As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 10, 1995
Registration No. 33-____________
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Century Telephone Enterprises, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<C> <C> <C>
Louisiana 4813 72-0651161
(State or other (Primary Standard Industrial (I.R.S. Employer
jurisdiction of incorporation Classification Code Number) Identification Number)
or organization)
</TABLE>
100 Century Park Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71203
(318) 388-9500
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of Registrant's principal executive offices)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<C> <C> <C>
HARVEY P. PERRY, ESQ.
Copy to: Senior Vice President, General Counsel Copy to:
KENNETH J. NAJDER, ESQ. and Secretary JAMES T. THOMAS, IV, ESQ.
Jones, Walker, Waechter, Century Telephone Enterprises, Inc. Brunini, Grantham, Grower
Poitevent, Carrere & Denegre, L.L.P. 100 Century Park Drive & Hewes, PLLC
201 St. Charles Avenue, 51st Floor Monroe, Louisiana 71203 1400 Trustmark Building
New Orleans, Louisiana 70170-5100 (318) 388-9500 248 East Capitol Street
(504) 582-8000 Jackson, Mississippi 39201
(601) 948-3101
</TABLE>
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
________________________
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
Upon the effective date of the merger described in this Registration Statement.
________________________
If any of the securities being registered on this form are
being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and
there is compliance with General Instruction G, please check the
following box. [ ]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
=============================================================================================================
Proposed Maximum Proposed Maximum
Title of Each Class of Amount to be Offering Price Aggregate Offering Amount of
Securities to be Registered Registered<FN1> Per Unit Price Registration Fee
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Common Stock ................... 625,000 $.054<FN2> $ 33,827<FN2> $100<FN2>
Perferred Stock Purchase Rights<FN3> 625,000 --- <FN3> --- <FN3> --- <FN3>
=============================================================================================================
</TABLE>
<FN1> In the event of a stock split, stock dividend or
similar transaction, the number of shares and rights
registered will be automatically increased in
accordance with Rule 416(a).
<FN2> Determined pursuant to Rule 457(f)(2); rounded up to
the minimum fee applicable.
<FN3> Preferred Stock Purchase Rights are attached to and
trade with the Common Stock. The value attributable
to such Rights, if any, is reflected in the market
price of the Common Stock. Because no separate
consideration is paid for such Rights, the
registration fee for such securities is included in
the fee for the Common Stock.
____________________________
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration
Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay
its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further
amendment which specifically states that this Registration
Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance
with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until
this Registration Statement shall become effective on such
date as the Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a), may
determine.
CENTURY TELEPHONE ENTERPRISES, INC.
Cross Reference Sheet
Between
Items of Form S-4 and Location in Information Statement
and Prospectus
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Item in Form S-4 Location in Prospectus
<S> <C>
1. Forepart of the Registration State-
ment and Outside Front Cover Page
of Prospecuts.......................... Facing Page; Cross Reference Sheet;
Outside Front Cover Page
2. Inside Front and Outside Back Cover
Pages of Prospectus.................... Available Information; Incorporation
of Certain Documents by Reference;
Table of Contents
3. Risk Factors, Ratio of Earnings
to Fixed Charges and Other
Information............................ Summary; Investment Considerations
4. Terms of the Transaction............... Summary; Investment Considerations;
The Merger Proposal; Comparative
Rights of Century and Mississippi-6
Shareholders
5. Pro Forma Financial Information........ *
6. Material Contracts with the Company
Being Acquired......................... *
7. Additional Information Required for
Reoffering by Persons and Parties
Deemed to be Underwriters.............. *
8. Interests of Named Experts and
Counsel................................ Legal Matters; Experts
9. Disclosure of Commission Position on
Indemnification for Securities Act
Liabilities............................ *
10. Information with Respect
to S-2 or S-3 Registrants.............. Available Information; Incorporation
Registrants of Certain Documents by
Reference; Summary; Investment
Considerations; Information About
Century; Comparative Rights of Century
and Mississippi-6 Shareholders
11. Incorporation of Certain
Information by Reference............... Incorporation of Certain Documents
by Reference
12. Information with Respect
to S-2 or S-3 Registrants.............. *
13. Incorporation of Certain
Information by Reference............... *
14. Information with Respect
to Registrants Other Than S-2 or
S-3 Registrants....................... *
15. Information with Respect
to S-3 Companies...................... *
16. Information with Respect
to S-2 or S-3 Companies............... *
17. Information with Respect
to Companies Other Than S-3 or
S-2 Companies......................... Summary; Information About
Mississippi-6; Mississippi-6
Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations; Comparative Rights of
Century and Mississippi-6
Shareholders; Index to Financial
Statements
18. Information if Proxies,
Consents or Authorizations are to
to be Solicited....................... *
19. Information if Proxies,
Consents or Authorizations are
not to be Solicited in an Exchange
Offer................................. Outside Front Cover Page; Summary;
The Special Meeting; The Merger
Offer Proposal; Information About
Mississippi-6
____________________________
* Not applicable.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI-6 CELLULAR CORPORATION
1410 LIVINGSTON LANE
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39213-8003
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS:
Notice is hereby given that a special meeting of
shareholders (the "Special Meeting") of Mississippi-6
Cellular Corporation ("Mississippi-6") will be held on June
_____, 1995 at ________ a.m. local time at
______________________________________, Jackson,
Mississippi, for the following purposes:
1. To consider and vote upon a proposal (the "Merger
Proposal") to approve the Agreement and Plan of
Merger dated as of April 18, 1995, as amended (the
"Merger Agreement"), between, among others,
Mississippi-6 and Century Telephone Enterprises,
Inc. ("Century") (and the accompanying escrow
agreement referred to below), pursuant to which,
among other things, (i) a subsidiary of Century will
be merged into Mississippi-6 (the "Merger") in a
tax-free reorganization, (ii) each outstanding share
of common stock of Mississippi-6 (the "Mississippi-6
Stock"), other than those held by shareholders who
perfect dissenters' rights under Mississippi law,
will be converted into 553.9447 shares of common
stock of Century ("Century Stock") and (iii) each
non-dissenting Mississippi-6 shareholder will agree
to assume responsibility for certain post-closing
liabilities, to hold his shares of Century Stock to
safeguard the tax-free treatment of the Merger, to
appoint David A. Bailey as his sole representative
for certain purposes specified in the Merger
Agreement and the escrow agreement to be entered
into thereunder, and to relinquish certain rights
under the current shareholders' agreement among the
Mississippi-6 shareholders, in each case on the
terms and conditions specified in the attached
Information Statement and Prospectus.
2. To transact such other business as may properly come
before the Special Meeting or any adjournment
thereof.
Only Mississippi-6 shareholders of record as of the
close of business on May _____, 1995 are entitled to notice
of and to vote at the Special Meeting.
Subject to certain exceptions and limitations described
in the attached Information Statement and Prospectus,
certain shareholders of Mississippi-6 who own approximately
62% of the outstanding shares of Mississippi-6 Stock have
agreed to vote all of their shares in favor of the Merger
Proposal (which votes in and of themselves will be
sufficient to approve the Merger Proposal).
MISSISSIPPI-6'S SHAREHOLDERS WHO OBJECT TO THE MERGER
PROPOSAL HAVE THE RIGHT TO DISSENT AND HAVE THE "FAIR VALUE"
OF THEIR STOCK PAID TO THEM IN CASH. TO PERFECT SUCH
RIGHTS, A MISSISSIPPI-6 SHAREHOLDER MUST (i) PRIOR TO THE
SPECIAL MEETING DELIVER TO MISSISSIPPI-6 A WRITTEN NOTICE
STATING AN INTENT TO DEMAND PAYMENT FOR HIS SHARES IF THE
MERGER IS EFFECTUATED, (ii) REFRAIN FROM VOTING IN FAVOR OF
THE MERGER PROPOSAL, AND (iii) OTHERWISE FOLLOW ALL OF THE
PROCEDURES SET FORTH IN THE MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS CORPORATION
ACT AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN THE ATTACHED INFORMATION
STATEMENT AND PROSPECTUS.
The Board of Directors encourages your participation at
the Special Meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors
James T. Thomas, IV, Secretary
Jackson, Mississippi
May _____, 1995
<PAGE>
CENTURY TELEPHONE ENTERPRISES, INC.
PROSPECTUS
______________
MISSISSIPPI-6 CELLULAR CORPORATION
INFORMATION STATEMENT
FOR A SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF
MISSISSIPPI-6 CELLULAR CORPORATION
TO BE HELD ON JUNE _____, 1995
Mississippi-6 Cellular Corporation ("Mississippi-6")
is furnishing this Information Statement and Prospectus to
its shareholders in connection with its Special Meeting of
Shareholders to be held on June _____, 1995 (the "Special
Meeting"). At this meeting, the shareholders of
Mississippi-6 will consider and vote upon a proposal to
approve an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of April
18, 1995, as amended, between, among others, Mississippi-6
and Century Telephone Enterprises, Inc. ("Century") (and an
accompanying escrow agreement to be entered into
thereunder), pursuant to which, among other things, (i) a
subsidiary of Century will be merged into Mississippi-6 (the
"Merger"), (ii) each outstanding share of common stock of
Mississippi-6, other than those held by shareholders who
perfect dissenters' rights under Mississippi law, will be
converted into 553.9447 shares of common stock of Century
("Century Stock") and (iii) each non-dissenting Mississippi-
6 shareholder will agree to assume certain responsibilities,
acknowledge certain appointments, abide by certain covenants
and relinquish certain rights. For further information, see
"The Merger Proposal."
Century has filed a registration statement on Form S-4
(the "Registration Statement") pursuant to the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, to register the shares of Century
Stock issuable to the Mississippi-6 shareholders in
connection with the Merger. This document constitutes an
Information Statement of Mississippi-6 in connection with
the Special Meeting and a Prospectus of Century with respect
to the Century Stock to be issued upon consummation of the
Merger. The information contained herein with respect to
Century and its subsidiaries has been supplied by Century
and the information with respect to Mississippi-6 has been
supplied by Mississippi-6.
Subject to certain exceptions, each outstanding share
of Century Stock entitles the holder to one vote unless it
has been beneficially owned by the same person or entity
continuously since May 30, 1987, in which case it generally
entitles the holder to ten votes per share until transfer.
Accordingly, each share of Century Stock offered hereby will
entitle the holder to one vote. Additionally, a preferred
stock purchase right is attached to and trades with each
share of Century Stock, including those issuable hereunder.
Century Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under
the symbol CTL. Unless the context otherwise requires, all
references to Century will include Century and its
subsidiaries.
This Information Statement and Prospectus is first
being mailed to Mississippi-6 shareholders on or about May
_____, 1995.
FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS THAT THE
MISSISSIPPI-6 SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD CONSIDER IN EVALUATING
CENTURY AND THE TRANSACTIONS DESCRIBED HEREIN, SEE
"INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS."
____________________
NEITHER CENTURY NOR MISSISSIPPI-6 IS ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY
AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND ONE TO CENTURY OR
MISSISSIPPI-6.
____________________
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE
SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON
THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT
AND PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
______________________
The date of this Information Statement and Prospectus is May _____, 1995.
<PAGE>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
Century is subject to the informational requirements
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), and, in accordance therewith, files
reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission").
Reports, proxy statements and other information filed by
Century with the Commission pursuant to the informational
requirements of the Exchange Act may be inspected and copied
at the public reference facilities maintained by the
Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549, and at the regional offices of the Commission at
the following locations: 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor,
New York, New York 10048 and 500 West Madison Street, Suite
1400, Chicago, Illinois 60621-2511. Copies of such
material may be obtained from the Public Reference Section
of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. Century Stock is listed on
the New York Stock Exchange and its reports, proxy
statements and other information may also be inspected at
the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad
Street, New York, New York 10005.
In addition to the information contained in this
Information Statement and Prospectus, further information
regarding Century and the Century Stock offered hereby is
contained in the Registration Statement and the exhibits
thereto, which may be inspected and copied at the
Commission's principal office in Washington, D.C. at the
address and in the manner indicated above.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
This Information Statement and Prospectus incorporates
by reference documents that are not presented herein or
delivered herewith. These documents are available upon
request from Harvey P. Perry, Century Telephone Enterprises,
Inc., 100 Century Park Drive, Monroe, Louisiana 71203,
telephone: (318) 388-9500. In order to insure timely
delivery of these documents, any request should be received
by June _____, 1995.
The following documents, which Century has filed with
the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act, are
incorporated herein by reference:
(a)Century's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1994.
(b)Century's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period
ended March 31, 1995.
(c)The description of Century Stock set forth in
Century's registration statement filed under the Exchange
Act (File No. 1-7784), as modified by Century's Current
Report on Form 8-K dated June 12, 1991.
All reports filed by Century with the Commission
pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c) or 14 of the Exchange Act
subsequent to the date of this Information Statement and
Prospectus and prior to the Special Meeting shall be deemed
to be incorporated by reference herein and to be made a part
hereof from their respective dates of filing. Information
appearing herein or in any document incorporated herein by
reference is not necessarily complete and is qualified in
its entirety by the information and financial statements
appearing in the documents incorporated herein by reference
and should be read together therewith. Any statements
contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded to the extent that a statement contained herein
or in any other document subsequently filed or incorporated
by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement.
Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of
this Information Statement and Prospectus.
____________________
No person is authorized to give any information or to
make any representation not contained in this Information
Statement and Prospectus, and if given or made, such
information or representation should not be relied upon as
having been authorized. This Information Statement and
Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or a
solicitation of an offer to purchase, the securities offered
hereby, in any jurisdiction in which, or to any person to
whom, it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation of
an offer. Neither the delivery of this Information
Statement and Prospectus nor any distribution of the Century
Stock offered hereby shall, under any circumstances, create
any implication that there has been no change in the affairs
of Century or Mississippi-6 since the date hereof.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Description Page
___________ ____
COVER PAGE................................................ i
AVAILABLE INFORMATION..................................... ii
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE........... ii
SUMMARY................................................... v
INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS................................. 1
Considerations Relating to the Merger................ 1
Considerations Relating to Century Stock............. 1
THE SPECIAL MEETING....................................... 2
Purpose of Special Meeting........................... 2
Record Date and Quorum............................... 3
Vote Required........................................ 3
THE MERGER PROPOSAL ...................................... 3
General Description of the Merger.................... 4
Effective Time of Merger............................. 4
Background of the Merger............................. 4
Reasons for the Merger and Recommendation............ 7
Conversion of Mississippi-6 Stock.................... 7
Post-Closing Liabilities; Escrow Agreement........... 8
Shareholders' Representative......................... 11
Agreement of Shareholders to Hold Century Stock...... 12
Termination of Shareholders' Agreement............... 13
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences.............. 13
Procedures For Receiving Merger Consideration........ 14
Other Terms of the Merger Agreement.................. 15
Termination and Amendment of Certain Agreements...... 18
Accounting Treatment................................. 18
Operations After the Merger.......................... 18
Resales of Century Stock............................. 18
Dissenting Shareholders' Rights...................... 19
INFORMATION ABOUT MISSISSIPPI-6........................... 20
Description of the Business.......................... 20
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management....................................... 23
Dividends on and Market Prices of Mississippi-6
Stock............................................ 24
MISSISSIPPI-6 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS........ 24
Background........................................... 24
Year Ended December 31, 1994 Compared to Year Ended
December 31, 1993.................................... 24
Three Months Ended March 31, 1995 Compared to Three
Months Ended March 31, 1994.......................... 26
Other Matters........................................ 27
INFORMATION ABOUT CENTURY................................. 27
General.............................................. 27
Price Range of Stock................................. 28
Selected Consolidated Operating and Financial Data... 28
COMPARATIVE RIGHTS OF CENTURY AND MISSISSIPPI-6
SHAREHOLDERS......................................... 30
Voting Rights of Common Stock........................ 30
Preferred Stock...................................... 31
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights...................... 31
Dividends, Redemptions and Stock Repurchases......... 32
Approval of Extraordinary Transactions............... 33
Liability of Directors and Officers.................. 33
Dissenters' Rights................................... 34
Inspection Rights.................................... 34
Transfer Restrictions................................ 35
Laws and Organizational Document Provisions with
Possible Antitakeover Effects..................... 35
Bylaws............................................... 38
Vacancies............................................ 39
LEGAL MATTERS............................................. 39
EXPERTS................................................... 39
INDEX TO MISSISSIPPI-6 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS............... F-1
APPENDIX A - Agreement and Plan of Merger, As Amended..... A-1
APPENDIX B - List of Mississippi-6 Shareholders as of
the Record Date........................................... B-1
APPENDIX C - Form of Escrow Agreement..................... C-1
APPENDIX D - Article 13 of the Mississippi Business
Corporation Act - Dissenters' Rights................. D-1
<PAGE>
SUMMARY
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the Merger Agreement (and the accompanying Escrow
Agreement described below), which appear as appendices to this
Information Statement and Prospectus (the "Information
Statement"), and by the more detailed information and financial
statements appearing elsewhere herein and in the documents
incorporated herein by reference.
The Special Meeting
General. A Special Meeting of Mississippi-6's
shareholders will be held on June _____, 1995 at the time and
place specified in the accompanying Notice (the "Special
Meeting"). Only holders of record of common stock of
Mississippi-6 ("Mississippi-6 Stock") at the close of business
on May _____, 1995 (the "Record Date") are entitled to notice
of and to vote at the Special Meeting.
Purpose of Special Meeting. The purpose of the Special
Meeting is to consider and vote upon a proposal (the "Merger
Proposal") to approve an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as
of April 18, 1995, as amended (the "Merger Agreement"), by and
among Century, Mississippi 6 Acquisition Corporation, a wholly-
owned subsidiary of Century ("Sub"), Mississippi-6, and certain
shareholders of Mississippi-6 who own of record approximately
62% of the outstanding Mississippi-6 Stock (the "Principal
Shareholders"), along with an accompanying escrow agreement to
be entered into thereunder (the "Escrow Agreement"). The
Merger Agreement provides, among other things, that (i) Sub
will merge into Mississippi-6 (the "Merger") in a tax-free
reorganization, (ii) each outstanding share of Mississippi-6
Stock (other than those held by shareholders who perfect
dissenters' rights under Mississippi law) will be converted
into 553.9447 shares of Century Stock and (iii) each non-
dissenting Mississippi-6 shareholder will agree to assume
responsibility for certain post-closing liabilities, to hold
his shares of Century Stock to safeguard the tax-free treatment
of the Merger, to appoint David A. Bailey (the "Shareholders'
Representative") as his sole representative for certain
purposes specified in the Merger Agreement and Escrow
Agreement, and to relinquish certain rights under the current
shareholders' agreement among the Mississippi-6 shareholders,
in each case on the terms and conditions specified herein. See
"The Special Meeting - Purpose of Special Meeting" and "The
Merger Proposal."
Vote Required. Approval of the Merger Proposal requires
the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the total
voting power of the Mississippi-6 Stock. Pursuant to the
Merger Agreement, the Principal Shareholders, who as of the
Record Date owned of record shares of Mississippi-6 Stock
entitling them to cast approximately 62% of Mississippi-6's
total voting power (which votes are in and of themselves
sufficient to approve the Merger Proposal without the vote of
any other Mississippi-6 shareholder), have agreed to vote all
their shares of Mississippi-6 Stock in favor of the Merger
Proposal, unless (i) between April 18, 1995 and the date of the
Special Meeting there has been a material adverse change in
Century, which is defined in the Merger Agreement to exclude,
among other things, decreases in the trading price of Century
Stock that do not relate to events or conditions affecting
Century, or (ii) the Merger Agreement has been terminated in
accordance with its terms. For additional information
(including information on the number of shares beneficially
owned by the directors, executive officers and certain
principal shareholders of Mississippi-6), see "The Special
Meeting - Vote Required."
The Merger Proposal
Effective Time of Merger. The Merger will become
effective when the parties file with the Secretary of State of
Mississippi a certificate of merger (such date and time of
filing being hereinafter referred to as the "Effective Date"
and the "Effective Time"). The parties intend to schedule a
closing (the "Closing") to consummate the Merger immediately
after the Special Meeting and to file the certificate of merger
on the same date. See "The Merger Proposal - Effective Time of
Merger."
Background of the Merger. The Merger Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereunder were approved on April 14,
1995 by the Board of Directors of Mississippi-6 following the
solicitation of acquisition offers from Century and other
prospective buyers by Mississippi-6's management. For a more
complete discussion of the background of the Merger Proposal
(including the opposition to the Merger Proposal of
Mississippi-6's President) see "The Merger Proposal -
Background of the Merger."
Recommendation of the Board of Directors. FOR THE
REASONS SPECIFIED UNDER "THE MERGER PROPOSAL - REASONS FOR THE
MERGER AND RECOMMENDATION," THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
MISSISSIPPI-6 RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHODLERS OF MISSISSIPPI-6
VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE MERGER PROPOSAL.
Conversion of Mississippi-6 Stock. At the Effective
Time, each outstanding share of Mississippi-6 Stock (other than
shares held by shareholders who perfect dissenters' rights
under Mississippi law) will be converted into 553.9447 shares
of Century Stock (the "Conversion Ratio"). In lieu of
receiving fractional shares of Century Stock, holders of
Mississippi-6 Stock will receive a cash payment (without
interest), calculated as described elsewhere herein. The
shares of Century Stock issuable in connection with the Merger
and the cash payable in lieu of fractional shares is sometimes
referred to herein as the "Merger Consideration."
Under the Merger Agreement, each non-dissenting
shareholder of Mississippi-6 as of the Effective Time
(collectively, the "Shareholders") will be required to pay his
pro rata share of any liabilities that may be asserted after
the Effective Time in connection with (i) any indemnity claims
made by Century or certain of its affiliates ("Century
Indemnitees") pursuant to the Merger Agreement, (ii) any post-
closing adjustment to the Conversion Ratio that reduces the
Merger Consideration, (iii) costs associated with tax audits
relating to taxable periods ending on or before the Effective
Date, (iv) the incurrence of certain expenses by the Escrow
Agent (as defined below) and (v) the incurrence of certain
expenses by the Shareholders' Representative (collectively,
"Post-Closing Liabilities"). At the Closing, 27,697 shares of
Century Stock, which represents 5% of the aggregate number of
shares of Century Stock issuable in connection with the Merger,
will be placed in escrow pursuant to the terms of the Escrow
Agreement described below. For further information, see "The
Merger Proposal - Post-Closing Liabilities; Escrow Agreement."
Post-Closing Liabilities; Escrow Agreement. Subject to
certain limitations, deductibles, conditions and procedures
described herein, the Merger Agreement provides that the
Shareholders will, on a pro rata basis, severally indemnify the
Century Indemnitees for post-closing losses resulting from any
(i) breaches of certain representations, warranties and
covenants of Mississippi-6 and the Principal Shareholders, (ii)
breaches of the covenants to be made by the Shareholders by
virtue of their execution of the Letter of Authorization mailed
in conjunction with this Information Statement ("Letter of
Authorization") and (iii) claims made by former shareholders
relating to any act or omission of Mississippi-6 prior to the
Effective Date. In addition, Century will be obligated to
indemnify the Shareholders and their heirs from and against
losses that may be asserted after the Effective Time in
connection with breaches of certain representations, warranties
or covenants of Century.
If it is determined that the Shareholders are obligated
to indemnify any Century Indemnitee for losses, each
Shareholder will be severally liable for such loss in
accordance with his respective pro rata ownership interest of
Mississippi-6 Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time.
In the event the shares held in escrow are insufficient to
compensate for the loss, the Century Indemnitees will be free
to pursue any or all of the Shareholders directly for their
respective pro rata share of the remainder.
After the Closing, the Merger Consideration will be
adjusted to reflect the parties' final calculation of the
Conversion Ratio. If the Conversion Ratio disclosed in this
Information Statement (which is based on current estimates of
Mississippi-6's Net Indebtedness described elsewhere herein)
exceeds the final calculation of the Conversion Ratio, then all
Shareholders will be required to refund the difference to
Century, and if the Conversion Ratio disclosed herein is less
than the final calculation of the Conversion Ratio, then
Century will be required to deliver to the Escrow Agent shares
of Century Stock ("Excess Shares") equal in value to the
shortfall. Amounts payable by the Shareholders will be
discharged by returning escrow shares to Century in the manner
described elsewhere herein. In the unlikely event that the
escrow shares are insufficient to reimburse Century fully,
Century will be free to pursue all or any of the Shareholders
directly for their respective pro rata share of the shortfall.
As described above, at the Closing Century will deliver
27,697 shares of Century Stock to Regions Bank of Louisiana,
Monroe, Louisiana (the "Escrow Agent"), which will hold these
shares and any subsequently delivered Excess Shares
(collectively, the "Escrow Shares") in accordance with the
Escrow Agreement to be entered into at the Closing. By virtue
of the approval of the Merger Proposal at the Special Meeting,
each Shareholder will be deemed to have agreed to all of the
terms and conditions of the Escrow Agreement (which agreement
will be confirmed by each such Shareholder by execution of the
Letter of Authorization).
Prior to the expiration of the Escrow Agreement, Escrow
Shares may be used to discharge the Shareholders' obligations
for any Post-Closing Liabilities other than those owed to the
Shareholders' Representative. Subject to certain exceptions,
the Shareholders' Post-Closing Liability will be discharged by
transferring to Century Escrow Shares having a value
(determined in a manner described elsewhere herein) as nearly
equal as possible to such liability.
In the absence of unresolved claims under the Merger
Agreement, the Escrow Agent will release one-half of the Escrow
Shares then remaining in escrow to the Shareholders'
Representative on the 12-month anniversary of the Effective
Date and one-half of the remaining shares six months later.
Unless extended in connection with an unresolved claim, the
Escrow Agreement will terminate on the 24-month anniversary of
the Effective Date, at which time all remaining shares of
Century Stock not subject to an unresolved claim will be
released to the Shareholders' Representative. The
Shareholders' Representative will be responsible for
distributing all Escrow Shares released to him to the
Shareholders on a pro rata basis. No assurance can be given
that any Escrow Shares will remain on the 12-, 18- or 24-month
anniversary dates. Subject to certain limited exceptions, the
contingent right of each Shareholder to receive such
distributions shall be nontransferable.
In the event the Shareholders become obligated to any
claimant for any Post-Closing Liability in an amount that
exceeds the value of the remaining Escrow Shares or any Post-
Closing Liability as to which Escrow Shares are unavailable,
the claimant may proceed against any or all of the Shareholders
to collect the remaining amount owed. Although no Shareholder
will be obligated to pay more than his pro rata share of any
such liability, there are no limitations on the amount that a
Shareholder may be obligated to pay in connection with Post-
Closing Liabilities. Moreover, the release of Escrow Shares to
the Shareholders on the 12-, 18- and 24-month anniversaries of
the Effective Date will not eliminate or reduce the
Shareholders' obligations to pay Post-Closing Liabilities that
may arise at a later date. Each claimant will be free to
pursue any or all of the Shareholders in its sole discretion,
and the refusal or inability of a Shareholder to discharge his
Post-Closing Liability will not excuse any other Shareholder
from his Post-Closing Liability.
For additional information, see "The Merger Proposal -
Post-Closing Liabilities; Escrow Agreement."
Shareholders' Representative. By virtue of the approval
of the Merger Proposal at the Special Meeting, each Shareholder
will be deemed to have appointed David A. Bailey to serve as
his sole Shareholders' Representative with respect to the
matters set forth in the Merger Agreement and the Escrow
Agreement, including pursuing, defending, collecting and
settling adjustments to the Merger Consideration and
indemnification claims. For more information on David A.
Bailey and his rights and duties under the Merger Agreement and
the Escrow Agreement, see "The Merger Proposal - Shareholders'
Representative."
Agreement of Shareholders to Hold Century Stock. In
order to safeguard the tax-free treatment of the Merger, the
Merger Agreement obligates the Shareholders to hold as a group
sufficient amounts of Century Stock for a sufficient duration
to satisfy certain "continuity of interest" requirements
described further below. Prior to the Closing, Mississippi-6
intends to solicit the Mississippi-6 shareholders to execute an
agreement obligating each of them to hold at least one-half of
the shares of Century Stock issued to them in connection with
the Merger for at least two years after the Effective Date.
See "The Merger Proposal - Agreement of Shareholders to Hold
Century Stock."
Termination of Shareholders' Agreement. Mississippi-6
and Century have agreed to take certain actions designed to
terminate substantially all of the provisions of the
shareholders' agreement dated January 1, 1995 among the
Mississippi-6 shareholders. See "The Merger Proposal -
Termination of Shareholders' Agreement."
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences. The Merger will
have the following principal federal income tax consequences,
which represent the views of Mississippi-6:
(i) The Merger has been structured to constitute a tax-
free reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and, as
a result, no gain or loss will be recognized by the
shareholders of Mississippi-6 who receive Century Stock in
exchange for their shares of Mississippi-6 Stock;
(ii) The payment of cash to Mississippi-6 shareholders
in lieu of fractional shares of Century Stock will be accorded
sale or exchange treatment under Section 302 of the Code; and
(iii) Any Mississippi-6 shareholder who exercises his
rights under Mississippi law to dissent to the Merger will be
treated as if his shares were redeemed.
NEITHER CENTURY NOR MISSISSIPPI-6 HAS SOUGHT OR RECEIVED
AN OPINION OF TAX COUNSEL OR OTHER TAX EXPERT REGARDING THE TAX
CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT EACH
SHAREHOLDER CONSULT HIS OWN TAX ADVISOR CONCERNING THE
APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF
THE MERGER. For further discussion regarding the foregoing,
see "The Merger Proposal - Certain Federal Income Tax
Consequences."
Procedures for Receiving Merger Consideration. In
connection with the mailing of this Information Statement, each
Mississippi-6 shareholder has been furnished with a Letter of
Authorization for use in authorizing the surrender of their
certificates representing Mississippi-6 Stock. Immediately
following the Effective Time, KeyCorp Shareholder Services,
Inc., Dallas, Texas (the "Exchange Agent"), will deliver to
each Mississippi-6 shareholder, upon such shareholder's
delivery to the Exchange Agent of a duly completed Letter of
Authorization, the Merger Consideration payable to such
shareholder under the terms and conditions of the Merger
Agreement. The execution of the Letter of Authorization by
each Shareholder will constitute such Shareholder's
acknowledgement that he will be bound by certain of the terms
and conditions of the Merger Agreement and Escrow Agreement,
each of which are described elsewhere herein. Each
Mississippi-6 shareholder is encouraged to promptly complete
and return the enclosed Letter of Authorization in order that
the Merger Consideration may be distributed as soon as
practicable after the Effective Time. See "The Merger Proposal
- Procedures for Receiving Merger Consideration."
Other Terms of the Merger Agreement. On May ______,
1995, the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") granted an
order approving the transactions contemplated by the Merger.
Under the Merger Agreement, Century is not obligated to
consummate the Merger until this order becomes final and non-
appealable upon the expiration of a 40-day public notice period
ending on ____________________, 1995. In addition to receipt
of regulatory and shareholder approvals and several other
customary closing conditions, Century's obligation to
consummate the Merger is subject to, among other things, (i)
the aggregate Mississippi-6 Stock held by dissenting
Mississippi-6 shareholders being no more than 10% of all such
stock immediately prior to the Effective Time, (ii) the absence
of a material adverse change with respect to Mississippi-6, and
(iii) the termination of a services agreement between
Mississippi-6 and a company affiliated with it, the execution
and delivery of a transitional services agreement between
Mississippi-6 and such affiliated company, and the amendment of
a billing contract to which Mississippi-6 is a party. No
assurance can be given that the conditions to either party's
obligation to consummate the Merger can or will be satisfied or
waived. See "The Merger Proposal - Other Terms of the Merger
Agreement -- Regulatory Approvals and Other Closing
Conditions."
Mississippi-6 and the Principal Shareholders have agreed,
unless the Board of Directors of Mississippi-6 makes a
Fiduciary Determination (as defined below), to refrain from
soliciting or encouraging any acquisition proposal relating to
Mississippi-6 or engaging in discussions or negotiations with,
or furnishing any information to, any person that is
considering making an acquisition proposal. Mississippi-6 has
agreed to pay Century a termination fee of 5% of the value of
the Merger Consideration if, following the receipt of an
unsolicited bona fide acquisition proposal, the Merger
Agreement is terminated by Mississippi-6 as a result of a
Fiduciary Determination by the Board of Directors of
Mississippi-6. Prior to such termination, Century will be
permitted to match such acquisition proposal for a period of
five business days. The termination fee could have the effect
of discouraging a third party from pursuing an acquisition
proposal involving Mississippi-6. See "The Merger Proposal -
Other Terms of the Merger Agreement -- Non-Solicitation;
Termination Fee."
The Merger Agreement may be amended at any time before or
after its approval by Mississippi-6's shareholders, subject to
applicable law. Subject to certain exceptions, any party may
waive compliance with, among other things, any of its
conditions to consummate the Merger. The Merger Agreement may
be terminated at any time prior to the Effective Time by (i)
the mutual consent of the parties, (ii) Century or Mississippi-
6 upon the occurrence or non-occurrence of certain specified
events, including a material breach by a party of any
representations, warranties or covenants that is not or cannot
be cured within 15 days after written notice of such breach,
(iii) Mississippi-6 if the Board of Directors of Mississippi-6
makes a Fiduciary Determination upon receipt of an unsolicited
bona fide acquisition proposal, or (iv) Century if any
objection made by it prior to June 17, 1995 in connection with
its due diligence review of Mississippi-6 is not cured or
waived. See "The Merger Proposal - Other Terms of the Merger
Agreement -- Amendment, Waiver and Termination."
Dissenting Shareholders' Rights. BY REFRAINING FROM
VOTING IN FAVOR OF THE MERGER PROPOSAL AND COMPLYING WITH
VARIOUS OTHER PRE- AND POST CLOSING PROCEDURES THAT ARE
REQUIRED BY ARTICLE 13 OF THE MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS CORPORAITON
ACT AND DESCRIBED UNDER "THE MERGER PROPOSAL - DISSENTING
SHAREHOLDERS' RIGHTS," SHAREHOLDERS OF MISSISSIPPI-6 WILL HAVE
THE RIGHT TO DISSENT TO THE MERGER, IN WHICH EVENT, IF THE
MERGER IS CONSUMMATED, THEY WILL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE, IN
LIEU OF THE MERGER CONSIDERATION PAYABLE UNDER THE MERGER
AGREEMENT, A CASH PAYMENT EQUAL TO THE "FAIR VALUE" OF THEIR
RESPECTIVE SHARES OF MISSISSIPPI-6 STOCK, WHICH WILL BE
DETERMINED BY MISSISSIPPI-6 AND SUCH SHAREHOLDER AFTER THE
EFFECTIVE DATE OR, IN THE ABSENCE OF AGREEMENT BY SUCH PARTIES,
WILL BE DETERMINED BY JUDICIAL APPRAISAL. THE EXERCISE OF
THESE RIGHTS COULD RESULT IN A JUDICIAL DETERMINATION THAT THE
FAIR VALUE OF A DISSENTING SHAREHOLDER'S SHARES IS HIGHER OR
LOWER THAT THE VALUE OF THE MERGER CONSIDERATION PAYABLE TO
NON-DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS IN CONNECTION WITH THE MERGER.
SHAREHOLDERS WHO OPPOSE THE MERGER ARE URGED TO READ "THE
MERGER PROPOSAL - DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS' RIGHTS" IN ITS
ENTIRETY.
Interests of Certain Persons
Prior to and after the Closing, Mississippi-6 will make
certain payments to an affiliated company that provides
cellular management services to Mississippi-6 and other
cellular companies. See "The Merger Proposal - Termination and
Amendment of Certain Agreements."
Century and Mississippi-6
Century. Century is a regional diversified
telecommunications company that is primarily engaged in
providing local telephone and cellular mobile telephone
services largely in the central north-south corridor of the
United States. During 1994, telephone operations provided 72%
of Century's consolidated revenues, with mobile communications
operations providing the balance. Century's principal
executive offices are located at 100 Century Park Drive,
Monroe, Louisiana, 71203, and its telephone number is (318)
388-9500. See "Information About Century."
Mississippi-6. Mississippi-6 owns and operates a non-
wireline cellular telephone system servicing an eight-county
rural area in central Mississippi northeast of Jackson,
Mississippi, which has been designated by the FCC as the
"Mississippi-6-Montgomery" Rural Service Area (the "RSA"). The
day-to-day operations of the system are managed by an affiliate
of Mississippi-6. Mississippi-6's principal executive offices
are located at 1410 Livingston Lane, Jackson, Mississippi,
39213-8003 and its telephone number is (601) 362-2200. See
"Information About Mississippi-6."
Market Prices
On April 17, 1995 (the trading day preceding the
execution of the Merger Agreement) and on May _____, 1995 (the
day preceding the date of this Information Statement), the
closing per share sales price of Century Stock, as reported on
the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape, was $29-7/8 and
$________, respectively. NO ASSURANCE CAN BE GIVEN AS TO THE
MARKET PRICE OF CENTURY STOCK ON THE EFFECTIVE DATE. BECAUSE
THE MARKET PRICE OF CENTURY STOCK MAY INCREASE OR DECREASE, YOU
ARE URGED TO OBTAIN CURRENT MARKET QUOTATIONS. See
"Information About Century - Price Range of Stock." The
Mississippi-6 Stock is not traded in any established public
market.
Comparative Per Share Data
Set forth below with respect to the Century Stock and
Mississippi-6 Stock is certain unaudited per fully diluted
common share data presented on a historical, pro forma
consolidated and pro forma equivalent basis. The information
set forth below should be read in conjunction with Century's
financial statements incorporated herein by reference and
Mississippi-6's financial statements included elsewhere herein.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
As of or for As of or for
Year Ended Three Months Ended
December 31, 1994 March 31, 1995
_________________ __________________
<S> <C> <C>
Century Stock<FN1>
Book value
Historical $12.09 $13.49
Pro forma consolidated<FN1> $12.09 $13.49
Cash dividends
Historical $.32 $.0825
Pro forma consolidated<FN1> $.32 $.0825
Net income
Historical $1.80 $.47
Pro forma consolidated<FN1> $1.80 $.47
Mississippi-6 Stock
Book value
Historical $145.98 $33.83
Pro forma equivalent<FN2> $6,697.19 $7,472.71
Cash dividends
Historical -0- -0-
Pro forma equivalent<FN2> $177.26 $45.70
Net income (loss)
Historical $(120.23) $(112.15)
Pro forma equivalent<FN2> $997.10 $260.35
__________________
</TABLE>
<FN1> Because pro forma financial information is not required
to be presented herein in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the Commission, Century's historical
amounts have also been reflected as pro forma
consolidated amounts.
<FN2> Calculated by multiplying the Century historical amounts
by the Conversion Ratio of 553.9447. This Conversion
Ratio is subject to adjustment after the Effective Date.
See "The Merger Proposal - Post-Closing Liabilities;
Escrow Agreement -- Post-Closing Adjustment of Merger
Consideration."
Investment Considerations
For a discussion of certain investment considerations
associated with the Merger Proposal, see "Investment
Considerations."
___________________
All share and per share data relating to the Century
Stock contained in this Information Statement has been adjusted
for a stock split effected as a 50% stock dividend distributed
in December 1992. When used herein with respect to any
particular entity, the term "pop" means the population of a
licensed cellular telephone market multiplied by such entity's
proportionate equity interest in the licensed operator thereof.
Unless otherwise defined in the following pages, capitalized
terms used herein will have the meanings ascribed in pages i to
xi hereof. Certain key terms have been defined in multiple
locations.
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS
Shareholders of Mississippi-6 should consider the
following investment considerations in determining whether to
vote in favor of the Merger Proposal and to acquire the Century
Stock offered by this Information Statement.
Considerations Relating to the Merger
Agreement by Principal Shareholders to Vote for the
Merger Proposal. The Principal Shareholders own of record
approximately 62% of the outstanding Mississippi-6 Stock, which
enables them to control Mississippi-6. Subject to certain
exceptions and limitations described herein, the Principal
Shareholders have agreed to vote all of their shares in favor
of the Merger Proposal, which votes in and of themselves will
be sufficient to approve the Merger Proposal. See "The Special
Meeting - Vote Required." For a discussion of the rights of
Mississippi-6 shareholders to dissent to the Merger Proposal,
see "The Merger Proposal - Dissenting Shareholders' Rights."
Post-Closing Liabilities; Escrow Agreement. Under the
Merger Agreement, each Shareholder will be required to pay his
pro rata share of any liabilities that may be asserted after
the Effective Time in connection with (i) any indemnity claims
made by Century or its affiliates pursuant to the Merger
Agreement, (ii) any post-closing adjustment to the Conversion
Ratio that reduces the Merger Consideration, (iii) costs
associated with tax audits relating to taxable periods ending
on or before the Effective Date, (iv) the incurrence of certain
expenses by the Escrow Agent and (v) the incurrence of certain
expenses by the Shareholders' Representative (collectively,
"Post-Closing Liabilities"). At the Closing, 27,697 shares of
Century Stock, which represents 5% of the aggregate number of
shares of Century Stock issuable in connection with the Merger,
will be placed in escrow pursuant to the terms of the Escrow
Agreement. In the event the Shareholders become obligated to
any claimant for any Post-Closing Liability in an amount that
exceeds the value of the remaining Escrow Shares, the claimant
may proceed against any or all Shareholders to collect their
respective pro rata share of the shortfall. See "The Merger
Proposal - Post-Closing Liabilities; Escrow Agreement."
Restrictions on Transferability. In order to safeguard
the tax-free treatment of the Merger, the Merger Agreement
obligates the Shareholders as a group to hold sufficient
amounts of Century Stock for a sufficient duration to satisfy
certain "continuity of interest" requirements. Prior to
Closing, Mississippi-6 intends to solicit the Mississippi-6
shareholders to execute an agreement obligating each of them to
hold at least one-half of the shares of Century Stock issued to
them in connection with the Merger for at least two years after
the Closing Date. See "The Merger Proposal - Agreement of
Shareholders to Hold Century Stock." For a discussion of
certain additional restrictions on resales of Century Stock by
affiliates of Mississippi-6 under the federal securities laws,
see "The Merger Proposal - Resales of Century Stock."
Views of Mississippi-6's President. William M. Mounger,
II, the President and a director of Mississippi-6, voted
against ratification of a preliminary agreement with Century at
a March 28, 1995 meeting of the Board of Directors of
Mississippi-6, and has advised that he intends to vote against
the Merger Proposal at the Special Meeting. For further
information on Mr. Mounger's views, see "The Merger Proposal -
Background of the Merger."
Considerations Relating to Century Stock
Events Affecting the Telecommunications Industry. The
telecommunications industry is currently undergoing various
regulatory, competitive and technological changes that make it
impossible to determine the form or degree of future regulation
and competition affecting Century's telephone and mobile
communications operations. The FCC and a number of state
regulatory commissions have begun to reduce the regulatory
oversight of local exchange telephone companies ("LECs").
Coincident with this movement toward reduced regulation is the
introduction and encouragement of local exchange competition by
the FCC, various state regulatory commissions and others.
These changes have accelerated the growth of certain companies
providing competitive access and other services that compete
with LECs' services and led to the announcement by certain
interexchange carriers and cable television companies of their
desire to enter the local telephone business, particularly in
larger markets. Wireless telephone services are also expected
to increasingly compete with LECs. The FCC has recently
allocated additional frequency spectrum for mobile
communications technologies that will or may be competitive
with cellular, including Personal Communications Services (for
which the FCC began to auction operating licenses in late 1994)
and mobile satellite services. The FCC has also authorized
certain specialized mobile radio service licensees to configure
their systems so as to operate in a manner similar to cellular
systems. Some of these licensees have announced their
intention to create a nationwide mobile communications system
to compete with cellular systems. In addition, in connection
with the well-publicized convergence of telecommunications,
cable, video, computer and entertainment businesses, several
large companies have announced plans to offer products that
would significantly enhance current communications and data
transmission services and, in some instances, introduce new
two-way video, entertainment, data, consumer and other
multimedia services.
In 1994 the United States House of Representatives passed
two telecommunications bills that proposed to substantially
alter the regulatory framework of the telecommunications
industry by, among other things, promoting local exchange
competition and removing certain barriers of entry to several
lines of telecommunications businesses. A companion bill
failed to pass in the United States Senate. Legislation is
being considered in 1995 that, among other things, may promote
competition and deregulation to a greater degree than the bills
that passed the House in 1994.
Developing Cellular Industry; Value Associated With
Cellular Operations. The cellular industry has a relatively
limited operating history, and there continues to be
uncertainty regarding its future. Among other factors, there
is uncertainty regarding (i) the continued growth in the number
of customers, (ii) the usage and pricing of cellular services,
particularly as market penetration and competition increase,
(iii) the number of customers who will terminate service each
month, and (iv) the impact of changes in technology, regulation
and competition (see "-- Events Affecting the
Telecommunications Industry").
The market value of cellular interests is frequently
expressed on the basis of the number of pops owned by a
cellular provider. The population of a particular cellular
market, however, does not necessarily bear a direct
relationship to the number of subscribers or the revenues that
may be realized from the operation of the related cellular
system. The future market value of Century's cellular
interests will depend on, among other things, the success of
its cellular operations.
Other Considerations. For further information on
regulatory, competitive and technological changes affecting
Century's cellular and telephone operations, see the documents
filed by Century pursuant to the Exchange Act that are
incorporated by reference herein. See "Incorporation of
Certain Documents by Reference" and "Available Information."
THE SPECIAL MEETING
This Information Statement has been furnished in
connection with the special meeting of Mississippi-6's
shareholders to be held at the time and place specified in the
accompanying Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders, and at
any adjournments thereof (the "Special Meeting"). Only holders
of record of Mississippi-6 Stock at the close of business on
the Record Date are entitled to notice of and to vote at the
Special Meeting.
Purpose of Special Meeting
The purpose of the Special Meeting is to consider and
vote upon a proposal (the "Merger Proposal") to approve the
Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of April 18, 1995, as
amended (the "Merger Agreement"), by and among Century, Sub,
Mississippi-6, and David A. Bailey, Dwight S. Bailey, JoAnn
Bailey, Lori A. Bailey, James T. Thomas, IV, Sanford C. Thomas
and Wirt A. Yerger, III, who in the aggregate own of record
approximately 62% of the outstanding Mississippi-6 Stock (the
"Principal Shareholders"), along with the accompanying Escrow
Agreement. The Merger Agreement provides, among other things,
that (i) Sub will merge with and into Mississippi-6 (the
"Merger") in a transaction structured as a tax-free
reorganization, (ii) each outstanding share of Mississippi-6
Stock (other than those held by shareholders who perfect
dissenters' rights under Mississippi law) will be converted
into 553.9447 shares of Century Stock and (iii) each non-
dissenting Mississippi-6 shareholder will agree to assume
responsibility for certain post-closing liabilities, to hold
his shares of Century Stock to safeguard the tax-free treatment
of the Merger, to appoint David A. Bailey (the "Shareholders'
Representative") as his sole representative for certain
purposes specified in the Merger Agreement and Escrow
Agreement, and to relinquish certain rights under the current
shareholders' agreement among the Mississippi-6 shareholders,
in each case on the terms and conditions specified herein. See
"The Special Meeting - Purpose of Special Meeting" and "The
Merger Proposal."
Record Date and Quorum
Mississippi-6's Board of Directors has set the Record
Date as the date to determine those record holders of
Mississippi-6 Stock entitled to notice of and to vote at the
Special Meeting. On that date there was outstanding 1,000
shares of Mississippi-6 Stock, each of which is entitled to one
vote with respect to each matter to be voted upon at the
Special Meeting.
Mississippi-6's Bylaws provide that the holders of a
majority of the issued and outstanding Mississippi-6 Stock must
attend the Special Meeting in person or be duly represented by
proxy in order for a quorum to be properly constituted at such
meeting.
Vote Required
Approval of the Merger Proposal requires the affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority of the total voting power of
the Mississippi-6 Stock. Abstaining with respect to the Merger
Proposal will have the same effect as a negative vote.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Principal Shareholders,
who as of the Record Date owned of record shares of
Mississippi-6 Stock entitling them to cast approximately 62% of
Mississippi-6's total voting power (which votes are in and of
themselves sufficient to approve the Merger Proposal without
the vote of any other Mississippi-6 shareholder), have agreed
to vote all their shares of Mississippi-6 Stock in favor of the
Merger Proposal, unless (i) between April 18, 1995 and the date
of the Special Meeting there has been a material adverse change
in Century, which is defined in the Merger Agreement to
exclude, among other things, decreases in the trading price of
Century Stock that do not relate to events or conditions
affecting Century, or (ii) the Merger Agreement has been
terminated in accordance with its terms. After taking into
account shares registered in the names of immediate family
members of certain of the Principal Shareholders, as of the
Record Date the Principal Shareholders beneficially owned
(determined in accordance with the federal securities laws)
approximately 66.7% of the Mississippi-6 Stock. See
"Information About Mississippi-6 - Security Ownership of
Certain Beneficial Owners and Management."
Directors and executive officers of Mississippi-6
beneficially own approximately 62% of the Mississippi-6 Stock.
Each of these individuals has advised Mississippi-6 that he
intends to vote in favor of the Merger Proposal, other than
William M. Mounger, II, who intends to vote against the Merger
Proposal. For information concerning the amount of
Mississippi-6 Stock beneficially owned by Mississippi-6's
directors, executive officers and certain shareholders, see
"Information About Mississippi-6 - Security Ownership of
Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" and for additional
information regarding the views of Mr. Mounger, see "The Merger
Proposal - Background of the Merger."
Neither the laws of Louisiana, the jurisdiction in which
Century is incorporated, nor the rules of the New York Stock
Exchange require that the Merger Agreement or the issuance of
Century Stock thereunder be approved by the Century
shareholders.
NEITHER CENTURY NOR MISSISSIPPI-6 IS ASKING ANY
MISSISSIPPI-6 SHAREHODLER FOR A PROXY AND ALL SUCH SHAREHOLDERS
ARE REQUESTED TO REFRAIN FROM SENDING ONE TO CENTURY OR
MISSISSIPPI-6.
THE MERGER PROPOSAL
Consummation of the Merger will be effected in accordance
with the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger
Agreement. The following brief description of the Merger
Agreement and the Merger does not purport to be complete and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement,
a copy of which is attached hereto as Appendix A and is
incorporated herein by reference.
For a description of the rights of shareholders to
dissent to the Merger Proposal under Mississippi law, see "-
Dissenting Shareholders' Rights." Hereinafter, shareholders of
Mississippi-6 who perfect their dissenters' rights under
Mississippi law are occasionally referred to as "dissenting
shareholders" and all other shareholders are occasionally
referred to as "non-dissenting shareholders."
General Description of the Merger
The Merger Agreement provides that at the Effective Time
(i) Sub will merge into Mississippi-6, with Mississippi-6
becoming the surviving corporation and a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Century and (ii) each outstanding share of
Mississippi-6 Stock held by non-dissenting shareholders will be
converted into 553.9447 shares of Century Stock (the
"Conversion Ratio"). Under the Merger Agreement, each non-
dissenting shareholder will be required to pay his pro rata
share of certain liabilities that may be asserted after the
Effective Time, including any indemnity claims by Century and
its affiliates and any post-closing adjustments of the
Conversion Ratio that reduce the Merger Consideration. See "-
Conversion of Mississippi-6 Stock."
Based upon the number of shares of Century Stock and
Mississippi-6 Stock outstanding as of the Record Date,
approximately 59.0 million shares of Century Stock will be
outstanding immediately following the Effective Time, of which
approximately 554,000 shares (.9%) will be held by or on behalf
of the former holders of Mississippi-6 Stock.
Effective Time of Merger
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Merger
Agreement, the Merger will become effective at the time the
parties file with the Secretary of State of Mississippi a
certificate of merger (such date and time being hereinafter
referred to as the "Effective Date" and "Effective Time"). The
Merger Agreement contemplates that the parties will schedule a
closing (the "Closing") to consummate the Merger which shall be
no later than the tenth business day following the date upon
which the last to occur of the conditions to the parties'
obligations is fulfilled or duly waived. The parties intend to
hold the Closing and file the certificate of merger immediately
after the Special Meeting (the "Closing Date"). See "- Other
Terms of the Merger Agreement -- Regulatory Approvals and Other
Closing Conditions."
Background of the Merger
Formation of Mississippi-6. Mississippi-6 was organized
as a privately-held corporation in November 1990 to purchase
for $2.2 million the FCC non-wireline license that entitles the
holder to construct and operate a cellular telephone system
serving the RSA. Mississippi-6 was organized by the principals
of Mercury Communications Company ("Mercury"), a privately-held
corporation formed in August 1990 to manage cellular systems.
During late 1990 and early 1991, the principals of Mercury
contributed approximately 10% of Mississippi-6's initial
capitalization of $2.4 million, and obtained the balance from
business associates and friends. The purpose of the group's
investment was to participate in the cellular growth potential
of the RSA. At the time of investment, the investor group
understood that Mercury would manage Mississippi-6's cellular
system and that financing constraints would limit Mississippi-
6's ability to engage in any business other than holding its
FCC license. For additional information regarding Mississippi-
6 and Mercury, see "Information About Mississippi-6."
