MMDS Channel Lease Agreement - Satellite Signals of New England and New England Wireless Inc.
MMDS CHANNEL LEASE AGREEMENT
This MMDS Channel Lease Agreement (this "Agreement") entered into this
28th day of January, 1991, between Satellite Signals of New England, having
their principal place of business at P.O. Box 608, Barre, Vermont 05641
(hereinafter referred to as "Lessor", and New England Wireless, Inc., (and
any other entities owned or controlled by NEW) a Vermont corporation, having
its principal place of business at 56 Green Street, Bellows Falls, Vermont
05101 (hereinafter referred to as "New England Wireless" or "Lessee").
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, Lessor is the Federal Communications Commission (hereinafter
referred to as the "FCC"), applicant and tentative selectee for a four
channel Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service Station (hereinafter
referred to as the "MMDS Station"), to operate on Channels E. Group
(hereinafter referred to as the "Channels"), as designated by Subpart K of
Part 21 of the FCC's Rules, serving Brownsville, Vermont area (hereinafter
referred to as the "Market Area" or the Springfield - Windsor Market Area"),
by line-of-sight transmissions from the MMDS Station.
WHEREAS, Lessee is undertaking to build and operate a wireless cable
system to serve the Springfield - Windsor Market Area; and
WHEREAS, Lessor is desirous of leasing service on all of the Channels
to Lessee and Lessee is desirous of leasing such service from Lessor.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
promises, undertakings, covenants and conditions set forth herein, the
parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:
1. Use of the Channels.
(a) Leased Time. Lessor hereby leases to Lessee the complete
transmission capacity on all of the Channels 24 hours a day, seven days a
week, every week, as necessary for Lessee's use of the Channels for
transmission of Lessee provided video and audio programming, data and other
information in connection with Lessee's wireless cable business at reception
points selected by Lessee in the Market Area (the "Wireless Cable System")
commencing on the day the MMDS Station is constructed and extending for the
term of this Agreement and any renewal(s) thereof.
(b) Scope of Use. The transmission capacity may be used by Lessee
for any legal purpose as part of its Wireless Cable System, without any
restriction on the substance, format or type of information or signal to be
transmitted thereover except that Lessee shall not transmit video and audio
programming, data and other information that it knows or reasonably should
know does not comply with FCC rules and policies including, but not limited
to, FCC policies concerning indecent or obscene programming.
Obligation to Transmit. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed
to obligate or create a duty on the part of Lessee to actually provide to
Lessor for transmission any minimum amount of video and audio programming,
data or other information during that air time covered hereby, but the
absence of programming shall not relieve Lessee of its obligation to pay
Lessor the fees due hereunder.
(d) Preemption. The use of the Channels leased hereunder are subject
to preemption by Lessor in accordance with any requirement or order of the
FCC or any other local, state or federal regulatory authority with
jurisdiction over the operation of the Channels. However, in the event such
preemption exceeds 168 consecutive hours on any one of the Channels or a
total of 336 hours-in any thirty (30) day period on any or all of the
Channels, Lessee may terminate this Agreement without further liability to
Lessor.
2 . Term.
(a) Initial Term. Subject to the provisions for earlier termination
contained in Section 11 hereof, the term of this Agreement shall commence
upon the date first written above and shall continue in full force and
effect for a period of Ten (10) years from the Start Date as defined in
Section 6 hereof. Said period is hereinafter referred to as the "Initial
Term."
(b) Renewal Term. Subject to the provisions for earlier termination
contained in Section 11 hereof, the term of this Agreement shall
automatically be extended for up to three (3) successive additional ten year
terms (such additional term(s) are hereinafter referred to as the "Renewal
Term(s)" unless Lessee shall have served written notice on Lessor at least
six (6) months prior to the expiration date of the then-current initial Term
or Renewal Term that it elects not to renew this Agreement for the
subsequent Renewal Term.
Commencing no later than six (6) months prior to the expiration of the
third Renewal Term, if this Agreement has been so extended by Lessee, Lessor
and Lessee shall attempt in good faith to negotiate the terms of a further
extension of this Agreement. At no time prior to the conclusion of those
negotiations may Lessor negotiate or enter into any agreement contemplating
any use whatsoever of any or all of the Channels with any individual or
entity other than Lessee.
In the event, after the expiration of the Initial Term, Lessor decides
to utilize channel capacity for itself for non-ITFS purposes, or in the
event that Lessor decides to lease channel capacity to an entity other than
Lessee, or in the event that Lessor decides no to lease channel capacity to
any individual or entity, including Lessee, Lessor shall compensate Lessee
for the fair market value of the Leased Equipment, as hereinafter defined,
after which title of such equipment shall pass to Lessor, as well as for the
fair market value of Lessee's business as a going concern, including good
will, as a provider of channel capacity for delivery of entertainment
programming, either by its own organization or through an operator, on
ITFS, MDS, OFS and/or MMDS channels in the Ascutney Mountain area.
