FindLaw - Project Development and Construction Contract - Alcatel Submarine Networks, Alcatel Submarine Networks Inc. and Mid-Atlantic Crossing Ltd.

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY



                     _____________________________________

                                      MAC

                     _____________________________________



                              PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

                                      AND

                             CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT

                                    BETWEEN

                          ALCATEL SUBMARINE NETWORKS

                                      AND

                       ALCATEL SUBMARINE NETWORKS, INC.

                                      AND

                          MID-ATLANTIC CROSSING LTD.

                     _____________________________________

                           DATED AS OF JUNE 2, 1998

                     _____________________________________

 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

                         GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS



Article                                                                 PAGE
-------                                                                 ----
                                                                        
1    Provision of System...............................................    1
                                                                       
2    Documents Forming the Entire Contract.............................    2
                                                                       
3    Definitions.......................................................    2
                                                                       
4    Contract Price....................................................   13
                                                                       
5    Terms of Payment by Purchaser.....................................   17
                                                                       
6    Contract Variations...............................................   20
                                                                       
6A   Optional Upgrades.................................................   20
                                                                       
6B   *.................................................................   24
                                                                       
7    Responsibilities for Permits; Compliance with Laws................   24
                                                                       
8    Route Survey......................................................   26
                                                                       
9    Acceptance........................................................   27
                                                                       
10   Warranty..........................................................   31
                                                                       
11   Contractor Support................................................   35
                                                                       
12   Purchaser's Obligations...........................................   35
                                                                       
13   Termination for Default...........................................   36
                                                                       
14   Termination for Convenience.......................................   38
                                                                       
15   Suspension........................................................   40
                                                                       
16   Title and Risk of Loss............................................   41
                                                                       
17   Force Majeure.....................................................   41
                                                                       
18   Intellectual Property.............................................   42
                                                                       
19   Infringement......................................................   47



*  MATERIAL OMITTED AND SEPARATELY FILED UNDER AN APPLICATION FOR CONFIDENTIAL 
   TREATMENT.

                                       i

 

 
Article                                                                 PAGE
-------                                                                 ----
                                                                        
20   Safeguarding of Information and Technology.......................    48
   
21   Export Control...................................................    49
                                                                      
22   Liquidated Damages...............................................    50
                                                                      
23   Limitation of Liability/Indemnification..........................    50
                                                                      
24   Counterparts.....................................................    51
                                                                      
25   Design and Performance Responsibility............................    52
                                                                      
26   Product Changes..................................................    52
                                                                      
27   Risk and Insurance...............................................    52
                                                                      
28   Plant and Work Rules.............................................    55
                                                                      
29   Right of Access..................................................    56
                                                                      
30   Quality Assurance................................................    57
                                                                      
31   Documentation....................................................    57
                                                                      
32   Training.........................................................    57
                                                                      
33   Settlement of Disputes/Arbitration...............................    57
                                                                      
34   Applicable Law...................................................    59
                                                                      
35   Notices..........................................................    60
                                                                      
36   Publicity and Confidentiality....................................    61
                                                                      
37   Assignment; Subcontractors.......................................    61
                                                                      
38   Relationship of the Parties......................................    63
                                                                      
39   Successors Bound.................................................    63
                                                                      
40   Article Captions.................................................    63
                                                                      
41   Severability.....................................................    63
   
42   * ...............................................................    63
   
43   Survival of Obligations..........................................    64



*  MATERIAL OMITTED AND SEPARATELY FILED UNDER AN APPLICATION FOR CONFIDENTIAL 
   TREATMENT.


                                      ii

 
 
 
Article                                                                 PAGE
-------                                                                 ----
                                                                        
44   Non-Waiver.......................................................    64
   
45   Language.........................................................    64
   
46   Entire Agreement.................................................    64



Exhibit A      Form of *
Exhibit B      Form of Consent and Agreement
Exhibit C-1    Form of Opinion for Contractor
Exhibit C-2    Form of Opinion for Guarantor
Exhibit D      Form of Payment Escrow Agreement
Exhibit E      Form of Supplement No. 1
Exhibit F      Form of Contractor's Invoice Certificate
Exhibit G      Examples of Contractor Permits
Exhibit H      Examples of Owner Permits
Exhibit I      Subcontractors
Exhibit J      Optional Long Lead Items


*  MATERIAL OMITTED AND SEPARATELY FILED UNDER AN APPLICATION FOR CONFIDENTIAL 
   TREATMENT.


                                      iii

 
                            PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND
                             CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT

          This Project Development and Construction Contract ("Contract") is
made as of this 2nd day of June, 1998 between (i) ALCATEL SUBMARINE NETWORKS
(together with its permitted successors and assigns, "ASN"), a societe anonyme
                                                      ---                     
organized and existing under the laws of France, and having its principal office
in Paris, France, and ALCATEL SUBMARINE NETWORKS, INC. (together with its
permitted successors and assigns, "ASNI"), a corporation organized and existing
                                   ----                                        
under the laws of the State of Delaware, United States, and having its principal
office in Portland, Oregon, United States (ASN and ASNI are hereinafter
collectively referred to as "Contractor" and are jointly and severally liable
                             ----------                                      
for all obligations and liabilities of Contractor hereunder as more fully set
forth in Article 42 hereof) and (ii) MID-ATLANTIC CROSSING LTD., a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of Bermuda, and having its principal
office in Hamilton, Bermuda (hereinafter "Purchaser").
                                          ---------   

          WHEREAS, Purchaser desires to establish a fiber optic submarine cable
system, to be known as the Mid-Atlantic Crossing Submarine Cable System
(hereinafter, and as more fully defined herein, the "System"), which will be
used to provide service between and among the United States mainland, Bermuda
and St. Croix; and

          WHEREAS, subject to the provisions of Article 6B hereof, the System
will consist of the following Segments:
 
          Segment 1:  From Brookhaven, New York to Hollywood, Florida;

          Segment 2:  From Hollywood, Florida to St. Croix;
 
          Segment 3:  From St. Croix to Bermuda.
 
          WHEREAS, Contractor is in the business of designing, constructing,
installing, supplying, delivering and manufacturing fiber optic submarine cable
systems and is familiar with the general business of the fiber optic submarine
cable system industry;

          WHEREAS, Purchaser seeks to purchase and own the System and wishes to
engage Contractor to perform the Work and Upgrade Work; and

          WHEREAS, Contractor is willing to perform the Work and Upgrade Work on
a turn-key, fixed-price basis in accordance with and subject to the terms
hereof.

          NOW THEREFORE, IT HAS BEEN AGREED AS FOLLOWS

ARTICLE 1  PROVISION OF SYSTEM
------------------------------

          In consideration of the Contract Price and the Upgrade Prices, the
Contractor agrees to undertake the Work and the Upgrade Work and to provide the
Purchaser with the System meeting the System Performance Requirements on or
before the Scheduled RFS Date

 
                                                                               2

and the System Upgrades meeting the requirements of Article 6A, all in
accordance with the terms hereof.

ARTICLE 2  DOCUMENTS FORMING THE ENTIRE CONTRACT
------------------------------------------------

          This Contract consists of these commercial Terms and Conditions and
the following documents (in the form of attachments, including appendices,
attached hereto), which shall be read and construed as part of the Contract:

     .    Provisioning Schedule, Appendix 1, Upgrade Provisioning Schedule,
          Appendix 1A
     .    Billing Schedule, Appendix 2, Upgrade Billing Schedule, Appendix 2A
     .    Plan of Work, Appendix 3, Upgrade Plan of Work, Appendix 3A
     .    Invoice Format, Appendix 4
     .    Technical Volume (includes Route Information), Appendix 5

          In the event of any inconsistency between the Terms and Conditions and
the above listed documents, the Terms and Conditions shall prevail. The
Appendices listed above have no order of precedence.

ARTICLE 3  DEFINITIONS
----------------------

          Definitions are as described in the specific Articles. Except as
otherwise defined the following definitions shall apply throughout the Contract:

          AAA has the meaning set forth in Sub-Article 33(B).

          ACCEPTANCE TESTING means (i) with respect to a Segment or the System,
     the tests described in the System Commissioning and Acceptance section of
     the Technical Volume or developed pursuant to such section by mutual
     agreement of the Parties (with 15 days prior notice to the Independent
     Engineer) and designed to verify that such Segment or the System meets the
     applicable Performance Requirements and (ii) with respect to any System
     Upgrade, the tests described in the System Commissioning and Acceptance
     section of the Technical Volume or developed pursuant to such section by
     mutual agreement of the Parties (with 15 days prior notice to the
     Independent Engineer) and designed to verify that the System Upgrade meets
     the applicable Performance Requirements.

          ACCESS RIGHTS means all ownership, easement, wayleaves and/or other
     property rights, from both private and governmental entities, both on land
     and below the surface of the water (including, without limitation,
     agreements to use conduits and ducts, install manholes and to lease space
     in cable stations) necessary to access, use and occupy cable stations and
     the sites for cable stations (including, without limitation, to land and
     install the submarine cable and related equipment and to bring such cable
     from the ocean to the cable stations) in order for the Purchaser to own,
     operate and maintain the System.

 
                                                                               3

          ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE means the actual knowledge of any executives with
     management responsibility for the Contract.

          ASSIGNMENT has the meaning set forth in Sub-Article 37(A).

          BANK ESCROW AGENT means Citibank, N.A., in its capacity as escrow
     agent under the Payment Escrow Agreement, and its successors in such
     capacity.

          BANKRUPTCY EVENT means an event specified in Sub-Article 13(A)(3) or
     13(A)(4) with Contractor as the "other Party".

          BASE SYSTEM means the two fiber pair submarine cable system consisting
     of Segments 1, 2 and 3, as described in the second WHEREAS clause of this
     Agreement, (at a per fiber pair capacity of 10 Gb/s at the Date of
     Commercial Acceptance or the Date of Provisional Acceptance, as the case
     may be, of the System, with each fiber pair upgradeable to 80 Gb/s per
     fiber pair at the Date of Provisional Acceptance) as more fully described
     in the System Description section of the Technical Volume.

          BILLING MILESTONES means the billing milestones set forth in Appendix
     2.

          BILLING SCHEDULE means a billing schedule attached hereto as Appendix
     2.

          BUS-1 means the fiber optic cable system known as "BUS-1" connecting
     Bermuda and Tuckerton, New Jersey.

          CABLE STATION AND BEACH ACCESS RIGHTS means, with respect to each of
     the cable stations in the System (i) a right to use space in such cable
     station sufficient for the Supplies to be installed therein; (ii) the right
     of access to such space so that the Contractor may install such Supplies;
     (iii) duct space or other right so that Contractor may install the cable
     from the beach manhole to such cable station; (iv) access to the beach
     manhole(s); and (v) except with respect to the Bermuda cable station, the
     right to use any directionally drilled conduit space seaward from the beach
     manhole so that the Contractor may install the cable from the sea to such
     beach manhole without undertaking directional drilling or other separate
     shore-end marine operations.

          CERTIFICATE OF COMMERCIAL ACCEPTANCE means a certificate issued by
     Purchaser in accordance with Sub-Article 9(D) to Contractor certifying that
     a Segment, the System or a System Upgrade is Ready for Commercial
     Acceptance.

