PSINET INC
SC 13D/A, 1999-06-29
COMPUTER PROGRAMMING, DATA PROCESSING, ETC.
Previous: NATIONS FUND PORTFOLIOS INC, 24F-2NT, 1999-06-29
Next: DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC, 8-K, 1999-06-29



<PAGE>   1
                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                  SCHEDULE 13D


                    UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                              (AMENDMENT NO. 2)* **




                                  PSINET INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Name of Issuer)



                     Common Stock, $.01 per share par value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         (Title of Class of Securities)


                                    74437C101
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (CUSIP Number)

Jeffrey C. Smith                               with a copy to:
General Counsel                                Michael P. Whalen, Esq.
IXC Communications, Inc.                       Riordan & McKinzie
1122 Capital of Texas Highway South            695 Town Center Drive, Suite 1500
Austin, Texas 78746                            Costa Mesa, California  92626
(512) 328-1112                                 (714) 433-2618
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized
                     to Receive Notices and Communications)


                                  June 11, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)


If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report
the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this
schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following box [ ].

Check the following box if a fee is being paid with the statement [ ].

NOTE: Six copies of this statement, including all exhibits, should be filed with
the Commission. See Rule 13d-1(a) for other parties to whom copes are to be
sent.

*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.


**Represents the first amended Schedule 13D with respect to the Issuer's
Common Stock on behalf of IXC Communications Services, Inc. (the direct parent
of IXC Internet Services, Inc.) and IXC Communications, Inc. (the indirect
parent of IXC Internet Services, Inc.)


The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the
Notes).



                                  PAGE 1 OF 3

<PAGE>   2




        This filing amends the Schedule 13D (the "Schedule 13D") filed by IXC
Internet Services, Inc., IXC Communications Services, Inc. and IXC
Communications, Inc. on June 17, 1999 with respect to the Issuer's Common
Stock. All terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings ascribed in the
Schedule 13D.



        This amendment files the confirmation of OTC Transaction as an exhibit.


Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits.

        The Filing Persons file as exhibits the following:


        Exhibit 1: Joint Reporting Agreement dated June 15, 1999 among the
Filing Persons.*

        Exhibit 2: Master Agreement dated as of June 2, 1999 between MLI and
Internet.*

        Exhibit 3: Securities Loan Agreement dated as of June 2, 1999 between
MLI and Internet.*

        Exhibit 4: Confirmation of OTC Transaction dated as of June 3, 1999
between MLI and Internet.



* Previously filed as an exhibit of the same number to the Schedule 13D filed on
  June 17, 1999.



                                  PAGE 2 OF 3


<PAGE>   3

                                    SIGNATURE

        After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.



Dated: June 25, 1999                        IXC INTERNET SERVICES, INC.



                                            /s/ JAMES F. GUTHRIE
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            By: James F. Guthrie
                                                Its: Executive Vice President
                                                     and Chief Financial Officer



                                            IXC COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, INC.


                                            /s/ JAMES F. GUTHRIE
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            By: James F. Guthrie
                                                Its: Executive Vice President
                                                     and Chief Financial Officer



                                            IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.


                                            /s/ JAMES F. GUTHRIE
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            By: James F. Guthrie
                                                Its: Executive Vice President
                                                     and Chief Financial Officer




                                   PAGE 3 OF 3

<PAGE>   4
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX


        Exhibit 1: Joint Reporting Agreement dated June 15, 1999 among the
                   Filing Persons.*

        Exhibit 2: Master Agreement dated as of June 2, 1999 between MLI and
                   Internet.*

        Exhibit 3: Securities Loan Agreement dated as of June 2, 1999 between
                   MLI and Internet.*

        Exhibit 4: Confirmation of OTC Transaction dated as of June 3, 1999
                   between MLI and Internet.



* Previously filed as an exhibit of the same number to the Schedule 13D filed on
  June 17, 1999.