3. Facilities.
(a) Transmission Point. Lessor's FCC application specifies a
transmitter site located (Ascutney Mountain ) of Brownsville, Vermont (the
"Present Transmission Point"). Lessee has advised Lessor that it has
obtained reasonable assurance of the availability of a new Transmission
Point (the "New Transmission Point") located on Mount Ascutney, the
coordinates of which are North Lat. 43 Deg. 26' 15" West Lon 72 Deg. 27' 09"
Lessee will co-locate all of the microwave transmission facilities to be
utilized in Lessee's Wireless Cable Business serving the Springfield -
Windsor Market Area at the New Transmission Point. Lessee shall, within
thirty (30) days of the date of the Agreement, provide Lessor with an
amendment to his pending application to specify the New Transmission Point
for the MMDS Station and to conform the design and equipment of the MMDS
Station to that of other facilities Lessee intends to utilize in connection
with its wireless cable business in the Springfield - Windsor Market Area.
Lessor shall submit such amendment to the FCC within five (5) working days
of receipt thereof. In the event that the Commission, prior to or after
submission of the modification amendment to specify the New Transmission
Point, should issue a Conditional License specifying that construction shall
be completed at the Present Transmission Point, Lessor and Lessee shall
cooperate in the preparation and filing of an application for modification
of conditional license in the same manner as provided for in this Section
for filing of an amendment to the presently pending application. It is the
intent of the parties that Lessee's design of the MMDS Station and Lessee's
specification of equipment shall be approved by Lessor unless Lessor
reasonably believes that the design of the MMDS Station or specification of
equipment proposed by Lessee will result in non-compliance with the rules or
policies of the FCC or Lessor's inability to provide service as contemplated
by this Agreement. In the event of such reasonable disapproval by Lessor,
the parties shall utilize their best efforts to redesign the MMDS Station to
meet both the needs of Lessee's Wireless Cable Business and Lessor's
concerns.
(b) Satisfaction Notice. Upon a grant of (a) Conditional License
which specifies that construction shall be completed at the New Transmission
Point (the "Modified Conditional License") or (b) a Conditional License
which specifies that construction shall be completed at the Present
Transmission Point (the "Conditional License"), Lessor shall utilize his
best efforts to -satisfy any and all conditions that the FCC may impose in
the Conditional License or the Modified Conditional License or the FCC's
Rules as conditions precedent to the construction and operation of the MMDS
Station in a manner consistent with this Agreement and further Lessor shall
take all steps necessary to obtain a Modified Conditional License as
provided for in Section 3(a) hereof. Lessor shall provide Lessee notice
within three (3) workdays of satisfying all conditions that the FCC may
impose in the Modified Conditional License or the FCC's Rules as conditions
precedent to the construction and operation of the MMDS Station (the
"Satisfaction Notice")> Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, Lessee shall not be required to commence construction of the MMDS
Station until after Lessor's receipt of the Modified Conditional License and
Lessee's receipt of the Satisfaction Notice with respect thereto.
Construction Schedule. Within sixty(60) days after the date of the
grant of the Modified Conditional License, Lessee shall order the
Transmission Equipment (as defined in Section 3 (hereof), utilizing its
reasonable best efforts to specify a delivery schedule as Necessary to
ensure delivery of equipment and construction of the MMDS Station by the
earlier of nine (9) months after such grant date or such .date that may be
specified by the FCC in the Modified Conditional License for completion of
construction of the MMDS Station, provided, however, that it has received
the Satisfaction Notice provided for in Section 3(b) hereof. In the event
that Lessee is unable to reasonably complete construction of the Station
within the time provided by the FCC for construction of the MMDS Station in
the Modified Conditional License or for other causes reasonably beyond its
control, Lessee's time to complete construction shall, subject to FCC
approval thereof, be extended for such period as is reasonable under the
circumstances. Lessor agrees that upon request of Lessee, it will file
reasonable requests for an extension of its time to complete construction of
the MMDS Station. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Lessor
shall, upon Lessee's request, request an extension of the time to construct
the MMDS Station in the event the Transmission Equipment is not delivered
before ninety (90) days of the date on which Lessor's authority to construct
the MMDS Station is to expire under the Modified Conditional License (as
obligation to order Transmission Equipment or to construct the Station
unless a Modified Conditional License specifying the New Transmission Point
shall not have been granted by the FCC provided, however, that Lessor and
Lessee will use their respective best efforts to obtain grant, of a Modified
Conditional License.
(d) Certification of Completion of Construction. Within three (3)
workdays after completing construction of the Station, Lessee shall notify
Lessor in writing of such completion. Within five (5) workdays of receiving
such notice, Lessor shall file a Certification of Completion of Construction
of the MMDS Station on FCC Form 494 or any successor form designated by the
FCC (the "Construction Certificate") along with any other documentation as
may be necessary at the time to permit the commercial operation of the MMDS
Station.
(e) Transmission Equipment. Lessee shall purchase and install such
transmitters and other equipment, including, without limitation,
transmitters, combiners and waveguide (hereinafter referred to as the
"Transmission Equipment"), which equipment may be shared with other
stations, as is required to operate the Channels in accordance with the
provisions of FCC rules and regulations and the Station's FCC license.