          CERTIFICATE OF FINAL ACCEPTANCE means a certificate issued by
     Purchaser in accordance with Sub-Article 9(E) to Contractor certifying that
     the System or a System Upgrade is Ready for Final Acceptance.

          CERTIFICATE OF PROVISIONAL ACCEPTANCE means a certificate issued by
     Purchaser in accordance with Sub-Article 9(C) to Contractor certifying that
     a Segment, the System or a System Upgrade is Ready for Provisional
     Acceptance.

 
                                                                               4

          CIF means cost, insurance and freight, as defined in Incoterms.

          COMMISSIONING REPORT has the meaning set forth in the System
     Commissioning and Acceptance section of the Technical Volume.

          CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION has the meaning set forth in Sub-Article
     36(B).

          CONSENT means a Consent and Agreement to be entered into among
     Contractor, Purchaser and the financing parties described in Sub-Article
     37(C) and substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, with such changes
     therein as made pursuant to Sub-Article 37(C) hereto.

          CONTRACT means this agreement, specifically consisting of the
     documents described in Article 2, and shall be deemed to include any
     amendments thereto or Contract Variations pursuant to Article 6 (Contract
     Variations).

          CONTRACT PRICE means the Initial Contract Price, plus any variations
     pursuant to Article 6 (Contract Variations), Article 6B (Optional Systems;
     BUS-1 Option) or Article 8 (Route Survey), Taxes as set forth in Sub-
     Article 4(B) and other adjustments to the Contract Price provided for in
     this Contract.

          CONTRACT TAXES has the meaning set forth in Sub-Article 4(B)(1).

          CONTRACT VARIATION has the meaning set forth in Sub-Article 6(A).

          CONTRACTOR means the entities that have collectively executed this
     Contract as the Contractor, jointly and severally, and that will be
     responsible for the performance of the Work (and if applicable, Upgrade
     Work) under this Contract and shall include their permitted successors
     and/or assigns.

          CONTRACTOR PERMITS means all Permits that the Contractor needs to
     conduct its business and all Permits which the Contractor must acquire in
     order to carry out its operations to perform the work. Exhibit G hereto
     contains a list of sample Contractor Permits; provided that such list is
     not meant to be complete or exclusive.

          DATE OF COMMERCIAL ACCEPTANCE, PROVISIONAL ACCEPTANCE OR FINAL
     ACCEPTANCE means the date that Purchaser receives a Commissioning Report or
     an Upgrade Commissioning Report, as the case may be, demonstrating that a
     Segment or the System or a System Upgrade, as the case may be, is Ready for
     Commercial Acceptance, Ready for Provisional Acceptance or Ready for Final
     Acceptance in accordance with Article 9 (Acceptance).

          DEFAULT means an Event of Default or any event, condition or
     occurrence which with the giving of notice or passage of time or both would
     be an Event of Default.

 
                                                                               5

          DELIVERABLE SOFTWARE has the meaning set forth in Sub-Article 18(C).

          DELIVERABLE SOFTWARE ESCROW has the meaning set forth in Sub-Article
     18(H).

          DELIVERABLE TECHNICAL MATERIAL has the meaning set forth in Sub-
     Article 18(B).

          DISPUTE ACCOUNT means the Dispute Account to be created under the
     Payment Escrow Agreement.

          EVENT OF DEFAULT has the meaning set forth in Sub-Article 13(A).

          EXCLUDED TAX means:

          (i)   any franchise, excess profits, net worth, capital or capital
     gains Tax, as well as any Tax on doing business or imposed on net or gross
     income or receipts (including minimum and alternative minimum Taxes
     measured by any items of Tax preference), but in each case excluding Taxes
     that are or are in the nature of sales, use, excise, license, stamp,
     rental, ad valorem, value added or property Taxes (other than property
     taxes on property owned by the Contractor and not intended to be
     incorporated into the System);

          (ii)  any Taxes imposed by a jurisdiction other than one in which (a)
     the Contractor is or is treated as engaged in activities contemplated by or
     in fulfillment of the Contract or (b) the Purchaser or its affiliates has a
     nexus to such jurisdiction and the Tax imposed is attributable to that
     nexus;

          (iii) Taxes imposed on the Contractor as a result of Contractor's
     gross negligence or willful misconduct; and

          (iv)  any import duty, other import related charges, sales or use
     tax, VAT or property tax imposed by the United States or any political
     subdivision thereof or Taxing authority therein in respect of Supplies
     brought into the United States for testing, modification or other similar
     purposes prior to being installed or used outside the United States.

          FINAL COMMISSIONING REPORT has the meaning set forth in the System
     Commissioning and Acceptance section of the Technical Volume.

          FINAL SURVEY REPORT means the final survey report described in the
     Route Survey, Cable Loading and Marine Operations section of the Technical
     Volume.

          FORCE MAJEURE has the meaning set forth in Sub-Article 17(A).

          *


*  MATERIAL OMITTED AND SEPARATELY FILED UNDER AN APPLICATION FOR CONFIDENTIAL 
   TREATMENT.

 
                                                                               6

          *

          INCOTERMS means the International Chamber of Commerce, Guide to
     Incoterms (1990).

          INDEPENDENT ENGINEER means Conexart Technologies, Inc. or a similarly
     qualified successor in the capacity as the engineer to the financing
     sources specified in Sub-Article 37(C) who has agreed to be bound by the
     confidentiality provisions of this Contract and who is not affiliated with
     a competitor of Contractor.

          INFORMATION has the meaning set forth in Sub-Article 20(A).

          INITIAL CONTRACT PRICE has the meaning set forth in Sub-Article
     4(A)(1).

          INITIAL UPGRADE PRICE has the meaning set forth in Sub-Article
     4(A)(2).

          INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY has the meaning set forth in Sub-Article 18(A).

          LANDING LICENSES means, in the United States, a License to Land and
     Operate a Submarine Cable System pursuant to the Submarine Cable Landing
     Act, 47 U.S.C. 34-39 and, in Bermuda, the comparable license which is
     required under Bermuda law.

          LAWS means any laws, ordinances, regulations, rules, orders,
     proclamations, requirements of governmental authorities or treaties.

          MANUFACTURING MATERIALS has the meaning set forth in Sub-Article
     13(B).

          NEXUS TAX means any Tax imposed by way of withholding in respect of or
     in lieu of an Excluded Tax, but only to the extent such Tax would not have
     been imposed but for the nexus (other than as a consequence of the
     activities of the Contractor) of the Purchaser or its affiliate to the
     jurisdiction imposing the Tax.

          NON-SHIP COSTS has the meaning set forth in Sub-Article 10(A)(2).

          NOTICE OF TERMINATION has the meaning set forth in Sub-Article 14(A).

          OPTION PERIOD has the meaning set forth in Sub-Article 6A(B).

          OPTIONAL LONG LEAD ITEMS means those items of the Supplies, set forth
     in Exhibit J, that would be used in the Optional System but not the Base
     System and which the Contractor must irrevocably commit to pay for in order
     to maintain the Scheduled RFS Date if Purchaser shall elect the Optional
     System on or prior to the Optional System Date.


*  MATERIAL OMITTED AND SEPARATELY FILED UNDER AN APPLICATION FOR CONFIDENTIAL 
   TREATMENT.

 
                                                                               7

          OPTIONAL LONG LEAD ITEMS PRICE means the amount up to * of which * is
     payable on the date which is three business days after this Contract is
     executed and delivered by all Parties and * is payable on June 30, 1998,
     unless prior to such date Purchaser shall notify Contractor that it will
     not elect the Optional System.

          OPTIONAL ROUTE SURVEY means a marine route survey of the portion of
     the Optional System from St. Croix to Brookhaven, New York.

          OPTIONAL ROUTE SURVEY PRICE has the meaning set forth in Article 8C.

          OPTIONAL SYSTEM means the System; provided that Segment 3 of the Base
     System shall be replaced by a Segment 3 which bypasses Bermuda and directly
     connects St. Croix with Brookhaven, New York.

          OPTIONAL SYSTEM PRICE has the meaning set forth in Article 6B.

          OWNER PERMITS means all Permits that the Owner needs to own and
     operate the System. Exhibit H hereto contains a sample list of Owner
     Permits; provided that such list is not meant to be complete or exclusive.

          PARTY(IES) means either of the Purchaser and/or the Contractor, as
     appropriate.

          PAYMENT ESCROW AGREEMENT means that Escrow Agreement to be entered
     into among the Prime Contractor, Purchaser, and the Bank Escrow Agent,
     substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto, with such changes therein as
     are reasonably requested by the Bank Escrow Agent, as amended modified or
     supplemented from time to time.

          PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS means (i) with respect to a Segment or the
     System, the applicable System Performance Requirements set forth or to be
     developed by mutual agreement pursuant to the Transmission Performance
     section of the System Description section of the Technical Volume, (ii)
     with respect to any System Upgrade, the System Performance Requirements set
     forth in or to be developed by mutual agreement pursuant to the Technical
     Volume or (iii) in each case, such other Segment, System or System Upgrade
     performance levels as mutually agreed by the Parties, including impairment
     budgets.

          PERMITS means all Access Rights, permits, pipeline and cable crossing
     agreements, approvals, "no objections", permissions-in-principle,
     authorizations, consents, customs clearances, registrations, certificates,
     rights-of-way, certificates of occupancy, licenses, including without
     limitation, landing licenses, orders, vessel and crew authorizations/visas,
     permission for the operation of navigational aids and radio systems and
     similar authorizations necessary to complete the Work and operate and
     maintain the System (other than any of the foregoing (i) relating to the
     ownership, operation and maintenance of the System and not necessary until
     after the System is Ready for Final Acceptance, (ii) which is or would be
     needed by Purchaser to engage


*  MATERIAL OMITTED AND SEPARATELY FILED UNDER AN APPLICATION FOR CONFIDENTIAL 
   TREATMENT.

 
                                                                               8

     in any business outside the business of developing, owning and operating a
     submarine cable system or (iii) which is or would be needed at any time by
     any purchaser or lessee of capacity on the System).

          PRIME CONTRACTOR has the meaning set forth in Article 42 hereof.

          PROVISIONING SCHEDULE means the price schedule attached hereto in
     Appendix 1.

          PURCHASER means Mid-Atlantic Crossing Ltd. and shall include its
     permitted successors and assigns.

          READY FOR COMMERCIAL ACCEPTANCE means

          (i)    for any Segment, that

                 (a)  if the System is not at the same time also Ready for
                      Commercial Acceptance, the Purchaser has consented, in its
                      sole discretion, to accept such Segment as Ready for
                      Commercial Acceptance,

                 (b)  such Segment has the ability to carry commercial traffic
                      between the two landing points of such Segment meeting
                      performance criteria of ITU-T G.826 as defined in the
                      System Performance section of the Technical Volume and has
                      line monitoring and protection switching capability,

                 (c)  Contractor has tested and provided for STM-1
                      interconnectivity capability to the Segment terminal
                      equipment according to ITU-T G.826,

                 (d)  Contractor has substantially performed its obligations
                      under Article 18 (Intellectual Property) then required to
                      be performed by it, and

                 (e)  all Permits are obtained for such Segment, and

          (ii)   for the System, that

                 (a)  the System has the ability to carry commercial traffic
                      throughout the System (operating at 10 Gb/s per fiber
                      pair) meeting performance criteria of ITU-T G.826 as
                      defined in the System Performance section of the Technical
                      Volume, has line monitoring and per Segment protection
                      switching capability and has network management
                      capability,

 
                                                                               9

                 (b)    Contractor has tested and provided for STM-1
                        interconnectivity capability to the System terminal
                        equipment according to ITU-T G.826,

                 (c)    Contractor has substantially performed its obligations
                        under Article 18 (Intellectual Property) then required
                        to be performed by it,

                 (d)    if the Optional System is chosen, the System has self-
                        healing ring protection capability, and

                 (e)    all Permits are obtained for the System and

          (iii)  for any System Upgrade, the System is Ready for Commercial
                 Acceptance at the capacity specified for such System Upgrade.