Events Leading Up to Decision to Sell. Since the
organization of Mississippi-6 in late 1990, management has been
principally engaged in providing for the financing,
construction and operation of Mississippi-6's cellular
telephone system. Although Mississippi-6's management has from
time to time reviewed the company's potential for growth and
expansion, pursuit of these alternatives has been limited by
financing and capital constraints. Beginning in 1991,
Mississippi-6's lenders have required the pledge of
substantially all of Mississippi-6's assets and all of the
Mississippi-6 Stock. These financing arrangements have
hindered other financing opportunities and significantly
limited the liquidity of the Mississippi-6 Stock. Moreover,
Mississippi-6's principal shareholders have from time to time
expressed an interest in maximizing the value of their
investment through a sale or business combination, and have
periodically instructed management to monitor the conditions
under which shareholder value could be maximized.
During 1994, several of the principal shareholders of
Mississippi-6 concluded that management should actively explore
the possibility of a sale or business combination. On
September 30, 1994 the Board of Directors authorized Wirt A.
Yerger, III, Vice President of Mississippi-6, and William M.
Mounger, II, President and a director of Mississippi-6, to
attempt to sell Mississippi-6 prior to November 17, 1994 for at
least $150 per pop, which was understood to be a "gross"
purchase price target that did not reflect any reductions that
might be requested by a potential purchaser to compensate it
for assuming Mississippi-6's indebtedness. These decisions by
the principal shareholders and the Board were motivated
principally by a desire to enhance the diversification and
liquidity of the shareholders' investment. Accordingly,
management focused in particular on pursuing business
combinations in which the Mississippi-6 shareholders could
receive publicly-traded shares of a larger telecommunications
company, preferably in a tax-free reorganization.
Solicitation of Potential Purchasers. Beginning in early
October 1994, Mr. Yerger began contacting telecommunications
companies believed to have a possible interest in acquiring
Mississippi-6. Over the next couple of months Mr. Yerger
contacted seven potential buyers, four of which (including
Century) expressed an interest in a possible transaction. Upon
execution of a non-disclosure agreement, three of these
interested parties (including Century) were provided access to
further information regarding Mississippi-6 in the form of a
confidential brochure prepared by Mercury at the direction of
Mr. Yerger.
Over the next several weeks, Mr. Yerger engaged in a
dialog with the three interested parties. During these
conversations Mr. Yerger advised each party that, while any
offer would be welcomed, the Board had established $150 per pop
as the "gross" purchase price at which the Board would be
prepared to approve a transaction and recommend it to
Mississippi-6's shareholders. In certain of these
conversations, Mr. Yerger acknowledged that the Board would be
similarly prepared to accept a "net" offer of $125 per pop,
calculated after giving effect to all reductions or offsets for
Mississippi-6's indebtedness requested by the potential
purchaser. Although each interested party was encouraged to
communicate the price at which it would be interested in
acquiring Mississippi-6, none of the interested parties
submitted an offer prior to expiration of the November 17, 1994
deadline established by the Board at its September 30, 1994
meeting. With the acknowledgement of two of Mississippi-6's
directors and the knowledge of the third director (but without
formal action by the Board at this time), Mr. Yerger continued
the sales process after November 17, principally with Century,
which showed the greatest interest in a transaction presumably
in light of its ownership of an adjacent cellular market. As
indicated below under "-- Negotiations With Century," Century
submitted an oral offer to acquire Mississippi-6 in late
December 1994.
In connection with refinancing its debt in early 1995,
Mississippi-6 was requested to provide the lender with an
appraisal indicating the fair market value of Mississippi-6's
cellular telephone system. In response, Mississippi-6 engaged
Columbia Capital Corporation, an investment banking firm
headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia ("Columbia"), based upon
Columbia's nationally-recognized experience in advising,
valuing and selling cellular companies. In its letter to the
lender dated February 17, 1995, Columbia stated that "it is
reasonable to conclude that the current market value for
Mississippi-6 is at least $15,000,000 ($81.78 per pop) and
probably substantially higher." The letter states that it is
not intended to serve as a formal appraisal but reflects
Columbia's opinion regarding market valuation based on its
experience in representing buyers and sellers of cellular
interests. In connection with this loan refinancing,
Mississippi-6 consulted Columbia regarding its ongoing sales
process but did not request nor receive any valuation opinions
or studies from Columbia other than the February 17, 1995
letter. Mississippi-6 has agreed to pay Columbia $2,000 for
its services in connection with the loan refinancing and $2,000
for the additional consulting.
Neither Mr. Yerger nor any other officer of Mississippi-6
receives any compensation in their capacities as officers and
none received any compensation for their additional duties in
connection with selling Mississippi-6. Management's analysis
of Mississippi-6's value was conducted principally by Mr.
Yerger, based largely on his review of recent sales prices for
various U.S. cellular properties. In connection with this
review, Mr. Yerger relied upon (i) publicly-available data on
recent cellular sales prices set forth in newsletters published
by Paul Kagan Associates, Inc., a media research firm with
nationally-recognized expertise in broadcast, media and
telecommunications businesses, (ii) his discussions with
cellular market owners, cellular brokers and other
knowledgeable sources and (iii) his personal business
experience as an officer of several cellular companies. Mr.
Yerger also reviewed certain pro forma financial information
and discounted cash flow analysis prepared by Mississippi-6 or
Mercury, as well as publicly-available reports on Century
prepared by certain brokerage companies. For further
information regarding Mississippi-6's management, see
"Information About Mississippi-6 - Security Ownership of
Certain Beneficial Owners and Management."
Negotiations With Century. Although Mississippi-6
encouraged continued contact with each potential purchaser
other than Century, after November 1994 these conversations
were sporadic and limited in nature. Consequently, beginning
in late 1994 Mississippi-6 began to engage in exclusive
negotiations with Century. On December 7, 1994, Mr. Yerger and
David A. Bailey, Vice President and a director of Mississippi-
6, met with Century's management to discuss the possibility of
a tax-free reorganization. On December 8, 1994 the Board of
Directors received a report on the sales process and authorized
management to continue their negotiations. In late December
1994, Century orally offered to acquire Mississippi- 6 at a
price significantly below management's net target price of $125
per pop. In early 1995, management continued to negotiate with
Century in an effort to increase the offer price and encouraged
Century to submit an enhanced offer in writing. In response,
in late February 1995 Century submitted a written offer to
acquire Mississippi-6 in exchange for $19 million of stock,
subject to a positive adjustment for Mississippi-6's
construction costs and a negative adjustment for Mississippi-
6's net indebtedness. Both these proposed adjustments were
similar to the adjustments subsequently agreed to by the
parties and described under "- Post-Closing Liabilities; Escrow
Agreement -- Post-Closing Adjustment of Merger Consideration."
Due principally to the concerns of William M. Mounger, II
regarding the adequacy of this offer, management briefly
discussed other alternatives, including the possibility of
retaining Columbia to auction Mississippi-6 individually or as
a package with other minority-owned cellular interests
controlled by Mississippi-6's principals and other unrelated
cellular markets.
In late February 1995, Mr. Mounger left the country on a
12-day trip to Europe to pursue certain personal business
interests. During this time, the remaining officers determined
that it was in Mississippi-6's best interests to continue to
pursue negotiations with Century and attempt to enhance
Century's offer price. In reaching this determination,
management considered the costs that would be associated with
retaining Columbia to auction Mississippi-6, as well as the
other factors described under "- Reasons for the Merger and
Recommendation." Following additional negotiations, management
advised Century that it would likely retain Columbia to auction
Mississippi-6 if Century did not raise its offer prior to the
close of business on March 3, 1995. Following additional
negotiations, Century raised its offer approximately $750,000
and agreed to reimburse Mississippi-6 for additional
construction costs, and on March 3, 1995 Century, Mississippi-6
and the Principal Shareholders entered into a letter of intent
(the "Letter of Intent") under which they agreed to negotiate a
definitive agreement on terms substantially similar to those
contained in the Merger Agreement. After March 3, 1995,
management of Mississippi-6 attempted to negotiate additional
increases in the purchase price, but these efforts were
unsuccessful.
Management of Mississippi-6 believes that the Merger
Consideration payable in connection with the Merger implies a
"gross" per pop value of $112.97 (determined by dividing the
sum of Century's $19.75 million price plus its reimbursement of
approximately $924,000 of construction costs by the RSA's
population of 183,000) and a "net" per pop value of $89.89
(determined in like manner after subtracting Mississippi-6's
Net Indebtedness from the gross price). See "- Post-Closing
Liabilities; Escrow Agreement -- Post-Closing Adjustment of
Merger Consideration."
Authorization of Merger Agreement. On March 28, 1995 the
Board of Directors met to discuss the most recent draft of the
Merger Agreement. At such meeting the Board received reports
on the results of the sales process, the terms of the Letter of
Intent and the issues still being negotiated with Century.
Following discussion of each of these matters, by a vote of 2
to 1 (with William M. Mounger, II opposed), the Board ratified
the Letter of Intent and authorized management to proceed
towards completing its negotiation of the Merger Agreement.
Following the completion of negotiations in early April 1995,
on April 14 the Board voted unanimously to authorize the
execution of the Merger Agreement. The Merger Agreement was
signed as of April 18 in substantially the same form presented
to the Board at its April 14 meeting.
From time to time throughout the entire sales process,
management solicited and received input from shareholders who
are neither directors nor officers of Mississippi-6.
Management believes that these communications assisted them in
their efforts to negotiate a business combination that is in
the best interests of Mississippi-6 and its shareholders. In
addition, between each respective Board meeting, the directors
and officers of Mississippi-6 conversed from time to time to
provide updates and confer on the sales process.
Views of Mississippi-6's President. Since late 1994,
William M. Mounger, II has expressed concerns regarding the
sales process. Mr. Mounger has been principally concerned with
the amounts offered by Century, which he believes are
inadequate. Mr. Mounger has also expressed concern regarding
the process employed in selling Mississippi-6. In particular,
Mr. Mounger was troubled by management's failure to consult
with him or convene a Board meeting prior to the execution of
the Letter of Intent and with the comprehensiveness of
management's discussions with other potential buyers. Upon
returning from his extended trip abroad, Mr. Mounger furnished
each shareholder with a letter dated March 13, 1995 detailing
his concerns. In this letter, Mr. Mounger stated that he
believed Mississippi-6 could have obtained an offer of $135 per
pop if management had conducted a more thorough sales process.
As a result of these concerns, Mr. Mounger voted against
ratification of the Letter of Intent at the March 28, 1995
Board meeting and has advised Mississippi-6 that he intends to
cast a vote against the Merger Proposal at the Special Meeting
(but does not intend to exercise dissenters' rights under
Mississippi law). Mr. Mounger has further advised that his
execution of the Merger Agreement (and his vote as a director
on April 14, 1995 to authorize such action) constituted his
acknowledgement that execution of the Merger Agreement was
appropriate in light of the majority views of management, but
in no way signifies his support of the Merger Proposal.
Reasons for the Merger and Recommendation
The Board of Directors has determined that the Merger is
in the best interests of Mississippi-6 and its shareholders,
and has approved the Merger Proposal and the transactions
contemplated thereby. The Board principally considered the
following factors in support of the conclusions reached: (i)
the limited diversification and liquidity offered by the
Mississippi-6 Stock, (ii) the desire of a substantial majority
of the shareholders to dispose of their shares at the highest
price available, (iii) attractive valuations of cellular
properties in the current equity and corporate control markets,
coupled with uncertainty regarding future valuations, (iv)
valuations of recent comparable cellular acquisitions compared
with the value of Century's offer to acquire Mississippi-6, (v)
the value of Century's offer in relation to the relatively
small initial investment made by the shareholders in late 1990
and early 1991 and to the value of Mississippi-6 as determined
by Columbia Capital Corporation in connection with Mississippi-
6's loan refinancing in early 1995, (vi) competitive,
technological and regulatory changes in the telecommunications
industry requiring substantial future investment and incurrence
of additional debt, (vii) Mississippi-6's limited options, due
principally to financing and capital constraints, for expanding
its operations or maximizing shareholder value in any manner
other than through a sale or business combination, (viii) the
unlikelihood of receiving an offer better than Century's in
light of the results of management's discussions with other
potential purchasers, coupled with the provisions of the Merger
Agreement that permit Mississippi-6 to terminate the Merger
Agreement under certain circumstances in connection with its
receipt of a higher, unsolicited acquisition offer, (ix)
information with respect to the financial condition, earnings,
dividends, business, operations, assets, management and
prospects of Century and Mississippi-6 (including the prospects
of Mississippi-6 if it continued as an independent entity) and
the historical price performance of Century Stock and (x) the
opportunity afforded to the Mississippi-6 shareholders under
the Merger Agreement to exchange their shares on a tax-free
basis for an ownership interest in Century, which will provide
such shareholders with a continuing interest in a
telecommunications company that has greater financial,
technical and marketing resources. At no time between the
Board authorization of the sales process in September 1994 and
the date hereof has Mississippi-6 retained any financial
advisers to assist it in connection with the sale of
Mississippi-6 (other than the limited engagement of Columbia
Capital Corporation). For additional information (including
the opposition to the Merger Proposal by Mississippi-6's
President), see "- Background of the Merger."
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF MISSISSIPPI-6 RECOMMENDS THAT
YOU VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE MERGER PROPOSAL.
Conversion of Mississippi-6 Stock
At the Effective Time, each outstanding share of
Mississippi-6 Stock held by non-dissenting shareholders will be
converted into 553.9447 shares of Century Stock. No fractional
shares of Century Stock will be issued in connection with the
Merger. In lieu thereof, each shareholder of Mississippi-6
otherwise entitled to a fractional share will receive an amount
of cash (without interest) equal to such fraction multiplied by
$29.66 (which represents the average closing price of Century
Stock for the twenty-day trading period that ended three days
prior to the date of this Information Statement, and which is
hereinafter referred to as the "Average Century Stock Price").
The shares of Century Stock issuable in connection with the
Merger and the cash payable in lieu of fractional shares is
sometimes referred to herein as the "Merger Consideration."
Under the Merger Agreement, each non-dissenting
shareholder of Mississippi-6 as of the Effective Time
(collectively, the "Shareholders") will be required to pay his
pro rata share of any liabilities that may be asserted after
the Effective Time in connection with (i) any indemnity claims
made by Century or its affiliates pursuant to the Merger
Agreement, (ii) any post-closing adjustment to the Conversion
Ratio that reduces the Merger Consideration, (iii) costs
associated with tax audits relating to taxable periods ending
on or before the Effective Date, (iv) the incurrence of certain
expenses or liabilities by the Escrow Agent and (v) subject to
certain exceptions, the incurrence of expenses or liabilities
by the Shareholders' Representative in connection with any
suits against the Shareholders' Representative in his capacity
as such (collectively, "Post-Closing Liabilities"). At the
Closing, 27,697 shares of Century Stock, which represents 5% of
the aggregate number of shares of Century Stock issuable in
connection with the Merger, will be placed in escrow pursuant
to the terms of the Escrow Agreement. For further information,
see "- Post-Closing Liabilities; Escrow Agreement."
Post-Closing Liabilities; Escrow Agreement
As discussed further below, the Shareholders may be
required to pay certain Post-Closing Liabilities in accordance
with their pro rata beneficial ownership interest ("Pro Rata
Share") of Mississippi-6 Stock immediately prior to the
Effective Time. Appendix B hereto sets forth the pro rata
beneficial ownership interest of each Mississippi-6 shareholder
as of the Record Date. Assuming that none of these
shareholders transfer their shares (or their right to receive
the Merger Consideration) or perfect dissenters' rights in
connection with the Merger, the beneficial ownership interests
listed on Appendix B will constitute each such shareholder's
Pro Rata Share. For certain information regarding the effects
of transfers of the right to receive the Merger Consideration,
see "- Procedures For Receiving Merger Consideration."
Indemnification. After the Closing Date, the
Shareholders, Century, and certain of their affiliates will
have the following indemnification rights and obligations.
Indemnification by Shareholders. The Merger Agreement
obligates the Shareholders to severally indemnify Century and
its directors, officers, agents, affiliates, successors and
permitted assigns (collectively, "Century Indemnitees") against
claims, losses (including in certain circumstances any
diminution in value of Mississippi-6 or its assets),
liabilities, costs and expenses (collectively, "Losses")
incurred by the Century Indemnitees, directly or indirectly,
relating to or arising out of (i) any inaccuracy in any
representation or warranty made by Mississippi-6 or the
Principal Shareholders in the Merger Agreement or in documents
to be delivered thereunder at the Closing ("Closing
Documents"), (ii) any breach by Mississippi-6 or the Principal
Shareholders of any agreement or obligation under the Merger
Agreement or any Closing Documents, (iii) any breach by any
Shareholder of the covenants to be made by the Shareholders by
virtue of their execution of the Letter of Authorization mailed
in conjunction with this Information Statement or (iv) any
claim made by former shareholders relating to any act or
omission of Mississippi-6 prior to the Closing or to the
distribution of the Merger Consideration, including the
negotiation, execution, delivery, announcement or performance
of the Merger Agreement. For additional information regarding
these representations, warranties and covenants, see "- Other
Terms of the Merger Agreement" and "- Procedures for Receiving
Merger Consideration."
If it is determined that the Shareholders are obligated
to indemnify any Century Indemnitees for Losses, each
Shareholder will be severally liable for such Loss in
accordance with his respective Pro Rata Share. All such Losses
will be discharged by releasing to the Century Indemnitees
Escrow Shares, which will be valued based upon the Average
Century Stock Price. In the event the Escrow Shares are
insufficient to compensate for the Loss, the Century
Indemnitees will be free to pursue any or all of the
Shareholders directly for their respective Pro Rata Share of
the remainder. See "-- Escrow Agreement."
Indemnification by Century. Century will be obligated to
indemnify the Shareholders and their successors, heirs and
personal representatives (the "Shareholder Indemnitees") from
and against all Losses incurred, directly or indirectly,
relating to or arising out of (i) any inaccuracy of any
representation or warranty made by Century in the Merger
Agreement or any Closing Documents or (ii) any breach of any
covenant or other obligation of Century in the Merger Agreement
or any Closing Documents.
Limitations and Procedures. The indemnification
obligations of the Shareholders and Century are subject to
certain limitations, conditions and procedures set forth in the
Merger Agreement. Under the Merger Agreement neither the
Shareholders nor Century has any indemnification liability
unless written notice of an indemnity claim is given prior to
the third anniversary of the Closing Date. However, (i) the
Century Indemnitees may continue to make claims after such date
for inaccuracies of certain representations or warranties
relating to Mississippi-6's capitalization, litigation, labor
relations, product liabilities claims, taxes, compliance with
certain laws and payments to brokers and (ii) the Shareholder
Indemnitees may continue to make claims after such date for
inaccuracies of certain representations and warranties relating
to Century's capitalization and compliance with certain
securities laws.
The Merger Agreement further provides that generally
neither the Shareholder Indemnitees nor the Century Indemnitees
are entitled to indemnification except to the extent the
aggregate amount of all indemnifiable Losses payable to them
exceeds $10,000. In addition, no Shareholder will have any
indemnification liability for any inaccuracy of a
representation or warranty in the Merger Agreement or any
breach of any covenant, agreement or obligation of the
Principal Shareholders under the Merger Agreement other than
the Principal Shareholder who made or agreed to the specific
representation, warranty, covenant, agreement or obligation.
In the absence of common law fraud, the indemnification rights
afforded to the Century Indemnitees and the Shareholder
Indemnitees constitute their sole respective remedies for any
Losses relating to the Merger Agreement other than those
arising in connection with adjusting the Merger Consideration
after the Closing (which are described below under "-- Post-
Closing Adjustment of Merger Consideration").
The Merger Agreement sets forth certain procedures and
conditions with respect to making and defending claims for
indemnification and generally allows the indemnifying party to
control the defense of and, subject to certain conditions
contained in the Merger Agreement, settle or compromise claims
for which it may be responsible. The Merger Agreement provides
that all claims made by or against the Shareholders will be
pursued, administered, collected and defended by the
Shareholders' Representative. See "- Shareholders'
Representative."
Post-Closing Adjustment of Merger Consideration. The
Conversion Ratio was calculated immediately prior to the date
of this Information Statement pursuant to a formula specified
in the Merger Agreement. Under this formula, the Conversion
Ratio was determined by dividing (i) $19.75 million plus
approximately $924,000 of construction costs, less $4,244,000,
which constitutes the good faith estimate of Mississippi-6's
management as to the difference between Mississippi-6's
indebtedness as of the Effective Time minus its current assets
as of such time ("Net Indebtedness") by (ii) $29.66, which
represents the Average Century Stock Price, and thereafter
dividing the resulting quotient by 1,000, which represents the
number of outstanding shares of Mississippi-6 Stock. For a
discussion of certain payments and other transactions related
to the Merger that have increased Net Indebtedness, see "--
Escrow Agreement --- Fees and Expenses of Escrow Agent," and "-
Termination and Amendment of Certain Agreements." Within 60
days after the Closing, Century will (i) determine the actual
amount of Net Indebtedness as of the Effective Time, (ii)
recalculate the Conversion Ratio based upon the actual amount
of Net Indebtedness and (iii) advise the Shareholders'
Representative of its findings. If the Shareholders'
Representative does not agree with Century's findings, then
Century and the Shareholders' Representative will negotiate in
good faith to resolve such dispute and agree upon the amount of
the final Merger Consideration and submit any unresolved
disputes to an independent accounting firm, whose resolution
will be final and binding on Mississippi-6, Century and their
respective shareholders. Except for Net Indebtedness, no
component of the formula used to calculate the Conversion Ratio
will be adjusted after the Closing.
If the Conversion Ratio disclosed in this Information
Statement exceeds the final calculation of the Conversion
Ratio, then all Shareholders will be required to refund the
difference to Century, and if Conversion Ratio disclosed herein
is less than the final calculation of the Conversion Ratio,
then Century will be required to deliver to the Escrow Agent
such number of shares of Century Stock ("Excess Shares") equal
in value to the shortfall based upon the Average Century Stock
Price. Any such Excess Shares will be held and disbursed under
the Escrow Agreement in the same manner as all other shares
deposited at Closing. Amounts payable by the Shareholders will
be discharged by returning to Century Escrow Shares, which will
be valued based upon the Average Century Stock Price. In the
unlikely event that the Escrow Shares are insufficient to
reimburse Century fully, Century will be free to pursue all or
any of the Shareholders directly for their respective Pro Rata
Share of the shortfall. See "-- Escrow Agreement."
Obligations with Respect to Taxes. The shareholders of
Mississippi-6 will be obligated to pay all legal and other
costs for tax audits or examinations with respect to taxable
periods ending on or before the Effective Date.
Escrow Agreement. As described above, at the Closing
Century will deliver 27,697 shares of Century Stock to the
Escrow Agent, which will hold these shares and any subsequently
delivered Excess Shares (collectively, the "Escrow Shares") in
accordance with the Escrow Agreement to be executed at the
Closing. The following summary of the Escrow Agreement does
not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the Escrow Agreement, a form of which is attached
hereto as Appendix C and is incorporated herein by reference.
By virtue of the approval of the Merger Proposal at the Special
Meeting, each Shareholder will be deemed to have agreed to all
of the terms and conditions of the Escrow Agreement (which
agreement will be confirmed by each such Shareholder by
execution of the Letter of Authorization). See "- Procedures
for Receiving Merger Consideration." For information regarding
the agreement of the Principal Shareholders to vote in favor of
the Merger Proposal, see "The Special Meeting - Vote Required."
Management of Escrow Account. The Escrow Shares will be
disbursed solely in accordance with the Escrow Agreement. Upon
payment of any cash dividends with respect to the Century Stock
held in escrow, the Escrow Agent will promptly disburse such
dividends to the Shareholders' Representative, who will be
obligated to distribute such payments (without interest) to the
Shareholders in accordance with their Pro Rata Share. All
voting rights attributable to the Escrow Shares will be
exercised by the Escrow Agent solely in accordance with the
voting instructions of the Shareholders' Representative, who
will be obligated to consult with the Shareholders prior to
submitting instructions. If the Escrow Agent does not timely
receive voting instructions from the Shareholders'
Representative, the Escrow Shares will not be voted. In the
event of any recapitalization, reclassification, merger,
business combination or other transaction in which holders of
Century Stock become entitled to cash, securities or other
property with respect to or in exchange for Century Stock, the
Escrow Agent will hold such cash, securities or other property
for the benefit of the claimants under the Escrow Agreement and
will pay, at the end of each calendar quarter and upon
termination of the Escrow Agreement, any interest or dividends
that accrue with respect thereto to the Shareholders'
Representative, who will be obligated to distribute such
amounts to the Shareholders in the same manner as Century
dividends. Subject to certain exceptions, the Escrow Agent
will have no power to dispose of the Escrow Shares.
Payment of Escrow Shares to Century or the Century
Indemnitees. Prior to the expiration of the Escrow Agreement,
Escrow Shares may be returned to Century or the Century
Indemnitees for any of the following purposes:
. to discharge the Shareholders' indemnification
obligations to Century Indemnitees for any Losses,
as described more fully above under "--
Indemnification"
. to reduce the Merger Consideration upon final
resolution of the Conversion Ratio, as described
more fully above under "-- Post-Closing Adjustment
of Merger Consideration"
. to discharge the Shareholders' tax-related
liabilities referred to under "-- Obligations With
Respect to Taxes."
In each of the cases listed above, the Shareholders'
Post-Closing Liability will be discharged by transferring
Escrow Shares having an aggregate value as nearly equal as
possible to such liability; for these purposes, each Escrow
Share will be deemed to have a value equal to the Average
Century Stock Price (as such price may be adjusted in the event
of stock dividends, stock splits, reclassifications and similar
transactions). If the value of the Escrow Shares is
insufficient to discharge the Shareholders' Post-Closing
Liabilities, the Shareholders will remain responsible for the
balance. See "-- Unlimited Liability." For a description of
the circumstances under which Escrow Shares may be used to
discharge amounts owed by the Shareholders to the Escrow Agent,
see "--- Fees and Expenses of Escrow Agent."
Release of Escrow Shares to Shareholders. In the absence
of unresolved claims under the Merger Agreement, the Escrow
Agent will release to the Shareholders' Representative one-half
of the Escrow Shares then remaining in escrow on the 12-month
anniversary of the Closing Date and one-half of the remaining
shares six months later. Unless extended in connection with an
unresolved claim, the Escrow Agreement will terminate on the
24-month anniversary of the Closing Date, at which time all
remaining shares of Century Stock not subject to an unresolved
claim will be released to the Shareholders' Representative. No
assurance can be given that any Escrow Shares will remain on
the 12-, 18- or 24-month anniversary dates. Upon any such
release of shares, the Shareholders' Representative will
instruct the Exchange Agent to allocate the released shares
among the Shareholders in a manner such that (i) the
Shareholders receive a number of shares as nearly equal as
possible to their respective Pro Rata Share of the total number
of shares released and (ii) no fractional shares are issued.
Any cash or other property held in escrow will be distributed
in a like manner. See "--- Management of Escrow Account."
All distributions made for the benefit of the
Shareholders under the Escrow Agreement will be made to the
Shareholders' Representative, who will be obligated to forward
such distributions to the names and addresses provided in the
Letters of Authorization delivered to the Exchange Agent
(unless the Shareholders' Representative subsequently receives
notice of a different address in accordance with the procedures
described in the Letter of Authorization). Except as otherwise
noted in the Letter of Authorization, the contingent right of
each Shareholder to receive such distributions (and to consult
with the Shareholders' Representative with respect to the
exercise of voting rights) shall be nontransferable and
nonassignable (except for transfers upon such Shareholder's
death or otherwise by operation of law) and shall not be
represented by any certificate or other written instrument.
See "- Procedures for Receiving Merger Consideration."
Fees and Expenses of Escrow Agent. All fees and expenses
of the Escrow Agent will be borne equally by Century and the
Shareholders. The Escrow Agent's basic fee of $3,000 for two
years' service will be paid prior to Closing in equal parts by
Century and Mississippi-6. Although the parties believe that
this payment will fully compensate the Escrow Agent for its
services, the Escrow Agreement further obligates the
Shareholders to reimburse the Escrow Agent for expenses
incurred by it in the performance of its duties (including
reasonable counsel fees) and to indemnify the Escrow Agent for
any taxes, expenses, liabilities or other charges incurred by
it in connection with its duties under the Escrow Agreement,
except as a result of its own gross negligence or willful
misconduct. If the Escrow Agent submits any claims after the
Closing Date for these extraordinary charges, the Shareholders'
Representative will attempt to collect the Shareholders' 50%
portion thereof by soliciting cash payments directly from the
Shareholders. In the event the Escrow Agent does not fully
recoup these extraordinary charges timely from the
Shareholders' Representative, the Escrow Agent will have the
right to sell an appropriate amount of Escrow Shares and retain
proceeds equal to the unpaid amount.
Exculpation of Shareholders' Representative. The
Shareholders will also be obligated after the Closing Date to
exculpate the Shareholders' Representative in certain
circumstances. See "- Shareholders' Representative --
Exculpation." Unlike all other Post-Closing Liabilities, the
Escrow Shares will not be available to satisfy these
liabilities. Instead, the Shareholders' Representative will be
required to pursue the Shareholders directly for these amounts.
Unlimited Liability. In the event the Shareholders
become obligated to any claimant for any Post-Closing Liability
in an amount that exceeds the value of the remaining Escrow
Shares or for any Post-Closing Liability to the Shareholders'
Representative as to which Escrow Shares are not available, the
claimant may proceed against any or all of the Shareholders to
collect the remaining amount owed. Although no Shareholder
will be obligated to pay more than his Pro Rata Share of any
such liability, there are no limitations on the amount that a
Shareholder may be obligated to pay in connection with Post-
Closing Liabilities. Moreover, the release of Escrow Shares to
the Shareholders on the 12-, 18- and 24-month anniversaries of
the Closing Date will not eliminate or reduce the Shareholders'
obligations to pay Post-Closing Liabilities that may arise at a
later date. Each claimant will be free to pursue any or all of
the Shareholders in its sole discretion, and the refusal or
inability of any Shareholder to discharge his Post-Closing
Liability will not excuse any other Shareholder from his Post-
Closing Liability.
Shareholders' Representative
Designation. By virtue of the approval of the Merger
Proposal at the Special Meeting, each Shareholder will be
deemed to have appointed David A. Bailey to serve as his sole
Shareholders' Representative with respect to the matters set
forth in the Merger Agreement and the Escrow Agreement. UPON
SUCH APPROVAL, EACH SHAREHOLDER WILL, EFFECTIVE AS OF THE
EFFECTIVE TIME, BE DEEMED TO HAVE (i) IRREVOCABLY APPOINTED THE
SHAREHOLDERS' REPRESENTATIVE AS HIS AGENT, PROXY AND ATTORNEY-
IN-FACT FOR ALL PURPOSES OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE ESCROW
AGREEMENT AND (ii) AGREED THAT SUCH AGENCY AND PROXY ARE
COUPLED WITH AN INTEREST, AND ARE THEREFORE IRREVOCABLE WITHOUT
THE CONSENT OF THE SHAREHOLDERS' REPRESENTATIVE AND SHALL
SURVIVE THE DEATH, INCAPACITY, BANKRUPTCY, OR DIVORCE OF ANY
SHAREHOLDER, WHICH APPOINTMENT AND AGREEMENT WILL BE CONFIRMED
UPON SUCH SHAREHOLDER'S EXECUTION OF THE LETTER OF
AUTHORIZATION. See "-Procedures for Receiving Merger
Consideration." For information regarding the agreement of the
Principal Shareholders to vote in favor of the Merger Proposal
(and thereby to ensure the appointment of David A. Bailey as
the Shareholders' Representative), see "The Special Meeting -
Vote Required."
Authority. The Shareholders' Representative will have
the power and authority to act on each Shareholder's behalf to
do, among other things, the following (in each case in
accordance with the Merger Agreement and the Escrow Agreement):
(i) to take all actions which the Shareholders' Representative
considers necessary or desirable in connection with the
defense, pursuit or settlement of any adjustments to the Merger
Consideration and any claims for indemnification made by or
against Century; (ii) to engage and employ agents and
representatives and to incur other expenses as he deems
necessary or advisable, (iii) to provide for expenses incurred
in connection with the administration of the foregoing
(including expenses incurred by the Shareholders'
Representative) to be paid by directing the Escrow Agent and
Shareholders to pay such amounts; (iv) to disburse all
indemnification payments received from Century; (v) to direct
the Escrow Agent to disburse any shares or other property
remaining in the Escrow Account upon expiration of the Escrow
Agreement; (vi) to amend and grant consents and waivers after
the Closing under the Merger Agreement and Escrow Agreement;
(vii) to manage tax audits relating to Mississippi-6 for
taxable periods ending on or before the Effective Date and
represent the Shareholders' interests in connection therewith
and (viii) to take all other actions and exercise all other
rights which the Shareholders' Representative (in his sole
discretion) considers necessary or appropriate in connection
with the Merger Agreement and the Escrow Agreement. ALL
DECISIONS AND ACTS BY THE SHAREHOLDERS' REPRESENTATIVE WILL BE
BINDING UPON ALL OF THE SHAREHOLDERS, AND, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT
OTHERWISE PROVIDED UNDER "-- EXCULPATION," NO SUCH SHAREHOLDER
WILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT, DISSENT, PROTEST OR OTHERWISE
CONTEST SUCH DECISIONS OR ACTS.
Resignation. Under the Merger Agreement, if the
Shareholders' Representative resigns or is unable to serve for
any reason, Wirt A. Yerger, III shall serve as the
Shareholders' Representative under the Merger Agreement and the
Escrow Agreement.
Exculpation. The Merger Agreement provides that neither
the Shareholders' Representative nor any of his agents will be
liable to any Shareholder relating to the performance of his
duties under the Merger Agreement or the Escrow Agreement for
any errors in judgment, negligence, oversight, breach of duty
or otherwise, and that the Shareholders' Representative will be
indemnified and held harmless by the Shareholders in accordance
with their respective Pro Rata Shares against all expenses
(including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and other amounts
incurred in connection with any suit or claim to which the
Shareholders' Representative is made a party by reason of the
fact that he was acting as the Shareholders' Representative
pursuant to the Merger Agreement or the Escrow Agreement, in
each case except to the extent it is finally determined in a
court having jurisdiction that the actions taken or not taken
by the Shareholders' Representative constituted fraud or were
taken or not taken in bad faith.
Certain Information Regarding Shareholder's
Representative. For certain information regarding David A.
Bailey, see "Information About Mississippi-6 - Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management."
Agreement of Shareholders to Hold Century Stock
In order to safeguard the tax-free treatment of the
Merger, the Principal Shareholders have represented to Century
in the Merger Agreement that they do not have a present
intention to sell the Century Stock to be received by them in
connection with the Merger in a manner that jeopardizes such
tax-free treatment. As described further under "- Certain
Federal Income Tax Consequences," the continuing qualification
of the Merger as a tax-free reorganization is contingent upon
the Mississippi-6 shareholders retaining a sufficient
continuing interest in Mississippi-6 through their ownership of
Century Stock. In an effort to insure the continuing interest
of the former shareholders in the surviving corporation, the
Merger Agreement obligates the Shareholders to hold as a group
sufficient amounts of Century Stock for a sufficient duration
to satisfy the "continuity of interest" requirements described
under "- Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences." This
agreement among the Shareholders will be confirmed by virtue of
the Shareholders' execution of the Letter of Authorization.
See "- Procedures for Receiving Merger Consideration."
To ensure that this agreement of the shareholders to hold
their shares is administered fairly and equitably among all
Shareholders, Mississippi-6 intends to solicit each
Mississippi-6 shareholder prior to Closing to execute an
agreement obligating such each shareholder to hold at least
one-half of the shares of Century Stock issued to him in
connection with the Merger for at least two years after the
Closing Date. In addition, it is anticipated that this
agreement will provide that each certificate representing
Century Stock issued to the Shareholders will contain a legend
summarizing the terms of this proposed agreement.
If for any reason it is determined that the Merger does
not constitute a tax-free reorganization, neither Century nor
Sub will incur any adverse effects. Neither Century nor Sub
will take any steps whatsoever to ensure the tax-free treatment
of the Merger, and neither will have any responsibility or
liability in the event that actions taken after the Closing
jeopardize or eliminate such tax-free treatment.
Termination of Shareholders' Agreement
Each Mississippi-6 shareholder is a party to the First
Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement dated as of January
1, 1995 (the "Shareholders' Agreement") which among other
things, places certain restrictions on the transfer of
Mississippi-6 Stock to non-family members and limits the
ability of shareholders to sue officers and directors of
Mississippi-6 for breaches of their fiduciary duty of care.
See "Comparative Rights of Century and Mississippi-6
Shareholders - Transfer Restrictions." The Merger Agreement
contemplates that the Shareholders' Agreement will be
terminated. To effect this, Mississippi-6 intends to solicit
each Mississippi-6 shareholder prior to the Closing to execute
a termination agreement providing that all provisions of the
Shareholders' Agreement shall lapse, other than those limiting
the ability of shareholders to sue officers and directors.
Upon executing the Letter of Authorization, each Shareholder
will acknowledge that he has no further rights under the
Shareholders' Agreement (other than as an officer or director).
See "- Procedures For Receiving Merger Consideration."
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences
Principal Consequences of the Merger. The Merger is
intended to be a "tax-free reorganization" for federal income
tax purposes under Sections 368(a)(1)(A) and 368(a)(2)(E) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
The following will be the principal federal income tax
consequences of the Merger assuming it is treated as a "tax-
free reorganization":
(i) No gain or loss will be recognized by Mississippi-6,
Sub or Century as a result of the Merger.
(ii) No gain or loss will be recognized by Mississippi-
6's shareholders as a result of the Merger, except as described
in paragraphs (iv) and (vii) below.
(iii) The Merger will not result in any change in the
basis of Mississippi-6's assets.
(iv) The payment of cash to a holder of Mississippi-6
Stock in lieu of fractional shares of Century Stock will be
accorded sale or exchange treatment under Section 302 of the
Code. Such Shareholder's realized gain will be recognized to
the extent of the cash payment received by him.
(v) The basis for tax purposes of the shares of Century
Stock received by a holder of Mississippi-6 Stock pursuant to
the Merger will be the same as the basis for such shareholder's
Mississippi-6 Stock surrendered in exchange therefor increased
by the amount of any gain recognized by such shareholder in
connection with the receipt of a cash payment in lieu of a
fractional share and reduced by the amount of any cash received
by such shareholder in connection therewith.
(vi) A Mississippi-6 shareholder's holding period with
respect to the shares of Century Stock received by such
shareholder as a result of the Merger will include the period
for which he held the shares of Mississippi-6 Stock which were
converted into such shares of Century Stock, provided such
shares of Mississippi-6 Stock were held as a capital asset on
the Effective Date.
(vii) Under current rulings of the Internal Revenue
Service (the "IRS"), any Mississippi-6 shareholder who
exercises his rights under Mississippi law to dissent from the
Merger will be treated as if his Mississippi-6 Stock was
redeemed by Mississippi-6, although it is possible that a
dissenter will be treated as if he received a whole share of
Century Stock which was then redeemed by Century. Such
dissenter should recognize gain or loss based on the difference
between his tax basis in his Mississippi-6 shares and the
amount of cash he receives for the shares. Normally such gain
or loss should be capital gain or loss. However, if a
redemption fails to qualify for exchange treatment under
Section 302(b) of the Code (considering the attribution rules
of Section 318 thereof) because the shareholder's interest is
not sufficiently reduced, a risk exists that some or all of the
cash received by a dissenting shareholder will be treated as a
taxable dividend to such shareholder.
Continuity of Interest Requirements. For IRS ruling
purposes, in order for the Merger to constitute a tax-free
reorganization, the amount of Century Stock received by all
Mississippi-6 shareholders in connection with the Merger must
be at least 50% of the aggregate value of the consideration
paid to all dissenting and non-dissenting shareholders in
connection with the Merger. Century Stock received in the
Merger will not count toward the 50% threshold if the recipient
disposes of such stock and such recipient had an intention to
dispose of the stock on the Effective Date. The disposition of
stock within two years of the Effective Date may evidence that
the shareholder had an intent to dispose of the stock on the
Effective Date. Dispositions within two years of the Effective
Date of over 50% of the Century Stock issued in connection with
the Merger could result in the IRS taking the position that the
Merger was a taxable transaction and that the Shareholders owe
taxes in connection therewith. In an effort to safeguard the
tax-free treatment of the Merger, the Merger Agreement
obligates the Shareholders as a group to hold sufficient
amounts of their Century Stock for a sufficient duration to
satisfy the continuity of interest requirements of the Code and
the regulations promulgated thereunder. See "- Agreement of
Shareholders to Hold Century Stock."
Consequences of Escrow Agreement. All cash dividends
received by the Shareholders with respect to the Escrow Shares
will be taxable to the Shareholders as if they held the Escrow
Shares in their own names. Any other dividends and interest
will be taxable to the Shareholders as if they held the other
shares and investments in their own name, even though such
dividends and interest will not be distributed to such
Shareholders except at the end of each calendar quarter and
upon termination of the Escrow Agreement. The Shareholders
will recognize no gain or loss on the return of Escrow Shares
to Century, and they will respread the basis originally
allocated to the Escrow Shares returned to Century among their
remaining Century shares. The Shareholders will recognize no
gain or loss on the receipt of Escrow Shares from the Escrow
Agent. If the Escrow Agent sells Escrow Shares to collect
reimbursable expenses, each Shareholder will recognize his Pro
Rata Share of any gain or loss. The fees and expenses paid to
the Escrow Agent are likely not deductible expenses for tax
purposes.
THE TAX DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE SETS FORTH THE VIEWS
OF MISSISSIPPI-6, IS INCLUDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY, AND
IS BASED UPON PRESENT LAW. THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER
WILL DEPEND IN LARGE PART ON THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES
APPLICABLE TO EACH SHAREHOLDER AND UPON AN EVALUATION OF FACTS
AND EVENTS THAT WILL OCCUR IN THE FUTURE, AND AS A RESULT, THE
PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO A SHAREHOLDER CANNAT BE
PREDICTED WITH CERTAINTY. NEITHER CENTURY NOR MISSISSIPPI-6
HAS SOUGHT OR RECEIVED AN OPINION OF TAX COUNSEL OR OTHER TAX
EXPERT REGARDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER.
THEREFORE, EACH SHAREHOLDER IS URGED TO CONSULT HIS OWN TAX
ADVISOR REGARDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER. WITH
REGARD TO TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER THAT LAWS OF STATES OR LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS OR OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION, NO INFORMATION OR
OPINION IS PROVIDED HEREIN, AND SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO
CONSULT, AND SHOULD RELY UPON, THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS.
Procedures For Receiving Merger Consideration
In connection with the mailing of this Information
Statement, each Mississippi-6 shareholder has been furnished
with a Letter of Authorization for use in authorizing the
surrender to the Exchange Agent of their certificates
representing Mississippi-6 Stock. Mississippi-6 believes that
all such certificates are currently held by its lender,
Trustmark National Bank. Mississippi-6 and Century intend to
take such steps as may be necessary to cause the lender to
release all of these certificates to the Exchange Agent in
connection with the Closing.
Immediately following the Effective Time, the Exchange
Agent will deliver to each former Mississippi-6 shareholder the
appropriate amount of Merger Consideration (less such
shareholder's Pro Rata Share of the 27,697 shares of Century
Stock placed in escrow as described under "- Post-Closing
Liabilities; Escrow Agreement -- Escrow Agreement") upon its
receipt from such shareholder of a Letter of Authorization duly
completed in accordance with its instructions. At all times
after consummation of the Merger but prior to such exchange,
certificates previously representing Mississippi-6 Stock will
be deemed to represent such number of shares of Century Stock
into which they will have been converted at the Effective Time
and the right to receive a cash payment in lieu of a fractional
share (or, with respect to dissenting shareholders, the right
to receive the fair value of their shares). Until a
Shareholder furnishes the Exchange Agent with a duly completed
Letter of Authorization, (i) no certificates representing
Century Stock will be issued to such Shareholder and (ii)
dividends or other distributions payable with respect to the
shares of Century Stock issued to such Shareholder in
connection with the Merger will not be paid.
AS EXPLAINED FURTHER IN THE ENCLOSED LETTER OF
AUTHORIZATION, THE EXECUTION OF THE LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION BY
EACH SHAREHOLDER WILL CONSTITUTE SUCH SHAREHOLDER'S
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT, BY VIRTUE OF THE APPROVAL OF THE MERGER
PROPOSAL AT THE SPECIAL MEETING, (i) SUCH SHAREHODLER WILL BE
RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY POST-CLOSING LIABILITIES ON THE TERMS AND
CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE ESCROW
AGREEMENT, (ii) SUCH SHAREHOLDER WILL BE BOUND BY THE PROVISION
IN THE MERGER AGREEMENT THAT OBLIGATES THE SHAREHOLDERS AS A
GROUP TO HOLD SUFFICIENT AMOUNTS OF CENTURY STOCK FOR
SUFFICIENT DURATION TO SAFEGUARD THE TAX-FREE TREATMENT OF THE
MERGER, (iii) SUCH SHAREHOLDER WILL HAVE BEEN DEEMED TO HAVE
IRREVOCABLY APPOINTED DAVID A. BAILEY AS OF THE EFFECTIVE TIME
AS SUCH SHAREHOLDER'S AGENT, PROXY AND ATTORNEY-IN-FACT FOR ALL
PURPOSES SPECIFIED IN THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE ESCROW
AGREEMENT, AND (iv) SUCH SHAREHOLDER WILL HAVE NO FURTHER
RIGHTS UNDER THE SHAREHOLDERS' AGREEMENT (EXCEPT AS AN OFFICER
OR DIRECTOR OF MISSISSIPPI-6). See "- Post-Closing
Liabilities; Escrow Agreement," "- Agreement of Shareholders to
Hold Century Stock," "- Shareholders' Representative" and "-
Termination of Shareholders' Agreement." The Merger Agreement
obligates the Shareholders to indemnify the Century Indemnitees
for Losses arising out of any breach by any Shareholder of the
covenants to be made by virtue of the Shareholders' execution
of the Letter of Authorization. See "- Post-Closing
Liabilities; Escrow Agreement -- Indemnification."
The Letter of Authorization permits Shareholders to
transfer the right to receive the Merger Consideration to
transferees of their choice. No such transfer, however, will
relieve the Shareholder of his obligation to discharge his Pro
Rata Share of any Post-Closing Liabilities.
Although no assurance can be given that the Merger will
be consummated, IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE
RECEIPT OF THE MERGER CONSIDERATION, MISSISSIPPI-6 SHAREHOLDERS
ARE ENCOURAGED AT THEIR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE TO COMPLETE THE
ENCLOSED LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION and to send it in accordance
with its instructions in the enclosed stamped envelope
addressed to the Exchange Agent.
Other Terms of the Merger Agreement
Regulatory Approvals and Other Closing Conditions. On
May ______, 1995, the FCC granted an order approving the
transactions contemplated by the Merger. Under the Merger
Agreement, Century is not obligated to consummate the Merger
until this order becomes final and nonappealable upon the
expiration of a 40-day public notice period ending on
_______________________, 1995. Any third-party challenge of
this order during the public notice period could, among other
things, delay or prevent the consummation of the Merger.
[Waiver] All other regulatory approvals required by law to
consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement have been obtained.
In addition to receipt of the regulatory approval
described above, the obligations of Century and Mississippi-6
to consummate the Merger are subject to, among other things,
(i) the approval of the Merger Proposal by a majority of the
total voting power of Mississippi-6 at the Special Meeting,
(ii) the absence of any stop order with respect to the
Registration Statement of which this Information Statement
forms a part, (iii) the Century Stock having been approved for
listing on the New York Stock Exchange, (iv) the material
accuracy of the other party's representations and warranties,
(v) the material performance by the other party of its
obligations under the Merger Agreement, (vi) the absence of any
injunctions or other court orders preventing consummation of
the Merger, (vii) the absence of any litigation with a
reasonable likelihood of success seeking to enjoin the Merger
or related transactions, (viii) the execution and delivery of
the Escrow Agreement, (ix) the satisfaction of all conditions
required for treating the Merger as a tax-free reorganization
and (x) the receipt of any required third-party consents, legal
opinions and other closing certificates and documents, and the
satisfaction of certain other customary closing conditions.
The obligation of Century to consummate the Merger is
further conditioned upon, among other things, (i) the absence
of a material adverse change with respect to Mississippi-6,
(ii) the aggregate Mississippi-6 Stock held by dissenting
shareholders being no more than 10% of all such stock
immediately prior to the Effective Time, (iii) the Net
Indebtedness of Mississippi-6 as of the Closing not exceeding
by more than $100,000 the amount estimated by Mississippi-6's
management prior to the date of this Information Statement,
(iv) Century's receipt of a resignation letter and release
executed by each director and officer of Mississippi-6 and (v)
the termination of a services agreement between Mississippi-6
and Mercury, the execution and delivery of a transitional
services agreement with Mercury and the amendment of a billing
contract to which Mississippi-6 is a party, all of which are
described further under "- Termination and Amendment of Certain
Agreements."
The obligation of Mississippi-6 to consummate the Merger
is further subject to the condition of there having been no
material adverse change with respect to Century between April
18, 1995 and the Closing Date. For a description of the manner
in which "material adverse change" is defined in the Merger
Agreement, see "The Special Meeting - Vote Required."
No assurance can be given that the conditions to
consummating the Merger can or will be satisfied or waived in a
timely manner or at all.
Expenses. Regardless of whether the Merger is
consummated, the Merger Agreement provides that all fees and
expenses incurred in connection with the Merger Agreement and
related transactions shall be paid by the party incurring them.
For a description of the Shareholders' obligation to pay
certain expenses of the Escrow Agent and Shareholders'
Representative, see "- Post-Closing Liabilities; Escrow
Agreement." See also "- Termination and Amendment of Certain
Agreements."
Representations and Warranties. *The Merger Agreement
contains various mutual representations and warranties of
Mississippi-6 and Century relating to, among other things, (i)
organization and other corporate matters, (ii) capitalization
and capital stock, financial statements and financial
information, (iii) due authorization, execution, and
enforceability of the Merger Agreement and related agreements,
(iv) required third party and governmental consents and the
absence of material conflicts or violations under charter or
bylaw provisions, agreements or other instruments or applicable
laws, (v) the compliance with securities laws, (vi) the
accuracy of information supplied by Century and Mississippi-6
for use in this Information Statement and the Registration
Statement, (vii) the absence of undisclosed brokers or finders
fees and (viii) certain other customary representations and
warranties.
The Merger Agreement also contains various
representations and warranties of Mississippi-6 relating to,
among other things, (i) the absence since December 31, 1994 of
certain material events, changes or effects relating to
Mississippi-6, (ii) retirement and other employee benefit plans
and employee-related matters, including severance and other
benefits and labor matters, (iii) pending and threatened
litigation and claims, including product liability claims, (iv)
title to and sufficiency and condition of its assets, (v)
material contracts and defaults, (vi) intellectual property,
real estate and insurance matters, (vii) compliance with tax,
environmental, securities and other laws, (viii) investments
and outstanding indebtedness, (ix) absence of undisclosed
liabilities, (x) interests in customers and suppliers, and (xi)
compliance with and validity of licenses and permits (including
FCC licenses) and other FCC matters. By application of these
representations and warranties, shareholders of Mississippi-6
(which has been taxed as a Subchapter S corporation since
January 1, 1991) will remain liable for the payment of taxes
due for taxable periods ending on or before the Effecting Date.
The Merger Agreement contains other representations and
warranties of Century relating to, among other things, the
accuracy of information contained in Century's Exchange Act
filings and the Registration Statement.
The Principal Shareholders also make certain
representations and warranties to Century as to themselves
relating to, among other things, authority to enter into the
Merger Agreement, due execution and enforceability of the
Merger Agreement, the absence of material conflicts or
violations with agreements and other instruments, absence of
required consents, absence of material litigation and absence
of undisclosed interests in Mississippi-6.
Subject to the limitations on the parties' respective
indemnification obligations under the Merger Agreement, all
representations and warranties will survive after the Effective
Time for the periods specified therein. See "- Post-Closing
Liabilities; Escrow Agreement -- Indemnification."
Non-Solicitation; Termination Fee. Pursuant to the
Merger Agreement, Mississippi-6 and the Principal Shareholders
have agreed that, unless the Board of Directors makes a
Fiduciary Determination (as defined below), they will not (and
will instruct their affiliates, directors, officers, employees
and representatives not to), among other things, (i) solicit or
encourage any acquisition proposal to acquire all or a
substantial portion of the assets or equity of Mississippi-6 or
(ii) engage in discussions or negotiations with, or furnish any
information to, any person that is considering making an
acquisition proposal.
