AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT is made by and between BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc., ("BellSouth"), a Georgia corporation, and Birch Telecom of the South, Inc. ("Birch"), a Delaware corporation, and shall be deemed effective as of the date of signatures by both parties. This Agreement may refer to either BellSouth or Birch or both as a "Party" or "Parties."

WITNESSETH

WHEREAS, BellSouth is a local exchange telecommunications company authorized to provide telecommunications services in the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, Birch is or seeks to become an alternative local exchange telecommunications company ("CLEC") authorized to provide telecommunications services in the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, the Parties wish to resell BellSouth's telecommunications services and/or interconnect their facilities, purchase network elements and other services, and exchange traffic specifically for the purposes of fulfilling their obligations pursuant to sections 251 and 252 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 ("the Act").

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements contained herein, BellSouth and Birch agree as follows:

1.  Term of the Agreement

1.1 The term of this Agreement shall be two years, beginning as of the date of signature by both Parties and shall apply to the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. If as of the expiration of this Agreement, a Subsequent Agreement (as defined in Section 2.2 below) has not been executed by the Parties, this Agreement shall continue on a month-to-month basis at the same terms conditions and prices as those in effect as of the expiration date hereof while a Subsequent Agreement is being negotiated. The Parties' rights and obligations with respect to this Agreement after expiration shall be as set forth in Section 2.4 below.

1.2 The Parties agree that by no later than one hundred and eighty (180) days prior to the expiration of this Agreement, they shall commence negotiations with regard to the terms, conditions and prices of resale and/or local interconnection to be effective beginning on the expiration date of this Agreement ("Subsequent Agreement").

1.3 If, within one hundred and thirty-five (135) days of commencing the negotiation referred to in Section 2.2 above, the Parties are unable to satisfactorily negotiate new resale and/or local interconnection terms, conditions and prices, either Party may petition the Commission to establish appropriate local interconnection and/or resale arrangements pursuant to 47 U. S. C. 252. The Parties agree that, in such event, they shall encourage the Commission to issue its order regarding the appropriate local interconnection and/or resale arrangements no later than the expiration date of this Agreement. The Parties further agree that in the event the Commission does not issue its order prior to the expiration date of this Agreement, or if the Parties continue beyond the expiration date of this Agreement to negotiate the local interconnection and/or resale arrangements without Commission intervention, the terms, conditions and prices ultimately ordered by the Commission, or negotiated by the Parties, will be effective retroactive to the day following the expiration date of this Agreement.

详细内容见附件