          READY FOR FINAL ACCEPTANCE means

          (i)    for the System, that

                 (a)(I) the System has successfully and continuously (other than
                        by reason of Force Majeure in which case the test period
                        shall be extended for a time period agreed between the
                        Parties) functioned in compliance with the System
                        Performance Requirements during the period of ninety
                        (90) consecutive days after the Date of Provisional
                        Acceptance or

                 (II)   if the System shall have failed to meet the System
                        Performance Requirements at any time during such period
                        (other than by reason of Force Majeure), the Contractor
                        has corrected such failure and the System has
                        successfully and continuously (other than by reason of
                        Force Majeure in which case the test period shall be
                        extended for a time period agreed between the Parties)
                        functioned in compliance with the System Performance
                        Requirements for such additional period of time not to
                        exceed ninety (90) days (and not to end prior to the
                        date 90 days after the Date of Provisional Acceptance)
                        as reasonably determined by the Independent Engineer as
                        being sufficient to confirm that such failure has been
                        corrected and that no other failures are likely to
                        appear and

                 (b)    all deficiencies noted in the Certificate of Provisional
                        Acceptance have been corrected (other than minor
                        deficiencies which will not affect the operation of the
                        System, in respect of which an equitable adjustment to
                        the Contract Price will be made) and

 
                                                                              10

                 (c)    Contractor has complied in all material respects with
                        Article 18 (Intellectual Property) and

          (ii)   for any System Upgrade, that

                 (a)(I) the System Upgrade has successfully functioned in
                        compliance with the System Performance Requirements
                        during the period of ninety (90) days after the Date of
                        Provisional Acceptance of the System Upgrade or

                 (II)   if the System Upgrade shall have failed to meet the
                        System Performance Requirements during such period, the
                        Contractor has corrected such failure and the System
                        Upgrade has successfully functioned in compliance with
                        the System Performance Requirements for such additional
                        period of time not to exceed ninety (90) days as
                        reasonably determined by the Independent Engineer as
                        sufficient to confirm that such failure has been
                        corrected and

                 (b)    all deficiencies noted in the Certificate of Provisional
                        Acceptance have been corrected (other than minor
                        deficiencies which will not affect the operation of the
                        System, in respect of which an equitable adjustment of
                        the Contract Price will be made) and

                 (c)    Contractor has complied in all material respects with
                        Article 18 (Intellectual Property).

          READY FOR PROVISIONAL ACCEPTANCE means
          (i)    with respect to any Segment,

                 (a)    if the System is not, at the same time, also Ready for
                        Provisional Acceptance, the Purchaser has consented, in
                        its sole discretion, to accept such Segment as Ready for
                        Provisional Acceptance,

                 (b)    such Segment is complete in all material respects (and
                        in any event is Ready for Commercial Acceptance),

                 (c)    the results of Acceptance Testing of such Segment
                        demonstrate that such Segment has satisfied the System
                        Performance Requirements,

                 (d)    Contractor has substantially performed its obligations
                        under Article 18 (Intellectual Property) then required
                        to be performed by it,

 
                                                                              11

                 (e)  all Permits are obtained for such Segment, and

          (ii)   with respect to the System, the System is complete in all
                 material respects (and in any event is Ready for Commercial
                 Acceptance), all Segments are Ready for Provisional Acceptance
                 with per Segment protection capability and line monitoring and
                 network management capability and, if the Optional System has
                 been chosen, all Segments have self-healing ring protection
                 capability, and

          (iii)  with respect to any System Upgrade, the results of Acceptance
                 Testing of such System Upgrade demonstrate that such System
                 Upgrade is complete in all material respects and is sufficient
                 to realize the Performance Requirements.

          REPRESENTATIVES has the meaning set forth in Article 36(B).

          RETAINAGE means an amount equal to * of the Initial Contract Price,
     or in the case of a Segment, the contract value of such Segment.

          RETESTING has the meaning set forth in Sub-Article 9(B)(3).

          ROUTE SURVEY means the route survey described in the Route Survey,
     Cable Loading and Marine Operations section of the Technical Volume.

          SCHEDULED RFS DATE has the meaning set forth in Sub-Article 9(A).

          SCHEDULED UPGRADE DATE means for any System Upgrade, the date by which
     the Contractor agrees such System Upgrade will be Ready for Provisional
     Acceptance or Commercial Acceptance.

          SEGMENT means Segment 1, Segment 2 or Segment 3, as the case may be.

          SEGMENT 1 means the Segment of the System from Brookhaven, New York to
     Hollywood, Florida, and landing in locations capable of interconnecting
     with major telecommunications carriers.

          SEGMENT 2 means the Segment of the System from Hollywood, Florida to
     St. Croix, and landing in locations capable of interconnecting with major
     telecommunications carriers.

          SEGMENT 3, subject to Article 6B, means the Segment of the System from
     St. Croix to Bermuda and landing in locations capable of interconnecting
     with major telecommunications carriers.

          SHIP COSTS has the meaning set forth in Sub-Article 10(A)(2).


*  MATERIAL OMITTED AND SEPARATELY FILED UNDER AN APPLICATION FOR CONFIDENTIAL 
   TREATMENT.

 
                                                                              12

          SHIP PERIOD has the meaning set forth in Sub-Article 10(A).

          SOFTWARE ESCROW AGREEMENT has the meaning set forth in Sub-Article
     18(H).

          SUPPLIES means any and all materials, plant, machinery, equipment,
     hardware and items supplied by the Contractor under this Contract.

          SUSPENSION means a suspension in pursuant to Sub-Article 15(A) or
     15(B).

          SYSTEM means the Base System, unless the Purchaser has elected the
     Optional System, in which case, the System shall mean the Optional System.

          SYSTEM PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS has the meaning set forth in the
     System Description section of the Technical Volume.

          SYSTEM UPGRADE has the meaning set forth in Sub-Article 6A(A).

          TAX means any tax, duty, levy, charge or custom (including, without
     limitation, any sales or use tax, VAT or octroi duty relating to the
     Contract items and fiscal stamps connected with Contract legalization)
     imposed or collected by any taxing authority or agency (domestic or
     foreign).

          TECHNICAL VOLUME means the Technical Volume attached hereto as
     Appendix 5.

          TRANSFEREE means any entity to which purchaser assigns rights
     hereunder pursuant to Sub-Article 37(D) hereof.

          TRANSFEREE SUPPLEMENT means a supplement to this Contract to reflect
     assignments to Transferees, to be in substantially the form of Exhibit E
     attached hereto, with such changes as the parties may mutually agree upon.

          UPGRADE BILLING SCHEDULE means the billing schedule attached hereto as
     Appendix 2A.

          UPGRADE COMMISSIONING REPORT has the meaning set forth in the System
     Commissioning and Acceptance section of the Technical Volume.

          UPGRADE PERIOD has the meaning set forth in Sub-Article 6A(E).

          UPGRADE PLAN OF WORK means the plan of work attached hereto as
     Appendix 3A.

          UPGRADE PRICE means, for any System Upgrade, the Initial Upgrade Price
     for such System Upgrade, plus any variations pursuant to Article 6
     (Contract Variations),

 
                                                                              13

     Taxes as set forth in Sub-Article 4(B) and other adjustments to such
     Upgrade Price provided for in this Contract.

          UPGRADE PROVISIONING SCHEDULE means the provisioning schedule attached
     hereto as Appendix 1A.

          UPGRADE WARRANTY PERIOD has the meaning set forth in Sub-Article
     10(A).

          UPGRADE WORK means the activities and services to be performed or
     provided by Contractor under Article 6A (Optional Upgrades).

          * 

          WARRANTY PERIOD has the meaning set forth in Sub-Article 10(A).

          WORK means all activities and services (other than the activities and
     services specified in this Contract to be provided by Purchaser) necessary
     to be performed or provided in developing, planning, designing,
     manufacturing, constructing, delivering, installing and testing the System,
     until the System is Ready for Final Acceptance, including without
     limitation, designating, coordinating and obtaining all Permits, except for
     the Landing Licenses and the Cable Station and Beach Access Rights. Whether
     or not used in conjunction with the term "Supplies", the term "Work" shall
     always be deemed to include the provision of the relevant Supplies, unless
     the context requires otherwise.

          YEAR 2000 COMPLIANT means, when used with respect to any software or
     materials, that such software or materials will operate accurately and,
     without interruption, accept, possess and in all manner retain full
     functionality when referring to, or involving, any year or date in the
     twentieth or twenty first centuries.

ARTICLE 4   CONTRACT PRICE
--------------------------

     A.   Contract Price

          1.   The initial Contract Price for the Work, in United States Dollars
               (US$) is a fixed fee of * dollars (the "Initial Contract Price").
               The Initial Contract Price does not include the cost of optional
               upgrades which are described in Article 6A (Optional Upgrades),
               any contract variations as provided for in Article 6 (Contract
               Variations), any Taxes, the increased cost of the Optional
               System, the increased cost, if any, of the Optional Route Survey
               and the external costs and expenses of obtaining Owner Permits,
               as described in Article 7. The Initial Contract Price includes
               all charges for CIF, all costs and expenses incurred in obtaining
               all Contractor Permits and all internal costs of obtaining


*  MATERIAL OMITTED AND SEPARATELY FILED UNDER AN APPLICATION FOR CONFIDENTIAL 
   TREATMENT.


 
                                                                              14

               Owner Permits and all costs and expenses incurred with respect to
               preparation of cable stations.

          2.   The initial Upgrade Price for any Upgrade Work, in United States
               Dollars (US$) is the fixed fee set forth in Sub-Article 6A(G),
               payable as set forth in Appendix 2A (the "Initial Upgrade
               Price"). No Initial Upgrade Price includes the cost of any
               contract variations as provided for in Article 6 (Contract
               Variations) or any Taxes.

          3.   The Provisioning Schedule sets forth the Contractor's breakdown
               of the Initial Contract Price among various aspects of the Work.
               If the actual cost of any aspect of the Work is greater or less
               than that set forth in the Provisioning Schedule, such fact shall
               not cause any change in the Initial Contract Price. At its
               discretion, the Purchaser may direct the Contractor to deliver
               either universal joints or Alcatel proprietary joints as spares,
               in such quantities as provided in the Provisioning Schedule; such
               direction may be given during the course of the Work, but not
               later than such date as the Parties shall mutually agree, and
               such direction, whichever spare joint type is selected, shall not
               cause any change in the Initial Contract Price.