Lessor's consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, shall be
required as to all Transmission Equipment. Within sixty (60) days after the
date of this Agreement, Lessee shall provide Lessor with a list of all
proposed Transmission Equipment, except for such Transmission Equipment
previously specified in the amendments to the present application or
modification applications) to specify the New Transmission Point or within
ten (10) days thereafter. Lessor shall be considered to have consented
thereto unless he states his reasons for declining consent in writing with
ten (10) days after receipt of any list of Transmission Equipment has been
provided to the Lessor by the Lessee. It is the intent of the parties that
Lessee's specification of Transmission Equipment shall be approved unless
Lessor reasonably believes that use of the Transmission Equipment specified
by Lessor will result in non-compliance with Lessor's FCC license, the rules
or policies of the FCC or Lessor's ability to provide service as required by
this Agreement.
(f) Lease of Transmission Equipment. Lessor shall have no ownership
or security interest in the Transmission Equipment. All Transmission
Equipment shall be owned by Lessee and shall be leased to Lessor for the sum
of one dollar ($1.00) per year for the entire initial term and any
renewal(s) thereof. In the event of termination (except as a result of
Lessor's breach) or non-renewal of this Agreement Lessor shall have the
right to purchase the Transmission Equipment at fair market value except for
such of the Transmission Equipment as is shared with other FCC-licensed
stations. In the event that Lessee shall desire to replace any of the
Transmission Equipment, Lessor shall reasonably agree to such replacement
and Lessor and Lessee will cooperate to satisfy and FCC requirements with
respect thereto.
(g) Lease of Transmission Point. Lessee agrees to utilize its
reasonable best efforts to enter a binding lease or option for sufficient
space at the New Transmission Point for installation and operation of the
transmission facilities (the "New Transmission Point Space") within ninety
(90) days after execution of this Agreement and shall, in any event, secure
such a lease or option no later than the date on which the FCC grants the
Modified Conditional License. Such option and/or lease shall provide for
(1) lease of such space for the entire Initial Term and any renewals
thereof, and (2) the right of Lessee to sublet such space to Lessor for the
entire term thereof. Copies of such option and lease shall be provided to
Lessor within ten (10) days of the execution thereof. Such lease shall
provide for full and equal rights to access by Lessor and by Lessee or by
the authorized representatives of either.
(h) Sublease of Transmission Point Space. Lessee agrees to sublease
the New Transmission Point Space to Lessor during the term of this Agreement
for $1.00 per month. In the event of termination (except as a result of
Lessor's breach) or non-renewal of this Agreement, Lessee shall if feasible
and, if so requested by Lessor and at Lessor's cost and expense, cooperated
in seeking assignment of the lease for that part of the Transmission Point
used for operation of the Transmission Equipment or in any efforts by Lessor
to secure from the owner of the New Transmission Point a lease for the space
utilized for the Transmission Equipment at the New Transmission Point.
(i) Modification of License. Lessor and Lessee acknowledge the
possibility that the location and technical configuration of the MMDS
Station may from time to time prevent Lessee from optimizing its wireless
cable business throughout the term of this Agreement. Lessor therefore
agrees that if at any time and from time to time Lessee so requests in
writing, Lessor shall use its best efforts to modify its FCC applications)
or license(s) to meet the reasonable requirements of Lessee. Lessee shall
pay all costs associated with such modifications (including engineering and
legal fees, equipment costs and construction expenses), provided that such
costs are approved in advance.
4. Operation of the Channels.
(a) Operation of the Transmission Equipment. Lessee shall supply, at
its sole cost and expense, personnel to operate and maintain the
Transmission Equipment on a day-to-day basis. Said personnel shall insure
that the Transmission Equipment shall at all times meet the technical
operating requirements set forth in the FCC License and the rules and
regulations of the FCC. All operations, maintenance and repair activities
shall be undertaken at such times as are consistent with the operating
requirements of Lessee's business. Lessor and Lessee shall cooperate to
insure that each of them at all times is fully aware of any and all
operational, maintenance and repair activities on the Channels. All
maintenance personnel shall be under the technical direction, supervision
and control of Lessor but shall be contracted for and shall be supervised on
a day-to-day basis by Lessee at Lessee's sole expense. All repairs shall be
completed as soon as reasonably possible following notification by Lessor to
Lessee of the need thereof. Lessee shall have access to the station
facilities at all times for any of the foregoing activities. Lessor shall
not be liable for any costs, and/or liability whatsoever arising as a result
of Lessee's work on the Transmission Equipment pursuant to this Agreement,
except liability caused by Lessor's own negligence.
(b) Operation of Additional Equipment. Lessee, at its own expense,
and with the prior written approval of Lessor, which shall not be
unreasonably withheld, may make alterations and/or additions to the
Transmission Equipment (including, without limitation, encoding and/or
addressing equipment selected by it) as may be required by the exigencies of
its business from time to time, provided that such alterations and additions
do not violate and FCC rules or regulations. Any alterations/additions
shall be provided by Lessee and title thereto shall remain in Lessee.