<PAGE>   1
                                                                       EXHIBIT 4


[MERRILL LYNCH LOGO]

CONFIRMATION OF OTC TRANSACTION

DATED:                       JUNE 3, 1999                         ML REF: 998688

TO:                          IXC INTERNET SERVICES, INC. ("COUNTERPARTY")

ATTENTION:                   JAMES F. GUTHRIE
                             Telephone: 800-847-5705 Fax: 512-328-7902

FROM:                        MERRILL LYNCH INTERNATIONAL ("MLI")
                             Tel: (212) 449-8675
                             Fax: (212) 449-2697


Dear  Sir / Madam,

The purpose of this letter agreement (this "Confirmation") is to confirm the
terms and conditions of the above referenced transaction entered into between
Counterparty and MLI, through its agent Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated ("MLPFS"), on the Trade Date specified below (the "Transaction").
This Confirmation constitutes a "Confirmation" as referred to in the Master
Agreement specified below.

The definitions and provisions contained in the 1991 ISDA Definitions (as
supplemented by the 1998 Supplement, the "Swap Definitions") and in the 1996
ISDA Equity Derivatives Definitions (the "Equity Definitions", and together with
the Swap Definitions, the "Definitions"), in each case as published by the
International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., are incorporated into
this Confirmation. In the event of any inconsistency between the Swap
Definitions and the Equity Definitions, the Equity Definitions will govern. In
the event of any inconsistency between this Confirmation and the Agreement (as
defined below) or the Definitions, the terms of this Confirmation shall govern.

1. This Confirmation supplements, forms part of, and is subject to, the Master
Agreement (including the Schedule thereto and the Credit Support Annex ("CSA")
incorporated therein), dated as of June 2, 1999, as amended and supplemented
from time to time (the "Agreement"), between you and us. All provisions
contained in the Agreement govern this Confirmation except as expressly modified
below.

2. The terms of the particular  Transaction to which this  Confirmation  relates
are as follows:

GENERAL TERMS:


        Trade Date:          **********, 1999



        Termination Date:    **********, 2002 (or if not an Exchange Business
                             Day, the next succeeding Exchange
                             Business Day).


        Seller:              Counterparty

        Buyer:               MLI

        Shares:              The common stock of PSINet Inc. (Symbol: PSIX)


* Selected portions have been deleted as confidential pursuant to Rule 24b-2.
  Complete copies of the entire exhibit have been filed separately with the
  Securities and Exchange Commission and marked "CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT".



                                       1
<PAGE>   2

        Number of Shares:    1,500,000



        Floor Price:         **********



        Cap Price:           **********


        Final Price:         The closing price per Share on the Exchange at the
                             Valuation Time on the Valuation Date.


        Initial Payment
        Amount:              MLI shall pay to Counterparty on the Initial
                             Payment Date USD 51,963,068.36

        Initial Payment
        Date:                June 14, 1999; provided, however, that if an
                             executed copy of this Confirmation is not received
                             by MLI on or prior to such date, then, subject to
                             Section 7(d) of this Confirmation, the Initial
                             Payment Date will be the day on which MLI receives
                             an executed copy of this Confirmation from
                             Counterparty, unless such day is not an Exchange
                             Business Day or such executed Confirmation is
                             received after 1:30 p.m. local time in New York on
                             such day, in which case the Initial Payment Date
                             will be the next succeeding Exchange Business Day.

        Settlement
        Currency:            USD

        Exchange:            NASDAQ

        Related Exchange:    Any exchange on which options contracts related to
                             the Shares are  principally traded.

        Business Days:       New York

VALUATION:

        Valuation Time:      At the close of trading in respect of regular
                             trading hours on the Exchange, without regard to
                             any extended trading hours on the Exchange, if any.

        Valuation Date:      The Termination Date

SETTLEMENT TERMS:            Settlement of this Transaction shall be either Cash
                             Settlement or Physical Settlement as determined by
                             Counterparty in writing to MLI no less than ten
                             (10) Business Days prior to the Termination Date.
                             In the event MLI is not notified, the settlement
                             method for this Transaction shall be Physical
                             Settlement.