          4.   The Contractor and the Purchaser will share equally the costs and
               expenses of the Payment Escrow Agent.

          5.   The Contractor will not arrange for any Permit which requires
               payments to be made by the Purchaser or made after the System is
               Ready for Provisional Acceptance, without the prior written
               consent of the Purchaser.

     B.   Taxes, Levies and Duties

          1.   The Initial Contract Price and each Initial Upgrade Price, as
               stated in Sub-Article 4(A) above, excludes any Tax. The Contract
               Price and each Upgrade Price shall without duplication be
               adjusted for any Tax imposed on or in connection with this
               Contract (including, without limitation, the execution and
               delivery of this Contract, the Work, the Upgrade Work and the
               Supplies, but excluding any Excluded Taxes) (any such Taxes,
               other than Excluded Taxes, are hereinafter referred to as
               "Contract Taxes"). Contractor has provided a good faith estimate
               of the Contract Taxes payable by the Purchaser; it being
               understood that the Contractor shall have no liability under this
               Contract or otherwise to the Purchaser for any errors or
               omissions in such estimate or any losses arising therefrom. The
               Contractor shall be responsible for any Excluded Tax that might
               be incurred by the Contractor as well as any Tax described in
               clause (iv) of the definition of Excluded Tax.

 
                                                                              15

          2.   The Purchaser will be ultimately responsible for the payment of
               all Contract Taxes (including, without limitation, Contract Taxes
               that are VAT, octroi duties relating to Contract items and fiscal
               stamps, etc. connected with Contract legalizations to the
               authorities in their countries). In the case of any Contract
               Taxes paid by the Contractor, the Contractor shall submit payment
               on the Purchaser's behalf and Contractor will be reimbursed by
               the Purchaser in accordance with Article 5 (Terms of Payment by
               Purchaser).

          3.   The Contractor agrees to use reasonable efforts, including,
               without limitation, by registering for VAT and any applicable
               sales Taxes in any country, state or other jurisdiction where
               legally required, to cooperate with and assist Purchaser in its
               efforts (i) to have Supplies which are the subject of this
               Contract made exempt from Contract Taxes, whether in the
               manufacture of the Supplies or related to the importation or
               location or installation of the Supplies, (ii) to request
               revisions, drawbacks, remissions, reclassifications or the like
               to the jurisdictions identified by the Purchaser; or (iii) to
               reduce or eliminate Contract Taxes (including the provision of
               applicable certifications and forms) and to obtain any available
               refunds of Contract Taxes, provided that the Contractor shall not
                                          ---------                             
               be required to act other than in accordance with the relevant
               Laws then in force. The Purchaser shall reimburse the Contractor,
               in accordance with Article 5, for any reasonable costs (including
               the reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel, accountants
               and other advisors) incurred by the Contractor under this Sub-
               Article 4(B)(3) provided that Purchaser was notified and has
                               --------                                    
               consented to the incurrence of such costs, fees and expenses.
               Contractor shall not be required to cooperate with and assist
               Purchaser in its efforts under this Sub-Article 4(B)(3) or to
               take any action hereunder which in the Contractor's good faith
               judgment would incur any costs or if in Contractor's good faith
               judgment it would be advisable to obtain the advice of counsel,
               accountants or other advisors prior to cooperating with or
               assisting purchaser or taking any action, unless in each case,
               Purchaser has agreed to reimburse Contractor under the foregoing
               proviso.

          4.   Prior to the Date of Provisional Acceptance with respect to the
               System or any System Upgrade, the Contractor shall provide
               evidence of having made all payments for Taxes included in the
               Contract Price or Upgrade Price or described in clause (iv) of
               the definition of Excluded Taxes, other than VAT due on payments
               of the Contract Price or Upgrade Price made on or after the Date
               of Provisional Acceptance of the System or System Upgrade, which
               evidence shall be provided within sixty (60) days of the date of
               each such payment.

 
                                                                              16

          5.   As part of Work or any Upgrade Work, the Contractor shall obtain
               at its expense, on Purchaser's behalf, any import license or
               other official authorization and carry out all customs
               formalities necessary for the importation or exportation of goods
               in connection with such Work or Upgrade Work. The Purchaser
               agrees to be the Importer or Exporter of Record or designate an
               Importer or Exporter of Record/Consignee on its behalf. Purchaser
               must provide a Letter of Authorization from any third party
               designate stating it agrees to be the Importer or Exporter of
               Record on Purchaser's behalf and identify the name and address of
               the designated Importer or Exporter of Record.

          6.   The Supplies to be installed or held on land shall be delivered
               to the agreed point at the named place of destination and shall
               be consigned to the Purchaser.

     C.   Withholding Tax

          1.   If withholding for any Tax is required in respect of any payment
               to the Contractor, the Purchaser shall (i) withhold the
               appropriate amount from such payment, (ii) pay such amount to the
               relevant authorities in accordance with the applicable Laws and
               (iii) in the case of any such withholding in respect of a
               Contract Tax or a Nexus Tax and subject to the Contractor's
               satisfying the obligations set forth in the last sentence of this
               Sub-Article 4(C)(1), pay the Contractor an additional amount such
               that the net amount received by the Contractor is the amount the
               Contractor would have received in the absence of such
               withholding. In such a case, the Purchaser shall provide to the
               Contractor, as soon as reasonably practicable, a certified copy
               of an official tax receipt for any Tax which is retained from any
               payment due to the Contractor or for any Tax which is paid on
               behalf of the Contractor. All such receipts shall be in the name
               of the Contractor. The Contractor agrees to complete accurately
               and timely provide to the Purchaser or, if required, to the
               applicable Taxing authority, such forms, certifications or other
               documents as may be requested in timely manner by Purchaser, in
               order to allow it to make payments to the Contractor without any
               deduction or withholding on account of withholding Taxes (or at a
               reduced rate thereof) or to receive a refund of any amounts
               deducted or withheld on account of withholding Taxes.

          2.   If the Contractor shall become aware that it is entitled to
               receive a refund or credit from a relevant taxing or governmental
               authority in respect of a Contract Tax or Nexus Tax as to which
               the Purchaser has paid an additional amount pursuant to Sub-
               Article 4(C)(1) above, the Contractor shall promptly notify the
               Purchaser of the availability of such refund or credit and shall,
               within 30 days after receipt of a request by the Purchaser
               (whether as a result of notification that it has made to

 
                                                                              17

               the Purchaser or otherwise), make a claim to such taxing or
               governmental authority for such refund or credit at the
               Purchaser's expense. If the Contractor receives a refund or
               credit in respect of a Contract or Nexus Tax as to which the
               Purchaser has paid an additional amount pursuant to Sub-Article
               4(C)(1) above, or if, as a result of the Purchaser's payment of
               such additional amounts, the Contractor or any other member of an
               affiliated group, as defined in section 1504(a) of the Code, of
               which the Contractor is a member, receives a credit against Taxes
               imposed on its income or franchise taxes imposed on it by the
               country under the laws of which it is organized or any political
               subdivision thereof, the Contractor shall promptly notify the
               Purchaser of such refund or credit and shall within 30 days from
               the date of receipt of such refund or benefit of such credit pay
               over the amount of such refund or benefit of such credit
               (including any interest paid or credited by the relevant taxing
               or governmental authority with respect to such refund or credit)
               to the Purchaser (but only to the extent of the additional
               payments made by the Purchaser under Sub-Article 4(C)(1) above
               with respect to the Contract or Nexus Tax giving rise to such
               refund or credit), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the
               Contractor; provided, however, that the Purchaser, upon the
                           --------  -------                              
               request of the Contractor agrees to repay the amount paid over to
               the Purchaser (plus penalties, interest or other charges due to
               the appropriate authorities in connection therewith) to the
               Contractor in the event the Contractor is required to repay such
               refund or credit to such relevant authority.

ARTICLE 5   TERMS OF PAYMENT BY PURCHASER
-----------------------------------------

     A.   General Conditions of Payment

          1.   All payments shall be made and all invoices shall be rendered in
               US Dollars (US$). The Purchaser shall be responsible for and
               shall pay all costs and fees for payment, as well as the banking
               and wiring costs. All banking documents and correspondence must
               be in English.

     B.   Invoice Procedures

          1.   All invoices for Work shall be submitted according to the Billing
               Schedule, provided, that the appropriate Billing Milestones have
                         --------                                              
               been achieved. All invoices for Work shall have a certificate in
               the form of Appendix 4A attached.

          2.   Any Contract Variations shall be invoiced and paid in accordance
               with the terms of the Contract Variation as specified in Article
               6 (Contract Variations).

 
                                                                              18

          3.   Invoices for Upgrade Work shall be submitted according to the
               Upgrade Billing Schedule and shall be paid in accordance with
               this Article 5.

          4.   Invoices for amounts not described in Sub-Sections 1-3 above,
               which may become payable hereunder shall be submitted after
               applicable costs have been incurred or such other time as may be
               specified in this Contract. Such invoices shall be payable at a
               reasonable bank rate of exchange applicable at the time such
               costs were paid by the Contractor, and shall be accompanied by a
               certificate of the Contractor explaining such amount and
               certifying that it is payable.

          5.   The Contractor shall render all invoices to the following address
               or facsimile number:

                    Mid-Atlantic Crossing Ltd.
                    Wessex House
                    45 Reid Street
                    Hamilton HM12
                    Bermuda
                    Facsimile: 441-296-6749/8606
                    Attn:  Cameron Adderley

               with a copy to

                    Conexart Technologies, Inc.
                    124 Rue de Charante
                    Saint Lambert
                    Quebec, Canada J4S 1K3
                    Facsimile: 514-466-1093
                    Attn: Mr. Martin Fournier

     C.   Payment Procedures

          1.   The Purchaser shall pay the Contractor, and the Contractor shall
               accept payment, in accordance with this Article 5 (Terms of
               Payment by Purchaser). All payments due and owing to the
               Contractor shall be paid to the Prime Contractor (and each
               invoice shall so provide) and payment to the Prime Contractor
               shall be deemed payment to the Contractor. Any amounts received
               by the Prime Contractor shall be deemed to have been received by
               the Prime Contractor in its capacity as agent of the Contractor.
               The Prime Contractor shall pay such amounts to the Contractor net
               of any applicable taxes or levies that may be imposed on the
               Contractor.

          2.   Purchaser agrees to pay an initial payment to Contractor in the
               amount of *. Within three business days of the time this Contract


*  MATERIAL OMITTED AND SEPARATELY FILED UNDER AN APPLICATION FOR CONFIDENTIAL 
   TREATMENT.

 
                                                                              19

               is executed and delivered by all Parties, the first portion of
               the initial payment, in the amount of * shall be paid by
               Purchaser to Contractor. Failure to receive this payment shall
               entitle Contractor to immediately suspend Work hereunder. The
               second portion of the initial payment, in the amount of * shall
               be paid by Purchaser to Contractor on July 14, 1998.

          3.   Invoices given to the Purchaser (and the Independent Engineer) on
               or before the last day of any month shall, subject to Sub-Article
               5(C)(5) below, be due and payable on the last day of the next
               month or such other time as may be specified in this Contract.