Lessee shall be responsible for the operation, maintenance and repair of all
equipment provided by it and shall indemnify Lessor against and shall pay
all costs, including legal, engineering, equipment, construction,
installation and other expenses associated with any alterations or
attachments to the Transmission Equipment, provided, however, that Lessee
has approved such costs in advance.
(c) Interference With Existing Operations. Lessor and Lessee will
cooperate in the operation and maintenance of the Transmission Equipment as
well as any alterations or attachments added thereto, in such a fashion as
to insure that the Channels do not create impermissible interference to any
FCC applicants, permittees or licensees which are entitled to protection
from such interference under the rules and regulations of the FCC, provided
that Lessee shall be responsible at its sole expense for eliminating such
interference.
(d) Reception Equipment. Lessor has no responsibility hereunder to
acquire or provide any reception antennas, down converters, decoders,
descramblers, related power supplies or any associated equipment ("Reception
Equipment") required to display signals transmitted over the Channels on a
television set. Lessee may, in its sole discretion and on terms and
conditions of its choosing, may, from time to time, install or cause to be
installed such reception Equipment as may be required in order for the
general public, or any member thereof, to view the programs to be
transmitted over the Channels. Title to all Reception Equipment provided by
Lessee hereunder shall vest in Lessee or its designee. Lessee shall be
required to install Reception Equipment only at particular locations
selected by it. Reception equipment shall be installed, maintained,
operated and controlled by Lessee consistent with FCC rules and regulations.
(e) Program Origination and Delivery. Lessee shall be solely
responsible for the origination of all programming to be transmitted over
the Channels and the delivery of such programming to the New Transmission
Point, -including but not limited to the costs of point-to-point microwave
channels and earth stations, if nay, which it may require for such purpose.
Lessee shall bear all costs and expenses of purchasing, installing,
operating and maintaining those facilities. Any personnel required to
install, operate and maintain any program origination and delivery
facilities shall be provided by Lessee, at its sole cost and expense, and
such personnel shall be under Lessee's exclusive control.
(f) Operating Expenses. Lessee shall be solely responsible for and
shall indemnify and hold Lessor harmless from all operating expenses
resulting from provision of service over the Channels. Said operating
expenses shall include all expenses incurred by Lessor in providing service
on Lessee's behalf, provided such expenses are approved in advance by
Lessee. Any operating costs incurred by Lessor shall be passed through each
month on a dollar-for-dollar basis to Lessee and shall be due and payable as
provided in Section 5(d) hereof.
(g) Cooperation of Lessor and Lessee. Lessor shall use, operate and
maintain the Transmission Equipment in such a way as not to interfere with
Lessee or cause damage to Lessee's facilities, equipment or Wireless Cable
business. Lessee shall use, operate and maintain the equipment (including
any attachments installed to the Transmission Equipment) in such a way as
not to interfere with Lessor or cause damage to the Transmission Equipment.
(h) Maintenance of Authorization. Throughout the Initial Term and
any Renewal Term, Lessor shall maintain in force all licenses and other
authorizations required in connection with Lessee's use of the Channels
hereunder, and shall file and prosecute all necessary applications for
license renewal and all periodic reports required by the FCC. Lessor shall
not assign, transfer, sell, trade, dispose or otherwise encumber such
licenses and other authorizations or modify them in such a way as to impair
Lessee's rights hereunder without the prior written consent of Lessee, which
shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(i) Additional Authorizations. Where requested to do so by Lessee in
writing, Lessor shall utilize its best efforts to obtain and maintain in
force such additional or other authorizations for relays, repeaters and
boosters), obtain all governmental authorizations and fulfill all other
usual and customary requirements associated with obtaining and maintaining
such authorizations. Lessee shall pay all reasonable costs, including
legal, engineering, equipment, construction, installation and other expenses
associated with obtaining and maintaining such authorization and
constructing, operating, and maintaining the authorized facilities which it
shall have approved in advance.
(j) Further Efforts. Lessor shall, at Lessee's expense, file and
diligently prosecute such reasonable petitions to deny or other protests
against applications of third parties for licenses as may be requested by
Lessee.
(k) Prosecution of Applications and Amendments. In the event any
person petitions the FCC to deny or otherwise challenges any application
filed pursuant to this Agreement, or in the event the FCC grants any
application filed pursuant to this Agreement and any person petitions for
review or reconsideration of such grant before the FCC or seeks judicial
review of such grant, the Lessor and Lessee shall at Lessee's expense oppose
such petition or challenge before the FCC or defend such grant by the FCC
diligently and in absolute good faith. Should the FCC deny any application
filed by Lessor hereunder, Lessee and Lessor shall utilize their best
efforts, at Lessee's expense, to secure reconsideration or review of such
denial and, should such denial become a Final Order, shall utilize their
best efforts to redesign the MMDS Station in order to meet Lessee's
legitimate business needs and to satisfy the objection of the FCC.
