Document:

EX-10.4

 Exhibit 10.4 

EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT 
 BY
AND AMONG 
 WINDSTREAM HOLDINGS, INC. 

AND 
 COMMUNICATIONS
SALES & LEASING, INC. 
 Dated
                    , 2015 

 TABLE OF CONTENTS 
  

									
	 	 	 	 	 	  	PAGE	 
	ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS	  	 	1	  
		 	Section 1.1	 	Definitions.	  	 	1	  
	ARTICLE II GENERAL PRINCIPLES	  	 	4	  
		 	Section 2.1	 	Transfer of Employment.	  	 	4	  
		 	Section 2.2	 	Assumption and Retention of Liabilities.	  	 	4	  
		 	Section 2.3	 	CSL Participation in WHI Benefit Plans.	  	 	5	  
		 	Section 2.4	 	Service Recognition/Crediting.	  	 	6	  
		 	Section 2.5	 	Approval by WHI As Sole Stockholder.	  	 	6	  
		 	Section 2.6	 	Time-Off Benefits.	  	 	6	  
		 	Section 2.7	 	Director Programs.	  	 	6	  
	ARTICLE III EQUITY INCENTIVE AWARDS	  	 	6	  
		 	Section 3.1	 	Treatment of WHI Restricted Shares.	  	 	6	  
		 	Section 3.2	 	Treatment of WHI Stock Units.	  	 	7	  
		 	Section 3.3	 	General	  	 	8	  
	ARTICLE IV GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE	  	 	9	  
		 	Section 4.1	 	Employer Rights.	  	 	9	  
		 	Section 4.2	 	Effect on Employment.	  	 	9	  
		 	Section 4.3	 	Effect on Restrictive Covenants.	  	 	10	  
		 	Section 4.4	 	Nonsolicitation of Employees.	  	 	10	  
		 	Section 4.5	 	Access To Employees.	  	 	10	  
	ARTICLE V MISCELLANEOUS	  	 	10	  
		 	Section 5.1	 	Effect If Distribution Does Not Occur.	  	 	10	  
		 	Section 5.2	 	Relationship Of Parties.	  	 	10	  
		 	Section 5.3	 	Affiliates.	  	 	11	  
		 	Section 5.4	 	Authorization.	  	 	11	  
		 	Section 5.5	 	Severability.	  	 	11	  
		 	Section 5.6	 	Entire Agreement.	  	 	11	  
		 	Section 5.7	 	Assignment; No Third-Party Beneficiaries.	  	 	11	  
		 	Section 5.8	 	Amendment.	  	 	11	  
		 	Section 5.9	 	Rules of Construction.	  	 	12	  
		 	Section 5.10	 	Counterparts.	  	 	12	  

  
 i 

 EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT 

This EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT, dated as of
                    , 2015 (this “Agreement”), is by and between Windstream Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(“WHI”), and Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“CSL” and, together with WHI, the “Parties”). 

W I T N E S S E T H: 

WHEREAS, the board of directors of WHI has determined that it is advisable and in the best interests of WHI and its stockholders to separate
the business of Windstream Services, LLC into two companies in order to accelerate the transformation of its consumer and enterprise network and create additional value for shareholders, and to spin off certain assets into CSL which will become an
independent, publicly traded real estate investment trust; 
 WHEREAS, the Parties and Windstream Services, LLC have entered into a
Separation and Distribution Agreement dated as of                     , 2015 (the “Distribution Agreement”), to set forth in
part how such separation shall be effected; 
 WHEREAS, the Distribution Agreement provides that WHI and CSL will enter into this Employee
Matters Agreement to allocate certain assets and liabilities, and to memorialize certain other agreements, in connection with such separation. 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, and for other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Parties hereby agree as follows: 

ARTICLE I 
 DEFINITIONS 

Section 1.1 Definitions. Capitalized terms used, but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the
Distribution Agreement and the following terms shall have the following meanings: 
 “Action” means any demand, action,
claim, dispute, suit, countersuit, arbitration, inquiry, subpoena, proceeding or investigation of any nature (whether criminal, civil, legislative, administrative, regulatory, prosecutorial or otherwise) by or before any federal, state, local,
foreign or international Governmental Authority or any arbitration or mediation tribunal. 
 “Adjusted WHI Restricted
Share” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a). 
 “Adjusted WHI Stock Unit” has the meaning
ascribed thereto in Section 3.2(a). 
 “Affiliate” means, when used with respect to a specified Person, a
Person that directly or indirectly, through one (1) or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such specified Person. For the purpose of this definition and the definitions of “CSL

 
Group” and “WHI Group,” “control” (including with correlative meanings, “controlled by” and “under common control with”), when
used with respect to any specified Person shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or other
interests, by contract, agreement, obligation, indenture, instrument, lease, promise, arrangement, release, warranty, commitment, undertaking or otherwise. It is expressly agreed that, from and after the Effective Time and for purposes of this
Agreement, no member of the CSL Group shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any member of the WHI Group, and no member of the WHI Group shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any member of the CSL Group. 

“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble. 

“CSL” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble. 

“CSL Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of CSL. 

“CSL Employee” means each individual identified in a letter, dated as of the date hereof, delivered by WHI and acknowledged
by CSL. 
 “CSL Restricted Share” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a). 

“CSL Stock Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5. 

“CSL Stock Unit” means a unit to be granted by CSL pursuant to Section 3.2 and the CSL Stock Plan representing a
general unsecured agreement by CSL to deliver a share of CSL Common Stock (together with dividend equivalents, if applicable), or the cash equivalent of either, upon the satisfaction of a vesting requirement. 

“Distribution Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals. 

“Distribution Date” has the meaning set forth in the Distribution Agreement. 

“Effective Time” means the time at which the External Distribution occurs on the Distribution Date, which shall be deemed to
be 12:01 a.m., New York City Time, on the Distribution Date. 
 “Employment Transfer Date” means December 14, 2014, or
such other date preceding the Distribution Date as WHI shall determine in its discretion. 
 “ERISA” means the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. 
 “ERISA Affiliate” means each business or entity which is a member of
a “controlled group of corporations,” under “common control” or a member of an “affiliated service group” with WHI within the meaning of Sections 414(b), (c) or (m) of the Code, or required to be aggregated
with WHI under Section 414(o) of the Code, or under “common control” with WHI within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA, in any event exclusive of members of the CSL Group. 

  
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 “Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time that reference is made. 

“External Distribution” has the meaning set forth in the Distribution Agreement. 