          4.   Invoices not paid when due shall accrue late payment charges from
               the day, following the day, on which payment was due until the
               day on which it is paid. Invoices for such extended payment
               charges shall not be issued for an amount less than U.S. $1,000.
               Extended payment charges shall be computed at the rate of one
               percent (1%) per month.

          5.   In the event that the Purchaser has an objection to any invoice
               or other payment obligation or any amount owing by Contractor to
               Purchaser shall not have been paid when due, the Purchaser shall
               promptly notify the Contractor of such objection and such amount,
               and the Purchaser and Contractor shall make every reasonable
               effort to settle promptly the dispute concerning the payment(s)
               in question. In the event such dispute cannot be settled, the
               Prime Contractor and the Purchaser will execute and deliver a
               Payment Escrow Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit D
               hereto, with such changes therein as the Payment Escrow Agent may
               reasonably request, and the Purchaser will have the right to
               withhold payment of the disputed amount(s) (or withhold from the
               invoice amount a sum equal to the amount purportedly owing by
               Contractor) so long as it deposits, in full, such disputed
               amount(s) into the Dispute Account.

               (a)  Provided such disputed amount is placed into the Dispute
                    Account in a timely manner, the Purchaser shall not be
                    deemed to be in breach of or in default for failing to pay
                    Contractor.

               (b)  The Payment Escrow Agent will distribute the disputed amount
                    in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement.

               (c)  In addition, the prevailing Party shall be entitled to
                    receive from the Dispute Account an amount equal to the
                    interest earned by the Payment Escrow Agent on the
                    distributed, disputed amount, which shall be distributed by
                    the Escrow Agent under clause (b) above.


*  MATERIAL OMITTED AND SEPARATELY FILED UNDER AN APPLICATION FOR CONFIDENTIAL 
   TREATMENT.

 
                                                                              20

          6.   The Purchaser shall make timely payments for that portion of the
               invoice not in dispute in accordance with Sub-Article 5(C) or
               such payments will be assessed extended payment charges as set
               forth in Sub-Article 5(C)(4). Pending resolution of the dispute,
               the Purchaser may not withhold payment (unless also subject to
               dispute) on any other invoice concerning different goods and/or
               services submitted by Contractor.

ARTICLE 6   CONTRACT VARIATIONS
-------------------------------

     A.   Either Party may request, during construction of the System or any
System Upgrade, by written order, a contract variation ("Contract Variation")
requiring additions or alterations to, deviations or deductions from the System
or System Upgrade. If the other Party consents, in its sole discretion, this
change will be formalized as an amendment to this Contract by a Contract
Variation; provided, that the Contractor will not unreasonably withhold its
           --------                                                        
consent to a Contract Variation requested by the Purchaser.

     B.   A Contract Variation shall not become effective unless and until the
price adjustment, the terms and schedule of payment and the extension of time
and all other terms have been mutually agreed upon by the Parties (and the
Parties shall act reasonably and in good faith in connection with all such
terms) and such Contract Variation is signed by an authorized representative of
each Party. Each Contract Variation shall be incorporated as an amendment to the
Contract.

     C.   Contractor may seek a Contract Variation for any change, after the
date hereof, of any Law (except those, and to the extent, affecting only Taxes
or wages) which requires a change in the Work or the Upgrade Work or affects the
costs (other than wages) incurred or to be incurred by the Contractor or any
combination of the foregoing and Purchaser shall agree to any such change in
Work or Upgrade Work as may be required and to an equitable adjustment to the
Contract Price or the applicable Upgrade Price. As of the date hereof, neither
Party has Actual Knowledge of any proposed change in any Law that would require
a change in the Work or the Upgrade Work.

ARTICLE 6A  OPTIONAL UPGRADES
-----------------------------

     A.   This Article includes the terms and conditions governing an option for
future upgrades to the System (each a "System Upgrade") that may be exercised by
Purchaser during the Option Period.

     B.   *


*  MATERIAL OMITTED AND SEPARATELY FILED UNDER AN APPLICATION FOR CONFIDENTIAL 
   TREATMENT.

 
                                                                              21

     C.   *


     D.   * 


     E.   *


     F.   * 


     G.   * 


*  MATERIAL OMITTED AND SEPARATELY FILED UNDER AN APPLICATION FOR CONFIDENTIAL 
   TREATMENT.

 
                                                                              22

   *


*  MATERIAL OMITTED AND SEPARATELY FILED UNDER AN APPLICATION FOR CONFIDENTIAL 
   TREATMENT.

 
                                                                              23

     *

     H.   *


     I.   *


     J.   *


     K.   *


*  MATERIAL OMITTED AND SEPARATELY FILED UNDER AN APPLICATION FOR CONFIDENTIAL 
   TREATMENT.

 
                                                                              24

*

ARTICLE 6B  *
-------------

     A.   *


     B.   *


     C.   *


     D.   *


ARTICLE 7   RESPONSIBILITIES FOR PERMITS; COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS
--------------------------------------------------------------

     A.   The Purchaser shall reasonably cooperate with and assist the
Contractor to obtain all Permits (except those specified in paragraph C below),
to the extent that Purchaser's cooperation and assistance are necessary for
Contractor to expeditiously and cost-efficiently obtain such Permits. The
Purchaser agrees to respond promptly to any such request from Contractor.
Further, the Purchaser agrees that it will not impede or interfere with
Contractor's activities or Contractor's abilities to perform its obligations.
Upon notice from Contractor with respect to a Permit or receipt by Purchaser of
a copy of a Permit, Purchaser shall fulfill all conditions of such Permit and
perform all responsibilities thereunder, except to the extent that such
conditions or responsibilities are those of the Contractor under the Work.
Contractor will inform Purchaser as to any such conditions or responsibilities
that are not


*  MATERIAL OMITTED AND SEPARATELY FILED UNDER AN APPLICATION FOR CONFIDENTIAL 
   TREATMENT.

 
                                                                              25

ordinary and routine and obtain Purchaser's consent thereto prior to arranging
for any such Permit.

     B.   Subject to paragraph C below, the Contractor shall have the
responsibility for obtaining all Permits, at the Contractor's sole cost and
expense in the case of Contractor Permits.  In the case of Owner Permits,
Purchaser shall reimburse Contractor for all "external" costs and expenses
incurred by Contractor in connection with obtaining on behalf of Purchaser all
Owner Permits, such as any application fees, fees of independent engineers or
consultants needed to provide environmental or other required reports and fees
of independent counsel required to obtain such Permits.  Such "external" costs
shall not include any overhead changes or costs and expenses of employees of
Contractor, including travel costs.  To the extent that Contractor's engineers,
lawyers or other employees have the ability to perform work in obtaining Owner
Permits, Contractor shall not charge for use of independent parties to perform
such work.  The Initial Contract Price includes a fee for Contractor to
generally manage obtaining Owner Permits, including to identify Permits, prepare
and file for them, and follow-up on obtaining them, and such activities shall
not be billed to Purchaser.  The Contractor will cause all Owner Permits not
issued in the name of Purchaser to be assignable to Purchaser, and to be
assigned to Purchaser at the time title to the System is transferred to
Purchaser pursuant to this Contract.  Contractor will cause all Contractor
Permits to provide that any payments thereunder are the obligation of Contractor
and not of Purchaser.

     C.   The Purchaser shall be responsible for obtaining, at its expense,
Landing Licenses and Cable Station and Beach Access Rights.  The Contractor will
cooperate with the Purchaser in connection therewith.  If the Purchaser is
having difficulty obtaining any Cable Station and Beach Access Rights,
Contractor agrees to accept a Contract Variation(s) to construct the necessary
replacements therefor.  In connection therewith, provided Purchaser notifies
Contractor on or prior to November 1, 1998 that directional drilling is
necessary at any cable station site, Contractor will be responsible for
directional drilling conduit space seaward from the beach manhole at a cost
which will be negotiated in good faith by the Parties, and, in any such case,
there will be no change in the Scheduled RFS Date.  If Purchaser notifies
Contractor of the need for any directional drilling after November 1, 1998, the
Contractor will perform such service at a cost which will be negotiated in good
faith by the Parties but the Contractor shall be entitled to an equitable
adjustment in the Scheduled RFS Date.

     D.   Any delay in obtaining or failure to obtain any Owner Permit shall
constitute a Force Majeure and be treated as described in Article 17 (Force
Majeure), except to the extent such delay is a result of Contractor's negligence
or willful misconduct.

     E.   Except with respect to variations necessitated by complying with any
changes, enacted after the date hereof, in any Laws (the costs with respect to
which shall be borne by the Purchaser), the Contractor shall be responsible for
the payment of any and all costs incurred as a result of the need to vary
design, drawings, plans or procedures to comply with any of the circumstances
set forth in this Article.  The Contractor shall, before making any variations
from the designs, drawings, plans or procedures that may be necessitated by so
complying with any Laws and that would represent a material change to the
overall design of

 
                                                                              26

the System, give to the Purchaser written notice, specifying the variations
proposed to be made, and the reasons for making them.  As of the date hereof,
neither Party has Actual Knowledge of any proposed changes in the Laws which
would necessitate any such variation.

     F.   The Contractor shall (i) give all notices required by any Laws to be
given to any authority and (ii) perform or permit the performance by authorized
persons of any inspection required by the said Laws.

     G.   As part of the Initial Contract Price, the Contractor shall obtain, at
its own risk and expense, any export and import license and other official
authorization and carry out all customs formalities for the exportation and
importation of goods and, where necessary, for their transit through another
country.

     H.   Within 30 days after the date of execution of this Contract, the
Contractor will prepare and deliver to the Purchaser a detailed list of Permits
that to its knowledge are required to be obtained under current law in order to
complete the Work and shall update such list from time to time if it becomes
aware of changes in Permit requirements. Such list, as updated from time to
time, shall set forth the projected dates of filing for such Permits and an
estimate of when such Permits are expected to be obtained. Without limiting
Contractor's liabilities in respect of Sub-Articles 7(B) and (G), Contractor
shall have no liability in respect of the accuracy of the information furnished
under this Sub-Article, except in the case of gross negligence or willful
misconduct.

ARTICLE 8   ROUTE SURVEY
------------------------

     A.   The Contractor shall conduct the Route Survey and the Optional Route
Survey, if requested by the Purchaser, and select the cable route for the Base
System and the Optional System, if applicable, in accordance with the
information in the Final Survey Report. Contractor shall be permitted to make
changes, at its discretion, to the route selection, if necessary for operational
reasons without additional cost to Purchaser.

     B.   Except as provided in paragraph C of this Article 8, any changes to
the route selection requested by Purchaser shall be treated as a Contract
Variation in accordance with Article 6 (Contract Variations).

     C.   Purchaser shall have the option to cause Contractor to conduct the
Optional Route Survey.  If Purchaser shall elect such option on or prior to June
8, 1998, the Initial Contract Price will be increased by the amount of $875,144
(the "Optional Route Survey Price") and the Scheduled RFS Date shall remain
unchanged.  If Purchaser shall elect such option after June 8, 1998, Contractor
shall be entitled to an equitable adjustment in cost and the Scheduled RFS Date.
If Purchaser shall elect the Optional System on or prior to June 8, 1998, then
Contractor will conduct the Optional Route Survey without any increase to the
Initial Contract Price or change to the Scheduled RFS Date.