(l) Covenant Not to Amend or Modify. Because the location and
configuration of the MMDS Station and other facilities constructed by Lessee
hereunder are critical to Lessee's business, Lessee shall not attempt to
further amend the pending Application other than as provided for in Section
3 (h) hereof or to modify the Modified Conditional License or any other
application filed hereunder or modify Any license or other authorization
secured hereunder without the prior written consent of Lessee, which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld.
5. Charges.
(a) Commitment Fee. In consideration for Lessor's loss of
opportunity and forbearance from dealing with others for service on the
Station, Lessee shall pay to Lessor a Commitment Fee of One Thousand Dollars
($1,000) per frequency or channel within seven (7) days of receiving notice
from Lessor that the FCC has granted the Amended Application.
(b) Transmission Fee. Commencing on the Start Date and continuing
thereafter for the term of this Agreement, Lessee shall pay to Lessor in
consideration of the faithful performance by Lessor of his obligations
hereunder a monthly fee (the "Transmission Fee") equal to the number of
Subscribers (as calculated in accordance with the formula below) during-the
month in question multiplied by Ten Cents ($0.10) per channel. For purposes
of computing the Transmission Fee due hereunder for any month, the term
"Subscribers" shall be deemed to mean the number of subscribers contracting
with Lessee to receive Lessee's programming over the Modified Station as of
the last day of the prior month plus the number of such subscribers to
Lessee's programming over the Modified Station as of the last day of the
current month divided by two. Only Subscribers which are current with
respect to their payments shall be considered for this purpose; provided,
however, that Subscribers paying after the fact for a prior month or months
shall be counted as Subscribers for such month or months retroactively. In
those situations where programming is sold in bulk for viewing at isolated
locations in the same facility (that is, where a number of viewing units are
grouped for billing purposes such as may be the case with hotels and
condominiums) and Lessee's rates therefore are less than its prevailing
monthly rate for the sale of Lessee's programming over the Modified Station
to individual Subscribers of its wireless cable service, the number of
Subscribers from such bulk billing points shall be determined by dividing
the total monthly revenues derived from the sale of Lessee's programming
over the Modified Station to individual Subscribers to Lessee's city
Wireless Cable system.
(c) Minimum Monthly Payments. Customer agrees to make minimum
payments to carrier, commencing on the Start Date follows:
1) For the initial twelve month period commencing on the Start
Date, Lessee shall pay to Lessor a minimum of $250.00 per month per 2
channels.
2) For the second year, Lessee shall pay Lessor a minimum of
$500.00 per 2 channels per month.
3) For the third year thereafter throughout the term of this
Agreement, Lessee shall pay Lessor a minimum of $750.00 per month per
2 channels.
(d) Cost of Living Adjustment. The Minimum Monthly Payment shall be
adjusted upward of downward based upon the consumers price index as reported
by the U.S. Department of Labor (1967=100) for each five (5) year renewal
Term using 1991 as the base year.
(e) Required Certificate, Invoice and Payment Procedure. Lessee
shall, within fifteen (15) days after the end of each month after the Start
Date, provide Lessor with a Certificate signed by a partner of Lessee
showing the number of Subscribers for the preceding month, computed in
accordance with Section 5(c). The Connection Fee or Transmission Fee
payable by Lessee to Lessor, as determined in accordance with Sections 5(b)
and 5(c) hereof, shall be computed on the Certificate, and Lessee shall
forward said Connection Fee or Transmission Fee to Lessor at the time of
tendering the Certificate. Lessee shall include on the Certificate any
other information reasonably requested by Lessor so that Lessor may
accurately determine that the Connection Fee tendered by Lessee has been
calculated correctly pursuant to Section 5(c) hereof. Any other charges to
be paid by Lessee hereunder shall be invoiced to Lessee on a monthly basis
by Lessor. Said invoices shall contain an itemization of the charges
contained therein, and shall be paid by Lessee within twenty (20) days after
the date of receipt thereof.
(f) Right to Audit. Lessor and Lessee shall, while this agreement is
in force, keep, maintain and preserve complete and accurate records and
accounts, including invoices, correspondence, ledgers, financial and other
records reasonably required to determine Lessor's and Lessee's charges
hereunder, and such records and accounts shall be available for inspection
and audit at the respective offices of Lessor and Lessee at any time or
times during the time service is being provided to Lessee hereunder or
within ninety (90) days thereafter, during reasonable business hours, by
Lessor or Lessee or their nominee(s). Lessor and Lessee shall provide each
other with five (5) business days' advance written notice of their intent to
inspect said records and accounts prior to being allowed to do so. In the
event of any dispute to the amount of Connection Fees due to Lessor, such
dispute and no other dispute arising under this Agreement, shall be resolved
by arbitration before the American Arbitration Association (the "AAA" ) on a
fast track single arbitrator basis. Such dispute shall not in any way
result in a default hereunder unless the award of the AAA is not complied
with. All non-public information obtained by Lessee or Lessor during any
audit shall be maintained on a confidential basis.