        Cash Settlement:     If Cash Settlement applies, then on the Cash
                             Settlement Payment Date, Counterparty will pay to
                             MLI the Cash Settlement Amount.


        Cash Settlement
        Amount:              An amount determined by the Calculation Agent on
                             the Valuation Date based on the following formula:

                             a) if the Final Price is less than the Floor Price,
                             an amount equal to:

                                 Number of Shares   x   Final Price

                             b) if the Final Price is less than or equal to the
                             Cap Price but greater than or equal to the Floor
                             Price, an amount equal to:


* Selected portions have been deleted as confidential pursuant to Rule 24b-2.
  Complete copies of the entire exhibit have been filed separately with the
  Securities and Exchange Commission and marked "CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT".





                                       2
<PAGE>   3

                                 Floor Price   x   Number of Shares

                                 and

                             c) if the Final Price is greater than the Cap
                             Price, an amount equal to:

                             [Floor Price + (Final Price - Cap Price)] x Number
                             of Shares

        Cash Settlement
        Payment Date:        Three (3) Currency Business Days after the
                             Valuation Date.


        Physical Settlement: If Physical Settlement applies, then on the
                             Settlement Date, Counterparty will deliver to MLI
                             the Number of Shares to be Delivered.

        Number of Shares
        to be Delivered:     A number of Shares determined by the Calculation
                             Agent on the Valuation Date based on the following
                             formula:

                             a) if the Final Price is less than the Floor Price,
                             a number of Shares equal to:

                                 Number of Shares

                             b) if the Final Price is less than or equal to the
                             Cap Price but greater than or equal to the Floor
                             Price, a number of Shares equal to:

                                 Floor Price   x   Number of Shares
                                 Final Price

                             and

                             c) if the Final Price is greater than the Cap
                             Price, a number of Shares equal to:

<TABLE>
<S>                          <C>
                             Floor Price + (Final Price - Cap Price) x Number of Shares
                             ---------------------------------------
                                            Final Price
</TABLE>

        Settlement Date:     Three (3) Exchange Business Days after the
                             Valuation Date.

        Failure to Deliver:  Applicable

        Clearance System(s): The principal domestic clearance system customarily
                             settling trades on a delivery versus payment basis
                             on the Shares.

ADJUSTMENTS:

      Method of Adjustment:  In the event of the occurrence of a Potential
                             Adjustment Event, the Calculation Agent will
                             determine whether such Potential Adjustment Event
                             has a diluting or concentrative effect on the
                             theoretical value of the Shares and, if so, will
                             (i) make the corresponding adjustment(s), if any,
                             to the Number of Shares, the Floor Price and the
                             Cap Price and, in any case, any other variable
                             relevant to the settlement or payment terms of this
                             transaction as the Calculation Agent determines
                             appropriate to account for that diluting or
                             concentrative effect and (ii) determine the
                             effective date(s) of the adjustment(s).



                                       3
<PAGE>   4

EXTRAORDINARY EVENTS:

        Consequences of Merger Event:

        (a) Share-for-Share: Cancellation and Payment; provided, however, if the
                             New Shares are publicly traded on a United States
                             national securities exchange or on NASDAQ,
                             Alternative Obligation shall apply; provided
                             further that references to an "option" in Section
                             9.7 of the Equity Definitions shall be deemed to be
                             references to a "forward".

        (b) Share-for-Other: Cancellation and Payment

        (c) Share-for-
            Combined:        Cancellation and Payment; provided, however, if any
                             portion of the consideration for the relevant
                             shares consists of equity securities that are
                             publicly traded on a United States national
                             securities exchange or on NASDAQ (the "Publicly
                             Traded Securities Consideration"), Alternative
                             Obligation shall apply to that portion of the
                             Transaction corresponding to the Publicly Traded
                             Securities Consideration; provided further that
                             references to an "option" in Section 9.7 of the
                             Equity Definitions shall be deemed to be references
                             to a "forward".