 
                                                                              27

     D.  If there are any changes to any aspect of the Work due to the Final
Route Survey, Contractor shall bear any resulting increase in costs up to and
including $2,500,000.  Purchaser and Contractor shall share equally any such
costs exceeding $2,500,000 but below $5,000,000.  Contractor shall bear any such
costs exceeding $5,000,000.

ARTICLE 9   ACCEPTANCE
----------------------

     A.   General

          1.   The Acceptance Testing shall be performed by the Contractor. The
               Purchaser and its designated representatives (including the
               Independent Engineer) may observe, at their own expense, the
               Contractor's tests and review the test results. Purchaser may
               request and conduct any additional tests, at its own expense, but
               any delay caused by such process shall be a Force Majeure event.

          2.   Until the Date of Final Acceptance of the System or if a System
               Upgrade is requested by Purchaser, the Date of Final Acceptance
               of such System Upgrade, the Purchaser agrees to allow Contractor
               access to all Segments of the System.

          3.   The Purchaser shall issue a Certificate of Commercial Acceptance
               in accordance with the provisions of Sub-Article 9(D)(1).

          4.   Once a Segment of the System, the System, or a System Upgrade is
               Ready for Provisional Acceptance, the Purchaser shall issue a
               Certificate of Provisional Acceptance, provided, that it is
               within the Purchaser's sole discretion as to whether to accept a
               Segment instead of the System.

          5.   Once the System or a System Upgrade is Ready for Final
               Acceptance, the Purchaser shall issue a Certificate of Final
               Acceptance.

          6.   The Purchaser shall not unreasonably withhold or delay issuance
               of a Certificate of Commercial Acceptance, a Certificate of
               Provisional Acceptance or a Certificate of Final Acceptance.

          7.   The Contractor agrees that the Date of Provisional Acceptance or
               Commercial Acceptance of the System will occur by December 30,
               1999 (as such date may be extended under Article 6 (Contract
               Variations), Article 17 (Force Majeure) or otherwise under this
               Contract or by agreement of the Parties, the "Scheduled RFS
               Date").

          8.   The Date of Commercial Acceptance, Provisional Acceptance and
               Final Acceptance, as the case may be, shall be deemed to have
               occurred with respect to a Segment, the System or a System
               Upgrade if a Certificate

 
                                                                              28

               of Commercial Acceptance, a Certificate of Provisional Acceptance
               or a Certificate of Final Acceptance is issued with respect
               thereto.

     B.   Notice of Acceptance or Rejection

          1.   Within thirty (30) days of receipt by Purchaser and Independent
               Engineer of the Commissioning Report or Upgrade Commissioning
               Report, as the case may be, the Purchaser must issue notification
               to the Contractor of the following:

               (a)  issuance of a Certificate of Provisional Acceptance in
                    accordance with Sub-Article 9(C); or

               (b)  rejection of a Certificate of Provisional Acceptance, but
                    instead issuance of a Certificate of Commercial Acceptance
                    in accordance with Sub-Article 9(D) below; or

               (c)  rejection of the Segment, the System or System Upgrade in
                    its existing condition and issuance of neither a Certificate
                    of Provisional Acceptance nor a Certificate of Commercial
                    Acceptance, with in the case of the System or System Upgrade
                    a written explanation of reasons for rejection (it being
                    understood that acceptance of a Segment instead of the
                    System is at the sole discretion of the Purchaser).

               If the Purchaser (or the Independent Engineer on its behalf)
               fails to respond with such notification within thirty (30) days,
               then the Date of Provisional Acceptance of the Segment (subject
               to Purchaser's consent), the System or System Upgrade shall be
               deemed to be the date such Commissioning Report or Upgrade
               Commissioning Report, as the case may be, was received by the
               Purchaser.

          2.   On receipt of a notice from the Purchaser pursuant to Sub-
               Articles 9(B)(1)(b) or (c) above, the Contractor shall be
               entitled to address any disputes and explain any discrepancies to
               the Purchaser regarding the results of the Acceptance Testing.
               Unless Purchaser, for good cause, rejects such explanation, it
               shall issue a new notice pursuant to Sub-Article 9(B)(1) above,
               which shall be deemed to have been issued on the date of the
               original notice.

          3.   In case of rejection, and if the explanation by the Contractor as
               in Sub-Article 9(B)(2) above is not accepted, for good cause, by
               the Purchaser, the Contractor shall carry out the necessary
               corrective actions and will effect a new series of Acceptance
               Testing ("Retesting"). After receipt by Purchaser and Independent
               Engineer of the new Commissioning Report or Upgrade Commissioning
               Report, as the case

 
                                                                              29

               may be, describing the results of Retesting, the Purchaser will
               be granted a new period of thirty (30) days to analyze the new
               Report according to the provisions of Sub-Article 9(B)(1) and any
               new notice of the Purchaser shall apply from the date the
               Purchaser receives such new Commissioning Report or Upgrade
               Commissioning Report, as the case may be.

     C.   Provisional Acceptance

          1.   The Certificate of Provisional Acceptance may have annexed to it
               a list of any outstanding deficiencies to be corrected by the
               Contractor.

          2.   The Contractor shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, correct
               such deficiencies and complete the Work or Upgrade Work indicated
               on all such listed items so as to comply in all material respects
               with the requirements of this Contract, provided that the
               Purchaser allows Contractor the necessary access to the
               Segment(s) as the Contractor needs to correct such deficiencies
               and complete the Work or Upgrade Work. The Contractor shall give
               the Purchaser reasonable notice of its requirement for such
               access.

     D.   Commercial Acceptance

          1.   A Certificate of Commercial Acceptance shall be issued by
               Purchaser with respect to a Segment, the System or System Upgrade
               if the results of the Acceptance Testing demonstrate that such
               Segment, the System or such System Upgrade does not justify the
               issuance of a Certificate of Provisional Acceptance, but
               nevertheless, such Segment, the System or such System Upgrade is
               Ready for Commercial Acceptance; provided, that acceptance of a
                                                --------                      
               Segment instead of the System shall be in the sole discretion of
               the Purchaser.

          2.   Each Certificate of Commercial Acceptance shall have annexed to
               it a mutually agreed list of all outstanding items to be
               completed by the Contractor.

          3.   The Contractor shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, remedy
               the outstanding items, provided that the Purchaser allows
               Contractor the necessary access to the Segment(s) as the
               Contractor needs to remedy such outstanding items. The Contractor
               shall give the Purchaser reasonable notice of its requirement for
               such access. Notwithstanding the above, provided that Contractor
               has been allowed access to the Segment(s) as required in Sub-
               Article 9(A)(2), the Contractor shall continue to carry the risk
               of loss for any outstanding item until such item is no longer
               outstanding.

 
                                                                              30

          4.   When the outstanding items referenced in Sub-Article 9(D)(3)
               above have been remedied, and the Segment(s) or System Upgrade is
               otherwise Ready for Provisional Acceptance, the Purchaser will
               promptly issue a Certificate of Provisional Acceptance; provided,
                                                                       -------- 
               that acceptance of a Segment instead of the System shall be in
               the sole discretion of the Purchaser.

          5.   The issuance of a Certificate of Commercial Acceptance with
               respect to a Segment or System Upgrade shall in no way relieve
               the Contractor from its obligation to provide a Segment or System
               Upgrade conforming with the Performance Requirements at the time
               of the issuance of a Certificate of Commercial Acceptance.

     E.   Final Acceptance

          1.   Within thirty (30) days of the date of receipt by Purchaser and
               Independent Engineer of the Final Commissioning Report, the
               Purchaser shall issue a Certificate of Final Acceptance or reject
               such Report. If the Purchaser neither issues a Certificate of
               Final Acceptance nor rejects such Report within such thirty (30)
               day period, then the Date of Final Acceptance of the System shall
               be deemed to be the date such Final Commissioning Report was
               received by the Purchaser.

     F.   Title and Risk of Loss

          1.   If the Purchaser, in its sole discretion, chooses to accept a
               Segment prior to accepting the System, then upon payment of all
               amounts listed in the Billing Schedule with respect to a Segment
               (other than the Retainage applicable to such Segment) and the
               issuance of a Certificate of Commercial Acceptance or a
               Certificate of Provisional Acceptance with respect to such
               Segment by the Purchaser in accordance with this Contract, title
               (free and clear of all liens other than those deriving through or
               from the Purchaser) to such Segment shall vest in the Purchaser.

          2.   Upon (i) payment of all amounts listed in the Billing Schedule
               with respect to the System (other than the Retainage) and (ii)
               the issuance of a Certificate of Commercial Acceptance or a
               Certificate of Provisional Acceptance with  respect to the System
               by the Purchaser in accordance with this Contract, title (free
               and clear of all liens other than those deriving through or from
               the Purchaser) to the System shall vest in the Purchaser.

          3.   Upon payment of the Upgrade Price with respect to a System
               Upgrade and the issuance of a Certificate of Commercial
               Acceptance or a Certificate of Provisional Acceptance with
               respect to such System

 
                                                                              31

               Upgrade by the  Purchaser in accordance with this Contract, title
               to such System Upgrade shall vest in the Purchaser.

          4.   As from the date of vesting of title in a Segment, the System or
               a System Upgrade, the Purchaser shall, except as set forth in the
               following sentence, assume the risk of loss in respect of all
               parts of such Segment, the System or System Upgrade and
               responsibility for its maintenance. As stated in Sub-Article
               9(A)(2), the Contractor will be allowed access to such Segment,
               and, so long as the Contractor has been allowed access to such
               Segment as may be required, the Contractor shall continue to
               carry the risk of loss with respect of each item outstanding
               under Sub-Article 9(C)(1) and 9(D)(2) until such item is no
               longer outstanding.

ARTICLE 10  WARRANTY
--------------------

     A.   The Contractor warrants that the System and each System Upgrade,
including its spares, shall be free from defects in supplies, workmanship and
design for a period of * years commencing from the Date of Provisional
Acceptance of the System or such System Upgrade, as the case may be,
(hereinafter Warranty Period" and "Upgrade Warranty Period"), with Ship Costs
being covered for the first * years of the Warranty Period (the "Ship Period")
and the Purchaser being responsible for all Ship Costs thereafter.

          1.   During the Warranty Period for the System or the Upgrade Warranty
               Period for a System Upgrade, the Contractor shall make good, by
               repair or replacement, at its sole option, any defects in the
               System or such System Upgrade, as the case may be, including any
               spares, which may become apparent or be discovered due to
               imperfect workmanship, faulty design or faulty material supplied
               by the Contractor, or any act, neglect or omission on the
               Contractors part.

               (a)  If at any time within the Warranty Period or the Upgrade
                    Warranty Period for a System Upgrade any defect occurs which
                    causes the System or such System Upgrade, as the case may
                    be, to fail to meet its overall Performance Requirements,
                    the Contractor shall repair or replace such part or parts.
                    In making such repairs, Contractor may make changes to the
                    System or such System Upgrade, as the case may be, or
                    substitute equipment of later or comparable design, provided
                    the changes, modifications, or substitutions under normal
                    and proper use do not cause the System or such System
                    Upgrade as the case may be to fail to meet the Performance
                    Requirements.