(g) Proration of Fees. In the event that (i) the Start Date shall be
a date other than the first day of a calendar month, (ii) this Agreement
shall be terminated on a date other than the last day of a calendar month
and it is determined that such termination shall have occurred in a manner
not affecting Lessor's right to payments hereunder, the Transmission Fee or
Connection Fee due Lessor in such month shall be pro rated.
(h) Subscriber Contracts. Lessor shall not interfere with the right
of Lessee or its designee to lawfully modify, waive, rescind, terminate, in
whole or in part, or cancel any and all services or contracts with
Subscribers. In case any such services or contracts are rescinded,
terminated or cancelled, Lessor shall not be entitled to any participation
in revenues or claims whatsoever with respect to the unperformed portion of
any such contract.
6. Start Date. The Start Date shall be the earlier of the date upon
which Lessee first provides service to a Subscriber or the first day of the
sixth calendar month following the date upon which Lessee is required to
complete construction pursuant to Section 3(c) hereof. For purposes of this
Paragraph, a "Subscriber" is any residential unit or commercial
establishment which receives wireless cable service under paid contract with
the Lessee or under rights granted by the Lessee.
7. Unauthorized Reception Over Channels. Lessor if requested by
Lessee and to the extent requested, shall use its best efforts to prevent
any unauthorized individual or entity from receiving the signals transmitted
over the Channels. Lessee shall be responsible for and shall reimburse
Lessor for all costs, including legal, engineering, equipment, construction,
installation and other expenses associated with any prevention efforts
regarding unauthorized reception over the Channels initiated by Lessor on
Lessee's behalf provided that Lessee has approved such costs in advance.
8. Indemnification. Each party shall forever protect, save, defend
and keep the other party harmless and indemnify said other party against and
from any and all claims, demands, losses, costs, damages, suits, judgments,
penalties, expenses and liabilities of any kind or nature whatsoever arising
directly or indirectly out of the acts, omissions, negligence or willful
misconduct of the said party, its employees or agents in connection with
performance of the Agreement. Moreover, Lessee shall forever protect, save,
defend and keep Lessor and its owners, employees and agents harmless and
indemnify them against (i) any and all claims, demands, losses, costs,
interfere with the right of Lessee or its designee to damages, suits,
judgments, penalties, expenses and liabilities resulting from Lessee's
wireless cable operation and from claims of libel, slander or the
infringement of copyright or the unauthorized use of any trademark, trade
name, service mark or any other claimed harm or unlawfulness arising from
the .transmission of any programming; and (ii) against claims for
infringement of patents "Indemnifying Party"), promptly of any claim or
litigation or threatened claim to which the indemnification relates, (b)
upon the Indemnifying Party's written acknowledgement of its obligation to
indemnify in such instance, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Claiming party, the Claiming Party shall afford the Indemnifying Party the
opportunity to participate in and, at the option of the Indemnifying Party,
control, compromise, settle, defend or otherwise resolve the claim or
litigation (and the Claiming Party shall not effect any such compromise or
settlement without prior written consent of the Indemnifying Party) and (c)
the Claiming Party shall cooperate with the reasonable requests of the
Indemnifying Party in its above-described participation in any compromise,
settlement, defense or resolution of such claim or litigation.
9. Insurance. The Lessee shall during the entire term of this
Agreement (and all renewal(s) thereof) carry insurance covering (i) general
liability, (ii) loss or damage to the transmission equipment, (iii) loss and
liability for accidents and other losses in such amounts as Lessee believes
is reasonably prudent in view of the potential losses covered. The Lessor
shall be named as co-insured on each of such policies and the Lessee shall
provide the Lessor with certificates of insurance demonstrating such
coverage and co-insured status prior to commencement of construction as
provided for in Section 3(b) hereof.
10. Representations and Warranties. Each of the parties hereto
represents and warrants to the other the following, with respect to facts
and issues relating to it;
(a) Organization. Lessor will, on the Start Date, control the FCC
license for the Channels and have full power and authority to carry out all
of the transactions contemplated hereby. Lessee has full power and
authority to own property and to carry out all of the transactions
contemplated hereby.
(b) Compliance with Law. Lessor and Lessee shall comply with all
material laws, rules and regulation governing the business, ownership and
operation of the Channels.
(c) Requisite Authority. All requisite resolutions and other
authorizations necessary for the execution, delivery, performance and
satisfaction of this Agreement by Lessor have been duly adopted and complied
with.
(d) Litigation and Claims. No litigation, proceeding, complaint,
investigation or controversy is pending by or before any court or regulatory
agency or to the knowledge of Lessor or Lessee is threatened that is
material to this transaction, and there is no basis known to it for any such
litigation, proceeding, controversy or claim.
11. Termination.
(a) Termination of FCC Authorization. Either party may terminate
this Agreement upon prior written notice to the other that Lessor's
authority to provide the Channels in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement shall have terminated by the FCC. If such FCC termination shall
have occurred without breach by either party of its obligations hereunder,
such termination shall extinguish and cancel this Agreement and its effect
absolutely without further liability on the part of either party to the
other except that Lessee shall remain obligated to pay all Transmission
Fees, Connection Fees and Monthly Operating Charges through the date of such
termination. If, however, such FCC termination is caused in whole or in
part by a material breach of this Agreement, than such termination shall not
affect or diminish the rights, claims or remedies available in equity or at
law to the non-breaching party.
