. (a) This
Pledge  Agreement  and  the  grant  of a  security  interest  in the  Collateral
hereunder  secures  the prompt and  complete  payment and  performance  when due
(whether  at stated  maturity,  by  acceleration  or  otherwise)  of (i) all the
Obligations,  whether  for  principal,  interest,  fees  or  otherwise,  now  or
hereafter  existing,  under  the  Notes  or the  Indenture  and  (ii) all of the
Pledgor's  obligations  under this Agreement (all such  Obligations and all such
obligations  of the Pledgor  being  collectively,  the  "Secured  Obligations").
Without  limiting the generality of the foregoing,  this Agreement and the grant
of a security  interest in the Collateral  hereunder  secures the payment of all
amounts that constitute part of the Secured Obligations and would be owed by KMC
to the Trustee or the Holders  under the Notes or the Indenture but for the fact
that  they  are  unenforceable  or  not  allowable  due to  the  existence  of a
bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding involving KMC.

          (b) The Pledgor, and by its acceptance of this Agreement,  the Trustee
and each Holder,  hereby  confirms  that it is the intention of all such Persons
that this Pledge Agreement and the Secured Obligations  hereunder not constitute
a  fraudulent  transfer  or  conveyance  for  purposes  of  Bankruptcy  Law  (as
hereinafter  defined),  the  Uniform  Fraudulent  Conveyance  Act,  the  Uniform

<PAGE>
                                       4


Fraudulent  Transfer  Act or any  similar  foreign,  federal or state law to the
extent  applicable to this Agreement and the Secured  Obligations of the Pledgor
hereunder.  To effectuate the foregoing intention,  the Trustee, the Holders and
the Pledgor hereby irrevocably agree that the Secured Obligations of the Pledgor
under this Pledge  Agreement at any time shall be limited to the maximum  amount
as will  result in the  Secured  Obligations  of the  Pledgor  under this Pledge
Agreement not  constituting a fraudulent  transfer or  conveyance.  For purposes
hereof,  "Bankruptcy  Law" means any proceeding  instituted by or against KMC or
any of its  subsidiaries  seeking to adjudicate  it a bankrupt or insolvent,  or
seeking  liquidation,  winding  up,  reorganization,   arrangement,  adjustment,
protection,  relief, or composition of it or its debts under any law relating to
bankruptcy,  insolvency or reorganization  or relief of debtors,  or seeking the
entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, or other
similar  official for it or for any substantial  part of its property,  or Title
11, U.S.  Code, or any similar  foreign,  federal or state law for the relief of
debtors.

          SECTION 3.  Maintaining the Pledged  Account.  Until such time as this
Pledge  Agreement  shall  terminate in accordance with the provisions of Section
15.9 hereof:

                    (a) The Pledgor will maintain separately the Pledged Account
          with The Chase Manhattan Bank.

                    (b) It shall be a term and condition of the Pledged Account,
          notwithstanding  any term or  condition  to the  contrary in any other
          agreement  relating to the Pledged  Account,  and except as  otherwise
          provided  by the  provisions  of Section 5 and Section  15.9,  that no
          amount  shall  be  paid  or  released  to or for the  account  of,  or
          withdrawn  by or for the account  of, the Pledgor or any other  Person
          from the Pledged Account.

          The Pledged Account shall be subject to such applicable laws, and such
applicable  regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal  Reserve System
and of any other appropriate  banking or governmental  authority,  as may now or
hereafter be in effect.

          SECTION 4.  Delivery  of  Collateral.  (a) All cash,  certificates  or
instruments  representing or evidencing the Pledged Security Entitlements or the
Pledged  Account  shall be  delivered to and held by or on behalf of the Trustee
pursuant hereto and shall be in suitable form for transfer by delivery, or shall
be accompanied by duly executed  instruments of transfer or assignment in blank,
all in form and substance  satisfactory  to the Trustee.  The Trustee shall have
the right,  at any time in its discretion and without notice to the Pledgor,  to
transfer to or to register in the name of the Trustee or any of its nominees any
or all of the Collateral.

          (b) With respect to any Collateral that  constitutes a security and is
not  represented  or evidenced by a certificate  or an  instrument,  the Pledgor
shall  cause the  issuer  thereof  either  (i) to  register  the  Trustee as the

<PAGE>
                                       5


registered  owner of such  security or (ii) to agree in writing with the Pledgor
and the Trustee that such issuer will comply with  instructions  with respect to
such security  originated by the Trustee without further consent of the Pledgor,
such agreement to be in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee.

          (c)  With  respect  to any  Collateral  that  constitutes  a  security
entitlement, the Pledgor shall cause the securities intermediary with respect to
such security  entitlement  either (i) to identify in its records the Trustee as
having such security entitlement against such securities intermediary or (ii) to
agree  in  writing  with  the  Pledgor  and the  Trustee  that  such  securities
intermediary  will  comply  with  entitlement  orders  (that  is,  notifications
communicated to such securities intermediary directing transfer or redemption of
the financial asset to which the Pledgor has a security entitlement)  originated
by the Trustee without  further consent of the Pledgor,  such agreement to be in
form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee.

          (d) With  respect to any  Collateral  that  constitutes  a  securities
account,  the Pledgor  will comply with  subsection  (c) of this  Section 4 with
respect to all security entitlements carried in such securities account.

          (e) Prior to or  concurrently  with the execution and delivery  hereof
and prior to the transfer to the Trustee of the Pledged  Security  Entitlements,
as provided in subsections  (a) through (c) of this Section 4, the Trustee shall
establish the Pledged Account on its books as a separate account segregated from
all  other  custodial  or  collateral  accounts  at its  office at 450 West 33rd
Street,  New York, New York  10001-2697,  Attention:  Capital Markets  Fiduciary
Services or at such other  offices in the City of New York as the Trustee  shall
maintain as its principal  corporate trust office.  Upon transfer of the Pledged
Security  Entitlements  to the  Trustee,  as  confirmed  to the  Trustee  by the
Securities  Intermediary,  the  Trustee  shall  make  appropriate  book  entries
indicating that the Pledged Security  Entitlements have been credited to and are
held in the Pledged  Account.  Subject to the other terms and conditions of this
Pledge  Agreement,  all funds or other property held by the Trustee  pursuant to
this Pledge  Agreement  shall be held in the Pledged  Account subject (except as
expressly  provided  in  Sections  5(a),  (b) and (c)  hereof) to the  exclusive
dominion  and  control of the  Trustee  and  exclusively  for the benefit of the
Trustee and for the ratable  benefit of the Holders of the Notes and  segregated
from all other funds or other property otherwise held by the Trustee.

          (f) All Collateral  shall be retained in the Pledged  Account  pending
disbursement pursuant to the terms hereof.

                  (g)  Concurrently  with the  execution  and  delivery  of this
Pledge Agreement,  the Trustee is delivering to the Pledgor and Morgan Stanley &
Co.   Incorporated,   on  behalf  of  itself  and  Credit  Suisse  First  Boston
Corporation,  First Union  Capital  Markets  Corp.,  CIBC World  Markets  Corp.,
BancBoston Robertson Stephens Inc. and Wasserstein Perella Securities, Inc. (the

<PAGE>
                                       6


"Initial Purchasers"),  a duly executed Control Agreement ("Control Agreement"),
in the form of Annex A hereto,  of an officer  of the  Trustee,  confirming  the
Trustee's  establishment  and separate  maintenance of the Pledged Account,  its
receipt and holding of the Pledged  Security  Entitlements  and the crediting of
the Pledged Security Entitlements to the Pledged Account, all in accordance with
this Pledge Agreement.

          (h) Within  ten days of the  execution  and  delivery  of this  Pledge
Agreement,  the Pledgor  shall deliver to the Trustee  acknowledgment  copies or
stamped receipt copies of proper financing  statements,  duly filed on or before
the Closing Date under the UCC, covering the Collateral described in this Pledge
Agreement.

          (i)  Promptly  following  the  execution  and  delivery of this Pledge
Agreement,  the Trustee shall apply the cash on deposit in the Pledged  Account,
to the extent such cash is sufficient  therefore,  to the purchase of the United
States Treasury  securities and/or security  entitlements  listed on Schedule II
hereto.

          SECTION 5.  Disbursements.  (a) Three  Business  Days prior to the due
date of any of the first six  scheduled  interest  payments  on the  Notes,  the
Pledgor  may,  pursuant  to  written  instructions  given by the  Pledgor to the
Trustee (an  "Issuer  Order"),  direct the  Trustee to release  from the Pledged
Account and pay to the Holders of the Notes  proceeds  sufficient to provide for
payment  in full of such  interest  then due on the  Notes.  Upon  receipt of an
Issuer Order, the Trustee will release funds in an amount  sufficient to provide
for the  payment of the  interest  on the Notes in  accordance  with such Issuer
Order and the payment  provisions  of the  Indenture to the Holders of the Notes
from (and to the extent of) proceeds of the Pledged Security Entitlements in the
Pledged Account.  Nothing in this Section 5 shall affect the Trustee's rights to
apply  the  Collateral  to  the  payments  of  amounts  due on  the  Notes  upon
acceleration thereof.

          (b) If KMC  makes any  interest  payment  or  portion  of an  interest
payment for which the  Collateral  is security from a source of funds other than
the Pledged Account ("Pledgor Funds"), the Pledgor may, after payment in full of
such interest payment, direct the Trustee pursuant to an Issuer Order to release
to the  Pledgor  or to  another  party  at the  direction  of the  Pledgor  (the
"Pledgor's  Designee")  proceeds from the Pledged Account in an amount less than
or equal to the amount of Pledgor Funds applied to such interest  payment.  Upon
receipt  by the  Trustee of such  Issuer  Order and  provided  the  Trustee  has
received such interest payment, the Trustee shall pay over to the Pledgor or the
Pledgor's  Designee,  as the case may be, the requested  amount from proceeds in
the Pledged Account as soon as practicable.

          (c) At least three  Business Days prior to the due date of each of the
first six scheduled  interest  payments on the Notes, the Pledgor shall give the

<PAGE>
                                       7


Trustee  notice (by Issuer  Order) as to whether such  interest  payment will be
made  pursuant  to  Section  5(a) or 5(b)  above and the  respective  amounts of
interest that will be paid from the Pledged Account and from Pledgor Funds.  Any
Pledgor Funds to be used to make any interest  payment shall be delivered to the
Trustee,  in  immediately  available  funds,  prior to 10:00 a.m. (New York City
time) on such interest  payment date. If no such notice is given or such Pledgor
Funds have not been so delivered,  the Trustee will act pursuant to Section 5(a)
above as if it had received an Issuer Order pursuant  thereto for the payment in
full of the interest then due from the Pledged Account.

          (d) The Trustee  shall  liquidate  Collateral  in the Pledged  Account
(pursuant  to  written  instructions  from  the  Pledgor)  in  order to make any
scheduled payment of interest pursuant to the Notes, unless there are sufficient
funds in the Pledged Account on such interest payment date.

          (e) Nothing contained in this Pledge Agreement shall (i) afford KMC or
the Pledgor  any right to issue  entitlement  orders with  respect to any of the
Pledged  Security  Entitlements  or any  securities  account  in which  any such
security  entitlement may be carried, or otherwise afford the Pledgor control of
any Pledged  Security  Entitlement  or (ii) otherwise give rise to any rights of
KMC or the Pledgor  with  respect to the Pledged  Security  Entitlements  or any
securities account in which any such security entitlement may be carried,  other
than the Pledgor's rights under this Pledge Agreement as the beneficial owner of
Collateral  pledged to and subject to the exclusive dominion and control (except
as  expressly  provided in  Sections  5(a) and (b) hereof) of the Trustee in its
capacity  as  such  (and  not  as  a  securities   intermediary).   The  Pledgor
acknowledges,  confirms  and agrees,  in such  capacity,  that the Trustee is an
entitlement  holder of the Pledged Security  Entitlements  solely as Trustee for
the itself and Holders of the Notes and not as a securities intermediary.