                             Notwithstanding  anything  to the  contrary  in the
                             Equity  Definitions,  the amount payable under this
                             Transaction upon the occurrence of an Extraordinary
                             Event shall be calculated by the Calculation  Agent
                             in good faith in accordance with Section 9.7 of the
                             Equity  Definitions  using, among other things, the
                             factors  identified in subparagraphs  (i), (ii) and
                             (iii)  therein,  but  without  the  requirement  of
                             soliciting dealer quotations therefor.

NATIONALIZATION OR
INSOLVENCY:                  Negotiated Close-out

3. CALCULATION AGENT:        MLI, provided that if the Counterparty objects to
                             any calculation, the parties agree to be bound by
                             the determination of a leading, independent dealer
                             in derivative instruments of this type selected by
                             agreement between the parties, whose fees and
                             expenses, if any shall be met equally by them both
                             (the "Substitute Calculation Agent"). If unable to
                             agree on a Substitute Calculation agent, each party
                             shall select an independent dealer in derivative
                             instruments of this type, and such independent
                             dealers shall agree on a third party, who shall be
                             deemed to be the Substitute Calculation Agent. The
                             Calculation Agent or the Substitute Calculation
                             Agent shall have no liability or responsibility to
                             the parties for any error or omission in making any
                             determination in connection with this Transaction.

4. NON-RELIANCE:             Each party represents to the other party that it is
                             acting for its own account, and has made its own
                             independent decisions to enter into this
                             Transaction and as to whether this Transaction is
                             appropriate or proper for it based on its own
                             judgment and upon advice from such advisors as it
                             has deemed necessary. It is not relying on any
                             communication (written or oral) of the other party
                             as investment advice or as a recommendation to
                             enter into this Transaction, it being understood
                             that information and explanations related to the
                             terms and conditions of this Transaction shall not
                             be considered investment advice or a recommendation
                             to enter into this Transaction. No communication
                             (written or



                                       4
<PAGE>   5

                             oral) received from the other party shall be deemed
                             to be an assurance or guarantee as to the expected
                             results of this Transaction.

5. GOVERNING LAW:            The laws of the State of New York (without
                             reference to choice of law doctrine)

6. COLLATERAL:

    Independent Amount:      Independent Amount with respect to Counterparty and
                             this Transaction means a number of Shares equal to
                             the Number of Shares (the "Pledged Shares").

        Eligible Collateral: The Pledged Shares will constitute Eligible
                             Collateral with respect to this Transaction. In the
                             event that MLI borrows the Pledged Shares pursuant
                             to the Securities Loan Agreement dated as of June
                             2, 1999 between MLI and Counterparty (the
                             "Securities Loan Agreement"), the Collateral (as
                             defined in the Securities Loan Agreement) delivered
                             by MLI to Counterparty pursuant to the Securities
                             Loan Agreement shall constitute Posted Collateral
                             for purposes of the CSA; provided, however, that
                             such Collateral will be disregarded for purposes of
                             determining the Interest Amount under the CSA.

        Exposure:            This Transaction will be disregarded for purposes
                             of determining the Credit Support Amount under the
                             CSA.

7. ADDITIONAL
   TERMINATION EVENTS:       The following shall constitute Additional
                             Termination Events under Section 5(b)(v) of the
                             Agreement:

                                   (a)(i) MLI is no longer  able,  or it becomes
                                   more   costly,   to  borrow  (or  maintain  a
                                   borrowing of) Shares in connection  with this
                                   Transaction,  (ii) MLI notifies  Counterparty
                                   of such  inability  or  increased  cost;  and
                                   (iii)  on  or  before   the  fifth   Exchange
                                   Business   Day    following    such   notice,
                                   Counterparty   fails   to   provide,   either
                                   directly or indirectly,  for a loan to MLI of
                                   either (x) the Pledged  Shares,  pursuant to,
                                   and in accordance  with, the Securities  Loan
                                   Agreement  or  (y)  Shares  (other  than  the
                                   Pledged  Shares) that are freely  tradable in
                                   an amount equal to the Number of Shares, upon
                                   terms consistent with then-applicable law. In
                                   the event that such an  agreement is executed
                                   and the Pledged  Shares or such other  Shares
                                   so  borrowed,  MLI shall  adjust the terms of
                                   this Transaction accordingly (and in its sole
                                   discretion)  taking  into  account  the costs
                                   incurred by MLI in borrowing (or  maintaining
                                   a borrowing of) the Number of Shares.