(b) Termination by Reason of Default and Nonperformance. At the
option of a non-defaulting party, this Agreement may be terminated upon the
material breach or default by the other party of its duties and obligations
hereunder if such breach or default shall continue for a period of ninety
(90) consecutive days after such party's receipt of written notice thereof
from the non-defaulting party. Failure to make, any payment of Transmission
Fees, Connection Fees or operating charges shall, if such failure continues
for a period of ninety (90) days after written notice thereof to Lessee,
constitute a material breach of this Agreement by Lessee. In such event,
Lessor may elect to cancel and terminate this Agreement, and Lessee shall
remain obligated to pay all Transmission Fees, Connection Fees, and
Operating Charges through the date of such termination.
(c) Termination for Interference. If, following the Start Date,
harmful electrical interference as defined by FCC Rules which precludes
service to 25% or more of the homes within the Station's predicted service
area should arise which is beyond the control of Lessee and Lessor, Lessee
may terminate this Agreement without further liability to Lessor, provided,
however, that Lessee shall first give written notice to Lessor of its intent
to so terminate, provide therein complete information 'concerning the
origin, nature and duration of such interference and utilize its best
efforts for a reasonable period in cooperation with Lessor to eliminate such
electrical interference.
12. Miscellaneous.
(a) Force Majeure. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the
contrary, no party shall be liable to any other for failure to perform any
obligation hereunder (nor shall any charges or payments be obligated to be
made in respect thereof) if prevented from doing so by reason of fires,
strikes, labor unrest, embargoes, civil commotion, rationing or other orders
or requirements, acts of civil or military authorities, acts of God or other
contingencies beyond the reasonable control of the parties, and all
requirements as to notice and other performance required hereunder within a
specified period of pendency of any such contingency which shall interfere
with such performance.
(b) Assignment of Interests. Except as provided in Section 12(d)
hereof, neither Lessor nor Lessee may assign their rights or interests under
this Agreement except with the prior written consent of the other party,
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(c) Sublease. Lessee may not sublease any rights or interests under
this Agreement without the prior consent of Lessor nor may Lessor enter any
agreement to provide wireless cable programming or any other transmission
service to any other entity in the Market Area without the prior consent of
Lessee, it being understood that any sublease or agreement to provide such
programming to any other entity shall require that all revenues received by
such sublease or third party shall be subject to the Connection Fee provided
for in Section 3(c) hereof.
(d) Right of First Refusal. If at any time Lessor receives a bona
fide offer to purchase the MMDS Station, it shall deliver to Lessee notice
of the offer. The notice shall specify the proposed purchase price for the
station and the terms for payment thereof. For a period of sixty (60) days
from receipt of such notice, Lessee shall have a right to notify Lessor that
it intends to purchase the MMDS Station at the price and on substantially
the terms specified in the notice. If Lessee declines to exercise this
right, Lessor will be permitted to consummate the proposed sale or transfer,
subject to Lessee's prior and superseding interest as created and existing
under the terms and provisions of this Agreement, including the following
Section. In the event that any material term of the original offer is
changed in any respect or a material new offer is presented, before
accepting such offer Lessor must first follow the procedures specified in
the foregoing, providing Lessee notice with regard to the revised offer and
giving it the opportunity to exercise its right of first refusal thereto.
At the commencement of any negotiations with any party for the acquisition
by that party of the authorizations, Lessor will provide such party, in
writing, with full disclosure of Lessee's rights provided for in this
Paragraph and of Lessor's intention to honor those rights. No such sale of
transfer of the MMDS Station by Lessor will have the effect of limiting,
abbreviating or terminating the rights and interests created in favor of
Lessee under this Agreement, including under the following Section.
14. Notice. Any notice required to be given by any party to any
other party shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given it in writing,
deposited in the United States mail in a sealed envelope with postage
thereon prepaid and certified or registered, return receipt requested,
addressed to Lessor or to Lessee ad the case may be, at their respective
addresses set forth in the preamble hereto, or, if different, at the last
known principal business address of each such party. A copy of any notice
to Lessee shall be made in the same manner to:
William M. Barnard, Esquire
1220 19th Street, N.W., #501
Washington, D.C. 20036
A copy of any notice to Lessor shall be made in the same manner to:
Robert Corazzini
Pepper & Corazzini
Attorneys At Law
200 Montgomery Building
1776 K Street, Northwest
Washington, D.C. 20006
(f) Severability of Provisions. If any provision hereof is held
invalid, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
(g) Entire Agreement. This Agreement states the entire agreement as
of this date between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof
and supersedes all pre-existing oral, letter or other agreements or
commitments with respect thereto. This Agreement may be modified only by an
agreement in writing executed by all of the parties hereto.
(h) Survival of Representations. All representations, warranties,
covenants and agreements made by the parties hereto shall survive the
execution and delivery hereof.
(i) Payment of Expenses. Except as otherwise provided herein, the
parties shall pay their own expenses incident to the preparation and
carrying out of this Agreement, including all fees and expenses of their
respective counsel.
(j) Further Action. From time to time after the date of execution
hereof, the parties shall take such further action and execute such further
documents, assurances and certificates as either party may reasonably
request of the other in order to effectuate the purposes hereof. In
addition, each party agrees that it will not take any action which would
adversely affect the rights granted by it to the other party hereunder.
(k) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument, and shall become
effective when each of the parties hereto shall have had delivered to it
this Agreement duly executed by the other party hereto.
(l) Headings. The headings herein are inserted for convenience only
and shall not constitute a part hereof.
(m) Dealings with Third Parties. No party is, nor shall any party
hold itself out to be, vested with any power or right to contractually bind,
or act on behalf of any other as its contracting broker, agent or otherwise
for committing, selling conveying or transferring any of the other party's
assets or property, contracting for or making any contractually binding
representations as to the party which shall be deemed representations
contractually binding such party. In particular, Lessee shall not be
identified as the FCC licensee or permittee of the Channels and Lessor shall
not be held out as the programmer of the Channels.
(n) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Vermont.
(o) FCC Rules. Anything contained herein to the contrary
notwithstanding, nothing herein shall in any way limit the rights and
remedies of Lessor or Lessee under FCC rules and regulations.
(p) FCC Licenses. Nothing contained herein shall be construed. as
granting to Lessee any rights in or to any FCC authorizations or license(s)
which may be held by Lessor.
(q) Time of Essence. Whenever this Agreement shall set forth any time
for the performance of an act, such time shall be deemed of the essence.
(r) Benefit. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall
be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, legal
representatives, successors and, to the extent permissible hereunder,
assigns. Nothing in this Agreement expressed or implied, is intended to or
shall (a) confer on any person other than the parties hereto or their
respective heirs, legal representatives, successors or assigns, any rights,
remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement,
or (b) constitute the parties hereto partners or participants in a joint
venture.
(s) Confidentiality. All non-public information exchanged by the
parties or acquired by them in connection with their performance under this
Agreement shall be kept confidential.
(t) Reformation. If the FCC or any other governmental authority
should (i) change its Rules or policies in a manner that would affect the
enforceability of this Agreement, (ii) directly or indirectly reject or take
action to challenge the enforceability of this Agreement, or (iii) take any
steps whatsoever, on its own initiative or by petition from another person,
to challenge or deny the authority hereto fore granted by the FCC with
regard to the Channels, then the parties hereto shall promptly negotiate in
good faith to reform and amend this Agreement so as to eliminate or amend to
make unobjectionable any portion that is the subject of any FCC action. No
party shall take any action that contributes to such FCC action.
(u) Specific Performance. The parties acknowledge and agree that the
rights reserved to each of them hereunder are of a special, unique, unusual
and extraordinary character, which gives them a particular value, the loss
of which cannot be adequately or reasonably compensated for in damages in an
action at law, and the breach by either of the parties of any of the
provisions hereof will cause the other parties irreparable injury and
damage. In such event, the non-defaulting party shall be entitled, as a
matter of right, to require of the defaulting party specific performance of
all of the acts, services and undertakings required hereunder including the
reasonable obtaining of all requisite authorizations to execute or perform
this Agreement and to obtain injunctive and other equitable relief in any
competent court to prevent the violation of any of the provisions hereof.
Neither this provision nor any exercise by any party or rights to equitable
relief or specific performance herein granted shall constitute a waiver of
any other rights which it may have to damages or otherwise.
(v) Waiver. The express or implied waiver by either party of any
breach of any representation or warranty or any failure to fulfill any
condition, covenant or other obligation or liability under this Agreement
shall not constitute a waiver of any other representation or warranty or of
any other failure in the future or in the past by the other party to fulfill
such representation, warranty, condition, covenant, obligation or liability
hereunder.
(w) Word Meanings. As used in this Agreement, the term "including"
shall be deemed to mean "including, without limitation". All pronouns and
any variations therefore shall be deemed to refer to the masculine,
feminine, neuter, singular or plural as the context may require. A "Final
Order" means a written action or order issued by the FCC: (a) which has not
been reversed, stayed, enjoined, set aside, annulled or suspended; and (b)
with respect to which (i) no requests have been filed for administrative or
judicial review, reconsideration, appeal or stay and the time for filing any
such requests, and the time for the FCC to set aside the action on its own
motion, has expired, or (ii) in the event of review, reconsideration or
appeal, the action or order had been affirmed and the time for further
review, reconsideration or appeal has expired.
Satellite Signals of New England
By: /S/_____________________________
Margaret Maxfield, President
Date: 1-29-92
NEW ENGLAND WIRELESS, INC.
By: /S/_____________________________
Scott A. Wendel, President
Date: 1-21st-92