          SECTION  6.   Representations  and  Warranties.   The  Pledgor  hereby
represents and warrants that:

                    (a) The  execution  and  delivery by the Pledgor of, and the
          performance  by the  Pledgor of its  obligations  under,  this  Pledge
          Agreement  will not  contravene any provision of applicable law or the
          Certificate of Incorporation of the Pledgor or any material  agreement
          or other  material  instrument  binding upon the Pledgor or any of its
          subsidiaries  or any  judgment,  order or decree  of any  governmental
          body,  agency or court having  jurisdiction over the Pledgor or any of
          its subsidiaries,  or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien
          on any  assets  of the  Pledgor,  except  for the  security  interests
          granted under this Pledge Agreement.

                  (b)  No  consent  of  any  other   Person  and  no   approval,
         authorization,   order  of,  action  by  or  qualification   with,  any

<PAGE>
                                       8

         governmental authority, regulatory body, agency or other third party is
         required (i) for the execution,  delivery or performance by the Pledgor
         of its obligations under this Pledge  Agreement,  (ii) for the grant by
         the Pledgor of the security  interest  created  hereby or (iii) for the
         pledge  by the  Pledgor  of the  Collateral  pursuant  to  this  Pledge
         Agreement, except for any such consents,  approvals,  authorizations or
         orders  required to be obtained  by the  Trustee (or the  Holders)  for
         reasons  other  than  the  consummation  of this  transaction,  for the
         exercise  by the  Trustee of the  rights  provided  for in this  Pledge
         Agreement.

                  (c) The  Pledgor is the  beneficial  owner of the  Collateral,
         free and  clear of any Lien or  claims of any  Person  (except  for the
         security  interests  created by this Pledge  Agreement).  No  financing
         statement or instrument  similar in effect  covering all or any part of
         the  Pledgor's  interest in the  Collateral is on file in any public or
         recording office, other than the financing statements filed pursuant to
         this Pledge Agreement. The Pledgor has no trade names.

                  (d) This Pledge  Agreement has been duly  authorized,  validly
         executed  and  delivered  by the  Pledgor and  constitutes  a valid and
         binding  agreement of the Pledgor,  enforceable  against the Pledgor in
         accordance with its terms, except as (i) the enforceability  hereof may
         be   limited  by   bankruptcy,   insolvency,   fraudulent   conveyance,
         preference, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws now or hereafter
         in effect  relating  to or  affecting  creditors'  rights  or  remedies
         generally,  (ii) the availability of equitable  remedies may be limited
         by equitable principles of general applicability, (iii) the exculpation
         provisions  and rights to  indemnification  hereunder may be limited by
         U.S. federal and state securities laws and public policy considerations
         and (iv) the waiver of rights and defenses  contained in Section 12(d),
         Section  15.11 and Section  15.15  hereof may be limited by  applicable
         law.

                  (e) Upon the  transfer to the Trustee of the Pledged  Security
         Entitlements,  in accordance with Section 3 above, the pledge and grant
         of a  security  interest  in the  Collateral  pursuant  to this  Pledge
         Agreement  for the  benefit of the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes
         will constitute a valid and perfected  first-priority security interest
         in such  Collateral,  securing the payment of the Secured  Obligations,
         enforceable  as such  against all  creditors  of the  Pledgor  (and any
         Persons purporting to purchase any of the Collateral from the Pledgor).

                  (f) There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or,
         to the best of the Pledgor's knowledge, threatened to which the Pledgor
         or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any of the properties
         of the Pledgor or any such subsidiary is subject that would  materially
         adversely  affect the power or ability  of the  Pledgor to perform  its
         obligations   under  this  Pledge   Agreement  or  to  consummate   the
         transactions contemplated hereby.

<PAGE>
                                       9


                    (g) The pledge of the  Collateral  pursuant  to this  Pledge
          Agreement  is  not  prohibited  by  law  or  governmental   regulation
          (including, without limitation, Regulations G, T, U and X of the Board
          of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) applicable to the Pledgor.

                    (h) No Event of Default (as defined below) exists.

          SECTION 7. Further  Assurances.  (a) The Pledgor agrees that from time
to time, at the expense of the Pledgor,  the Pledgor will  promptly  execute and
deliver all further instruments and documents, and take all further action, that
may be  necessary  or  desirable  or  required  by law,  or that the Trustee may
reasonably  request,  in order to perfect and protect the first  priority of any
pledge or security  interest  granted or  purported  to be granted  hereby or to
enable the Trustee to exercise  and  enforce its rights and  remedies  hereunder
with  respect  to  any  Collateral.  Without  limiting  the  generality  of  the
foregoing,  the Pledgor  will:  (i) if any  Collateral  shall be  evidenced by a
promissory note or other instrument, deliver and pledge to the Trustee hereunder
such  note  or  instrument  duly  indorsed  and  accompanied  by  duly  executed
instruments of transfer or assignment, all in form and substance satisfactory to
the  Trustee;   and  (ii)  execute  and  file  such  financing  or  continuation
statements, or amendments thereto, and such other instruments or notices, as may
be necessary or desirable, or as the Trustee may reasonably request, in order to
perfect and preserve the pledge,  assignment  and security  interest  granted or
purported to be granted hereby.

          (b) The  Pledgor  hereby  authorizes  the  Trustee to file one or more
financing or continuation statements, and amendments thereto, relating to all or
any part of the Collateral  without the signature of the Pledgor where permitted
by law. A  photocopy  or other  reproduction  of this  Pledge  Agreement  or any
financing  statement  covering  the  Collateral  or any  part  thereof  shall be
sufficient as a financing statement where permitted by law.

          (c)  The  Pledgor  will  furnish  to the  Trustee  from  time  to time
statements and schedules  further  identifying and describing the Collateral and
such  other  reports  in  connection  with the  Collateral  as the  Trustee  may
reasonably request, all in reasonable detail.

          (d) The Pledgor will  promptly pay all  reasonable  costs  incurred in
connection  with any of the  foregoing  within 45 days of  receipt of an invoice
therefor.

          SECTION 8.  Covenants.  (a) The Pledgor  covenants and agrees with the
Trustee and the Holders of the Notes that from and after the date of this Pledge
Agreement  until the earlier of payment in full in cash of (x) each of the first
six  scheduled  interest  payments  due on the  Notes  under  the  terms  of the
Indenture or (y) all obligations due and owing under the Indenture and the Notes
in the event such obligations become due and payable prior to the payment of the
first six scheduled interest payments on the Notes:


<PAGE>
                                       10


                  (i) that (A) it will not  (and  will not  purport  to) sell or
         otherwise  dispose of, or grant any option or warrant  with respect to,
         any of the Collateral or its beneficial  interest  therein,  and (B) it
         will not create or permit to exist any Lien or other  adverse  interest
         in or with respect to its beneficial  interest in any of the Collateral
         (except  for  the  security   interests   granted   under  this  Pledge
         Agreement); and

                  (ii)  that it  will  not  (A)  enter  into  any  agreement  or
         understanding  that  restricts  or  inhibits or purports to restrict or
         inhibit the Trustee's rights or remedies hereunder,  including, without
         limitation,  the  Trustee's  right to sell or otherwise  dispose of the
         Collateral or (B) fail to pay or discharge any tax,  assessment or levy
         of any nature with respect to its beneficial interest in the Collateral
         not later than five days prior to the date of any  proposed  sale under
         any  judgment,  writ or  warrant  of  attachment  with  respect to such
         beneficial interest.

          SECTION 9. Power of Attorney. In addition to all of the powers granted
to the  Trustee  pursuant to the  Indenture,  the Pledgor  hereby  appoints  and
constitutes  the Trustee as the Pledgor's  attorney-in-fact  (with full power of
substitution),  with full authority in the place and stead of the Pledgor and in
the  name of the  Pledgor  or  otherwise,  from  time  to time in the  Trustee's
discretion to take any action and to execute any instrument that the Trustee may
deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Pledge Agreement,
including, without limitation:

                  (a) to ask for, demand, collect, sue for, recover, compromise,
         receive and give  acquittance and receipts for moneys due and to become
         due under or in respect of any of the Collateral,

                  (b) to  receive,  indorse  and  collect  any  drafts  or other
         instruments, documents and chattel paper, in connection with clause (a)
         above,

                  (c) to file any  claims or take any  action or  institute  any
         proceedings  that the Trustee may deem  necessary or desirable  for the
         collection of any of the  Collateral or otherwise to enforce the rights
         of the Trustee with respect to any of the Collateral, and

                  (d) to pay or  discharge  taxes or Liens levied or placed upon
         the  Collateral  that the  Pledgor  has failed to pay or  discharge  in
         accordance  herewith,  the legality or validity thereof and the amounts
         necessary to discharge  the same to be determined by the Trustee in its
         sole  reasonable  discretion,  and such payments made by the Trustee to
         become part of the  Obligations of the Pledgor to the Trustee,  due and
         payable immediately upon demand;


<PAGE>
                                       11


provided,  however,  that the Trustee shall have no obligation to perform any of
the  foregoing  actions.  The  Trustee's  authority  under this  Section 9 shall
include,  without limitation,  the authority to endorse and negotiate any checks
or instruments  representing  proceeds of Collateral in the name of the Pledgor,
execute and give  receipt  for any  certificate  of  ownership  or any  document
constituting  Collateral,  transfer  title to any item of  Collateral,  sign the
Pledgor's  name  on  all  financing  statements  (to  the  extent  permitted  by
applicable  law) or any other documents  deemed  necessary or appropriate by the
Trustee to preserve,  protect or perfect the security interest in the Collateral
and to file the same, prepare, file and sign the Pledgor's name on any notice of
Lien,  and to take any other  actions  arising  from or  incident  to the powers
granted to the  Trustee in this  Pledge  Agreement.  This power of  attorney  is
coupled with an interest and is irrevocable by the Pledgor.

          SECTION 10. No Assumption of Duties;  Reasonable  Care. The rights and
powers conferred on the Trustee hereunder are solely to preserve and protect the
security  interest  of the  Trustee  and the  Holders of the Notes in and to the
Collateral  granted hereby and shall not be interpreted to, and shall not impose
any duties on the Trustee in  connection  therewith  other than those  expressly
provided  herein  or  imposed  under  applicable  law.  Except  as  provided  by
applicable  law or by the  Indenture,  the  Trustee  shall  be  deemed  to  have
exercised  reasonable care in the custody and  preservation of the Collateral in
its possession if the Collateral is accorded  treatment  substantially  equal to
that which the Trustee accords similar  property held by the Trustee for its own
account,  it being understood that the Trustee in its capacity as such shall not
have any  responsibility  for (a)  ascertaining or taking action with respect to
calls,  conversions,  exchanges,  maturities  or other  matters  relative to any
Collateral,  whether or not the  Trustee has or is deemed to have  knowledge  of
such matters,  (b) taking any  necessary  steps to preserve  rights  against any
parties with respect to any  Collateral or (c) investing or  reinvesting  any of
the Collateral or any loss on any  investment.  The Trustee shall be entitled to
all the rights,  benefits,  privileges and  immunities  accorded to it under the
Indenture.

          SECTION 11. Indemnity. The Pledgor shall indemnify,  hold harmless and
defend the Trustee and its directors,  officers,  agents and employees, from and
against any and all claims,  actions,  obligations,  liabilities  and  expenses,
including reasonable defense costs, reasonable investigative fees and costs, and
reasonable  legal fees and damages  arising from the  Trustee's  performance  as
Trustee  under this  Pledge  Agreement,  except to the extent  that such  claim,
action,  obligation,  liability or expense is directly  attributable  to the bad
faith,  gross negligence or wilful misconduct of such indemnified  person.  This
indemnification  shall survive the  resignation  or removal of the Trustee under
the Indenture and the termination of this Pledge Agreement.