               (b)  The Contractor shall use reasonable efforts to minimize the
                    period of time that any Segment or the System is out of
                    service


*  MATERIAL OMITTED AND SEPARATELY FILED UNDER AN APPLICATION FOR CONFIDENTIAL 
   TREATMENT.

 
                                                                              32

                    for testing and repair. The Purchaser agrees to cooperate
                    with the Contractor to facilitate the Contractor's repair
                    activity.

               (c)  It is understood that if there is a problem on the System,
                    the Purchaser may immediately dispatch the maintenance
                    authority to effect repairs.  If and to the extent that such
                    problem is determined to be caused by a defect in the System
                    covered by this warranty, the Contractor shall reimburse the
                    Purchaser for its actual Non-Ship Costs incurred and, with
                    respect to any such repair relating to a defect identified
                    in good faith by Purchaser in writing prior to the end of
                    the Ship Period, actual Ship Costs incurred.

                    (i)  The Contractor shall be given advance notice and be
                         entitled to have a representative on board ship to
                         observe at sea repairs and shall be given the earliest
                         possible notice of any such repair.

                    (ii) Subject to the foregoing and to Sub-Article 10(D), any
                         repair by the Purchaser shall not in any way diminish
                         the Contractor's obligation under the warranty.  Any
                         equipment discovered to be defective or faulty and
                         recovered during a warranty repair shall be returned to
                         the Contractor at its request.

               (d)  In the event that the Contractor fails to make the repair or
                    to make reasonable efforts to minimize the period of time
                    that the System is out of service for repair, the Purchaser
                    may repair the System or the System Upgrade and the
                    Contractor shall reimburse the Purchaser for Non-Ship Costs
                    and, with respect to any such repair relating to a defect
                    identified in good faith by Purchaser in writing prior to
                    the end of the Ship Period, Ship Costs.

                    (i)  The Contractor shall be given advance notice and be
                         entitled to have a representative on board ship to
                         observe at sea repairs and shall be given the earliest
                         possible notice of any such repair.

                    (ii) Subject to the foregoing, any repair by the Purchaser
                         shall not in any way diminish the Contractor's
                         obligation under the warranty. Any equipment discovered
                         to be defective or faulty and recovered during a
                         warranty repair shall be returned to the Contractor at
                         its request.

 
                                                                              33

          2.   Contractor shall bear the Ship Costs of only those repairs of the
               defects identified in good faith by Purchaser in writing prior to
               the end of the Ship Period. However, the Contractor shall bear
               the Non-Ship Costs of each repair, replacement or improvement
               required during the Warranty Period.

               As used herein, "Ship Cost" means the costs of operating a
               vessel, including but not limited to running and standing charges
               for the vessel (including but not limited to labor charges for
               the vessel's crew, at sea insurance, port charges, fuel and lube
               oils, consumables, cable loading, cable unloading, navigation and
               maritime communications) as well as the costs associated with the
               use and operation of a remotely operated vehicle and the tracked
               self propelled burial tool and "Non-Ship Costs" means the costs
               of making a repair, including the cost of components, equipment
               or materials requiring replacement, the cost of any additional
               equipment necessary to effect the repair, the cost of making the
               repair, including the cost of reburying any previously buried
               portion, the cost of labor and engineering assistance or
               development required to make the repair and all necessary
               associated costs, such as, but not limited to, shipping and
               customs and services that may be required to make the repair, but
               excluding any of the foregoing which are Ship Costs.

          3.   The Contractor shall effect all warranty repairs of the System
               and shall supply all necessary repair materials. However, the
               Contractor may use, with the consent of the Purchaser, which
               shall not be unreasonably withheld, the materials needed to
               effect a repair from the Purchaser's available spare materials.
               The Contractor shall promptly replace in kind such materials
               supplied from the Purchaser's spare materials.  The replacement
               of or reimbursement for such materials shall be made at a time
               mutually agreed to by the Purchaser and the Contractor.

          4.   The Contractor warrants that services furnished hereunder will be
               performed in a workmanlike manner using materials free from
               defects except when such materials are provided by the Purchaser
               (it being understood that all materials arranged for directly by
               Contractor, whether or not purchased in the name of Purchaser,
               are not materials provided by the Purchaser). If such services
               prove to be not so performed and Purchaser notifies the
               Contractor within six (6) months from the completion of the
               service, the Contractor will promptly correct the defect.

          5.   Any part which replaces a defective part during the applicable
               Warranty Period or Upgrade Warranty Period, shall be subject to
               the remaining Warranty Period and Ship Period, if any, or Upgrade
               Warranty Period, as the case may be, of the part which was
               replaced. However, the Warranty Period shall never exceed *
               from the Date of

*  MATERIAL OMITTED AND SEPARATELY FILED UNDER AN APPLICATION FOR CONFIDENTIAL 
   TREATMENT.



 
                                                                              34

               Provisional Acceptance of the System and the Upgrade Warranty
               Period for any System Upgrade shall never exceed * years
               from the Date of Provisional Acceptance of such System Upgrade.
               Further, Ship Costs shall be included only with respect to
               defects identified in good faith by Purchaser in writing during
               the first * from the Date of Provisional Acceptance of the 
               System.

     B.   *


     C.   The warranties provided above in Sub-Articles 10(A) and (B) by the
Contractor shall not apply to defects or failures of performance, which result
from damage caused by acts or omissions of the Purchaser or its agents,
employees or representatives or third parties (other than the Contractor), or
which result from modifications, misuse, neglect, accident or abuse, repair,
storage or maintenance by other than the Contractor or its agents or, use in a
manner not in accordance with the System Description or other causes set forth
in Article 12 (Purchaser's Obligations) or Article 17 (Force Majeure).

     D.   THE FOREGOING WARRANTY IS EXCLUSIVE AND IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER
EXPRESS AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE WHICH ARE SPECIFICALLY
DISCLAIMED.

     E.   The Contractor shall, in accordance with its normal operating
practices, investigate any defective part or parts repaired or replaced pursuant
to this Article 10 to determine the type of defect and the cause of failure of
the part or parts. The Contractor shall provide a written report to the
Purchaser on the results of the investigation, if any.


*  MATERIAL OMITTED AND SEPARATELY FILED UNDER AN APPLICATION FOR CONFIDENTIAL 
   TREATMENT.



 
                                                                              35

ARTICLE 11  CONTRACTOR SUPPORT
------------------------------

     A.   For a period of ten (10) years from the applicable Date of Provisional
Acceptance or Date of Commercial Acceptance of the System whichever is earlier,
the Contractor will make available to the Purchaser replacement parts and repair
service for the System as may be reasonably necessary for its operation,
maintenance or repair. Where identical parts cannot be supplied, the Contractor
shall provide fully compatible parts with characteristics equal or superior to
those originally provided by the Contractor. Such parts and services shall be
provided under commercially reasonable conditions of price and delivery.

     B.   Notwithstanding Sub-Article 11(A), if for any reason the Contractor or
Contractor's suppliers intend to cease or ceases manufacturing or having
manufactured identical or fully compatible replacement parts, the Contractor
shall use reasonable efforts to give one year's prior written notice to the
Purchaser to allow the Purchaser to order from the Contractor any required
replacement parts and shall provide full details of the arrangements to provide
equivalents.

ARTICLE 12  PURCHASER'S OBLIGATIONS
-----------------------------------

     A.   Purchaser agrees to pay all amounts payable by it when due under this
Contract and to perform all of its other obligations under this Contract.

     B.   In the event the Purchaser establishes a branch office in any of the
relevant jurisdictions, the Purchaser shall be solely responsible to perform all
activities necessary to establish such branch office.

     C.   If any loss, damage, delay or failure of performance of the System or
a System Upgrade results from the Purchaser's failure to perform its obligations
under this Contract and results in an increase in the costs of performance or
the time required for performance of any of the Contractor's duties or
obligations under this Contract, the Contractor shall be entitled, as
appropriate, to (i) an equitable adjustment in the Contract Price or applicable
Upgrade Price, (ii) an equitable extension of time for completion of its Work or
the Upgrade Work, (iii) reimbursement for all such additional costs incurred,
and (iv) to the extent necessary in light of Purchaser's failure and the
adjustments made in accordance with clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above, an
equitable adjustment of the Work and/or Upgrade Work.

          1.   The Contractor shall inform the Purchaser promptly of any
               occurrence covered under this Sub-Article 12(C), and shall use
               reasonable efforts to minimize any such additional costs or
               delay.

          2.   The Contractor shall promptly provide to the Purchaser an
               estimate of the anticipated additional costs and time required to
               complete the Work or Upgrade Work and request relief from
               contractual obligations or duties, as appropriate. Purchaser
               shall, upon notification, make advance payment to Contractor for
               the estimated amount of anticipated additional costs; provided
                                                                     --------
               that Purchaser may deposit such amount into

 
                                                                              36

               the Dispute Account and Sub-Article 5(C)(5) shall apply.
               Contractor shall without limiting Purchaser's obligations in the
               foregoing sentence, discuss such costs with Purchaser upon
               Purchaser's request.

          3.   As soon as reasonably practicable after the actual costs become
               known to the Contractor, the Contractor shall provide a statement
               of such actual costs to the Purchaser.

          4.   If the estimated amount is greater than the amount of actual
               costs, then the Contractor shall reimburse the Purchaser. If the
               amount of actual costs incurred is greater than the estimated
               amount, then the Purchaser shall reimburse the Contractor for any
               shortfall in accordance with Article 5 (Terms of Payment of
               Purchaser).

ARTICLE 13  TERMINATION FOR DEFAULT
-----------------------------------

     A.   Either Party may, by written Notice of Termination for Default,
immediately upon receipt or such later date as specified in the notice,
terminate the whole or any part of this Contract in any one of the following
circumstances (each an "Event of Default"):

          1.   In the case of the Purchaser, (a) if Contractor materially fails
               to comply with the terms and conditions of this Contract and, if
               such failure occurs prior to the Date of Commercial Acceptance or
               the Date of Provisional Acceptance, it would not be reasonable to
               believe that the Contractor will be able to provide the System
               which is Ready for Provisional Acceptance, within 200 days after
               the Scheduled RFS Date or (b) the Contractor fails to cause the
               System to be Ready for Provisional Acceptance within 200 days
               after the Schedule RFS Date;

          2.   If the other Party defaults on any of its payment obligations and
               does not cure such default within a period of thirty (30) days
               (or such longer period as the non-breaching Party may authorize
               in writing) after receipt of written notice demanding cure
               (subject to dispute provisions);

          3.   If the other Party shall commence a voluntary case or other
               proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief
               with respect to itself or its debts under any bankruptcy,
               insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or
               seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator,
               custodian or other similar official of it or any substantial part
               of its property, or shall consent to any such relief or to the
               appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an
               involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against it, or
               shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or
               shall fail generally to pay its debts as they become due, or
               shall take any corporate action to authorize any of the
               foregoing;

 
                                                                              37

          4.   If an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced
               against the other Party seeking liquidation, reorganization or
               other relief with respect to it or its debts under any
               bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in
               effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver,
               liquidator, custodian or other similar official of it or any
               substantial part of its property, and such involuntary case or
               other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a
               period of 60 days; or an order for relief shall be entered
               against the other Party.