“Governmental Authority” means any nation or government, any state, municipality or other political subdivision thereof, and
any entity, body, agency, commission, department, board, bureau, court, tribunal or other instrumentality, whether federal, state, local, domestic, foreign or multinational, exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory, administrative or
other similar functions of, or pertaining to, government and any executive official thereof. 
 “Law” means any national,
supranational, federal, state, provincial, local or similar law (including common law), statute, code, order, ordinance, rule, regulation, treaty (including any income tax treaty), license, permit, authorization, approval, consent, decree,
injunction, binding judicial or administrative interpretation or other requirement, in each case, enacted, promulgated, issued or entered by a Governmental Authority. 

“Liabilities” means any and all debts, guarantees, liabilities, costs, expenses, interest and obligations, whether accrued or
fixed, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, reserved or unreserved, or determined or determinable, including those arising under any Law, claim (including any third Person product liability claim), demand, Action, whether asserted or
unasserted, or order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, stipulation, determination or award entered by or with any Governmental Authority and those arising under any contract, agreement, obligation, indenture, instrument, lease, promise,
arrangement, release, warranty, commitment or undertaking, or any fines, damages or equitable relief that is imposed, in each case, including all costs and expenses relating thereto. 

“Parties” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble. 

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, firm, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization, limited liability company, Governmental Authority or other entity. 
 “Retained Employee”
means each current or former employee of WHI, CSL or their respective Affiliates, exclusive of Transferred Employees 

“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. 

“Transferred Employee” means each CSL Employee who is actively employed by a member of the WHI Group or CSL Group as of
immediately before the Distribution Date, including individuals on an approved leave of absence. 
 “WHI” has the meaning
set forth in the Preamble. 

  
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 “WHI Benefit Plan” means each plan, program, arrangement, agreement or
commitment that is an employment, consulting, non-competition or deferred compensation agreement, or an executive compensation, incentive bonus or other bonus, employee pension, profit-sharing, savings, retirement, supplemental retirement, stock
option, stock purchase, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, other equity-based compensation, severance pay, salary continuation, life, health, hospitalization, sick leave, vacation pay, disability or accident insurance plan, corporate-owned
or key-man life insurance or other employee benefit plan, program, arrangement, agreement or commitment, including any “employee benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA), sponsored or maintained by WHI or any ERISA
Affiliate (or to which such entity contributes or is required to contribute). 
 “WHI Restricted Share” means a share of
WHI Common Stock granted by WHI or a member of the WHI Group pursuant to one of the WHI Stock Plans that is subject to forfeiture based on the extent of attainment of a vesting requirement. 

“WHI Stock Plans” means, collectively, the Windstream 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, the PAETEC Holding Corp. 2011 Omnibus
Incentive Plan, the PAETEC Corp. 2001 Stock Option and Incentive Plan and any other stock option or stock incentive compensation plan or arrangement (exclusive of the CSL Stock Plan) maintained before the Distribution Date for employees, officers,
non-employee directors or other independent contractors of WHI or its Affiliates, including in each case as it may have been amended from time to time. 

“WHI Stock Unit” means a unit granted by WHI or a member of the WHI Group pursuant to one of the WHI Stock Plans representing
a general unsecured promise by WHI or a member of the WHI Group to deliver a share of WHI Common Stock (together with dividend equivalents, if applicable), or the cash equivalent of either, upon the satisfaction of a vesting requirement. 

ARTICLE II 
 GENERAL PRINCIPLES

 Section 2.1 Transfer of Employment. The Parties acknowledge that, effective as of the Employment Transfer Date, WHI caused
the employment of each CSL Employee to be transferred to a member of the CSL Group. Effective as of the Employment Transfer Date and through the Effective Time, WHI shall cause CSL to participate in each WHI Benefit Plan (on the terms and subject to
the conditions as may be in effect from time to time) in respect of (i) CSL Employees to the extent the CSL Employee was a participant in such WHI Benefit Plan as of immediately before the Employment Transfer Date and (ii) to the extent
provided by the terms of the applicable WHI Benefit Plan, any other employee of a member of the CSL Group. 
 Section 2.2 Assumption
and Retention of Liabilities. 
 (a) As of the Effective Time, except as otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement, WHI shall,
or shall cause one or more members of the WHI Group to, assume or retain and WHI hereby agrees to (or to cause a member of the WHI Group to) pay, perform, fulfill and discharge, in due course in full (i) all Liabilities under all WHI Benefit
Plans, (ii) all 

  
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Liabilities (excluding Liabilities incurred under a WHI Benefit Plan) with respect to the employment, service, termination of employment or termination of service of all Retained Employees to the
extent arising in connection with or as a result of employment with or the performance of services for any member of the WHI Group or CSL Group, (iii) all Liabilities (excluding Liabilities incurred under a WHI Benefit Plan) with respect to the
employment, service, termination of employment or termination of service of all Transferred Employees (exclusive of salary and commission payments) to the extent arising in connection with or as a result of employment with or the performance of
services for any member of the WHI Group or CSL Group before the Distribution Date, and (iv) any other Liabilities or obligations expressly assigned to a member of the WHI Group under this Agreement. For purposes of clarification, the
Liabilities assumed or retained by the WHI Group as provided for in this Section 2.2(a) are intended to be Excluded Liabilities within the meaning of the Distribution Agreement. 

(b) As of the Effective Time, except as otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement, CSL shall, or shall cause one or more members of
the CSL Group to, assume or retain, as applicable, and CSL hereby agrees to (or to cause a member of the CSL Group to) pay, perform, fulfill and discharge, in due course in full all Liabilities with respect to (i) the employment, service,
termination of employment or termination of service of all Transferred Employees to the extent arising in connection with or as a result of employment with or the performance of services for any member of the CSL Group on or after the Distribution
Date and (ii) salary and commission payments payable to Transferred Employees to the extent arising in connection with or as a result of employment with or the performance of services for any member of the WHI Group or CSL Group before the
Distribution Date. For purposes of clarification, the Liabilities assumed by the CSL Group as provided for in this Section 2.2(b) are intended to be Assumed Liabilities within the meaning of the Distribution Agreement. 

(c) For purposes of this Section 2.2, a claim or Liability is deemed to be incurred (A) with respect to medical, dental,
vision and/or prescription drug benefits, upon the rendering of health services giving rise to such claim or Liability; (B) with respect to life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment and business travel accident insurance, upon the
occurrence of the event giving rise to such claim or Liability; (C) with respect to disability benefits, upon the date of an individual’s disability, as determined by the disability benefit insurance carrier or claim administrator, giving
rise to such claim or Liability; and (D) with respect to a period of continuous hospitalization, upon the date of admission to the hospital. 

(d) To the extent that there shall be any disagreement between the Parties as to the amount of any Liability addressed in this
Section 2.2 that is in the nature of a current liability and that is reflected in the final, binding and conclusive Closing Statement established pursuant to Section 8.9 of the Distribution Agreement, such Closing Statement shall
control and neither Party shall take any position contrary to such Closing Statement. 
 Section 2.3 CSL Participation in WHI
Benefit Plans. Except as otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement or as otherwise expressly agreed to in writing between the Parties, effective as of the Distribution Date: (i) each member of the CSL Group shall cease to be a
participating company in any WHI Benefit Plan; and (ii) except as required by applicable Law, each Transferred Employee shall cease to participate in, be covered by, accrue benefits under, be eligible to contribute to or have any rights under
any WHI Benefit Plan. 

  
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 Section 2.4 Service Recognition/Crediting. 

(a) For purposes of eligibility, vesting, determination of level of benefits, and, to the extent applicable, benefit accruals under any
employee compensation or benefit plan that a member of the CSL Group shall establish or maintain on or after the Distribution Date, CSL shall cause each Transferred Employee to receive full credit for the Transferred Employee’s service with any
member of the WHI Group or CSL Group before the Distribution Date to the same extent such service was recognized by an analogous WHI Benefit Plan immediately before the Distribution Date; provided, however, that such service shall not
be recognized to the extent that such recognition would result in the duplication of benefits. 
 (b) To the extent commercially
practicable, (i) CSL shall waive or cause to be waived all limitations as to preexisting conditions or waiting periods with respect to participation and coverage requirements applicable to each Transferred Employee under any employee benefit
plans, programs and policies of any member of the CSL Group in which Transferred Employees participate (or are eligible to participate) that are “welfare benefit plans” (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) to the same extent that
such conditions and waiting periods were satisfied or waived under the comparable WHI Benefit Plan immediately before the Distribution Date, and (ii) CSL shall provide or cause each Employee to be provided with credit for any co-payments and
deductibles paid during the plan year in which the Distribution Date occurs in satisfying any applicable co-payments, deductibles or other out-of-pocket requirements under any such welfare benefit plans for such plan year. 

Section 2.5 Approval by WHI As Sole Stockholder. Effective as of not later than the Distribution Date, CSL shall have adopted the
Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “CSL Stock Plan”), which shall permit the issuance of equity incentive awards denominated in CSL Common Stock as described in Article III. WHI shall cause the
CSL Stock Plan to be approved before the Effective Time by Windstream Services, LLC as CSL’s sole stockholder. 
 Section 2.6
Time-Off Benefits. CSL shall credit each Transferred Employee with the amount of accrued but unused vacation time, sick time and other time-off benefits as such Transferred Employee had with the WHI Group as of immediately before the
Distribution Date (except to the extent that a benefit attributable to such accrual is provided by the WHI Group). 
 Section 2.7
Director Programs. WHI shall cause Windstream Services, LLC or another member of the WHI Group to retain all obligations under that certain letter agreement dated November 7, 2006, by and between Windstream Corporation and Francis X.
Frantz regarding Access to Post-Retirement Medical Coverage. 
 ARTICLE III 

EQUITY INCENTIVE AWARDS 

Section 3.1 Treatment of WHI Restricted Shares. 

  
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 (a) Each individual who holds a WHI Restricted Share that is outstanding immediately before the
Distribution Date shall receive, upon the External Distribution being made, such number of shares of CSL Common Stock (each a “CSL Restricted Share”) as equals the number of shares of CSL Common Stock to which all other holders
of the same number of shares of WHI Common Stock shall be entitled to receive upon the External Distribution being made. The WHI Restricted Shares outstanding immediately following the External Distribution having been made are hereinafter
referred to as “Adjusted WHI Restricted Shares.” 
 (b) All CSL Restricted Shares and Adjusted WHI Restricted Shares shall
continue to vest in accordance with the terms of the underlying WHI Restricted Share, including any service-based vesting dates. 
 (c) WHI
shall provide that, effective as of the Distribution Date, for purposes of continued vesting of the Adjusted WHI Restricted Shares, a Transferred Employee’s continued service with the CSL Group on and after the Distribution Date shall be deemed
continued service with WHI. The issuance of each CSL Restricted Share shall be subject to the terms of the CSL Stock Plan, which shall provide that, except as otherwise provided herein, the terms and conditions applicable to the CSL Restricted
Shares shall be substantially similar to the terms and conditions applicable to the corresponding WHI Restricted Shares (as set forth in the applicable WHI Stock Plan, award agreement or in the holder’s then applicable employment agreement with
WHI or a member of the WHI Group), including a provision to the effect that, for purposes of the CSL Restricted Shares, continued service with the WHI Group from and after the Distribution Date shall be deemed to constitute service with CSL and a
provision to the effect that the vesting of any CSL Restricted Share held by a Retained Employee shall accelerate upon a change in control of WHI following the Effective Time to the same extent that the vesting of the underlying WHI Restricted Share
would have accelerated in such event based on the provisions of such award as in effect immediately before the Effective Time. 
 (d) Upon
the vesting of the CSL Restricted Shares, CSL shall be solely responsible for their settlement, regardless of the holder thereof. Upon the vesting of the Adjusted WHI Restricted Shares, WHI shall be solely responsible for their settlement,
regardless of the holder thereof. 
 Section 3.2 Treatment of WHI Stock Units. 

(a) Each WHI Stock Unit that is outstanding immediately before the Distribution Date shall be converted, as of the Distribution Date, into a
CSL Stock Unit and an “Adjusted WHI Stock Unit” in accordance with the succeeding paragraphs of this Section 3.2. 

(b) The number of CSL Stock Units shall be equal to the number of shares of CSL Common Stock to which the holder of WHI Stock Units would be
entitled in the External Distribution had the WHI Stock Units represented actual shares of WHI Common Stock as of the Record Date, the resulting number of CSL Stock Units being rounded down/up to the nearest whole unit. Any dividend equivalents that
accumulated under a WHI Stock Unit before the Distribution Date shall be attributed to the resulting Adjusted WHI Stock Unit. The CSL Stock Units and Adjusted WHI Stock Units shall become vested based on performance vesting requirements for the year
in which the Distribution Date occurs and later years as shall be 

  
 7 

 
established, in the case of Retained Employees, by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of WHI and, in the case of Transferred Employees, by the Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors of CSL. 
 (c) WHI shall provide that, effective as of the Distribution Date, for purposes of continued vesting of the
Adjusted WHI Stock Units, a Transferred Employee’s continued service with the CSL Group on and after the Distribution Date shall be deemed continued service with WHI. The issuance of each CSL Stock Unit shall be subject to the terms of the CSL
Stock Plan, which shall provide that, except as otherwise provided herein, the terms and conditions applicable to the CSL Stock Units shall be substantially similar to the terms and conditions applicable to the corresponding WHI Stock Units (as set
forth in the applicable WHI Stock Plan, award agreement or in the holder’s then applicable employment agreement with WHI or a member of the WHI Group), including a provision to the effect that, for purposes of the CSL Stock Units, continued
service with the WHI Group from and after the Distribution Date shall be deemed to constitute service with CSL and a provision to the effect that the vesting of any CSL Stock Unit held by a Retained Employee shall accelerate upon a change in control
of WHI following the Effective Time to the same extent that the vesting of the underlying WHI Stock Unit would have accelerated in such event based on the provisions of such award as in effect immediately before the Effective Time. 

(d) Upon the vesting of the CSL Stock Units, CSL shall be solely responsible for their settlement (including any attributable dividend
equivalents), regardless of the holder thereof. Upon the vesting of the Adjusted WHI Stock Units, WHI shall be solely responsible for their settlement (including any attributable dividend equivalents), regardless of the holder thereof. 

Section 3.3 General 

(a) All of the adjustments described in this Article III shall be effected in accordance with Sections 424 and 409A of the Code. 

(b) Anything in the foregoing provisions of this Article III to the contrary, (i) WHI shall cause the vesting of any Adjusted WHI
Restricted Share or Adjusted WHI Stock Unit held by a Transferred Employee to accelerate and for the restrictions thereon to lapse as and to the extent requested by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of CSL from time to time;
(ii) CSL shall cause the vesting of any CSL Restricted Share or CSL Stock Unit held by a Retained Employee to accelerate and for the restrictions thereon to lapse as and to the extent requested by the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors of WHI from time to time; and (iii) except as otherwise expressly provided in this Article III, CSL shall cause the vesting of any CSL Restricted Share or CSL Stock Unit held by a Retained Employee not to accelerate except as
and to the extent requested by WHI. 
 (c) The Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain effective registration
statements with the SEC with respect to the awards described in this Article III, to the extent any such registration statement is required by applicable Law. WHI shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify and hold harmless CSL
against any and all liabilities it may incur under the federal securities laws relating to the compliance with the provisions of this Article III, except to the extent that such Liabilities are attributable to the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of CSL, its officers, employees, agents or representatives. 

  
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 (d) Following the Distribution Date, (i) WHI will be responsible for all income, payroll and
other tax remittance and reporting related to income of Retained Employees and non-employee members of its Board of Directors in respect of Adjusted WHI Restricted Shares, Adjusted WHI Stock Units, CSL Restricted Shares and CSL Stock Units; and
(ii) CSL will be responsible for all income, payroll and other tax remittance and reporting related to income of Transferred Employees and non-employee members of its Board of Directors in respect of Adjusted WHI Restricted Shares, Adjusted WHI
Stock Units, CSL Restricted Shares and CSL Stock Units. WHI or CSL, as applicable, shall facilitate performance by the other Party of its obligations hereunder by promptly remitting in cash the amount required to be withheld either (as directed by
the Party responsible for withholding) directly to the applicable taxing authority or to such responsible Party for remittance to such taxing authority. The Parties will cooperate and communicate with each other and with third-party providers to
effectuate withholding and remittance of taxes, as well as required tax reporting, in a timely, efficient and appropriate manner. 
 (e)
Each of the Parties shall establish an appropriate administration system in order to handle in an orderly manner the settlement of Adjusted WHI Restricted Shares, Adjusted WHI Stock Units, CSL Restricted Shares and CSL Stock Units and provide to the
other Party such information as such other Party may reasonably request in order to implement the provisions of this Article III. Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.3(e), each of the Parties will work
together to unify and consolidate all indicative data and payroll and employment information on regular timetables and make certain that each applicable entity’s data and records in respect of such awards are correct and updated on a timely
basis, including employment status and information required for tax withholding/remittance, compliance with trading windows and compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act and other applicable Laws. 

(f) The Parties hereby acknowledge that the provisions of this Article III are intended to achieve certain tax, legal and accounting
objectives and, in the event such objectives are not achieved, the Parties agree to negotiate in good faith regarding such other actions that may be necessary or appropriate to achieve such objectives. 

ARTICLE IV 
 GENERAL AND
ADMINISTRATIVE 
 Section 4.1 Employer Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to be an amendment to any WHI Benefit
Plan or to prohibit any member of the WHI Group from amending, modifying or terminating any WHI Benefit Plan at any time within its sole discretion. 

Section 4.2 Effect on Employment. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to or shall confer upon any employee or former employee of
WHI, CSL or any of their respective Affiliates any right to continued employment, or any recall or similar rights to any such individual on layoff or any type of approved leave. 

  
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 Section 4.3 Effect on Restrictive Covenants. WHI will not assert (and will cause the
other members of the WHI Group not to assert) that any service of a Transferred Employee with the CSL Group on or after the Distribution Date will constitute a breach of any confidentiality or noncompetition obligations imposed on Transferred
Employees by any member of the WHI Group pursuant to any agreement in effect before the Distribution Date. 
 Section 4.4
Nonsolicitation of Employees. 
 (a) WHI agrees not to (and to cause the other members of the WHI Group not to) solicit or recruit for
hire any employee of CSL or any other member of the CSL Group for a period of two years following the Distribution Date or until three months after such employee’s employment with CSL or any other member of the CSL Group terminates, whichever
occurs first. 
 (b) CSL agrees not to (and to cause the other members of the CSL Group not to) solicit or recruit for hire any employee of
WHI or any other member of the WHI Group for a period of two years following the Distribution Date or until three months after such employee’s employment with WHI or any other member of the WHI Group terminates, whichever occurs first. 

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.4, such prohibitions on solicitation shall not restrict general
recruitment efforts carried out through a public or general solicitation. 
 Section 4.5 Access To Employees. On and after the
Distribution Date, WHI and CSL shall, or shall cause each of their respective Affiliates to, make available to each other those of their employees who may reasonably be needed in order to defend or prosecute any legal or administrative action (other
than a legal action between WHI and CSL) to which any employee or director of the WHI Group or CSL Group or WHI Benefit Plan is a party and which relates to a WHI Benefit Plan. The Party to whom an employee is made available in accordance with this
Section 4.5 shall pay or reimburse the other Party for all reasonable expenses which may be incurred by such employee in connection therewith, including all reasonable travel, lodging, and meal expenses, but excluding any amount for such
employee’s time spent in connection herewith. 
 ARTICLE V 

MISCELLANEOUS 
 Section 5.1
Effect If Distribution Does Not Occur. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if the Distribution Agreement is terminated before the Effective Time, then all actions and events that are under this Agreement to be taken or
occur effective before, as of or following the Distribution Date, or otherwise in connection with the Distribution, shall not be taken or occur except to the extent specifically agreed to in writing by WHI and CSL and neither Party shall have any
Liability or further obligation to the other Party under this Agreement. 
 Section 5.2 Relationship Of Parties. Nothing in this
Agreement shall be deemed or construed by the Parties or any third Person as creating the relationship of principal and agent, 

  
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partnership or joint venture between the Parties, it being understood and agreed that no provision contained herein, and no act of the Parties, shall be deemed to create any relationship between
the Parties other than the relationship set forth herein. 
 Section 5.3 Affiliates. Each of WHI and CSL shall cause to be
performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth in this Agreement to be performed by each of their Affiliates, respectively. 

Section 5.4 Authorization. Each of the Parties hereby represents and warrants that it has the power and authority to execute,
deliver and perform this Agreement, that this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of such Party, that this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each such Party and that the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such Party does not contravene or conflict with any provision of law or of its charter or bylaws or any material agreement, instrument or order binding on such Party. 

Section 5.5 Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced
under any Law or as a matter of public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced,
the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the Transactions be consummated as originally contemplated to
the greatest extent possible. 
 Section 5.6 Entire Agreement. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, this
Agreement (including the Schedules and Exhibits hereto and, to the extent referred to herein, the Distribution Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements) constitutes the entire agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter of this
Agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, between or on behalf of the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. 

Section 5.7 Assignment; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall not be assigned by either Party without the prior
written consent of the other Party hereto. This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the Parties to this Agreement and members of their respective Group and their permitted successors and assigns and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is
intended to or shall confer upon any other Person (including any current or former director or employee of any member of the WHI Group or CSL Group) any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this
Agreement. 
 Section 5.8 Amendment. No provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified except by a written instrument
each of the Parties; provided, however, that Exhibit A may be amended by WHI at any time before the Effective Time without the consent of CSL. No waiver by either Party of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless explicitly set
forth in writing and executed by the Party so waiving. The waiver by any Party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other subsequent breach. 

  
 11 

 Section 5.9 Rules of Construction. Interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed
by the following rules of construction: (i) words in the singular shall be held to include the plural and vice versa and words of one gender shall be held to include the other gender as the context requires, (ii) references to the terms
Article, Section, paragraph, clause, Exhibit and Schedule are references to the Articles, Sections, paragraphs, clauses, Exhibits and Schedules of this Agreement unless otherwise specified, (iii) the terms “hereof,”
“herein,” “hereby,” “hereto,” and derivative or similar words refer to this entire Agreement, including the Schedules and Exhibits hereto, (iv) references to “$” shall mean U.S. dollars, (v) the word
“including” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation,” unless otherwise specified, (vi) the word “or” shall not be exclusive, (vii) references to
“written” or “in writing” include in electronic form, (viii) provisions shall apply, when appropriate, to successive events and transactions, (ix) the table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for
reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement, (x) the Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement and, if an ambiguity or question of interpretation
should arise, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or burdening any Party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions in this Agreement or any
interim drafts of this Agreement, and (xi) a reference to any Person includes such Person’s successors and permitted assigns. 

Section 5.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, and by the different Parties in
separate counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile
or portable document format (PDF) shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. 
 [The
remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.] 

  
 12 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Employee Matters Agreement to be executed
on the date first written above by their respective duly authorized officers. 
  

			
	WINDSTREAM HOLDINGS, INC.
		
	By:		  

			Name:
			Title:
	
	COMMUNICATIONS SALES & LEASING, INC.
		
	By:		  

			Name:
			Title:EX-10.5

 Exhibit 10.5 

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MATTERS AGREEMENT 

This INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MATTERS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is dated as of
            , 2015 (the “Effective Date”), and is by and among Windstream Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, individually and on behalf of its
subsidiaries that may hold certain intellectual property as described herein (“Licensor”), CSL National, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“CSL”), and Talk America Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company (“TRS” and, together with CSL and their respective permitted successors and assigns, “Licensee”). Licensor and Licensee are sometimes referred to herein individually as, “Party” and
collectively as, the “Parties.” All terms used but not defined herein, shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement (as defined below). 

WHEREAS, Windstream Holdings, Inc., Windstream Services, LLC and Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc. have entered into that
certain Separation and Distribution Agreement dated as of             , 2015 (the “Separation Agreement”), which provides, among other things, for the separation of the CSL
Business from Windstream Holdings, Inc. and Windstream Services, LLC; 
 WHEREAS, included in the Excluded Assets is certain
intellectual property in the form of domain names, identified on Schedule 1.1 that is currently used in the CSL Business; and 

WHEREAS, Licensee desires to license such intellectual property for use in connection with the CSL Business, in each case subject to
the terms and conditions set forth herein; 
 WHEREAS, certain trademarks, identified on Schedule 1.2, held by Communications
Sales & Leasing, Inc., or its subsidiaries, or other REIT-related entities, shall be retained by Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc., or the REIT-related entities at the time of separation of the CSL Business from Windstream
Holdings, Inc. and Windstream Services, LLC; and 
 WHEREAS, certain domain names, identified on Schedule 1.3, currently owned
by Licensor (or one of its subsidiaries) will be promptly transferred to Licensee, possibly before the separation of the CSL business, but if not, soon thereafter, with Licensor retaining no rights, duties or obligations concerning the domain names.

 NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy
of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby covenant and agree as follows: 
  

	1.	LICENSE GRANT 

 1.1 License Grant. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof,
effective from and after the Effective Date, Licensor hereby grants to Licensee, and Licensee hereby accepts from Licensor, a perpetual and irrevocable (subject to Section 9), royalty-free, nonexclusive license, in those jurisdictions where
Licensor has such rights, to use the Internet domain names owned by Licensor and set forth on Schedule 1.1 hereto (the “CSL Licensed IP”), in each case solely to the extent necessary for Licensee’s customers of the CSL
Business that have email addresses incorporating such domain names as of the Effective Date to continue using such email addresses during the Term, provided that any new email addresses issued by Licensee after the Effective Date shall not
include any CSL Licensed IP. 

 1.2 Exclusion and Reservation of All Other Rights. Except as expressly provided herein,
Licensee is granted no rights or licenses hereunder in or to the CSL Licensed IP or any other assets, products, services or intellectual, proprietary, personal or other rights of Licensor or its Affiliates. All rights and licenses not expressly
granted in this Agreement are hereby expressly reserved by Licensor. 
 1.3 No Sublicenses or Transfer; No Modifications. Licensee
may not sublicense, lease, outsource or otherwise distribute, or assign or transfer (subject to Section 10.9), in any way any CSL Licensed IP or any of Licensee’s rights hereunder without Licensor’s prior specific written consent in
each instance. Without limiting the foregoing, Licensee may not, and may not authorize or permit any other Person to, create derivative works of or otherwise modify any CSL Licensed IP without Licensor’s prior specific written consent in each
instance. However, and for the avoidance of doubt, to the extent Licensee markets and sells products or service bundles containing Licensor’s trademarks or intellectual property, Licensor agrees to said use of the trademarks and intellectual
property without further permission being required from Licensor, consistent with the Master Services Agreement and the Wholesale Master Services Agreement between the parties hereto, or their parent companies or subsidiaries, being executed
contemporaneously with this Agreement, as long as Licensee does not alter or change the trademarks or intellectual property in any way. If Licensee changes or alters the trademarks or intellectual property in any way, Licensor reserves the right to
revoke Licensee’s use of said trademarks and intellectual property. 
  

	2.	OWNERSHIP; STANDARDS OF USE; QUALITY CONTROL 

 2.1 CSL Licensed IP. Licensee
acknowledges and agrees that Licensor is, and at all times shall remain, the sole and exclusive owner of all right, title and interest, throughout the world (including all intellectual property and other proprietary rights), in and to all CSL
Licensed IP, and any copies, derivatives or modifications of the CSL Licensed IP, whether made by or on behalf of Licensor or Licensee, and if and to the extent any proprietary rights, title or interest in or to the CSL Licensed IP or any copies,
derivatives or modifications thereof vests in Licensee, Licensee hereby irrevocably assigns the same to Licensor and agrees to execute and deliver any such instruments as Licensor may request with respect to such assignment or any recordation
thereof. 
 2.2 Standards of Use. Licensee acknowledges and agrees that any use of the CSL Licensed IP hereunder shall: (i) be
in conformity with the practices of Licensor as of the Effective Date and, with respect thereto, as applicable; (ii) be in a manner that does not in any way harm or disparage the reputation or goodwill of the Licensor or any CSL Licensed IP;
and (iii) be in accordance with all applicable Laws. 
 2.3 Quality Control. Licensee acknowledges and agrees that all uses of
the CSL Licensed IP hereunder, and all products and services offered or sold under or in connection with any of the CSL Licensed IP hereunder, as applicable, shall be (i) of sufficiently high quality so as to protect the CSL Licensed IP and the
goodwill symbolized thereby and reputation thereof; and (ii) of a standard of quality at least as high as that of the products and services historically offered and sold by or on behalf of Licensor under or in connection with the CSL Licensed
IP as of the Distribution Date. Without limiting the foregoing, Licensee shall ensure that no products or services offered or sold under or in connection with the CSL Licensed IP hereunder would or would be reasonably likely to tarnish, disparage,
degrade or injure the reputation of any of the CSL Licensed IP. 
  

	3.	DEFENSE AND ENFORCEMENT OF LICENSED IP 

 3.1 Legal Action. Licensor shall maintain
sole control and discretion over the prosecution and maintenance with respect to all rights, including all intellectual property rights in and to the CSL Licensed IP. 

  
 2 

 3.2 Protection of Intellectual Property Rights. 

3.2.1 Licensee shall promptly notify Licensor in writing of any unauthorized use, infringement, misappropriation, dilution or other violation
of the CSL Licensed IP of which it becomes aware or suspects. 
 3.2.2 Licensee acknowledges and agrees that, notwithstanding anything to
the contrary herein, Licensor shall have the sole right, but not the obligation, to bring and control any suits against any unauthorized use, infringement, misappropriation, dilution or other violation of the CSL Licensed IP. 

3.2.3 Licensee agrees to cooperate with Licensor in any litigation or other enforcement action that Licensor may undertake to enforce or
protect the CSL Licensed IP and, upon Licensor’s request, to execute, file and deliver all documents and proof necessary for such purpose, including being named as a party to such litigation as required by Law. Licensee shall have the right to
participate and be represented in any such action, suit or proceeding by its own counsel at its own expense, provided that Licensee shall take no action and make no statement or admission in connection therewith that could adversely affect
such litigation, Licensor or the CSL Licensed IP without Licensor’s prior written consent. Licensee shall have no claim of any kind against Licensor based on or arising out of the Licensor’s handling of or decisions concerning any such
action, suit, proceeding, settlement, or compromise, and Licensee hereby irrevocably releases Licensor from any such claim. 
 3.3
Defense Against Infringement Claims. In the event an action is brought against the Licensee with respect to use hereunder of, or otherwise relating to, the CSL Licensed IP, Licensor shall have the primary right, but not the obligation, to
defend such suits. In the event that Licensor elects not to exercise this right, Licensee shall have the right to defend such suit, at Licensee’s sole expense, provided that Licensee shall take no action and make no statement or
admission in connection therewith that could adversely affect such suit, Licensor or the CSL Licensed IP without Licensor’s prior written consent. The Licensor shall have the right to participate and be represented in any such action, suit or
proceeding by its own counsel at its own expense. 
 3.4 Costs. Each Party shall bear the costs, fees and expenses incurred by it in
complying with the provisions of Sections 3.2 and 3.3, including those incurred in bringing or controlling any such suits. 
  

	4.	TRADEMARKS 

 4.1 Trademarks owned by REIT-Related Entities. Schedule 1.2 sets
forth various trademarks that are currently held by Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc., or other REIT-related entities that will, at the time of the separation of the CSL Business from Windstream Holdings, Inc., and Licensor, will be
retained by the CSL Business. Licensor shall have no further right of use of the trademarks set forth on Schedule 1.2, and they will be the sole property, and shall be for the sole use of Licensee. 

4.2 Domain Names to be Utilized by REIT-Related Entities. Schedule 1.3 sets forth domain names currently owned by Licensor, but solely
utilized by Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc., or other REIT-related entities. Licensor will transfer ownership of these domain names promptly, and possibly prior to the proposed separation of the CSL business. 

 

	5.	REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES 

 5.1 Each Party hereto represents and warrants that (i) it
is an entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its state of incorporation or 

  
 3 

 
formation and has full power and authority (corporate and otherwise) to own its properties and assets and to conduct its business as now being conducted, (ii) it has the power and authority
(corporate and otherwise) to enter into this Agreement, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the transactions and other documents contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the
part of such Party, and (iii) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the authorized officers of such party, and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Party, fully enforceable against such party in accordance
with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium, and similar Laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights, and general equity principles. 

 

	6.	INDEMNIFICATION 

 6.1 Licensee will indemnify, protect, defend and hold harmless Licensor
and its employees, officers and directors from and against all third-party claims, liabilities, suits, damages, costs and expenses including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees, of any kind, arising in connection with, involving or
otherwise relating to (i) any actual or alleged infringement of any third party’s Intellectual Property rights arising out of any use of the CSL Licensed IP in accordance herewith or other exercise of Licensee’s rights hereunder, or
(ii) any breach or failure to comply with any representation, warranty or covenant hereunder by or on behalf of Licensee. 
 6.2
Licensor will exercise commercially reasonable efforts to retain the rights to all CSL Licensed IP and will promptly inform Licensee if it plans to relinquish any of its rights in the CSL Licensed IP to provide Licensee sufficient time to secure
rights to the CSL Licensed IP, to the extent possible. 
  

	7.	LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY 

 7.1 Disclaimer of Representations and Warranties.
LICENSEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT, NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY HEREIN AND TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ALL USE OF THE CSL LICENSED IP AND OTHER EXERCISE OF LICENSEE’S RIGHTS HEREUNDER IS AT LICENSEE’S SOLE RISK
AND ALL CSL LICENSED IP AND THE RIGHTS GRANTED HEREUNDER ARE PROVIDED “AS IS, WHERE IS, WITH ALL FAULTS AND DEFECTS,” AND LICENSOR IS NOT MAKING AND HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER,
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THE CSL LICENSED IP AND ANY RIGHTS GRANTED HEREUNDER, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, TITLE, VALIDITY, AVAILABILITY, ACCURACY, NON-INFRINGEMENT, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR
OTHERWISE. 
 7.2 Disclaimer of Consequential and Special Damages. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, EXCEPT WITH RESPECT TO
INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS UNDER SECTION 5 OR IN CONNECTION WITH BREACHES OF SECTION 8 OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, NEITHER PARTY NOR ANY RELATED ENTITY THEREOF SHALL BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER PARTY, ANY RELATED ENTITY THEREOF OR ANY
OTHER THIRD PERSON UNDER THIS AGREEMENT FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, RELIANCE OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES OR LOST OR IMPUTED PROFITS, LOST DATA OR COST OF PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES, WHETHER LIABILITY IS ASSERTED IN
CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE AND STRICT PRODUCT LIABILITY) INDEMNITY OR CONTRIBUTION, AND IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER A PARTY OR ANY RELATED ENTITY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF ANY SUCH LOSS OR DAMAGE. 

  
 4 

	8.	CONFIDENTIALITY 

 8.1 The Parties agree that all information which is communicated from
time to time by them to each other in connection with this Agreement (whether oral, electronic or written of any kind or nature), or which is confidential and proprietary to the person disclosing the same shall be deemed secret and confidential
(“Confidential Information”). For clarity, as between the Parties, all CSL Licensed IP shall constitute Confidential Information of Licensor hereunder. The Parties agree that the Confidential Information received by them from the
other will be maintained in confidence and that the same will not be disclosed to or used by any Person, firm, or undertaking except their own agents and employees, subcontractors or distributors hereunder who need to know and/or use such
Confidential Information for the purposes of this Agreement. Any such Person given access to Confidential Information shall be subject to confidentiality provisions by agreement with Licensor or Licensee no less restrictive than those set forth
herein. If either Party is required by law to disclose any Confidential Information it has received, it will take reasonable efforts to minimize the extent of any required disclosure and to obtain an undertaking from the recipient to maintain the
confidentiality thereof. Either Party must promptly inform the other Party of any information it believes comes within the circumstances in the immediately preceding sentence. Each Party will cooperate with the other Party, at the other Party’s
expense, in seeking to maintain the confidentiality of such Confidential Information. Each Party’s obligations under this Section 8 shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement in perpetuity. 

8.2 Nothing in this Section 8 shall require the recipient Party to hold in confidence or otherwise protect from unauthorized use of
disclosure any information that: (i) is known to the recipient at the time of receipt (except, for clarity, with respect to any CSL Licensed IP that is known to Licensee as of the Effective Date); or (ii) is or becomes publicly available
through no wrongful act of the recipient; or (iii) is rightfully received by the recipient from a third party without restriction and without breach of any agreement with the disclosing Party or any third party; or (iv) is independently
developed by the recipient without breach of this Agreement or reference to the Confidential Information of the disclosing Party; or (v) is furnished by the disclosing Party to a third party without restriction. 

  
 5 

	9.	TERM AND TERMINATION 

 9.1 Term. This Agreement shall become effective upon the
Effective Date and continue in effect until and automatically expire upon the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Effective Date, unless and until terminated in accordance with Section 9.2
(the “Term”). 
 9.2 Termination. Licensor may terminate this Agreement upon written notice to Licensee in the event
of any material breach of this Agreement by or on behalf of Licensee that Licensee fails to cure within thirty (30) days following Licensor’s notice thereof. 
  

	10.	MISCELLANEOUS 

 10.1 Notices. All notices, requests and other communications to
any party hereunder shall be in writing (including facsimile transmission) and shall be given (i) by personal delivery to the appropriate address as set forth below (or at such other address for the party as shall have been previously specified
in writing to the other party), (ii) by reliable overnight courier service (with confirmation) to the appropriate address as set forth below (or at such other address for the party as shall have been previously specified in writing to the other
party), or (iii) by facsimile transmission (with confirmation) to the appropriate facsimile number set forth below (or at such other facsimile number for the party as shall have been previously specified in writing to the other party) with follow-up copy by reliable overnight courier service the next Business Day: 
 If to Licensor, to: 

Windstream Holdings, Inc. 
 4001
Rodney Parham Road 
 Little Rock, Arkansas 72212 

Attention: General Counsel 
 with
copies to: 
 Windstream Holdings, Inc. 

4001 Rodney Parham Road 

Mailstop B1-F03-71A 
 Little
Rock, Arkansas 72212 
 Attention: Windstream Legal 

and 
 Skadden Arps Slate
Meagher & Flom LLP 
 One Rodney Square 

920 N. King Street 
 Wilmington,
Delaware 19801 
 Attention:         Robert B. Pincus, Esq. 

Facsimile:        (302) 651-3001 

  
 6 

 if to Licensee: 

Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc. 

10802 Executive Center Drive 

Benton Building Suite 300 

Little Rock, AR 72211 

Attention: Chief Executive Officer 

All such notices, requests and other communications shall be deemed received on the date of receipt by the recipient thereof if received prior
to 5 p.m. (New York City time) and such day is a Business Day in the place of receipt. Otherwise, any such notice, request or communication shall be deemed not to have been received until the next succeeding Business Day in the place of receipt.

 10.2 Amendments and Waivers. This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by an instrument or instruments in writing
signed by an authorized officer of each party. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any failure of any of the parties to comply with any obligation, covenant, agreement or condition herein may be waived by the party entitled to the
benefits thereof only by a written instrument signed by an authorized officer of the party granting such waiver, but such waiver or failure to insist upon strict compliance with such obligation, covenant, agreement or condition shall not operate as
a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any subsequent or other failure. 
 10.3 Headings. The table of contents and the article,
section, paragraph and other headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. 

10.4 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all
of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement. 
 10.5 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, and the Separation
Agreement, constitute the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersede and cancel all prior agreements, negotiations, correspondence, undertakings, understandings and communications of the
parties, oral and written, with respect to the subject matter hereof. 
 10.6 Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING ALL MATTERS
OF CONSTRUCTION, VALIDITY AND PERFORMANCE, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OR CHOICE OF LAWS OR ANY OTHER LAW THAT WOULD MAKE THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER
JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF DELAWARE APPLICABLE HERETO. 
 10.7 Resolution of Disputes. All disputes arising out of or
relating to this Agreement or the breach, termination or validity thereof or the parties’ performance hereunder or thereunder (“Dispute”) shall be brought or determined exclusively in a state or federal court located within the
County of New Castle in the State of Delaware. 

  
 7 

 10.8 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND
ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. 

10.9 Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by Licensee in whole or in part without
the written consent of Licensor, including by way of merger, sale of securities or assets, operation of law or otherwise, and any purported assignment without such consent shall be null and void, ab initio. No such permitted assignment
shall relieve either Party of any of its rights and obligations hereunder. Without limiting the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties and their respective successors and assigns. 

10.10 Fees and Expenses. Whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated, each Party shall bear its own
fees and expenses incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. 
 10.11 Third-Party Beneficiaries.
Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person or Persons any rights, benefits or remedies of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement. 

10.12 Severability. This Agreement shall be deemed severable; the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or of any other term hereof, which shall remain in full force and effect, for so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any Party. If it is ever held that any restriction hereunder is too broad to permit enforcement of such restriction to its fullest extent, each Party agrees that such restriction may be enforced to
the maximum extent permitted by law, and each party hereby consents and agrees that such scope may be judicially modified accordingly in any proceeding brought to enforce such restriction. 

10.13 Specific Performance. Licensee hereby agrees that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any provision of this
Agreement was not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that Licensor shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms hereof, in addition to any other remedy at law or equity. 

10.14 Construction. The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity
or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of any provisions
of this Agreement. 

  
 8 

 10.15 Interpretation. Any reference to any federal, state, local or non-U.S. statute or
law shall be deemed also to refer to all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context otherwise requires. 

[signature page follows] 

  
 9 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written
above by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized. 
  

			
	WINDSTREAM SERVICES, LLC
		
	By:		  

	Name:		
	Title:		
	
	CSL NATIONAL, LP
		
	By:		  

	Name:		
	Title:		
	
	TALK AMERICA SERVICES, LLC
		
	By:		  

	Name:		
	Title:		

  
 10 

 Schedule 1.1 

CSL Licensed IP 
  

							
	bowlinggreen.net		lexcominc.net		valornet.com		
	bridgewater.net		lkdllink.net		valortelecom.com		
	carol.net		lookingglass.net		vincennes.net		
	ccol.net		lucasco.net		westex.net		
	ceinetworks.com		madisonville.com		wh-link.net		
	connections-etc.net		mcleodusa.net		willinet.net		
	cottoninternet.net		midsouth.net		windstreambusiness.net		
	crosspaths.net		midtech.net		windstream.net		
	ctc.net		midusa.net		zumatel.net		
	dejazzd.com		navix.net		cavtel.net		
	dejazzdfone.com		netaxs.com		talkamerica.net		
	dejazzdphone.com		netreach.net		visi.net		
	dejazzdphone.net		norlight.net		newsouth.net		
	dejazzdphone.org		nsatel.net				
	dejazzed.com		nuvox.net				
	door.net		odsy.net				
	en-tel.net		one.net				
	evansville.com		op.net				
	evansville.net		owensboro.net				
	ezmailbox.net		paducah.com				
	fast.net		pcpartner.net				
	fastraxs.net		pcstx.net				
	fbx.com		pennyrile.net				
	fbx.net		purchasearea.net				
	fdn.com		roswell.net				
	gibsoncounty.net		sherbtel.net				
	glade.net		slinknet.com				
	henderson.net		superlink.net				
	hopkinsville.net		swindiana.com				
	hubofthe.net		swindiana.net				
	iowatelecom.net		titlecast.com				
	izoom.net		titlecast.net				
	jazzd.com		trailnet.com				
	jazzdphone.com		trivergent.net				
	kdlnetworks.net		txcom.net				
	kentuckylakes.net		txkinet.com				
	ktc.com		txk.net				
	lakedalelink.net		uslec.net				

  
 11 

 Schedule 1.2 

Trademarks 
 Trademark Applications by
Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc.: 
  

					
	Communications Sales and Leasing		Application #86486914		Application date: 12.19.14
	CS&L (with logo)		Application #86486681		Application date: 12.19.14
	CS&L REIT		Application #86486912		Application date: 12.19.14
	CS&L-THE COMMUNICATIONS REIT		Application #86486918		Application date: 12.19.14

 Trademarks held by Talk America Holdings, Inc. 

 

							
	TALKAMERICA		#75061882		Expiration Date: August 18, 2017		 Description:
  

Telecommunications services, namely, a wireless telephone transmission service provided in conjunction with a packaged plan consisting of a telephone, a
billing rate plan, and a self-activation service for wireless telephones by means of a call to a customer service center.
  

Prior to the contemplation of the REIT transaction, Windstream determined there was no need to retain this mark. Thus, the mark will expire on August 18,
2017, because Windstream did not file the necessary affidavits of use.

				
	TALK AMERICA SERVICES		#86497258		Expiration Date: January 7, 2025		 Description:
  

The mark consists of a word bubble containing the word “talk” in lower case letters followed by the word “America” in lower case letters.
The word bubble has a shadow beneath it. The word “SERVICES” in upper case letters is located beneath the word “America”.

				
	Talk America		#86497254		Expiration Date: January 7, 2025		 Description:
  

The mark consists of standard characters without claim to any particular font style, size, or color.

  
 12 

 Schedule 1.3 

CSL Related Domain Names 

communicationsalesandleasing.com 
 cslreit.com 

cslreit.net 
 talkamericaservices.com 

  
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