<PAGE>
                                       12

          SECTION 12.  Remedies  Upon Event of Default.  If any Event of Default
under the Indenture or default  hereunder  (any such Event of Default or default
being referred to in this Pledge  Agreement as an "Event of Default") shall have
occurred and be continuing:

                  (a) The Trustee and the Holders of the Notes may exercise,  in
         addition to all other rights  given by law or by this Pledge  Agreement
         or the  Indenture,  all of the rights and remedies  with respect to the
         Collateral  of a secured  party  under the UCC  (whether or not the UCC
         applies  to the  affected  Collateral)  and  also may (i)  require  the
         Pledgor to, and the Pledgor  hereby  agrees that it will at its expense
         and upon request of the Trustee forthwith,  assemble all or part of the
         Collateral  as directed by the  Trustee  and make it  available  to the
         Trustee at a place to be  designated  by the Trustee that is reasonably
         convenient to both parties and (ii) without  notice except as specified
         below,  sell the  Collateral or any part thereof in one or more parcels
         at any  broker's  board or at public or  private  sale,  in one or more
         sales or lots, at any of the Trustee's offices or elsewhere,  for cash,
         on credit or for  future  delivery,  and upon such  other  terms as the
         Trustee may deem commercially  reasonable.  The Pledgor agrees that, to
         the extent  notice of sale shall be required by law, at least ten days'
         notice to the  Pledgor of the time and place of any public  sale or the
         time  after  which  any  private  sale is to be made  shall  constitute
         reasonable notification. The Trustee shall not be obligated to make any
         sale of Collateral  regardless of notice of sale having been given. The
         Trustee  may  adjourn  any public or private  sale from time to time by
         announcement at the time and place fixed  therefor,  and such sale may,
         without further  notice,  be made at the time and place to which it was
         so  adjourned.  The  purchaser of any or all  Collateral  so sold shall
         thereafter hold the same absolutely,  free from any claim,  encumbrance
         or right of any kind whatsoever created by or through the Pledgor.  Any
         sale  of  the  Collateral   conducted  in  conformity  with  reasonable
         commercial practices of banks, insurance companies,  commercial finance
         companies,  or  other  financial  institutions  disposing  of  property
         similar  to  the  Collateral   shall  be  deemed  to  be   commercially
         reasonable.  The Trustee or any Holder of Notes may, in its own name or
         in the name of a designee or nominee,  buy any of the Collateral at any
         public sale and, if permitted by  applicable  law, at any private sale.
         All expenses  (including  court costs and reasonable  attorneys'  fees,
         expenses and  disbursements) of, or incident to, the enforcement of any
         of the provisions  hereof shall be recoverable from the proceeds of the
         sale or other disposition of the Collateral.

                  (b) All cash  proceeds  received  by the Trustee in respect of
         any sale of, collection from, or other realization upon all or any part
         of the Collateral may, in the discretion of the Trustee, be held by the
         Trustee  as  collateral  for,  and/or  then or at any  time  thereafter
         applied (after payment of any amounts  payable to the Trustee  pursuant
         to  Section  13) in whole  or in part by the  Trustee  for the  ratable

<PAGE>
                                       13

         benefit  of the  Holders of the Notes  against,  all or any part of the
         Secured  Obligations  in such order as the  Trustee  shall  elect.  Any
         surplus of such cash or cash proceeds held by the Trustee and remaining
         after payment in full of all the Secured Obligations shall be paid over
         to the Pledgor or to  whomsoever  may be  lawfully  entitled to receive
         such surplus.

                  (c) The Trustee may,  without  notice to the Pledgor except as
         required by law and at any time or from time to time,  charge,  set-off
         and otherwise apply all or any part of the Secured  Obligations against
         the Pledged Account or any part thereof.

                  (d) The  Pledgor  further  agrees to use its  reasonable  best
         efforts  to do or  cause  to be  done  all  such  other  acts as may be
         necessary  to make  such  sale or  sales of all or any  portion  of the
         Collateral  pursuant  to this  Section  12  valid  and  binding  and in
         compliance with any and all other  applicable  requirements of law. The
         Pledgor further agrees that a breach of any of the covenants  contained
         in this Section 12 will cause irreparable injury to the Trustee and the
         Holders of the Notes,  that the  Trustee  and the  Holders of the Notes
         have no  adequate  remedy at law in respect of such  breach  and,  as a
         consequence,  that each and every covenant contained in this Section 12
         shall be specifically  enforceable against the Pledgor, and the Pledgor
         hereby  waives and agrees not to assert any defenses  against an action
         for specific performance of such covenants except for a defense that no
         Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

          SECTION  13.  Expenses.  The Pledgor  will,  upon  demand,  pay to the
Trustee  the  amount  of any and all  reasonable  expenses,  including,  without
limitation,  the reasonable  fees,  expenses and  disbursements  of its counsel,
experts  and agents  retained  by the  Trustee,  that the  Trustee  may incur in
connection with (a) the review,  negotiation and  administration  of this Pledge
Agreement,  (b) the custody or preservation of, or the sale of, collection from,
or  other  realization  upon,  any  of  the  Collateral,  (c)  the  exercise  or
enforcement  of any of the rights of the  Trustee  and the  Holders of the Notes
hereunder  or (d) the  failure by the  Pledgor to perform or observe  any of the
provisions hereof.

          SECTION 14. Security Interest Absolute. The obligations of the Pledgor
under this Pledge  Agreement are independent of the Secured  Obligations,  and a
separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted  against the Pledgor to
enforce  this Pledge  Agreement,  irrespective  of whether any action is brought
against KMC or whether  KMC is joined in any such action or actions.  All rights
of the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes and the security interest hereunder,
and all obligations of the Pledgor hereunder, shall be irrevocable, absolute and
unconditional irrespective of, and the Pledgor hereby irrevocably waives (to the
maximum extent  permitted by applicable law) any defenses it may now have or may
hereafter acquire in any way relating to, any or all of the following:

                  (a) any lack of validity or  enforceability of  the  Indenture
          or Notes or any other agreement or instrument relating thereto;

<PAGE>
                                       14

                  (b) any change in the time,  manner or place of payment of, or
         in any other  term of,  all or any of the  Secured  Obligations  or any
         other  amendment or waiver of or any consent to any departure  from the
         Indenture;

                  (c) any taking,  exchange,  release or  non-perfection  of any
         liens on any  Collateral or any other  collateral for all or any of the
         Secured Obligations;

                  (d) any  manner  of  application  of  Collateral  or any other
         collateral,  or  proceeds  thereof,  to  all  or  any  of  the  Secured
         Obligations,  or  any  manner  of  sale  or  other  disposition  of any
         Collateral  or any  other  collateral  for  all  or any of the  Secured
         Obligations or any other assets of the Pledgor;

                  (e)  any   change,   restructuring   or   termination  of  the
          corporate structure or existence of KMC or the Pledgor;

                  (h)  to the  extent permitted  by  applicable  law,  any other
         circumstance   (including,   without   limitation,   any   statute   of
         limitations) that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or
         a discharge of, the Pledgor in respect of the Secured Obligations or of
         this Pledge Agreement.

This Pledge  Agreement  shall continue to be effective or be reinstated,  as the
case may be, if at any time any  payment of any of the  Secured  Obligations  is
rescinded  or must  otherwise be returned by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note
upon the  insolvency,  bankruptcy  or  reorganization  of KMC or the  Pledgor or
otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made.

                  SECTION 15.  Miscellaneous Provisions.

                  Section  15.1.  Notices.  Any  notice or  communication  given
hereunder shall be  sufficiently  given if in writing and delivered in person or
mailed  by  first  class  mail,   commercial   courier   service  or  telecopier
communication, addressed as follows:

                  if to the Pledgor:

                           KMC Telecom Financing, Inc.
                           1545 Route 206, Suite 300
                           Bedminster, New Jersey 07921
                           Attention: Chief Financial Officer



<PAGE>
                                       15


                           with a copy to:

                           KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc.
                           1545 Route 206, Suite 300
                           Bedminster, NJ 07921
                           Attention:  Chief Financial Officer

                           and a copy to:

                           Kelley Drye & Warren LLP
                           101 Park Ave.
                           New York, NY 10178
                           Attention:  Brian J. Calvey

                  if to the Trustee:

                           The Chase Manhattan Bank
                           450 West 33rd Street, 15th Floor
                           New York, New York 10001-2697
                           Attention: Capital Markets Fiduciary Services

                           with a copy to:

                           Pryor Cashman Sherman & Flynn, LLP
                           410 Park Avenue
                           New York, New York 10022
                           Attention: Eric M. Hellige

          All  such  notices  and  other  communications   shall,  when  mailed,
delivered or telecopied, respectively, be effective when deposited in the mails,
delivered  or  telecopied,   respectively,  addressed  as  aforesaid;  provided,
however, that notices and other communications to the Trustee shall be effective
only upon receipt by the Trustee.

          Section  15.2. No Adverse  Interpretation  of Other  Agreements.  This
Pledge Agreement may not be used to interpret  another pledge,  security or debt
agreement of the Pledgor or any subsidiary thereof. No such pledge,  security or
debt  agreement  (other than the Indenture) may be used to interpret this Pledge
Agreement.


          Section 15.3.  Severability.  The provisions of this Pledge  Agreement
are severable,  and if any clause or provision shall be held invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in whole or in part in any  jurisdiction,  then such invalidity or
unenforceability   shall  affect  in  that  jurisdiction  only  such  clause  or

<PAGE>
                                       16


provision,  or part  thereof,  and shall not in any manner affect such clause or
provision  in any other  jurisdiction  or any other  clause or provision of this
Pledge Agreement in any jurisdiction.

          Section 15.4.  Headings.  The headings in this Pledge  Agreement  have
been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part
hereof and shall in no way  modify or  restrict  any of the terms or  provisions
hereof.

          Section  15.5.  Counterpart  Originals.  This Pledge  Agreement may be
signed in two or more  counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed an original,
but all of which shall together constitute one and the same agreement.

          Section  15.6.  Benefits of Pledge  Agreement.  Nothing in this Pledge
Agreement,  express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties
hereto and their successors hereunder, and the Holders of the Notes, any benefit
or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Pledge Agreement.

          Section  15.7.  Amendments,  Waivers and  Consents.  Any  amendment or
waiver  of any  provision  of  this  Pledge  Agreement  and any  consent  to any
departure by the Pledgor from any  provision of this Pledge  Agreement  shall be
effective  only if in  writing,  signed by the Trustee and made or duly given in
compliance with all of the terms and provisions of the Indenture,  and then such
waiver or consent shall be effective  only in the specific  instance and for the
specific  purpose for which  given.  Neither the Trustee nor any Holder of Notes
shall be deemed, by any act, delay,  indulgence,  omission or otherwise, to have
waived any right or remedy  hereunder  or to have  acquiesced  in any Default or
Event of  Default or in any  breach of any of the terms and  conditions  hereof.
Failure  of the  Trustee  or any  Holder  of  Notes  to  exercise,  or  delay in
exercising, any right, power or privilege hereunder shall not preclude any other
or  further  exercise  thereof  or the  exercise  of any other  right,  power or
privilege. A waiver by the Trustee or any Holder of Notes of any right or remedy
hereunder  on any one  occasion  shall not be construed as a bar to any right or
remedy  that the Trustee or such  Holder of Notes  would  otherwise  have on any
future occasion. The rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative,  may be
exercised singly or concurrently and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies
provided by law.

          Section 15.8.  Interpretation  of  Agreement.  To the extent a term or
provision of this Pledge Agreement  conflicts with the Indenture,  the Indenture
shall  control  with  respect to the subject  matter of such term or  provision.
Acceptance of or  acquiescence  in a course of  performance  rendered under this
Pledge  Agreement  shall not be relevant to determine the meaning of this Pledge
Agreement  even though the accepting or  acquiescing  party had knowledge of the
nature of the performance and opportunity for objection.