                                   (b) At any time after the loan of the Pledged
                                   Shares by Counterparty to MLI pursuant to the
                                   Securities   Loan   Agreement,   Counterparty
                                   demands  the  return  of the  Pledged  Shares
                                   pursuant  to the  Securities  Loan  Agreement
                                   and, at the time of such  demand,  MLI is not
                                   able,  or it is more  costly,  to borrow  (or
                                   maintain a borrowing of) Shares in connection
                                   with this Transaction.

                                   (c) A registration statement,  accompanied by
                                   Satisfactory  Ancillary  Documents,  covering
                                   the delivery of the Loaned Shares (as defined
                                   in the Securities  Loan  Agreement) by MLI in
                                   connection   with  its   hedging   activities
                                   relating   to   this   Transaction,   is  not
                                   effective within 185 days from the Trade Date
                                   of this Transaction.

                                       5
<PAGE>   6

                                   "Satisfactory  Ancillary  Documents" means an
                                   agreement    of   PSINet   Inc.    containing
                                   representations,  warranties,  covenants  and
                                   indemnification    provisions   substantially
                                   identical to those  contained  in, as well as
                                   legal   opinions   and   a   comfort   letter
                                   substantially identical to those delivered in
                                   connection with, the  Underwriting  Agreement
                                   in  respect  of  8,000,000  Shares  of Common
                                   Stock of PSINet  Inc.  dated  April 28,  1999
                                   between  PSINet  Inc.  and  the  underwriters
                                   named therein.

                                   (d)  on  or  prior  to  the   fourteenth  day
                                   following  the Trade Date,  (i)  Counterparty
                                   fails  to  execute  and  deliver  to MLI  the
                                   Master Agreement including this Confirmation,
                                   the Securities  Loan Agreement and the Client
                                   Money  Opt Out  Letter  or (ii)  Counterparty
                                   fails to execute and deliver to PSINet Inc. a
                                   letter  requesting PSINet Inc. to remove from
                                   the   certificates   evidencing  the  Pledged
                                   Shares the legends  restricting  the transfer
                                   of such Shares.

                             For purposes of the foregoing  Termination  Events,
                             Counterparty will be the Affected Party.

8. REPRESENTATIONS OF
   COUNTERPARTY:             Counterparty (a) has such knowledge and experience
                             in financial and business affairs as to be capable
                             of evaluating the merits and risks of entering into
                             the Transaction; (b) qualifies as an "accredited
                             investor" under Regulation D of the Securities Act
                             of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"); (c) has
                             consulted with its own legal, financial, accounting
                             and tax advisors in connection with the
                             Transaction; (d) is entering into the Transaction
                             for a bona fide business purpose to hedge an
                             existing position; (e) acknowledges that in return
                             for downside protection against a decline in the
                             market price of the Shares below the Floor Price,
                             Counterparty is foregoing the upside value of an
                             increase in the market price of the Shares above
                             the Cap Price; and (f) in exchange for prepayment
                             of the purchase price under the Transaction,
                             Counterparty agrees to sell (and physically
                             deliver) the Shares to MLI on the Settlement Date
                             (unless Counterparty elects Cash Settlement in the
                             manner specified herein).

                             Counterparty has no knowledge of any non-public
                             material information regarding the Issuer of the
                             Shares.

