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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.13




                               [OPTEL LETTERHEAD]



CONFIDENTIAL



                                                               November 19, 1996



Mr. Stephen Dube
252 Prince Albert
Westmount, Quebec
Canada  H3Z2N6

Dear Stephen:

I am pleased to confirm our offer of employment as Vice President Acquisitions
and Strategic Planning at a weekly base rate of $2,780.97 with a prospective
start date of January 1, 1997. This will be a three year assignment. The
position will be based in Dallas and will report to me. Your compensation
package will include:

o    *Participation in a comprehensive benefits package provided at group rates
     under Le Groupe Videotron Ltd's expatriate package, which will allow you to
     receive treatment in either the United States or Canada. Terms for waiving
     pre-existing conditions and other related matters will be worked out with
     the insurance carrier who provides expatriate medical/dental insurance
     coverage for Le Groupe Videotron.

o    OpTel will lease you a company automobile, equivalent to a car comparable
     to a Nissan Maxima. You may continue to use the Videotron furnished car
     until you no longer require it in Montreal. OpTel will provide a rental car
     in Dallas until you acquire the automobile, which the company has leased
     for you.

o    Participation in an annual bonus program, targeted at 25% of base salary.
     The bonus is based on achievement of Company Economic Value Created (EVC)
     goals and individually agreed on objectives. Regardless of your transfer
     date to Dallas, you will participate in the OpTel annual bonus plan for the
     fiscal year 1996-97 and will not participate in Le Groupe Videotron bonus
     plan for 1996-97.

o    Long term stock option plan equal to 2 times your annual salary vested over
     a five year period. Your date of entry into the plan shall, for the
     purposes of vesting be deemed September 1, 1995. The exercise price on the
     stock option shares will be the same as that of the other Vice Presidents 
     in OpTel.

o    Participation in the Company's three year bonus program.

o    A housing allowance of $230 weekly. In communication with prospective
     mortgage lending institutions, OpTel will add the housing allowance to your
     base salary for the purpose of verifying annual income to the lending
     institution.

o    Four (4) weeks of vacation.

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o    Reimbursement for all reasonable relocation expenses from Montreal to
     Dallas, Texas, as outlined in OpTel's relocation policy. The reimbursement
     of these expenses will be grossed up for tax purposes. In addition the
     following relocation provisions will be made:

          -    All real estate, appraisal, legal and other closing costs
               associated with the sale of your house in Montreal and the
               purchase of a new residence in Dallas will be paid by OpTel.

          -    OpTel will purchase your house at a price, based upon the average
               of two (2) appraisals. These appraisals will be conducted by
               accredited appraisers, selected by you. In the event the sale of
               your Montreal residence has not occurred by the time you purchase
               a house in Dallas, OpTel will provide you with an interest free
               bridge loan in the amount of $130,000 (U.S.), equivalent to
               approximately $180,000 Canadian. You may, until the earlier of
               March 31, 1997, or the sale of your residence in Montreal, occupy
               the house as temporary living accommodations without charge
               and/or store personal belongings in the house.

          -    In order to make a deposit on a primary residence in Dallas,
               OpTel will advance you a loan of $5,000 (U.S.), repayable on sale
               of your Montreal house or from provisions of the above mentioned
               bridge financing.

          -    An allowance of $20,000 (U.S.) to cover miscellaneous relocation
               expenses associated with housing renovations and decorating.

o    Air travel expenses (Economy class) for four round trip tickets between
     Dallas and Canada for you and your family each year.

o    Reimbursement of all reasonable costs associated with your spouse attending
     a university program on a 50-50 split between you and the Company.

o    Reimbursement for all reasonable expenses associated with the preparation
     of your U.S. and Canadian income tax returns.

o    Not withstanding any contrary provisions of your Videotron pension, the
     actuarial valued accumulated pension benefits (including employer
     contributions and interest), using the date of your employment with OpTel,
     shall vest in your favor.

o    Applications for your visas and work permits for you and your spouse will
     be handled by Le Groupe Videotron in Montreal.
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o In the event the Company terminates your employment (including the
  noncontinuation of your employment at the conclusion of your three year
  assignment) for reasons other than for cause, a severance package, which
  includes a total compensation package of 12 months salary and all applicable
  bonuses will be paid in a lump sum (less applicable withholding taxes). In
  addition Company benefits will be maintained for up to one year, or until you
  find other employment, whichever comes first. Executive outplacement service,
  not to exceed $12,000 (U.S.), will be provided to you by a firm you will
  select. OpTel will assume the cost of moving your family to a city in Canada
  you select. OpTel agrees to purchase your primary residence in Dallas at fair
  market value, using the appraisal process described above. If the fair market
  price is less than the original purchase price of the home, the Company will
  reimburse you for the difference between the original purchase price and the
  sales price.

This offer is contingent upon your passing our required pre-employment drug
test for controlled substances.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires that employers verify
the employment eligibility and identification of all employees hired after
November 6, 1986. Accordingly, on your first day of employment, you will be
asked to show a company representative the documents identified in Attachment
"A" (enclosed) and sign a statement that you are lawfully authorized to work in
the United States (I-9 enclosed) and that the documents you have presented are
genuine and relate to you. A copy of these documents will be retained in your
personnel file. Also, please bring a copy of your birth certificate and a copy
of your spouse's (if applicable) for benefits purposes.

This offer is valid until 5:00 p.m. (Dallas time) on November 27, 1996. If you
accept this job offer, please indicate your acceptance by signing below and
return a copy of this letter, along with the completed application (enclosed)
to the attention of Mr. Danny French, Director Employee Relations, in the
enclosed envelope, on or before, November 27, 1996. This letter supersedes all
prior communication with respect to the subject matter. You acknowledge that no
representations or agreements have been made by OpTel concerning your
employment other than as set forth in this letter.

Should you wish to terminate this agreement, you should give the Company six
months' notice for the first two years and three months thereafter.

I look forward to you joining the OpTel team and feel confident that your
background and experience will make a significant contribution to OpTel's
success.

Sincerely,

 

/s/ LOUIS BRUNEL                             /s/ STEPHEN DUBE
----------------------------                 ----------------------------
Louis Brunel                                 Stephen Dube
Chief Executive Officer                 

*Subject to finalization of group insurance arrangements