<PAGE>
                                       17

          Section 15.9.  Continuing  Security  Interest;  Termination.  (a) This
Pledge  Agreement  shall  create a  continuing  security  interest in and to the
Collateral and shall, unless otherwise provided in this Pledge Agreement, remain
in full  force and  effect  until  the  payment  in full in cash of the  Secured
Obligations.  This  Pledge  Agreement  shall be binding  upon the  Pledgor,  its
transferees,  successors and assigns, and shall inure,  together with the rights
and  remedies  of the Trustee  hereunder,  to the  benefit of the  Trustee,  the
Holders of the Notes and their respective successors, transferees and assigns.

          (b) So  long  as no  Event  of  Default  shall  have  occurred  and be
continuing,  this Pledge  Agreement  (other  than  Pledgor's  obligations  under
Sections 11 and 13) shall  terminate upon the earlier of (i) the payment in full
in cash of the Secured  Obligations  and (ii) the payment in full in cash of the
first six scheduled  interest  payments on all of the Notes.  At such time,  the
Trustee  shall,  pursuant to an Issuer  Order,  reassign  and  redeliver  to the
Pledgor all of the  Collateral  hereunder  that has not been sold,  disposed of,
retained or applied by the Trustee in  accordance  with the terms of this Pledge
Agreement  and the  Indenture and take all actions that are necessary to release
the security interest created by this Pledge Agreement in and to the Collateral,
including the execution and delivery of all termination  statements necessary to
terminate any  financing or  continuation  statements  filed with respect to the
Collateral.  Such  reassignment  and redelivery  shall be without warranty by or
recourse to the Trustee in its capacity as such, except as to the absence of any
Liens on the Collateral created by or arising through the Trustee,  and shall be
at the expense of the Pledgor.

          Section  15.10.   Survival  of  Representations  and  Covenants.   All
representations,  warranties and covenants of the Pledgor contained herein shall
survive the execution and delivery of this Pledge Agreement, and shall terminate
only upon the termination of this Pledge Agreement.

          Section 15.11.  Waivers. The Pledgor waives presentment and demand for
payment of any of the  Obligations,  protest  and notice of  dishonor or default
with  respect  to any of the  Obligations,  and all other  notices  to which the
Pledgor  might  otherwise be entitled,  except as otherwise  expressly  provided
herein or in the Indenture.

          Section  15.12.  Authority of the Trustee.  (a) The Trustee shall have
and be entitled to exercise all powers hereunder that are  specifically  granted
to the Trustee by the terms hereof,  together with such powers as are reasonably
incident  thereto.  The Trustee may  perform any of its duties  hereunder  or in
connection  with the  Collateral by or through  agents or employees and shall be
entitled to retain  counsel  and to act in  reliance  upon the advice of counsel
concerning  all such  matters.  Except as otherwise  expressly  provided in this
Pledge  Agreement  or the  Indenture,  neither  the  Trustee  nor any  director,
officer,  employee,  attorney  or agent of the  Trustee  shall be  liable to the
Pledgor  for any  action  taken or omitted  to be taken by the  Trustee,  in its

<PAGE>
                                       18


capacity as Trustee,  hereunder,  except for its own bad faith, gross negligence
or  willful  misconduct,  and  the  Trustee  shall  not be  responsible  for the
validity,  effectiveness  or  sufficiency  hereof or of any document or security
furnished pursuant hereto. The Trustee and its directors,  officers,  employees,
attorneys and agents shall be entitled to rely on any communication,  instrument
or  document  believed  by it or them to be genuine and correct and to have been
signed or sent by the proper Person or Persons.

          (b) The Pledgor  acknowledges that the rights and  responsibilities of
the Trustee under this Pledge  Agreement with respect to any action taken by the
Trustee or the  exercise or  non-exercise  by the Trustee of any option,  right,
request,  judgment or other right or remedy  provided for herein or resulting or
arising  out of this  Pledge  Agreement  shall,  as between  the Trustee and the
Holders of the Notes, be governed by the Indenture and by such other  agreements
with respect  thereto as may exist from time to time among them, but, as between
the Trustee and the Pledgor,  the Trustee shall be  conclusively  presumed to be
acting as agent for the Holders of the Notes with full and valid authority so to
act or refrain from acting,  and the Pledgor  shall not be obligated or entitled
to make any inquiry respecting such authority.

          Section 15.13 Final Expression.  This Pledge Agreement,  together with
the  Indenture  and any other  agreement  executed in  connection  herewith,  is
intended by the parties as a final  expression  of this Pledge  Agreement and is
intended  as a complete  and  exclusive  statement  of the terms and  conditions
thereof.

          Section  15.14.  Rights of Holders  of the  Notes.  No Holder of Notes
shall have any independent  rights  hereunder other than those rights granted to
individual  Holders  of the Notes  pursuant  to Section  6.06 of the  Indenture;
provided that nothing in this  subsection  shall limit any rights granted to the
Trustee under the Notes or the Indenture.

          Section 15.15.  GOVERNING LAW;  SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION;  WAIVER OF
JURY TRIAL;  WAIVER OF DAMAGES.  (a) THIS PLEDGE  AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY
AND  INTERPRETED  UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT
TO ANY CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES OF SUCH STATE OTHER THAN GENERAL OBLIGATIONS
LAW ss. 5-1401),  AND ANY DISPUTE ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH, RELATED TO, OR
INCIDENTAL TO THE RELATIONSHIP  ESTABLISHED BETWEEN THE PLEDGOR, THE TRUSTEE AND
THE HOLDERS OF THE NOTES IN CONNECTION WITH THIS PLEDGE  AGREEMENT,  AND WHETHER
ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT, EQUITY OR OTHERWISE,  SHALL BE RESOLVED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE LAWS OF THE  STATE OF NEW  YORK.  NOTWITHSTANDING  THE  FOREGOING:  THE
MATTERS  IDENTIFIED IN 31 C.F.R.  PART 357, 61 FED. REG.  43626 (AUG. 23, 1996),
SHALL BE GOVERNED SOLELY BY THE LAWS SPECIFIED THEREIN.

<PAGE>
                                       19

          (b) THE PLEDGOR HAS APPOINTED CT  CORPORATION  SYSTEM AS ITS AGENT FOR
SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS PLEDGE
AGREEMENT AND FOR ACTIONS  BROUGHT UNDER U.S.  FEDERAL OR STATE  SECURITIES LAWS
BROUGHT IN ANY FEDERAL OR STATE COURT LOCATED IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK AND AGREES
TO SUBMIT TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY SUCH COURT.

          (c) THE  PLEDGOR  AGREES THAT THE TRUSTEE  SHALL,  IN ITS  CAPACITY AS
TRUSTEE OR IN THE NAME AND ON BEHALF OF ANY HOLDER OF NOTES,  HAVE THE RIGHT, TO
THE EXTENT  PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE  LAW, TO PROCEED  AGAINST THE PLEDGOR OR THE
COLLATERAL  IN A COURT IN ANY  LOCATION  REASONABLY  SELECTED IN GOOD FAITH (AND
HAVING PERSONAL OR IN REM  JURISDICTION  OVER THE PLEDGOR OR THE COLLATERAL,  AS
THE CASE MAY BE) TO ENABLE THE  TRUSTEE TO  REALIZE  ON SUCH  COLLATERAL,  OR TO
ENFORCE A JUDGMENT  OR OTHER COURT ORDER  ENTERED IN FAVOR OF THE  TRUSTEE.  THE
PLEDGOR AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT ASSERT ANY COUNTERCLAIMS, SETOFFS OR CROSSCLAIMS
IN ANY  PROCEEDING  BROUGHT BY THE  TRUSTEE TO  REALIZE ON SUCH  PROPERTY  OR TO
ENFORCE A JUDGMENT OR OTHER COURT ORDER IN FAVOR OF THE TRUSTEE, EXCEPT FOR SUCH
COUNTERCLAIMS,  SETOFFS  OR  CROSSCLAIMS  WHICH,  IF NOT  ASSERTED  IN ANY  SUCH
PROCEEDING,  COULD NOT OTHERWISE BE BROUGHT OR ASSERTED.  THE PLEDGOR WAIVES ANY
OBJECTION  THAT IT MAY HAVE TO THE LOCATION OF THE COURT IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK
ONCE  THE  TRUSTEE  HAS  COMMENCED  A  PROCEEDING  DESCRIBED  IN THIS  PARAGRAPH
INCLUDING,  WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON
THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS.

          (d) THE PLEDGOR AGREES THAT NEITHER ANY HOLDER OF NOTES NOR (EXCEPT AS
OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT OR THE INDENTURE) THE TRUSTEE IN ITS
CAPACITY AS TRUSTEE SHALL HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO THE PLEDGOR  (WHETHER ARISING IN
TORT,  CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE)  FOR LOSSES  SUFFERED BY THE PLEDGOR IN CONNECTION
WITH,  ARISING OUT OF, OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO, THE  TRANSACTIONS  CONTEMPLATED
AND THE RELATIONSHIP  ESTABLISHED BY THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT, OR ANY ACT, OMISSION
OR EVENT OCCURRING IN CONNECTION  THEREWITH,  UNLESS IT IS DETERMINED BY A FINAL
AND  NONAPPEALABLE  JUDGMENT  OF A COURT THAT IS BINDING ON THE  TRUSTEE OR SUCH
HOLDER OF NOTES, AS THE CASE MAY BE, THAT SUCH LOSSES WERE THE RESULT OF ACTS OR
OMISSIONS ON THE PART OF THE TRUSTEE OR SUCH  HOLDERS OF NOTES,  AS THE CASE MAY
BE, CONSTITUTING BAD FAITH, GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT.

<PAGE>
                                       20


          (e) TO THE EXTENT  PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE PLEDGOR WAIVES THE
POSTING OF ANY BOND OTHERWISE  REQUIRED OF THE TRUSTEE OR ANY HOLDER OF NOTES IN
CONNECTION  WITH ANY JUDICIAL  PROCESS OR  PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE ANY JUDGMENT OR
OTHER COURT ORDER PERTAINING TO THIS PLEDGE  AGREEMENT OR ANY RELATED  AGREEMENT
OR  DOCUMENT  ENTERED  IN FAVOR OF THE  TRUSTEE  OR ANY  HOLDER OF NOTES,  OR TO
ENFORCE BY SPECIFIC  PERFORMANCE,  TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER OR PRELIMINARY OR
PERMANENT INJUNCTION, THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT OR ANY RELATED AGREEMENT OR DOCUMENT
BETWEEN THE  PLEDGOR ON THE ONE HAND AND THE  TRUSTEE  AND/OR THE HOLDERS OF THE
NOTES ON THE OTHER HAND.

             [The remainder of this page intentionally left blank.]

<PAGE>

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the Pledgor and the Trustee have each caused this
Pledge  Agreement to be duly  executed and  delivered as of the date first above
written.


                                            Pledgor:

                                            KMC TELECOM FINANCING, INC.


                                            By:   /s/ James D. Grenfell
                                                  ------------------------
                                            Name:  JAMES D. GRENFELL
                                            Title: EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT,
                                                   CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER


                                            Trustee:

                                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                            as Trustee


                                            By:   /s/ P. Kelly
                                                  ------------------------
                                            Name:
                                            Title:

The foregoing is agreed to this 24th day of May, 1999,


KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.


By:   /s/ James D. Grenfell
      ------------------------
Name:  JAMES D. GRENFELL
Title: EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT,
       CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER


<PAGE>



                                   SCHEDULE I

                               Pledged Securities


Security; Coupon; Maturity            CUSIP No.                 Amount (U.S.$)
- --------------------------            ---------                 --------------




<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULE II

                               Pledged Securities


Security; Coupon; Maturity            CUSIP No.                 Amount (U.S.$)
- --------------------------            ---------                 --------------










<PAGE>



         ANNEX A

                                CONTROL AGREEMENT



                          REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT




                               Dated May 19, 1999




                                     between




                           KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.



                                       and




                        MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
                     CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
                        FIRST UNION CAPITAL MARKETS CORP.
                            CIBC WORLD MARKETS CORP.
                       BANCBOSTON ROBERTSON STEPHENS INC.
                      WASSERSTEIN PERELLA SECURITIES, INC.