If, following the receipt of an unsolicited bona fide
acquisition proposal, the Merger Agreement is terminated by
Mississippi-6 upon a good faith determination by the Board of
Directors of Mississippi-6, after considering the written
advice of outside counsel regarding its fiduciary duties, that
acceptance of such proposal is in the best interests of
Mississippi-6's shareholders and is required pursuant to the
Board's fiduciary duties under Mississippi law (a "Fiduciary
Determination"), then Mississippi-6 has agreed to pay Century a
fee, as liquidated damages, equal to 5% of the Merger
Consideration, calculated as of the date the Merger Agreement
is terminated. Prior to such termination, Century will be
permitted to match such acquisition proposal for a period of
five business days.
The termination fee could have the effect of discouraging
a third party from pursuing an acquisition proposal involving
Mississippi-6 because the cost of such acquisition would be
increased by the amount of the termination fee.
Amendment, Waiver and Termination. The Merger Agreement
may be amended at any time before or after its approval by
Mississippi-6's shareholders, provided that no amendment may be
made after shareholder approval that decreases the Merger
Consideration or changes the form thereof or adversely affects
the rights of Mississippi-6's shareholders without the further
approval of the affected shareholders.
Upon consummating the Merger, each party is deemed to
have acknowledged that all conditions to its obligation to
consummate the Merger have been fulfilled or duly waived and,
in the absence of common law fraud, to have waived any right to
subsequently assert that any such conditions were not fulfilled
or duly waived. Except for such deemed waivers or as otherwise
provided in the Merger Agreement, all waivers must be in
writing.
The Merger Agreement may be terminated at any time prior
to the Effective Time by the mutual consent of Century and
Mississippi-6 or unilaterally by either Century or Mississippi-
6 upon the occurrence or nonoccurrence of certain specified
events, including (i) failure to consummate the Merger upon the
first to occur of the tenth day after satisfaction or waiver of
the closing conditions or July 31, 1995, (ii) a material breach
by a party of any representations, warranties or covenants that
is not or cannot be cured within 15 days after written notice
of such breach and (iii) the commencement by or against a party
of any proceeding relating to insolvency. In addition, the
Merger Agreement may be unilaterally terminated by Century if
it raises any objection prior to June 17, 1995 in connection
with its due diligence review of Mississippi-6 and such
objection is not timely cured or waived, or by Mississippi-6 if
the Board of Directors of Mississippi-6, upon receipt of an
unsolicited bona fide acquisition proposal, makes a Fiduciary
Determination upon receipt of an unsolicited bona fide
acquisition proposal. Upon termination of the Merger
Agreement, neither party shall have any liability to the
others, except for (i) actual damages incurred as a result of
material breaches of representations, warranties or covenants,
(ii) common law fraud or (iii) in connection with acceptance of
an acquisition proposal described above, a termination fee as
discussed under "-- Non-Solicitation; Termination Fee."
Conduct of Business Pending the Merger. The Merger
Agreement provides that until the Effective Time, Mississippi-6
will conduct its business in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice and will use its reasonable best
efforts to maintain and protect its respective properties and
business organization and the services of its officers, and
maintain the relationships with its respective customers and
suppliers. The Merger Agreement also provides that
Mississippi-6 will, among other things, (i) continue to market
and advertise its services and products in accordance with past
practices, (ii) use its reasonable best efforts to
expeditiously and diligently resolve all proceedings,
threatened proceedings and other claims as soon as reasonably
practicable, provided that it consults with Century prior to
settling any such matter, (iii) construct all cell sites
currently under construction in accordance with sound business
practices and (iv) otherwise make all capital improvements in
accordance with its capital expenditure budget. Mississippi-6
has further agreed to apply to the FCC for an extension of the
five year "fill-in" period beyond the April 23, 1995 expiration
date for any unserved areas greater than 50 square miles. See
"Information About Mississippi-6 - Description of the Business
-- Construction and Management of Cellular System and "--
Regulation."
The Merger Agreement also contains various customary
covenants and agreements by Century and Mississippi-6,
including covenants to cooperate and use reasonable best
efforts to obtain all necessary third-party and governmental
approvals, to satisfy all conditions to Closing and to
consummate the Merger at the earliest practical date.
Termination and Amendment of Certain Agreements
Prior to the Effective Time, the management and
construction services agreement between Mississippi-6 and
Mercury will be terminated, and in connection therewith
Mississippi-6 will pay to Mercury a termination fee of $72,000.
Century's obligation to consummate the Merger is conditioned
upon Century and Mercury agreeing to a short-term agreement
under which Mercury will provide on a transitional basis after
the Closing certain of the management services currently being
provided to Mississippi-6. See "- Other Terms of the Merger
Agreement -- Regulatory Approvals and Other Closing
Conditions." Negotiations of this transitional agreement have
not yet begun and may not commence until shortly before the
Closing. However, it is anticipated that Mercury will provide
a substantially reduced level of services for no more than one
or two months after the Closing Date. For a discussion of the
management agreement currently in effect and the affiliations
of Mercury and Mississippi-6, see "Information About
Mississippi-6 - Description of the Business -- Construction and
Management of Cellular System" and the Notes to Mississippi-6's
financial statements appearing elsewhere herein.
At Century's request, Mississippi-6 has agreed to use its
best efforts prior to Closing to amend its billing services
agreement with an unaffiliated party to delete, to the fullest
extent possible, liability of Mississippi-6 for termination
fees upon early termination of the agreement. If Mississippi-6
terminates this agreement prior to September 1998, Mississippi-
6 will be obligated to pay an early termination fee in an
amount determined under a formula. Assuming this agreement is
terminated [immediately after Closing, which is anticipated to
be held in June 1995,] the termination fee would be $390,000
(and would decrease $________ each month thereafter).
Century's obligation to consummate the Merger is conditioned
upon amending this agreement prior to the Closing to delete any
reference to termination fees or to otherwise effect amendments
acceptable to Century. In the event negotiations to delete
these terminations fees are unsuccessful, Century has agreed to
waive the closing condition if Mississippi-6 agrees that one-
half of the liability for termination fees will be the
responsibility of Mississippi-6 and will be reflected in Net
Indebtedness. As of the date of this Information Statement,
these negotiations have been unsuccessful and Mississippi-6
will incur a $195,000_ increase in Net Indebtedness in
recognition thereof, which reflects one-half of the termination
fees payable assuming the Closing occurs in [June 1995]. See
"- Post-Closing Liabilities; Escrow Agreement -- Post-Closing
Adjustment of Merger Consideration."
Accounting Treatment
Century will account for the Merger as a purchase under
generally accepted accounting principles.
Operations After the Merger
After the Closing, Mississippi-6 will be a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Century. The articles of incorporation of
Mississippi-6 and the bylaws of Sub in effect immediately prior
to the Effective Time will be the articles of incorporation and
bylaws of Mississippi-6 as the surviving corporation in the
Merger. The officers and directors of Sub (each of whom are
officers or directors of Century) immediately prior to the
Effective Time will serve as the officers and directors of
Mississippi-6 after the Effective Time.
Resales of Century Stock
The Century Stock to be issued to shareholders of
Mississippi-6 in connection with the Merger will be freely
transferable under the Securities Act, except for shares issued
to the persons who are "affiliates" of Mississippi-6 on the
Record Date (the "Mississippi-6 Affiliates") for purposes of
Rule 145 ("Rule 145") promulgated under the Securities Act of
1993, as amended (the "Securities Act"). Such persons may not
sell their shares of Century Stock acquired in connection with
the Merger except pursuant to an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act covering such shares, in
compliance with Rule 145 or pursuant to another applicable
exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities
Act. As a condition to consummating the Merger, each
Mississippi-6 Affiliate is required to deliver to Century a
written agreement that such person will not sell, pledge,
transfer or otherwise dispose of any shares of Century Stock
received in the Merger in violation of the Securities Act.
Under Rule 145, the sale of Century Stock by a
Mississippi-6 Affiliate will be subject to certain
restrictions, including the requirement that (i) Century has
filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 of the
Exchange Act during the preceding twelve months and (ii) such
Century Stock is sold in a "broker's transaction," which is
defined under the Securities Act generally as an unsolicited
sale through a broker who receives a normal commission.
Assuming Century has timely filed all such reports after the
second anniversary of the Closing Date, each Mississippi-6
Affiliate who is not an affiliate of Century will be able to
sell Century Stock without any restriction. After the third
anniversary of the Closing Date, Mississippi-6 Affiliates who
are not affiliates of Century will be subject to no
restrictions under Rule 145.
Dissenting Shareholders' Rights
General. Any record shareholder of Mississippi-6 who
objects to the Merger and who follows the procedures proscribed
by Article 13 of the Mississippi Business Corporation Act (the
"MBCA") will be entitled to receive, in lieu of the Merger
Consideration, cash equal to the "fair value" of his shares of
Mississippi-6 Stock. "Fair Value" is defined in the MBCA as
the value of the shares immediately before the Merger,
excluding any appreciation or depreciation in anticipation
thereof unless exclusion would be inequitable. THE PROCEDURES
SET FORTH IN ARTICLE 13 SHOULD BE STRICTLY COMPLIED WITH.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW ANY SUCH PROCEDURES MAY RESULT IN A
TERMINATION OR WAIVER OF DISSENTERS' RIGHTS UNDER ARTICLE 13.
In the event a shareholder of Mississippi-6 seeking dissenters'
rights forfeits or waives such rights under Article 13, such
shareholder shall immediately thereafter be deemed to have
converted his shares into the right to receive the Merger
Consideration as described herein and such shareholder, in
order to receive such consideration, should submit to the
Exchange Agent a Letter of Authorization and all certificates
previously representing shares of Mississippi-6 Stock held by
such shareholder. See "- Procedures for Receiving Merger
Consideration."
Set forth below is a summary of the procedures relating
to the exercise of dissenting shareholders' rights as provided
in the MBCA. The summary does not purport to be complete and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to Sections 79-4-
13.01 through 79-4-13.31 of the MBCA, which have been attached
hereto as Appendix D.
Procedures to Perfect Rights. In order to be eligible to
exercise the right to dissent, a Mississippi-6 shareholder must
(i) give notice in writing to Mississippi-6 prior to the vote
on the Merger that he intends to demand payment for his shares
if the Merger is effectuated and (ii) refrain from voting in
favor of the Merger Proposal. Neither a vote against the
Merger Proposal nor a proxy directing such vote shall satisfy
the requirement that a written demand for appraisal be
delivered to Mississippi-6 before the vote on the Merger
Proposal.
Mississippi-6 believes that each record shareholder of
Mississippi-6 beneficially holds all of the voting and
investment power associated with their shares. To the extent
any shares of Mississippi-6 Stock are beneficially owned by
someone other than the record shareholder, the holders are
urged to review the procedures set forth in Section 79-4-13.03
of the MBCA.
Determination of "Fair Value" by Parties. If the Merger
Proposal is approved at the Special Meeting, Mississippi-6 will
be required, within ten days after the Effective Date, to
deliver a written notice (the "Dissenters Notice") to all
shareholders who satisfied the requirements described above.
This notice must, among other things, (i) state where the
shareholder must send his demand for payment ("Payment Demand")
and state where and when the certificates formerly representing
the shareholder's Mississippi-6 Stock must be deposited, (ii)
supply a form for demanding payment that includes the date of
the first announcement to the news media or to shareholders of
the terms of the proposed Merger and which requires that the
shareholder certify whether he acquired beneficial ownership of
his shares before that date and (iii) set a date by which
Century must receive the Payment Demand, which date may not be
fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days after the date the
Dissenters' Notice is delivered.
Each dissenting shareholder who receives a Dissenters'
Notice will be required to demand payment and deposit his
certificates in accordance with the terms of the Dissenters'
Notice. A shareholder who fails to timely demand payment or
deposit his certificates in the manner required under the
Dissenters' Notice will forfeit his dissenters' rights under
the MBCA, and, in accordance with the Merger Agreement, will be
entitled to the Merger Consideration payable to non-dissenting
shareholders under the Merger Agreement.
Subject to the exceptions described below, upon receipt
of a Payment Demand, Mississippi-6 will be required to pay each
dissenting shareholder who has duly demanded payment and
tendered his certificates the amount Mississippi-6 estimates to
be the fair value of his shares, plus accrued interest from the
Effective Date at the average rate then paid by Mississippi-6
on its principal bank debt. This payment must be accompanied
by, among other things, (i) various specified financial
statements of Mississippi-6 and (ii) an explanation of how the
interest was calculated. Mississippi-6 may elect to withhold
payment from a dissenting shareholder who was not the
beneficial owner of the shares on the date set forth in the
Dissenters' Notice as the date of the first announcement of the
terms of the proposed Merger. In such case, Mississippi-6
shall estimate the fair value of the shares, plus accrued
interest, and shall pay this amount to each dissenter who
agrees to accept it in full satisfaction of his demand.
Thereafter, a dissenter may notify Mississippi-6 in
writing of his estimate of the fair value of his shares and
amount of interest due, and demand payment of his estimate
(less any payments previously made) or reject Mississippi-6's
offer and demand payment of the fair value of his shares and
interest due, if, among other circumstances, (i) the dissenter
believes that the amount paid or offered by Mississippi-6 is
less than the fair value of his shares or that the interest due
is incorrectly calculated or (ii) Mississippi-6 fails to timely
pay the dissenter as required under the MBCA. A dissenter
waives his right to demand payment unless he notifies
Mississippi-6 of his demand in writing within 30 days after
Mississippi-6 made or offered payment for his shares.
Judicial Appraisal. Under the MBCA, if a dissenting
shareholder's demand for payment remains unsettled,
Mississippi-6 must commence a proceeding in the Chancery Court
for Hinds County, Mississippi (the "Court") within 60 days
after receiving the Payment Demand and petition the court to
determine the fair value of the shares and accrued interest.
If Mississippi-6 does not commence this proceeding within this
60-day period, it shall pay each dissenter whose demand remains
unsettled the amount demanded.
Mississippi-6 will be required to make all dissenters
whose demands remained unsettled parties to the proceeding.
The Court will be authorized to appoint one or more persons as
appraisers to receive evidence and recommend a decision on the
question of fair value. The appraiser shall have the powers
described in the order appointing them.
The Court, in the appraisal proceeding, will be required
to determine all costs of the proceeding, including the
reasonable compensation and expense of appraisers appointed by
the Court. The Court will assess these costs against
Mississippi-6, except that the Court may assess costs against
all or some of the dissenters, in amounts the Court finds
equitable, to the extent the Court finds the dissenters acted
arbitrarily or in bad faith in demanding payment. The Court
may also assess the fees and expenses of counsel and experts
for the respective parties, in amounts the Court finds
equitable, either (i) against Mississippi-6 and in favor of any
and all dissenters if the Court finds that Mississippi-6 did
not substantially comply with certain specified procedural
requirements, or (ii) against either Mississippi-6 or a
dissenter if the Court finds that the party against whom the
fees and expenses are assessed acted arbitrarily or in bad
faith.
The exercise of these rights may result in a judicial
determination that the fair value of a dissenting shareholder's
shares of Mississippi-6 Stock is higher or lower than the value
of the Merger Consideration payable to the non-dissenting
shareholders pursuant to the Merger Agreement.
Other Considerations. The MBCA provides that, in the
absence of fraud or illegality, the right to dissent is the
only remedy provided to a shareholder objecting to the Merger
Proposal. Century's obligation to consummate the Merger is
subject to the condition that the number of shares of
Mississippi-6 Stock held by dissenting shareholders will not
exceed 10% of all of the issued and outstanding Mississippi-6
Stock. See "The Merger Proposal - Other Terms of the Merger
Agreement -- Regulatory Approvals and Other Closing
Conditions." For discussion of certain tax consequences
associated with the exercise of dissenters' rights, see "The
Merger Proposal - Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences."
INFORMATION ABOUT MISSISSIPPI-6
Description of the Business
General. Mississippi-6 was organized as a privately-held
corporation in late 1990 to acquire the FCC non-wireline
license to construct and operate a cellular telephone system
serving the RSA. Since acquiring this license in early 1991,
Mississippi-6 has been primarily engaged in providing for the
financing, construction and operation of a cellular telephone
system servicing this licensed market, which has a population
of approximately 183,000. As of April 30, 1995, Mississippi-6
had 3,460 subscribers to its cellular service. For additional
information regarding Mississippi-6's organization, see "The
Merger Proposal - Background of the Merger."
The cellular industry has been in existence for just over
ten years in the United States. Cellular mobile telephone
technology was developed in response to certain limitations of
conventional mobile telephone systems. Compared to such
conventional systems, cellular mobile telephone service is
capable of high-quality, high-capacity communications to and
from vehicle-mounted, transportable and hand-held radio
telephones. Although the industry is relative new, it has
grown significantly during this period. According to the
Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association, in February
1995 there were estimated to be over 25 million cellular
customers across the United States. Cellular service is now
available in substantially all areas of the United States.
Description of RSA. The RSA consists of eight counties
located in central Mississippi northeast of Jackson,
Mississippi. Columbus, Mississippi, which has a metropolitan-
wide population of approximately [45,000], is the largest city
located in the RSA. Starkville, Mississippi, which is located
within 15 miles of Columbus, has a population of approximately
[19,000]. The Columbus-Starkville area includes Mississippi
State University, the Mississippi University for Women, the
Columbus Air Force Base and several local manufacturing
companies. The RSA also includes a 15-mile section of
Interstate Highway 55, a 94-mile section of U.S. Highway 82,
and a 60-mile section of State Highway 25.
Construction and Management of Cellular System. Since
its inception, Mississippi-6 has been managed by Mercury
Communications Company ("Mercury"), a privately-held
corporation formed in 1990 to provide managerial services to
cellular companies. Currently Mercury manages seven RSA
cellular systems in six states. Mercury's shareholders,
directors and officers beneficially own approximately 67.9% of
the Mississippi-6 Stock. In addition, two of Mississippi-6's
three directors are also shareholders and directors of Mercury,
and William M. Mounger, II acts as the President of both
companies.
In 1994, Mississippi-6 terminated its original services
agreement with Mercury and entered into a new three-year
management and construction services agreement with Mercury
(the "Service Agreement"). Subject to Mississippi-6's
oversight and certain budgetary constraints, Mercury has agreed
under the Service Agreement to (i) manage and supervise the
expansion of Mississippi-6's cellular system, including
developing and implementing plans to construct such other cell
sites as may be necessary to meet customer demands and provide
service in the entire licensed territory in the manner required
by the FCC, and (ii) subject to certain restrictions, manage
and supervise the day-to-day operations of the system,
including providing administrative, operational and marketing
services. In exchange for its services, Mercury is entitled to
receive a $5,000 management fee per month, reimbursement of its
direct costs (including the compensation of 14 employees of
Mercury who perform services solely for Mississippi-6) and
certain specified indirect costs and (iii) a bonus equal to 5%
of an amount equal to Mississippi-6's net income plus
depreciation and amortization. Either party may terminate the
Service Agreement upon, among other things, 90 days' written
notice. For additional information on the Service Agreement,
see the notes to the financial statements of Mississippi-6
appearing elsewhere herein. As indicated under "The Merger
Proposal - Termination and Amendment of Certain Agreements,"
the Service Agreement will be terminated in connection with the
Closing.
Construction of Mississippi-6's first cellular radio cell
site was completed in late October 1991. Pending completion of
construction, Mississippi-6 offered cellular service by means
of a re-sale agreement with the wireline provider of cellular
service in the RSA. In December 1991 the Company began
converting existing customers to services provided through its
own system. Currently, Mississippi-6 has eight fully-
constructed cell sites, each of which utilize analog cellular
voice transmission facilities. The following chart indicates
the number of Mississippi-6's subscribers as of the dates
indicated:
Date No. of Subscribers
____ __________________
December 31, 1992 1,706
December 31, 1993 2,539
December 31, 1994 3,372
March 31, 1995 3,397
As indicated below under "-- Regulation," five years
after initial cellular operating licenses are granted, areas
unserved by the holder of the license may be applied for by
any qualified party. To avoid the possibility of forfeiting
the right to serve a 36-square mile area in the southwest
corner of the RSA, Mississippi-6 entered into a co-licensing
agreement with the cellular operator of the adjacent market
on April 21, 1995.
Services, Customers and System Usage. Mississippi-6
sells a full range of vehicle-mounted, transportable, and
hand-held portable cellular telephones. Mississippi-6's
customers are able to choose from a variety of packaged
pricing plans which are designed to fit different calling
patterns. Mississippi-6 typically charges its customers
separately for custom-calling features, air time in excess
of the packaged amount, and toll calls. Custom-calling
features provided by Mississippi-6 include call-forwarding,
call-waiting, three-way calling, no-answer transfer and
voice mail.
Cellular customers come from a wide range of
occupations. They typically include a large proportion of
individuals who work outside of their office. It is
anticipated that average revenue per customer will continue
to decline as additional non-commercial customers who
generate fewer local minutes of use are added as subscribers
and as competitive pressures intensify and place downward
pressure on rates.
Marketing. Mississippi-6 markets its services under
the "CellularOne" tradename. Mississippi-6 has engaged five
sales agents who are compensated on a commission basis, and
who report to a general manager of Mercury whose efforts are
dedicated solely to Mississippi-6's market.
Regulation. During the 1980's and early 1990's, the
FCC awarded two licenses to provide cellular service in each
market. Licenses for rural service areas (such as the RSA)
were granted several years after the initial licenses were
granted for metropolitan service areas. Each licensee is
required to provide service to a designated portion of the
area or population in its licensed area as a condition to
maintaining that license. Initially, one license was
reserved for companies offering local telephone service in
the market (the wireline carrier) and one licensee was
available for firms unaffiliated with the local telephone
company (the non-wireline carrier).
Initial operating licenses are granted for ten-year
periods and are renewable upon application to the FCC for
periods of ten years. Licenses may be revoked and license
renewal applications denied for cause. There may be
competition for licenses upon the expiration of the initial
ten-year terms and there is no assurance that any license
will be renewed, although the FCC has issued a decision that
grants a renewal expectancy during the license renewal
period to incumbent licensees that substantially comply with
the terms and conditions of their cellular authorizations
and the FCC's regulations. Five years after initial
operating licenses are granted, unserved areas within
markets previously granted to licensees may be applied for
by any qualified party. The FCC has rules that govern the
procedures for filing and granting such applications and has
established requirements for constructing and operating
systems in such areas. See "-- Construction and Management
of Cellular System."
The completion of acquisitions involving the transfer
of control of a cellular system requires prior FCC approval
and, in certain cases, receipt of other federal and state
regulatory approvals. Acquisitions of minority interests
generally do not require FCC approval. Whenever FCC
approval is required, any interested party may file a
petition to dismiss or deny the application for approval of
the proposed transfer.
Mississippi-6 is also subject to certain state and
local regulation in some instances. Although the FCC has
pre-empted the states from exercising jurisdiction in the
areas of licensing, technical standards and market
structure, the State of Mississippi requires cellular
operators to be certified. In addition, Mississippi
regulates certain aspects of cellular operators' businesses,
including the terms and conditions of service and the
technical arrangements and charges for interconnection with
the landline network.
Competition. Competition between cellular providers
in each market is conducted principally on the basis of
services and enhancements offered, the technical quality and
coverage of the system, quality and responsiveness of
customer service, and price. Competition may be intense.
Mississippi-6 competes in its licensed market against
Cellular Holdings, Inc., which has assets and resources
significantly greater than Mississippi-6's.
Continued and rapid technological advances in the
communications field, coupled with legislative and
regulatory uncertainty, make it impossible to predict the
extent of future competition to cellular systems or
determine which existing or emerging technologies pose the
most viable alternatives to Mississippi-6's cellular
operations. These technologies include (i) personal
communications services, as to which the FCC is currently
auctioning additional radio frequency spectrum for future
use, (ii) specialized mobile radio service ("SMR") and
enhanced SMR, (iii) mobile satellite systems and (iv)
several other one-way and two-way paging, beeping, data and
other communications services. For further information on
the competitive environment for cellular companies,
reference is made to the reports of Century incorporated
herein by reference. See "Incorporation of Certain
Documents by Reference."
Litigation. Mississippi-6 is a defendant in a lawsuit
by a former Mercury employee seeking $150,000 and punitive
damages in connection with an alleged retaliatory
termination and alleged violations of wage and hour laws.
For further information, see Note 10 to Mississippi-6's
financial statements included elsewhere herein.
Other. The Company has no employees on its payroll.
See "-- Construction and Management of Cellular System" and
"-- Marketing." Mississippi-6 leases all of its cell sites
and office space except for its Starkville cell site, which
it owns.
For further information regarding Mississippi-6, see
"Mississippi-6 Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and
Mississippi-6's financial statements and the notes thereto
included elsewhere herein.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management
As of the Record Date, there were outstanding 1,000
shares of Mississippi-6 Stock, the only class of capital
stock of Mississippi-6. The following table shows the
number of shares of Mississippi-6 Stock owned of record and
beneficially as of the Record Date by (i) each person known
by Mississippi-6 to own beneficially 5% or more of the
outstanding Mississippi-6 Stock, (ii) each of Mississippi-
6's directors and executive officers and (iii) all directors
and executive officers of Mississippi-6 as a group.
Beneficial ownership has been determined in accordance with
Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act. Unless
otherwise indicated, (i) each person has been engaged in the
principal occupation listed below for at least five years
and (ii) all information is presented as of Record Date and
all shares indicated as beneficially owned are held with
sole voting and investment power.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Current
Management No. of Shares
Name and Address of Principal Position with Beneficially Percent
Beneficial Owner<FN1> Occupation Mississippi-6 Owned of Class
______________________ ___________ ______________ _____________ ________
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
David A. Bailey Chief executive officer Director and
and principal stockholder Vice President 374.14<FN2> 37.41%
of several cable
television companies
Wirt A. Yerger, III Private investor since Vice President 116,.60 11.66%
January 1, 1995; chief
executive officer or
principal of several
cellular and
communications companies;
Vice President of Ross &
Yerger, an independent
insurance agency, between
1982 and January 1, 1995
William M. Mounger, II President of Mercury Director and 104.83 10.48%
Communications Company President
since 1990
Bruce G. Allbright, III Principal of Bruce --- 58.53 5.85%
Allbright Agency, Inc.
(cotton merchants) since
1983; private investor in
several telecommunications
and agricultural
partnerships
Sanford C. Thomas Investment adviser and Director 24.75 2.48%
consultant, Crown Partners
James T. Thomas, IV Partner, Brunini, Secretary 57.33 5.73%
Grantham, Grower & Hewes,
PLLC (a law firm)
All directors and --- --- 620.32 62.03%
executive officers
as a group (4
persons)
__________________
</TABLE>
<FN1> With the exception of Mr. Allbright, whose
mailing address is 4325 North Golden State Boulevard, Suite
105, Fresno, California 93722, the mailing address of the
directors and officers of Mississippi-6 is c/o Mississippi-6
Cellular Corporation, 1410 Livingston Lane, Jackson,
Mississippi 39213-8003.
<FN2> Includes 47.07 shares owned of record by Mr.
Bailey's wife and 47.07 shares owned of record by his 20-
year-old son.
________________
Dividends on and Market Prices of Mississippi-6 Stock
No established trading market exists with respect to
shares of Mississippi-6 Stock. As of the Record Date, there
were 24 holders of record of Mississippi-6 Stock. Since its
inception in late 1990, Mississippi-6 has not declared or
paid dividends with respect to the Mississippi-6 Stock.
MISSISSIPPI-6 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This discussion and analysis of Mississippi-6's
financial condition and results of operations should be read
in conjunction with the financial statements of
Mississippi-6 included elsewhere herein.
Background
Mississippi-6 was formed in late 1990 to acquire the
non-wireline cellular operating license issued by the FCC
and to construct and operate a cellular system serving the
RSA. Since acquiring this license in 1991, Mississippi-6
has been engaged in the construction, development and
operation of a cellular telephone system to serve this
licensed market, which has a population of approximately
183,000.
Year Ended December 31, 1994 Compared to Year Ended
December 31, 1993
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Results of Operations
Year ended December 31,
________________________
1994 1993
________ _________
<S> <C> <C>
Operating revenues
Service revenues $2,582,676 $ 2,010,485
Equipment sales 222,709 260,998
_________ _________
2,805,385 2,271,483
_________ _________
Operating expenses
System operations 786,341 656,334
Cost of equipment sold 298,487 311,065
General and administrative 640,849 617,995
Marketing and selling 250,804 188,352
Management fees 118,190 72,000
Depreciation and amortization 480,140 428,956
Other, net 13,142 10,000
_________ _________
2,587,953 2,284,702
_________ _________
Operating income (loss) 217,432 (13,219)
Interest expense (332,908) (287,889)
Other income (expense), net (4,749) (9,277)
_________ _________
Net loss $ (120,225) $ (310,385)
========= =========
</TABLE>
Operating income increased in 1994 by $230,000 to
$217,000 from an operating loss of $13,000 in 1993.
Operating revenues increased $534,000, which more than
offset an increase in operating expenses of $303,000.
Service revenues, which increased $572,000 in 1994
compared to 1993, are derived from charges to customers for
cellular services including monthly access, cellular air
time, roamer charges to other carriers' customers, and other
related services. Approximately $400,000 of the increase
was attributable to a 38% increase in the average number of
customers and $170,000 was due to increased roaming
revenues. The average units in service during 1994 and 1993
were approximately 2,900 and 2,100, respectively. The
average monthly service revenue per customer declined to $74
in 1994 from $80 in 1993. It has been an industry-wide
trend that early subscribers have normally been the heaviest
users and that a higher percent of new subscribers tend to
be lower usage customers. The average monthly service
revenue per customer may further decline (i) as market
penetration increases and additional lower usage customers
are activated and (ii) as competitive pressures intensify
and place downward pressure on rates. During the second
quarter of 1995, Mississippi-6 added a new rate plan and
reduced usage charges on certain other rate plans, the
overall effect of which is not expected to materially
adversely affect the results of operations of Mississippi-6.
System operations expenses increased $130,000 to
$786,000 in 1994 and marketing and selling expenses
increased to $251,000 from $188,000. These are primarily
variable costs, such as salaries and commissions, which vary
with the numbers of customers and/or customer usage of the
system.
General and administrative expenses increased to
$641,000 during 1994 from $618,000 in 1993 primarily due to
costs incurred as a result of the increased number of
customers.
Management fees were $118,000 in 1994 and $72,000 in
1993. Mississippi-6 attained certain performance levels in
1993 that for the first time obligated Mississippi-6 to pay
management bonuses to Mercury; such bonuses for 1993 in the
amount of $36,000 were not determined or recorded until
1994. Also in 1994 Mississippi-6 entered into a new
management and construction service agreement with Mercury.
See "Information About Mississippi-6 - Description of the
Business -- Construction and Management of Cellular System."
Depreciation and amortization includes $110,000 of
amortization of licensing costs in 1994 and 1993. The
$51,000 increase in depreciation expense in 1994 was
primarily due to higher levels of property, plant and
equipment.
Interest expense payable under Mississippi-6's
variable-rate long-term debt increased in 1994 due
principally to an increase in the prime rate.
Liquidity and Capital Resources. During 1993,
Mississippi-6's primary source of funds was proceeds from
the issuance of debt. However, in 1994 funds were provided
by operating activities. Net cash provided by operating
activities during 1994 was $536,000; net cash used by
operating activities during 1993 was $63,000. Mississippi-
6's accompanying statements of cash flows identifies major
differences between net loss and cash provided or used by
operating activities for 1994 and 1993. For additional
information relating to the operating activities of
Mississippi-6, see "- Results of Operations."
Net cash used in investing activities during 1994 and
1993 was $595,000 and $353,000, respectively, all of which
represented additions to property, plant and equipment.
During 1994 two cell sites and an extender were constructed.
Net cash used in financing activities during 1994 was
$169,000; net cash provided by financing activities during
1993 was $653,000. During 1993 Mississippi-6 borrowed
$664,000. Repayment of borrowings during 1994 and 1993 were
$169,000 and $11,000, respectively.
Subsequent Event. During the first quarter of 1995,
Mississippi-6 discharged its then-existing debt to Novatel
Finance, Inc. ("Novatel") in the amount of $3,300,000 and
refinanced such debt with a line of credit from Trustmark
National Bank ("Trustmark") in Jackson, Mississippi.
Maximum borrowings available under the facility are
$5,000,000. Mississippi-6 intends to utilize borrowings
available under this new facility to, among other things,
complete payment of certain 1994 construction costs,
construct a new cell site during 1995, and open and/or
renovate certain sales offices.
Three Months Ended March 31, 1995 Compared to Three Months
Ended March 31, 1994
Results of Operations
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three months ended
March 31,
______________________
1995 1994
_________ ________
<S> <C> <C>
Operating revenues
Service revenues $ 704,099 595,997
Equipment sales 33,711 50,195
__________ _________
737,810 646,192
Operating expenses
System operations 200,749 133,284
Cost of equipment sold 65,111 61,239
General and administrative 202,887 152,343
Marketing and selling 62,672 46,007
Management fees 37,190 54,000
Depreciation and amortization 144,510 120,180
__________ _________
Operating income 24,691 79,139
Interest expense (105,683) (72,599)
Other income (expense), net (31,157) 430
__________ _________
Net income (loss) $ (112,149) 6,970
========== =========
</TABLE>
Operating income for the three months ended March 31,
1995 was $25,000 compared to operating income of $79,000 for
the quarter ended March 31, 1994. Operating revenues, which
increased $92,000, were more than offset by an increase in
operating expenses of $146,000.
Service revenues increased $108,000 in 1995 compared
to the first quarter of 1994 due to an increase in the
average number of customers. The average units in service
during the first quarter of 1995 and 1994 was approximately
3,400 and 2,600, respectively. The average monthly service
revenue per customer decreased to $69 in the first quarter
of 1995 from $76 during the first quarter of 1994,
continuing the trend discussed under "- Year Ended December
31, 1994 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 1993 -- Results
of Operations." As stated in that section, during the
second quarter of 1995 Mississippi-6 added a new rate plan
and reduced usage charges on certain other rate plans, the
overall effect of which is not expected to materially
adversely affect the results of operations of Mississippi-6.
Mississippi-6 anticipates that the new rate plan and the
reduction in usage charges may result in an increase in the
number of subscribers.
Operating expenses, exclusive of management fees and
depreciation and amortization, increased primarily due to
costs incurred as a result of serving the increased number
of customers. Mississippi-6 anticipates that operating
costs will stabilize in the latter part of 1995 and new
subscribers will be added at that time with the increase in
operating costs being less per subscriber than such costs
increased during the first quarter of 1995.
Management fees were less during the first quarter of
1995 compared to the first quarter of 1994 primarily because
Mississippi-6 entered into a new management agreement with
Mercury in 1994.
Depreciation and amortization includes $27,500 of
amortization of licensing costs in 1995 and 1994. The
increase in depreciation and amortization was primarily due
to higher levels of property, plant and equipment.
Interest expense increased $33,000 primarily due to
$15,000 of fees paid in connection with the new financing
and the effect of an increase in the prime rate. The
average interest rate payable under Mississippi-6's
variable-rate long-term debt was 9.8% in 1995 and 8% in
1994.
Other income and expense for the three months ended
March 31, 1995 included the writeoff of $29,000 of
unamortized deferred debt costs related to the Novatel debt,
which was refinanced during the first quarter of 1995.
Liquidity and Capital Resources. During the first
three months of 1994, net cash provided by operating
activities was $102,000. During the first three months of
1995, net cash used in operating activities was $181,000.
Mississippi-6's accompanying statements of cash flows
identifies major differences between net income or loss and
cash provided or used by operating activities for each of
these three-month periods. For additional information
related to the operating activities of Mississippi-6, see "-
- Results of Operations."
Net cash used in investing activities during the first
three months of 1995 and 1994 was $305,000 and $70,000,
respectively, all of which represented additions to
property, plant and equipment. The increase was principally
because a new cell site was constructed and two cell sites
were expanded during the first three months of 1995.
Net cash provided by financing activities during the
first three months of 1995 was $173,000, which primarily
represented the excess of the amounts borrowed under
Mississippi-6's new line of credit from Trustmark over the
refinancing of the debt due to Novatel and the repayment of
the notes payable to shareholders. For additional
information, see "- Year Ended December 31, 1994 Compared
to Year Ended December 31, 1993 -- Subsequent Event."
Other Matters
The telecommunications industry is currently
undergoing various regulatory, competitive and technological
changes that make it impossible to determine the form or
degree of future regulation and competition affecting
Mississippi-6's cellular operations. The FCC has recently
allocated additional frequency spectrum for mobile
communications technologies that will or may be competitive
with cellular, including Personal Communications Services
(for which the FCC began to auction operating licenses in
late 1994) and mobile satellite services. The FCC has also
authorized certain specialized mobile radio service
licensees to configure their systems so as to operate in a
manner similar to cellular systems. Some of these licensees
have announced their intention to create a nationwide mobile
communications system to compete with cellular systems. In
addition, certain competition which is expected to compete
primarily with wireline services may also result in
competition with cellular.
INFORMATION ABOUT CENTURY
General
Century is a regional diversified telecommunications
company that is primarily engaged in providing local
telephone and cellular mobile telephone services largely in
the central, north-south corridor of the United States. At
December 31, 1994, the Company's telephone subsidiaries
served approximately 455,000 telephone access lines,
primarily in rural, suburban and small urban communities in
14 states, with its largest customer bases located in
Wisconsin, Louisiana, Michigan and Ohio. Through its
cellular operations, the Company controls approximately 7.1
million pops in 28 MSAs (Metropolitan Statistical Areas) and
31 RSAs (Rural Service Areas), primarily concentrated in
Michigan, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi.
Century is the majority owner and operator in 19 of these
MSAs and 12 of these RSAs. At December 31, 1994, Century's
majority-owned cellular systems had more than 211,000
cellular subscribers. During 1994, telephone operations
provided 72% of Century's consolidated revenues, with mobile
communications operations providing the balance.
According to published sources and data derived
therefrom, Century is the 16th largest local exchange
telephone company in the United States based on the number
of access lines served and is the 17th largest cellular
telephone company in the United States based on Century's
owned pops.
Century's general strategy has been to provide
diversified telecommunications services and to achieve
growth principally through the acquisition of attractive
telecommunications companies. Century is continually
evaluating the possibility of acquiring additional telephone
access lines and cellular interests, either in exchange for
cash or securities of Century, or both. Although Century's
primary focus will be on acquiring telephone and cellular
interests that are proximate to Century's properties, other
communications interests may also be acquired.
For further information, see "Incorporation of Certain
Documents by Reference."
Price Range of Stock
Century Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange
and is traded under the symbol CTL. The following table
sets forth the high and low per share sales prices of
Century Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange
composite tape for each of the quarters indicated:
High Low
1993:
First quarter $33-3/8 $ 26
Second quarter 33-1/8 28
Third quarter 31-5/8 27-1/8
Fourth quarter 30-3/8 23-1/4
1994:
First quarter 27-7/8 21-7/8
Second quarter 27-5/8 22-5/8
Third quarter 30-1/2 25
Fourth quarter 32-1/4 27-1/2
1995:
First quarter 33-1/8 29
Second quarter (through
May _____, 1995) ______ ______
On April 17, 1995, the trading day preceding the
execution of the Merger Agreement, and on May _____, 1995,
the day preceding the date of this Information Statement,
the closing per share sales price of Century Stock as
reported on the New York Stock Exchange composite tape was
$29-7/8 and $__-__, respectively. As of ________ __, 1995,
there were approximately _____ shareholders of record of
Century Stock.
NO ASSURANCE CAN BE GIVEN AS TO THE MARKET PRICE OF
CENTURY STOCK BEFORE, AT OR AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE.
BECAUSE THE MARKET PRICE OF CENTURY STOCK ISSUABLE IN
CONNECTION WITH THE MERGER MAY INCREASE OR DECREASE, YOU ARE
URGED TO OBTAIN CURRENT MARKET QUOTATIONS.
Selected Consolidated Operating and Financial Data
The following table presents certain selected
consolidated operating and financial data for Century as of
and for each of the years ended in the five-year period
ended December 31, 1994, and as of or for the three-month
periods ended March 31, 1994 and 1995. The data, except for
the selected operating data, for each of the years in the
five-year period ended December 31, 1994 are derived from
Century's consolidated financial statements, which have been
audited by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified
public accountants. The consolidated financial statements
as of December 31, 1993 and 1994 and for each of the years
in the three-year period ended December 31, 1994, and the
independent auditors' report thereon, are incorporated by
reference herein. The unaudited financial information as of
March 31, 1995 and for the three-month periods ended March
31, 1994 and 1995 has not been audited by independent public
accountants; however, in the opinion of management, all
adjustments (which include only normal recurring
adjustments) necessary to present fairly the results of
operations for the three-month periods have been included
therein. The results of operations for the first three
months of 1995 are not necessarily indicative of the results
of operations which might be expected for the entire year.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31, March 31,
_______________________________________________ _________
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Selected Operating Data:
Telephone access lines 304,915 314,819 397,300 434,691 454,963 465,029
Cellular units in service -
majority owned markets 35,815 51,083 73,084 116,484 211,710 223,404
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended
Year Ended December 31, March 31,
________________________________________________ __________________
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1994 1995
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Selected Income Statement Data:
Revenues:
Telephone $ 215,771 $ 235,796 $ 297,510 $ 348,485 $ 389,438 $ 91,770 $ 100,276
Mobile Communications 34,594 46,731 62,092 84,712 150,802 29,210 42,149
_________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________
Total revenues 250,365 282,527 359,602 433,197 540,240 120,980 142,425
========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Operating income (loss):
Telephone $ 70,654 $ 80,039 $ 103,672 $ 114,902 $ 137,992 $ 30,890 $ 34,345
Mobile Communications (9,553) (4,952) 5,956 9,906 31,443 4,996 13,211
_________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________
Total operating income 61,101 75,087 109,628 124,808 169,435 35,886 47,556
Gain on sales of assets 4,094 --- 3,985 1,661 15,877 --- 5,909
Income (loss) from
unconsolidated cellular
entities (68) 697 1,692 6,626 15,698 2,564 4,724
Interest expense (24,132) (22,504) (27,166) (30,149) (42,577) (8,502) (11,396)
Minority interest 289 344 (436) (516) (3,377) (698) (1,946)
Other income and expense 7,210 3,865 4,869 3,826 6,482 889 848
_________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________
Income before income taxes
and cumulative effect of
changes in accounting
principles 48,494 57,489 92,572 106,256 161,538 30,139 45,695
Income taxes (17,396) (20,070) (32,599) (37,252) (61,300) (10,938) (18,695)
_________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________
Income before cummulative
effect of changes in
accounting principles 31,098 37,419 59,973 69,004 100,238 19,201 27,000
Cumulative effect of
changes in accounting
principles --- --- (15,668) --- --- --- ---
_________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________
Net income $ 31,098 $ 37,419 $ 44,305 $ 69,004 $ 100,238 $ 19,201 $ 27,000
========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Primary earnings per share:
Primary earnings per
share before cumulative
effect of changes in
accounting principles $ .66 $ .79 $ 1.23 $ 1.35 $ 1.88 $ .36 $ .48
Cumulative effect of
changes in accounting
principles --- --- (.32) --- --- --- ---
_________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________
Primary earnings per
share $ .66 $ .79 $ .91 $ 1.35 $ 1.88 $ .36 $ .48
========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Fully diluted earnings
per share:
Fully diluted earnings
per share before
cumulative effect of
changes in accounting
principles $ .66 $ .79 $ 1.22 $ 1.32 $ 1.80 $ .35 $ .47
Cumulative effect of
changes in accounting
principles --- --- (.31) --- --- --- ---
_________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________
Fully diluted earnings
per share $ .66 $ .79 $ .91 $ 1.32 $ 1.80 $ .35 $ .47
========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Dividends per common
share $ .280 $ .287 $ .293 $ .310 $ .320 $ .0800 $ .0825
========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Average primary shares
outstanding 46,809 47,305 48,500 51,206 53,419 52,817 56,184
========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Average fully diluted
shares outstanding 46,944 47,432 48,653 55,892 58,135 57,478 58,660
========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31, March 31,
________________________________________________________ ___________
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____
(In thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Selected Balance Sheet Data:
Net property, plant and equipment $ 490,957 $ 534,998 $ 675,878 $ 827,776 $ 947,131 $ 984,897
Excess cost of net assets
acquired, net 110,013 114,258 217,688 297,158 441,436 447,293
Total assets 706,411 764,539 1,040,487 1,319,390 1,643,253 1,692,151
Long-Term debt 230,715 205,453 346,944 364,433 518,603 427,022
Stockholders' equity 280,915 319,977 385,449 513,768 650,236 789,048
</TABLE>
For additional information, see Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations included in Century's filings under the
Exchange Act incorporated herein by reference.
COMPARATIVE RIGHTS OF CENTURY AND MISSISSIPPI-6
SHAREHOLDERS
If the Merger is consummated, all shareholders of
Mississippi-6, other than dissenting shareholders, will
become shareholders of Century. The rights of Century's
shareholders are governed by and subject to the provisions
of the Louisiana Business Corporation Law (the "LBCL"), the
Articles of Incorporation of Century (the "Century
Articles") and the Bylaws of Century (the "Century Bylaws"),
rather than the provisions of the MBCA, the Articles of
Incorporation of Mississippi-6 (the "Mississippi-6
Articles"), the Bylaws of Mississippi-6 (the "Mississippi-6
Bylaws") and the First Amended and Restated Shareholders
Agreement among Mississippi-6 and the shareholders thereof
dated as of January 1, 1995 (the "Shareholders' Agreement")
that currently govern the rights of Mississippi-6's
shareholders. The following is a brief summary of certain
differences between the rights of shareholders of Century
and the rights of shareholders of Mississippi-6 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the relevant
provisions of (i) the LBCL, (ii) the MBCA, (iii) the Century
Articles, (iv) the Century Bylaws, (v) the Mississippi-6
Articles, (vi) the Mississippi-6 Bylaws, (vi) the
Shareholders' Agreement and (viii) Century's Registration
Statement filed under the Exchange Act, as modified by its
Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 12, 1991, which has
been incorporated herein by reference. See "Incorporation
of Certain Documents by Reference."
Voting Rights of Common Stock
Under the Century Articles, each share of Century
Stock that has been beneficially owned by the same person or
entity continuously since May 30, 1987 generally entitles
the holder thereof to ten votes on all matters duly
submitted to a vote of shareholders. Otherwise, each share
entitles the holder thereof to one vote per share.
Accordingly, each share issued in connection with the Merger
will entitle the holder to one vote, and, subject to the
possibility of Century issuing ten-vote shares in connection
with business combinations accounted for as poolings of
interest, each other share of Century Stock issued by
Century in the future will entitle the holder to one vote.
Holders of Century Stock do not have cumulative voting
rights. As a result, the holders of more than 50% of the
voting power may elect all of the directors if they so
desire. As of March 13, 1995, the trustee for two of
Century's employee benefit plans was the record holder of
Century Stock having approximately 38% of the total voting
power of all classes of Century's capital stock. The
trustee votes these shares in accordance with the
instructions of Century's employees. For a discussion of
the possible antitakeover effects of these provisions, see
the discussion below under the heading "- Laws and
Organizational Document Provisions with Possible
Antitakeover Effects."
The holders of Mississippi-6 Stock are entitled to one
vote per share on all matters duly submitted to a
shareholder vote. However, in connection with the election
of directors, holders of Mississippi-6 Stock have cumulative
voting rights.
Preferred Stock
Under the Century Articles, the Board of Directors of
Century is authorized, without shareholder action, to issue
preferred stock ("Century Preferred Stock") from time to
time and to establish the designations, preferences and
relative, optional or other special rights and
qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as
well as to establish and fix variations in the relative
rights as between holders of any one ore more series
thereof. The authority of the Board of Directors includes,
but is not limited to, the determination or establishment of
the following with respect to each series of Century
Preferred Stock that may be issued: (i) the designation of
such series, (ii) the number of shares initially
constituting such series, (iii) the dividend rate and
conditions and the dividend and other preferences, if any,
in respect of Century Preferred Stock or among the series of
Century Preferred Stock, (iv) whether, and upon what terms,
the Century Preferred Stock would be convertible into or
exchangeable for other securities of Century, (v) whether,
and to what extent, holders of Century Preferred Stock will
have voting rights, and (vi) the restrictions, if any, that
are to apply on the issue or reissue of any additional
shares of Century Preferred Stock.
As of December 31, 1994, 90,707 shares of certain
shares of Century Preferred Stock were outstanding. At such
time, such shares were convertible into a total of
approximately 193,000 shares of Century Stock, and 4,260 of
such shares were immediately redeemable at the option of the
Board of Directors. Each holder of the currently
outstanding Century Preferred Stock is entitled to receive
cumulative dividends prior to the distribution or
declaration of dividends in respect of the Century Stock and
is entitled to vote as a class with the Century Stock.
Shares of Century Preferred Stock that have been
beneficially owned by the same person or entity continuously
since May 30, 1987 entitle the holder to cast ten votes per
share in the same manner as the Century Stock. Upon the
dissolution, liquidation or winding up of Century, the
holders of the currently outstanding Century Preferred Stock
are entitled to receive, pro rata with all other such
holders, a per share amount equal to $25.00 plus any unpaid
accumulated dividends thereon prior to any payments on the
Century Stock.
For a discussion of the possible antitakeover effects
of the existence of undesignated Century Preferred Stock,
see the discussion below under "-Laws and Organizational
Document Provisions with Possible Antitakeover Effects."
The Mississippi-6 Articles do not authorize the
issuance of preferred stock, and no shares of Mississippi-6
preferred stock are outstanding.
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
In November 1986, the Board of Directors of Century
declared a distribution of one preferred stock purchase
right (a "Right") for each outstanding share of Century
Stock, payable to shareholders of record at the close of
business on November 28, 1986, and authorized the issuance
of one Right with respect to each share of Century Stock
(including the shares to be issued in connection with the
Merger) issued between such date and the Distribution Date
(as defined below). Each Right currently entitles the
registered holder to purchase from Century eight twenty-
sevenths of one one-hundredth of a share of a new series of
preferred stock, designated as Series AA Junior
Participating Preferred Stock, $25.00 par value (the "Series
AA Preferred Stock"), at a price of $85 per one one-
hundredth of a share (the "Purchase Price"). The Rights are
represented by the Century Stock certificates and are not
exercisable or transferable apart from the Century Stock
certificates until the close of business on the tenth day
following the earlier to occur of (i) a public announcement
that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons
(an "Acquiring Person"), other than Century, any subsidiary
of Century or any employee benefit plan or employee stock
plan of Century or of any subsidiary of Century (an "Exempt
Person"), has acquired, or obtained the right to acquire,
beneficial ownership of securities of Century representing
15% or more of the outstanding Century Stock or such date as
a majority of the Board of Directors shall become aware of
such acquisition of the Century Stock (the "Stock
Acquisition Date") or (ii) the commencement of, or public
announcement of an intention to make, a tender or exchange
offer (other than a tender or exchange offer by an Exempt
Person) the consummation of which would result in the
ownership of 30% or more of the outstanding Century Stock
(the earlier of such dates being called the "Distribution
Date"). As soon as practicable following the Distribution
Date, separate certificates evidencing the Rights will be
mailed to holders of record of Century Stock as of the close
of business on the Distribution Date and such separate
certificates alone will evidence the Rights from and after
the Distribution Date and could begin trading separately
from the Century Stock.
The Rights will expire at the close of business on
November 27, 1996 unless earlier redeemed by Century as
described below. Until a Right is exercised, the holder, as
such, will have no rights as a shareholder of Century,
including, without limitation, the right to vote or to
receive dividends.
If (i) any Acquiring Person acquires or obtains the
right to acquire beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the
outstanding shares of Century Stock (other than pursuant to
an all-cash tender offer for all of the outstanding Century
Stock that increases such Acquiring Person's beneficial
ownership to 80% or more of the outstanding shares of
Century Stock and as to which Century has received an
opinion from its investment bankers that the per share price
offered is not inadequate), or (ii) during such time as
there is an Acquiring Person there shall occur any
reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock
split), recapitalization of Century, or any merger or
consolidation of Century with any of its subsidiaries or any
other transaction or transactions involving Century or any
of its subsidiaries (whether or not involving the Acquiring
Person) that have the effect of increasing by more than 1%
the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any
class of equity securities of Century or any of its
subsidiaries directly or indirectly owned or controlled by
the Acquiring Person, then proper provision will be made so
that each holder of record of a Right, other than Rights
beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person (which will become
void), will thereafter be entitled to receive, upon payment
of the Purchase Price, that number of shares of Century
Stock having a market value at the time of the transaction
equal to two times the Purchase Price. The holder of any
Rights that are or were at any time, on or after the earlier
of the Stock Acquisition Date or the Distribution Date,
beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person which is or was
involved in or which caused or facilitated, directly or
indirectly, the event or transaction or transactions
described in this paragraph shall not be entitled to the
benefit of the adjustment described in this paragraph.