     B.   If this Contract is terminated by the Purchaser as provided in Sub-
Article 13(A), the Purchaser, in addition to any other rights provided in this
Article and upon payment to Contractor of all monies due and owing as set forth
in Sub-Article 13(C) below, may require the Contractor to transfer title and
deliver to the Purchaser in the manner and to the extent directed by the
Purchaser any completed equipment, material or supplies, and such partially
completed cable and materials, parts, tools, dies, jigs, fixtures, plans,
drawings, information, and contract rights (hereinafter collectively
"Manufacturing Materials") as the Contractor has had specifically produced or
specifically acquired for the performance of such part of this Contract as has
been terminated and which, if this Contract had been completed, would have been
required to be furnished to the Purchaser; and the Contractor shall, upon the
direction of the Purchaser, protect and preserve property in the Contractor's
possession in which the Purchaser has an interest.

     C.   If the Contract is terminated by Contractor as provided in Sub-Article
13(A), the Purchaser shall pay the total of:

          1.   the cost of settling and paying claims arising out of the
               termination of Work under the contracts and orders, as provided
               in Sub-Article 14(B)(3) below which are properly chargeable to
               the terminated portion of this Contract; and

          2.   the reasonable costs of settlement including accounting, legal,
               clerical and other expenses necessary for the preparation of
               settlement claims and supporting data with respect to the
               terminated portion of this Contract and for termination and
               settlement of contracts thereunder, together with reasonable
               storage, transportation and other costs incurred in connection
               with the protection, preservation and disposition of property
               proper to this Contract.

     D.   Force Majeure events pursuant to Article 17 (Force Majeure) shall not
constitute a default or provide a basis for termination under this Article.

     E.   Regardless of any termination of this Contract as provided in Sub-
Article 13(A), neither Party shall be relieved from any liability for damages or
otherwise which may have been incurred by reason of any breach of this Contract.

 
                                                                              38

     F.   Without limitation to the foregoing, in the event that Purchaser
terminates this Contract pursuant to Sub-Article 13(A), the Contractor shall be
liable to Purchaser (without duplication) for the total of all costs and
expenses incurred by Purchaser in completing the Work or in correcting
deficiencies in the Work to the extent that the payments made to Contractor
pursuant to this Contract, together with such costs and expenses, exceed the
Contract Price.

ARTICLE 14  TERMINATION FOR CONVENIENCE
---------------------------------------

     A.   The performance of Work under this Contract may be terminated by the
Purchaser in whole, or in part, at its discretion. The Purchaser shall deliver
to the Contractor a written notice specifying the extent to which performance of
Work under this Contract is terminated, and the date upon which such termination
becomes effective (a "Notice of Termination"). Upon termination, the Purchaser
will make payment to Contractor of all monies due and owing as set forth in Sub-
Article 14(D) below.

     B.   After receipt of such Notice of Termination, and except as otherwise
directed by the Purchaser, the Contractor shall:

          1.   Stop Work under this Contract on the date and to the extent
               specified in the Notice of Termination;

          2.   Place no further orders or contracts for materials, services or
               facilities except as may be necessary for completion of such
               portion of Work under this Contract as is not terminated;

          3.   Use reasonable efforts to terminate all orders and contracts to
               the extent that they relate to the performance of Work terminated
               by the Notice of Termination;

          4.   Assign to the Purchaser, in the manner, at the time, and to the
               extent directed by the Purchaser, all of the Contractor's rights,
               title and interest under the orders and contracts so terminated;

          5.   Use reasonable efforts to settle all outstanding liabilities and
               all claims arising out of such termination of orders and
               contracts, with the Purchaser's approval or ratification to the
               extent required;

          6.   Transfer title and deliver to the Purchaser in the manner, at the
               time and to the extent (if any) directed for the fabricated or
               unfabricated parts, work in process, completed work, supplies and
               other material produced as a part of, or acquired in connection
               with, the performance of the Work terminated by the Notice of
               Termination;

          7.   Use reasonable efforts to sell, in the manner, at the time, to
               the extent and at the price or prices directed or authorized by
               the Purchaser, any

 
                                                                              39

               property of the types referred to in Sub-Article 14(B)(6) above
               provided, however, that the Contractor:
               --------  -------                      

               (a)  shall not be required to extend credit to any buyer; and

               (b)  may acquire any such property under the conditions
                    prescribed by and at a price approved by the Purchaser;

               and provided further that the net proceeds of any such transfer
                   -------- -------                                           
               or disposition shall be applied in reduction of any payments to
               be made by the Purchaser to the Contractor under this Contract
               or, if no such payments are due, paid in such other manner as the
               Purchaser may direct;

          8.   Complete performance of such part of the Work which was not
               terminated by the Notice of Termination; and

          9.   Take such action as may be necessary, or as the Purchaser may
               reasonably direct, for the protection and preservation of the
               property related to this Contract which is in the Contractor's
               possession and in which the Purchaser has acquired or may acquire
               an interest.

     C.   After such Notice of Termination, the Contractor shall submit to the
Purchaser a written termination claim. Such claim shall be submitted promptly,
but, unless otherwise extended, in no event later than six months from the
effective date of termination.

     D.   In the settlement of any such partial or total termination claim, the
Purchaser shall pay to the Contractor the total of:

          1.   all amounts invoiced in accordance with the Contract plus, for
               Work or Supplies which have been done or provided but which have
               not been invoiced, an amount calculated by reference to the
               prices set forth in the Provisioning Schedule and to the amount
               of such Work or Supplies done or provided;

          2.   the cost of settling and paying claims arising out of the
               termination of Work under the contracts in orders, as provided in
               Sub-Article 14(D)(4) below which are properly chargeable to the
               terminated portion of this Contract; and

          3.   the reasonable costs of settlement including accounting, legal,
               clerical and other expenses necessary for the preparation of
               settlement claims and supporting data with respect to the
               terminated portion of this Contract and for termination and
               settlement of contracts thereunder, together with reasonable
               storage, transportation and other costs incurred

 
                                                                              40

               in connection with the protection and disposition of property
               proper to this Contract.

     E.   In arriving at the amount due to the Contractor under this Article 14,
all unliquidated payments made to the Contractor, any liability which the
Contractor may have to the Purchaser, and the agreed price for, or the proceeds
of sale of any materials, supplies or other things acquired by the Contractor or
sold, pursuant to the provisions of this Article 14, and not otherwise recovered
by or credited to the Purchaser shall be deducted.

     F.   The Purchaser may, from time to time, under such terms and conditions
as they prescribe approve partial payments and payments on account against costs
incurred by the Contractor in connection with the terminated portion of this
Contract. If such payments total in excess of the amount finally agreed or
determined to be due under this Article 14, such excess shall be refunded, upon
demand, by the Contractor to the Purchaser.

     G.   For a period of one year after final settlement under this Contract,
the Contractor shall preserve and make available to the Purchaser at reasonable
times at the Contractor's office, but without direct charge to the Purchaser,
all supporting books, records and documents required to be kept relating to the
terminated Work.

ARTICLE 15  SUSPENSION
----------------------

     A.   The Purchaser may, at its convenience, order the Contractor to suspend
all or part of the Work for such period of time as the Purchaser determines to
be appropriate. If, as a result of such Suspension, the Contractor incurs
additional costs or losses in the discharge of its responsibilities under this
Contract, and where such suspension, losses or costs are not caused by the
Contractor's act or omission and could not have been reasonably prevented by the
Contractor, the Contractor shall be allowed an equitable adjustment to the
Contract Price or the Provisioning Schedule in Appendix 1 and an equitable
extension in the time required for performance.

     B.   Upon the occurrence of:

          (i) an Event of Default by the Purchaser;

          (ii) any transfer prior to the Date of Final Acceptance of any portion
     of the System except in accordance with Article 37; or

          (iii)    any supplement executed by a Transferee shall not be in full
     force and effect;

the Contractor, in addition to any other rights provided in Article 13, may
suspend performance of its obligations and all Work and (in the case of clause
(i)) Upgrade Work.

     C.   Every forty-five (45) days, during the period of Suspension, the
Parties shall meet formally and review the circumstances surrounding the
Suspension including without limitation, the anticipated date of re-commencing
Work.

 
                                                                              41

     D.   Thereafter, if the Suspension continues for a total of one hundred and
eighty (180) days, the Contractor may terminate the Contract by notice to the
Purchaser and the Contract shall be deemed to have been terminated by Purchaser,
effective on the date of Contractor's notice, in accordance with Sub-Article
13(A) and the remaining provisions of Article 13 shall apply.

ARTICLE 16  TITLE AND RISK OF LOSS
----------------------------------

     A.   Except as provided in Article 18 (Intellectual Property), Article 20
(Safeguarding of Information and Technology) and Article 21 (Export Control),
title to all Supplies provided by the Contractor hereunder for incorporation in
or attachment to a Segment shall pass to and vest in the Purchaser in accordance
with Article 9 (Acceptance). Risk of loss or damage to all Supplies provided by
the Contractor for incorporation in or attachment to such Segment shall pass to
and vest in the Purchaser in accordance with Article 9. Upon termination of this
Contract pursuant to Article 13 (Termination for Default) or 14 (Termination for
Convenience), the Purchaser may require, upon full payment of all amounts due
thereunder (provided that, without limiting Purchaser's obligation to make any
            --------                                                          
such payment, if this Contract is terminated by Purchaser because of a
Bankruptcy Event full payment shall not be required prior to the transfer of
title), that title to the equipment, materials and supplies, which has not
previously passed to the Purchaser, pass to the Purchaser, free and clear of all
liens, claims, charges and other encumbrances other than those deriving through
Purchaser.

     B.   Upon the passage of title in accordance with the terms of Article 13
(except a transfer described in the proviso of the last sentence of Sub-Article
16(A)), the Contractor warrants that all parts, materials, and equipment to
which title has passed will be free and clear of all liens, claims, charges and
other encumbrances other than those deriving through the Purchaser.

ARTICLE 17  FORCE MAJEURE
-------------------------

     A.   The Contractor shall not be responsible for any loss, damage, delay or
failure of performance resulting directly or indirectly from any cause which is
beyond its reasonable control ("Force Majeure"), including but not limited to:
delay in obtaining or failure to obtain any Permits (subject to the provisions
of Sub-Article 7(D)); acts of God or of the public enemy; acts or failure to act
of any governmental authority; war or warlike operations, civil war or
commotion, mobilizations or military call-up, and acts of similar nature;
revolution, rebellions, sabotage, and insurrections or riots; fires, floods,
epidemics, quarantine restrictions; strikes, and other labor actions; freight
embargoes; unworkable weather; trawler or anchor damage; damage caused by other
marine activity such as fishing, marine research and marine development; acts or
omissions of transporters; or the acts or failure to act of any of the
Purchaser, of its representatives or agents, provided that (i) a loss by
                                             --------                   
Contractor of employees (other than by reasons of Force Majeure), (ii) strikes
and other labor actions involving the Contractor's own work force, (iii) the
first 5 days of unworkable weather (unless any such day occurs during the 30
days immediately preceding the then Scheduled RFS Date), (iv) the failure (other
than by reason of force majeure) of any subcontractor, supplier or transporter
to

 
                                                                              42

perform its obligations to Contractor (including on account of insolvency)
unless such supplies or transportation or other services are generally
unavailable in the marketplace, (v) the unavailabilit