<PAGE>

                          REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT


          THIS  REGISTRATION  RIGHTS  AGREEMENT  (the  "Agreement")  is made and
entered  into May 19,  1999  between  KMC  Telecom  Holdings,  Inc.,  a Delaware
corporation  (the  "Company"),  and MORGAN  STANLEY & CO.  INCORPORATED,  CREDIT
SUISSE FIRST BOSTON  CORPORATION,  FIRST UNION CAPITAL MARKETS CORP., CIBC WORLD
MARKETS  CORP.,  BANCBOSTON  ROBERTSON  STEPHENS  INC. and  WASSERSTEIN  PERELLA
SECURITIES, INC. (the "Initial Purchasers").

          This  Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase  Agreement  dated the
date  hereof,  between the Company and the  Initial  Purchasers  (the  "Purchase
Agreement"),  which  provides  for  the  sale  by the  Company  to  the  Initial
Purchasers of an aggregate of  $275,000,000  of 13 1/2% Senior Notes Due 2009 of
the Company (the  "Notes").  In order to induce the Initial  Purchasers to enter
into the  Purchase  Agreement,  the Company has agreed to provide to the Initial
Purchasers and their direct and indirect transferees the registration rights set
forth in this  Agreement.  The execution of this Agreement is a condition to the
closing under the Purchase Agreement.

          In  consideration  of the  foregoing,  the  parties  hereto  agree  as
follows:

          1. Definitions.

          As used in this  Agreement,  the following  capitalized  defined terms
shall have the following meanings:

          "1933 Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time
to time.

          "1934 Act" shall mean the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
from time to time.

          "Closing  Date" shall mean the Closing Date as defined in the Purchase
Agreement.

          "Company"  shall have the  meaning  set forth in the  preamble to this
Agreement and shall also include the Company's successors.

          "Exchange  Offer"  shall  mean the  exchange  offer by the  Company of
Exchange Notes for Registrable Notes pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.


<PAGE>

          "Exchange Offer Registration" shall mean a registration under the 1933
Act effected pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.

          "Exchange Offer  Registration  Statement" shall mean an exchange offer
registration  statement on Form S-4 (or, if applicable,  on another  appropriate
form) and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, in each
case including the Prospectus  contained  therein,  all exhibits thereto and all
material incorporated by reference therein.

          "Exchange  Notes"  shall  mean  notes  issued  in the  Exchange  Offer
pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.

          "Holder" shall mean any of the Initial  Purchasers,  for so long as it
owns any Registrable Notes, and each of their respective successors, assigns and
direct and indirect  transferees  who become  registered  owners of  Registrable
Notes under the  Indenture;  provided  that for  purposes of Sections 4 and 5 of
this Agreement, the term "Holder" shall include Participating Broker-Dealers (as
defined in Section 4(a) hereof).

          "Indenture" shall mean the Indenture relating to the Notes to be dated
as of the Closing  Date  between the Company and The Chase  Manhattan  Bank,  as
trustee, and as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the
terms thereof.

          "Initial  Purchasers" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble
to this Agreement.

          "Majority  Holders"  shall  mean  the  Holders  of a  majority  of the
aggregate  principal  amount of  outstanding  Registrable  Notes;  provided that
whenever  the  consent  or  approval  of Holders of a  specified  percentage  of
Registrable Notes is required  hereunder,  Registrable Notes held by the Company
or any of its  affiliates  (as such term is  defined  in Rule 405 under the 1933
Act) (other than the Initial  Purchasers  or subsequent  holders of  Registrable
Notes if such  subsequent  holders  are deemed to be such  affiliates  solely by
reason of their  holding  of such  Registrable  Notes)  shall not be  counted in
determining  whether  such  consent or approval was given by the Holders of such
required percentage or amount.

          "Notes"  shall  have the  meaning  set forth in the  Preamble  to this
Agreement.

          "Person" shall mean an individual,  partnership,  corporation, limited
liability  company,  trust or unincorporated  organization or other entity, or a
government or agency or political subdivision thereof.


<PAGE>


          "Prospectus"  shall mean the  prospectus  included  in a  Registration
Statement,  including any  preliminary  prospectus,  and any such  prospectus as
amended or  supplemented  by any prospectus  supplement,  including a prospectus
supplement  with  respect  to the terms of the  offering  of any  portion of the
Registrable Notes covered by a Shelf  Registration  Statement,  and by all other
amendments and  supplements to such  prospectus,  and in each case including all
material incorporated by reference therein.

          "Purchase  Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble
to this Agreement.

          "Registrable Notes" shall mean the Notes; provided,  however, that the
Notes shall cease to be Registrable Notes (i) when a Registration Statement with
respect to such Notes shall have been declared  effective under the 1933 Act and
such Notes shall have been disposed of pursuant to such Registration  Statement,
(ii) when such Notes have been sold to the public  pursuant  to Rule 144 (or any
similar rule then in force,  but not Rule 144A) under the 1933 Act or (iii) when
such Notes shall have ceased to be outstanding.


<PAGE>


          "Registration  Expenses"  shall mean any and all expenses  incident to
performance  of or  compliance  by the Company  with this  Agreement,  including
without  limitation:  (i) all SEC,  stock  exchange or National  Association  of
Securities  Dealers,  Inc.  registration  and  filing  fees,  (ii)  all fees and
expenses  incurred in connection with  compliance with state  securities or blue
sky  laws  (including  reasonable  fees and  disbursements  of  counsel  for any
underwriters or Holders in connection with blue sky  qualification of any of the
Exchange  Notes or  Registrable  Notes),  (iii) all  expenses  of any Persons in
preparing or assisting in preparing, word processing,  printing and distributing
any  Registration  Statement,  any  Prospectus,  any  amendments or  supplements
thereto,  any  underwriting  agreements,  securities  sales agreements and other
documents  relating to the  performance of and compliance  with this  Agreement,
(iv) all rating  agency  fees,  (v) all fees and  disbursements  relating to the
qualification of the Indenture under  applicable  securities laws, (vi) the fees
and  disbursements  of  the  Trustee  and  its  counsel,   (vii)  the  fees  and
disbursements  of  counsel  for  the  Company  and,  in  the  case  of  a  Shelf
Registration Statement, the reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel for
the Holders (which  counsel shall be selected by the Majority  Holders and which
counsel may also be counsel for the Initial Purchasers ) and (viii) the fees and
disbursements of the independent  public  accountants of the Company,  including
the  expenses of any special  audits or "cold  comfort"  letters  required by or
incident to such performance and compliance,  but excluding fees and expenses of
counsel to the  underwriters  (other than reasonable fees and expenses set forth
in clause (ii) above) or the Holders and underwriting  discounts and commissions
and transfer taxes,  if any,  relating to the sale or disposition of Registrable
Notes by a Holder.

          "Registration  Statement" shall mean any registration statement of the
Company that covers any of the Exchange Notes or  Registrable  Notes pursuant to
the provisions of this Agreement and all amendments and  supplements to any such
Registration  Statement,  including  post-effective  amendments,  in  each  case
including  the  Prospectus  contained  therein,  all  exhibits  thereto  and all
material incorporated by reference therein.

          "SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

          "Shelf  Registration"  shall mean a registration  effected pursuant to
Section 2(b) hereof.

          "Shelf  Registration  Statement"  shall  mean a  "shelf"  registration
statement  of the Company  pursuant to the  provisions  of Section  2(b) of this
Agreement  which covers all of the  Registrable  Notes (but no other  securities
unless approved by the Holders whose Registrable Notes are covered by such Shelf
Registration  Statement)  on an  appropriate  form under Rule 415 under the 1933
Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted by the SEC, and all  amendments and
supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments,
in each case including the Prospectus  contained  therein,  all exhibits thereto
and all material incorporated by reference therein.

          "Trustee"  shall mean the trustee  with respect to the Notes under the
Indenture.

          "Underwritten  Registration" or  "Underwritten  Offering" shall mean a
registration  in  which  Registrable  Notes  are  sold  to  an  Underwriter  (as
hereinafter defined) for reoffering to the public.

          2. Registration Under the 1933 Act.


<PAGE>

          (a) To the extent not  prohibited by any  applicable law or applicable
interpretation  of the staff of the SEC, the Company  shall use its best efforts
to cause to be filed an Exchange Offer Registration Statement covering the offer
by the  Company to the  Holders to  exchange  all of the  Registrable  Notes for
Exchange Notes and to have such  Registration  Statement  remain effective until
the closing of the Exchange Offer. The Company shall commence the Exchange Offer
promptly  after the Exchange  Offer  Registration  Statement  has been  declared
effective  by the SEC and  use its  best  efforts  to have  the  Exchange  Offer
consummated  not later than 60 days after such effective date. The Company shall
commence the Exchange Offer by mailing the related exchange offer Prospectus and
accompanying  documents  to each  Holder  stating,  in  addition  to such  other
disclosures as are required by applicable law:

               (i)  that the  Exchange  Offer is  being  made  pursuant  to this
          Registration  Rights Agreement and that all Registrable  Notes validly
          tendered will be accepted for exchange;

               (ii) the  dates of  acceptance  for  exchange  (which  shall be a
          period  of at least 20  business  days  from the date  such  notice is
          mailed) (the "Exchange Dates");

               (iii)  that  any  Registrable   Note  not  tendered  will  remain
          outstanding and continue to accrue  interest,  but will not retain any
          rights under this Registration Rights Agreement;

               (iv) that Holders  electing to have a Registrable  Note exchanged
          pursuant to the  Exchange  Offer will be required  to  surrender  such
          Registrable  Note,  together with the enclosed letters of transmittal,
          to the  institution  and at the  address  (located  in the  Borough of
          Manhattan,  The City of New York) specified in the notice prior to the
          close of business on the last Exchange Date; and

               (v) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election, not
          later than the close of business on the last Exchange Date, by sending
          to the  institution  and at the  address  (located  in the  Borough of
          Manhattan,  The City of New York)  specified in the notice a telegram,
          telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of such
          Holder,  the  principal  amount of  Registrable  Notes  delivered  for
          exchange and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing  his election
          to have such Notes exchanged.

          As soon as  practicable  after the last  Exchange  Date,  the  Company
shall:

               (i) accept for  exchange  Registrable  Notes or portions  thereof
          tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer; and

               (ii)  deliver,  or  cause to be  delivered,  to the  Trustee  for
          cancellation all Registrable Notes or portions thereof so accepted for
          exchange by the  Company and issue,  and cause the Trustee to promptly
          authenticate  and  mail to each  Holder,  an  Exchange  Note  equal in
          principal  amount to the  principal  amount of the  Registrable  Notes
          surrendered by such Holder.


<PAGE>

          The Company shall use its best efforts to complete the Exchange  Offer
as provided above and shall comply with the applicable  requirements of the 1933
Act, the 1934 Act and other  applicable  laws and regulations in connection with
the Exchange  Offer.  The Exchange Offer shall not be subject to any conditions,
other  than that the  Exchange  Offer  does not  violate  applicable  law or any
applicable  interpretation of the staff of the SEC. The Company shall inform the
Initial  Purchasers  of the  names  and  addresses  of the  Holders  to whom the
Exchange Offer is made, and the Initial Purchasers shall have the right, subject
to applicable  law, to contact such Holders and otherwise  facilitate the tender
of Registrable Notes in the Exchange Offer.