At any time until ten days following the Stock
Acquisition Date (subject to extension by the Board of
Directors), Century may redeem the Rights in whole, but not
in part, at a price of $.05 per Right. Under certain
circumstances, the decision to redeem shall require the
concurrence of a majority of the Continuing Directors (which
is generally defined as those members of the Board of
Directors of Century who are members of the Board
immediately prior to the Stock Acquisition Date).
Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of
Century authorizing redemption of the Rights, the right to
exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right of the
holders of rights will be to receive the redemption price
without any interest thereon.
The number of shares of Series AA Preferred Stock or
other securities issuable upon exercise of the Rights and
the Purchase Price are subject to certain adjustments from
time to time upon certain occurrences. For a discussion of
the possible antitakeover effects of the Rights, see the
discussion below under "- Laws and Organizational Document
Provisions with Possible Antitakeover Effects."
Mississippi-6 does not have any preferred stock
purchase rights or similar rights outstanding.
Dividends, Redemptions and Stock Repurchases
Under the LBCL, dividends may be declared by the Board
of Directors and paid out of surplus, provided that in no
event shall dividends be paid when the corporation is
insolvent or would thereby be made insolvent. The LBCL
provides that if no surplus is available, dividends may,
subject to certain exceptions, be paid out of any net
profits for the then current fiscal year or the preceding
fiscal year, or both. The LBCL further provides that
shareholders must be notified of any dividend paid out of
capital surplus. The MBCA generally provides that no
distribution, including dividend distributions, may be made
if, after giving effect thereto, the corporation would not
be able to pay its debts as they become due in the usual
course of business, or the corporation's total assets would
be less than the sum of its total liabilities.
Under the LBCL, a corporation may redeem or repurchase
its shares out of surplus or, in certain circumstances,
stated capital, provided in either event that it is solvent
and will not be rendered insolvent thereby, and provided
further that the net assets are not reduced to a level below
the aggregate liquidation preferences of any shares that
will remain outstanding after the redemption. Under the
MBCA and the Mississippi-6 Bylaws, Mississippi-6 may redeem
or repurchase its outstanding shares if, after giving effect
thereto, Mississippi-6 is able to satisfy the solvency tests
described in the immediately preceding paragraph relating to
the payment of dividends.
The Century Articles, in accordance with the LBCL,
provides that cash, property or share dividends, shares
issuable to shareholders in connection with a
reclassification of stock, and the redemption price of
redeemed shares that are not claimed by the shareholders
entitled thereto within one year after the dividend or
redemption price became payable or the shares became
issuable revert in full ownership to Century, and Century's
obligation to pay such dividend or redemption price or issue
such shares, as appropriate, will thereupon cease, subject
to the power of the Board of Directors to authorize such
payment or issuance following the reversion. The
Mississippi-6 Articles do not contain a comparable
provision.
Approval of Extraordinary Transactions
To authorize any (i) merger or share exchange,
(ii) sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of
a corporation's assets other than in the course of ordinary
business, (iii) voluntary dissolution or (iv) amendments to
the articles of incorporation with respect to which
dissenters' rights would be created, the MBCA requires,
subject to certain limited exceptions, the approval of a
majority of all votes entitled to be cast, unless the
corporation's organizational documents otherwise provide.
The Shareholders' Agreement provides that a sale of all or
substantially all of the property of Mississippi-6 must be
approved by shareholders owning at least 60% of the
Mississippi-6 Stock. To authorize substantially similar
transactions, the LBCL requires, subject to certain limited
exceptions, the affirmative vote of the holders of two-
thirds (or such larger or smaller proportion, not less than
a majority, as the articles of incorporation may provide) of
the voting power present or represented at the shareholder
meeting at which the transaction is considered and voted
upon. The Century Articles provide that certain provisions
thereof (primarily those relating to approving certain
business combinations, holding shareholder meetings,
removing directors, considering tender offers and amending
bylaws) may be amended only upon, among other things, the
affirmative vote of 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by
all shareholders and two-thirds of the votes entitled to be
cast by all shareholders other than Related Persons (which
is defined therein). For a discussion of certain
supermajority votes required to approve certain business
combinations or to amend the Century Bylaws, see the
discussion below under "- Laws and Organizational Documents
with Possible Antitakeover Effects -- Louisiana Fair Price
Statute" and "- Bylaws."
The MBCA and LBCL provide that the holders of
outstanding shares of a class of stock shall be entitled to
vote as a class in connection with any proposed amendment to
the corporation's articles of incorporation, whether or not
such holders are entitled to vote thereon by the articles of
incorporation, if such amendment would have certain
specified adverse effects on the holders of such class of
stock.
Liability of Directors and Officers
Under both the MBCA and LBCL, shareholders are
entitled to bring suit, generally in an action on behalf of
the corporation, to recover damages caused by breaches of
the duty of care and the duty of loyalty owed to a
corporation and its shareholders by directors and, to a
certain extent, officers. The MBCA and the LBCL permit
corporations to (i) include provisions in their articles of
incorporation that limit personal liability of directors and
officers for monetary damages resulting from breaches of the
duty of care, subject to certain exceptions that are
substantially the same for each state, and (ii) indemnify
officers and directors in certain circumstances for their
expenses and liabilities incurred in connection with
defending pending or threatened suits, as more fully
described below.
Pursuant to the authority granted by the MBCA, the
Shareholders' Agreement exempts all officers and directors
of Mississippi-6 from personal liability to Mississippi-6 or
its shareholders for monetary damages during the term of the
Shareholders' Agreement for any action taken, or the failure
to take any action, except for: (i) a financial benefit
received to which a director or officer is not entitled;
(ii) an intentional infliction of harm on Mississippi-6 or
its shareholders; (iii) an unlawful distribution as defined
in the MBCA; and (iv) an intentional violation of criminal
law. In addition, under the Shareholders' Agreement
Mississippi-6 and its shareholders have agreed not to sue
the officers or directors of Mississippi-6 for any actions
taken while performing their duties as officers and
directors subject to the exceptions described in the
preceding sentence.
The Century Articles include a provision that
eliminates the personal liability of a director or officer
to Century and its shareholders for monetary damages
resulting from breaches of the duty of care to the full
extent permitted by Louisiana law and further provides that
any amendment or repeal of this provision will not affect
the elimination of liability accorded to any director or
officer for acts or omissions occurring prior to such
amendment or repeal.
Under both the MBCA and LBCL, corporations are
permitted, and in some circumstances required, to indemnify,
among others, current and prior officers, directors,
employees or agents of the corporation for expenses and
liabilities incurred by such parties in connection with
defending pending or threatened suits instituted against
them in their corporate capacities, provided certain
specified standards of conduct are determined to have been
met. These corporate statutes further permit corporations
to purchase insurance for indemnifiable parties against
liability asserted against or incurred by such parties in
their corporate capacities. Both a Mississippi and a
Louisiana corporation may provide indemnification rights
more expansive than those permitted by statute (subject only
to the limitation that no payments be made in respect of
gross negligence or willful misconduct).
The Century Bylaws and the Mississippi-6 Bylaws
provide for mandatory indemnification for current and former
directors and officers of Century to the full extent
permitted by Louisiana law and Mississippi law,
respectively. The Mississippi-6 Bylaws provide that
Mississippi-6 shall not indemnify nor advance expenses to
any officer or director to the extent any insurance policy
would provide coverage for such payments, but would exclude
from its coverage any such liability or expenses in
connection with any claim for which a director or officer is
indemnified by, or is entitled to indemnification from,
Mississippi-6. The Mississippi-6 Bylaws also provide that
any indemnification or advancement of expenses to an officer
or director by Mississippi-6 in connection with a proceeding
by or in the right of the corporation must be reported to
the shareholders of Mississippi-6 in writing before the
notice of the next shareholders' meeting.
Dissenters' Rights
Under the LBCL, a shareholder has the right to dissent
from most types of mergers or consolidations, or from the
sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the corporation's assets, if such
transaction is approved by less than 80% of the
corporation's total voting power. The right to dissent is
not available with respect to sales pursuant to court orders
of or sales for cash on terms requiring distribution of all
or substantially all of the net proceeds to the shareholders
in accordance with their respective interests within one
year after the date of the sale. Moreover, no dissenters'
rights are available with respect to (i) shareholders
holding shares of any class of stock that are listed on a
national securities exchange, subject to certain exceptions,
or (ii) shareholders of a surviving corporation whose
approval is not required in connection with the transaction.
The MBCA provides dissenters' rights to shareholders in any
of the following corporate actions: (i) a merger if
shareholder approval is required or if the corporation is a
subsidiary that merges with its parent; (ii) a plan of share
exchange if the corporation is being acquired and if the
shareholder is entitled to vote on the plan; (iii) a sale or
exchange of all or substantially all of the property of the
corporation that is not in the usual and regular course of
business, but not including a court ordered sale or sale
pursuant to a plan where the shareholders will receive the
proceeds within one year after the date of sale; (iv) an
amendment to the Mississippi-6 Articles that materially and
adversely affects rights in respect of a dissenter's shares;
and (v) any corporate action taken pursuant to a shareholder
vote to the extent dissenters' rights have been provided in
the articles of incorporation, bylaws or a Board resolution.
For a more complete description of dissenters' rights under
the MBCA, see "The Merger Proposal - Dissenting
Shareholders' Rights" and the relevant sections of the MBCA
attached as Appendix D.
In order to exercise dissenters' rights under the
LBCL, a dissenting shareholder must follow certain
procedures similar to the procedures that a dissenting
shareholder under the MBCA must follow as discussed above
under "The Merger Proposal - Dissenting Shareholders'
Rights."
Inspection Rights
Under the LBCL, any shareholder, except a business
competitor, who has been the holder of record of at least 5%
of the outstanding shares of any class of the corporation's
stock for a minimum of six months has the right to examine
the records and accounts of the corporation for any proper
and reasonable purpose. Two or more shareholders who have
each held shares for six months may aggregate their stock
holdings to attain the required 5% threshold. Business
competitors, however, must have owned at least 25% of all
outstanding shares for a minimum of six months to obtain
such inspection rights. As shareholders of a public company
subject to the Exchange Act, Century's shareholders are
entitled to receive periodic reports concerning Century's
operations and performance.
The Mississippi-6 Bylaws provide shareholders of
Mississippi-6 with the same inspection rights as provided
for in the MBCA. Under the MBCA, any shareholder of
Mississippi-6 shall have the right to inspect and copy any
of the records of the corporation that are required to be
kept at the corporation's principal office. In addition,
the MBCA provides that any shareholder shall have the right
to inspect and copy for any proper purpose the corporation's
relevant books and accounts not held at the corporation's
principal office that are directly connected to the purpose
for requesting the inspection. Moreover, under the MBCA
Mississippi-6 is obligated to furnish to shareholders its
financial statements within 120 days after the close of each
fiscal year.
Transfer Restrictions
Generally the LBCL and MBCA both permit corporations
to place reasonable restrictions upon the transfer of
capital stock. No such restrictions have been imposed
generally on the Century Stock. For a discussion of certain
restrictions on the transferability of the Century Stock to
be issued to the Shareholders in connection with the Merger,
see "Investment Considerations - Considerations Relating to
the Merger -- Restrictions on Transferability." The
Shareholders' Agreement governing the Mississippi-6 Stock
restricts the transfer of shares except (i) to a
shareholder's spouse, lineal descendant, sibling or family
trust or (ii) by bequest or through intestate succession to
the shareholder's family. All other transfers of
Mississippi-6 Stock must receive the consent of the Board of
Directors and shareholders owning 70% of the Mississippi-6
Stock and are further subject to "first refusal" purchase
rights of Mississippi-6 and thereafter, the shareholders.
If such consents are granted and Mississippi-6 and the other
shareholders do not exercise their purchase rights with
respect to the shares being offered for transfer, the
selling shareholder will be permitted, but not obligated, to
sell the shares subject to the prospective transfer. The
Shareholders' Agreement has similar provisions for transfers
of Mississippi-6 Stock upon the death, insolvency and
incompetency of a shareholder.
In addition, the Shareholders' Agreement provides that
any purchaser who purchases a majority of the Mississippi-6
Stock shall be required to offer to purchase all of each
shareholder's stock at the average purchase price paid for
all other Mississippi-6 Stock acquired by the purchaser
within one year of the transaction by which a majority of
the stock was acquired. The Shareholders' Agreement
provides, to the extent feasible, that the construction and
operation of the Mississippi-6 cellular telephone system
shall be financed through borrowed funds. If a shareholder
refuses to guarantee or loan his proportionate share of such
funds, the Board of Directors may issue additional shares of
Mississippi-6 Stock to which shareholders other than the
noncontributing shareholders will have a right of first
refusal. For a discussion of other terms of the
Shareholders' Agreement see "- Approval of Extraordinary
Transactions" and "- Liability of Directors and Officers."
Laws and Organizational Document Provisions with Possible
Antitakeover Effects
Both the LBCL and MBCA permit corporations to include
in their articles of incorporation any provisions not
inconsistent with law that regulates the internal affairs of
the corporation, including provisions that are intended to
encourage any person desiring to acquire a controlling
interest in the corporation to do so pursuant to a
transaction negotiated with the corporation's board of
directors rather than through a hostile takeover attempt.
These provisions are intended to assure that any acquisition
of control of the corporation will be subject to review by
the board to take into account the interests of all of the
corporation's shareholders. However, some shareholders may
find these provisions to be disadvantageous to the extent
that they could limit or preclude meaningful shareholder
participation in certain transactions such as mergers or
tender offers and render more difficult or discourage
certain takeovers in which shareholders might receive for
some or all of their shares a price that is higher than the
prevailing market price at the time the takeover attempt is
commenced. These provisions might further render more
difficult or discourage proxy contests, the assumption of
control by a person of a large block of the corporation's
voting stock or any other attempt to influence or replace
the corporation's incumbent management.
Unlike the Mississippi-6 Articles, the Century
Articles contain provisions that are designed to ensure
meaningful participation of the Board of Directors in
connection with proposed takeovers. Moreover, Louisiana has
adopted statutes that regulate takeover attempts. Set forth
below is a discussion of the provisions of the Century
Articles, Century Bylaws and the LBCL that may reasonably be
expected to affect the incidence and outcome of takeover
attempts.
Louisiana Fair Price Statute. Louisiana has adopted a
statute (the "Louisiana Fair Price Statute") that is
intended to deter the use of "two-tier" tender offers in
which an "Interested Shareholder" obtains a controlling
interest in the shares of a Louisiana corporation having 100
or more beneficial shareholders at a price in excess of the
market value of the corporation's voting stock and
subsequently seeks in the "second tier" to compel a
"Business Combination" in which the consideration paid to
the remaining shareholders is greatly reduced. Under the
statute, an Interested Shareholder is defined to include any
person (other than the corporation, its subsidiaries or its
employee benefit plans) who is the beneficial owner of
shares of capital stock representing 10% or more of the
total voting power of a corporation. The term Business
Combination is broadly defined to include most corporate
actions that an Interested Shareholder might contemplate
after acquiring a controlling interest in a corporation in
order to increase his or her share ownership or reduce his
or her acquisition debt. These "second tier" transactions
include any merger or consolidation of the corporation
involving an Interested Shareholder, any disposition of
assets of the corporation to an Interested Shareholder, any
issuance to an Interested Shareholder of securities of the
corporation meeting certain threshold amounts and any
reclassification of securities of the corporation having the
effect of increasing the voting power or proportionate share
ownership of an Interested Shareholder. Under the Louisiana
Fair Price Statute, a Business Combination must be
recommended by the board of directors and approved by the
affirmative vote of the holders of 80% of the corporation's
total voting power and two-thirds of the total voting power
excluding the shares held by the Interested Shareholder (in
addition to any other votes required under law or the
corporation's articles of incorporation), unless the
transaction is approved by the board of directors prior to
the time the Interested Shareholder first obtained such
status or the Business Combination satisfies certain minimum
price, form of consideration and procedural requirements.
Although the statute protects shareholders by encouraging an
Interested Shareholder to negotiate with the board of
directors or to satisfy the minimum price, form of
consideration and procedural requirements imposed
thereunder, it does not prevent an acquisition of a
controlling interest of a corporation by an Interested
Shareholder who does not contemplate initiating a "second
tier" transaction. The Century Articles contain an article
that provides for substantially similar protections.
Although Mississippi has a similar statute, it does
not apply to a corporation with fewer than 500 beneficial
shareholders unless such corporation, in its articles of
incorporation, opts into the statutory provisions.
Mississippi-6 has not made such an election.
Louisiana Control Share Statute. The Louisiana
Control Share Statute adopted in 1987 provides that, subject
to certain exceptions, any shares of certain publicly-traded
Louisiana corporations acquired by a person or group (an
"Acquiror"), other than an employee benefit plan or related
trust of the corporation, in an acquisition that causes such
Acquiror to have the power to vote or direct the voting of
shares in the election of directors in excess of 20%, 33-
1/3% or 50% thresholds shall have only such voting power as
shall be accorded by the affirmative vote of, among others,
the holders of a majority of the votes of each voting group
entitled to vote separately on the proposal, excluding all
"interested shares" (as defined below), at a meeting that,
subject to certain exceptions, is required to be called for
that purpose upon the Acquiror's request. "Interested
shares" is defined by the statute to sterilize the vote of
the corporation's management and the Acquiror, and includes
all shares as to which the Acquiror, any officer of the
corporation and any director of the corporation who is also
an employee of the corporation may exercise or direct the
exercise of voting power. If either the Acquiror fails to
comply with certain specified notice requirements or the
shareholders vote against according voting rights to the
shares obtained by the Acquiror, the corporation has the
right to redeem the shares held by the Acquiror for their
fair value. Although the statute permits the articles of
incorporation or bylaws of a corporation to be amended to
exclude from its application share acquisitions occurring
after the adoption of the amendment, neither the Century
Articles nor the Century Bylaws contain any such amendment.
Management is, however, currently considering a proposal to
opt out of the statute.
Unlike the Louisiana Fair Price Statute, the Louisiana
Control Share Statute establishes a referendum format by
which disinterested shareholders may, in effect, demonstrate
their support or opposition to a proposed tender offer or
share acquisition by their vote as to whether to accord or
deny voting rights to the Acquiror with respect to the
shares acquired by him or her. On the one hand, the
possibility that voting rights might be denied with respect
to interested shares may encourage the Acquiror to negotiate
a non-hostile acquisition with the board of directors. On
the other hand, Acquirors that commence a tender offer at a
price in excess of prevailing market values may be able to
readily obtain the shareholder vote re-enfranchising his or
her shares, which in all likelihood would significantly
reduce the pressure on the Acquiror to negotiate with the
board of directors and the willingness of the board to
oppose the transaction.
Mississippi has a similar Control Share Act. However,
because Mississippi-6 is not an issuing public corporation
nor a domestic corporation with 100 or more shareholders of
record, the statute is not applicable to Mississippi-6.
Evaluation of Tender Offers. The LBCL and MBCA
expressly permit and the Century Articles expressly require
the Board of Directors, when considering a tender offer,
exchange offer, or Business Combination (defined therein
substantially similarly to the definition of such term set
forth above under "-- Louisiana Fair Price Statute"), to
consider, among other factors, the social and economic
effects of the proposal on the corporation, its
subsidiaries, and their respective employees, customers,
creditors and communities. One effect of this provision may
be to discourage, in advance, an acquisition proposal to the
extent it strengthens the position of Century's Board of
Directors in dealing with any potential offeror who seeks to
enter into a negotiated transaction with Century prior to or
during a takeover attempt. Another effect of such provision
may be to dissuade shareholders who might potentially be
displeased with the Board's response to an acquisition
proposal from engaging Century in costly and time-consuming
litigation.
Unissued Stock. As discussed above under "- Preferred
Stock," the Board of Directors of Century is authorized,
without action of its shareholders, to issue Century
preferred stock. One of the effects of the existence of
undesignated preferred stock (and authorized but unissued
common stock) may be to enable the Board of Directors to
make more difficult or to discourage an attempt to obtain
control of Century by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy
contest or otherwise, and thereby to protect the continuity
of Century's management. If, in the due exercise of its
fiduciary obligations, the Board of Directors were to
determine that a takeover proposal was not in Century's best
interest, such shares could be issued by the Board of
Directors without shareholder approval in one or more
transactions that might prevent or make more difficult or
costly the completion of the takeover transaction by
diluting the voting or other rights of the proposed acquiror
or insurgent shareholder group, by creating a substantial
voting block in institutional or other hands that might
undertake to support the position of the incumbent Board of
Directors, by effecting an acquisition that might complicate
or preclude the takeover, or otherwise. In this regard, the
Century Articles grant the Board of Directors broad power to
establish the rights and preferences of the authorized and
unissued Century Preferred Stock, one or more series of
which could be issued entitling holders (i) to vote
separately as a class on any proposed merger or
consolidation; (ii) to elect directors having terms of
office or voting rights greater than those of other
directors; (iii) to convert Century preferred stock into a
greater number of shares of Century Stock or other
securities; (iv) to demand redemption at a specified price
under prescribed circumstances related to a change of
control; or (v) to exercise other rights designed to impede
or discourage a takeover. The issuance of shares of Century
preferred stock pursuant to the Board of Directors'
authority described above may adversely affect the rights of
the holders of Century Stock. The Mississippi-6 Articles
have no comparable provision.
Time-Phase Voting. As discussed above, each
outstanding share of Century Stock entitles the holder to
one vote unless it has been beneficially owned by the same
person or entity continuously since May 30, 1987, in which
case it generally entitles the holder to ten votes until
transfer. The existence of multi-vote stock may render more
difficult a change of control of Century or the removal of
incumbent management. To the extent that voting power will
be concentrated in shareholders entitled to ten votes per
share, it may be difficult or impossible to consummate a
merger, tender offer, proxy contest or similar transaction
opposed by such shareholders. Because this provision also
has the effect of increasing the voting power of the shares
held by Century's management, employees and benefit plans, a
takeover attempt or an effort to remove incumbent directors
or management that is opposed by management or the employees
of Century could be less likely to succeed. For more
information on the voting rights associated with the Century
Stock and the voting power controlled by the trustee for two
of Century's employee benefit plans, see "- Voting Rights of
Common Stock."
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights. As discussed above
under the heading "- Preferred Stock Purchase Rights,"
Century has issued Rights entitling the registered holder to
purchase certain securities of Century. The Rights will
cause substantial dilution to a person or group that
attempts to acquire Century without conditioning the offer
on the redemption of the Rights. The Rights should not
interfere with any merger or other business combination
approved by the Board of Directors of Century since the
Board of Directors may, at its option, at any time until ten
days following the Stock Acquisition Date, redeem all but
not less than all the then outstanding Rights for a
redemption price of $.05 per Right.
Classified Board of Directors. Both the MBCA and the
LBCL permit a Board of Directors to be divided into classes
of directors, with each class to be as nearly equal in size
as possible, serving staggered multi-year terms. Unlike the
Mississippi-6 Articles, the Century Articles provide for
three classes of directors serving staggered three-year
terms. Classification of the Board of Directors of Century
tends to make more difficult the change of a majority of its
composition and to assure the continuity and stability of
Century's management and policies, since a majority of the
directors at any given time will have served on the Board of
Directors for at least one year. Absent the removal of
directors, a minimum of two annual meetings of shareholders
is necessary to effect a change in control of the Board of
Directors. The classified Board provision applies to every
election of directors, regardless of whether Century is or
has been the subject of an unsolicited takeover attempt.
The shareholders may, therefore, find it more difficult to
change the composition of the Board of Directors for any
reason, including performance, and the classified Board
structure will thereby tend to perpetuate existing
management of Century. In addition, because the provision
will make it more difficult to change control of the Board
of Directors, it may discourage tender offers or other
transactions that shareholders may believe would be in their
best interests.
Removal of Directors. The MBCA provides that each
director shall hold office for the term for which he is
elected and until his successor is elected and qualified,
unless removed from office with or without cause by the
shareholders at any special shareholders meeting called for
that purpose, unless the articles of incorporation provide
that a director may be removed only for cause. The
Mississippi-6 Articles do not contain such a provision.
Under the MBCA, when cumulative voting is authorized, a
director may not be removed if the number of votes
sufficient to elect him under cumulative voting is voted
against his removal.
Under the LBCL, subject to certain exceptions, the
shareholders by vote of a majority of the total voting power
may at any time remove from office any director. The
Century Articles, however, provide that directors of Century
may be removed from office only for cause and only by vote
of the holders of at least 50% of the total voting power
and, at any time that there is a Related Person (as defined
above), by the holders of a majority of the votes entitled
to be cast by all shareholders other than the Related
Person, voting as a separate group. This provision
precludes a third party from gaining control of Century's
Board of Directors by removing incumbent directors without
cause and filling the vacancies created thereby with his or
her own nominees. However, such provision also tends to
reduce, and in some instances eliminate, the power of
shareholders, even those with a majority interest in
Century, to remove incumbent directors.
Restrictions on Taking Shareholder Action. The MBCA
provides that a special meeting of shareholders may be
called by the Board of Directors, by such person or persons
as so authorized by the articles of incorporation or the
bylaws and, unless the articles of incorporation provide
otherwise, the holders of at least ten percent of all votes
entitled to be cast on any issue proposed to be considered
at a proposed special meeting after delivering a signed and
dated demand for the special meeting to the secretary of the
corporation. The Mississippi-6 Bylaws provide that a
special meeting of shareholders may be called by the Chief
Executive Officer or the Secretary in his absence and the
Board of Directors, and must be called by the Board or
officers of Mississippi-6 at the written request of
shareholders holding 10% of all votes entitled to be cast on
any issue proposed to be considered at the proposed special
meeting. Under the Century Articles, holders of a majority
of the total voting power are entitled to call a special
meeting of shareholders. This higher threshold
substantially reduces the ability of shareholders interested
in effecting corporate action from calling a special meeting
between annual meetings.
Under the MBCA, shareholders may effect corporate
action without a meeting if a consent describing the action
is signed by all the shareholders entitled to vote on the
action. Under the Century Articles, shareholder action may
be taken only at a duly called annual or special meeting of
shareholders.
Bylaws
Under the Century Articles, the Century Bylaws may be
amended and new bylaws may be adopted by the shareholders,
upon the affirmative vote of the holders of 80% of the total
voting power and two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast
by all shareholders other than Interested Shareholders (as
defined above), or by the Board of Directors, upon, among
other things, the affirmative vote of a majority of all
directors, other than those affiliated with any Interested
Shareholder, who served prior to the time such Interested
Shareholder obtained such status.
Under the Mississippi-6 Bylaws, the power to adopt,
amend or repeal the Mississippi-6 Bylaws is vested in the
Board of Directors and shareholders of Mississippi-6. Any
such action requires the affirmative vote of a majority of
the directors present at a Board meeting or shareholders
present at a shareholders meeting, respectively.
Vacancies
Under the LBCL, any vacancy on the board of directors
(including those resulting from an increase in the
authorized number of directors) may be filled by the
remaining directors, subject to the right of the
shareholders to fill such vacancy. Under the Century
Articles, changes in the number of directors may not be made
without, among other things, the affirmative vote of 80% of
the directors. Louisiana Law expressly provides that a
board of directors may declare vacant the office of a
director if he or she is interdicted or adjudicated an
incompetent, is adjudicated a bankrupt or becomes
incapacitated by illness or other infirmity and cannot
perform his or her duties for a period of six months or
longer.
Pursuant to the Mississippi-6 Bylaws, any vacancy on
the Board of Directors of Mississippi-6 may be filled by a
majority of the shareholders entitled to vote, the Board of
Directors, or, if the directors remaining in office
constitute fewer than a quorum of the Board, such remaining
directors may fill the vacancy by the affirmative vote of a
majority of all such directors remaining in office.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters in connection with this offering
have been passed upon for Century by Jones, Walker,
Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere & Denegre, L.L.P., New Orleans,
Louisiana.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements and related
schedule of Century as of December 31, 1993 and 1994, and
for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 1994 incorporated by reference herein have been
incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the
report, also incorporated by reference herein, of KPMG Peat
Marwick LLP, independent certified public accountants, and
upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and
auditing. The report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP refers to
changes in the methods of accounting for income taxes and
postretirement benefits other than pensions in 1992.
The balance sheets of Mississippi-6 as of December 31,
1994 and 1993, and the related statements of operations,
changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of
the years then ended, included elsewhere herein, have been
so included in reliance on the report of Breazeale, Saunders
& O'Neil, Ltd., independent certified public accountants,
also included elsewhere herein, given on the authority of
such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
_____________________
INDEX TO MISSISSIPPI-6 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page
Independent Auditors' Report........................................... F-2
Financial Statements:
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1994 and 1993 and as of
March 31, 1995 (unaudited)..................................... F-3
Statements of Operations for the Years Ended
December 31, 1994 and 1993 and the Three Months Ended
March 31, 1995 and 1994 (unaudited)............................ F-4
Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
for the Years Ended December 31, 1994 and 1993 and the
Three Months Ended March 31, 1995 (unaudited).................. F-5
Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended
December 31, 1994 and 1993 and the Three Months Ended
March 31, 1995 and 1994 (unaudited)............................ F-6
Notes to Financial Statements - December 31, 1994 and 1993....... F-7
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Board of Directors
Mississippi-6 Cellular Corporation:
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of
Mississippi-6 Cellular Corporation as of December 31,
1994 and 1993, and the related statements of operations,
changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the
years then ended. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally
accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that
we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance
about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the
financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits
provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to
above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of Mississippi-6 Cellular Corporation as of
December 31, 1994 and 1993, and the results of its operations
and its cash flows for the years then ended, in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
BREAZEALE, SAUNDERS & O'NEIL, LTD.
March 3, 1995, except for the second paragraph in note 11,
as to which the date is April 18, 1995.
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI-6 CELLULAR CORPORATION
Balance Sheets
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31, March 31,
1994 1993 1995
__________ ________ __________
(unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash $ 334,067 562,646 20,654
Accounts receivable from customers,
less allowance for doubtful accounts
of $60,681 in 1994, $75,701 in 1993,
and $60,681 (unaudited) at March 31,
1995 241,916 189,792 344,986
Accounts receivable from related party --- 2,543 ---
Inventories 61,641 36,158 111,013
Prepaid expenses 26,233 34,880 37,476
Deposit with management company 33,000 --- 33,000
__________ ________ _________
Total current assets 696,857 826,019 547,129
Plant and equipment, net (at cost) 1,658,847 1,433,922 1,846,780
Licensing costs, net of accumulated
amortization of $424,031 in 1994 and
$314,031 in 1993, and $451,532
(unaudited) at March 31, 1995 1,775,969 1,885,969 1,748,468
Deferred charges, net of accumulated
amortization of $32,845 in 1994,
$22,927 in 1993, and $7691 (unaudited)
at March 31, 1995 32,832 42,751 1,676
Other assets 18,534 41,693 12,606
_________ _________ _________
$4,183,039 4,230,354 4,156,659
========= ========= =========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt $ 339,084 146,505 360,000
Notes payable to related parties 250,500 250,500 ---
Accounts payable to trade creditors 245,464 95,713 272,464
Account payable to related party 63,371 --- 22,167
Customer deposits 31,516 13,365 31,516
Accrued interest to related parties 58,754 37,363 ---
Commissions payable 26,843 21,494 1,084
Other accrued expenses 30,152 46,148 41,811
_________ _________ _________
Total current liabilities 1,045,684 611,088 729,042
Long-term debt, less current maturities 2,991,379 3,353,065 3,393,790
_________ _________ _________
Total liabilities 4,037,063 3,964,153 4,122,832
_________ _________ _________
Stockholders' equity
Common stock, $1 par value, 100,000
shares authorized and 1,000 shares
issued and outstanding 1,000 1,000 1,000
Additional paid-in capital 2,399,000 2,399,000 2,399,000
Accumulated deficit (2,254,024) (2,133,799) (2,366,173)
_________ _________ _________
Total stockholders' equity 145,976 266,201 33,827
_________ _________ _________
$4,183,039 4,230,354 4,156,659
========= ========= =========
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI-6 CELLULAR CORPORATION
Statements of Operations
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31, Three Months Ended March 31,
_______________________ ___________________________
1994 1993 1995 1994
__________ _________ __________ __________
(unaudited) (unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Service operations
Revenues $2,582,676 2,010,485 704,099 595,997
_________ _________ __________ __________
Costs and expenses
System operations 786,341 656,334 200,749 133,284
General and administrative 640,849 617,995 202,887 152,343
Marketing and selling 250,804 188,352 62,672 46,007
Management fees 118,190 72,000 37,190 54,000
Depreciation 370,140 318,956 117,010 92,680
Amortization of license 110,000 110,000 27,500 27,500
_________ _________ __________ __________
Total costs and expenses 2,276,324 1,963,637 648,008 505,814
_________ _________ __________ __________
Service operating income 306,352 46,848 56,091 90,183
_________ _________ __________ __________
Equipment sales
Revenues 222,709 260,998 33,711 50,195
_________ _________ __________ __________
Costs and expenses
Cost of equipment sold 298,487 311,065 65,111 61,239
_________ _________ __________ __________
Inventory writedown 13,142 10,000 --- ---
_________ _________ __________ __________
Total costs and expenses 311,629 321,065 65,111 61,239
_________ _________ __________ __________
Loss on equipment sales (88,920) (60,067) (31,400) (11,044)
_________ _________ __________ __________
Operating income (loss) 217,432 (13,219) 24,691 79,139
_________ _________ __________ __________
Other income (expense), net (4,749) (9,277) (31,157) 430
_________ _________ __________ __________
Income (loss) before interest expense 212,683 (22,496) (6,466) 79,569
_________ _________ __________ __________
Interest expense
Interest expense - related parties 21,391 16,283 2,708 4,373
Interest expense - other 311,517 271,606 102,975 68,226
_________ _________ __________ __________
Total interest expense 332,908 287,889 105,683 72,599
_________ _________ __________ __________
Net income (loss) $ (120,225) (310,385) (112,149) 6,970
========= ========= ========== ==========
Net income (loss) per share of common stock $ (120.23) (310.39) (112.15) 6.97
========= ========= ========== ==========
Weighted average shares of common
stock outstanding 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000
========= ========= ========== ==========
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI-6 CELLULAR CORPORATION
Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Total
Additional Accum- Stock-
Common Paid-in ulated holders'
Stock Capital Deficit Equity
_______ _________ _________ _______
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at December 31, 1992 $ 1,000 2,399,000 (1,823,414) 576,586
Net loss --- --- (310,385) (310,385)
_______ _________ _________ _______
Balance at December 31, 1993 $ 1,000 2,399,000 (2,133,799) 266,201
Net loss --- --- (120,225) (120,225)
_______ _________ _________ _______
Balance at March 31, 1994 $ 1,000 2,399,000 (2,254,024) 145,976
Net loss (unaudited) --- --- (112,149) (112,149)
_______ _________ _________ _______
Balance at March 31, 1995
(unaudited) $ 1,000 2,399,000 (2,366,173) 33,827
======= ========= ========= =======
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI-6 CELLULAR CORPORATION
Statements of Cash Flows
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31, Three Months Ended March 31,
1994 1993 1995 1994
__________ ________ ________ ________
(unaudited) (unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income loss $ (120,225) (310,385) (112,149) 6,970
__________ ________ ________ ________
Add (deduct) adjustments to
reconcile net income loss to net cash
provided (used) by operating activities:
Depreciation 370,140 318,956 117,010 92,680
Amortization 119,919 119,917 29,980 26,931
Debt extinguishment expenses --- --- 28,677 ---
Net effect of changes in assets and
liabilities:
Accounts receivable (52,124) 28,998 (103,070) (9,295)
Accounts receivable from related party 2,543 (2,543) --- 2,543
Inventory (25,483) 3,966 (49,372) (10,411)
Prepaid expenses 8,647 (507) (11,243) 3,503
Deposit with management company (33,000) --- --- (33,000)
Other assets 23,159 21,611 5,928 5,402
Accounts payable 149,751 (153,743) 27,000 24,008
Accounts payable to a related party 63,371 (41,924) (41,204) ---
Customer deposits 18,151 5,515 --- 7,100
Accrued interest to related parties 21,391 23,372 (58,754) 37,780
Commissions payable 5,349 (35,506) (25,759) (17,118)
Other accrued expenses (15,996) (41,012) 11,659 (35,379)
_________ _________ ________ ________
Total adjustments 655,818 247,100 (69,148) 94,744
_________ _________ ________ ________
Total cash provided (used) by operating
activities 535,593 (63,285) (181,297) 101,714
_________ _________ ________ ________
Cash flows from investing activities
Additions to plant and equipment (595,065) (353,070) (304,943) (70,463)
_________ _________ ________ ________
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from borrowings --- 663,674 3,753,790 ---
Repayment of borrowings (169,107) (11,050) (3,580,963) (33,142)
_________ _________ _________ ________
Total cash provided (used) by financing
activities (169,107) 652,624 172,827 (33,142)
_________ _________ _________ ________
Net increase (decrease) in cash (228,579) 236,269 (313,413) (1,891)
Cash - beginning of year 562,646 326,377 334,067 562,646
_________ _________ _________ ________
Cash - end of period $ 334,067 562,646 20,654 560,755
========= ========= ========= ========
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Cash paid for interest $ 335,341 265,710 133,748 68,226
========= ========= ========= ========
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI-6 CELLULAR CORPORATION
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 1994 and 1993
(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
A summary of significant accounting policies for
Mississippi-6 Cellular Corporation (the "Company")
follows:
(a) Organization and Operations
The Company is a Mississippi corporation which is
principally engaged in the ownership and operation
of a rural cellular telephone system in northeast
Mississippi.
The Company was incorporated November 29, 1990.
In April, 1991, the Company began selling cellular
services to customers by means of a re-sale
agreement with the wire-line competitor in the
Mississippi-6 Rural Service Area ("RSA") market.
Construction of the Company's first cellular radio
cell site was completed in late October, 1991. In
December, 1991, the Company began converting
existing customers to its system.
(b) Plant and Equipment
Equipment is recorded at cost. Depreciation has
been provided using the straight-line method over
the estimated useful lives of the assets.
(c) Inventory
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or
market with cost determined on a specific
identification basis.
(d) Licensing Costs
Pursuant to approval from the Federal
Communications Commission ("FCC"), the Company
purchased the authorization granted by the FCC
("Permit") to construct the non-wireline cellular
telecommunications system in the Mississippi-6 RSA
from Montgomery Cellular Partnership for a
purchase price of $2,200,000. The cost of
obtaining the Permit has been capitalized as
Licensing Costs and is being amortized over a
twenty (20) year period. Amortization expense for
licensing costs amounted to $110,000 annually for
the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1993.
(e) Deferred Charges
Deferred charges represent capitalized legal fees
relating to the organization of the Company and
obtaining a financing agreement with NovAtel
Finance, Inc. Organizational costs are being
amortized over a five year period. Financing
costs are being amortized over the life (seven
years) of the loan. Amortization of deferred
charges amounted to $9,919 and $9,917 for the
years ended December 31, 1994 and 1993,
respectively.
(f) Revenues
Revenues from operations consist of charges to
customers for monthly service access, cellular
airtime usage, toll charges, roamer charges and
vertical services. Revenues are recognized as
services are rendered. Equipment sales are
recognized upon delivery to the customer and
reflect charges to customers for cellular
telephone equipment purchased.
(g) Cash and Cash Equivalents
For purposes of the statements of cash flows, the
Company considers cash in operating bank accounts
and cash on hand as cash equivalents.
(h) Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to the
1993 financial statements to conform to the 1994
presentation.
(2) Plant and Equipment
A summary of plant and equipment follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31, March 31,
_____________________ ___________
1994 1993 1995
_________ _________ ___________
(unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cellular plant and equipment $ 2,391,808 1,918,367 2,584,028
Leasehold improvements 31,404 29,339 43,582
Land 41,350 --- 41,350
Office equipment 20,449 16,110 23,778
Furniture and fixtures 30,219 30,219 54,139
Vehicles 23,176 --- 23,176
Construction-in-progress 52,857 2,164 126,153
_________ _________ _________
Total plant and equipment 2,591,263 1,996,199 2,896,206
Less accumulated depreciation (932,416) (562,277) (1,049,426)
_________ _________ _________
Plant and equipment, net $ 1,658,847 1,433,922 1,846,780
========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31,
1994 and 1993 was $370,140 and $318,956, respectively.
(3) Accounts Receivable from Related Party
The amount receivable from related party in 1993, of
$2,543 is due from Mercury Communications Company.
(4) Accounts Payable to a Related Party
The amount payable to a related party in 1994 of
$63,371 is payable to Mercury Communications Company.
(5) Notes Payable to Related Parties
Short-term notes payable totalling $250,500 in 1994
and 1993, are due to the stockholders on demand.
Until such time as these amounts are repaid, they will
accrue interest at a rate equal to Chase Manhattan
Bank prime. Interest accrued amounted to $58,754 and
$37,363 as of December 31, 1994 and 1993,
respectively.
(6) Income Taxes
The Company has elected, with the consent of its
stockholders, to be taxed as an "S" Corporation under
Internal Revenue Code Section 1362. Accordingly, no
income taxes have been reported in the accompanying
financial statements. Income from the Corporation is
reported in the stockholders' individual Federal and
State income tax returns. The net difference between
the tax bases and the reported amounts of the
Company's assets and liabilities was approximately
$100,000 as of December 31, 1994.
(7) Long-Term Debt
A summary of long-term debt follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1994 1993
______ ______
<S> <C> <C>
Notes payable to NovAtel Finance, Inc.
under a loan agreement bearing interest
at a rate equal to Chase Mahattan Bank
prime plus 2% per annum (10.5% and 8% at
December 31, 1994 and 1993, respectively) $3,330,463 3,499,570
Less current maturities (339,084) (146,505)
_________ _________
Long-term debt, less current maturities $2,991,379 3,353,065
========= =========
</TABLE>
On August 17, 1991, the Company entered into a
Loan and Security Agreement ("NovAtel Loan Agreement")
with NovAtel Finance, Inc. The loan has been
structured as a line of credit to be drawn upon by the
Company as needed. Availability of borrowing additional
funds under this line of credit expired in 1993.
Amounts borrowed under the NovAtel Loan Agreement are
secured by all of the assets of the Company and a
pledge by the stockholders of their shares of stock.
Interest under the NovAtel Loan Agreement is payable
monthly on the outstanding indebtedness. Principal is
to be repaid over five years commencing with the twenty-
fifth (25th) month from the date of each note (draw),
and for the next fifty-nine (59) months thereafter. A
schedule of principal repayments by year follows:
Year of Payment Payment Amount
_______________ ______________
Year 1 0
Year 2 0
Year 3 1/15th
Year 4 2/15th
Year 5 3/15th
Year 6 4/15th
Year 7 5/15th
The terms of the NovAtel Loan Agreement also include,
among others, restrictions on incurring additional
indebtedness and on paying dividends.
A summary of maturities of long-term debt at December
31, 1994, follows:
Year Ending December 31, Amount
________________________ _________
1995 $ 339,084
1996 595,727
1997 829,769
1998 997,515
1999 474,067
Thereafter 94,301
_________
$ 3,330,463
=========
(8) Related Parties
The Company is managed by Mercury Communications
Company ("Mercury") pursuant to an RSA Management and
Construction Services Agreement (the "Agreement")
entered into by the Company and Mercury. Certain of
the directors and shareholders of the Company are also
directors and shareholders of Mercury.
The Agreement provides for the management and
supervision of the construction, and on-going
operations of the Company's cellular system.
Mercury's compensation for these services consists of
a management fee of $5,000 per month. In the event of
the termination of the Agreement, Mercury is entitled
to receive additional compensation in the form of a
transfer fee of $72,000. The Agreement also provides
for Mercury to receive management bonuses if certain
performance levels are met. Management bonuses earned
by Mercury for the years ended December 31, 1994 and
1993, were $58,190 and $0, respectively. The
Agreement provides for a term of three (3) years
beginning January 1, 1994, but termination may occur
upon ninety (90) days written notice.
The Company is billed for all expenses specifically
identified to the Company which are incurred by
Mercury. In addition, Mercury bills the Company for
an allocation of common expenses. Such allocations
are based upon the number of markets being managed by
Mercury at the time the expenses are incurred.
Management believes the method used to allocate common
expenses is reasonable. Expenses billed to the
Company by Mercury, including management fees, are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Description 1994 1993
_______________________________________________ _________ _______
<S> <C> <C>
Salaries of personnel located in the RSA market $ 307,896 253,346
Salaries of centralized services personnel 77,527 65,898
Payroll taxes 29,847 29,949
Fixed asset usage fee --- 4,000
Management fees 118,190 72,000
Other rebilled expenses and Mercury allocations 87,284 48,263
_________ ________
$ 620,744 473,456
========= ========
</TABLE>
The Company entered into a Services and Switch
Agreement (the "Switch Agreement") with Mercury for
the use of switch equipment beginning in November
1991. The Company was required to prepay the lease
and paid $57,140 in December 1991 and an additional
$50,911 in September 1992 under an amendment to the
Switch Agreement. The amounts paid are non-
refundable, with certain exceptions. Lease
amortization expense was $21,610 for the years ended
December 31, 1994 and 1993. The prepaid portion
of the lease is included on the accompanying balance
sheet as part of current prepaid expense and non-
current other assets.
(9) Lease Commitments
The Company leases certain office and cell site
locations under operating leases.
Future minimum rental payments required under
operating leases as of December 31, 1994 are as
follows:
Year Ending December 31, Amount
________________________ _________
1995 $ 42,867
1996 37,762
1997 18,200
1998 14,602
1999 11,366
_________
$ 124,797
=========
In addition, the Company is obligated to provide 6
cellular telephones and 1,000 minutes of use per month
under an operating lease which expires on December 31,
1995. Rent expense totalled $35,278 and $35,119 for
the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1993,
respectively.
(10) Contingency
The Company is a defendant in a lawsuit by a former
employee alleging retaliatory termination and
violation of wage and hour laws. The plaintiff is
seeking actual damages of $150,000 and punitive
damages in an amount to be set by the jury.
Management intends to vigorously defends this lawsuit
and believes that a favorable outcome will be
achieved. No provision for this contingency has been
made in the financial statements.
(11) Subsequent Events
On February 14, 1995, the Company entered into a
$5,000,000 Loan and Security Agreement with Trustmark
National Bank ("Trustmark Loan"). The proceeds of the
Trustmark Loan were used to pay off the NovAtel Loan
and to fund capital improvements. The Trustmark Loan
is an installment loan payable over seven years with a
variable interest rate of Trustmark National Bank's
Prime Plus 1/2%. The Trustmark Loan is secured by
substantially all of the assets of the Company and a
pledge by the stockholders of their shares of stock.
A summary of maturities of the Trustmark Loan follows:
Year Ending December 31, Amount
________________________ ________
1995 $ 300,000
1996 360,000
1997 560,000
1998 870,000
1999 924,000
On April 18, 1995, the Company entered into an
Agreement and Plan of Merger with Century Telephone
Enterprises, Inc. ("Century"), among other, pursuant
to which a wholly-owned subsidiary of Century will be
merged into the Company, with the Company becoming
the surviving corporation and a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Century. This transaction is expected
to be consummated during the second quarter of 1995.
<PAGE> APPENDIX A
___________________________________________________________________
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
By and Among
Century Telephone Enterprises, Inc.,
Mississippi 6 Acquisition Corp.,
Mississippi-6 Cellular Corporation
and
the Principal Shareholders of Mississippi-6
April 18, 1995
__________________________________________________________________
<PAGE>
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
This Agreement and Plan of Merger (this "Agreement"),
dated this 18th day of April, 1995, is by and among Century
Telephone Enterprises, Inc., a Louisiana corporation
("Century"), Mississippi 6 Acquisition Corporation, a
Mississippi corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Century ("Sub"), and Mississippi-6 Cellular Corporation, a
Mississippi corporation ("Corporation") and the undersigned
principal stockholders of the Corporation.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Corporation owns the operating license issued
by FCC (as defined below) to provide cellular radio
telephone service on the A block frequency to the
Mississippi Rural Service Area #6;
WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of
Century, Sub and Corporation have determined that it is
desirable and in the best interests of their respective
stockholders for Century to acquire all of the capital stock
of Corporation by merging Sub with and into Corporation (the
"Merger") on the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in this Agreement;
WHEREAS, David A. Bailey, Dwight S. Bailey, Jo Ann
Bailey, Lori A. Bailey, James T. Thomas, IV, Sanford C.
Thomas and Wirt A. Yerger, III (collectively, the
"Principal Stockholders"), who as of the date hereof
collectively beneficially own shares of capital stock of
Corporation entitling them to cast a majority of the
Corporation's total voting power, deem it desirable and in
the best interests of Corporation's stockholders to
consummate the Merger on the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Agreement and to join herein
for limited purposes as set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, this Merger is intended to be a
reorganization under Section 368 of the Code (as defined
below),
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and
the mutual representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements herein contained, and intending to be legally
bound hereby, Century, Sub, Corporation and the Principal
Stockholders hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS
1.1 Defined Terms. For all purposes of this
Agreement, except as otherwise expressly provided herein,
terms defined above in the preamble and recitals shall have
the meanings set forth therein and the following terms shall
have the meanings set forth below:
"Acquired Shares" shall have the meaning
specified in Section 6.2.
"Acquisition Proposal" means any offer or
proposal relating to, or any indication of interest
in, a merger, consolidation, share exchange or other
business combination involving Corporation or the
acquisition of all or a substantial equity interest
in, or all or a substantial portion of the assets of
the Corporation.
"Affiliate" means (unless otherwise provided
herein), with respect to any Person, any other Person
that, directly or indirectly, through one or more
intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is
under common control with, such Person.
"Aggregate Merger Consideration" means
$19,750,000, (i) plus amounts listed, and not to
exceed the amount indicated on, Schedule 1.1 hereto,
and (ii) minus an amount equal to Net Indebtedness,
if any, as of the Effective Time.
"Applicable Law" means any statute, law, rule,
regulation or ordinance or any judgment, order, writ,
injunction, or decree of any Governmental Entity to
which a specified Person or property is subject.
"Articles of Merger" means the articles of
merger to be filed on the Closing Date by the
Surviving Corporation with the Mississippi Secretary
of State in accordance with Section 79-4-11.05 of the
MBCA.
"Average Century Stock Price" means the
arithmetical average of the per share closing prices
of the Century Common Stock as reported in the NYSE
Composite Transactions section of The Wall Street
Journal for each of the twenty trading days
immediately preceding the third trading day prior to
the Fix Date.
"Balance Sheet" means the balance sheet of
Corporation as of December 31, 1994 included among the
Corporation Financial Statements.
"Budgets" shall have the meaning specified in
Section 3.7(b).
"Calculation Certificate" shall have the meaning
specified in Section 2.8(a).
"Ceiling Price" means $33.00, unless and until
adjusted under Section 2.10.
"Cellular Service" means the provision of
domestic public cellular radio telecommunications
service pursuant to authority granted by the FCC under
the Communications Act and the regulations promulgated
thereunder.
"Century Common Stock" means shares of common
stock, $1.00 par value per share, of Century,
including any associated shareholder rights issued
under the Amended and
Restated Rights Agreement dated as of November 17,
1986 by and between Century and the Rights Agent named
therein, as amended.
"Century Exchange Act Reports" means all
Exchange Act Reports filed with the SEC by Century.
"Century Stock Price" means the Average Century
Stock Price, provided however, that (i) if the Average
Century Stock Price is less than the Floor Price, then
the Century Stock Price will be deemed to equal the
Floor Price, and (ii) if the Average Century Stock
Price is greater than the Ceiling Price, then the
Century Stock Price will be deemed to equal the
Ceiling Price.
"Closing" means the closing of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, to
be scheduled and held in accordance with Section
2.2.
"Closing Certificate" means, with respect to any
party hereto, any closing certificate delivered by
such party pursuant to Section 7.2(d) or 7.3(d)
hereof.
"Closing Date" means the date on which the
Closing occurs, as determined in accordance with
Section 2.2.
"Closing Instruments" means, with respect to any
party hereto, all of the agreements, certificates
(including Closing Certificates), resignations,
acknowledgements, releases, documents and other
instruments to be delivered by such party at or prior
to the Closing pursuant to Section 2.2 or Article 7.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended and in effect on the Closing Date.
"Communications Act" means the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended.
"Contracts" means, with respect to any specified
Person, any contracts, agreements, leases, commitments
or other understandings or arrangements, oral or
written, to which such Person or its properties are
legally bound, or under which such Person is legally
obligated, whether on an absolute or contingent basis.
"Corporation" means Mississippi-6 Cellular
Corporation.
"Corporation Financial Statements" means any
balance sheet, statement of operation, statement of
changes in stockholders' equity or statement of cash
flows contained in any Corporation Financial
Statement, whether audited or unaudited.
"Corporation Stock" means shares of common
stock, $1.00 par value per share, of Corporation.
"Current Assets" means the current assets of
Corporation within the meaning of GAAP.
"Diluting Event" means (i) a dividend or other
distribution upon or in redemption of Century Common
Stock payable in the form of shares of capital stock
of Century or any of its subsidiaries or in the form
of any other property (other than cash dividends paid
in the ordinary course and at times and in amounts
consistent with past practice), (ii) a combination of
outstanding shares of Century Common Stock into a
smaller number of shares of Century Common Stock, or
(iii) any reorganization, split, exchange or
reclassification of Century Common Stock, or any
consolidation or merger of Century with another
corporation, or the sale of all or substantially all
of its assets to another corporation, or any other
transaction effected in a manner such that holders of
outstanding Century Common Stock shall be entitled to
receive (either directly, or upon subsequent
liquidation) stock, securities or other property with
respect to or in exchange for Century Common Stock.
"Disclosure Statement" means any registration
statement, prospectus, offering circular, notification
form (including Form D), placement memorandum or
similar written report or communication filed with the
SEC or delivered to offerees under the Securities Act
or any regulation promulgated thereunder (including
Regulation A, Regulation D and Regulation S-B) in
connection with any offering or sale of securities
within the meaning of the Securities Act.
"Dissenting Shares" mean, as of any specified
date, any shares of Corporation Stock held of record
by Persons who have objected to the Merger and
complied with all provisions of Article 13 of the MBCA
necessary to perfect and maintain their appraisal
rights thereunder.
"DOJ" means the U.S. Department of Justice.
"Effective Time" shall have the meaning
specified in Section 2.3.
"Employee Benefit Plans" mean each oral or
written plan or agreement that Corporation or any
Affiliate maintains, administers, participates in,
contributes to, or has any absolute or contingent
liability with respect to, that is (i) an "employee
welfare benefit plan," as defined in Section 3(1) of
ERISA ("Employee Welfare Benefit Plans"), (ii) an
"employee pension benefit plan," as defined in Section
3(2) of ERISA, but excluding any "multiemployer plans"
("Employee Pension Benefit Plans"), (iii) a
"multiemployer plan," as defined in Section 4001(a)(3)
and 3(37) of ERISA ("Multiemployer Plans"), (iv) a
voluntary employees' beneficiary association and
related trusts ("VEBA's") or (v) a retirement or
deferred compensation plan, incentive compensation
plan, profit sharing plan, stock purchase plan, stock
option plan, stock appreciation plan, restricted
stock, unemployment compensation plan, change in
control plan, vacation pay, sick pay, death benefit,
severance pay, bonus or benefit arrangement, medical,
dental, disability, insurance or hospitalization
program or any other fringe benefit arrangement for
any director, officer, employee, consultant or agent,
whether active or retired, and whether pursuant to
contract, plan or any other legally binding
arrangement, custom or understanding, that does not
constitute an Employee Welfare Benefit Plan, Employee
Pension Benefit Plan, Multiemployer Plan or VEBA.
"Encumbrances" means liens, charges, pledges,
options, mortgages, deeds of trust, security
interests, claims, transfer or other restrictions,
easements, title defects, and other encumbrances of
every type and description, whether choate or inchoate
and whether imposed by law, contract or otherwise
(other than restrictions on the right to transfer any
security that arises under any federal or state
securities law).
"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended.
"Escrow Account" means the escrow account to be
established pursuant to the Escrow Agreement for the
purposes described therein and herein (including
securing the indemnity obligations to Century).
"Escrow Agent" means the Trust Department of
Regions Bank of Louisiana, Monroe, Louisiana.
"Escrow Agreement" means the Escrow Agreement to
be entered into at Closing pursuant to Section 7.1(f).
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended.
"Exchange Act Report" means any report,
schedule, form, statement or other document filed with
the SEC under the Exchange Act or the regulations
promulgated thereunder.
"FCC" means the Federal Communications
Commission.
"FCC Licenses" mean, (i) each FCC cellular
frequency Block "A" operating license held by the
Corporation and (ii) each other Permit that has been
issued by the FCC to the Corporation.
"Fiduciary Determination" means any good faith
determination by the Board of Directors of
Corporation, after considering the written advice of
outside counsel regarding the fiduciary duties of
directors under Mississippi law, that the acceptance
of any unsolicited, bona fide Acquisition Proposal
submitted to it is in the best interests of
Corporation's stockholders and is required pursuant to
its fiduciary duties under Mississippi law.
"Fix Date" means a date which is the 3rd day
prior to the date the Information Statement is mailed
to the Stockholders.
"Floor Price" means $27, unless and until
adjusted under Section 2.10.
"FTC" means the Federal Trade Commission.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting
principles applied on a basis consistent with prior
accounting periods (except for normal, recurring year-
end audit adjustments made in conformity with GAAP).
"Governmental Entity" means any court or
tribunal in any jurisdiction (domestic or foreign) or
any public, governmental, legislative or regulatory
body, agency, department, commission, board, bureau,
or other authority or instrumentality (domestic or
foreign), including the FCC and MPSC.
"HSR Act" means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.
"HSR Notification" means the notification and
report forms required to be filed pursuant to the HSR
Act.
"Indebtedness" means all obligations of
Corporation (whether for principal, interest,
premium, fees or otherwise and whether classified as
current or long-term) arising under (i) any agreement
or contract, (ii) any other indebtedness for borrowed
money or for the deferred purchase price of property
or services (including all notes payable and all
obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or
other similar instruments, accrued expenses), (iii)
obligations with respect to any installment sale or
conditional sale agreement or title retention
agreement, (iv) unpaid reimbursement obligations
arising in connection with any guaranties or sureties,
including any performance, bid or other similar bonds,
(v) unpaid reimbursement obligations arising under any
letters of credit, (vi) any lease obligation that
would be required to be capitalized in accordance with
GAAP, (vii) any obligations arising under advances or
deposits of funds, (viii) all accounts payable, and
(ix) any and all other liabilities.
"Information Statement" means the information
statement and prospectus that will form a part of the
Registration Statement and which will constitute an
information statement of Corporation with respect to
the Stockholders Meeting and a prospectus of Century
with respect to the issuance of Century Common Stock
in connection with the Merger, along with all related
materials and all amendments and supplements thereto,
if any.
"Intellectual Property" shall have the meaning
specified in Section 3.28.
"IRS" means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
"Letter of Transmittal" shall have the meaning
specified in Section 2.9.
"Material Adverse Effect" or "Material Adverse
Change" means, when used in reference to Corporation
or Century, a material adverse effect on, or a
material adverse change in, as the case may be, the
operations, cash flows, assets, business, property or
condition (financial or otherwise) of such entity,
provided, however, that (i) no effect or change with
respect to any such entity relating to changes in
accounting practices mandated by statements or
interpretations adopted by the Financial Accounting
Standards Board or any similar organization shall be
deemed to constitute a Material Adverse Effect or a
Material Adverse Change, (ii) no effect or change with
respect to any such entity relating to national,
regional, state or local economic conditions (other
than the inclusion of Columbus Air Force Base on a
list of military installation scheduled for "scale-
back" or closure), to general telecommunication
industry developments or conditions (including
developments or conditions relating to cellular and
other forms of wireless communications), to increased
competition arising out of events or conditions that
are not subject to the control of such entity or
group, to changes in the Communications Act or other
statutes, laws, rules or regulations applicable to
such entity or group, or to other general economic or
other conditions, facts or circumstances that are not
subject to the control of such entity, shall be deemed
to constitute, create or cause a Material Adverse
Effect or a Material Adverse Change, (iii) the phrases
"Material Adverse Effect on Century", "Material
Adverse Change in Century", "Material Adverse Effect
with respect to Century" or "Material Adverse Change
with respect to Century" or any similar expression
mean a Material Adverse Effect on, or a Material
Adverse Change in, as the case may be, Century and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole and (iv) no decrease in
the trading price of the Century Common Stock
(regardless of the size of the decrease and including
those resulting from market breaks or other
precipitous and broad-based decreases in the trading
prices of issuers listed on the principal U.S. stock
exchanges) shall, in and of itself, constitute a
Material Adverse Effect or a Material Adverse Change
with respect to Century unless such decrease relates
to, results from or arises out of events or conditions
(other than those described in (ii) above) affecting
the operations, cash flows, assets, business, property
or condition (financial or otherwise) of Century and
its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
"MBCA" means the Mississippi Business
Corporation Act.
"Merger Consideration" shall have the meaning
specified in Section 2.9.
"Mississippi Secretary of State" means the
Secretary of State of the State of Mississippi.
"MPSC" means the Mississippi Public Service
Commission.
"Net Indebtedness" means an amount determined by
subtracting Current Assets from total Indebtedness.
"NYSE" means The New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
"Options" mean, with respect to the Corporation
any options, warrants, rights, subscriptions, puts,
calls, conversion rights, rights of exchange, plans or
any other agreements or commitments of any character,
whether absolute or contingent, providing for the
purchase, redemption, issuance or sale of any shares
of capital stock or equity interests of the
Corporation, or any securities or other instruments
convertible into or exchangeable for shares of such
capital stock or equity interests or any other
security.
"Organizational Documents" means the
Corporation's certificate of incorporation or articles
of incorporation (including any certificate of
designations deemed to be a part thereof under
Applicable Law) and its bylaws, along with any
stockholder agreements or other similar instruments
governing its internal affairs.
"Permits" mean permits, licenses, franchises,
certificates, consents, approvals, and other
authorizations issued or granted by Governmental
Entities, including all FCC Licenses, all State
Licenses and all such other authorizations issued or
granted by the FCC or MPSC.
"Permitted Encumbrance" means (i) liens for
Taxes not yet due and payable or the validity of which
is being contested in good faith by appropriate
Proceedings disclosed hereunder and for which adequate
reserves have been set aside, (ii) statutory liens
(including materialmen's, mechanic's, repairmen's,
landlord's, and other similar liens) arising in
connection with the ordinary course of business
securing payments not yet due and payable or, if due
and payable, the validity of which is being contested
in good faith by appropriate Proceedings disclosed
hereunder and for which adequate reserves have been
set aside, (iii) such imperfections of title or other
Encumbrances that individually or collectively do not
have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the
Corporation, and (iv) liens to Trustmark National Bank
for loans made to the Corporation.
"Person" means any individual, corporation,
partnership, limited liability company, joint venture,
association, joint-stock company, trust, enterprise,
unincorporated organization, Governmental Entity, or
other entity.
"POPs" means the population of the RSA.
"Proceedings" means all proceedings, actions and
suits that have been instituted by or before any
arbitrator or Governmental Entity.
"Reasonable best efforts" means the taking of
all steps that are reasonable for the causation or
prevention of an event or condition that would
reasonably have been taken in similar circumstances by
a prudent business person for the advancement or
protection of his own economic interest, in light of
the consequences of the failure to cause or to prevent
the occurrence of such event or condition.
"Registration Statement" means the registration
statement of Century on Form S-4 that will be prepared
and filed pursuant to the Securities Act in accordance
with the terms and conditions specified in Section 6.2
and which will include the Information Statement,
along with all amendments and supplements thereto, if
any.
"Required Consents" means the consents specified
on Schedule 3.15 that are required to be received from
Persons in order to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereunder.
"RSA" means the Mississippi Rural Service Area
#6 (Market No. 498) licensed by the FCC.
"SEC" means the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of
1933, as amended.
"Shareholders Agreement" means the First Amended
and Restated Shareholders Agreement dated as of
January 1, 1995 between the Corporation and the
Stockholders.
"State Licenses" mean each certificate of
convenience and necessity or similar Permit that has
been issued to Corporation by the MPSC or any
public utility commission of any state.
"Stock Certificate" means any certificate that
immediately prior to the Effective Time represented
issued and outstanding shares of Corporation Stock.
"Stockholders" mean each record holder of
Corporation Stock outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time (other than holders of Dissenting
Shares and other than shares that are held in the
treasury of Corporation).
"Stockholders Meeting" means the annual or
special meeting of Corporation stockholders (including
all adjournments thereof) to be called, convened and
held in accordance with the terms and conditions of
Section 6.2 in order to, among other things, consider
and vote upon the adoption of this Agreement.
"Stockholders' Representative" means David A.
Bailey, acting in his capacity as the representative
of the Corporation Stockholders for the purposes set
forth herein and in the Escrow Agreement.
"Subsidiary" means each and any corporation of
which a majority of the total voting power of its
outstanding voting securities, or any other
partnership, limited liability company, joint venture,
or other entity of which a majority of the partnership
interests or other similar equity interests thereof,
is owned, directly or indirectly, by Corporation.
"Surviving Corporation" means Corporation at and
after the Effective Time.
"Tax Returns" means all returns, declarations,
reports, statements or other documents required to be
filed in respect of Taxes.
"Taxes" means all federal, state, local, foreign
and other net income, gross income, gross receipts,
sales, use, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, profits,
license, lease, service, service use, withholding,
payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp,
occupation, premium, property, windfall profits,
customs, duties or other taxes, fees, assessments or
charges of any kind whatever, together with any
interest and any penalties, additions to tax or
additional amounts with respect thereto.
"Threatened Proceedings" mean all investigations
and inquiries by Governmental Entities and all threats
made by any Person to institute Proceedings.
"To the best knowledge" (or similar references
to knowledge) means, with respect to any corporation,
the actual knowledge of the executive officers of such
corporation following a reasonable investigation by
such executive officers into the truth and accuracy of
the statement qualified by such reference, provided,
however, that nothing herein shall obligate such
executive officers to contact any third parties in
connection with such investigation or to contact any
employee of such corporation or its subsidiaries other
than the officer, manager or employee who has primary
responsibility for the subject matter of the statement
so qualified and any other employee or employees
suggested by such officer, manager or employee.
"Unfair Labor Practice" means any unfair labor
practice, unlawful employment practice or unlawful
discrimination.
1.2 Singular and Plural. Defined terms in this
Agreement shall also mean in the singular number the plural,
and in the plural number the singular.
1.3 Capitalized Terms. In addition to such terms as
are defined in the preamble and recitals to this Agreement
and in Section 1.1, any other capitalized term appearing
herein shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the Article
or Section in which it is defined.
1.4 Dbu Calculations. Any reference herein to the
32 Dbu contour of a cell site or cellular system shall mean
the 32 Dbu contour calculated under the formula prescribed
by the FCC in FCC Part 22.911.
1.5 Parties. Any reference herein to the parties to
this Agreement shall be deemed to include Principal
Stockholders, in each case to the extent specified in the
preamble hereto.
ARTICLE 2. THE MERGER
2.1 Merger. At the Effective Time, in accordance
with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the
MBCA, Sub shall be merged with and into Corporation, the
separate existence of Sub shall cease, and Corporation shall
be the Surviving Corporation and shall succeed to and assume
all the rights and obligations of Sub in accordance with the
MBCA.
2.2 Closing. (a) The closing of the Merger will
take place at the offices of Century , 100 Century Park
Drive, Monroe, Louisiana, at 10 a.m. on a date to be
mutually agreed upon between the parties, which shall be no
later than the tenth business day following the date upon
which the last to occur of the conditions to the obligations
of the parties set forth in Article 7 is fulfilled or duly
waived, or, if no date has been agreed to, on any date
specified by one party to the others upon five days' written
notice following satisfaction of the conditions to the
obligations of the parties set forth in Article 7, provided,
however, that in no event will any party be obligated to
consummate the Merger unless all other closing conditions
set forth in Article 7 that are applicable to such party
shall have been fulfilled or duly waived as provided in
Article 7 on or prior to the Closing Date.
(b) Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of
each of the conditions set forth in Article 7, at the
Closing (i) the Closing Instruments, opinions and other
documents required by Article 7 shall be delivered, (ii) the
appropriate officers of the Surviving Corporation shall
execute and acknowledge the Articles of Merger and (iii) the
parties shall take such other action as is required to
consummate the transactions described in this Agreement and
the Articles of Merger.
2.3 Effective Time of the Merger. As soon as
practicable on or after the Closing Date, the parties shall
file a duly executed copy of the Articles of Merger
substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto and shall make
all other filings or recordings required under the MBCA.
The Merger shall become effective at 12.01 a.m. Mississippi
time on the date the Articles of Merger are duly filed with
the Mississippi Secretary of State (the "Effective Time").
2.4 Effects of the Merger. The Merger shall have
the effects set forth in Section 79-4-11.06 of the MBCA.
2.5 Articles of Incorporation and By-laws. (a)
Except as otherwise provided in the Articles of Merger, the
Articles of Incorporation of Corporation, as amended and in
effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the
Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation after
the Effective Time unless and until amended in accordance
with its terms and as provided by Applicable Law.
(b) The By-laws of Sub, as amended and in
effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the
By-laws of the Surviving Corporation after the Effective
Time unless and until amended in accordance with the terms
of the Organizational Documents of the Surviving Corporation
and as provided by Applicable Law.
2.6 Directors and Officers. The directors and
officers of Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time
shall serve as the directors and officers of the Surviving
Corporation after the Effective Time, each to hold office in
accordance with the Organizational Documents of the
Surviving Corporation until their respective successors are
duly elected and qualified. Immediately after the Effective
Time, Century shall take, or cause the Surviving Corporation
to take, any actions necessary to effectuate this Section
2.6.
2.7 Conversion of Shares. (a) As of the Effective
Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any further action
on the part of Century, Sub, Corporation, the Surviving
Corporation or any holder of any of the following
securities:
(i) all shares of Corporation Stock that
are held in the treasury of Corporation shall be cancelled;
(ii) all shares of Corporation Stock
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time (other than shares of Corporation Stock to be cancelled
pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) or Dissenting Shares) shall be
converted into such number of shares of Century Common Stock
determined by dividing the Aggregate Merger Consideration
by the Century Stock Price (the "Aggregate Stock
Consideration"); and
(iii) each issued and outstanding share of
common stock, $.01 par value per share, of Sub shall be
converted into one share of common stock,$1.00 par value per
share, of the Surviving Corporation.
(b) Subject to the adjustments, holdbacks and
other terms and conditions set forth in Sections 2.8 and
2.9, upon conversion of the shares of Corporation Stock into
the Aggregate Merger Consideration in the manner described
in paragraph (a)(ii) above, each Corporation Stockholder
shall have the right to receive (i) a certificate
representing such whole number of shares of Century Common
Stock as is derived by multiplying the number of shares of
Century Common Stock comprising the Aggregate Stock
Consideration by such Person's pro rata or percentage
ownership interest in the Corporation and (ii) in lieu of
the issuance of a fractional share of Century Common Stock
hereunder, a cash payment (without interest) equal to the
fair market value of such fraction of a share of Century
Common Stock to which such holder would otherwise be
entitled but for this provision. For purposes of
calculating this fractional share payment, the fair market
value of any such fraction of a share of Century Common
Stock shall equal the Century Stock Price multiplied by such
fraction.
2.8 Pre- and Post-Closing Calculations and Price
Adjustments. (a) At least two business days prior to the
Fix Date, Corporation shall deliver to Century a certificate
(the "Calculation Certificate") setting forth (i) the amount
(and underlying calculation thereof) estimated to be owed by
Corporation as of the Effective Time for Net Indebtedness,
(ii) a true and complete list of the number of shares of
Century Common Stock that each Stockholder will be entitled
to receive at the Effective Time pursuant to this Agreement
(after giving effect to the terms and conditions of Section
2.7(b)) and (iii) 5% of the Aggregate Stock Consideration to
be delivered to the Escrow Agent under Section 2.9(b)(i)
(the "Holdback Amount"). Corporation shall estimate the
Aggregate Merger Consideration as of the Effective Time in
the Calculation Certificate.
(b) On the Closing Date Corporation will re-
certify (after making any necessary updates or corrections)
all of the information set forth in the Calculation
Certificate (including any schedules thereto), provided
however that the Calculation Certificate shall determine the
Aggregate Merger Consideration to be delivered by Century at
the Closing
(c) After the Closing the parties shall take
the following actions to adjust the Aggregate Merger
Consideration payable hereunder. Within 60 days after the
Closing Date, Century shall prepare and deliver
Stockholders' Representative a written statement specifying
whether Century agrees with the amounts of Net Indebtedness
used in connection with calculating the Aggregate Merger
Consideration at Closing, and, if not, a statement of the
amounts that Century believes should have been so used (the
"Supplemental Statement"). Upon its receipt of the
Supplemental Statement, the Stockholders' Representative
shall have 30 days to notify Century in writing of any
objections that it may have to such statements. If no
written objection is raised by the Stockholders'
Representative within such 30-day period, the Supplemental
Statement shall conclusively be deemed to have been agreed
upon by the parties and shall be final, binding and
conclusive with respect to all parties hereto and their
respective stockholders, and shall not be subject to
judicial review. If, on the other hand, the Stockholders'
Representative gives timely notice of its objections to the
Supplemental Statement, the Stockholders' Representative
and Century shall attempt to resolve any disputed matters by
negotiating in good faith and attempting to agree in writing
as to the actual amount of Net Indebtedness and the amount
of any payments owed by any party under paragraph (e). If
Century and the Stockholders' Representative are unable to
agree within 15 days from the date of delivery of the
Stockholders' Representative's written objection, then
Century and the Stockholders' Representative shall submit
any disputed matters to a nationally recognized accounting
firm mutually acceptable to both Century and the
Stockholders' Representative. If Century and the
Stockholders' Representative are unable to agree on a
nationally recognized accounting firm within 10 days
following the expiration of such 15-day period, then each
party shall select a nationally recognized accounting firm
(which shall not be any certified public accounting firm
retained within the past two years by Century or Corporation
to audit its financial statements), and the two firms
selected shall together select a third nationally recognized
accounting firm to resolve the dispute. If the two
accounting firms selected by the parties are unable to agree
within 30 days on a third accounting firm to resolve the
dispute, then either Century or the Stockholders'
Representative may commence court proceedings to name a
nationally recognized accounting firm to resolve the
dispute. The accounting firm selected hereunder to resolve
the dispute shall make a final determination of the actual
amount of the disputed matters, which will be provided in
writing to each party, and its resolution shall be final,
conclusive and binding on all parties to this Agreement and
their respective stockholders, and shall not be subject to
judicial review.
(d) After the date on which Century furnishes the
Stockholders' Representative with the Supplemental
Statement, Century shall afford the Stockholders'
Representative and his agents, employees and representatives
with full access at all reasonable times to (i) all
accounting books and records of Corporation relating to all
relevant accounting periods prior to the Closing Date, (ii)
all work papers of Century, Corporation and their
accountants and accounting personnel relating to their
preparation of the Supplemental Statements and (iii)
Century's and Corporation's accountants and accounting
personnel and other personnel who participated in the
preparation of the Supplemental Statement and their notes
and work papers, in each case until the resolution of all
matters relating to the determination of the actual amount
of Aggregate Merger Consideration as of the Effective Time
and the amount of any payments arising under paragraph (e).
(e) Within five business days of any final, binding
and conclusive determination of the actual amount of Net
Indebtedness as of the Effective Time (whether through non-
objection, agreement, or otherwise), Century and the
Stockholders' Representative shall recalculate the Aggregate
Merger Consideration based upon the amounts so determined.
If the amount of Aggregate Merger Consideration as so
determined is less than the amount determined at Closing,
the Stockholders' Representative shall promptly (i) inform
Escrow Agent to pay to Century such difference from the
Escrow Account and in the event all of such Escrow Account
is so utilized, then to (ii) promptly instruct each
Stockholder to pay to Century their portion of the balance
of such difference (without interest) that such stockholder
is obligated to pay based upon the procedures specified in
Section 11.6 and the Stockholder's Representative shall use
its reasonable best efforts to assist Century in timely
collecting all such payments. If, on the other hand, the
amount of Aggregate Merger Consideration as so determined is
more than the amount determined at Closing, then Century
shall promptly pay the amount of such excess (without
interest) by delivery of Century Stock to the Escrow in an
amount equal to the excess.
2.9 Delivery of Merger Consideration; Exchange of
Stock Certificates. (a) Prior to the date upon which the
Information Statement is mailed to the Stockholders, Century
shall (i) appoint Society Shareholder Services, Inc.,
Dallas, Texas, which serves as the transfer agent with
respect to the Century Common Stock, or any other exchange
agent reasonably satisfactory to Corporation, to act as the
exchange agent hereunder (the "Exchange Agent") and (ii)
prepare a letter of transmittal, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to Corporation ("Letter of
Transmittal"), to be used by the Stockholders to exchange
their Stock Certificates for the consideration specified in
this Article 2. Century shall cause the Exchange Agent to
pay such consideration to each Stockholder in accordance
with the terms and conditions specified herein and in the
Letter of Transmittal.
(b) On the Closing Date Century shall (i) pay
to the Escrow Agent stock in the amount of the Holdback
Amount specified in the Calculation Certificate, and (ii)
pay, or cause the Exchange Agent to commence to mail to each
Stockholder who has duly tendered his Stock Certificates in
accordance herewith and with the Letter of Transmittal all
consideration specified in the Calculation Certificate (as
re-certified at Closing).
(c) From and after the Effective Time each
Stockholder shall be entitled, upon the surrender of his
Stock Certificate or Certificates to the Exchange Agent,
accompanied by a properly completed and executed Letter of
Transmittal, to receive in exchange therefor on the terms
and subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the
Letter of Transmittal (i) a check payable in the sum of the
amounts specified in Section 2.7(b), without interest for
each fractional share and (ii) a certificate or certificates
representing that whole number of shares of Century Common
Stock into which the shares of Corporation Stock represented
by the Stock Certificate so surrendered shall have been
converted pursuant to Section 2.7(b).
(d) The Letter of Transmittal shall set forth
customary terms and conditions upon which the exchanges
described in paragraph (c) above will be made. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Letter of
Transmittal will provide that (i) if any check or
certificate for shares of Century Common Stock is to be
issued in the name of any Person other than that in which a
surrendered Stock Certificate is then registered, such
surrender shall be accompanied by payment of any applicable
transfer Taxes and such documents reasonably deemed
necessary or appropriate by Century, (ii) if a former holder
of Corporation Stock claims that a Stock Certificate has
been lost, stolen or destroyed, the Exchange Agent shall
deliver to such holder the Merger Consideration only upon
receipt of appropriate evidence of ownership of such
Corporation Stock, and appropriate indemnification (and, if
requested by Century, a bond), in each case reasonably
satisfactory to Century, and (iii) the execution and
delivery of the Letter of Transmittal by any Stockholder
will constitute such stockholders' written appointment of
the Stockholders' Representative as his agent and attorney-
in-fact for all purposes specified herein and in the Escrow
Agreement. A Letter of Transmittal shall be mailed to each
record stockholder of Corporation in connection with the
mailing of the Information Statement.
(e) From and after the Effective Time and
until surrendered and exchanged as provided in this Section,
each Stock Certificate (excluding Stock Certificates
previously representing shares of Corporation Stock held in
the treasury of Corporation and excluding Stock
Certificates representing Dissenting Shares) shall be deemed
for all purposes, except as hereinafter provided, to
evidence that whole number of shares of Century Common Stock
(subject to any Holdback Deductions) and the right to
receive that amount of cash into which the fractional shares
of Corporation Stock represented by the Stock Certificate so
surrendered have been converted under this Article 2 and a
right to receive a pro-rata amount of any remaining portion
of the Holdback Deductions in accordance with the Escrow
Agreement. Unless and until any such Stock Certificate
shall be so surrendered, the holder of such Stock
Certificate shall not have any right to receive any
dividends paid or other distributions made to the holders of
record of Century Common Stock after the Effective Time.
Subject to Applicable Law, upon surrender of any such Stock
Certificate, the surrendering holder of record thereof shall
receive all dividends and other distributions, with respect
to the total number of shares of Century Common Stock into
which his Corporation Stock was converted, that have been
paid or made with respect to shares of Century Common Stock
outstanding as of a record date after the Effective Time,
but without interest thereon.
(f) If any former Stockholder fails to duly
deliver a Letter of Transmittal within 9 months of the
Effective Time, all cash payments, dividends, distributions
and stock certificates otherwise payable to such former
Stockholder by the Exchange Agent or the Escrow Agent shall
be returned to Century, after which each such former
Stockholder shall look, subject to applicable escheat or
other Applicable Laws, to Century as general creditors only
for payment thereof.
(g) The Merger Consideration to be issued and
paid upon surrender of Stock Certificates in accordance with
the terms of this Section shall be deemed to have been
issued in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the
shares of Corporation Stock theretofore represented thereby,
and there shall be no further registration of transfers on
the stock transfer books of the Surviving Corporation of the
shares of Corporation Stock that were outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time.
2.10 Non-Dilution. If, at any time after the date
hereof and prior to the Effective Time, Century effects a
Diluting Event, then as a condition of such Diluting Event,
lawful, appropriate, equitable and adequate adjustments (as
mutually determined by Corporation and Century prior to the
Effective Time, subject to any rights of the Stockholders to
indemnification under Article 10 for any inaccuracy of the
representations and warranties of Century in Section 5.9)
shall be made to the Century Stock Price, Average Century
Stock Price, Ceiling Price and Floor Price, or to the terms
of Section 2.7, as appropriate, whereby the Stockholders
shall thereafter be entitled to receive (under the same
terms otherwise applicable to their receipt of the Century
Common Stock), in lieu of or in addition to, as the case may
be, the consideration specified in Section 2.7, such shares
of stock, securities or other property as may be issued or
payable with respect to or in exchange for that number of
shares of Century Common Stock to which such Stockholders
were so entitled under Section 2.7, and in any such case
appropriate, equitable and adequate adjustments shall also
be made to such resulting consideration in like manner in
connection with any subsequent Diluting Events. It is the
intention of the parties that the foregoing shall have the
effect of entitling the Stockholders to receive upon the
Effective Time such stock, securities and other property
(other than cash dividends paid in the ordinary course and
at times and in amounts consistent with past practice) as
the Corporation Stockholders would have received had they
held the Century Common Stock (or any replacement or
additional stock, securities or property, as applicable) on
the record date of such Diluting Event.
2.11 Dissenting Shares. Notwithstanding anything to
the contrary herein, Dissenting Shares shall not be
converted as of the Effective Time into a right to receive
the Merger Consideration, but, instead, shall entitle the
holder of such shares to such rights as may be available
under Article 13 of the MBCA, provided, however, that if
after the Effective Time such holder fails to perfect or
withdraws or otherwise loses his right to appraisal, the
shares of Corporation Stock owned by such holder immediately
prior to the Effective Time shall be treated as if they had
been converted as of the Effective Time into the right to
receive the Merger Consideration, without interest. Prior
to the Effective Time, Corporation shall give Century prompt
notice of any demands received by Corporation for appraisal
of shares of Corporation Stock, and Century shall have the
right to participate in all negotiations and proceedings
with respect to such demands. Prior to the Effective Time,
Corporation shall not, except with the prior written consent
of Century, make any payment with respect to, or settle, any
such demands. After the Effective Time, Century shall pay,
or cause the Surviving Corporation to pay, any amounts that
may become payable to the holders of Dissenting Shares under
Section 79-4-13.25 of the MBCA.
ARTICLE 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF CORPORATION
Corporation hereby makes the following representations
and warranties to Century and Sub as of the date hereof:
3.1 Organization of Corporation. Corporation is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Mississippi. The
Corporation owns no subsidiaries. The Corporation has full
corporate power and authority to carry on the business in
which it is engaged and to own, lease and operate its
properties. The Corporation is not required to be duly
qualified or authorized to do business in any jurisdiction
as a foreign corporation because neither the character or
location of its properties, or the nature of its activities
makes such qualification necessary.
3.2 Authorization and Enforceability. (a)
Corporation has full corporate power and authority to
execute and deliver this Agreement and each Closing
Instrument to be executed and delivered by it and, subject
to the adoption of this Agreement by the Stockholders in
accordance with the MBCA and Corporation's Organizational
Documents, to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby and under such Closing Instruments. The execution,
delivery and performance by Corporation of this Agreement
and each Closing Instrument to be executed and delivered by
it has been duly and unanimously authorized by Corporation's
Board of Directors, and no other corporate proceedings
(other than the adoption of this Agreement by the
Stockholders in accordance with the MBCA and Corporation's
Organizational Documents) are necessary to authorize
Corporation's execution, delivery or performance of this
Agreement or such Closing Instruments.
(b) This Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by Corporation and constitutes, and each Closing
Instrument, when executed and delivered by Corporation, will
be duly executed and delivered by Corporation and will
constitute, a valid and legally binding obligation of
Corporation, enforceable against Corporation in accordance
with its respective terms, except that such enforceability
may be limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium, and similar laws affecting
creditors' rights generally and (ii) equitable principles
that may limit the availability of certain equitable
remedies (such as specific performance) in certain
instances.
3.3 Capital Stock. (a) The authorized capital
stock of Corporation consists exclusively of 100,000 shares
of Corporation Common Stock, $1.00 par value, of which 1,000
are issued and outstanding and none are held in
Corporation's treasury. All shares of Corporation Stock are
held by the record owners in the amounts specified on
Schedule 3.3.
(b) All issued and outstanding shares of
Corporation Stock have been duly authorized and validly
issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and are free and
clear of any preemptive or similar rights except for rights
created by the Shareholders Agreement which shall be
cancelled immediately prior to closing. Corporation has no
outstanding, or is subject to any, Options. There are no
equity equivalents in, interests in the ownership or
earnings of, or other similar rights binding upon
Corporation.
3.4 Personal Properties. Except as set forth on
Schedule 3.4 hereto, the Corporation has good, valid and
marketable title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all
of its properties and assets (real and personal, tangible
and intangible), including all properties and assets
reflected in the Balance Sheet (or which would be reflected
thereon if not fully depreciated or amortized), in each case
subject to no Encumbrances of any kind whatsoever, except
for Permitted Encumbrances. The Corporation validly owns or
leases all properties and assets necessary for the continued
conduct of its business in the ordinary course.
3.5 Organizational Documents, Books and Records, and
Related Matters. (a) Corporation has delivered to Century
true, correct and complete copies of (i) each Organizational
Document governing Corporation, together with all amendments
thereto, as certified by the Secretary of State of
Mississippi or by the corporate secretary, as appropriate,
and (ii) minutes of all meetings of the Boards of Directors
and Stockholders of Corporation. All books and records of
Corporation and all files, data and other materials
relating to its businesses, have been prepared and
maintained in accordance with sound business practices.
(b) The affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding total voting power of the
holders of the Corporation Stock is the only vote of the
holders of any class or series of Corporation Stock that is
required under Corporation's Organizational Documents or the
MBCA to approve this Agreement and the transactions
described herein.
3.6 Investments and Interests. Except as listed on
Schedule 3.6, the Corporation does not own or have the
right or obligation to acquire, directly or indirectly, any
capital stock or other equity or proprietary interest in any
Person.
3.7 Financial Statements. (a) The Corporation
Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1994 attached hereto as Exhibit B (i) reflect only actual
bona fide transactions, (ii) have been prepared from the
books and records of Corporation in accordance with GAAP,
and (iii) fairly present in all material respects
Corporation's financial position as of the respective dates
thereof in accordance with GAAP and its results of
operations and cash flows for the periods then ended in
accordance with GAAP. All unaudited interim financial
statements included among the Corporation Financial
Statements reflect all adjustments (which include only
normal recurring adjustments made in conformity with GAAP)
that are necessary for a fair statement of the results of
operation of Corporation for the periods presented therein.
(b) Attached hereto as Exhibit C is a true and
complete copy of the capital expenditure budget (the
"Budget") for fiscal year 1995 for the RSA all of which been
prepared in good faith by Corporation.
3.8 Absence of Material Changes. Since December 31,
1994 and except as set forth on Schedule 3.8 hereto, the
Corporation has not:
(a) amended any of its Organizational
Documents;
(b) undergone any change in its financial
condition, assets, properties, liabilities, business
or operations, other than changes in the ordinary
course of business, none of which individually or in
the aggregate has resulted in a Material Adverse
Effect with respect to the Corporation;
(c) suffered any damage, destruction or loss
(whether or not covered by insurance), or condemnation
or other taking that has resulted in a Material
Adverse Effect with respect to Corporation;
(d) Subjected any of its other properties or
assets to any Encumbrance other than Permitted
Encumbrances;
(e) guaranteed any Indebtedness or obligations
of any other Person; created, incurred or assumed any
Indebtedness (or increased prior Indebtedness) or
otherwise become liable for the obligations of any
other Person); prepaid, amended or altered the payment
obligations with respect to any Indebtedness or made
any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or
investments in, any other Person.
(f) sold, transferred, assigned or otherwise
disposed of any direct or indirect equity interest in
the RSA, the Corporation or any Intellectual Property;
leased any office space; or acquired, sold, assigned,
leased, transferred or otherwise disposed of, directly
or indirectly, any other assets;
(g) received written notice of any Proceeding,
Threatened Proceeding, dispute, claim, event or
condition of any character (including but not limited
to regulatory and administrative notices) that could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect with respect to the Corporation.
(h) made any change in its accounting methods,
principles or practices, except for any change
required by reason of a concurrent change in GAAP and
notice of which is given in writing to Century;
(i) received written notice that any group,
organization or union has attempted or intends to
organize any of its employees or that any group of
employees has attempted or intends to institute any
labor slowdown, picketing, stoppage or similar
disturbance;
(j) issued any shares of capital stock,
Options or other securities; declared, set aside, or
paid any dividend or other distribution (whether in
cash, stock or property or any combination thereof),
repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired any
Corporation Stock or any other securities; or adopted
a plan of liquidation, dissolution, restructuring,
recapitalization or other reorganization;
(k) entered into, adopted or (except as may be
required by law) amended or terminated any Employee
Benefit Plan or other arrangement for the benefit or
welfare of any current or former director, officer or
employee; paid to any current or former director,
officer or employee any amount not required by any
Employee Benefit Plan; or granted or paid any bonus,
severance payment, termination payment or change in
control payment;
(l) cancelled or materially reduced the
coverage under any insurance or indemnity Contract;
(m) entered into any networking contracts or
otherwise become obligated under any Contract outside
the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice or amended, modified or terminated any
Contract listed on any Schedule hereto, other than as
contemplated hereunder;
(n) waived, released, granted or transferred
any rights of value or settled any Proceeding or
Threatened Proceeding involving claims in excess of
$20,000, except for any waivers, releases, grants,
transfers or settlements that have no effect on
Corporation's financial position other than reducing
Current Assets or increasing Current Liabilities or
that have been approved in writing by any executive
officer of Century;
(o) amended any Tax Return, made any tax
election or settled or compromised any Tax liability;
(p) failed to staff its operations at levels
comparable with past practice;
(q) materially delayed payment of any of its
accounts payable or other liability beyond the date
when such liability would have been paid in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice;
(r) received written notice of any actual or
threatened termination, cancellation or limitation of,
or any modification in, its business relationship with
any customer or group of customers whose payments to
Corporation individually or in the aggregate are
material to its operations, or with any vendor, agent,
representative, or consultant, or group thereof, whose
sales of services to such entity individually or in
the aggregate are material to its operations;
(s) otherwise failed to operate its business
in the ordinary course consistent with prior practices
so as to preserve its business organization and to
preserve the good will of its customers, suppliers and
others with whom it has business relations; or
(t) authorized, agreed or became committed to
do or to take any of the actions referred to in this
Section 3.8.
3.9 Indebtedness. Schedule 3.9 hereof sets forth
all Indebtedness of Corporation to any Person (including
its Affiliates) as of the date hereof (except to the extent
a different date is otherwise set forth thereon with respect
to any specific Indebtedness). Except as disclosed on
Schedule 3.9, all Indebtedness is prepayable at any time at
the option of Corporation, without premium or penalty. The
Corporation has not taken any action or omitted to take any
action, and no event has occurred, that constitutes (with or
without the giving of notice or the passage of time or both)
a material default under, or gives rise (with or without the
giving of notice or the passage of time or both) to any
right of termination, cancellation, or acceleration under,
any Contract creating, or note or other instrument
evidencing, any Indebtedness.
3.10 Litigation and Claims. (a) Schedule 3.10 sets
forth a list of each Proceeding in which the Corporation is
a party. Except as specifically disclosed on Schedule 3.10,
there are no judgments, orders, injunctions, decrees or
awards binding upon the Corporation, or its assets, and
there are no Proceedings or, to the best knowledge of
Corporation, Threatened Proceedings asserted against
Corporation, or its assets, in each case that could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect
with respect to any Corporation. Schedule 3.10 sets forth
each reserve established by Corporation with respect to its
liability or potential liability arising under any
Proceeding or Threatened Proceeding listed thereon.
(b) There are no Proceedings or, to the best
knowledge of Corporation, Threatened Proceedings asserted
against Corporation, or its assets, that, individually or in
the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to (i) impair in
any material respect the ability of Corporation to perform
its obligations under this Agreement or (ii) prevent the
consummation of any of the transactions described in this
Agreement, nor is there any judgment, decree, injunction,
rule or order of any Governmental Entity or arbitrator that
could reasonably be expected to have any such effect.
3.11 Real Estate and Leases. Schedule 3.11 hereto
sets forth a complete list of all real properties and
structures thereon owned in whole or in part by Corporation,
or leased by Corporation, and includes the name of the
record title holder thereof. The Corporation owns or
validly leases all of the real property reflected on the
Balance Sheets (or which would be reflected thereon if not
fully depreciated or amortized) and all real properties used
in the conduct of its business. Title to all real property
owned by the Corporation is, in each case, good and
marketable and free and clear of any Encumbrances, except
for Permitted Encumbrances or any Encumbrance arising under
indentures, security interests, mortgages or deeds of trust
listed on Schedule 3.11. All such real property has access
to adequate water, electric, gas, sewerage and/or any other
utility services which are necessary for the conduct of the
business of Corporation, and, with respect to each, the
Corporation has adequate rights of ingress and egress for
operation of business in the ordinary course. There are no
Proceedings or, to the best knowledge of Corporation,
Threatened Proceedings relating to condemnation, eminent
domain or similar matters that would preclude or impair the
use of any such property by Corporation for the purposes for
which it is currently used.
3.12 Condition of Personal Properties and Real
Estate. All buildings, equipment and other assets
(including all switches, cell sites, cell enhancers, radios,
towers, generators and microwave systems) owned or leased by
Corporation (i) are in good operating condition and do not
require any maintenance or repairs, except for ordinary,
routine maintenance and repairs that arise in the ordinary
course of business and that in the aggregate are not
material in nature or cost, (ii) are suitable for the
purposes for which they are currently being used and are
sufficient for the continued conduct of business after the
Closing in substantially the same manner as conducted prior
thereto and (iii) conform in all material respects with all
Applicable Laws (including all zoning laws) and Permits.
3.13 Insurance. Schedule 3.13 hereto sets forth a
complete list and brief description of all policies and
binders of insurance insuring Corporation and its properties
and businesses. All such policies and binders of insurance
are in full force and the premiums thereon have been duly
and timely paid. The Corporation is not in material default
with respect to any provision contained in any such policy
or binder, nor has there been any failure to give notice or
to present any claim relating to Corporation or under any
such policy or binder in a timely fashion or in the manner
or detail required by the policy or binder, except for
failures that would not reasonably be expected to result in
a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Corporation.
No notice of cancellation or nonrenewal with respect to any
such policy or binder has been received by Corporation.
Corporation has delivered to Century correct and complete
copies of (i) certificates of insurance pertaining to and a
policy digest of all such policies and binders, (ii) the
most recent inspection reports, if any, received from the
insurance underwriters as to the condition of the insured
properties and (iii) all such policies and binders.
3.14 Contracts. (a) Except as set forth in Schedule
3.14, the Corporation is not a party to, nor is bound by,
obligated under or subject to the terms of, any:
(i) Contract for the lease or sublease
of any real or personal property from or to any Person
(including any Affiliate of Corporation);
(ii) Contract with any Person (including
any Affiliate of Corporation) wherein it provides or
receives services relating to customer billing, data
processing or accounting, or which relates to the switching
or reselling of Cellular Services or the sharing of any
switch used in connection with providing Cellular Services;
(iii) management or consulting Contract
with any Person (including any Affiliate of Corporation),
whether it is the party performing or receiving the benefit
of the services performed thereunder, including any
Contracts relating to the management or operation of the
RSA;
(iv) Contract for the purchase or sale of
raw materials, commodities, merchandise, utilities,
supplies, or other materials or personal property, or for
the furnishing or receipt of services, that calls for
performance over a period of more than 90 days and involves
more than the sum of $10,000;
(v) agency, distributor, dealer,
representative, sales, marketing or advertising Contract
that is not terminable by it without penalty on notice of 60
days or less;
(vi) Contract to lend or advance funds
to, make any investment in, or guarantee the Indebtedness or
obligations of, any Person (including any Affiliate of
Corporation and any customers, suppliers, lenders, officers,
directors, employees, stockholders, or others having
business relations with Corporation);
(vii) Contract obligating Corporation to
indemnify any current or former director, officer, employee,
agent or fiduciary;
(viii)collective bargaining agreement,
employment agreement, nondisclosure agreement, assignment
agreement, noncompetition agreement, or any other Contract
with any director, officer or employee of Corporation, other
than the Employee Benefit Plans;
(ix) Contract relating to capital
expenditures which involves a payment or payments in excess
of $10,000;
(x) Contract limiting its freedom to
engage in any line of business or to compete with any other
Person;
(xi) Contract obligating it to sell or
otherwise dispose of any substantial part of its assets to,
or to enter into a business combination or share exchange
with, any other Person, or to refrain from any such sale,
disposition, business combination or share exchange, other
than this Agreement; or
(xii) Contract not entered into in the
ordinary course of business that involves a payment or
payments of $10,000 or more and is not cancelable without
penalty within 60 days.
(b) True, correct and complete copies of all
Contracts identified in Schedule 3.14 have heretofore been
delivered to Century. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.14,
(i) none of the Contracts or commitments listed in Schedule
3.9, 3.14, or 3.28 or any other Schedule hereto (the
"Subject Contracts") will expire, be terminated or be
subject to any modification as a result of the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii)
Corporation is not in default in any material respect under
the terms of any Subject Contract, and no event has occurred
which, with the passage of time or giving of notice, or
both, would constitute such a default by Corporation, and
(iii) to the best knowledge of Corporation, no other party
to any Subject Contract is in default in any material
respect thereunder, and no such event has occurred with
respect to any such party. No purchase order or commitment
of Corporation not listed on Schedule 3.14 is in excess of
its ordinary business requirements.
3.15 Conflicts. (a) Assuming the Stockholders duly
adopt this Agreement at the Stockholders Meeting, the
execution, delivery, and performance by Corporation of this
Agreement and each Closing Instrument to be executed and
delivered by Corporation does not and will not (i) conflict
with or result in a violation of any provision of the
Organizational Documents of Corporation, (ii) assuming
receipt of all Required Consents specified on Schedule 3.15,
conflict with or result in a violation of any provision of,
or constitute (with or without the giving of notice or the
passage of time or both) a default under, or give rise (with
or without the giving of notice or the passage of time or
both) to any right of termination, cancellation, or
acceleration under, any bond, debenture, note, mortgage,
indenture, lease, Contract, or other instrument or
obligation to which Corporation is a party or by which
Corporation or any of its respective properties may be
bound, or the rules and regulations of any Governmental
Entity, (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any
Encumbrance upon the properties of Corporation or (iv)
assuming compliance with the matters referred to in Sections
6.1 through 6.3, violate any Applicable Law (including any
state takeover or similar law or regulation) binding upon
Corporation, except for, in the case of clauses (ii) and
(iii), any such conflicts, violations, defaults, rights or
Encumbrances that individually or in the aggregate would not
materially interfere, interrupt, or detract from the ability
of the Corporation, taken as a whole, to conduct its
business, impair the ability of Corporation to perform its
obligations hereunder, or prevent the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereunder.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, none of the Organizational Documents or Contracts
of the Corporation grant rights of "first refusal" or
similar rights to the Stockholders upon the transfer or
change in control of shares of Corporation of such entities
or their Affiliates, or include any similar provisions that
otherwise restrict any such transfer or change in control in
any manner except for the Shareholders Agreement which shall
be cancelled immediately prior to closing.
(c) No consent, notice, approval, order, or
authorization of, or declaration, filing, or registration
with, any Governmental Entity is required to be obtained or
made by Corporation in connection with the execution,
delivery or performance by Corporation and the Principal
Stockholders of this Agreement or their consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, other than (i) the filing
by the Surviving Corporation of the Articles of Merger with
the Mississippi Secretary of State in accordance with the
MBCA or (ii) as contemplated by Sections 6.1 through 6.3.
3.16 Permits, Tariffs and Cellular Operations. (a)
Schedule 3.16 identifies all FCC Licenses, State Licenses
and other Permits that have been issued to Corporation,
which represent all federal, state or local Permits
necessary for Corporation to provide Cellular Service in the
RSA and to otherwise own or lease and operate its properties
and to conduct its business as now conducted. Except as
disclosed in Schedule 3.16, the present use by Corporation
of its properties and the conduct of its business does not
violate any Permits. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.16,
all such Permits are in full force and effect, have been
legally and validly issued, and will continue in full force
and effect after the Closing Date without the consent,
approval or act of, or the making of any filing with, any
Governmental Entity or other party, subject to the receipt
of the approval and the completion of the filings described
in Sections 6.1(a) and (c) and 8.2 hereof, respectively.
Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.16, the Corporation is not
in default under the terms of any such Permit and the
Corporation has not received written notice of any default
thereunder. None of the Governmental Entities that have
issued the Permits has notified Corporation of its intent to
modify, revoke, terminate or fail to renew any such Permit
now or in the future, and, to the best knowledge of
Corporation, no such action has been threatened.
(b) Without limiting the generality of
paragraph (a) above, except as disclosed on Schedule 3.16
the Corporation is the sole holder of the FCC cellular
frequency block "A" operating license ("Operating License")
for the RSA and holds such Operating License free and clear
of all Encumbrances. The cellular base stations owned by
and licensed to the Corporation provide, in each instance,
32 Dbu contour coverage to the RSA as reflected on the maps
and engineering furnished to Century. The expiration of the
five-year "fill-in" period specified in 47 C.F.R. 22.903
will occur on April 23, 1995 for the RSA.
(c) Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.16, the
Corporation has duly and timely filed all applications,
reports or other instruments and taken all other actions
that are necessary to secure the Corporation's enjoyment to
the fullest extent permitted by law of all rights as a
provider of Cellular Service in the RSA, including without
limitation duly and timely filing with the FCC all
applications necessary to construct and operate cellular
base station facilities in the RSA ("Base Station
Applications"). Each cellular base station facility
operated by the Corporation has been constructed in all
material respects in accordance with the Base Station
Applications. The FCC has not notified Corporation of its
intent to revoke or transfer to another operator any
Operating License upon the expiration of its initial ten-
year term, and, to the best knowledge of Corporation, no
such action has been threatened.
(d) Corporation has previously delivered to
Century true, correct and complete copies of the tariffs
containing, to the extent included therein, service
regulations, rates and charges for radio common carrier
services applicable on the date hereof, together with all
FCC records and applicable state certifications. No action
to change, alter, rescind or make obsolete any of such
tariffs, rates or charges is pending or, to the best
knowledge of Corporation, is threatened or under
consideration other than Proceedings in the ordinary course
of business and those of general applicability to the
cellular industry.
(e) As of February 28, 1995 the Corporation
had, and as of the Closing Date the Corporation will have,
an aggregate of at least 2,800 active cellular customers, in
each case excluding those customers whose accounts have not
been paid in full prior to the 60th day following the date
of the respective invoices for services rendered.
3.17 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. The
Corporation has no outstanding claims, liabilities or
obligations of any nature, whether accrued, unaccrued,
absolute, contingent, asserted, unasserted, matured,
unmatured, known, unknown or otherwise, other than (i) those
reflected in the Balance Sheet (including any footnotes
thereto), (ii) those that arise out of any matter
specifically disclosed in any other Section of or Schedule
to this Article 3, (iii) immaterial liabilities that have
arisen in the ordinary course of business since December 31,
1994 and (iv) those that, either individually or in the
aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Corporation.
3.18 Compliance With Laws. Without limiting the
scope of any representation or warranty made in this Article
3 concerning compliance with laws, the Corporation is and
during the last three years has been in compliance in all
material respects with the Communications Act and all other
Applicable Laws. At no time during the last three years has
Corporation been notified orally or in writing by any
Governmental Entity that it has been the subject of any
federal, state or local criminal investigation, or that it
has materially violated any Applicable Law (including those
described in other Sections of this Article 3).
3.19 Employee Benefit Plans. (a) Schedule 3.19
contains a true, correct and complete list of each Employee
Benefit Plan of the Corporation. Prior to the date hereof,
Corporation has delivered to Century correct and complete
copies of all relevant documents pertaining to the Employee
Benefit Plans of Corporation, including (i) the plan
documents and related trusts and summary plan descriptions,
(ii) the most recent determination letters received from the
IRS, (iii) all Form 5500 annual reports filed with respect
to plan years after 1989, (iv) all filings pursuant to Labor
Regulations 2520.104-23 with respect to plan years after
1990, and (v) any related insurance Contracts with respect
to the plans.
(b) With respect to the Employee Benefit Plans,
except as set forth on Schedule 3.19:
(i) Each such plan and each related
trust or insurance contract is in material compliance
with all applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code;
(ii) Each Employee Benefit Plan listed on
Schedule 3.19 that is intended to be, or normally
would be, qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code
is so qualified in form and operation, and each trust
forming a part thereof is exempt from tax pursuant to
Section 501(a) of the Code;
(iii) All contributions due and owing for
each Employee Benefit Plan for the plan year most
recently ended and for all prior years have been made
or reserved for;
(iv) There are no accumulated funding
deficiencies as defined in Section 412 of the Code
(whether or not waived) with respect to any Employee
Benefit Plan. Neither Corporation, nor any affiliate
thereof, has incurred any material liability under
Title IV of ERISA arising in connection with the
termination of, or a complete or partial withdrawal
from, any Employee Benefit Plan covered or previously
covered by Title IV of ERISA. Corporation and all
affiliates thereof, have paid and discharged promptly
when due all liabilities and obligations with respect
to any Employee Benefit Plan arising under ERISA or
the Code of a character which if unpaid or unperformed
could reasonably be expected to result in the
imposition of an Encumbrance against any of the assets
of Corporation, any Subsidiary, or any affiliate
thereof;
(v) Nothing done or omitted to be done
and no transaction or holding of any asset under or
in connection with any Employee Benefit Plan has or
will cause, directly or indirectly, Corporation, or
any affiliate thereof, to incur any liability under
Title I of ERISA or any liability for any tax pursuant
to Section 4975 of the Code;
(vi) Neither the Corporation nor any
affiliate thereof has ever maintained or contributed
to a Multiemployer Plan or to an Employee Benefit Plan
subject to Title IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum
funding standards of ERISA and the Code, and none of
the Employee Benefit Plans is (a) Multiemployer Plan
or (b) a plan to which more than one employer makes
contributions, within the meaning of Sections 4063 and
4064 of ERISA;
(vii) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.19
neither the Corporation, nor any affiliate thereof,
has ever maintained or contributed to or been required
to contribute to any Employee Welfare Benefit Plan
providing medical, health, or life insurance or other
welfare type benefits for current or future retired or
terminated employees, their spouses, or their
dependents.
(viii)All required reports and
descriptions, including Form 5500 annual reports,
summary annual reports, summary plan descriptions, and
reports required by Labor Department Regulation
Section 2520.104-23 have been filed or distributed
appropriately with respect to the Employee Benefit
Plans. The requirements of Part 6 of Subtitle B of
Title I of ERISA and of Section 4980B of the Code have
been met with respect to each such Employee Benefit
Plan which is an Employee Welfare Benefit Plan; and
(ix) No reportable event, as such term is
defined in Section 4043(B) of ERISA, has occurred with
respect to any of such Plans which are subject to
Section 4043(B) or ERISA other than those which might
arise solely as a result of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
(x) The fair market value of the assets
of each Employee Benefit Plan exceeds the amount of
benefit liabilities for such plan, computed on a
termination basis utilizing PBGC factors;
(xi) Neither the Corporation, nor any
affiliate thereof, are liable nor is there any basis
for any such liability for an excise tax under Section
4980B of the Code in connection with an Employee
Benefit Plan which is a welfare benefit plan;
(xii) No claim, lawsuit, arbitration or
other action or proceeding is pending or has been
threatened, asserted or instituted against the
Corporation, or any affiliate thereof, or any Employee
Benefit Plan, in connection with or arising out of,
directly or indirectly, the provisions of COBRA, and
there are no facts that exist which could give rise to
any such actions, suits or claims. Century shall be
notified promptly in writing of any such threatened or
pending claim arising between the date hereof and the
Closing;
(xiii) The Corporation agrees that it
will comply, and will cause all affiliates to comply,
with COBRA after the Closing with respect to all
qualified beneficiaries who had a qualifying event as
of or prior to the Closing, including any former
employees of the Corporation, or any affiliate
thereof, who are hired by Century, but who are
entitled to elect COBRA coverage under an Employee
Benefit Plan due to a significant gap in coverage, a
preexisting condition or as otherwise may be required
by applicable law;
(xiv) The Corporation and Century agree
that Century is not intended to be and is not a
successor employer to the Corporation, or any
affiliate thereof, for any purpose, including with
respect to COBRA, and that no benefit plan sponsored
or maintained by Century is intended to be and no such
plan shall be a successor plan to any Employee Benefit
Plan;
(xv) Schedule 3.19 includes a list of all
qualified beneficiaries under COBRA under any Employee
Benefit Plan who experienced a qualifying event under
such plan as of or prior to the Closing, and the
Corporation agrees to provide, with respect to each
such qualified beneficiary, his/her name, address,
date of qualifying event, COBRA premium payment
history and copies of all COBRA notices provided by or
on behalf of the Corporation;
(xvi) No Employee Benefit Plan has been
completely or partially terminated;
(xvii) Except as set forth on Schedule
3.19, consummation of the transaction contemplated in
this Agreement will not entitle any employee of the
Corporation, or any affiliate thereof, to severance
pay and will not increase, or accelerate the time of
payment or vesting of, any compensation due to any
employee of the Corporation, or any affiliate thereof,
or under any Employee Benefit Plan.
(c) For purposes of this Section only, an
"affiliate" of a Person means any other Person which,
together with such Person, would be treated as a single
employer under Section 414 of the Code.
3.20 Investment Company Act. Corporation is not an
"investment company" as defined under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended, and the regulations promulgated
thereunder.
3.21 Remuneration, Severance Pay, and Other Benefits.
(a) Schedule 3.21 sets forth a true, correct and complete
list of each of the officers and directors of Corporation.
Corporation has delivered to Century a true, correct and
complete list of each employee of Corporation, together with
a list of the total cash compensation paid to each such
person for 1994 (showing bonuses separately), along with the
current wages or annualized salary of each such person for
1995.
(b) Schedule 3.21 sets forth a true, complete
and correct list of (i) each director, officer or employee
of Corporation who, as a result of any of the transactions
described in this Agreement, is or will become entitled to
receive any amount (whether in cash, property, securities or
otherwise) under any employment, severance, change in
control, or termination Contract, or under any other
compensation arrangement or Employee Benefit Plan, and (ii)
the amount to which each such person is or will become so
entitled. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.21, the
Corporation has not or will not have any payment or other
obligation to any current or former director, officer,
employee or Affiliate of Corporation by virtue of the
transactions described in this Agreement, and neither the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder nor
the occurrence of any event thereafter will increase, or
accelerate the time of payment or vesting of, any amounts
payable to any current or former director, officer, employee
or Affiliate of Corporation under any Employee Benefit Plan
or otherwise.
3.22 Labor Relations. The Corporation has not
engaged in any Unfair Labor Practice and there are no Unfair
Labor Practice charges or similar grievances pending or, to
Corporation's best knowledge, threatened in writing against
Corporation before the National Labor Relations Board or
otherwise. There are no pending or, to the best knowledge
of Corporation, threatened grievances against Corporation by
the Communications Workers of America labor union or any
other labor union, and there are no labor slowdowns,
picketing, stoppages or similar disturbances pending or, to
the best knowledge of Corporation, threatened in writing
against Corporation.
3.23 Product Liability Claims; Product Warranties.
There are no product liability claims pending or, to the
best knowledge of Corporation, threatened against
Corporation. Except as set forth in the form of customer
service agreement utilized by Corporation, a true, correct
and complete copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit D,
Corporation has not given or offered any warranty covering
any class or group of products or services sold or
distributed by Corporation.
3.24 Environmental Matters. (a) Corporation
possesses all Permits that are required under federal, state
and local laws and regulations relating to pollution or the
protection of the environment, including all laws and
regulations governing the generation, use, collection,
treatment, storage, transportation, recovery, removal,
discharge or disposal of all hazardous substances or wastes,
as such laws and regulations are constituted on the date
hereof (collectively, "Environmental Laws"), except for
Permits the failure of which to possess would not reasonably
be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect with
respect to Corporation. Corporation is in compliance with
all Environmental Laws, including all laws and regulations
imposing record-keeping, maintenance, testing, storage,
transportation, use, generation, collection, treatment,
recovery, removal, discharge, disposal, inspection,
registration, notification and reporting requirements with
respect to such hazardous substances, hazardous wastes or
any other materials, except for any failures to comply that
would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect with respect to Corporation. For purposes of
this Section 3.24, "hazardous substances" and "hazardous
wastes" are materials defined as "hazardous substances",
"hazardous wastes," or "hazardous constituents" in (i) the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act of 1980, 42 U.S.C. Sections 9601-9675, as
amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act
of 1986, and any amendments thereto and regulations
thereunder, all as constituted on the date hereof, (ii) the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, 42 U.S.C.
Sections 6901-6992, as amended by the Hazardous and Solid
Waste Amendments of 1984, and any amendments thereto and
regulations thereunder, all as constituted on the date
hereof, or (iii) any other Environmental Law, including,
without limitation, those that specifically regulate the use
of gasoline, diesel fuel or other petroleum hydrocarbons.
(b) The Corporation is not subject to any
Proceedings pursuant to, nor has received any written notice
of any violations of, any Environmental Law in the last 5
years.
(c) To the best knowledge of Corporation, at
no time has Corporation caused hazardous wastes or hazardous
substances (or any asbestos, poly-chlorinated biphenyls,
urea formaldehyde, fuel oil or other petroleum compounds) to
be treated, stored, disposed of, released, discharged or
deposited on, under or at premises owned, occupied, or
operated by Corporation, which materials require clean-up,
removal, response, remediation or other obligations of or by
Corporation under any Environmental Law.
(d) To the best knowledge of Corporation,
there are no disposal sites for hazardous substances or
hazardous wastes located on or under the real estate owned
by Corporation or operated by Corporation, and Corporation
has not disposed of any hazardous substances or hazardous
wastes on or under the real estate owned or operated by it.
Corporation has never disposed of any hazardous substances
or hazardous wastes off-site, or retained any Person to
handle, transport or dispose of any hazardous substances or
hazardous wastes either on-site or off-site.
3.25 Bank Accounts; Powers of Attorney. Schedule
3.25 hereto contains a correct and complete list of all (i)
accounts or deposits of Corporation with banks or other
financial institutions and a description of the nature and
purpose of such account or deposit, (ii) safe deposit boxes
of Corporation, (iii) persons authorized to sign or
otherwise act with respect to Corporation, and (iv) powers
of attorney and agency agreements for Corporation.
3.26 Taxes. Except as otherwise set forth in
Schedule 3.26:
(a) Each Tax Return required to be filed by or
with respect to Corporation has been properly completed and
timely filed. As of the time of filing, each such Tax
Return correctly reflected the facts regarding the income,
business, assets, operations, activities, status or other
matters of Corporation or any other information required to
be shown thereon. No extension of time within which to file
any Tax Return has been filed, requested or granted.
(b) All Taxes owed by Corporation (whether or
not shown on any Tax Return) have been paid in full. No
written claim has been made by an authority in a
jurisdiction where Corporation does not file Tax Returns
that it is or may be subject to taxation by that
jurisdiction. There are no Encumbrances on any of the
assets of Corporation that arose in connection with any
failure (or alleged failure) to pay any Tax when due. The
unpaid Taxes of Corporation (i) do not exceed the reserve
for Tax liability set forth on the face of the Balance Sheet
and (ii) do not exceed that reserve as adjusted for the
passage of time through the Closing Date in accordance with
the past custom and practice of Corporation in filing its
Tax Returns. Corporation has withheld from its employees
(and timely paid to the appropriate Governmental Entity)
proper and accurate amounts for all periods in compliance
with all Tax withholding provisions of Applicable Laws
(including income, social security and employment Tax
withholding for all forms of compensation subject thereto).
(c) No audit, examination, investigation or
other Proceeding is presently being conducted or threatened
by the IRS or any other taxing authority; no Tax
deficiencies or additional liabilities of any sort have been
proposed by any Governmental Entity or representative
thereof against Corporation; and no agreement for extensions
of time for assessment of any amounts of Tax has been
entered into by Corporation. Schedule 3.26 lists all
federal, state, and local income Tax Returns filed with
respect to Corporation for taxable periods ended on or after
December 31, 1991, indicates those Tax Returns that have
been audited, and indicates those Tax Returns that currently
are the subject of audit. Corporation has delivered true,
correct and complete copies of each Tax Return listed on
Schedule 3.26.
(d) No deferred gains or losses allocable to
Corporation will be recognized by virtue of consummating the
Merger.
(e) The Corporation is not a party to any tax
allocation, tax indemnity, tax payment or tax sharing
Contract.
(f) The Corporation (i) has not been a member
of an affiliated group filing a consolidated federal income
Tax Return and (ii) has no liability for the Taxes of any
Person under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any
similar provision of state, local or foreign law), as a
transferee or successor, by Contract, or otherwise.
(g) The Corporation has in effect a valid S
Corporation election under the Code for all periods
beginning on or after January 1, 1991.
3.27 Securities Laws. (a) Except as otherwise noted
on Schedule 3.27 since January 1, 1992 the Corporation has
not offered or sold securities in violation of the
Securities Act or the regulations promulgated thereunder and
all such offers or sales of securities have been registered
under the Securities Act or were exempt from the
registration requirements thereof.
(b) None of the information furnished in
writing or to be furnished in writing to Century by
Corporation or the Principal Stockholders, or any Affiliate,
officer, employee or representative thereof, specifically
for use in the Information Statement will contain, as of the
date of the Information Statement, any untrue statement of a
material fact or will omit to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make
the statements contained therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
3.28 Intellectual Property. (a) Schedule 3.28 sets
forth a true, correct and complete list of all (i)
trademarks, service marks, trade names and corporate names
and registrations and applications for registration thereof,
(ii) patents, patent applications, patent disclosures and
inventions, (iii) copyrights and registrations and
applications for registration thereof, and (iv) computer
software, data and documentation (collectively,
"Intellectual Property") that is owned, used or licensed (as
licensor or licensee) by Corporation. Schedule 3.28
indicates, for all Intellectual Property set forth thereon,
which such property is owned by Corporation and which is
owned by other Persons, and separately lists each Contract
pursuant to which Corporation has granted, or been granted,
any licenses and other similar rights with respect to any
Intellectual Property, together with a short description of
the subject matter on such licenses. Corporation owns all
right, title and interest in and to, or have the right to
use pursuant to a valid and binding license agreement, all
Intellectual Property specified on Schedule 3.28, which is
the only Intellectual Property necessary to operate the
businesses of such entity as presently conducted and in
accordance with past practices. No loss or expiration of
any Intellectual Property is pending or, reasonably
foreseeable other than expirations by operation of law.
Corporation has taken all necessary and desirable actions to
maintain and protect the Intellectual Property that it owns
and uses. Corporation has no knowledge that the owners of
any Intellectual Property licensed to Corporation have not
taken all necessary and desirable actions to maintain and
protect the Intellectual Property which is subject to such
license.
(b) Corporation has not received written
notice of a claim of any Person pertaining to the
Intellectual Property or the rights of Corporation
thereunder, and no Proceedings are pending or, to the best
knowledge of Corporation, threatened that challenge the
rights of Corporation in respect thereof or that claim that
any other Person is infringing upon such Intellectual
Property, and none of the Intellectual Property or, as the
case may be, the rights granted to Corporation in respect
thereof, infringes on the rights of any Person or, to the
best knowledge of Corporation, is being infringed upon by
any Person, and none is subject to any outstanding order,
decree, judgment, stipulation, injunction, restriction or
agreement restricting the scope of the use by Corporation.
(c) To the best knowledge of Corporation, the
Corporation has not made use of any Intellectual Property
other than the rights under the Intellectual Property listed
on Schedule 3.28.
3.29 Interests in Customers and Suppliers. Neither
Corporation, Principal Stockholders, nor any officers,
directors or Affiliates thereof, possess any direct or
indirect material financial interest in, or is a director or
officer of, any Person who has a material relationship with
Corporation, as a customer, supplier, agent, advisor,
consultant, representative, lessor, lessee, lender,
licensor, or competitor except certain Principal
Stockholders who are shareholders, directors, and officers
of Mercury Communications Company ("Mercury"), the
management company for the Corporation pursuant to the RSA
Management and Construction Services Agreement dated as of
January 1, 1994 (the "Management Contract").
3.30 Inventories. The inventories of Corporation are
(i) not known to be obsolete, (ii) in good, merchantable and
useable condition, (iii) reflected in the Balance Sheet in
accordance with GAAP, (iv) reflected in the books and
records of Corporation at the lower of cost or market value
and (v) in quantities that are not excessive, and are
adequate in light of present circumstances.
3.31 No Finder; Opinion of Financial Advisor. (a)
Corporation has neither paid nor become obligated, or will
upon Closing become obligated, to pay any fee or commission
to any broker, finder or intermediary for or on account of
the transactions contemplated hereby except for fees owed to
Columbia Capital Corporation for appraisal ($2,000) and
consulting ($2,000) which shall be paid by the Corporation
prior to Closing.
ARTICLE 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PRINCIPAL
STOCKHOLDERS
4.1 Representations and Warranties. Each Principal
Stockholder hereby makes the following representations and
warranties to Century and Sub as of the date hereof:
(a) Each Principal Stockholder has the full
legal right, power, capacity and authority to execute,
deliver and perform this Agreement and all Closing
Instruments to be executed and delivered by him hereunder,
in each case without the consent or joinder of any other
Person.
(b) This Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by such Principal Stockholder and constitutes, and
each Closing Instrument, when executed and delivered by him,
will be duly executed and delivered by such Principal
Stockholder and will constitute, a valid and legally binding
obligation of such Principal Stockholder, enforceable
against him in accordance with its respective terms, except
that such enforceability may be limited by (i) applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and
similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and
(ii) equitable principles that may limit the availability of
certain equitable remedies (such as specific performance) in
certain instances.
(c) Assuming the Stockholders duly adopt this
Agreement at the Stockholder's Meeting, the execution,
delivery, and performance by such Principal Stockholder of
this Agreement and each Closing Instrument to be executed
and delivered by such Principal Stockholder does not and
will not (i) conflict with or result in a violation of any
provisions of, or constitute (with or without the giving of
notice or the passage of time or both) a default under, or
give rise (with or without the giving of notice or the
passage of time or both) to any right of termination,
cancellation, or acceleration under, any bond, debenture,
note, mortgage, indenture, lease, Contract, or other
instrument or obligation to which such Principal Stockholder
is a party or by which he or any of his Corporation Stock
may be bound, (ii) result in the creation of imposition of
any Encumbrance upon the Corporation Stock of such Principal
Stockholder or (iii) assuming compliance with the matters
referred to in Section 6.1 through 6.3, violate any
Applicable Law (including any state takeover or similar law
or regulation) binding upon him, in each case except for any
such conflicts, violations, defaults, rights or Encumbrances
that individually or in the aggregate would not materially
impair the ability of such Principal Stockholder to perform
his obligations hereunder (including his obligations under
Article 10) or prevent the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereunder.
(d) No consent, notice, approval, order, or
authorization of, or declaration, filing, or registration
with, any Governmental Entity is required to be obtained or
made by such Principal Stockholder in connection with his
execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or his
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, other
than as contemplated hereunder, except for consents,
notices, approvals, orders, authorizations, declarations,
filings and registrations the failure of which to obtain or
make individually or in the aggregate would not materially
impair the ability of such Principal Stockholder to perform
his obligations hereunder (including his obligations under
Article 10) or prevent the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereunder.
(e) There are no Proceedings or, to the best
knowledge of such Principal Stockholder, Threatened
Proceedings asserted against him that, individually or in
the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to (i) impair in
any material respect the ability of such Principal
Stockholder to perform his obligations under this Agreement
or (ii) prevent the consummation of any of the transactions
described in this Agreement, nor is there any judgment,
decree, injunction, rule or order of any Governmental Entity
or arbitrator having, or which will have, any such effect.
(f) Such Principal Stockholder is neither a
party to nor is bound by (i) any stockholder agreement or
contract, voting trust, proxy or similar arrangement
restricting or governing his rights to vote or dispose of
his shares of Corporation Stock, except for the Shareholders
Agreement which shall be cancelled immediately prior to
closing, (ii) any loan or advance to Corporation or any
Contract relating to the making of any such loan or advance,
(iii) any loan, commitment or Contract obligating such
Principal Stockholder to repay any amounts to Corporation,
or (iv) any guarantee or other contingent liability in
respect of any Indebtedness or any other debt, liability or
obligation of Corporation except for the secured loans to
Trustmark National Bank.
(g) No Principal Stockholder (i) holds any
Options with respect to the capital stock of Corporation, or
(ii) has any material interest in any Contract or property
(real or personal), tangible or intangible, used in or
pertaining to the business of Corporation.
(h) The Principal Stockholders do not have a
present plan, intention, or arrangement to dispose of, or
cause the disposition of, any beneficial interest in any of
the shares of Century Common Stock to be delivered in
accordance with Section 2.9 hereof in a manner that would
cause the Merger to violate the continuity of shareholder
interest requirement set forth in Treasury Regulation
Section 1.368-1.
ARTICLE 5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF CENTURY
Century and Sub hereby make the following
representations and warranties to Corporation and the
Stockholders as of the date hereof:
5.1 Organization of Century. Century is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Louisiana and has
full corporate power and authority to carry on the business
in which it is engaged and to own, lease and operate its
properties. Century and its subsidiaries have qualified and
are authorized to do business and are in good standing as
foreign corporations in each jurisdiction in which the
character or location of its properties or the nature of its
activities makes such qualification necessary, except where
the failure to so qualify would not have a Material Adverse
Effect with respect to Century.
5.2 Organization of Sub. Sub is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the State of Mississippi. Sub has not engaged in
any business or incurred any liabilities since it was
incorporated, except as contemplated by this Agreement.
5.3 Authorization. Each of Century and Sub has full
corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this
Agreement and each Closing Instrument to be executed and
delivered by it and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery and
performance by each of Century and Sub of this Agreement and
each Closing Instrument to be executed and delivered by it
have been duly authorized by the respective Boards of
Directors of Century and Sub (or a duly authorized committee
thereof) and by Century, in its capacity as sole stockholder
of Sub, and no other corporate proceedings on the part of
Century or Sub are necessary to authorize the execution,
delivery and performance by them of this Agreement or any
such Closing Instrument. This Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by Century and Sub and constitutes,
and each Closing Instrument, when executed and delivered by
Century, will be duly executed and delivered by Century and
will constitute, a valid and legally binding obligation of
Century and Sub enforceable against them in accordance with
their respective terms, except that such enforceability may
be limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting
creditors' rights generally and (ii) equitable principles
that may limit the availability of certain equitable
remedies (such as specific performance) in certain
instances.
5.4 Capital Stock. Century has authorized capital
consisting of (i) 100,000,000 shares of Century Common
Stock, of which 58,208,027 shares (and associated rights)
are issued and outstanding, and (ii) 2,000,000 shares of
Preferred Stock, $25.00 par value per share, of which 4,260
shares of Preferred Stock, Series A, 13,902 shares of
Preferred Stock, Series H, and 72,545 shares of Preferred
Stock, Series K are issued and outstanding. All issued and
outstanding shares of capital stock of Century have been
duly authorized and validly issued, and are fully paid,
nonassessable and free of any preemptive or similar rights.
Except as described in the Century Exchange Act Reports,
Century is not subject to any outstanding Options. Except
as indicated above or in the Century Exchange Act Reports,
there are no equity equivalents in, interests in the
ownership or earnings of, or other similar rights binding
upon Century. The Century Common Stock to be delivered
pursuant to Article 2, when issued and delivered in
accordance with the terms hereof, will be duly authorized,
validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable, and free of any
preemptive or similar rights. The authorized capital stock
of Sub consists of 1,000 shares of common stock, $.01 par
value per share, of which 1,000 shares are outstanding and
held directly by Century.
5.5 No Finder. Neither Century, Sub nor any party
acting on behalf of Century or Sub has paid or become
obligated, or will upon Closing become obligated, to pay any
fee or commission to any broker, finder or intermediary for
or on account of the transactions contemplated herein.
5.6 Registration Statement. The Registration
Statement will, when filed, comply as to form in all
material respects with the Securities Act and all
regulations promulgated thereunder. The Registration
Statement, as of the time it becomes effective, will not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements contained therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not
misleading. The representations and warranties contained in
this Section 5.6 shall not apply to statements or omissions
in the Registration Statement based upon information
furnished in writing to Century by Corporation or the
Principal Stockholders, or any representative or Affiliate
thereof, specifically for use in the Registration Statement.
5.7 Securities Laws. (a) Century has duly and
timely filed all Exchange Act Reports required to be filed
by it since January 1, 1992. As of their respective dates,
the Century Exchange Act Reports complied in all material
respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the
rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder
applicable to such reports, and none of the Century Exchange
Act Reports contained any untrue statement of a material
fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading.
(b) Since January 1, 1992, neither Century nor
any of its subsidiaries has offered or sold securities in
violation of the Securities Act or the regulations
promulgated thereunder. All such offers or sales of
securities have been registered under the Securities Act or
were exempt from the registration requirements thereof.
5.8 Financial Statements. The consolidated balance
sheets, statements of income, statements of stockholders'
equity or statements of cash flows, whether audited or
unaudited, included in Century's annual report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994 filed with the
SEC and in any quarterly reports on Form 10-Q subsequently
filed with the SEC ("Century Financial Statements") (i)
reflect only actual bona fide transactions, (ii) have been
prepared from the books and records of Century in accordance
with GAAP and (iii) fairly present in all material respects
Century's consolidated financial position as of the
respective dates thereof in accordance with GAAP and its
consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the
periods then ended in accordance with GAAP, except, in the
case of unaudited financial statements included therein, as
otherwise permitted by Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X
promulgated by the SEC. All unaudited interim financial
statements included among the Century Financial Statements
reflect all adjustments (which include only normal recurring
adjustments made in conformity with GAAP) that are necessary
for a fair statement of the consolidated results of
operations of Century and its subsidiaries for the periods
presented therein.
5.9 Absence of Diluting Events. As of the Effective
Time, no Diluting Event shall have occurred after the date
of this Agreement, other than any Diluting Events as to
which Corporation and Century shall have mutually determined
lawful, appropriate, equitable and adequate adjustments
under Section 2.10.
5.10 Conflicts. (a) The execution, delivery, and
performance by Century of this Agreement and each Closing
Instrument to be executed and delivered by Century does not
and will not (i) conflict with or result in a violation of
any provision of the Organizational Documents of Century,
(ii) conflict with or result in a violation of any provision
of, or constitute (with or without the giving of notice or
the passage of time or both) a default under, or give rise
(with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time
or both) to any right of termination, cancellation, or
acceleration under, any bond, debenture, note, mortgage,
indenture, lease, Contract, or other instrument or
obligation to which Century is a party or by which Century
or any of its properties may be bound, (iii) result in the
creation or imposition of any Encumbrance upon the
properties of Century or (iv) assuming compliance with the
matters referred to in Sections 6.1 through 6.3, violate any
Applicable Law (including any state takeover or similar law
or regulation) binding upon Century, except for, in the case
of clauses (ii) and (iii), any such conflicts, violations,
defaults, rights or Encumbrances that individually or in the
aggregate would not materially interfere, interrupt, or
detract from the ability of Century to conduct its business,
impair the ability of Century to perform its obligations
hereunder, or prevent the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereunder.
(b) No consent, notice, approval, order, or
authorization of, or declaration, filing, or registration
with, any Governmental Entity is required to be obtained or
made by Century in connection with the execution, delivery
or performance by Century of this Agreement or their
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, other
than (i) the filing by the Surviving Corporation of the
Certificate of Merger with the Mississippi Secretary of
State in accordance with the MBCA or (ii) as contemplated by
Sections 6.1 through 6.3.
ARTICLE 6. PRE-CLOSING COVENANTS
The parties covenant to take the following actions
between the date hereof and the Effective Time:
6.1 Governmental Approvals. (a) The parties hereto
shall cooperate in good faith and take all actions necessary
or appropriate to expeditiously and diligently prosecute to
a favorable conclusion the joint applications filed on March
23, 1995 on FCC Form 490 seeking the FCC's approval of the
change in control of each FCC License listed on Schedule
3.16.
(b) The parties hereto shall cooperate in good
faith and take all actions necessary or appropriate to
expeditiously and diligently prosecute to a favorable
conclusion the HSR Notifications to be filed in connection
herewith not later than five business days subsequent to the
date hereof with the FTC and the DOJ pursuant to the HSR
Act.
(c) The parties hereto shall cooperate in good
faith and take all actions necessary or appropriate to
expeditiously and diligently obtain the approval of the MPSC
to the Merger, if required.
(d) Each party agrees to promptly provide the
other parties with copies of all written communications,
letters, reports or other documents delivered to or received
from Governmental Entities in connection with the filings
contemplated by this Section, and copies of any written
memorandum relating to discussions with such Governmental
Entities with respect to such filings.
6.2 Registration Statement and Information
Statement; Stockholders Meeting; Comfort Letter. (a) As
promptly as practicable after the date hereof, but not later
than 20 days from the date hereof (provided that
Corporation has fully and completely cooperated), Century
shall prepare and file with the SEC the Registration
Statement on Form S-4 to register the issuance and sale of
Century Common Stock to be issued under Article 2 hereof
(the "Exchange"). Century agrees that the Registration
Statement, when declared effective under the Securities Act
shall, subject to Corporation's compliance with paragraph
(b), contain all information required under the Securities
Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder to register
the Exchange. Century shall use its reasonable best efforts
to have the Registration Statement declared effective under
the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after the
filing thereof.
(b) As promptly as practicable after the date
hereof, Corporation shall prepare, and as promptly as
practicable after the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement, Corporation shall mail to the Stockholders, the
Information Statement with respect to the Stockholders
Meeting. Corporation agrees that the Information Statement,
as of the date of the Information Statement, shall contain
all information required under Parts A, C and D to form S-4.
(c) Prior to filing the Registration
Statement, Information Statement or any related materials,
or any amendment or supplement thereto, the parties hereto
shall exchange drafts of all such documents proposed to be
filed and permit the other parties the opportunity to
comment thereon and participate in the preparation of the
Registration Statement and Information Statement. Each of
Corporation and the Principal Stockholders agrees promptly
to correct or supplement any information provided by it in
writing specifically for use in the Registration Statement
if and to the extent that such information shall have become
false or misleading in any material respect. Century
further agrees to take all steps necessary to cause the
Registration Statement as so corrected to be filed with the
SEC, as and to the extent required by the Securities Act and
the regulations promulgated thereunder.
(d) Corporation shall take all action
necessary in accordance with the MBCA and its Organizational
Documents to duly call, give notice of, convene and hold the
Stockholders Meeting as promptly as practicable after the
date on which the Registration Statement shall be declared
effective (subject to all notice requirements of the MBCA,
Corporation's Organizational Documents and Instruction A(2)
to Form S-4 of the SEC) to consider and vote upon the
adoption of this Agreement. Unless between the date hereof
and the date of the Stockholders Meeting there shall have
been a Material Adverse Change with respect to Century, each
of the Principal Stockholders shall vote in favor of this
Agreement at the Stockholders Meeting, and shall cause each
of its Affiliates that it controls who hold voting rights
with respect to the Corporation Stock to similarly vote in
favor of this Agreement.
(e) Corporation shall use its reasonable best
efforts to cause to be delivered to Century a letter of its
independent public accountants, dated within two business
days before the date on which the Registration Statement
shall become effective and addressed to Century, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to Century and customary
in scope and substance for letters delivered by independent
public accountants in connection with registration
statements similar to the Registration Statement.
6.3 Stock Exchange Filings. Century shall use its
reasonable best efforts to list on the NYSE, subject to
official notice of issuance, the shares of Century Common
Stock to be issued to the Stockholders of Corporation
pursuant to this Agreement, effective on or before the
Closing Date.
6.4 Third Party Consents. Corporation shall use its
reasonable best efforts to obtain the Required Consents and
each party hereto shall use its reasonable best efforts to
obtain any other necessary and appropriate consents,
approvals, orders, authorizations, filings and registrations
from Persons other than Governmental Entities that are
necessary to enable Century, Sub, Corporation and the
Principal Stockholders to effect the Merger as contemplated
by this Agreement and to otherwise consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby.
6.5 Cooperation and Best Efforts. Each party shall
cooperate with each other party hereto and use its
reasonable best efforts to (i) satisfy all requirements
prescribed by Applicable Law or the Permits for, and all
conditions set forth in this Agreement to, the consummation
of the Merger and (ii) effect the Merger in accordance with
this Agreement at the earliest practicable date.
6.6 Investigation of Business of Corporation. (a)
Corporation and the Principal Stockholders shall afford to
the officers, employees and authorized representatives of
Century and Sub (including their independent public
accountants, environmental consultants and attorneys) for a
period of 60 days from the date hereof (the "Due Diligence
Period") and thereafter until Closing; complete access
during normal business hours to (i) the offices, operations,
properties, customers, suppliers, lenders, lessors,
licensors, auditors and business and financial records
(including computer files, retrieval programs and similar
documentation, and including all Permits and all FCC and
MPSC records) of Corporation and (ii) the respective
employees of Corporation, in each case to the extent Century
or Sub shall deem necessary or desirable, and shall furnish
to Century, Sub or their respective authorized
representatives such additional information concerning the
respective operations, properties and business of
Corporation as shall be reasonably requested, including all
such information as shall be necessary to enable Century,
Sub or their authorized representatives to verify the
accuracy of the representations and warranties contained in
Article 3, to verify the accuracy of any financial
statements of Corporation and to determine whether the
conditions set forth in Article 7 have been satisfied.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Century and
Sub agree that such investigation shall be conducted in such
manner as not to interfere unreasonably with the operation
of the business of Corporation. No investigation made by
Century, Sub or their respective authorized representatives
hereunder shall affect the representations and warranties of
Corporation and the Principal Stockholders hereunder,
subject to Section 10.4(c).
(b) Century and Sub shall hold, and will cause
their Affiliates, employees, officers, directors, agents and
representatives to hold, any non-public and proprietary
information obtained in connection with its review in
accordance with paragraph (a) in the strictest secrecy and
confidence (unless such information thereafter becomes
generally available to the public through no fault of any of
them, is otherwise available to them on a non-confidential
basis from another source, or has been developed
independently by them without violating any of their
obligations hereunder). Century and Sub shall use, and
cause their Affiliates to use, all such information solely
for the purpose of consummating the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement. In the event the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement are not consummated for any reason pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement, Century and Sub shall
return, and cause their Affiliates to return, any copies or
summaries of all such information in their possession, and
shall destroy, or cause their Affiliates to destroy, all
copies of any notes, analyses, compilations, studies,
calculations or other documents prepared by it or for its
internal use that include or are derived from the non-public
and proprietary information provided hereunder.
(c) If, during the Due Diligence Period,
Century becomes aware of matters to which it, in its sole
discretion finds objectionable, Century shall give notice to
Corporation of such objection and if such matters are not
corrected to Century's satisfaction, Century may give notice
of termination of this Agreement to Corporation. In the
event Corporation informs Century of its inability to so
correct such matters, Century may elect in lieu of
termination to waive such objection and proceed to Closing.
6.7 Preserve Accuracy of Representations and
Warranties; Notification of Changes. (a) Corporation shall
not, and shall cause its Affiliates that it controls not to,
commit or omit to do any act that could reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect with respect
to any Corporation and the Principal Stockholders shall
not, and shall cause their respective Affiliates that they
control not to, commit or omit to do any act that (i) would
cause a breach of any agreement, commitment or covenant made
by it in this Agreement or (ii) would cause any
representation or warranty made by it in this Agreement
(including, with respect to Corporation, the representations
and warranties made by it in Section 3.8) to become untrue,
as if each such representation and warranty were
continuously made from and after the date hereof. Each of
Corporation and the Principal Stockholders shall promptly
notify Century in writing of (i) any event or condition
(including any Proceeding or Threatened Proceeding) that
could adversely affect its ability to perform any of its
agreements, commitments or covenants contained herein and
(ii) any event or condition (including any Proceeding or
Threatened Proceeding) that causes any representation or
warranty made by it in this Agreement to become untrue, as
if each such representation and warranty were continuously
made from and after the date hereof, and Corporation shall
promptly notify Century in writing (i) of any event or
condition (including any Proceeding or Threatened
Proceeding) that could reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Effect with respect to any Corporation or
(ii) if it or any of its representatives discovers any facts
during the course of its due diligence review that causes
Corporation to believe that any of the representations and
warranties made by Century are not correct in all material
respects.
(b) Century and Sub shall not, and shall cause
their respective Affiliates not to, commit or omit to do any
act that (i) could reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Effect with respect to Century, (ii) would
cause a breach of any agreement, commitment or covenant of
Century or Sub contained in this Agreement or (iii) would
cause the representations and warranties of Century or Sub
contained in this Agreement to become untrue, as if each
such representation and warranty were continuously made from
and after the date hereof. Century shall promptly notify
Corporation in writing (i) of any event or condition
(including any Proceeding or Threatened Proceeding) that
could adversely affect the ability of Century or Sub to
perform any of their respective agreements, commitments or
covenants contained herein, (ii) of any event or condition
(including any Proceeding or Threatened Proceeding) that
causes any representation or warranty of Century or Sub
contained in this Agreement to become untrue, as if each
such representation and warranty were continuously made from
and after the date hereof, (iii) of any event or condition
(including any Proceeding or Threatened Proceeding) that
could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Effect with respect to Century, or (iv) if it or any of its
representatives discovers any facts during the course of its
due diligence review that causes Century to believe that any
of the representations and warranties made by Corporation or
the Principal Stockholders are not correct in all material
respects.
(c) The delivery of any notice pursuant to
this Section shall not be deemed to (i) modify the
representations or warranties contained herein, (ii) modify
the conditions set forth in Article 7, or (iii) limit or
otherwise affect the remedies of the parties available
hereunder, provided, however, that if the Closing shall
occur, then all matters disclosed pursuant to this Section
at or prior to the Closing shall be deemed to be waived and
no party shall be entitled to make a claim thereon pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement.
(d) Each party hereto agrees that, with
respect to the representations and warranties of such party
contained in this Agreement, such party shall have the
continuing obligation until the Closing to supplement or
amend promptly the Schedules hereto with respect to any
matter hereafter arising or discovered that, if existing or
known at the date of this Agreement, would have been
required to be set forth or described in the Schedules or in
a new Schedule. For all purposes of this Agreement,
including without limitation for purposes of determining
whether the conditions set forth in Article 7 have been
fulfilled, the Schedules hereto shall be deemed to include
only that information contained therein on the date of this
Agreement and shall be deemed to exclude all information
contained in any supplement or amendment thereto, provided,
however, that if the Closing shall occur, then all matters
disclosed pursuant to any such supplement or amendment or
other notice at or prior to the Closing shall be deemed to
be waived and deemed included as part of the Schedules, and
no party shall be entitled to make a claim thereon pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement.
6.8 Conduct and Preservation of Business. Except as
otherwise contemplated hereby, Corporation shall, (i)
conduct its operations according to its ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice and in compliance
with all Applicable Laws and Permits, (ii) use its
reasonable best efforts to preserve, maintain and protect
its properties, and (iii) use its reasonable best efforts to
preserve its business organization, to maintain each Permit,
to keep available the services of its officers and employees
and to maintain its existing relationships with partners,
suppliers, contractors, customers, lessors, lessees,
lenders, licensors, agents and others having business
relationships with it. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, Corporation shall, (i) continue to market and
advertise its services and products in accordance with past
practices, (ii) use its reasonable best efforts to
expeditiously and diligently resolve all Proceedings,
Threatened Proceedings and other claims (including each of
those described in the Schedules) as soon as reasonably
practicable, provided that it consults with Century prior to
settling any such matter, (iii) construct all cell sites
currently under construction in accordance with sound
business practices and (iv) otherwise make all capital
improvements in accordance with the Budget. The Corporation
shall (i) apply to the FCC for an extension of the five year
"fill-in" period beyond the April 23, 1995 expiration for
any unserved areas greater than 50 square miles and (ii)
shall use its best efforts to co-license the Durant cell
site, such cell site owned by Mississippi-34 Cellular
Corporation to serve the un-served area located in the
southwest corner of the RSA or in absence of such agreement,
timely file a 401 modification with FCC.
6.9 Acquisition Proposals. For a period commencing
on the execution date hereof and ending on the earlier of
the termination of this Agreement or the Closing, except to
the extent that the Board of Directors of Corporation makes
a Fiduciary Determination (i) Corporation agrees that it
shall not solicit or encourage inquiries or proposals with
respect to, furnish any information relating to, participate
in any negotiations or discussions concerning, or
consummate, any Acquisition Proposal, and Corporation will
notify Century immediately if any such inquiries or
proposals are received by, any such information is requested
from, or any such negotiations or discussions are sought to
be initiated with, Corporation, or any Principal
Stockholder, or any of its Affiliates, and shall instruct
the directors, officers, employees, representatives,
financial advisors and agents of Corporation to refrain
from doing any of the above, and (ii) each Principal
Stockholder agrees that he shall not, and shall cause each
of his Affiliates that he controls not to, solicit or
encourage inquiries or proposals with respect to, furnish
any information relating to, participate in any negotiations
or discussions concerning, or consummate, any Acquisition
Proposal, and each will notify Century immediately if any
such inquiries or proposals are received by, any such
information is requested from, or any such negotiations or
discussions are sought to be initiated with, Corporation, or
any Principal Stockholder, or any of their respective
Affiliates. Each of Corporation and the Principal
Stockholders shall, and shall cause its respective financial
advisors and Affiliates that it controls to, immediately
cease and terminate any existing or prior existing
activities, discussions, or negotiations with any Persons
conducted heretofore with respect to any Acquisition
Proposal and shall promptly request each such Person who has
heretofore entered into a confidentiality agreement in
connection with an Acquisition Proposal to return to
Corporation all confidential information heretofore
furnished to such Person by or on behalf of Corporation.
Subject to Section 9.2(b), nothing herein shall prohibit or
restrict the Board of Directors of Corporation, from taking
any action otherwise prohibited by this Section 6.9 to the
extent the Board of Directors of Corporation makes a
Fiduciary Determination.
6.10 Exchange of Information. For a period
commencing on the execution date hereof and ending on the
earlier of the termination of this Agreement or the Closing,
(i) Century shall promptly deliver to Corporation, a copy of
Century's Exchange Act Reports filed by it with the SEC, and
(ii) Corporation shall deliver to Century, within five days
after they are prepared, true and complete copies of all
monthly financial statements of Corporation prepared in the
ordinary course.
6.11 Public Announcements. Century and Sub on the
one hand, and Corporation and the Principal Stockholders, on
the other, shall consult with each other before issuing, and
provide each other with a reasonable opportunity to review
and comment upon, any press release or other public
statement with respect to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby, and shall not issue any such press
release or public statement prior to such consultation
except where, in the reasonable judgment of the disclosing
party upon the advice of outside counsel, disclosure is
otherwise required by Applicable Law, court or regulatory
process or obligations pursuant to any listing agreement
with any national securities exchange, provided, however,
that in such event the disclosing party uses its reasonable
best efforts to provide the other parties with a reasonable
opportunity to review and comment upon such disclosure
before it is made.
6.12 Performance of Sub. Century shall cause Sub to
comply with all of its obligations hereunder and, subject to
the terms and conditions hereof, to consummate the Merger as
contemplated herein.
6.13 Prepayment. If and to the extent that Century
elects to prepay any Indebtedness on the Closing Date,
Corporation shall cooperate and assist in connection with
obtaining all required prepayment letters and in taking all
other steps as may be necessary to effect such prepayment
and to release any Encumbrances arising thereunder.
6.14 Rule 145. Prior to the date upon which the
Information Statement is mailed to Stockholders, Corporation
shall deliver to Century a letter identifying all persons
who were, at the time of the record date for the
Stockholders Meeting, affiliates of Corporation for purposes
of Rule 145 promulgated under the Securities Act.
Corporation shall provide Century with such information and
documents as Century shall reasonably request for purposes
of reviewing such letter. Corporation shall use its
reasonable best efforts to cause each person who is
identified in such letter as an affiliate of Corporation to
deliver to Century on or prior to the Effective Time a
written agreement in the form of Exhibit D. The Principal
Stockholders shall execute and deliver to Century such a
written agreement.
6.15 Contract Amendments. The Corporation shall use
its best efforts to amend the billing Contract with
International Telecommunications Data Systems, Inc. (the
"ITDS Contract") to delete, to the fullest extent possible,
liability of the Corporation for any termination fees.
ARTICLE 7. CONDITIONS TO CLOSING
7.1 Conditions Applicable to All Parties. The
obligations of Corporation, Century, and Sub to effect the
Merger are subject to the satisfaction (or written waiver by
Century and Corporation) on or prior to the Closing Date of
the following conditions:
(a) Stockholder Approval. This Agreement
shall have been duly adopted at the Stockholders Meeting by
the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding voting power of Corporation.
(b) Registration Statement. The Registration
Statement shall have become effective under the Securities
Act and shall not be subject to any stop order or
Proceedings seeking a stop order.
(c) NYSE Listing. The Century Common Stock to
be issued in connection with the Merger shall have been
approved for listing, upon notice of issuance, by the NYSE.
(d) No Injunctions or Restraints. No
temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent
injunction or other order issued by any court of competent
jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition
preventing the consummation of the Merger or any of the
other transactions described in this Agreement shall be in
effect, provided, however, that any party asserting the
foregoing as a condition to its obligation to consummate the
Merger shall have used its reasonable best efforts to
prevent the entry of any such injunction or order and to
appeal as promptly as possible any such injunction or order.
(e) No Litigation. There shall not be pending
any Proceeding by any Governmental Entity or any other
Person before any court or other Governmental Entity that
has a reasonable likelihood of success, seeking to restrain,
enjoin, prohibit or otherwise make illegal the consummation
of the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.
(f) Escrow Agreement. An Escrow Agreement,
containing terms and conditions substantially similar to
those contemplated hereunder, shall have been duly executed
and delivered by the Stockholders' Representative, the
Escrow Agent and Century.
(g) Tax-Free Reorganization. All conditions
required for treating the Merger for federal tax purposes as
a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the
Code shall have been met.
7.2 Additional Conditions Applicable to Obligations
of Century and Sub. The obligations of Century and Sub to
effect the Merger are further subject to the satisfaction
(or written waiver by Century) on or prior to the Closing
Date of the following conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties. The
representations and warranties of Corporation and the
Principal Stockholders set forth in this Agreement shall be
true and correct in all material respects on and as of the
Closing Date as though made on and as of such date, except
for changes specifically contemplated and permitted by this
Agreement.
(b) No Material Adverse Change. Between the
date hereof and the Closing, there shall have been no
Material Adverse Change with respect to Corporation.
(c) Performance of Obligations. Corporation
and the Principal Stockholders shall have performed in all
material respects all obligations required to be performed
by Corporation and the Principal Stockholders, respectively,
under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date.
(d) Officers' Certificate. Corporation shall
have duly executed and delivered to Century a certificate,
dated the Closing Date, representing and certifying, in such
detail as Century may reasonably request, that (i) the
conditions set forth in this Section 7.2 have been fulfilled
and that neither Corporation nor the Principal Stockholders
are in breach of this Agreement and (ii) all information set
forth in the Calculation Certificate delivered by
Corporation under Section 2.8(a) was true and complete on
the date thereof and remains true and complete as of the
Effective Time.
(e) Opinions of Counsel. Century shall have
received favorable opinions, each dated the Closing Date and
in form and substance satisfactory to Century and its
counsel, of (i) Lukas, McGowan, Nace & Gutierrez, FCC
counsel to Corporation, to the effects set forth in Exhibit
E, and (ii) an opinion of Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewer
counsel to Corporation, to the effects set forth in Exhibit
F.
(f) Corporate Action. Corporation shall have
taken all corporate action necessary to approve the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and there shall
have been furnished to Century certified copies of
resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of Corporation approving this Agreement and
such resolutions shall be in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to counsel for Century.
(g) Necessary Governmental Approvals. The
parties shall have (i) received final and nonappealable
orders in full force and effect from the FCC approving the
change in control of each FCC License listed on Schedule
3.16 and each other transaction contemplated hereby, (ii)
received confirmation or notice that all waiting periods
under the HSR Act with respect to the Merger shall have
terminated or expired, with no outstanding requests for
additional information to be supplied in connection with the
HSR Notifications and no outstanding notice from either the
FTC or DOJ that further action will be taken by either of
them with respect to the Merger, (iii) received the approval
of the MPSC of the change in control of each State License
listed on Schedule 3.16 and (iv) received the approval,
consent or authorization of, or completed any filings or
notifications with, any other Governmental Entity that are
required by law to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby or are necessary to prevent a Material Adverse
Effect, and the terms of all such orders, consents,
approvals or authorizations of the FCC, MPSC or any other
Governmental Entity shall permit the Merger to be
consummated without imposing any material adverse conditions
with respect thereto or upon the operations of Corporation.
(h) Necessary Third-Party Consents.
Corporation shall have received all the Required Consents
and all other consents, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Century and its counsel, to the transactions
contemplated hereby from all parties to all Contracts,
notes, bonds, debentures, mortgages, indentures and other
instruments or obligations to which Corporation is a party
or by which it is affected and which requires such consent
prior to the Effective Time or are necessary to prevent the
occurrence of a Material Adverse Effect with respect to
Corporation.
(i) Good Standing Certificates. Corporation
shall have delivered to Century a long-form certificate
from the Mississippi Secretary of State to the effect that
Corporation is incorporated under the laws of Mississippi,
is in good standing in Mississippi and has paid all
franchise taxes due under the laws of Mississippi and all
such certificates shall be dated within ten days of the
Closing.
(j) Appraisal Rights. Immediately prior to
the Effective Time, the aggregate Corporation Stock held
by all holders of Dissenting Shares shall not exceed 10% of
all of such issued and outstanding stock.
(k) Escrow Agreement. An Escrow Agreement,
containing terms and conditions substantially similar to
those contemplated by Section 10.2, shall have been duly
executed and delivered by the Stockholders' Representative,
the Escrow Agent and Century.
(l) Resignations. Century shall have received
letters from each director and officer of Corporation,
pursuant to which each such person shall (i) resign from all
positions held with Corporation effective as of or prior to
the Closing Date and (ii) release Corporation from all
claims against it or its assets, whether arising under
contract, the securities law, tort law, equitable principles
or otherwise, and whether arising out of such person's
association with Corporation as an officer, director,
employee or otherwise.
(m) Corporation Minute Books and Miscellaneous
Documents. Century shall have received all minute books and
stock record books relating to Corporation, and copies of
any other documents that Century may reasonably request.
(n) Indebtedness. Net Indebtedness of the
Corporation recertified as of the Closing shall not exceed
the estimated amount of Net Indebtedness contained in the
Calculation Certificate by more than $100,000.00.
(o) Amendments. (i) The Management Contract
shall be terminated prior to the closing, all termination
fees shall have been paid by Corporation and Century and
Mercury shall have agreed to their own acceptable Management
Contract and (ii) the ITDS Contract shall be amended prior
to the Closing to delete any reference to termination fees
or shall otherwise contain amendments acceptable to Century,
in its sole discretion, provided however that in the event
termination fees remain applicable Century agrees to be
responsible for one-half of such remaining fees to ITDS and
proceed to closing, with the other one-half being the
responsibility of the Corporation and factored into Net
Indebtedness at Closing.
7.3 Additional Conditions Applicable to Obligations
of Corporation. The obligation of Corporation to effect the
Merger is further subject to the satisfaction (or written
waiver by Corporation) on or prior to the Closing Date of
the following conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties. The
representations and warranties of Century and Sub set forth
in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material
respects on and as of the Closing Date as though made on and
as of such date, except for changes specifically
contemplated and permitted by this Agreement.
(b) No Material Adverse Change. Between the
date hereof and the Closing, there shall have been no
Material Adverse Change with respect to Century.
(c) Performance of Obligations of Century and
Sub. Century and Sub shall have performed in all material
respects all obligations required to be performed by them
under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date.
(d) Certificate. Century shall have duly
executed and delivered to the Principal Stockholders a
certificate, dated the Closing Date, representing and
certifying, in such detail as the Principal Stockholders may
reasonably request, that the conditions set forth in this
Section 7.3 have been fulfilled and neither Century nor Sub
is in breach of this Agreement.
(e) Opinion of Counsel. Corporation shall
have received an opinion dated the Closing Date of Boles,
Boles & Ryan, special counsel to Century and Sub,
substantially to the effect of Exhibit H.
(f) Corporate Action. Century shall have
taken all corporate action necessary to approve the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and there shall
have been furnished to Corporation certified copies of
resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of Century
approving this Agreement and the Merger, and copies of
resolutions adopted by Century, in its capacity as sole
stockholder of Sub, adopting this Agreement, and such
resolutions shall be in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to counsel for Corporation.
(g) Necessary Governmental Approvals. The
parties shall have (i) received orders in full force and
effect from the FCC approving the change in control of each
FCC License listed on Schedule 3.16 and each other
transaction contemplated hereby, (ii) received confirmation
or notice that all waiting periods under the HSR Act with
respect to the Merger shall have terminated or expired, with
no outstanding requests for additional information to be
supplied in connection with the HSR Notifications and no
outstanding notice from either the FTC or DOJ that further
action will be taken by either of them with respect to the
Merger, (iii) received the approval of the MPSC of the
change in control of each State License listed on Schedule
3.16 and (iv) received the approval, consent or
authorization of, or completed any filings or notifications
with, any other Governmental Entity that are required by law
to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or are
necessary to prevent a Material Adverse Effect with respect
to Century, and the terms of all such orders, consents,
approvals or authorizations of the FCC, MPSC or any other
Governmental Entity shall permit the Merger to be
consummated without imposing any material adverse conditions
with respect thereto or upon the operations of Century.
(h) Consents. Century shall have received all
consents, in form and substance satisfactory to Corporation
and its counsel, to the transactions contemplated hereby
from all parties to all contracts, notes, bonds, debentures,
mortgages, indentures and other instruments or obligations
to which Century or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by
which it is affected and which require such consent prior to
the Effective Time.
(i) Good Standing Certificates. Each of
Century and Sub shall have delivered to Corporation
certificates, dated within ten days of the Closing, from the
Secretary of State of Louisiana to the effect that Century
is in good standing in Louisiana and from the Secretary of
State of Mississippi to the effect that Sub is in good
standing in Mississippi.
ARTICLE 8. POST CLOSING COVENANTS
Century and the Stockholders covenant to take the
following actions after the Effective Time:
8.1 Further Assurances. Century and the Principal
Stockholders each agree to execute and deliver such other
documents, certificates, agreements and other instruments
and to take such other actions as may be necessary or
desirable in order to consummate or implement expeditiously
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
8.2 Notification of Regulatory Authorities.
Promptly after the Effective Time, Century shall complete
any necessary or appropriate notifications of Governmental
Entities regarding consummation of the Merger, including
without limitation notifying the FCC and MPSC thereof.
8.3 Continuity of Interests. (a) The Stockholders
shall, by execution of the Letter of Transmittal agree to
hold as a group sufficient amounts of Century Stock for
sufficient duration to satisfy the continuity of shareholder
interests requirements of Section 368(a) of the Code,
Treasury Regulation Section 1.368.1 and all Applicable Laws.
(b) Century and the Stockholders covenant and agree that
if either take any action which causes a violation of the
continuity of shareholder interests requirements, the non-
violating party or parties shall be entitled to
indemnification to the extent of any Losses (as defined
below).
ARTICLE 9. TERMINATION
9.1 Methods of Termination. Anything contained in
this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, this
Agreement may be terminated and the Merger abandoned at any
time prior to the Effective Time (notwithstanding any
adoption of this Agreement by the Stockholders of
Corporation):
(a) by mutual written consent of Corporation
and Century; or
(b) by either Corporation or Century:
(i) upon ten days written notice from
either such party to the other following any
failure by the Stockholders to adopt this
Agreement at the Stockholders Meeting; or
(ii) if the Merger is not consummated
upon the first to occur of (A) the tenth day
after satisfaction or waiver of the conditions
to Closing contained in Article 7 or (B) July
31, 1995, provided that such date shall be
extended if the reason for a delay is that final
FCC and SEC approval has not been received and
the party asserting the extension has used its
reasonable best efforts to obtain FCC and SEC
approval and further provided that no party
shall have the right to terminate under (A) or
(B) if any delay in consummating the Merger is
attributable to a willful or material breach of
this Agreement by such party; or
(iii) if there shall be any Applicable Law
that makes consummation of the Merger illegal or
otherwise prohibited or a Governmental Entity
shall have issued an order, decree or ruling or
taken any other action permanently restraining
or enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
such order, decree, ruling or other action shall
have become final and nonappealable, provided
that the party asserting the right to terminate
under this subsection shall have used its
reasonable best efforts to prevent the entry of
any such order, decree, ruling or other action;
or
(c) by Corporation, if (i) any of the
representations and warranties of Century and Sub
contained in this Agreement shall not be true and
correct in any material respect, when made or at any
time prior to the Closing as if made at and as of such
time, (ii) Century or Sub shall have failed to fulfill
in any material respect any of its obligations under
this Agreement, (iii) Century shall have commenced, or
there shall be commenced against Century, any
Proceeding under any Applicable Law relating to
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization of relief of
debtors seeking to adjudicate Century bankrupt or
insolvent, or (iv) the Board of Directors of
Corporation, upon receipt of an unsolicited, bona fide
Acquisition Proposal, makes a Fiduciary Determination;
provided, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii),
such misrepresentation, breach of warranty, or failure
(provided it can be cured) has not been cured within
15 days of Century's receipt of a notice from
Corporation asserting such misrepresentation, breach
of warranty or failure and asserting Corporation's
right to terminate this Agreement under this
subsection in the absence of curative action by
Century within such 15-day period; or
(d) by Century if (i) any objection made by
Century during the Due Diligence Period is not cured
or waived, (ii) any of the representations and
warranties of Corporation and the Principal
Stockholders contained in this Agreement shall not be
true and correct in any material respect, when made or
at any time prior to the Closing as if made at and as
of such time, (iii) either Corporation or the
Principal Stockholders shall have failed to fulfill in
any material respect any of its obligations under this
Agreement or (iv) Corporation or any Principal
Stockholder shall have commenced, or there shall be
commenced against, Corporation or any Principal
Stockholder, any Proceeding under any Applicable Law
relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization of
relief of debtors seeking to adjudicate Corporation or
any Principal Stockholder bankrupt or insolvent,
provided, in the case of each of clauses (i), (ii) and
(iii), such objection, misrepresentation, breach of
warranty, or failure (provided it can be cured) has
not been cured within 15 days of Corporation's receipt
of a notice from Century asserting such objection,
misrepresentation, breach of warranty or failure and
asserting Century's right to terminate this Agreement
under this subsection in the absence of curative
action by Corporation within such 15-day period.
9.2 Effect of Termination. (a) In the event of
termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article 9, written
notice thereof shall forthwith be given to the other parties
specifying the provision hereof pursuant to which such
termination is made, and this Agreement shall become void
and have no effect and no party shall have liability
hereunder to any other party or any of their respective
directors, officers, employees, stockholders,
representatives or Affiliates, except that (i) the
agreements contained in this Section 9.2, in Sections 6.6(b)
and 6.11, and in all sections of Article 13 shall survive
the termination hereof and (ii) nothing contained in this
Article 9 shall relieve any party from liability for actual
damages (excluding consequential damages) incurred as a
result of any material breach of the representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements made by the breaching
party in this Agreement or common law fraud.
(b) If Corporation terminates this Agreement
pursuant to Section 9.1(c)(iv), Corporation shall promptly
thereafter, and in no event later than 30 days after such
termination, pay to Century a fee, as liquidated damages,
equal to 5% of the value of the Aggregate Merger
Consideration, calculated in good faith as of the date of
termination, provided however that prior to such
termination, Century shall be given the right to match such
acquisition proposal for a period of five business days.
Century's receipt of notification of any Acquisition
Proposal or any other event or condition that results in
termination of this Agreement as a result of the Corporation
Board of Directors making a Fiduciary Determination shall
not affect Century's rights to match or in lieu thereof, to
receive this termination fee. In such event, this shall be
the sole and exclusive compensation and remedy of Century.
ARTICLE 10. INDEMNIFICATION
On and after the Closing Date Century, the
Stockholders and the other parties named below shall have
the following rights and obligations:
10.1 Indemnification. (a) Except as otherwise
provided in Section 10.4 hereof, Century and its
subsidiaries and each of their respective officers,
directors, employees, agents, Affiliates, successors and
permitted assigns (collectively, the "Century Indemnitees")
shall be defended, indemnified, held harmless, and
reimbursed for, from and against each and every demand,
claim, action, loss (which shall include any diminution in
value of Corporation or any of its assets), liability,
judgment, damage, cost and expense (including interest,
penalties, and the reasonable fees, disbursements and
expenses of attorneys, accountants and other professional
advisors) (collectively, "Losses") imposed on or incurred by
the Century Indemnitees, directly or indirectly, relating
to, resulting from or arising out of (i) any inaccuracy of
any representation or warranty made by Corporation or the
Principal Stockholders in this Agreement (including the
representations and warranties made in any Exhibit or
Schedule hereto) or any Closing Instrument, (ii) any breach
of any covenant, agreement or other obligation of
Corporation or the Principal Stockholders under this
Agreement or any Closing Instrument or the Stockholders of
any covenant contained in the Letter of Transmittal, (iii)
any claim of any nature made by former stockholders of
Corporation in their capacity as stockholders (whether
arising under the securities laws, corporate law, tort law,
equitable principles or otherwise) that relate to any act or
omission of Corporation or the Subsidiaries prior to the
Closing or to the distribution of the Merger Consideration
in accordance with this Agreement, including the
negotiation, execution, delivery, announcement or
performance of this Agreement and the disbursement of funds
in accordance with the Escrow Agreement, provided that in no
event will any Century Indemnitee be entitled to be
indemnified for Losses resulting from any breach of a
representation, warranty or covenant of Century hereunder
(in which event the Stockholders shall continue to have the
rights to indemnification and other remedies provided
hereunder), provided, however, that the Stockholders shall
have no liability under this Section 10.1(a) unless and
until the aggregate of all Losses resulting therefrom (other
than those resulting from breaches of any covenants,
agreements or other obligations under Article 2) exceeds
$10,000, in which event the Stockholders shall be liable
only for all Losses in excess of such amount. Subject to
all of the procedures, limitations and conditions of this
Article 10, the Stockholders, acting through the
Stockholders' Representative, shall defend, indemnify, hold
harmless and reimburse the Century Indemnitees for, from and
against all Losses arising out of all claims under this
Section 10.1(a).
(b) Except as otherwise provided in Section
10.4 hereof, Century shall defend and indemnify and hold
harmless the Stockholders and each of their respective
successors, heirs, executors, administrators, and personal
representatives (collectively, the "Stockholder
Indemnitees"), and shall reimburse the Stockholder
Indemnitees, for, from and against each and every Loss
imposed on or incurred by the Stockholder Indemnitees,
directly or indirectly, relating to, resulting from or
arising out of (i) any inaccuracy of any representation or
warranty made by Century or Sub in this Agreement (including
the representations and warranties made in any Exhibit or
Schedule hereto) or any Closing Instrument or (ii) any
breach of any covenant, agreement or other obligation of
Century under this Agreement or any Closing Instrument,
provided, however, that Century shall have no liability
under this Section 10.1(b) unless and until the aggregate of
all Losses resulting therefrom (other than those resulting
from breaches of any covenants, agreements or other
obligations under Article 2) exceeds $10,000, in which event
Century shall be liable only for all Losses in excess of
such amount.
(c) for purposes of Section 10.1(a)(i), and
10.1(b)(i) the representations and warranties made by
Corporation or the Principal Stockholders shall not be
deemed to contain the qualifying phrases "to the best
knowledge of Corporation" or "to the best knowledge of such
Principal Stockholder" so as to render such representations
and warranties absolute and unqualified for purposes of
indemnification.
10.2 Escrow Agreement.. (a) At the Closing,
Corporation, Principal Stockholders and Century shall
deliver the Escrow Agreement to Escrow Agent that entitles
Century to request indemnification payments under this
Article 10 on the terms and conditions set forth below.
(b) The Escrow Agreement shall obligate the
Escrow Agent to pay to Century the amount specified in any
disbursement request jointly executed by Century and the
Stockholders' Representative. If within 15 days prior to
the expiration of the Escrow Agreement's term (as it may be
extended pursuant to subsection (c) below) Century certifies
in writing to the Escrow Agent that a bona fide unresolved
claim under this Article 10 is pending (and delivers a copy
of such certification to the Stockholders' Representative)
for an amount in excess of $10,000 (minus any prior
deductions from this amount for resolved claims) for which a
claim for indemnification has been made in accordance with
this Article 10 and which has been disputed by the
Stockholders' Representative, the Escrow Agreement shall
further obligate the Escrow Agent to hold the disputed
amount. Century agrees that it shall not instruct the
Escrow Agent to hold in escrow amounts in excess of the
amount of indemnifiable Losses reasonably expected to result
from such unresolved claim.
(c) The maximum amount payable by the Escrow
Agent under the Escrow shall be 5% of the Aggregate Merger
Consideration. If there is no bona fide unresolved claim
under Article 10 pending, Escrow Agent shall release one-
half of the escrow amounts to the Stockholders on the first
anniversary of the Closing Date and one-half of the
remaining escrow amounts on the 18-month anniversary of the
Closing Date. The Escrow Agreement shall expire on the
second anniversary of the Closing Date unless extended
pursuant to Section 10.2(b) at which time all remaining
Century Common Stock shall be delivered to the Stockholders
unless a bona fide unresolved claim for indemnification of
Century is pending.
(d) The Escrow will provide that the Escrow
Agent will have no right or obligation to disburse funds to
any Person other than Century or the Stockholder's
Representative, and Century will take all such action as may
be necessary to permit it to act as agent and attorney-in-
fact for any other Century Indemnitee who has a claim under
this Article 10.
(e) In the event of a draw down from the
Escrow, the number of shares to be withdrawn shall be
determined by the Century Stock Price.
10.3 Notice and Defense of Claims. (a) A party
seeking indemnification hereunder (the "Indemnified Person")
shall give prompt written notice to the indemnifying person
or persons, or any successors thereto (the "Indemnifying
Person"), of any matter with respect to which the
Indemnified Person seeks to be indemnified (the "Indemnity
Claim"), and, for any such claim not arising out of the
claim of a third party, and if the Indemnified Person is a
Century indemnitee, concurrent notice to Escrow Agent shall
also be given. Such notice shall state the nature of the
Indemnity Claim and, if known, the amount of the Loss. If
the Indemnity Claim arises from a claim of a third party,
the Indemnified Person shall give such notice within a
reasonable period of time after the Indemnified Person has
actual notice of such claim, and in the event that a
Proceeding is commenced, within 20 days after receipt of
written notice by the Indemnified Person thereof.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the failure
of an Indemnified Person to give timely notice of an
Indemnity Claim shall not bar such Indemnity Claim except
and to the extent that the failure to give timely notice has
materially impaired the ability of the Indemnifying Person
to defend the Indemnity Claim.
(b) If the Indemnity Claim arises from the
claim or demand of a third party, the Indemnifying Person
shall have the right to assume its defense, including the
hiring of counsel and the payment of all associated fees and
expenses. The Indemnified Person shall have the right to
employ separate counsel with respect to such claim, and to
participate (but not control) in the defense thereof, but
the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the
expense of the Indemnified Person, provided, however, that
if both the Indemnified Person and the Indemnifying Person
are named as parties and the Indemnified Person shall in
good faith determine that representation by the same counsel
will result in a significant conflict of interest, then the
fees and expenses of such separate counsel shall be at the
expense of the Indemnifying Person if the Indemnifying
Person is ultimately held liable in connection with such
claim. In the event that the Indemnifying Person, within 30
days after notice of any such claim, fails to assume the
defense thereof, the Indemnified Person shall have the right
to undertake the defense of such claim for the account of
the Indemnifying Person, subject to the right of the
Indemnifying Person to assume the defense of such claim at
any time prior to the final determination thereof, provided
that the Indemnified Person shall not settle or compromise
such claim without the prior written consent of the
Indemnifying Person. Anything in this Article 10 to the
contrary notwithstanding, the Indemnifying Person shall not,
without the Indemnified Person's prior consent, settle or
compromise any claim or consent to the entry of any judgment
with respect to any claim unless such settlement, compromise
or judgment (i) includes as an unconditional term thereof
the release by the claimant or the plaintiff of the
Indemnified Person from all liability in respect of such
claim and (ii) does not impose any criminal penalty or any
other material adverse condition, obligation or other
equitable remedy on or with respect to the Indemnified
Person (and the Indemnifying Person may, without the
Indemnified Person's prior consent, settle or compromise any
claim or consent to the entry of any judgment so long as
clauses (i) and (ii) are satisfied). Except to the extent
otherwise provided in Section 10.4, all Losses of the
Century Indemnitees arising out of any such claim (subject
to any deductions in accordance with the provisions of
Section 10.1(a)) shall be paid first from the Escrow and
then from the Stockholders to the extent of their Merger
Consideration.
(c) If the Indemnity Claim does not arise from
the claim or demand of a third party, the Indemnifying
Person shall, within 15 days of its receipt of written
notice of such Indemnity Claim, notify the Indemnified
Person in writing whether or not it objects to such claim.
If the Indemnifying Person does not object (or if it does
object and amounts become due as set forth in the next
sentence), all Losses arising out of such claim (subject to
any deductions in accordance with the provisions of Section
10.1(a)) and (b) shall be paid. If, on the other hand, the
Indemnifying Person does object to the Indemnity Claim and
the parties are unable to settle any such dispute, either
the Indemnifying Person or the Indemnified Person may, after
complying with any relevant provisions of this Agreement and
the Escrow Agreement, commence an action or proceeding to
resolve such dispute and determine any amounts due hereunder
from the Indemnifying Person, all of which shall become
chargeable to and payable by the Indemnifying Person in
accordance with the terms and conditions of this Article 10
immediately upon the determination of such liability
pursuant to such action or proceeding.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
in this Agreement or the Escrow Agreement, (i) all claims of
the Stockholder Indemnitees under Section 10.1(b) shall be
pursued and administered solely by the Stockholders'
Representative, (ii) upon a final determination that an
indemnification payment is payable under Section 10.1(b),
such payment shall be paid solely to the Stockholders'
Representative (which payment shall release Century from all
further obligations hereunder with respect to such claim
only), (iii) all claims of the Century Indemnitees under
Section 10.1(a) shall be defended and otherwise administered
solely by the Stockholders' Representative and (iv) upon a
final determination that an indemnification payment for
Losses is payable under Section 10.1(a), the Stockholders'
Representative shall promptly execute all instruments
necessary or appropriate in order for Century to receive
payment therefor under the Escrow Agreement and use its
reasonable best efforts to take all other action necessary
to ensure that Century shall receive such payment without
the necessity of obtaining any other consents, approvals or
signatures (which payment shall release the Stockholders
from all further obligations hereunder with respect to such
claim only).
10.4 Limitations. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary herein:
(a) No party shall have liability under this
Article 10 unless written notice of an Indemnity Claim shall
have been given prior to the third anniversary of the
Closing Date, provided, however, that any of the Century
Indemnitees may give written notice of and may make a claim
after such third anniversary date for a period of time equal
to the applicable statute of limitations if such claim
arises from any inaccuracy of any representations,
warranties, covenants or agreements made by Corporation
and/or the Stockholders in Section 3.3, 3.10, 3.22, 3.23,
3.24, 3.26, 3.27, 3.31, 8.3 and Schedule 3.10, provided,
however, that nothing in this Section 10.4 shall modify the
obligation of the Indemnified Person to give the written
notice specified in Section 10.3(a) hereof and provided that
Stockholders Representative may give written notice of and
may make a claim after such third anniversary for a period
of time equal to the applicable statute of limitations if
such claim arises from any inaccuracy of any
representations, warranties, covenants or agreements made by
Century in Section 5.4, 5.6, 5.7 and 8.3.
(b) No Stockholder shall have any liability
under this Article 10 for Losses arising out of any
inaccuracy of any representation or warranty made by the
Principal Stockholders in Article 4 or any breach of any
covenant, agreement or other obligation of the Principal
Stockholders hereunder or under any Closing Instrument,
other than the Principal Stockholder who made the specific
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement from which
the Loss arises.
(c) The Century Indemnitees and Stockholders
will be reimbursed for all indemnifiable Losses solely in
accordance with the terms and conditions specified herein
and in the Escrow Agreement.
(d) In the absence of common law fraud, this
Article 10 shall serve as the sole and exclusive remedy of
the Century Indemnitees and the Stockholder Indemnitees for
Losses and for any other claims (other than those arising
under Article 2) in any way relating to this Agreement or
any of the other agreements or transactions contemplated
hereby or thereby, to the exclusion of all other statutory
or common law remedies.
10.5 Survival. (a) Notwithstanding anything herein
to the contrary, all indemnification rights hereunder may be
asserted and enforced by any Person otherwise entitled to
enforce indemnification rights hereunder regardless of (i)
any investigation, inquiry or examination made for or on
behalf of such Person (including the examination of any
agreements or other documents expressly furnished to such
Person hereunder), (ii) any reliance or lack of reliance
upon the absence of any event or condition giving rise to
indemnification rights under this Article by such Person, or
(iii) the receipt of any Closing Certificate, opinion or
other instrument at Closing by such Person.
(b) Except as otherwise contemplated in
Section 10.4(a), all representations and warranties
contained herein or in any Closing Instrument shall survive
the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby for a
period of three years.
ARTICLE 11. STOCKHOLDERS' REPRESENTATIVE
11.1 Designation. Subject to the terms and
conditions of this Article 11, the Stockholders'
Representative is designated by each of the Stockholders to
serve, and Century hereby acknowledges that the
Stockholders' Representative shall serve, as the sole
representative of the Stockholders from and after the
Effective Time with respect to the matters set forth in this
Agreement and the Escrow Agreement to be entered into at the
Closing.
11.2 Authority. Each of the Stockholders, by
adoption of this Agreement by the Corporation Stockholders
at the Stockholders Meeting and by the execution of the
Letter of Transmittal, will, effective as of the Effective
Time, irrevocably appoint the Stockholders' Representative
as the agent, information and attorney-in-fact for such
Corporation Stockholder for all purposes of this Agreement
and the Escrow Agreement, including full power and authority
on such Corporation Stockholder's behalf (i) to take all
actions which the Stockholders' Representative considers
necessary or desirable in connection with the defense,
pursuit or settlement of any adjustments to the Aggregate
Merger Consideration pursuant to Article 2 and any claims
for indemnification pursuant to Article 10 hereof, including
to sue, defend, negotiate, settle, compromise and otherwise
handle any such adjustments to the Aggregate Merger
Consideration and any such claims for indemnification made
by or against, and other disputes with, Century pursuant to
this Agreement or any of the agreements or transactions
contemplated hereby, (ii) to engage and employ agents and
representatives (including accountants, legal counsel and
other professionals) and to incur such other expenses as he
shall deem necessary or prudent in connection with the
administration of the foregoing, (iii) to provide for all
expenses incurred in connection with the administration of
the foregoing to be paid by directing Escrow Agent and the
Stockholders to pay (or to reimburse the Stockholders'
Representative for) such expenses in the amounts determined
by applying the procedures specified in Section 11.6, (iv)
to disburse all indemnification payments received from
Century under Article 10 to the Stockholders in the amounts
determined by applying the procedures specified in Section
11.6, (v) upon Century's reasonable request, to use his
reasonable best efforts to supply Century with all such
information requested by it in connection with making
payments under Section 2.8(e), (vi) to direct the Escrow
Agent to disburse any funds remaining in the Escrow Account
(and any other remaining funds delivered to the Escrow Agent
pursuant to Articles 2 or 10) upon termination of the Escrow
Agreement in accordance with its terms, (vii) to accept and
receive notices pursuant to this Agreement and the Escrow
Agreement, (viii) to amend and grant consents and waivers
after the Closing under this Agreement and Escrow
Agreement, and (ix) to take all other actions and exercise
all other rights which the Stockholder Representative (in
his sole discretion) considers necessary or appropriate in
connection with this Agreement and the Escrow Agreement.
Each of the Stockholders will, by executing the Letter of
Transmittal, agree that such agency and proxy are coupled
with an interest, and are therefore irrevocable without the
consent of the Stockholders' Representative and shall
survive the death, incapacity, bankruptcy, dissolution or
liquidation of any Corporation Stockholder. All decisions
and acts by the Stockholders' Representative shall be
binding upon all of the Stockholders, and no Stockholder
shall have the right to object, dissent, protest or
otherwise contest the same.
11.3 Resignation. In the event that the
Stockholders' Representative shall resign or be unable to
serve for any reason, Wirt A. Yerger, III shall be deemed to
be the Stockholders' Representative for all purposes of this
Agreement and the Escrow Agreement.
11.4 Exculpation. Neither the Stockholders'
Representative nor any agent employed by him shall be liable
to any Corporation Stockholder relating to the performance
of his duties under this Agreement or the Escrow Agreement
for any errors in judgment, negligence, oversight, breach of
duty or otherwise except to the extent it is finally
determined in a court of competent jurisdiction that the
actions taken or not taken by the Stockholders'
Representative constituted fraud or were taken or not taken
in bad faith. The Stockholders' Representative shall be
indemnified and held harmless by the Stockholders, all in
the amounts determined by applying the procedures specified
in Section 11.6, against all expenses (including attorneys'
fees), judgments, fines and other amounts paid or incurred
in connection with any action, suit, proceeding or claim to
which the Stockholders' Representative is made a party by
reason of the fact that he was acting as the Stockholders'
Representative pursuant to this Agreement or the Escrow
Agreement, provided, however, that the Stockholders'
Representative shall not be entitled to indemnification
hereunder to the extent it is finally determined in a court
of jurisdiction that the actions taken or not taken by the
Stockholders' Representative constituted fraud or were taken
or not taken in bad faith. The Stockholders' Representative
shall be protected in acting upon any notice, statement or
certificate believed by him to be genuine and to have been
furnished by the appropriate person and in acting or
refusing to act in good faith on any matter.
11.5 Acknowledgement. The parties acknowledge and
agree that the costs and expenses of administering the
Escrow Account, the Escrow Agreement or any other related
instrument shall be paid equally by (i) Century and (ii) the
Stockholders.
11.6 Allocation of Payments. Whenever the
Corporation Stockholders are entitled to receive any
payments hereunder or are obligated to make any payments
hereunder (including those specified in Sections 2.8, 11.2
and 11.4 and Article 10), each Stockholder shall be entitled
to receive or shall be obligated to make such portion of any
such payment that is equal to the Stockholders pro-rata
percentage interest held by such stockholder as of the
Effective Time, all in accordance with this Agreement and
the Escrow Agreement, as calculated by the Stockholders'
Representative, and in accordance with this Agreement and
the Escrow Agreement.
ARTICLE 12. COVENANTS WITH RESPECT TO TAXES
12.1 Tax Returns. The parties acknowledge that the
federal, state and local income Tax Returns for Corporation
for the year ending December 31, 1994 have been filed and,
prior to the Closing Date, such returns will not be filed
for the period from January 1, 1995 to the Closing Date (the
"Stub Period"). With respect thereto, the parties agree
that Corporation will, prepare and timely file (a) a U.S.
Federal income Tax Return for the Stub Period by September
15, 1996, if not sooner filed, and; (b) all separate state
and local income Tax Returns, including all schedules, for
similar periods. Century shall cause the Corporation and
Corporation shall prepare and deliver to the Stockholders
their K-1s for the Stub Period no later than March 15, 1996.
Payment of all Taxes shall be made by Corporation directly
to the taxing authority. Copies of all such Federal and
state returns shall be provided to Century.
12.2 Tax Accruals. Corporation shall continue to
accrue liabilities for future tax expense of the Corporation
at rates which are representative of the Federal, state and
local Tax liabilities for the periods involved. To the
extent that such accruals are less than the actual Tax
liability as determined by the applicable income Tax Returns
for 1994 and the Stub Period, and such deficiencies
represent permanent differences in Tax liability,
Stockholders shall be liable for payment of Taxes due or
shall reimburse Century as the case may be. To the extent
that such additional liabilities represent timing
differences, Century shall be liable for payment of taxes
due or payments to Stockholders.
12.3 Tax Audits and Amended Returns for Periods Prior
to Closing Date.
(a) Any income Tax or other Tax audits of
Corporation in process or arising prior to the Closing Date
shall be managed by the Stockholders' Representative.
(b) Any income Tax or other Tax audits of
Corporation arising after the Closing Date for federal,
state or local income or other taxes shall be managed by the
Stockholders' Representative for all periods ending on or
before the end of the Stub Period.
(c) The Stockholders Representative will give
Century prompt notice of any of the Tax audits referred to
in paragraphs (a) and (b) with respect to the Stub Period
and all prior years and keep Century appraised of any
proposed adjustments to tax liabilities previously reported.
(d) If any adjustment is made in a federal,
state or local Tax Return of Corporation resulting in a
deficiency which would have required a larger Tax payment by
Corporation if such adjustment had been included in the
original return, and such deficiency represents a permanent
difference in Tax liability the Stockholders shall be
solely responsible for such deficiency, including applicable
interest and penalties thereon. If the deficiency
represents a timing difference in Tax liability,
Stockholders will pay to Century an amount equal to the Tax
liability net of the present value of future Tax deductions
discounted at 9%. Any penalties and interest relating to
timing differences shall be paid by the Stockholders.
(e) If any adjustment is made in a federal,
state or local Tax Return resulting in a refund of credit,
and such adjustment does not affect the future Tax
liabilities of Corporation the refund or credit shall be
retained by or paid to the Stockholders. Any adjustment
resulting in refunds or credits which increase future Tax
liabilities for Corporation shall be reimbursed to Century
at the discounted value (at 9%) of such increased
liabilities.
(f) The Stockholders and Century agree that
the Stockholders shall pay all legal and other costs for
audits or examinations with respect to the Stub Period and
all prior years and Century shall pay all legal and other
costs for audits or examinations of periods after the Stub
Period.
12.4 Cooperation. In conjunction with the
preparation of any Tax Return or any audit under or by any
taxing authority for any period ending on or prior to the
Closing Date, the Stockholders' Representative will make and
Century will make available such records and documents in
their possession as may reasonably be requested by the other
party hereto or as may be legally requested by such taxing
authority. Century will cause Corporation to cooperate with
and assist the Stockholders' Representative, as may be
reasonably requested by the Stockholders' Representative,
(i) in the preparation of data necessary for the filing of
any Tax Return or any amended Tax Return for Corporation for
any period ending on or prior to Closing Date and (ii) in
the conduct of a Tax audit filed by Corporation for any
period ending on or prior to the Closing Date.
ARTICLE 13. MISCELLANEOUS
13.1 Notices. Any notice, communication, request,
reply, consent, advice or disclosure (hereinafter severally
and collectively called "notice") required or permitted to
be given or made by any party to another in connection with
this Agreement or the transactions herein contemplated must
be in writing and may be given or served (i) by depositing
such notice in the United States mail, postage prepaid and
registered or certified with return receipt requested,
(ii) by delivering such notice in person to the address of
the person or entity to be notified, (iii) by telecopying
such notice (provided a copy thereof is subsequently
delivered in one of the other manners specified herein), or
(iv) by sending such notice by a national commercial courier
service for next day delivery. Notice deposited in the mail
in the manner hereinabove described shall be upon receipt
after such deposit, and notice delivered in person, by
telecopy or by commercial courier shall be effective at the
time of delivery (subject, in the case of any telecopy, to
compliance with the above-stated delivery requirements).
For purposes of notice, the addresses of the parties shall,
until changed as hereinafter provided, be as follows:
If to Century or Sub:
Century Telephone Enterprises, Inc.
100 Century Park Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71211-4065
Attention: David D. Cole
Telecopy: (318) 388-9562
with copies to:
Harvey P. Perry, Esq., Senior Vice President,
Secretary and General Counsel
Century Telephone Enterprises, Inc.
100 Century Park Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71211-4065
Telecopy: (318) 388-9562
with copies to:
William R. Boles, Jr., Esq.
Boles, Boles & Ryan
1805 Tower Drive
Monroe, LA 71201
Telecopy: (318) 329-9150
If to Corporation:
Mississippi-6 Cellular Corporation
ATTN: W. M. Mounger, II
1410 Livingston Lane
Jackson, MS 39213-8003
Telecopy: (601) 362-2664
with copies to:
James T. Thomas, Esq.
Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes
248 East Capitol Street, Suite 1400
Jackson, MS 39201
Telecopy: (601) 960-6902
with copies to the Stockholders' Representative
(at the address indicated below) and to:
David A. Bailey
807 Church Street
Port Gibson, MS 39150
Telecopy: (601)437-6860
or such substituted persons or addresses of which any of the
parties may give notice to the other in writing.
13.2 Expenses. Regardless of whether the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated,
all expenses and fees, including fees for legal, accounting,
investment banking and other advisory services, incurred in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be borne by the party hereto
incurring them, unless otherwise specified or in any other
Section hereof.
13.3 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the
State of Louisiana, without regard to the principles of
conflict of laws.
13.4 Partial Invalidity. In case any one or more of
the provisions contained herein shall, for any reason, be
held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect,
such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not
affect any other provisions of this Agreement, but this
Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or
unenforceable provision or provisions had never been
contained herein.
13.5 Successors and Assigns; Parties in Interest.
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors, heirs, executors, administrators, personal
representatives, and permitted assigns, but neither this
Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations
hereunder are assignable by the parties hereto without the
prior written consent of the other parties, except for any
assignments or transfers by Century of its rights under
Article 10 made in connection with a disposition of any of
the properties acquired by it hereunder (which may be made
freely without any such consents). Nothing in this
Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended or shall be
construed to confer upon any Person, other than the parties
and their respective successors, heirs, executors,
administrators, personal representatives, and permitted
assigns, any right, remedy or claim under or by reason of
this Agreement, except for the rights provided to the
Century Indemnitees and Stockholder Indemnitees pursuant to
Article 10 and the Escrow Agreement.
13.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in
one or more counterparts, each of which shall be considered
an original counterpart, and shall become a binding
agreement when each party shall have executed a counterpart.
13.7 Titles and Headings. Titles and headings to
Sections herein are inserted for convenience of reference
only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
13.8 Entire Agreement. The Schedules and Exhibits
referred to in this Agreement shall be construed with, and
are an integral part of, this Agreement to the same extent
as if the same had been set forth verbatim herein. This
Agreement (including the Schedules and Exhibits hereto)
contains the entire understanding of the parties hereto with
regard to the subject matter contained herein.
13.8 Remedies. Subject to the limitations on
remedies contained in Section 10.4(d) and the rights of
Century and Corporation under Article 9, each party
acknowledges that the subject matter of this Agreement is
unique and that no adequate remedy of law would be available
for breach of this Agreement, and accordingly, each party
agrees that any other party or parties, as the case may be,
shall be entitled to an appropriate decree of specific
performance or other equitable remedies to enforce this
Agreement (without any bond or other security being
required) and each party waives the defense in any action or
proceeding brought to enforce this Agreement that there
exists an adequate remedy at law.
13.9 No Waiver. The failure of a party to insist
upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any
occasion shall not be considered a waiver or deprive that
party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict
adherence to that term or any other term of this Agreement.
No waiver of any breach of this Agreement shall be held to
constitute a waiver of any other or subsequent breach.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon consummating the Merger
each party shall be deemed to have acknowledged that all
conditions to its obligation to consummate the Merger have
been fulfilled or duly waived, and, in the absence of common
law fraud, to have waived any right to subsequently assert
that any such conditions were not fulfilled or duly waived.
Except as otherwise provided in the foregoing sentence or in
Section 6.7, any waiver must be in writing.
13.10 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by
action taken by Century, Sub, Corporation and the Principal
Stockholders at any time before or after approval of the
Merger by the Stockholders of Corporation but, after any
such approval, no amendment shall be made which decreases
the Aggregate Merger Consideration or changes the form
thereof or which adversely affects the rights of
Stockholders hereunder without the further approval of such
Stockholders. This Agreement may not be amended except by
an instrument in writing duly signed by or on behalf of all
the parties hereto.
13.11 Litigation. If any action at law or in equity,
including an action for declaratory relief, is brought in
connection with this Agreement or a breach hereof, the
prevailing party shall be entitled to the full amount of all
reasonable expenses, including all court costs and actual
attorneys' fees paid or incurred in good faith, incurred in
connection with such action.
13.12 References. All references in this Agreement to
Articles, Sections, and other subsections or subdivisions
refer to the Articles, Sections, and other subsections or
subdivisions of this Agreement unless expressly provided
otherwise. The words "this Agreement", "herein", "hereof",
"hereby", "hereunder", and words of similar import refer to
this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular
subdivision unless expressly so limited. Whenever the words
"include", "includes", and "including" are used in this
Agreement, such words shall be deemed to be followed by the
words "without limitation". Each reference herein to a
Schedule or Exhibit refers to the information specifically
set forth therein, and all Schedules shall clearly indicate
which subsection, paragraph or item with respect to which
the information set forth thereon is provided. All pronouns
used in this Agreement shall be deemed to refer to the
masculine, feminine, neuter, singular and plural, as the
identity of the Person to whom reference is made may
require.
[All Signatures, Exhibits and Schedules to this
Agreement and Plan of Merger have been Intentionally
Omitted from this Information Statement.]
<PAGE>
FIRST AMENDMENT TO
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
This first amendment ("First Amendment") to the
Agreement and Plan of Merger dated April 18, 1995,
("Agreement"), dated this ______ day of May, 1995 is by and
among Century Telephone Enterprises, Inc., a Louisiana
corporation ("Century"), Mississippi 6 Acquisition
Corporation, a Mississippi corporation and a wholly owned
subsidiary of Century ("Sub"), and Mississippi-6 Cellular
Corporation, a Mississippi corporation ("Corporation") and the
undersigned Principal Stockholders of the Corporation.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the above referenced parties executed the
Agreement on April 18, 1995; and
WHEREAS, the parties have decided that Article 12
thereof should be amended and restated by this First Amendment
and that the terms of the Escrow Agreement contemplated by the
Agreement should be agreed to.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the
mutual representations and warranties, covenants and
agreements contained in the Agreement and herein, and
intending to be legally bound hereby, Century, Sub,
Corporation and the Principal Stockholders hereby agree as
follows:
1. The parties agree to delete Article 12 of the
Agreement and insert the following in lieu thereof:
ARTICLE 12.
COVENANTS WITH RESPECT TO TAXES
12.1 Income Tax Returns. The parties acknowledge that
the federal, state and local income Tax Returns for
Corporation for the year ending December 31, 1994 have been
filed and, prior to the Closing Date, such returns will not be
filed for the period from January 1, 1995 to the Closing Date
(the "Stub Period"). With respect thereto, the parties agree
that Century will prepare and timely file (a) a U. S. Federal
income tax return for the Stub Period by September 15, 1996,
if not sooner filed, and (b) all separate state and local
income tax returns, including all schedules, for similar
periods. Century shall cause Corporation and Corporation
shall prepare and deliver to the stockholders their K-1s for
the Stub Period no later than March 15, 1996. Copies of all
such federal and state returns shall be provided by Century to
the Stockholders' Representative.
12.2 Tax Accrual. Corporation shall continue to accrue
liabilities for Taxes in the future, other than income taxes,
at rates which are representative of the federal, state and
local Tax liabilities for the periods involved. Payment of
all Taxes, other than income taxes, shall be made by the
Corporation directly to the financing authority.
12.3 Tax Audits and Amended Returns for Periods Prior
to Closing Date .
(a) Any income Tax or other Tax audits of
Corporation in process or arising prior to the Closing Date
shall be managed by the Stockholders' Representative.
(b) Any income Tax or other Tax audits of
Corporation arising after the Closing Date for federal, state
or local income or other Taxes shall be managed by the
Stockholders' Representative for all periods ending on or
before the end of the Stub Period. All other audits shall be
managed by Century.
(c) Century will give Stockholders'
Representative prompt notice of any Tax audits referred to in
(b) with respect to the Stub Period and all prior years.
Stockholders' Representative will keep Century appraised of
any proposed adjustments to Tax liabilities previously
reported.
(d) The Stockholders and Century agree that the
Stockholders shall pay all legal and other costs for audits or
examinations with respect to the Stub Period and all prior
years, and Century shall pay all legal and other costs for
audits or examinations for periods after the end of the Stub
Period.
2. The parties agree to execute and deliver at the
Closing (as defined in the Agreement) an escrow agreement
substantially similar to the attached escrow agreement, which
shall constitute the Escrow Agreement defined in Section 1.1
of the Agreement and referred to in Section 10.2 of the
Agreement.
* * * * * * * * * *
[All Signatures and the Attachment to this
First Amendment have been Intentionally
Omitted from this Information Statement.]
<PAGE>
APPENDIX B
LIST OF MISSISSIPPI-6 SHAREHOLDERS AS OF THE RECORD DATE
This appendix sets forth the pro rata beneficial
ownership interest of each Mississippi-6 shareholder as of
the Record Date. Assuming that none of these Shareholders
transfers their shares (or their right to receive the Merger
Consideration) or perfect dissenters' rights in connection
with the Merger, the beneficial ownership interests listed
below will constitute each such shareholder's Pro Rata
Share, as defined in the attached Information Statement and
Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shareholder Shares of Stock Ownership Percentage
_______________________ _______________ ____________________
<S> <C> <C>
Charles P. Adams and 14.63 1.46%
Rebecca H. Adams
Bruce G. Allbright, III 58.53 5.85
David A. Bailey 280.00 28.00
Dwight S. Bailey 47.07 4.71
Jo Ann Bailey 47.07 4.71
Lori A. Bailey 47.07 4.71
Scott P. Bailey 47.07 4.71
Hill Blalock 8.75 0.87
Mary Yerger Dunbar 8.75 0.87
E. B. Martin, Jr. 5.00 0.50
Robert G. Mounger 45.65 4.56
William M. Mounger, II 104.83 10.48
James A. Murrell, III 5.00 0.50
Willis B. Owings and 8.75 0.87
Joanne K. Owings
J. T. Thomas, III 2.93 0.29
James T. Thomas, IV 57.33 5.73
Sanford C. Thomas 24.75 2.47
William P. Thomas 24.75 2.47
Lonnie Whitaker 8.75 0.87
William M. Yandell, III 27.97 2.80
Frank M. Yerger 8.75 0.87
Wirt A. Yerger, III 116.60 11.66
________ ______
TOTAL 1,000.00 100%
======== ======
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
APPENDIX C
FORM OF ESCROW AGREEMENT
THIS ESCROW AGREEMENT ("Escrow Agreement") is entered
into on _______________, 1995 by Century Telephone
Enterprises, Inc., a Louisiana corporation ("Century"),
Mississippi-6 Cellular Corporation, a Mississippi corporation
("Corporation"), the undersigned Principal Stockholders of the
Corporation, David A. Bailey, as Stockholders' Representative
and as agent and attorney-in-fact on behalf of the Corporation
Shareholders, each of whom are made parties hereto as though
each were a signatory hereof, and Regions Bank of Louisiana,
Monroe, Louisiana ("Escrow Agent").
WHEREAS, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger
dated April 18, 1995 (the "Agreement") among Century, one of
Century's subsidiaries, Corporation and the Principal
Stockholders, Century and its subsidiary agreed to acquire, as
of the date hereof, control of all of the outstanding shares
of Corporation Stock in exchange for Century Common Stock,
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 10.2 of the Agreement, the
parties hereto desire to issue the Holdback Amount of Century
Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with the Agreement or
for any Diluting Event, for the purpose of providing for
payment to Century and its affiliates of Indemnity Claims, if
any;
WHEREAS, the Corporation Shareholders have appointed the
Stockholders' Representative as their agent, among other
things, to execute this Escrow Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the parties hereto have agreed upon and wish to
set forth herein the terms and conditions governing the
escrow:
NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed as follows:
1. Definitions.Unless the context otherwise requires,
capitalized terms used herein have the meanings set forth in
the Agreement.
2. Escrow Agent. Century and Stockholders'
Representative hereby designate and appoint Regions Bank of
Louisiana, Monroe, Louisiana, as Escrow Agent to serve in
accordance with the terms, conditions and provisions of this
Escrow Agreement, and Escrow Agent hereby accepts such
appointment, upon the terms, conditions and provisions
provided in this Escrow Agreement.
3. Escrow Shares. Contemporaneously with the
execution and delivery hereof, Century's subsidiary shall
deposit in escrow with the Escrow Agent and register in the
Escrow Agent's Nominee's name the Holdback Amount ("Escrow
Shares") to be adjusted for Post-Closing Price Adjustments as
provided for in Section 2.8 of the Agreement and Diluting
Events defined in Article 1 of the Agreement which occur after
the date hereof. Any additional shares of Century Common Stock
delivered to the Escrow Agent after the date hereof under
Section 2.8(e) of the Agreement shall be deemed to be Escrow
Shares and shall be held and disbursed in the same manner as
all other such shares hereunder. If the Escrow Shares are
converted into money or other property ("Escrow Fund") in a
merger or similar transaction or otherwise ("Conversion
Transaction"), the Escrow Agent shall hold such Escrow Fund
subject to the terms hereof. The Escrow Shares and the Escrow
Fund shall collectively be referred to as the "Escrow Amount".
4. Voting of Century Common Stock. The Stockholders'
Representative, after consultation with the Corporation
Shareholders, shall instruct Escrow Agent on how to vote the
Escrow Shares. Escrow Agent shall solicit instructions from
the Stockholders' Representative at appropriate times. If
Escrow Agent does not receive instructions from the
Stockholders' Representative with respect to the voting of any
Escrow Shares within five days after its request, it shall not
vote them.
5. Dividends; Interest. Cash dividends on Century
Common Stock received by the Escrow Agent shall be paid to the
Stockholders' Representative for distribution by him to the
Corporation Shareholders when received. At the end of each
calendar quarter and upon final termination of this Escrow
Agreement, other dividends and interest, if any, received by
the Escrow Agent shall be paid to the Stockholders'
Representative for distribution by him to the Corporation
Shareholders.
6. Investment of Escrow Fund. Except in connection
with Conversion Transactions (including tender or exchange
offers) or as otherwise expressly provided for herein, the
Escrow Agent shall have no power to dispose of the Escrow
Shares. Any other cash or property held in the Escrow Fund
shall be invested from time to time by the Escrow Agent
pursuant to the written instructions it may receive from
Stockholders' Representative and only in Permitted
Investments. The term "Permitted Investments" means the
following investments so long as they have maturities of
ninety (90) days or less: (A) obligations issued or
guaranteed by the United States or by any person controlled or
supervised by or acting as an instrumentality of the United
States pursuant to authority granted by Congress; (B)
obligations issued or guaranteed by any state or political
subdivision thereof rated either Aa or higher, or MIG 1 or
higher, by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or AA or higher, or
an equivalent, by Standard & Poor's Corporation, both of New
York, New York, or their successors; (C) commercial or finance
paper which is rated either Prime-1 or higher or an equivalent
by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or A-1 or higher or any
equivalent by Standard & Poor's Corporation, both of New York,
New York, or their successors; (D) certificates of deposit or
time deposits of banks or trust companies, organized under the
laws of the United States or any state, having a minimum
equity of $100,000,000; and money market mutual funds rated
AAA by the Standard and Poor's Rating Group. If Escrow Agent
does not receive instructions from Stockholders'
Representative as to some or all of the Escrow Fund, it shall
invest such Escrow Fund with respect to which it received no
instructions in short term direct obligations of the United
States.
7. Disbursements. The Escrow Shares or some portion
thereof shall, subject to the terms and conditions of this
Escrow Agreement, be paid over to Century as provided in
Sections 9 hereof with respect to an Indemnity Claim pursuant
to Article 10 of the Agreement.
8. Proceeds of Investments. The Escrow Agent may
liquidate any investments in the Escrow Fund at such time as
it shall deem necessary to make payments in accordance with
the provisions hereof.
9. Notice of Claims and Dispute Notices.
(a) The Escrow Agent shall deliver to Century the
amount specified in any disbursement request jointly
executed by Century and the Stockholders'
Representative.
(b) Otherwise, if Century believes it is entitled to
payment with respect to an Indemnity Claim, it may
deliver to Escrow Agent a notice ("Notice of Claim")
setting forth in reasonable detail the nature of the
Indemnity Claim and the amount at that time to which
Century believes it is or, with reasonable certainty,
will be entitled to be paid under the Agreement together
with proof that it has mailed a copy of the Notice of
Claim to the Stockholders' Representative no later than
the date such Notice of Claim was mailed to Escrow
Agent. The copy of the Notice of Claim to the
Stockholders' Representative must be by registered mail
or certified mail return receipt requested postage
prepaid. Century agrees that it shall not assert
Indemnity Claims which would reduce the Escrow Amount
distributable in accordance with Section 10 hereof in
excess of the amount of indemnifiable Losses reasonably
expected to result from such Indemnity Claim.
(c) If Escrow Agent has not received a notice from the
Stockholders' Representative ("Dispute Notice") stating
that he disputes the validity of the claim set forth in
Century's Notice of Claim or the amount thereof
("Disputed Amount"), within 31 days after receipt by
Escrow Agent of the Notice of Claim, Escrow Agent shall
return to Century the amount stated in Century's Notice
of Claim, and Corporation Stockholders shall be forever
barred and precluded from contesting in any manner or
forum whatsoever the return of the Escrow Amount to
Century pursuant to the Notice of Claim.
(d) If Escrow Agent has previously received a Dispute
Notice with respect to a Disputed Amount, then upon
receipt by the Escrow Agent of a notice (a "Resolution
Notice") from Century and the Stockholders'
Representative with respect to such Disputed Amount
specifying the amount of such Disputed Amount to which
Century is entitled, accompanied by (A) a written
agreement between Century and the Stockholders'
Representative with respect to such Disputed Amount or
(B) a certified copy of a final order of a court of
competent jurisdiction, the Escrow Agent shall return to
Century such amount, if any. Two years after the date
hereof, Escrow Agent shall distribute to Stockholders'
Representative the balance of the Escrow Amount, unless
an unresolved Notice of Claim exists, in which case the
balance of the Escrow Amount less the Disputed Amount
shall be distributed.
(e) In case any amount is due Century hereunder, such
amount shall be delivered to Century in shares of
Century Common Stock valued at the Century Stock Price.
If none or an insufficient number of Century Common
Stock are available such amount shall be delivered to
Century in cash until the Escrow Amount has been reduced
to zero.
(f) For purposes hereof, the term "Indemnity Claim"
shall include claims payable by the Shareholders to
Century under Sections 2.8(e) and Article 12 of the
Agreement.
10. Termination. This Escrow Agreement shall
terminate in three stages. On the first anniversary date
hereof, Escrow Agent shall distribute to the Stockholders'
Representative one-half of the Escrow Amount reduced by (i)
the amount of any Indemnity Claims paid prior thereto and (ii)
the amount of any Disputed Amount, if any. Eighteen months
after the date hereof, Escrow Agent shall distribute to
Stockholders' Representative one-half of the balance of the
Escrow Amount, less any Disputed Amount. The remainder of the
Escrow Amount will be distributed to the Stockholders'
Representative on the second anniversary of the date hereof
unless a Disputed Amount exists, in which case this Escrow
Agreement shall terminate upon resolution of such dispute in
accordance with Section 9. After payment, if any, to Century
upon resolution of the dispute, Escrow Agent shall distribute
to Stockholders' Representative the balance of the Escrow
Amount. Notwithstanding the above, this Escrow Agreement
shall also terminate when the Escrow Amount has been reduced
to zero. The Escrow Agent may request certification as to the
existence of a Disputed Amount prior to releasing any Escrow
Amount to the Stockholders' Representative.
11. Fees. Century and Corporation Stockholders
through their Stockholders' Representative shall pay the
Escrow Agent $3,000 for its services hereunder and shall
reimburse the Escrow Agent for all expenses, disbursements and
advances incurred or made by it in the performance of its
duties hereunder (including, without limitation, the
reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of its counsel)
and indemnify and hold the Escrow Agent harmless from and
against any and all taxes, expenses (including reasonable
counsel fees), assessments, liabilities, claims, damages,
actions, suits or other charges incurred by or assessed
against if for any thing done or omitted by it in the
performance of its duties hereunder, except as a result of its
own gross negligence or willful misconduct. Each shall bear
1/2 of such fees and costs. The basic fee of $3,000 for two
years' service shall be paid prior to the Closing by Century
and Corporation and Corporation's $1,500 payment shall be a
liability taken into account in computing Net Indebtedness.
The Escrow Agent shall collect all other reimbursable expenses
from Century and the Stockholders' Representative. If the
Stockholders' Representative has not reimbursed the Escrow
Agent for its 1/2 of the reimbursable expenses within 30 days
of written notice to the Stockholders' Representative, the
Escrow Agent may liquidate or sell a sufficient portion of the
assets in the Escrow Account to reimburse such expenses. The
agreement contained in this Section 11 shall survive any
termination of the duties of the Escrow Agent hereunder.
12. Responsibilities of the Escrow Agent. The
acceptance by the Escrow Agent of its duties under this Escrow
Agreement is subject to the following terms and conditions,
which the parties to this Escrow Agreement hereby agree shall
govern and control with respect to its rights, duties,
liabilities and immunities:
(a) The Escrow Agent shall act hereunder as depository
only, and it shall not be responsible or liable in any
manner whatever for the sufficiency of any amount
deposited with it.
(b) The Escrow Agent shall provide Century and
Stockholders' Representative with quarterly reports of
the status of the Escrow Amount, and shall permit
Century and Stockholders' Representative to inspect and
obtain copies of the records of the Escrow Agent
regarding the Escrow Amount.
(c) The Escrow Agent shall be protected in acting upon
any written notice, request, waiver, consent, receipt or
other paper or document furnished to it, not only as to
its due execution and the validity and effectiveness of
its provisions but also as to the truth and
acceptability of any information contained therein which
the Escrow Agent believes in good faith to be genuine
and validly executed.