                             Counterparty has furnished MLI with copies of all
                             material agreements or contracts to which it is a
                             party, by which it is bound, or by which the
                             Pledged Shares are bound, that relate to the
                             Pledged Shares.

                             The Initial Payment Amount received by Counterparty
                             will not be used for the purpose of purchasing,
                             refinancing or carrying margin stock, as defined in
                             Regulation U promulgated by the Board of Governors
                             of The Federal Reserve System.

                             In the event that MLI sells any Pledged Shares
                             borrowed pursuant to the Securities Loan Agreement,
                             Counterparty represents and warrants that the
                             following will be true as of each Representation
                             Date (defined below): (i) the Registration
                             Statement of the Issuer of the Shares as filed with
                             the Securities and Exchange Commission and any
                             related prospectus (and any supplement thereto)
                             (the "Registration Statement"), as of its
                             respective dates, to Counterparty's knowledge, does
                             not contain any untrue statement of a material fact
                             or omit to state a material fact required to be
                             stated therein or necessary to make the



                                       6
<PAGE>   7

                             statements therein not misleading and (ii) since
                             the respective dates as of which information is
                             given in the Registration Statement and any such
                             prospectus (and any supplement thereto), except as
                             otherwise stated therein, to Counterparty's
                             knowledge, there has been no material adverse
                             change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or
                             in the earnings, business affairs or business
                             prospects of the Issuer of the Shares and its
                             subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether
                             or not arising in the ordinary course of business.

                             "Representation Dates" means: (i) the date on which
                             Counterparty delivers any prospectus (and any
                             supplement thereto) under the Registration
                             Statement, (ii) the date of each sale of Pledged
                             Shares by MLI; and (iii) the settlement date of
                             each sale of Pledged Shares by MLI.

                             Counterparty was not or will not be insolvent at
                             the time this Transaction was consummated, and was
                             not or will not be rendered insolvent or will not
                             be insolvent as a result thereof. Counterparty has
                             not engaged or will not engage in any business or
                             transaction with MLI after which the property
                             remaining with Counterparty was or will be
                             unreasonably small in relation to its business. At
                             the time of any transfer to or for the benefit of
                             MLI, Counterparty did not intend or will not intend
                             to incur, and did not incur or will not incur,
                             debts that were beyond the ability of Counterparty
                             to pay as they mature.

                             Counterparty has not received from PSINet Inc.
                             notice of exercise by PSINet Inc. of its purchase
                             rights under the IRU and Stock Purchase Agreement
                             dated July 22, 1997, in respect of the Shares
                             subject to this Transaction and the option of
                             PSINet Inc. to exercise such right under the letter
                             from Counterparty to PSINet Inc. dated May 31, 1999
                             has expired.

                             Neither Counterparty nor any person attributable to
                             Counterparty for purposes of Rule 144 under the
                             Securities Act ("Rule 144") has sold any Shares
                             during the preceding three (3) months prior to the
                             Trade Date of this Transaction and Counterparty
                             covenants and agrees that, until a registration
                             statement is effective with respect to the delivery
                             of the Loaned Shares and MLI has notified
                             Counterparty that it has delivered all of the
                             Loaned Shares pursuant thereto, it will not sell,
                             nor will it permit any person attributable to it
                             for purposes of Rule 144 to sell, Shares without
                             the prior consent of MLI.

9. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:         The parties hereto intend for:

                             (i) This Transaction to be a "securities contract"
                             as defined in Section 741(7) of the Bankruptcy
                             Code, qualifying for the protection under Section
                             555 of the Bankruptcy Code.

                             (ii) A party's right to liquidate this Transaction
                             and to exercise any other remedies upon the
                             occurrence of any Event of Default under the
                             Agreement with respect to the other party to
                             constitute a "contractual right" as defined in the
                             Bankruptcy Code.

                             (iii) Any cash, securities or other property
                             provided as performance assurance, credit, support
                             or collateral with respect to this Transaction to
                             constitute "margin payments" as defined in the
                             Bankruptcy Code.