          (b) In the event that (i) the  Company  determines  that the  Exchange
Offer  Registration  provided for in Section 2(a) above is not  available or may
not be consummated  as soon as practicable  after the last Exchange Date because
it would violate  applicable law or the applicable  interpretations of the staff
of the SEC, (ii) the Exchange  Offer is not for any other reason  consummated by
the date that is six months after the Closing  Date or (iii) the Exchange  Offer
has been  completed  and in the opinion of counsel for the Initial  Purchasers a
Registration  Statement must be filed and a Prospectus  must be delivered by the
Initial  Purchasers in connection with any offering or sale of Registrable Notes
by the  Initial  Purchasers,  of  Registrable  Notes that were  acquired  by the
Initial  Purchasers from the Company,  the Company shall use its best efforts to
cause to be filed  as soon as  practicable  after  such  determination,  date or
notice of such opinion of counsel is given to the Company, as the case may be, a
Shelf Registration Statement providing for the sale by the Holders of all of the
Registrable  Notes  and to  have  such  Shelf  Registration  Statement  declared
effective  by the SEC.  The Company  agrees to use its best  efforts to keep the
Shelf Registration  Statement continuously effective until the expiration of the
period  referred  to in Rule  144(k)  under  the 1933 Act  with  respect  to all
Registrable Notes covered by the Shelf Registration  Statement,  or such shorter
period that will  terminate  when all of the  Registrable  Notes  covered by the
Shelf  Registration  Statement have been sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration
Statement.  The  Company  further  agrees  to  supplement  or  amend  the  Shelf
Registration  Statement if required by the rules,  regulations  or  instructions
applicable  to  the  registration  form  used  by the  Company  for  such  Shelf
Registration  Statement or by the 1933 Act or by any other rules and regulations
thereunder for shelf  registration  or if reasonably  requested by a Holder with
respect to information  relating to such Holder,  and to use its best efforts to
cause  any such  amendment  to  become  effective  and such  Shelf  Registration
Statement to become usable as soon as thereafter practicable. The Company agrees
to furnish to the Holders of Registrable  Notes copies of any such supplement or
amendment promptly after its being used or filed with the SEC.

          (c) The Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with
the registration pursuant to Section 2(a) or Section 2(b). Each Holder shall pay
all underwriting  discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating
to the sale or  disposition of such Holder's  Registrable  Notes pursuant to the
Shelf Registration Statement.



<PAGE>



          (d) An Exchange Offer Registration  Statement pursuant to Section 2(a)
hereof or a Shelf  Registration  Statement  pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof will
not be deemed to have become effective unless it has been declared  effective by
the SEC; provided,  however, that, if, after it has been declared effective, the
offering of  Registrable  Notes  pursuant to a Shelf  Registration  Statement is
interfered  with by any stop order,  injunction or other order or requirement of
the SEC or any other governmental  agency or court, such Registration  Statement
will  be  deemed  not to  have  become  effective  during  the  period  of  such
interference   until  the  offering  of  Registrable   Notes  pursuant  to  such
Registration Statement may legally resume. As provided for in the Indenture,  in
the  event  that  the  Exchange  Offer  is  not  consummated  and,  if  a  Shelf
Registration  Statement is required hereby, the Shelf Registration  Statement is
not  declared  effective  on or prior to the date that is six  months  after the
Closing Date,  the interest  rate on the Notes (and on the Exchange  Notes) will
increase by 0.5% per annum until the date the Exchange Offer is consummated or a
Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective.

          (e) Without limiting the remedies  available to the Initial Purchasers
and the  Holders,  the Company  acknowledges  that any failure by the Company to
comply with its  obligations  under  Section  2(a) and  Section  2(b) hereof may
result in material  irreparable  injury to the Initial Purchasers or the Holders
for which  there is no adequate  remedy at law,  that it will not be possible to
measure  damages for such injuries  precisely and that, in the event of any such
failure,  the Initial  Purchasers or any Holder may obtain such relief as may be
required to specifically  enforce the Company's  obligations  under Section 2(a)
and Section 2(b) hereof.

          3. Registration Procedures.

          In connection  with the obligations of the Company with respect to the
Registration  Statements  pursuant to Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof,  the
Company shall as expeditiously as possible:

          (a)  prepare  and file with the SEC a  Registration  Statement  on the
appropriate  form under the 1933 Act,  which form (x) shall be  selected  by the
Company and (y) shall, in the case of a Shelf Registration, be available for the
sale of the  Registrable  Notes by the  selling  Holders  thereof  and (z) shall
comply  as to  form  in all  material  respects  with  the  requirements  of the
applicable form and include all financial  statements  required by the SEC to be
filed therewith,  and use its best efforts to cause such Registration  Statement
to become effective and remain effective in accordance with Section 2 hereof;


<PAGE>


          (b) prepare and file with the SEC such  amendments and  post-effective
amendments  to each  Registration  Statement  as may be  necessary  to keep such
Registration  Statement  effective  for the  applicable  period  and cause  each
Prospectus to be supplemented by any required  prospectus  supplement and, as so
supplemented,  to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the 1933 Act; to keep each
Prospectus  current during the period  described under Section 4(3) and Rule 174
under the 1933 Act that is applicable to transactions by brokers or dealers with
respect to the Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes;

          (c) in the case of a Shelf  Registration,  furnish  to each  Holder of
Registrable  Notes,  to counsel for the Initial  Purchasers,  to counsel for the
Holders and to each  Underwriter  of an  Underwritten  Offering  of  Registrable
Notes, if any, without charge, as many copies of each Prospectus, including each
preliminary  Prospectus,  and any amendment or supplement thereto and such other
documents as such Holder or  Underwriter  may  reasonably  request,  in order to
facilitate the public sale or other  disposition of the Registrable  Notes;  and
the  Company  consents  to the  use of such  Prospectus  and  any  amendment  or
supplement  thereto in  accordance  with  applicable  law by each of the selling
holders of Registrable  Notes and any such  Underwriters  in connection with the
offering  and  sale  of the  Registrable  Notes  covered  by  and in the  manner
described  in  such  Prospectus  or  any  amendment  or  supplement  thereto  in
accordance with applicable law;

          (d) use its  reasonable  best  efforts  to  register  or  qualify  the
Registrable  Notes under all applicable  state  securities or "blue sky" laws of
such  jurisdictions as any Holder of Registrable Notes covered by a Registration
Statement  shall  reasonably  request  in  writing  by the time  the  applicable
Registration  Statement is declared effective by the SEC, to cooperate with such
Holders in  connection  with any filings  required to be made with the  National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and do any and all other acts and things
which  may be  reasonably  necessary  or  advisable  to  enable  such  Holder to
consummate the disposition in each such  jurisdiction of such Registrable  Notes
owned by such Holder; provided,  however, that the Company shall not be required
to (i)  qualify as a foreign  corporation  or as a dealer in  securities  in any
jurisdiction  where it would not  otherwise  be required to qualify but for this
Section  3(d),  (ii) file any  general  consent  to  service of process or (iii)
subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not so subject;


<PAGE>


          (e) in the  case  of a  Shelf  Registration,  notify  each  Holder  of
Registrable  Notes,  counsel  for  the  Holders  and  counsel  for  the  Initial
Purchasers  promptly  and, if requested  by any such Holder or counsel,  confirm
such advice in writing (i) when a  Registration  Statement has become  effective
and  when any  post-effective  amendment  thereto  has been  filed  and  becomes
effective,  (ii) of any request by the SEC or any state securities authority for
amendments and  supplements  to a  Registration  Statement and Prospectus or for
additional  information  after the Registration  Statement has become effective,
(iii) of the issuance by the SEC or any state  securities  authority of any stop
order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the initiation
of any  proceedings  for that purpose,  (iv) if, between the effective date of a
Registration  Statement and the closing of any sale of Registrable Notes covered
thereby,  the  representations  and  warranties of the Company  contained in any
underwriting  agreement,  securities sales agreement or other similar agreement,
if any,  relating to the  offering  cease to be true and correct in all material
respects  or if the  Company  receives  any  notification  with  respect  to the
suspension  of the  qualification  of the  Registrable  Notes  for  sale  in any
jurisdiction  or the initiation of any  proceeding for such purpose,  (v) of the
happening  of any event  during the  period a Shelf  Registration  Statement  is
effective which makes any statement made in such  Registration  Statement or the
related  Prospectus  untrue in any material respect or which requires the making
of any changes in such Registration Statement or Prospectus in order to make the
statements  therein  not  misleading  in any  material  respect  and (vi) of any
determination by the Company that a  post-effective  amendment to a Registration
Statement would be appropriate;

          (f) make every reasonable effort to obtain the withdrawal of any order
suspending  the  effectiveness  of a  Registration  Statement  at  the  earliest
possible  moment and provide  prompt notice to each Holder of the  withdrawal of
any such order;

          (g) in the case of a Shelf  Registration,  furnish  to each  Holder of
Registrable  Notes,  without  charge,  at  least  one  conformed  copy  of  each
Registration  Statement  and  any  post-effective   amendment  thereto  (without
documents  incorporated  therein  by  reference  or  exhibits  thereto,   unless
requested);

          (h) in the case of a Shelf  Registration,  cooperate  with the selling
Holders of Registrable  Notes to facilitate the timely  preparation and delivery
of certificates  representing  Registrable  Notes to be sold and not bearing any
restrictive   legends  and  enable  such   Registrable   Notes  to  be  in  such
denominations  (consistent  with the provisions of the Indenture) and registered
in such  names as the  selling  Holders  may  reasonably  request  at least  two
business days prior to the closing of any sale of Registrable Notes;

          (i) in the case of a Shelf  Registration,  upon the  occurrence of any
event  contemplated by Section  3(e)(v) hereof,  use its best efforts to prepare
and file with the SEC a supplement or post-effective amendment to a Registration
Statement  or the related  Prospectus  or any document  incorporated  therein by
reference or file any other required  document so that, as thereafter  delivered
to the purchasers of the Registrable Notes, such Prospectus will not contain any
untrue  statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact  necessary
to make the statements  therein,  in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not  misleading.  The Company agrees to notify the Holders to suspend
use of the Prospectus as promptly as practicable after the occurrence of such an
event,  and the Holders hereby agree to suspend use of the Prospectus  until the
Company has amended or supplemented the Prospectus to correct such  misstatement
or omission;


<PAGE>


          (j) a  reasonable  time  prior  to  the  filing  of  any  Registration
Statement,  any  Prospectus,  any  amendment  to  a  Registration  Statement  or
amendment  or  supplement  to a  Prospectus  or  any  document  which  is  to be
incorporated  by reference into a Registration  Statement or a Prospectus  after
initial filing of a Registration  Statement,  provide copies of such document to
the  Initial  Purchasers  and  their  counsel  (and,  in  the  case  of a  Shelf
Registration  Statement,  the  Holders and their  counsel)  and make such of the
representatives  of the Company as shall be reasonably  requested by the Initial
Purchasers or their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement,
the Holders or their counsel)  available for  discussion of such  document,  and
shall not at any time file or make any amendment to the Registration  Statement,
any Prospectus or any amendment of or supplement to a Registration  Statement or
a Prospectus or any document  which is to be  incorporated  by reference  into a
Registration  Statement or a  Prospectus,  of which the Initial  Purchasers  and
their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration  Statement,  the Holders
and their counsel) shall not have  previously  been advised and furnished a copy
or to which the Initial Purchasers or their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf
Registration Statement, the Holders or their counsel) shall reasonably object;

          (k) obtain a CUSIP number for all Exchange Notes or Registrable Notes,
as the  case  may be,  not  later  than  the  effective  date of a  Registration
Statement;

          (l) cause the Indenture to be qualified  under the Trust Indenture Act
of 1939, as amended (the "TIA"),  in  connection  with the  registration  of the
Exchange  Notes or  Registrable  Notes,  as the case may be,  cooperate with the
Trustee  and the  Holders  to effect  such  changes to the  Indenture  as may be
required for the  Indenture to be so qualified in  accordance  with the terms of
the TIA and execute, and use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Trustee to
execute,  all  documents as may be required to effect such changes and all other
forms and documents required to be filed with the SEC to enable the Indenture to
be so qualified in a timely manner;

          (m) in the case of a Shelf  Registration,  upon execution of customary
confidentiality  agreements  reasonably  satisfactory  to the  Company  and  its
counsel, make available for inspection by a representative of the Holders of the
Registrable Notes, any Underwriter  participating in any disposition pursuant to
such Shelf Registration  Statement,  and attorneys and accountants designated by
the Holders,  at reasonable times and in a reasonable  manner, all financial and
other records,  pertinent documents and properties of the Company, and cause the
respective  officers,  directors  and  employees  of the  Company  to supply all
information  reasonably  requested  by  any  such  representative,  Underwriter,
attorney or accountant in connection with a Shelf Registration Statement;


<PAGE>


          (n) if reasonably requested by any Holder of Registrable Notes covered
by a Registration Statement, (i) promptly incorporate in a Prospectus supplement
or post-effective amendment such information with respect to such Holder as such
Holder  reasonably  requests to be included  therein and (ii) make all  required
filings of such Prospectus  supplement or such post-effective  amendment as soon
as the Company has received  notification  of the matters to be  incorporated in
such filing; and

          (o) in the  case of a Shelf  Registration,  use  its  reasonable  best
efforts to enter into such customary  agreements and take all such other actions
in connection  therewith (including those requested by the Holders of a majority
in principal amount of the Registrable Notes being sold) in order to expedite or
facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Notes including,  but not limited
to, an Underwritten Offering and in such connection, (i) to the extent possible,
make such  representations and warranties to the Holders and any Underwriters of
such  Registrable  Notes with  respect to the  business  of the  Company and its
subsidiaries, the Registration Statement,  Prospectus and documents incorporated
by reference  therein or deemed  incorporated by reference  therein,  if any, in
each case, in form,  substance and scope as are  customarily  made by issuers to
underwriters  in  underwritten  offerings  and  confirm  the  same  if and  when
requested, (ii) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain opinions of counsel to
the Company (which counsel and opinions, in form, scope and substance,  shall be
reasonably   satisfactory  to  the  Holders  and  such  Underwriters  and  their
respective  counsel)  addressed  to  each  selling  Holder  and  Underwriter  of
Registrable  Notes,   covering  the  matters  customarily  covered  in  opinions
requested in  underwritten  offerings,  (iii) use its reasonable best efforts to
obtain "cold comfort" letters from the independent  certified public accountants
of the Company (and, if necessary,  any other certified public accountant of any
subsidiary of the Company,  or of any business acquired by the Company for which
financial  statements  and financial  data are or are required to be included in
the Registration  Statement) addressed to each selling Holder and Underwriter of
Registrable  Notes, such letters to be in customary form and covering matters of
the type  customarily  covered  in "cold  comfort"  letters in  connection  with
underwritten offerings,  and (iv) deliver such documents and certificates as may
be reasonably  requested by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Registrable  Notes  being sold or the  Underwriters,  and which are  customarily
delivered in underwritten  offerings,  to evidence the continued validity of the
representations  and warranties of the Company made pursuant to clause (i) above
and to  evidence  compliance  with  any  customary  conditions  contained  in an
underwriting agreement.

          In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company may require
each  Holder of  Registrable  Notes to furnish to the Company  such  information
regarding  the  Holder  and the  proposed  distribution  by such  Holder of such
Registrable  Notes as the  Company may from time to time  reasonably  request in
writing.  No Holder of Registrable  Notes may include its  Registrable  Notes in
such Shelf  Registration  Statement  unless and until such Holder furnishes such
information to the Company.  Each Holder including  Registrable Notes in a Shelf
Registration  shall agree to furnish  promptly  to the  Company any  information
regarding  such  Holder and the  proposed  distribution  by such  Holder of such
Registrable Notes required to make any information  previously  furnished to the
Company by such Holder not materially misleading.


<PAGE>



          In the case of a Shelf  Registration  Statement,  each  Holder  agrees
that,  upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event
of the kind  described in Section  3(e)(v)  hereof,  such Holder will  forthwith
discontinue   disposition  of  Registrable  Notes  pursuant  to  a  Registration
Statement  until such  Holder's  receipt of the  copies of the  supplemented  or
amended Prospectus  contemplated by Section 3(i) hereof,  and, if so directed by
the Company, such Holder will deliver to the Company (at its expense) all copies
in its  possession,  other than  permanent  file  copies  then in such  Holder's
possession,  of the Prospectus  covering such  Registrable  Notes current at the
time of receipt of such  notice.  If the  Company  shall give any such notice to
suspend  the  disposition  of  Registrable  Notes  pursuant  to  a  Registration
Statement,  the Company  shall extend the period  during which the  Registration
Statement shall be maintained effective pursuant to this Agreement by the number
of days  during the  period  from and  including  the date of the giving of such
notice to and including the date when the Holders shall have received  copies of
the supplemented or amended  Prospectus  necessary to resume such  dispositions.
There may not be more than two such  suspensions  during  any 365 day period and
any such suspensions may not exceed 30 days for each suspension.

          The  Holders of  Registrable  Notes  covered  by a Shelf  Registration
Statement who desire to do so may sell such Registrable Notes in an Underwritten
Offering; provided that the Company shall be required to use its reasonable best
efforts to effect an  underwritten  offering only upon the request of Holders of
at least 25% in aggregate  principal amount of the Registrable Notes outstanding
at the time such request is delivered to the Company.  In any such  Underwritten
Offering,  the investment  banker or investment  bankers and manager or managers
(the  "Underwriters")  that will administer the offering will be selected by the
Majority Holders of the Registrable Notes included in such offering,  subject to
approval by the Company, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld.

          4. Participation of Broker-Dealers in Exchange Offer.

          (a) The staff of the SEC has taken the position that any broker-dealer
that  receives  Exchange  Notes for its own  account  in the  Exchange  Offer in
exchange  for Notes  that were  acquired  by such  broker-dealer  as a result of
market-making or other trading activities (a "Participating Broker-Dealer"), may
be deemed to be an  "underwriter"  within  the  meaning of the 1933 Act and must
deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the 1933 Act in connection with
any resale of such Exchange Notes.


<PAGE>


          The Company  understands  that it is the staff's  position that if the
Prospectus  contained in the Exchange Offer  Registration  Statement  includes a
plan of distribution containing a statement to the above effect and the means by
which Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Notes, without naming
the  Participating  Broker-Dealers  or specifying  the amount of Exchange  Notes
owned by them, such Prospectus may be delivered by Participating  Broker-Dealers
to satisfy their prospectus delivery obligation under the 1933 Act in connection
with resales of Exchange Notes for their own accounts, so long as the Prospectus
otherwise meets the requirements of the 1933 Act.

          (b) In light of the above,  notwithstanding  the other  provisions  of
this Agreement, the Company agrees that the provisions of this Agreement as they
relate  to  a  Shelf   Registration  shall  also  apply  to  an  Exchange  Offer
Registration to the extent,  and with such reasonable  modifications  thereto as
may  be,  reasonably  requested  by the  Initial  Purchasers  or by one or  more
Participating Broker-Dealers,  in each case as provided in clause (ii) below, in
order to  expedite  or  facilitate  the  disposition  of any  Exchange  Notes by
Participating  Broker-Dealers  consistent with the positions of the staff of the
SEC recited in Section 4(a) above; provided that:

               (i) the Company shall not be required to amend or supplement  the
          Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration  Statement, as
          would  otherwise  be  contemplated  by  Section  3(i),  for  a  period
          exceeding 180 days after the last Exchange Date (as such period may be
          extended  pursuant to the  penultimate  paragraph of Section 3 of this
          Agreement) and Participating Broker-Dealers shall not be authorized by
          the  Company to deliver and shall not deliver  such  Prospectus  after
          such  period  in  connection  with the  resales  contemplated  by this
          Section 4; and

               (ii) the  application  of the Shelf  Registration  procedures set
          forth  in  Section  3  of  this   Agreement   to  an  Exchange   Offer
          Registration, to the extent not required by the positions of the staff
          of the SEC or the 1933 Act and the rules and  regulations  thereunder,
          will be in conformity  with the  reasonable  request to the Company by
          the Initial  Purchasers or with the  reasonable  request in writing to
          the Company by one or more  broker-dealers  who certify to the Initial
          Purchasers and the Company in writing that they  anticipate  that they
          will be  Participating  Broker-Dealers;  and provided further that, in
          connection with such application of the Shelf Registration  procedures
          set forth in Section 3 to an Exchange Offer Registration,  the Company
          shall be obligated (x) to deal only with one entity  representing  the
          Participating  Broker-Dealers,  which  shall be  Morgan  Stanley & Co.
          Incorporated unless it elects not to act as such  representative,  (y)
          to pay the fees and  expenses  of only one  counsel  representing  the
          Participating  Broker-Dealers,  which  shall be counsel to the Initial
          Purchasers  unless such counsel  elects not to so act and (z) to cause
          to be delivered only one, if any,  "cold comfort"  letter with respect
          to the  Prospectus  in the form existing on the last Exchange Date and
          with  respect to each  subsequent  amendment  or  supplement,  if any,
          effected during the period specified in clause (i) above.

          (c) The Initial  Purchasers  shall have no liability to the Company or
any Holder with  respect to any request  that they may make  pursuant to Section
4(b) above.


<PAGE>


          5. Indemnification and Contribution.

          (a) The Company  agrees to  indemnify  and hold  harmless  the Initial
Purchasers,  each  Holder and each  person,  if any,  who  controls  any Initial
Purchaser or any Holder within the meaning of either  Section 15 of the 1933 Act
or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, or is under common control with, or is controlled
by, any Initial  Purchaser or any Holder,  from and against all losses,  claims,
damages  and  liabilities  (including,  without  limitation,  any legal or other
expenses  reasonably  incurred by any Initial Purchaser,  any Holder or any such
controlling or affiliated  person in connection with defending or  investigating
any such  action or claim)  caused by any untrue  statement  or  alleged  untrue
statement of a material  fact  contained in any  Registration  Statement (or any
amendment  thereto)  pursuant to which Exchange Notes or Registrable  Notes were
registered under the 1933 Act, including all documents  incorporated  therein by
reference,  or caused by any  omission or alleged  omission  to state  therein a
material fact required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not  misleading,  or caused by any untrue  statement  or alleged  untrue
statement  of a  material  fact  contained  in any  Prospectus  (as  amended  or
supplemented  if the Company shall have  furnished any amendments or supplements
thereto),  or caused by any  omission  or alleged  omission  to state  therein a
material  fact  necessary  to  make  the  statements  therein  in  light  of the
circumstances under which they were made not misleading,  except insofar as such
losses,  claims,  damages or liabilities are caused by any such untrue statement
or omission or alleged  untrue  statement  or  omission  based upon  information
relating to any of the Initial Purchasers or any Holder furnished to the Company
in writing by any Initial  Purchaser  or any selling  Holder  expressly  for use
therein; provided, that the foregoing indemnity agreement shall not inure to the
benefit of any Holder or any Person controlling such Holder, with respect to any
sale or  disposition  of  Registrable  Notes by such Holder in  violation of the
penultimate  paragraph of Section 3 of this  Agreement.  In connection  with any
Underwritten  Offering  permitted by Section 3, the Company will also  indemnify
the  Underwriters,  if any,  selling  brokers,  dealers and  similar  securities
industry  professionals  participating in the  distribution,  their officers and
directors and each Person who controls  such Persons  (within the meaning of the
1933 Act and the 1934 Act) to the same extent as provided  above with respect to
the  indemnification  of the  Holders,  if  requested  in  connection  with  any
Registration Statement.


<PAGE>


          (b) Each Holder  (including  any Initial  Purchaser if it is a Holder)
agrees,  severally and not jointly,  to indemnify and hold harmless the Company,
each  Initial  Purchaser  and the  other  selling  Holders,  and  each of  their
respective  directors,  officers who sign the  Registration  Statement  and each
Person,  if any, who controls the Company,  any Initial  Purchaser and any other
selling  Holder  within  the  meaning  of either  Section  15 of the 1933 Act or
Section 20 of the 1934 Act to the same extent as the  foregoing  indemnity  from
the Company to the Initial  Purchasers and the Holders,  but only with reference
to  information  relating to such Holder  furnished to the Company in writing by
such Holder  expressly for use in any  Registration  Statement (or any amendment
thereto) or any Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).


<PAGE>


          (c) In case any proceeding (including any governmental  investigation)
shall be instituted  involving  any Person in respect of which  indemnity may be
sought pursuant to either paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) above, such person (the
"indemnified  party")  shall  promptly  notify  the  Person  against  whom  such
indemnity  may  be  sought  (the  "indemnifying   party")  in  writing  and  the
indemnifying  party, upon request of the indemnified party, shall retain counsel
reasonably  satisfactory to the  indemnified  party to represent the indemnified
party and any others the indemnifying party may designate in such proceeding and
shall pay the fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding.
In any such proceeding, any indemnified party shall have the right to retain its
own counsel,  but the fees and expenses of such counsel  shall be at the expense
of such indemnified party unless (i) the indemnifying  party and the indemnified
party shall have  mutually  agreed to the  retention of such counsel or (ii) the
named parties to any such proceeding  (including any impleaded  parties) include
both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and representation of both
parties by the same counsel  would be  inappropriate  due to actual or potential
differing  interests between them. It is understood that the indemnifying  party
shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related  proceedings in the same
jurisdiction,  be liable for (a) the  reasonable  fees and expenses of more than
one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Initial  Purchasers
and all Persons,  if any, who control the Initial  Purchasers within the meaning
of either  Section  15 of the 1933 Act or  Section  20 of the 1934 Act,  (b) the
reasonable  fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any
local  counsel)  for the  Company,  its  directors,  its  officers  who sign the
Registration  Statement and each Person, if any, who controls the Company within
the meaning of either such Section and (c) the  reasonable  fees and expenses of
more than one separate  firm (in addition to any local  counsel) for all Holders
and all Persons,  if any,  who control any Holders  within the meaning of either
such  Section,  and that all such fees and expenses  shall be reimbursed as they
are  incurred.  In such case  involving  any Initial  Purchaser  and Persons who
control  such Initial  Purchaser,  such firm shall be  designated  in writing by
Morgan Stanley & Co.  Incorporated.  In such case involving the Holders and such
Persons who control  Holders,  such firm shall be  designated  in writing by the
Majority  Holders.  In all other  cases,  such firm shall be  designated  by the
Company.  The  indemnifying  party shall not be liable for any settlement of any
proceeding  effected  without its  written  consent  but,  if settled  with such
consent or if there be a final  judgment  for the  plaintiff,  the  indemnifying
party agrees to  indemnify  the  indemnified  party from and against any loss or
liability  by  reason  of  such  settlement  or  judgment.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing sentence,  if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an
indemnifying  party to reimburse the indemnified  party for fees and expenses of
counsel as contemplated by the second and third sentences of this paragraph, the
indemnifying  party  agrees  that it shall be liable for any  settlement  of any
proceeding  effected  without  its  written  consent if (i) such  settlement  is
entered into more than 60 days after receipt by such  indemnifying  party of the
aforesaid request and (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the
indemnified  party for such fees and expenses of counsel in accordance with such
request  prior to the date of such  settlement.  No  indemnifying  party  shall,
without  the  prior  written  consent  of  the  indemnified  party,  effect  any
settlement  of any  pending or  threatened  proceeding  in respect of which such
indemnified  party is or could have been a party and  indemnity  could have been
sought hereunder by such indemnified party,  unless such settlement  includes an
unconditional  release of such  indemnified  party from all  liability on claims
that are the subject matter of such proceeding.

          (d) If the indemnification  provided for in paragraph (a) or paragraph
(b) of this Section 5 is unavailable to an indemnified  party or insufficient in
respect of any losses,  claims,  damages or liabilities,  then each indemnifying
party under such  paragraph,  in lieu of  indemnifying  such  indemnified  party
thereunder,  shall  contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified
party as a  result  of such  losses,  claims,  damages  or  liabilities  in such
proportion as is appropriate  to reflect the relative fault of the  indemnifying
party or parties on the one hand and of the indemnified  party or parties on the
other hand in connection  with the statements or omissions that resulted in such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities,  as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations.  The  relative  fault of the Company  and the  Holders  shall be
determined by reference  to, among other  things,  whether the untrue or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state
a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by the Holders
and  the  parties'  relative  intent,  knowledge,   access  to  information  and
opportunity  to correct or prevent  such  statement  or  omission.  The Holders'
respective  obligations to contribute  pursuant to this Section 5(d) are several
in proportion to the respective  principal  amount of Registrable  Notes of such
Holder that were registered pursuant to a Registration Statement.


<PAGE>


          (e) The  Company  and each  Holder  agree that it would not be just or
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 5 were determined by pro rata
allocation  or by any other method of  allocation  that does not take account of
the equitable considerations referred to in paragraph (d) above. The amount paid
or payable by an indemnified  party as a result of the losses,  claims,  damages
and  liabilities  referred to in paragraph (d) above shall be deemed to include,
subject  to the  limitations  set  forth  above,  any  legal or  other  expenses
reasonably  incurred by such indemnified party in connection with  investigating
or defending any such action or claim.  Notwithstanding  the  provisions of this
Section 5, no Holder shall be required to indemnify or contribute  any amount in
excess of the amount by which the total  price at which  Registrable  Notes were
sold by such  Holder  exceeds  the amount of any  damages  that such  Holder has
otherwise  been  required  to pay by reason of such  untrue  or  alleged  untrue
statement  or  omission  or alleged  omission.  No person  guilty of  fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be
entitled to  contribution  from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. The remedies provided for in this Section 5 are not exclusive
and shall not limit any rights or remedies  which may  otherwise be available to
any indemnified party at law or in equity.

          The indemnity and contribution  provisions contained in this Section 5
shall  remain  operative  and in full  force and  effect  regardless  of (i) any
termination of this Agreement,  (ii) any  investigation  made by or on behalf of
any  Initial  Purchaser,  any  Holder  or any  Person  controlling  any  Initial
Purchaser  or any Holder,  or by or on behalf of the  Company,  its  officers or
directors or any Person controlling the Company,  (iii) acceptance of any of the
Exchange  Notes  and (iv)  any sale of  Registrable  Notes  pursuant  to a Shelf
Registration Statement.

          6. Miscellaneous.

          (a) No Inconsistent Agreements.  The Company has not entered into, and
on or after the date of this Agreement will not enter into, any agreement  which
is inconsistent  with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable  Notes in
this Agreement or otherwise  conflicts with the  provisions  hereof.  The rights
granted to the Holders  hereunder  do not in any way  conflict  with and are not
inconsistent  with the rights  granted to the  holders  of the  Company's  other
issued and outstanding securities under any such agreements.

          (b)  Amendments  and  Waivers.   The  provisions  of  this  Agreement,
including  the  provisions  of this  sentence,  may not be amended,  modified or
supplemented,  and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions  hereof
may not be given unless the Company has obtained the written  consent of Holders
of at  least  a  majority  in  aggregate  principal  amount  of the  outstanding
Registrable Notes affected by such amendment,  modification,  supplement, waiver
or consent;  provided,  however,  that no amendment,  modification,  supplement,
waiver or consent to any departure from the provisions of Section 5 hereof shall
be effective as against any Holder of Registrable  Notes unless  consented to in
writing by such Holder.

          (c)  Notices.  All notices and other  communications  provided  for or
permitted  hereunder  shall  be made in  writing  by  hand-delivery,  registered
first-class  mail,  telex,  telecopier,  or any courier  guaranteeing  overnight
delivery (i) if to a Holder, at the most current address given by such Holder to
the Company by means of a notice given in accordance with the provisions of this
Section  6(c),  which  address   initially  is,  with  respect  to  the  Initial
Purchasers,  the address set forth in the Purchase Agreement; and (ii) if to the
Company,  initially at the Company's address set forth in the Purchase Agreement
and  thereafter  at such other  address,  notice of which is given in accordance
with the provisions of this Section 6(c).


<PAGE>


          All such notices and communications  shall be deemed to have been duly
given:  at the time  delivered by hand, if personally  delivered;  five business
days after  being  deposited  in the mail,  postage  prepaid,  if  mailed;  when
answered back, if telexed; when receipt is acknowledged,  if telecopied;  and on
the  next  business  day if  timely  delivered  to an air  courier  guaranteeing
overnight delivery.

          Copies of all such notices,  demands, or other communications shall be
concurrently  delivered  by the person  giving the same to the  Trustee,  at the
address specified in the Indenture.

          (d) Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit
of and be binding upon the  successors,  assigns and  transferees of each of the
parties,  including,  without  limitation  and  without  the need for an express
assignment,  subsequent Holders; provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to
permit any  assignment,  transfer or other  disposition of Registrable  Notes in
violation  of the terms of the  Purchase  Agreement.  If any  transferee  of any
Holder shall acquire  Registrable Notes, in any manner,  whether by operation of
law or  otherwise,  such  Registrable  Notes shall be held subject to all of the
terms of this Agreement,  and by taking and holding such Registrable  Notes such
person shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform
all of the terms and  provisions  of this  Agreement  and such  person  shall be
entitled to receive  the  benefits  hereof.  The  Initial  Purchasers  (in their
capacity as Initial  Purchasers)  shall have no liability or  obligation  to the
Company with respect to any failure by a Holder to comply with, or any breach by
any Holder of, any of the obligations of such Holder under this Agreement.

          (e) Purchases and Sales of Notes. The Company shall not, and shall use
its best efforts to cause its  affiliates (as defined in Rule 405 under the 1933
Act) not to, purchase and then resell or otherwise transfer any Notes.

          (f)  Third  Party  Beneficiary.  The  Holders  shall  be  third  party
beneficiaries to the agreements made hereunder  between the Company,  on the one
hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and shall have the right to
enforce  such  agreements  directly  to the  extent  it deems  such  enforcement
necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights of Holders hereunder.

          (g)  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be  executed in any number of
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate  counterparts,  each of which
when so  executed  shall be  deemed  to be an  original  and all of which  taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

          (h) Headings.  The headings in this  Agreement are for  convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.


<PAGE>


          (i) Governing Law. This  Agreement  shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.

          (j) Severability.  In the event that any one or more of the provisions
contained  herein,  or the  application  thereof  in any  circumstance,  is held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable,  the validity, legality and enforceability of
any such  provision  in every  other  respect  and of the  remaining  provisions
contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.


<PAGE>



          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.



                                            KMC TELECOM HOLDINGS, INC.



                                            By:   /s/ James D. Grenfell
                                                  ------------------------
                                            Name:  JAMES D. GRENFELL
                                            Title: EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT,
                                                   CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER


Confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written:

MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
FIRST UNION CAPITAL MARKETS CORP.
CIBC WORLD MARKETS CORP.
BANCBOSTON ROBERTSON STEPHENS INC.
WASSERSTEIN PERELLA SECURITIES, INC.

By: MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED

         In its individual capacity and as representative
         of the other Initial Purchasers



         By:   /s/ Albert L. Lord
               ------------------------
         Name:  ALBERT L. LORD
         Title: VICE PRESIDENT


WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL  INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET OF KME TELECOM  HOLDINGS,  INC. AS OF SEPTEMBER  30, 1999 AND THE RELATED
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED  SEPTEMBER  30, 1999,  AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                          1

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           Dec-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                               Jan-1-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                Sep-30-1999
<CASH>                                       21,207,000
<SECURITIES>                                          0
<RECEIVABLES>                                25,905,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 (2,095,000)
<INVENTORY>                                           0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             83,218,000
<PP&E>                                      454,055,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              (27,273,000)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              697,496,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       207,341,000
<BONDS>                                     567,161,000
                       207,036,000
                                           0
<COMMON>                                          6,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 (284,948,000)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                697,496,000
<SALES>                                               0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             42,284,000
<CGS>                                                 0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                75,209,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             74,150,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                      0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           47,848,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (152,185,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                                          0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (152,185,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                       0
<CHANGES>                                             0
<NET-INCOME>                               (152,185,000)
<EPS-BASIC>                                   (228.20)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (228.20)



</TABLE>


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