(d) The Escrow Agent shall have no responsibility as
to the validity, collectibility or value of the Escrow
Amount, or for investment losses related thereto,
provided the Escrow Amount have been invested in
accordance with Section 6 hereof.
(e) If the Escrow Agent shall be uncertain as to its
duties or rights hereunder or shall receive instructions
from any of the undersigned with respect to the Escrow
Amount, which, in its opinion, are in conflict with any
of the provisions of this Escrow Agreement, it shall be
entitled to refrain from taking any action until it
shall be directed otherwise in writing by all of the
other parties hereto or by an order of a court of
competent jurisdiction.
(f) The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any error
of judgment, or for any act done or step taken or
omitted by it in good faith, or for any mistake of fact
or law, or for anything which it may do or refrain from
doing in connection herewith, except such acts that are
a result of the Escrow Agent's negligence or misconduct.
(g) The Escrow Agent may consult with, and obtain
advise from, legal counsel in the event of any question
as to any of the provisions hereof or its duties
hereunder, and it shall incur no liability and shall be
fully protected in acting in good faith in accordance
with the opinion and instructions of such counsel.
(h) In the event of a dispute between the parties as
to the proper disposition of the Escrow Amount which
continues for ninety (90) days or more, the Escrow Agent
shall be entitled to submit the dispute to a court of
competent jurisdiction and shall thereupon be relieved
of any obligations or liability.
(i) Escrow Agent shall have no duties except those
which are expressly set forth herein, and it shall not
be bound by any notice of a claim, or demand with
respect thereto, or any waiver, modification, amendment,
termination or rescission of this Escrow Agreement,
unless in writing received by it, and, if its duties
herein are modified, unless it shall have given its
prior written consent thereto.
(j) The Escrow Agent will have no right or obligation
to disburse from the Escrow Amount to any Person other
than Century or the Stockholders' Representative, and
Century will take all such action as may be necessary to
permit it to act as agent and attorney-in-fact for any
other Century Indemnitee which has a claim under Article
10 of the Agreement.
13. Resignation of Escrow Agent. The Escrow Agent may
resign as escrow agent by notice to the other parties hereto
(the "Resignation Notice"). If, prior to the expiration of
sixty (60) business days after the delivery of the Resignation
Notice, the Escrow Agent shall not have received written
instructions from Century and Stockholders' Representative
designating a banking corporation or trust company organized
either under the laws of the United States or of any state as
successor escrow agent and consented to in writing by such
successor escrow agent, the Escrow Agent may apply to a court
of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor escrow agent.
Alternatively, if the Escrow Agent shall have received such
written instructions, it shall promptly transfer the Escrow
Amount to such successor escrow agent. Upon the appointment
of a successor escrow agent and the transfer of the Escrow
Amount thereto, the duties of the Escrow Agent hereunder shall
terminate, and if termination occurs prior to the end of the
two year period, it shall reimburse Century and Stockholders'
Representative for their shares of the unearned fee.
14. Amendment and Termination. This Escrow Agreement
may be amended or cancelled by and upon written notice to the
Escrow Agent at any time given jointly by Century and
Stockholders' Representative, but the duties or
responsibilities of the Escrow Agent may not be modified
without its consent.
15. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other
communications hereunder shall be given (and shall be deemed
to have been duly given) if given by hand delivery to, or by
certified or registered mail (postage prepaid), by telegram
(confirmed by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid)
or by telecopy (confirmed by confirmation sheet) addressed to:
(a) If to Century:
Century Telephone Enterprises, Inc.
100 Century Park Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71211-4065
Attention: David D. Cole
Telecopy: (318) 388-9562
with copies to:
Harvey P. Perry, Esq., Senior Vice President,
Secretary and General Counsel
Century Telephone Enterprises, Inc.
100 Century Park Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71211-4065
Telecopy: (318) 388-9562
with copies to:
William R. Boles, Jr., Esq.
Boles, Boles & Ryan
1805 Tower Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71201
Telecopy: (318) 329-9150
(b) If to Corporation Shareholders:
David A. Bailey, Stockholders' Representative
807 Church Street
Port Gibson, MS 39150
Telecopy: (601) 437-6860
with copies to:
James T. Thomas, Esq.
Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes
248 East Capitol Street, Suite 1400
Jackson, MS 39201
Telecopy: (601) 960-6902
or to such other person or address as such party shall furnish
to the other parties to this Escrow Agreement.
16. Parties in Interest. This Escrow Agreement shall
be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Century,
Stockholders' Representative and Corporation Shareholders and
shall not create any rights in any third party.
17. Execution by Escrow Agent. The execution of this
Escrow Agreement by the Escrow Agent shall evidence its
acceptance and agreement to the terms hereof.
18. Obligations of Stockholders' Representative. The
Stockholders' Representative agrees to disburse any amounts
received by him from the Escrow Agent hereunder to the
Corporation Shareholders in accordance with their pro rata
ownership interest in Corporation immediately prior to the
Effective Time. The Stockholders' Representative will
instruct Century's transfer agent to allocate any released
Escrow Shares among the Shareholders in a manner such that
each Shareholder receives a number of shares as nearly equal
as possible to his pro rata interest and such that no
fractional shares are issued.
19. Governing Law. This Escrow Agreement shall be
construed and interpreted in accordance with the law of
Louisiana applicable to contracts to be performed entirely in
Louisiana.
20. Counterparts. This Escrow Agreement may be
executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed to be an original instrument and all of which together
shall constitute a single agreement.
[All Signature Blocks to this
Escrow Agreement have been Intentionally
Omitted from this Information Statement.]
<PAGE>
APPENDIX D
ARTICLE 13 OF THE MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS CORPORATION ACT
DISSENTERS RIGHTS
Section 79-4-13.01. Definitions.
In this article:
(1) "Corporation" means the issuer of the shares
held by a dissenter before the corporate
action, or the surviving or acquiring
corporation by merger or share exchange of
that issuer.
(2) "Dissenter" means a shareholder who is
entitled to dissent from corporate action
under Section 79-4-13.02 and who exercises
that right when and in the manner required
by Sections 79-4-13.20 through 79-4-13.28.
(3) "Fair value," with respect to a dissenter's
shares, means the value of the shares
immediately before the effectuation of the
corporate action to which the dissenter
objects, excluding any appreciation or
depreciation in anticipation of the
corporate action unless exclusion would be
inequitable.
(4) "Interest" means interest from the effective
date of the corporate action until the date
of payment, at the average rate currently
paid by the corporation on its principal
bank loans or, if none, at a rate that is
fair and equitable under all the
circumstances.
(5) "Record shareholder" means the person in
whose name shares are registered in the
records of a corporation or the beneficial
owner of shares to the extent of the rights
granted by a nominee certificate on file
with a corporation.
(6) "Beneficial shareholder" means the person
who is a beneficial owner of shares held in
a voting trust or by a nominee as the record
shareholder.
(7) "Shareholder" means the record shareholder
or the beneficial shareholder.
Section 79-4-13.02. Right to Dissent.
(a) A shareholder is entitled to dissent from, and
obtain payment of the fair value of his shares in the event
of, any of the following corporate actions:
(1) Consummation of a plan of merger to which
the corporation is a party (i) if
shareholder approval is required for the
merger by Section 79-4-11.03 or the articles
of incorporation and the shareholder is
entitled to vote on the merger, or (ii) if
the corporation is a subsidiary that is
merged with its parent under Section 79-4-
11.04;
(2) Consummation of plan of share exchange to
which the corporation is a party as the
corporation whose shares will be acquired,
if the shareholder is entitled to vote on
the plan;
(3) Consummation of a sale or exchange of all,
or substantially all, of the property of the
corporation other than in the usual and
regular course of business, if the
shareholder is entitled to vote on the sale
or exchange, including a sale in
dissolution, but not including a sale
pursuant to court order or a sale for cash
pursuant to a plan by which all or
substantially all of the net proceeds of the
sale will be distributed to the shareholders
within one (1) year after the date of sale;
(4) An amendment of the articles of
incorporation that materially and adversely
affects rights in respect of a dissenter's
shares because it:
(i) Alters or abolishes a preferential
right of the shares;
(ii) Creates, alters or abolishes a right
in respect of redemption, including a
provision respecting a sinking fund
for the redemption or repurchase, of
the shares;
(iii) Alters or abolishes a preemptive right
of the holder of the shares to acquire
shares or other securities;
(iv) Excludes or limits the right of the
shares to vote on any matter, or to
cumulate votes, other than a
limitation by dilution through
issuance of shares or other securities
with similar voting rights; or
(v) Reduces the number of shares owned by
the shareholder to a fraction of a
share if the fractional share so
created is to be acquired for cash
under Section 79-4-6.04; or
(5) Any corporate action taken pursuant to a
shareholder vote to the extent the articles
of incorporation, bylaws or a resolution of
the board of directors provides that voting
or nonvoting shareholders are entitled to
dissent and obtain payment for their shares.
(b) Nothing in subsection (a)(4) shall entitle a
shareholder of a corporation to dissent and obtain payment for
his shares as a result of an amendment of the articles of
incorporation exclusively for the purpose of either (i) making
such corporation subject to application of the Mississippi
Control Share Act, or (ii) making such act inapplicable to a
control share acquisition of such corporation.
(c) A shareholder entitled to dissent and obtain
payment for his shares under this article may not challenge
the corporate action creating his entitlement unless the
action is unlawful or fraudulent with respect to the
shareholder or the corporation.
Section 79-4-13.03. Dissent by Nominees and Beneficial
Owners.
(a) A record shareholder may assert dissenters' rights
as to fewer than all the shares registered in his name only if
he dissents with respect to all shares beneficially owned by
any one person and notifies the corporation in writing of the
name and address of each person on whose behalf he asserts
dissenters' rights. The rights of a partial dissenter under
this subsection are determined as if the shares as to which he
dissents and his other shares were registered in the names of
different shareholders.
(b) A beneficial shareholder may assert dissenters'
rights as to shares held on his behalf only if:
(1) He submits to the corporation the record
shareholder's written consent to the dissent
not later than the time the beneficial
shareholder asserts dissenters' rights; and
(2) He does so with respect to all shares of
which he is the beneficial shareholder or
over which he has power to direct the vote.
Section 79-4-13.20. Notice of Dissenters' Rights.
(a) If proposed corporate action creating dissenters'
rights under Section 79-4-13.02 is submitted to a vote at a
shareholders' meeting, the meeting notice must state that
shareholders are or may be entitled to assert dissenters'
rights under this article and be accompanied by a copy of this
article.
(b) If corporate action creating dissenters' rights
under Section 79-4-13.02 is taken without a vote of
shareholders, the corporation shall notify in writing all
shareholders entitled to assert dissenters' rights that the
action was taken and send them the dissenters' notice
described in Section 79-4-13.22.
Section 79-4-13.21. Notice of Intent to Demand Payment.
(a) If proposed corporate action creating dissenters'
rights under Section 79-4-13.02 is submitted to a vote at a
shareholders' meeting, a shareholder who wishes to assert
dissenters' rights (1) must deliver to the corporation before
the vote is taken written notice of his intent to demand
payment for his shares if the proposed action is effectuated,
and (2) must not vote his shares in favor of the proposed
action.
(b) A shareholder who does not satisfy the requirement
of subsection (a) is not entitled to payment for his shares
under this article.
Section 79-4-13-22. Dissenters' Notice.
(a) If proposed corporate action creating dissenters'
rights under Section 79-4-13.02 is authorized at a
shareholders' meeting, the corporation shall deliver a written
dissenters' notice to all shareholders who satisfied the
requirements of Section 79-4-13.21.
(b) The dissenters' notice must be sent no later than
ten (10) days after the corporate action was taken, and must:
(1) State where the payment demand must be sent
and where and when certificates for
certificated shares must be deposited;
(2) Inform holders of uncertificated shares to
what extent transfer of the shares will be
restricted after the payment demand is
received;
(3) Supply a form for demanding payment that
includes the date of the first announcement
to news media or to shareholders of the
terms of the proposed corporate action and
requires that the person asserting
dissenters' rights certify whether or not he
acquired beneficial ownership of the shares
before that date;
(4) Set a date by which the corporation must
receive the payment demand, which date may
not be fewer than thirty (30) nor more than
sixty (60) days after the date the
subsection (a) notice is delivered; and
(5) Be accompanied by a copy of this article.
Section 79-4-13.23. Duty to Demand Payment.
(a) A shareholder sent a dissenters' notice described
in Section 79-4-13.22 must demand payment, certify whether he
acquired beneficial ownership of the shares before the date
required to be set forth in the dissenter's notice pursuant to
Section 79-4-13.22(b)(3), and deposit his certificates in
accordance with the terms of the notice.
(b) The shareholder who demands payment and deposits
his shares under subsection (a) retains all other rights of a
shareholder until these rights are cancelled or modified by
the taking of the proposed corporate action.
(c) A shareholder who does not demand payment or
deposit his share certificates where required, each by the
date set in the dissenters' notice, is not entitled to payment
for his shares under this article.
Section 79-4-13.24. Share restrictions.
(a) The corporation may restrict the transfer of
uncertificated shares from the date the demand for their
payment is received until the proposed corporate action is
taken or the restrictions released under Section 79-4-13-26.
(b) The person for who dissenters' rights are asserted
as to uncertificated shares retains all other rights of a
shareholder until these rights are cancelled or modified by
the taking of the proposed corporate action.
Section 79-4-13.25. Payment.
(a) Except as provided in Section 79-4-13.27, as soon
as the proposed corporate action is taken, or upon receipt of
a payment demand, the corporation shall pay each dissenter who
complied with Section 79-4-13.23 the amount the corporation
estimates to be the fair value of his shares, plus accrued
interest.
(b) The payment must be accompanied by:
(1) The corporation's balance sheet as of the
end of a fiscal year ending not more than
sixteen months before the date of payment,
an income statement for that year, a
statement of changes in shareholders' equity
for that year, and the latest available
interim financial statements, if any;
(2) A statement of the corporation's estimate of
the fair value of the shares;
(3) An explanation of how the interest was
calculated;
(4) A statement of the dissenters' right to
demand payment under Section 79-4-13.28; and
(5) A copy of this article.
Section 79-4-13.26. Failure to Take Action.
(a) If the corporation does not take the proposed
action within sixty days after the date set for demanding
payment and depositing share certificates, the corporation
shall return the deposited certificates and release the
transfer restrictions imposed on uncertificated shares.
(b) If after returning deposited certificates and
releasing transfer restrictions, the corporation takes the
proposed action, it must send a new dissenters' notice under
Section 79-4-13.22 and repeat the payment demand procedure.
Section 79-4-13.27. After-Acquired Shares.
(a) A corporation may elect to withhold payment
required by Section 79-4-13.25 from a dissenter unless he was
the beneficial owner of the shares before the date set forth
in the dissenters' notice as the date of the first
announcement to news media or to shareholders of the terms of
the proposed corporate action.
(b) To the extent the corporation elects to withhold
payment under subsection (a), after taking the proposed
corporate action, it shall estimate the fair value of the
shares, plus accrued interest, and shall pay this amount to
each dissenter who agrees to accept it in full satisfaction of
his demand. The corporation shall send with its offer a
statement of its estimate of the fair value of the shares, an
explanation of how the interest was calculated and a statement
of the dissenter's right to demand payment under Section 79-4-
13.28.
Section 79-4-13.28. Procedure if Shareholder Dissatisfied
With Payment or Offer.
(a) A dissenter may notify the corporation in writing
of his own estimate of the fair value of his shares and amount
of interest due, and demand payment of his estimate (less any
payment under Section 79-4-13.25), or reject the corporation's
offer under Section 79-4-13.27 and demand payment of the fair
value of his shares and interest due, if:
(1) The dissenter believes that the amount paid
under Section 79-4-13.25 or offered under
Section 79-4-13.27 is less than the fair
value of his shares or that the interest due
is incorrectly calculated;
(2) The corporation fails to make payment under
Section 79-4-13.25 within sixty (60) days
after the date set for demanding payment; or
(3) The corporation, having failed to take the
proposed action, does not return the
deposited certificates or release the
transfer restrictions imposed on
uncertificated shares within sixty (60) days
after the date set for demanding payment.
(b) A dissenter waives his right to demand payment
under this section unless he notifies the corporation of his
demand in writing under subsection (a) within thirty (30) days
after the corporation made or offered payment for his shares.
Section 79-4-13.30. Court Action.
(a) If a demand for payment under Section 79-4-13.28
remains unsettled, the corporation shall commence a proceeding
within sixty (60) days after receiving the payment demand and
petition the court to determine the fair value of the shares
and accrued interest. If the corporation does not commence
the proceeding within the 60-day period, it shall pay each
dissenter whose demand remains unsettled the amount demanded.
(b) The corporation shall commence the proceeding in
the chancery court of the county where a corporation's
principal office (or, if none in this state, its registered
office) is located. If the corporation is a foreign
corporation without a registered office in this state, it
shall commence the proceeding in the county in this state
where the registered office of the domestic corporation merged
with or whose shares were acquired by the foreign corporation
was located.
(c) The corporation shall make all dissenters (whether
or not residents of this state) whose demands remain unsettled
parties to the proceeding as in an action against their shares
and all parties must be served with a copy of the petition.
Nonresidents may be served by registered or certified mail or
by publication as provided by law.
(d) The jurisdiction of the court in which the
proceeding is commenced under subsection (b) is plenary and
exclusive. The court may appoint one or more persons as
appraisers to receive evidence and recommend decision on the
question of fair value. The appraisers have the powers
described in the order appointing them, or in any amendment to
it. The dissenters are entitled to the same discovery rights
as parties in other civil proceedings.
(e) Each dissenter made a party to the proceeding is
entitled to judgment (1) for the amount, if any, by which the
court finds the fair value of his shares, plus interest,
exceeds the amount paid by the corporation, or (2) for the
fair value, plus accrued interest, of his after-acquired
shares for which the corporation elected to withhold payment
under Section 79-4-13.27.
Section 79-4-13.31. Court Costs and Counsel Fees.
(a) The court in an appraisal proceeding commenced
under Section 79-4-13.30 shall determine all costs of the
proceeding, including the reasonable compensation and expenses
of appraisers appointed by the court. The court shall assess
the costs against the corporation, except that the court may
assess costs against all or some of the dissenters, in amounts
the court finds equitable, to the extent the court finds the
dissenters acted arbitrarily, vexatiously or not in good faith
in demanding payment under Section 79-4-13.28.
(b) The court may also assess the fees and expenses of
counsel and experts for the respective parties, in amounts the
court finds equitable:
(1) Against the corporation and in favor of any
or all dissenters if the court finds the
corporation did not substantially comply
with the requirements of Sections 79-4-13.20
through 79-4-13.28; or
(2) Against either the corporation or a
dissenter, in favor of any other party, if
the court finds that the party against whom
the fees and expenses are assessed acted
arbitrarily, vexatiously or not in good
faith with respect to the rights provided by
this article.
(c) If the court finds that the services of counsel
for any dissenter were of substantial benefit to other
dissenters similarly situated, and that the fees for those
services should not be assessed against the corporation, the
court may award to these counsel reasonable fees to be paid
out of the amounts awarded the dissenters who were benefitted.
<PAGE>
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 20. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Section 83 of the Louisiana Business Corporation Law
provides in part that a corporation may indemnify any
director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation
against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines
and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with any action, suit or
proceeding to which he is or was a party or is threatened to
be made a party (including any action by or in the right of
the corporation) if such action arises out of his acts on
behalf of the corporation and he acted in good faith not
opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with
respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reason-
able cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.
The indemnification provisions of the Louisiana Business
Corporation Law are not exclusive; however, no corporation may
indemnify any person for willful or intentional misconduct. A
corporation has the power to obtain and maintain insurance or
to create a form of self-insurance on behalf of any person who
is or was acting for the corporation, regardless of whether
the corporation has the legal authority to indemnify the
insured person against such liability.
Article II, Section 9 of Century's bylaws (the "Indem-
nification Bylaw") provides for mandatory indemnification for
current and former directors and officers of Century to the
full extent permitted by Louisiana law.
Century's Articles of Incorporation authorize it to
enter into contracts with directors and officers providing for
indemnification to the full extent permitted by law. Century
has entered into indemnification contracts providing
contracting directors or officers the procedural and
substantive rights to indemnification currently set forth in
the Indemnification Bylaw ("Indemnification Contracts"). The
right to indemnification provided by each Indemnification
Contract applies to all covered claims, whether such claims
arose before or after the effective date of the contract.
Century maintains an insurance policy covering the
liability of its directors and officers for actions taken in
their corporate capacities. The Indemnification Contracts
provide that, to the extent insurance is reasonably available,
Century will maintain comparable insurance coverage for each
contracting party as long as he or she serves as an officer or
director and thereafter for so long as he or she is subject to
possible personal liability for actions taken in such
capacities. The Indemnification Contracts also provide that
if Century does not maintain comparable insurance, it will
hold harmless and indemnify a contracting party to the full
extent of the coverage that would otherwise have been provided
for thereunder.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under
the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors,
officers and controlling persons of Century pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, Century has been advised
that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable.
Item 21. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
(a) Exhibits
The exhibits to this Registration Statement are listed
in the exhibit index, which appears elsewhere herein and is
incorporated herein by reference.
(b) Financial Statement Schedules
Schedule I to Century's financial statements, which is
included in Century's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1994, is incorporated
herein by reference.
Item 22. Undertakings.
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers
or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by
Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts
or events arising after the effective date
of the registration statement (or the most
recent post-effective amendment thereof)
which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the
information set forth in the registration
statement;
(iii) To include any material information
with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in the registration
statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement;
Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and
(a)(1)(ii) of this section do not apply if the
registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form
F-3, and the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to
the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13
or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
that are incorporated by reference in the registration
statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to
be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of
such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a
post-effective amendment any of the securities
being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that,
for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report
pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in this
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that
prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered
hereunder through use of a prospectus that is a part of this
registration statement, by any person or party that is deemed
to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c), the
issuer undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will contain
the information called for by the applicable registration form
with respect to reofferings by persons who may be deemed
underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the
other items of the applicable form.
(d) The registrant undertakes that any prospectus (i)
that is filed pursuant to paragraph (c) immediately preceding,
or (ii) that purports to meet the requirements of Section
10(a)(iii) of the Securities Act of 1933 and is used in
connection with an offering of securities subject to Rule 415,
will be filed as part of an amendment to the registration
statement and will not be used until such amendment is
effective, and that, for purposes of determining any liability
under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective
amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering
of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
initial bona fide offering thereof.
(e) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising
under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to
directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of
1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by
a director, officer, or controlling person of the registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit, or proceeding)
is asserted by such director, officer, or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the
registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a
court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in
the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
(f) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to
respond to requests for information that is incorporated by
reference into the prospectus pursuant to Items 4, 10(b), 11
or 13 of this Form S-4 within one business day of receipt of
such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first
class mail or other equally prompt means. This includes
information contained in documents filed subsequent to the
effective date of this registration statement through the date
of responding to the request.
(g) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to
supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information
concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired
involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in
the registration statement when it became effective.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of
1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Monroe, State of
Louisiana, on May 10, 1995.
CENTURY TELEPHONE ENTERPRISES, INC.
By: /s/ Glen F. Post, III
Glen F. Post, III
President, Chief Executive
Officer and Vice Chairman
of the Board of Directors
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose
signature appears immediately below constitutes and appoints
Clarke M. Williams, Glen F. Post, III and Harvey P. Perry,
or any one of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign
any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments)
to this Registration Statement, and to file the same with
all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents
and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and
agent or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of
1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the
following persons in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
Signature Title Date
/s/ Clarke M. Williams Chairman of the Board May 10, 1995
Clarke M. Williams of Directors
/s/ Glen F. Post, III President, Chief May 10, 1995
Glen F. Post, III Executive Officer and
Vice Chairman of the
Board of Directors
/s/ R. Stewart Ewing, Jr. Senior Vice President May 10, 1995
R. Stewart Ewing, Jr. and Chief Financial
Officer
(Principal Financial
Officer)
/s/ Murray H. Greer Controller May 10, 1995
Murray H. Greer (Principal Accounting
Officer)
/s/ W. Bruce Hanks President-Telecommunications
W. Bruce Hanks Services and Director May 10, 1995
Senior Vice President,
/s/ Harvey P. Perry Secretary, General Counsel
Harvey P. Perry and Director May 10, 1995
/s/ William R. Boles, Jr. Director May 10, 1995
William R. Boles, Jr.
/s/ Virginia Boulet Director May 10, 1995
Virginia Boulet
/s/ Ernest Butler, Jr. Director May 10, 1995
Ernest Butler, Jr.
/s/ Calvin Czeschin Director May 10, 1995
Calvin Czeschin
/s/ James B. Gardner Director May 10, 1995
James B. Gardner
/s/ R. L. Hargrove, Jr. Director May 10, 1995
R. L. Hargrove, Jr.
/s/ Johnny Hebert Director May 10, 1995
Johnny Hebert
/s/ F. Earl Hogan Director May 10, 1995
F. Earl Hogan
/s/ C. G. Melville Director May 10, 1995
C. G. Melville
/s/ Jim D. Reppond Vice President-Telephone May 10, 1995
Jim D. Reppond Group and Director
<PAGE>
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit No. Exhibit
2 Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of
April 18, 1995, as amended, by and among
Century, Mississippi 6 Acquisition Corporation,
Mississippi-6 Cellular Corporation
("Mississippi-6") and the Principal Shareholders
of Mississippi-6 (included in Appendix A to the
Information Statement and Prospectus forming
a part of this Registration Statement).
Each of the exhibits and schedules to this
agreement have been omitted pursuant to
Regulation S-K, Item 601. Century hereby
agrees to furnish copies of these exhibits
and schedules to the Commission upon request.
4.1 Restated Articles of Incorporation of Century
dated September 30, 1994 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3(i) of Century's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended September 30, 1994).
4.2 Bylaws of Century as amended through August 23,
1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(ii)
of Century's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 1994).
4.3 Amended and Restated Rights Agreement dated as
of November 17, 1986 between Century and MTrust
Corp, National Association, as Rights Agent
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to
Century's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
December 20, 1988), the Amendment thereto dated
March 26, 1990 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.1 to Century's Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1990) and the
Second Amendment thereto dated February 23, 1993
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.12 to
Century's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1992).
Certain instruments with respect to Century's
long-term debt have been omitted pursuant to
Regulation S-K, Item 601. Century hereby
agrees to furnish copies of such instruments to
the Commission upon request.
5 Opinion of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent,
Carrere & Denegre, L.L.P.
23.1 Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.
23.2 Consent of Breazeale, Saunders & O'Neil, Ltd.
23.3 Consent of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent,
Carrere & Denegre, L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5).
24 Power of Attorney (included in the signature pages
of this Registration Statement).
99 Form of Letter of Authorization.
Exhibit 5
Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere & Denegre, L.L.P.
Place St. Charles
201 St. Charles Avenue
New Orleans, Louisiana 70170-5100
Telephone: 504-582-8000
Telecopy: 504-582-8583
May 11, 1995
Century Telephone Enterprises, Inc.
100 Century Park Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71203
RE: Registration Statement on Form S-4
Century Telephone Enterprises, Inc. ("Century")
Our File No. 6207/64833-00
Gentlemen:
We have acted as Century's special counsel in connection
with the preparation of the registration statement on Form S-4
(the "Registration Statement") filed by Century with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") with
respect to 625,000 shares of Century's common stock, $1.00 par
value per share, and accompanying preferred stock purchase rights
(collectively, the "Shares'), which are the maximum number of
Shares reasonably expected to be issued in connection with the
proposed merger (the "Merger") of Mississippi-6 Cellular
Corporation ("Mississippi-6") with a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Century pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of
April 18, 1995 (the "Agreement"), by and among Century,
Mississippi 6 Acquisition Corp., Mississippi-6 and its principal
shareholders.
In connection with rendering the opinions expressed below,
we have examined the Agreement and original, photostatic or
certified copies of such records of Century, certificates of
Century's officers and public officials, and such other documents
as we have deemed relevant. In our examination, we have assumed
the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all
documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to
original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified
or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of
such documents.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the
proposed issuance of the Shares has been duly authorized by
Century's Board of Directors and the Shares will, when issued
upon consummation of the Merger in accordance with the terms of
the Agreement, be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement and to the reference to us in the
related Information Statement and Prospectus under the caption
"Legal Matters." In giving this consent, we do not admit that
we are within the category of persons whose consent is required
under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the
general rules and regulations of the Commission.
Yours very truly,
JONES, WALKER, WAECHTER,
POITEVENT, CARRERE & DENEGRE, L.L.P
By: /s/ Kenneth J. Najder
Kenneth J. Najder
Exhibit 23.1
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
The Board of Directors
Century Telephone Enterprises, Inc.
We consent to the use of our report dated February 6, 1995,
incorporated herein by reference and to the references to our
firm under the headings "Information About Century - Selected
Consolidated Operating and Financial Data" and "Experts" in the
Prospectus. Our report refers to changes in the methods of
accounting for income taxes and postretirement benefits other
than pensions in 1992.
/s/ KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
Shreveport, Louisiana
May 9, 1995
Exhibit 23.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors
Mississippi-6 Cellular Corporation
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption
"Experts" and to the use of our report dated March 3, 1995,
except for the second paragraph in note 11, as to which the date
is April 18, 1995, in the Registration Statement (Form S-4) to
register shares of Century Telephone Enterprises, Inc. stock
issuable to Mississippi-6 Cellular Corporation shareholders.
/s/ BREAZEALE, SAUNDERS & O'NEIL, LTD.
May 8, 1995
Exhibit 99
Please Read Carefully the Accompanying Instructions
LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION
regarding the exchange of certificates representing shares of
Common Stock of Mississippi-6 Cellular Corporation
Pursuant to the Information Statement and Prospectus dated May _____, 1995
Relating to the Merger of a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of
Century Telephone Enterprises, Inc. with
Mississippi-6 Cellular Corporation
Return by mail only to: KeyCorp Shareholder Services, Inc.
Exchange Agent for Century Telephone
Enterprises, Inc.
c/o Society National Bank
1201 Elm Street
Suite 5050
Dallas, Texas 75270
Attn: Mark Asbury
Please read this Letter of Authorization carefully,
including the Instructions set forth below. This Letter of
Authorization should be promptly (i) completed, dated and signed
in the space provided below and also in the space provided in the
Substitute Form W-9 below and (ii) delivered in the manner
specified in Instruction 1 below to KeyCorp Shareholder Services,
Inc. to the address indicated above.
_____________________________________________
Name and Address of Registered Owner(s)
of Mississippi-6 Stock
_____________________________________________
[place U.S. mail address label here]
_____________________________________________
The undersigned is requested to complete the following box.
(See Instruction 9)
_____________________________________________
Mississippi-6 Common Stock
Certificate(s) to be Exchanged
(attach separate list if necessary)
_____________________________________________
Certificate No. Shares
Number Represented
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
Total Shares
_____________________________________________
<PAGE>
To KeyCorp Shareholder Services, Inc. (the "Exchange Agent")
In connection with the proposed merger (the "Merger") of
Mississippi-6 Cellular Corporation ("Mississippi-6") with a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Century Telephone Enterprises, Inc. ("Century") pursuant to
the Agreement and Plan of Merger, as amended (the "Merger Agreement"),
described in the Information Statement and Prospectus dated May _____,
1995 furnished concurrently herewith to the undersigned by Mississippi-6
and Century (the "Information Statement"), the undersigned hereby
authorizes the surrender to the Exchange Agent of the certificate or
certificates identified on page one hereof ("Certificates"), which represent
shares of Mississippi-6's Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share
("Mississippi-6 Stock"), and which upon consummation of the Merger will
convert into such number of shares of Century Common Stock ("Century
Stock"), and such amount of cash in lieu of fractional shares of Century
Stock (without interest), as provided for under the Merger Agreement and
described in the Information Statement (the "Merger Consideration"). All
capitalized terms herein that are not otherwise defined shall have the
meanings ascribed to them in the Information Statement.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that he has
received and reviewed the Information Statement. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the undersigned's execution of this Letter of
Authorization constitutes his acknowledgement that the approval of the
Merger Proposal at the Special Meeting scheduled for June _____, 1995
will bind the undersigned, without any notarial act or other action of any
kind by the undersigned, as follows:
(i) the undersigned will, on a pro rata basis, be responsible for
any liabilities that may be asserted after the Effective Date
resulting from (a) any indemnity claims made by Century
or its affiliates pursuant to the Merger Agreement, (b) any
post-closing adjustment to the Conversion Ratio that reduces
the Merger Consideration, (c) costs associated with tax
audits relating to taxable periods ending on or before the
Effective Date, (d) the incurrence of certain expenses by the
Escrow Agent and (e) the incurrence of certain expenses by
the Shareholders' Representative (collectively, "Post-Closing
Liabilities"); 5% of the Century Stock issuable in
connection with the Merger will be placed in escrow
pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement and will be
used to discharge the Shareholders' obligations for any
Post-Closing Liabilities (other than those owed to the
Shareholders' Representative); the undersigned will be
bound by all of the terms of the Escrow Agreement; in the
event the Shareholders become obligated to a claimant for
any Post-Closing Liability in an amount that exceeds the
value of the shares held in escrow, the claimant may
proceed against any and all of the Shareholders to collect
the shortfall; although no Shareholder will be obligated to
pay more than his pro rata share of any such liability, there
are no limitations on the amount that a Shareholder may be
obligated to pay in connection with Post-Closing Liabilities;
(ii) the undersigned will be bound by the provision in the
Merger Agreement that obligates the Shareholders as a
group to hold sufficient amounts of Century Stock for
sufficient duration to safeguard the tax-free treatment of the
Merger;
(iii) the undersigned will have been deemed to have irrevocably
appointed David A. Bailey (the "Shareholders'
Representative") as of the Effective Time as such
Shareholder's agent, proxy and attorney-in-fact for all
purposes specified in the Merger Agreement and the Escrow
Agreement; such agency and proxy will be coupled with an
interest, and will therefore be irrevocable without the
consent of the Shareholders' Representative and shall
survive the death, incapacity, bankruptcy, or divorce of any
Mississippi-6 shareholder; all decisions and acts by the
Shareholders' Representative in such capacity will be
binding upon all of the Shareholders, and, except as set
forth in the Information Statement, no Shareholder will
have the right to object, dissent, protest or otherwise contest
such decisions or acts; and
(iv) the undersigned will have no further rights under the
Shareholders' Agreement (except as an officer or director
of Mississippi-6).
The undersigned further represents and warrants that he is the
lawful owner of the Mississippi-6 Stock represented by the Certificates
listed above. The undersigned further represents and warrants that all of
the Mississippi-6 stock represented by the above-listed Certificates are
owned free and clear of all liens and encumbrances other than the pledge
of such Certificates and the shares represented thereby to Trustmark
National Bank ("Trustmark") pursuant to the terms of a Stock Pledge
Agreement dated February 14, 1995 among Trustmark and the shareholders
of Mississippi-6. The undersigned hereby authorizes (i) Mississippi-6 and
Century to take any such steps as may be necessary to secure the release
of all Certificates to Mississippi-6 at the Closing and (ii) Mississippi-6 to
furnish all such Certificates directly to the Exchange Agent.
The undersigned acknowledges that all of his Merger Consideration
other than his pro rata share of the shares to be held in escrow (the
"Primary Consideration") shall be delivered by Century or its Exchange
Agent and that his pro rata share of any remaining amounts (the "Residual
Consideration") that continue to be held in escrow under the Escrow
Agreement following the satisfaction of any Post-Closing Liabilities shall
be delivered by the Shareholders' Representative, in each case on the terms
and conditions described herein and in the Information Statement.
The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any
additional documents deemed appropriate or necessary by Century in
connection with the exchange of stock certificates. The undersigned
hereby constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent as his true and lawful
agent and attorney-in-fact with respect to the Certificates with full power
of substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable
power coupled with an interest) to deliver for cancellation the Certificates
and any accompanying evidences of transfer. All authority herein
conferred shall survive the death, incapacity, bankruptcy or divorce of the
undersigned and shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives,
successors and assigns of the undersigned.
By delivery of this Letter of Authorization, the undersigned hereby
irrevocably waives all dissenters' rights under Mississippi law, whether or
not the undersigned has heretofore satisfied any or all of the procedural
requirements required to perfect such rights.
<PAGE>
DELIVERY OF PAYMENTS
Unless otherwise indicated in the following boxes, (i) upon
consummation of the Merger, the undersigned hereby instructs the
Exchange Agent to issue and deliver in the name and to the address
of the registered owner(s) of Mississippi-6 Stock set forth on the
above-affixed label a certificate representing shares of Century
Stock and a check in lieu of a fractional share of Century Stock
in payment of the Primary Consideration to which the undersigned
is entitled and (ii) at the times indicated in the Information
Statement, the undersigned hereby instructs the Shareholders'
Representative to take such actions as may be necessary to issue
and deliver in the same name and to the same address a certificate
representing shares of Century Stock in payment of the Residual
Consideration, if any, to which the undersigned may be entitled.
After delivery of this Letter of Authorization, the undersigned
will be unable to transfer or assign his right to receive the
Residual Consideration (except for transfers upon death or
otherwise by operation of law). See Instruction 10. For
information regarding future address changes, see Instruction 6.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
_______________________________ _____________________________
SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCATIONS SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
<C> <C>
Fill in ONLY if the above- Fill in ONLY if the above-
described certificate described certificate and
representing Century Stock check are to be delivered
is to be registered in a name to an address OTHER than
or address OTHER than the name that of the registered
or address of the registered owner(s) of Mississippi-6
owner(s) of Mississippi-6 Stock Stock appearing above or,
appearing above or if the above- if the adjacent box is
described check is to be issued filled in, to an address
in a name OTHER than the name of OTHER than that appearing
such registered owner(s). (See therein. (See Instruction
Instruction 4) 4)
Register certificate as follows: Deliver to:
Name ___________________________ Name _____________________
(please print) (please print)
Address ________________________ Address __________________
________________________________ __________________________
(include zip code) (include zip code)
________________________________
(social security number)
Issue check to:
________________________________
(please print)
_______________________________ _____________________________
</TABLE>
__________________________________________________________________
To receive such consideration, this box must be signed by
the registered holder(s) of the Mississippi-6 Stock exactly
as their names appear on the above-affixed label, or by the
person(s) authorized to receive payments hereunder. See
Instruction 3.
____________________________ ___________________________________
Signature of Shareholder Additional Signature of Joint Owner
(See Instruction 3) (See Instruction 3)
Telephone Number ( ) Date:
_____________________ __________________
Signature Guaranteed by: ________________________________
(Signature Guarantee Unnecessary Unless Required by Instruction 3)
__________________________________________________________________
<PAGE>
IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION
Shareholders of Century are required to give Century their
social security number (if they are an individual) or their
employer identification number. If Century Stock is to be
registered in more than one name or is not registered in the name
of the actual owner, consult the attached Guidelines for
additional guidance on which number to report.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
_________________________________________________________________________
THIS FORM IS A SUBSTITUTE DATE
FOR INTERNAL REVENUE Request for Taxpayer
SERVICE FROM W-9 Identification Number
_________________________________________________________________________
PART I - TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER PART II - BACKUP WITHHOLDING
_________________________________________________________________________
<C> <C>
Please enter your taxpayer identification CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX:
number in the appropriate box. For most [ ] I am NOT subject to
individual taxpayers, this is your social Backup Withholding
security number. Note: If your account(s) either because I have
are in more than one name, plese check the not been notified that
attached Guidelines on which number to I am subject to Backup
give. Withholding due to
________________ _______________ failure to report all
Social Security or Employer interest or dividends,
number Identification or the IRS has notified
Number me that I am no longer
________________ _______________ subject to Backup
Withholding.
[ ] I am subject to Backup
Withholding.
[ ] I am exempt from Backup
Withholding.
_________________________________________________________________________
CERTIFICATION - Under the penalties of FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
perjury, I certify that
the information provided
on this form is true,
correct, and complete.
Signature
_________________________________________________________________________
</TABLE>
NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP
WITHHOLDING OF DIVIDENDS PAID TO YOU IN THE FUTURE. PLEASE REVIEW
THE ATTACHED GUIDELINES FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Delivery of Certificates
This Letter of Authorization, or a facsimile thereof,
completed and signed, should be delivered to the address
specified at the top of the first page of this Letter of
Authorization. An addressed return envelope has been enclosed
for your convenience, but the method of delivery of this
Letter of Authorization is at the risk of the shareholder and
delivery will be deemed made only when actually received by
the Exchange Agent. Return of your Letter of Authorization in
the envelope provided will help ensure proper receipt. If
delivery is by mail, insured registered mail, return receipt
requested, is recommended.
Upon receipt of your Letter of Authorization, employees
of Century or the Exchange Agent will review such documents to
ensure that no other signatures or documents are required. If
satisfied that your documents are properly completed, the
Exchange Agent will after the Effective Time mail directly to
you the Primary Consideration indicated herein, all in the
manner described in the Information Statement. To the extent
dividends are declared with respect to the Escrow Shares and
to the extent any of the Escrow Shares remain after payments
of all Post-Closing Liabilities, such dividends and the
Residual Consideration will be forwarded to you by the
Shareholders' Representative at the times and in the manner
described in the Information Statement.
2. Consequences of Failure to Return Letter of Authorization
or Failure to Surrender Certificates
Certificates representing Century Stock and checks issued
in lieu of fractional shares will only be delivered to those
persons who furnish this Letter of Authorization, or a
facsimile thereof, completed and signed, to the Exchange
Agent. Until such delivery is made, each Certificate will be
deemed to evidence the respective number of shares of Century
Stock and the right to receive the cash in lieu of a
fractional share of Century Stock into which your shares of
Mississippi-6 Stock will be converted at the Effective Time,
provided, however, that (i) dividends or other distributions
payable with respect to the shares of Century Stock will not
be paid and (ii) interest will not accrue with respect to the
fractional share cash payment.
3. Signatures
Registered Holders. Except as provided below, registered
holders of the Certificate(s) must sign this Letter of
Authorization exactly as their names appear on the label
affixed to page one hereof. In the case of joint ownership of
any shares of Mississippi-6 Stock, all joint owners must sign.
Brokerage companies and other nominees are urged to complete
this Letter of Authorization on behalf of each beneficial
owner on whose behalf they hold shares of Mississippi-6 Stock.
Transferees, Beneficial Owners and Legal Representatives.
If the registered holder of the Certificate(s) has sold,
donated or otherwise transferred ownership of his shares of
Mississippi-6 Stock, this Letter of Authorization should be
signed by the last transferee. In the event that the
registered holder is deceased, this Letter of Authorization
should be signed by the administrator or executor of his
estate. If the registered holder is incapacitated or
otherwise unable to sign, this Letter of Authorization should
be signed by his trustee, attorney or legal representative.
If anyone other than a registered holder signs this Letter of
Authorization, his signature must be guaranteed in the manner
specified in Instruction 5.
4. Documentation of Transfer of Ownership and Authority to
Sign
Registered Stock Holders. You will not be required to
endorse your Certificate(s) if the Merger Consideration is to
be issued in the same name and delivered to the same address
that appear on the label affixed to the first page of this
Letter of Authorization.
Transferee, Beneficial Owners and Legal Representatives.
If, as a result of a sale, donation or other transfer of
ownership of shares of Mississippi-6 Stock, the Merger
Consideration is to be issued in a name or delivered to an
address other than exactly the name and address that appear on
the label affixed to the first page of this Letter of
Authorization, the Letter of Authorization must be accompanied
by appropriately endorsed stock powers (copies of which will
be forwarded to you upon request from the Exchange Agent);
provided that any such endorsement and the signature on this
Letter of Authorization must be guaranteed in the manner
specified in Instruction 5. If the Merger Consideration is to
be issued in the name of an heir of a decedent's estate, this
Letter of Authorization must be accompanied by an order of the
chancery court, a judgment of possession or other instrument
documenting the transfer of title of the shares of
Mississippi-6 Stock, as appropriate, from the decedent's
estate. Any Letter of Authorization, Certificate or stock
power endorsed or executed by an agent, attorney,
administrator, executor, guardian, trustee, or other fiduciary
or legal representative, or by an officer or other
representative of a corporation, partnership or other entity
on its behalf, must also be accompanied by such documentary
evidence of appointment and authority to act (including court
orders) that Century deems necessary or advisable.
5. Guarantee of Signatures
If any person other than a registered holder of the
above-listed Certificate(s) signs this Letter of Authorization
or submits herewith endorsed stock power(s), the signatures on
this Letter of Authorization and the endorsed stock power(s)
must be guaranteed by a member of any nationally-recognized
medallion signature guarantee program, which generally
includes banks, brokers and certain other financial
institutions.
6. Notice of Change of Address
If any holder of Certificates changes his address
following his submission of this Letter of Authorization (and
before receipt of any Residual Consideration), the
Shareholders' Representative must be notified in writing of
such change of address in order to ensure the shareholder's
receipt of any Residual Consideration payable in the future.
Notice should be sent by registered mail, return receipt
requested, to the Shareholders' Representative at the
following address: David A. Bailey, Shareholders'
Representative, 807 Church Street, Port Gibson, Mississippi
39150. The Shareholders' Representative reserves the right to
request that the signature on any such written notice be
guaranteed in the manner specified in Instruction 5. Failure
to notify the Shareholders' Representative of your change of
address could result in your forfeiture of the Residual
Consideration if the Shareholders' Representative is unable to
locate you or your representatives.
7. Single Certificate; Single Check
Unless specific instructions to the contrary are
transmitted along with this Letter of Authorization, (i) the
Exchange Agent will issue a single certificate representing
shares of Century Stock and a single check (in lieu of a
fractional share of Century Stock) in connection with delivery
of the Primary Consideration and (ii) you will receive a
single certificate at such times described in the Information
Statement in connection with delivery of any Residual
Consideration.
8. Stock Transfer Taxes
If any check or certificate for shares of Century Stock
is to be issued in a name other than that of the registered
owner(s) of Mississippi-6 Stock appearing above, this Letter
of Authorization should be accompanied by payment of any
applicable stock transfer taxes.
9. Missing Certificates
Mississippi-6 believes that all Certificates are held by
Trustmark National Bank. If you believe that this is not the
case (or if you need assistance in completing the box at the
bottom of page 1 hereof), please contact Mr. James T. Thomas,
IV, Secretary of Mississippi-6 (prior to the Merger), or Mark
Asbury of KeyCorp Shareholder Services, Inc. (after the
Merger).
10. Contingent Right to Receive Residual Consideration
The Shareholders' Representative will be required, at
various times specified in the Escrow Agreement, to furnish to
each Shareholder his Pro Rata Share of all shares or other
assets released by the Escrow Agent for distribution to the
Shareholders. All distributions to the Shareholders will be
made to the names and addresses provided by the Shareholders
in the Letter of Authorization unless the Shareholders'
Representative receives notice of a different address in
accordance with Instruction 6. Subject to the rights accorded
to Shareholders under the heading "Delivery of Payments," the
contingent right of each Shareholder to receive payments of
Residual Consideration shall be nontransferable and
nonassignable (except for transfers upon such shareholder's
death or otherwise by operation of law) and shall not be
represented by any certificate or other written instrument.
11. Inquiries
Except as otherwise indicated in Instruction 9, all
inquiries concerning this Letter of Authorization should be
made directly to KeyCorp Shareholder Services, Inc. at
telephone number 1-800-527-7844.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER (THE "GUIDELINES")
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<C> <C>
Purpose of Form.-A person who is required to file an If you are a sole proprietor, you must furnish your
information return with the IRS must obtain your individual name and either your SSN or Employer
correct Taxpayer Identification Number ("TIN") to Identification Number ("EIN"). You may also enter
report income paid to you, real estate transactions, your business name or "doing business as" name on
mortgage interest you paid, the acquisition or the business name line. Enter your name(s) as shown
abandonment of secured property, or contributions on your social security card and/or as it was used
you made to an IRA. For most individuals, your to apply for your EIN on Form SS-4.
taxpayer identification number will be your Social
Security Number ("SSN"). Use the form provided to You must sign the certification or backup
furnish your correct TIN and, when applicable, (1) withholding will apply.
to certify that the TIN you are furnishing is
correct (or that you are waiting for a number to be How To Obtain a TIN.-If you do not have a TIN, apply
issued), (2) to certify that you are not subject to for one immediately. To apply, get Form SS-5,
backup withholding, and (3) to claim exemption from Application for a Social Security Card (for
backup withholding if you are an exempt payee. individuals), from your local office of the Social
Furnishing your correct TIN and making the Security Administration, or Form SS-4, Application
appropriate certifications will prevent certain for Employer Identification Number (for businesses
payments from being subject to backup withholding. and all other entities), from your local IRS office.
If you are an individual, you must generally provide Once you receive your TIN, complete the enclosed
the name shown on your social security card. form and return it to us. Please note that you will
However, if you have changed your last name, for be subject to backup withholding at a 31% rate until
instance, due to marriage, without informing the we receive your TIN.
Social Security Administration of the name change,
please enter your first name, the last name shown on
your social security card, and your new last name.
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
__________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________
For this type of account: Give name and SSN of: For this type of account: Give name and EIN
of:
__________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________
<C> <C> <C> <C>
1. Individual The individual 6. Sole proprietorship The owner<FN3>
2. Two or more The actual owner of the 7. A valid trust, estate, or Legal entity<FN4>
individuals (joint account) account or, if combined pension trust
funds, the first
individual on the
account<FN1>
3. Custodian account of a The minor<FN2> 8. Corporate The corporation
minor (Uniform Gift to
Minors act)
4. a. The usual revocable The grantor-trustee<FN1> 9. Association, club, religious, The organization
savings trust (grantor is charitable, education, or other
also trustee) tax-exempt organization
b. So-called trust The actual owner<FN1> 10. Partnership The partnership
account that is not a legal
or valid trust under state
law
5. Sole proprietorship The owner<FN3> 11. A broker or registered nominee The broker or
nominee
12. Account with the Department of The public entity
Agriculture in the name of a
public entity (such as a state
or local government, school
district, or prison) that
receives agricultural program
payments
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
</TABLE>
<FN1> List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish
<FN2> Circle the minor's name and furnish the minor's SSN
<FN3> Show your individual name. You may also enter your business name.
You may use your SSN or EIN.
<FN4> List first and circle the name of the legal trust, estate, or pension
trust. (Do not furnish the TIN of the personal representative or
trustee unless the legal entity itself is not designated in the
account title.)
Note: If no name is circled when there is more than one name, the number
will be considered to be that of the first name listed.
<PAGE>
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<CAPTION>
<C> <C>
What Is Backup Withholding?-Persons making dividend (9) A real estate reinvestment trust. (10) An entity
payments to you after 1992 are required to withhold registered at all times during the tax year under
and pay to the IRS 31% of such payments under the Investment Company act of 1940. (11) A common
certain conditions. This is called "backup trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a).
withholding." (12) A financial institution. (13) A middleman known
in the investment community as a nominee or listed
If you give the requester your correct TIN, make the in the most recent publication of the American
appropriate certifications, and report all your Society of Corporate Secretaries, Inc., Nominee
taxable interest and dividends on your tax return, List. (14) A trust exempt from tax under section 664
your payments will not be subject to backup or described in section 4947.
withholding. Payments you receive will be subject
to backup withholding if: Payments of dividends generally not subject to
backup withholding include the following:
1. You do not furnish your TIN to the requester;
. Payments to nonresident aliens subject to
2. The IRS notifies the requester that you withholding under section 1441.
furnished an incorrect TIN; . Payments to partnerships not engaged in a trade or
business in the united States and that have at least
3. You are notified by the IRS that you are subject one nonresident partner.
to backup withholding because you failed to report . Payments of patronage dividends not paid in money.
all our interest and dividends on your tax return; . Payments made by certain foreign organizations.
4. You do not certify to the requester that you are Penalties
to subject to backup withholding under 3 above; or Failure to Furnish TIN.-If you fail to furnish your
correct TIN, you are subject to a penalty of $50 for
5. You do not certify your TIN. each such failure unless your failure is due to
reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.
Payees and Payments Exempt From Backup Withholding.-
The following is a list of payees exempt from backup Civil Penalty for False Information With Respect to
withholding and for which no information reporting Withholding.-If you make a false statement with no
is required. reasonable basis that results in no backup
withholding, you are subject to a $500 penalty.
(1) A corporation. (2) An organization exempt from
tax under section 501(a), or an IRA, or a custodial Criminal Penalty for Falsifying Information.-
account under section 403(b)(7). (3) The United Willfully falsifying certifications or affirmations
States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities. may subject you to criminal penalties including
(4) A state, the District of Columbia, a possession fines and/or imprisonment.
of the United States, or any of their political
subdivisions or instrumentalities. (5) A foreign Misuse of TINs.-If the requester discloses or uses
government or any of its political subdivisions, TINs in violation of Federal law, the requester may
agencies, or instrumentalities. (6) An international be subject to civil and criminal penalties.
organization or any of its agencies or
instrumentalities. (7) A foreign central bank of
issue. (8) A dealer in securities or commodities
required to register in the United States or a
possession of the United States.
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