                             (iv) All payments for, under or in connection with
                             this Transaction, all payments for the Shares and
                             the transfer of such Shares to constitute
                             "settlement payments" as defined in the Bankruptcy
                             Code.

                             (v) "Bankruptcy Code" means Title 11 of the United
                             States Code.

                                       7
<PAGE>   8

10. TAX TREATMENT:           MLI and Counterparty hereby agree to treat, for
                             United States Federal, state and local tax
                             purposes, this Transaction as a pre-paid forward
                             contract, which does not constitute, in whole or in
                             part, indebtedness, pursuant to which MLI is
                             obligated to purchase and Counterparty is obligated
                             to deliver the Number of Shares to be Delivered
                             (subject to Counterparty's right to elect Cash
                             Settlement). Notwithstanding the foregoing, as used
                             herein, the term "forward contract" does not mean a
                             "forward contract" as referred to in either Section
                             101(49)(B)(iii) of the Bankruptcy Code or Section
                             1259(d)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
                             amended.

11. INDEMNIFICATION:         Counterparty agrees to indemnify MLI and its
                             Affiliates and their respective directors,
                             officers, employees, agents and controlling persons
                             (MLI and each such person being an "Indemnified
                             Party") from and against any and all losses,
                             claims, damages and liabilities, joint or several,
                             to which such Indemnified Party may become subject
                             under any applicable federal or state law or
                             otherwise, and related to or arising out of any of
                             the transactions contemplated by this Confirmation,
                             and will reimburse any Indemnified Party for all
                             expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and
                             expenses) as they are incurred in connection with
                             the investigation of, preparation for or defense or
                             settlement of any pending or threatened claim or
                             any action or proceeding arising therefrom, whether
                             or not such Indemnified Party is a party and
                             whether or not such claim, action or proceeding is
                             initiated or brought by or on behalf of
                             Counterparty. Counterparty will not be liable under
                             the foregoing indemnification provision to the
                             extent that any loss, claim, damage, liability or
                             expense is found in a nonappealable judgment by a
                             court to have resulted from MLI's willful
                             misconduct or gross negligence. The provisions of
                             this Section 11 shall survive any termination of
                             the Agreement or completion of the transactions
                             contemplated by this Confirmation.


12. INTERPRETATION:          For purposes of the Equity Definitions, this
                             Transaction will be deemed to be a
                             Physically-settled Share Option Transaction if
                             Physical Settlement applies and a Cash-settled
                             Share Option Transaction if Cash Settlement
                             applies, in either case with an Exercise Date equal
                             to the Valuation Date.

13. AGENCY:                  Counterparty understands and agrees that MLPFS will
                             act as its agent with respect to this Transaction.
                             MLPFS is acting hereunder solely in its capacity as
                             agent for MLI and Counterparty pursuant to
                             instructions from MLI and Counterparty. MLPFS shall
                             not be liable to MLI or Counterparty as a result of
                             any failure by MLI or Counterparty to pay or
                             perform any obligation hereunder. Each of MLI and
                             Counterparty agrees to proceed solely against the
                             other or any Credit Support Provider to collect or
                             recover any amount owing to it or enforce any of
                             its rights in connection with or as a result of the
                             Transaction.

                             MLI is regulated by The Financial Services
                             Authority and has entered into this Transaction as
                             principal.




                                       8
<PAGE>   9

        Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth the terms of our
agreement by executing the copy of this Confirmation enclosed for that purpose
and returning it to us by facsimile transmission to the Attention of: Rich Ledee
(Telecopier No. 212 449-2697).


Very truly yours,

MERRILL LYNCH INTERNATIONAL



By: /s/ KAREN CURRIE
    ------------------------------------
Name:  Karen Currie
Title:


Confirmed as of the date first above written:

IXC INTERNET SERVICES, INC.



By: /s/ JAMES F. GUTHRIE
    ------------------------------------
Name:  James F. Guthrie
Title: Executive Vice President and
       Chief Financial Officer



                                       9



© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission