Document:

EX-10.3

 Exhibit 10.3 

TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT 

THIS TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated April 24, 2015, is entered into by and between Windstream
Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“WIN”), and CSL National, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“CSL”), on behalf of itself and its Affiliates, including Talk America Services, LLC
(“TAS”). WIN and CSL are each sometimes referred to herein as a “Party” and, collectively, as the “Parties”. 

WHEREAS, CSL and WIN have entered into that certain Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated March 26, 2015 (the
“Distribution Agreement”; capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Distribution Agreement), which provides, among other things, that WIN and CSL shall enter into a Transition
Services Agreement in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Distribution Agreement; 
 WHEREAS, WIN and its Affiliates
currently provide and provided as of the date of the Distribution Agreement certain services in support of the CSL Business; and 

WHEREAS, to facilitate the transition of the CSL Business to CSL, the Parties desire that, for a limited transition period, WIN and its
Affiliates provide certain services to CSL and its Affiliates on the terms and conditions set forth herein. 
 NOW, THEREFORE, in
consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as
follows: 
 1. Description of Services. 

(a) Services. Subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement and solely for the purpose of facilitating the transition of the CSL
Business to CSL, WIN shall (or shall cause its Affiliates to) provide to CSL the services set forth on Exhibit 1 hereto (as such Exhibit 1 may be amended by the mutual agreement of the Parties in writing from time to time, the
“Services Attachment”) (the “Services”). 
 (b) Purchase of Additional or Modified Services. From
time to time, CSL may request WIN to provide additional or modified Services that are not described in Exhibit 1, but are of a similar scope or nature as those used by WIN relating to the CSL Business prior to the Distribution Date. WIN will
use commercially reasonable efforts to accommodate any reasonable requests by CSL to provide such additional or modified Services. In order to initiate a request for additional or modified Services, CSL shall submit a request in writing to WIN
specifying the nature of the additional or modified Services and requesting a cost estimate (based on the general parameters set forth in this Agreement) and time frame for completion. WIN shall respond within ten (10) business days to such
written request; provided that, subject to the second sentence of Section 1.3, such ten (10) business day period shall be subject to a reasonable extension if, due to the volume, frequency or type of requests submitted by CSL, WIN’s
preparation of responses to such requests is materially interfering with, or is likely to materially interfere with, WIN’s normal business activities. If WIN can accommodate CSL’s request to provide such additional or modified Services,
and if CSL accepts the terms and conditions set 

  
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forth in WIN’s response to such request, then such additional or modified Services shall be provided hereunder and according to the terms agreed to by the Parties in a written amendment to
this Agreement, which shall be consistent to the greatest extent practicable with the terms of this Agreement. 
 (c) Ancillary
Services. Any functions, responsibilities, activities or tasks that are not specifically described in this Agreement or the Exhibit hereto, but are reasonably required for the proper performance and delivery of the Services (including any
additional or modified Services), and are a necessary or inherent part of such Services, as performed by WIN, in the ordinary course of business, shall be deemed to be implied by and included within the scope of such Services, subject to any
limitations set forth in this Agreement or the Exhibit hereto, to the same extent and in the same manner as if specifically described in this Agreement. 

(d) Modifications. Unless otherwise provided for in this Agreement, if CSL makes any change in the processes, procedures, practices,
networks, equipment, configurations, or systems pertaining to the CSL Business, and such change has a materially adverse impact on WIN’s ability to provide any of the Services, then WIN shall be excused from performance of any such affected
Service until CSL mitigates the material adverse impact of such change or the Parties enter into an agreement to purchase additional or modified services that may be necessitated by such changes, and CSL shall be responsible for all direct expenses
incurred by WIN in connection with the cessation and, if applicable, the resumption of the affected Services. 
 (e) Transition Plan.
The Parties shall agree on a written transition plan after the execution of this Agreement (the “Transition Plan”) which shall include: (i) a plan and timetable for the migration of CSL away from the Services;
(ii) assistance in relation to migration (including the migration of data and the “Carve-Out Assistance” listed in the Services Attachment); (iii) information in relation to the operation of the relevant IT systems and the
interface between such IT systems for the purpose of implementing the migration referred to in this Section (including the applicable Services listed in the Services Attachment); (iv) respective responsibilities of the Parties in carrying out
the migration; and (v) safeguards to ensure minimal disruption to both Parties’ ongoing businesses during the migration. Each Party shall implement and comply with its obligations under the Transition Plan. Except as may otherwise be
expressly provided in the Transition Plan or Schedule of Services, as applicable, CSL shall bear all costs associated with the migration by CSL away from the Services provided by WIN. 

(f) Representatives. 

(i) Transition Representatives. Each Party will designate an individual who shall be the primary interface for the
purposes of coordinating the Services provided hereunder (the “Transition Representative”). Such individual shall (A) coordinate with the other Party and their Service Representatives (as defined below) to provide the relevant
contacts in that Party’s applicable departments for the purposes of implementing and performing the Services, and (B) evaluate in consultation with the other Party’s Transition Representative when a particular Service may be
terminated. The Transition Representative shall perform the duties required hereby in a professional and timely manner. Each Party may change its Transition Representative by giving written notice to the other in accordance with the notice
provisions of this Agreement. 

  
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 (ii) Role of the Service Representative. Each Party shall provide up to
two (2) individuals (each, a “Service Representative”) who are familiar with that Party’s business and who will be that Party’s primary points of contact in dealing with the other Party’s Service Representatives
under this Agreement and who will have the authority and power to make decisions with respect to actions to be taken by such Party with respect to the provision of Services under this Agreement. Each Party may change its Service Representative(s) by
giving written notice to the other in accordance with the notice provisions of this Agreement. 
 (iii) Obligations of
the Service Representatives. Each Party shall, or shall ensure that their Service Representative, as applicable, respond within a commercially reasonable time to any reasonable requests by the other Party or its Service Representative for such
Party’s Service Representative to provide directions, instructions, approvals, authorizations, decisions or other information reasonably necessary for WIN to perform any Services; provided, however, any request contemplated in
Section 1(b) of this Agreement shall be delivered by and to, and accepted or rejected by, the Transition Representatives. 

(iv) Meetings of the Transition and Service Representatives. The Transition Representatives and the Service
Representatives shall meet on a monthly basis (which meeting may be held telephonically) during the Term. The purpose of such meetings shall be to discuss the Services and each Party’s obligations under this Agreement, including operational
details, transitional matters, dispute resolution and any other issues related to this Agreement. Such meetings will take place at mutually agreed locations (including by teleconference) and may include a reasonable number of additional
representatives from either Party. 
 (g) Standard of the Provision of Services. WIN shall provide the Services in a manner and at a
level as more particularly described in Section 8 of this Agreement. WIN shall provide Services in accordance in all material respects with all applicable Laws. 

2. Term. 
 (a) The
term of this Agreement shall commence on the date hereof and, unless terminated earlier in accordance with Section 12, expire on the latest end date specified in Exhibit 1 (the “Term”). Thereafter, if CSL desires and WIN
agrees to continue to perform any of the Services after the Term has expired, the parties shall negotiate in good faith to determine an amount that compensates WIN for all of its costs for such performance. However, should WIN fail to complete
performance of any billing and/or collection Service(s), including the logical billing database separation, within the Term identified in Exhibit 1 for such Service(s), and such failure does not result from the actions or inactions of CSL or
a force majeure event (as defined in Section 16 herein), the Term for such incomplete Service(s) shall be extended to accommodate complete performance without additional charge to CSL. The Services so performed by WIN after the
expiration of the Term shall continue to constitute Services under this Agreement and be subject in all respects to the provisions of this Agreement for the duration of the agreed-upon extension period. 

(b) WIN shall (or shall cause its Affiliates to) provide each Service for the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the earlier
to occur of (i) the expiration of the Term, (ii) the Parties mutually agree in writing that such Service is no longer required to be provided by WIN or its Affiliates, or (iii) the date upon which the trigger event for termination
occurs for such Service as set forth in the Services Attachment, subject to earlier termination of this Agreement or termination of all or a portion of the Services, as set forth in Section 12 hereof.

  
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, CSL shall (and shall cause its Affiliates to) use commercially reasonable efforts to transition the Services to another, non-transitional provider as quickly as
practicable or, as applicable, to cause CSL and/or its Affiliates to provide the Services. 
 3. Consideration for Services.
As consideration for the Services, CSL shall pay to WIN the service fee for the Services as set forth in the Services Attachment and for all out-of-pocket costs and expenses from third parties actually incurred by WIN in the provision of the
Services that are explicitly set forth in the applicable Services Attachment or otherwise approved in writing (including by electronic mail) by CSL’s Transition Representative or Service Representatives prior to WIN incurring such out-of-pocket
expense; provided, however, WIN shall be excused from performance for Services to the extent WIN’s performance is delayed as a result of CSL’s pre-approval process for third-party costs and expenses (the “Service
Fee”). 
 4. Terms of Payment. 

(a) Not later than thirty (30) calendar days following the end of each calendar month during the Term, WIN shall submit to CSL in writing
an invoice setting out in reasonable detail each Service performed by WIN during the preceding month and the related Service Fee. CSL shall pay the amount shown on each such invoice no later than thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of such
invoice; payment shall be made without withholding or deduction of any kind. If such amount is not received by WIN within such 30-day period, CSL shall also pay WIN interest from and after the last day of such 30-day period following receipt of such
invoice, at a rate per annum equal to the prime lender rate as reported on the last day of the calendar month in respect of such invoice by the Wall Street Journal. 

(b) Any transition, excise, sales, use or similar tax charged to, assessed on or incurred by the rendering of the Services shall be split
equally between WIN, on the one hand, and CSL, on the other hand, and CSL’s share shall be paid to WIN in addition to the Service Fees; provided, however, WIN shall be solely responsible for its own income taxes. 

(c) Should CSL dispute in good faith any portion or the entire amount due on any invoice or require any adjustment to an invoiced amount, CSL
shall promptly notify WIN in writing of the nature and basis of the dispute and/or adjustment within fifteen (15) business days after CSL’s receipt of such invoice. If CSL fails to notify WIN within such 15-day period, the invoiced amount
shall be deemed to be accurate and correct and shall not be subject to dispute or contest by CSL or any Affiliate thereof. In the event CSL timely delivers notice of a dispute and/or adjustment, the Parties shall use their reasonable best efforts to
resolve such matter within thirty (30) calendar days. WIN shall reimburse CSL within fifteen (15) business days following, as applicable (i) agreement by the Parties of any excess payment made by CSL in respect of Services, or
(ii) resolution of any disputed amounts paid in excess of the amount of the costs of such Services, in either case, with interest from and after the date payment was made by CSL through, but excluding, the date of reimbursement by WIN, at the
rate per annum equal to the prime lender rate as reported on the last day of the calendar month in respect of the applicable invoice by the Wall Street Journal. 

(d) WIN and CSL agree to remit payments to each other in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Billing and Remittance
Agreement between the Parties. 

  
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 5. Method of Payment. All amounts payable by CSL hereunder shall be remitted to WIN
in United States dollars to a bank to be designated in the invoice or otherwise in writing by WIN, unless otherwise provided for and agreed upon in writing by the Parties. 

6. Accounting Records and Documents. 

(a) WIN or its Affiliates shall be responsible for maintaining full and accurate accounts and records of all Services rendered pursuant to this
Agreement and such additional information as CSL may reasonably request for purposes of their internal bookkeeping, accounting, operations and management. WIN shall maintain its accounts and records in accordance with past practice; provided,
that, to the extent full and accurate information is not relied upon by WIN in the ordinary course of business with respect to any particular item, unit or market/sub-market, WIN shall maintain such accounts and records on the basis of
appropriate and reasonable allocations. WIN shall keep such accounts and records available, during all reasonable business hours during the Term of this Agreement, at its principal offices, or at such other location as required by applicable Laws,
for audit, inspection and copying by CSL and Persons, upon reasonable notice, authorized by them or any governmental agency having jurisdiction over CSL; provided, that, the costs or expenses incurred by CSL or WIN for any such audit,
inspection or copying shall be the sole responsibility of CSL. 
 (b) At any time during the Term of this Agreement, CSL, or its authorized
independent auditors or counsel, shall have the right to inspect and audit WIN’s accounts, books and records relating to the Services upon five (5) business days prior written notice during regular business hours and without undue
disruption of the normal operations of WIN. 
 (c) All information CSL, its Affiliates and its other authorized Persons gain access to
pursuant to this Section 6 shall be subject to the terms of the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 13 of this Agreement. 

7. Consents. 

(a) If any consent or approval of, or notice to, any third party is required to implement the terms of this Agreement (“Third Party
Consent”), CSL and WIN shall each use their respective reasonable endeavors to obtain any Third Party Consent as soon as reasonably practicable, each at the cost of CSL. If any such Third Party Consent is refused or not obtained within
three (3) months after the Distribution Date, the Parties shall co-operate in good faith to agree and implement reasonable alternative arrangements which achieve the same commercial effect as that contemplated by this Agreement. 

(b) If either Party so requests, the other Party shall provide all reasonable assistance in obtaining any Third Party Consent and neither
Party will unreasonably do or omit to do anything which would cause any relevant third party to refuse to grant or to terminate or revoke any Third Party Consent. 

8. Performance Standards. In providing the Services to CSL under this Agreement, WIN shall (and shall cause its
Affiliates to) provide the Services in a timely and professional manner generally consistent with the past practices of WIN and its Affiliates in providing the same or similar Services to the CSL Business prior to the execution of the Distribution
Agreement and in conformance in all material respects with any service levels set forth in the applicable Services Attachment. For purposes of clarity, the Parties agree that the 

  
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measure of such past performance shall be, except as otherwise agreed in writing by the Parties, that WIN shall provide each of the Services in substantially the same manner and with
substantially the same level of care and service as the manner and the level of care and service with which such Service was provided during 2014. 

9. No Representations or Warranties. WIN MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY WITH RESPECT TO THE TRANSITION SERVICES, AT LAW OR
IN EQUITY, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, WITH RESPECT TO MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND ANY AND ALL REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES ARE HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED. 

10. Status of Employees and Facilities; Proprietary Rights.  

(a) Whenever WIN utilizes its (or its Affiliates’) employees to perform the Services for CSL pursuant to this Agreement, such employees
shall at all times remain subject to the direction and control of WIN (or its Affiliates), and CSL shall have no liability to such Persons for their welfare, salaries, fringe benefits, legally required employer contributions and tax obligations by
virtue of the relationships established under this Agreement. WIN shall have complete discretion to supervise and manage such employees and any third-party contractors providing the Services on behalf of WIN, and WIN is not required to continue
employment for any specific individual personnel of WIN or its Affiliates or to maintain engagements with specific third-party contractors. No equipment or facility of WIN used in performing the Services for or subject to use by CSL shall be deemed
to be transferred, assigned, conveyed or leased by such performance or use. WIN shall maintain appropriate security, maintenance and insurance coverage on such equipment or facility. 

(b) Except as set forth in the Services Attachment, to the extent WIN or its Affiliates use any proprietary intellectual property rights owned
by or licensed to WIN or its Affiliates in providing the Services, such proprietary intellectual property rights and any derivative works thereof, or modifications or improvements thereto, conceived or created as part of the provision of Services
(“Improvements”) will, as between the Parties, remain the sole property of WIN or its Affiliate, as applicable, unless any such Improvement was created for CSL pursuant to a certain Service. If any Improvement is created for CSL
pursuant to a certain Service or other proprietary intellectual property rights are created specifically for CSL pursuant to Services provided under the Services Attachment (a “CSL Specific Improvement”), such CSL Specific
Improvement shall be owned by CSL. The applicable Party will and hereby does assign to the applicable owner designated above, and agrees to assign automatically in the future upon first recordation in a tangible medium or first reduction to
practice, all of such Party’s right, title and interest in and to all Improvements, if any. All rights not expressly granted herein are reserved. 

11. Indemnification. 

(a) From and after the date of this Agreement, WIN shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the CSL Indemnified Parties from and against all
Liabilities asserted against, imposed upon or incurred by the CSL Indemnified Parties resulting from, arising out of, based upon or otherwise in respect of any third party claim arising out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of WIN in the
performance of its obligations under this Agreement, except to the extent any such Liabilities arise out of or result from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of CSL. 

  
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 (b) From and after the date of this Agreement, CSL shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the
WIN Indemnified Parties from and against all Liabilities asserted against, imposed upon or incurred by the WIN Indemnified Parties resulting from, arising out of, based upon or otherwise in respect of any third party claim arising out of the gross
negligence or willful misconduct of CSL in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, except to the extent any such Liabilities arise out of or result from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of WIN. 

(c) In the event WIN (or any WIN Indemnified Party) or CSL (or any CSL Indemnified Party) shall have a claim for indemnity against the other
party under the terms of this Agreement, the parties shall follow the procedures set forth in Article VII of the Distribution Agreement as if fully set forth herein. 

(d) Independent of, severable from, and to be enforced independently of any other enforceable or unenforceable provision of this Agreement, NO
PARTY WILL BE LIABLE TO ANY OTHER PARTY (NOR TO ANY PERSON CLAIMING RIGHTS DERIVED FROM ANY OTHER PARTY’S RIGHTS) FOR PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INDIRECT DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY LOSS OF USE,
LOSS OF BUSINESS, LOSS OF PROFIT OR LOSS OF GOODWILL. Further, indemnification shall be limited to actual damages which in no event shall exceed the total amount of compensation payable to WIN hereunder. 

(e) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 11, WIN’s sole responsibility to CSL for errors or omissions in providing
the Services shall be to re-perform such Services promptly and properly in a diligent manner, at no additional cost or expense; provided, however, that each Party shall use reasonable best efforts to detect any such errors or omissions
and promptly advise the other Party of any such error or omission of which it becomes aware. 
 12. Termination.  

(a) This Agreement may be terminated prior to expiration of the Term in accordance with the following: 

(i) upon the mutual written agreement of the Parties; 

(ii) by either WIN, on the one hand, or CSL, on the other hand, (i) for material breach of any of the terms hereof by WIN or by CSL,
respectively, if such breach is curable within thirty (30) days and such breach shall not have been cured within thirty (30) calendar days after written notice of breach is delivered to the defaulting Party and (ii) if such breach is
not curable within thirty (30) days, such breach shall not have been addressed by the defaulting Party through a good faith plan to cure such breach; 

(iii) CSL shall fail to pay for Services in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (and such payment is not disputed by CSL in good
faith in accordance with Section 4(c) hereof) and such breach is not cured within fifteen (15) calendar days after written notice of breach is delivered to CSL, including by electronic mail to CSL’s Transition Representative;
or 

  
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 (iv) by either WIN, on the one hand, or CSL, on the other hand, upon written notice to WIN, on
the one hand, or CSL, on the other hand, if the other Party files a proceeding in bankruptcy, receivership, rehabilitation or reorganization, or for composition, liquidation or dissolution or for similar relief, or there is a filing against such
person of any such proceeding which is not dismissed within sixty (60) calendar days after the filing thereof. 
 (b) In addition, this
Agreement may be terminated solely with respect to any one or more Service(s) or additional service(s) provided hereunder prior to the expiration of the Term in accordance with the following: 

(i) If CSL desires to terminate a Service, CSL shall complete a Service Termination Request Form, substantially in the form attached hereto
as Exhibit 2. In completing the Service Termination Request Form, CSL shall refer to the Service it wishes to terminate (the “Terminated Service”) as it is specifically named in the Services Attachment or Transition Plan, as
applicable. 
 (ii) Unless otherwise set forth on the Service Termination Request Form, WIN shall cease such Terminated Service(s) or
additional service(s) as soon as practicable after WIN’s receipt of the Service Termination Request Form, but in no event later than thirty (30) calendar days after WIN has received such written notification from CSL. 

(iii) If a Service is terminated, the Services Attachment and/or Transition Plan shall be updated, as applicable, to reflect such
termination. 
 (c) Immediately following expiration or termination of this Agreement, each Party shall return to the other Party (and make
no further use of) all proprietary information of the other Party in each Party’s possession or control, including, in the case of CSL, any WIN Confidential Information and, in the case of WIN, any CSL Confidential Information. Likewise, except
as necessary to comply with applicable law, within thirty (30) days following any such termination or expiration, each Party shall return to the other Party (and make no further use of) all copies of all proprietary information of the other
Party in each Party’s possession or control, including, in the case of CSL, any WIN Confidential Information and, in the case of WIN, any CSL Confidential Information. 

13. Confidentiality. Each Party acknowledges that during the course of providing Services hereunder, or in the course of
receiving Services hereunder, the other Party may disclose to it certain confidential information. Each Party agrees to use such confidential information only for the purposes for which it was disclosed and in accordance with the terms and
conditions set forth in Section 8.2 of the Distribution Agreement and the obligations hereunder shall survive until the earlier of (i) five (5) years after the date of final disclosure of confidential information hereunder or
(ii) so long as may be required by Law. 
 14. Independent Contractor Status. Each Party shall be deemed to be an
independent contractor to the other Party. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall create or be deemed to create an employment, agency, joint venture or partnership relationship between WIN and CSL. The terms of this Agreement are not intended to
cause any of the Parties and their Affiliates to become a joint employer for any purpose. Each of the Parties agrees that the provisions of this Agreement as a whole are not intended to, and do not, constitute control of the other Party (or any
Affiliates thereof) or provide it with the ability to control such other Party (or any Affiliates thereof), and each Party expressly disclaims any right or power under this Agreement to exercise any power whatsoever over the management or policies
of the other Party (or any Affiliates thereof). Nothing in this Agreement shall oblige either Party to act in breach of the requirements of any Law applicable to it, including securities and telecommunications laws,

  
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written policy statements of securities commissions, telecommunications and other regulatory authorities, and the by-laws, rules, regulations and written policy statements of relevant securities
and self-regulatory organizations. 
 15. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED, CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CHOICE OF LAW PROVISIONS THEREOF). 
 16. Force
Majeure. Neither Party shall be held liable for any delay or failure in performance of any part of this Agreement (other than outstanding payment obligations hereunder) from acts of God, acts of civil or military authority, embargoes,
epidemics, war, terrorist acts, riots, insurrections, fires, explosions, earthquakes, nuclear accidents, floods, strikes, and power blackouts. Upon the occurrence of a condition described in this Section 16, the Party whose performance
is prevented shall give written notice to the other Party and the Parties shall promptly confer, in good faith, to agree upon equitable, reasonable action to minimize the impact, on both Parties, of such conditions. 

17. Dispute Resolution Procedures.  

(a) Other than such disputed matters addressed by Section 4(c), if a dispute arises between the Parties with respect to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement, a Party’s performance of its obligations hereunder, or any matter relating to the Services (“Dispute”), the Parties agree to use and follow this dispute resolution procedure described in this
Section 17 prior to initiating any judicial action. 
 (b) Claims Procedure. If a Party shall have a Dispute, such Party
shall provide written notice to the other Party in accordance with the provisions of Section 19 of this Agreement, in the form of a claim identifying the nature of the Dispute in sufficient detail to describe the basis for the claim (a
“Dispute Notice”). Upon receipt of the Dispute Notice, the other Party shall have five (5) calendar days to provide a written response to the Dispute Notice (the “Response”). The Party providing the Dispute
Notice shall have an additional five (5) calendar days following its receipt of the Response to accept the proposed resolution or to request implementation of the procedure set forth in Section 17(c) below (the “Escalation
Procedure”). Failure to comply with the time limitations set forth in this Section 17 may result in the implementation of the Escalation Procedures. 

(c) Escalation Procedure. At the written request of a Party involved in the Dispute and in compliance with Section 17(b),
each Party shall appoint a knowledgeable, responsible representative to negotiate in good faith to resolve such Dispute (the “Representatives”). The Parties intend that the Representatives shall be empowered to decide the issues
presented in any Dispute. The Representatives will attempt to resolve the Dispute within five (5) business days of receiving the written request. If the Dispute cannot be resolved within that time period, then the Parties may resort to judicial
action or other remedies. During the time period of any Dispute, each Party shall continue to perform its respective obligations under this Agreement (except in the event CSL fails to pay amounts due in accordance with Section 4
hereunder). 

  
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 18. Amendments; Waivers. No alteration, modification or change of this Agreement,
including the Services set forth on the Services Attachment, shall be valid except by an agreement in writing executed by the Parties. Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, no failure or delay by any Party in exercising any right, power or
privilege hereunder (and no course of dealing between or among any of the Parties) shall operate as a waiver of any such right, power or privilege. No waiver of any default on any one occasion shall constitute a waiver of any subsequent or other
default. No single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege shall preclude the further or full exercise thereof 
 19.
Notices. All notices, demands and requests required or permitted to be given under the provisions of this Agreement shall be (i) in writing, (ii) sent by facsimile (with receipt personally confirmed by telephone), delivered by
personal delivery, or sent by commercial delivery service or certified mail, return receipt requested, (iii) deemed to have been given on the date telecopied with receipt confirmed, the date of personal delivery, or the date set forth in the
records of the delivery service or on the return receipt, and (iv) addressed as follows: 
 If to WIN: 

Windstream Services, LLC 
 4001
Rodney Parham Rd. 
 Little Rock, AR 72212 

Attn: General Counsel 
 Fax No.:
501-748-7400 
 If to CSL: 

CSL National, LP 
 10802
Executive Center Drive 
 Benton Building Suite 300 

Little Rock, AR 72211 
 Attn:
General Counsel 
 or to any other or additional persons and addresses as the Parties may from time to time designate in a writing delivered in accordance
with this Section 19. 
 20. Assignment; Benefit and Binding Effect. No Party may assign this Agreement
without the prior written consent of each of the other Party; provided, however, WIN, without the consent of CSL, may assign this Agreement to any Affiliate of WIN, and CSL may, without the consent of WIN, assign this Agreement to any
Affiliate of CSL, but none of the assignments described in this sentence shall relieve the assignor of its obligations hereunder and, provided further, that any Party may make a collateral assignment of its rights hereunder for the benefit of its
lenders. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall be for the exclusive benefit of the Parties (and their
successors and permitted assigns) and shall not be for the benefit of any other Person. 
 21. Severability. If any provision
of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance shall be invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other Persons or circumstances shall not be affected
thereby and shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by Law. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid or unenforceable, the Parties shall 

  
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negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that the transactions contemplated
hereby are fulfilled to the greatest extent possible.  
 22. Entire Agreement. The Distribution Agreement, this
Agreement, the Billing and Remittance Agreement, and the Schedules and Exhibits hereto and thereto collectively represent the entire understanding and agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. Each Party hereby
represents, acknowledges and agrees that it has not relied on any representation, warranty, covenant, understanding, agreement, written or oral, discussion, or negotiation not expressly contained herein or in the Distribution Agreement in entering
into this Agreement. 
 23. Captions. The captions contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and are not
part of this Agreement. 
 24. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts with the same effect as if the
signature on each counterpart were upon the same instrument. 
 25. Specific Performance. The Parties acknowledge that
monetary damages may not be an adequate remedy for violations of this Agreement and that any Party may, in its sole discretion and in addition to all other rights and remedies available in law or in equity, to the extent permitted hereunder, apply
for specific performance or injunctive or other relief with a court of competent jurisdiction as such court may deem just and proper in order to enforce this Agreement or to prevent violation hereof and, to the extent permitted by applicable Law,
each Party waives any objection to the imposition of such relief. 
 26. Remedies Cumulative. All rights, powers and remedies
provided under this Agreement or otherwise available in respect hereof at law or in equity shall, be cumulative and not alternative, and the exercise or beginning of the exercise of any right, power or remedy thereof by a Party shall not preclude
the simultaneous or later exercise of any other such right, power or remedy by such Party. 
 27. Fees and Expenses. Except as
otherwise provided in this Agreement and the Exhibit hereto, each Party shall pay its own expenses incurred in connection with the authorization, preparation, execution, and performance of this Agreement, including all fees and expenses of counsel,
accountants, agents, and representatives, and each Party shall be responsible for all fees or commissions payable to any finder, broker, advisor, or similar Person retained by or on behalf of such Party. 

28. Survival. The provisions of Sections 4, 8 through 28, 30 and 31 shall survive the
expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement. 
 29. General Cooperation. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth
in this Agreement, WIN’s obligations under this Agreement shall be conditioned on CSL using all commercially reasonable efforts to provide information and documentation sufficient for WIN to perform the Services as they were performed prior to
the date of this Agreement, and make available, as reasonably requested by WIN, sufficient resources and timely decisions, approvals and acceptances in order that WIN accomplish its obligations under this Agreement in a timely and efficient manner.

  
 11 

 30. Controlling Provisions. If there is any conflict or inconsistency between the
terms and conditions set forth in the main body of this Agreement and the Services Attachment, the provisions of the Services Attachment shall control with respect to the rights and obligations of the Parties regarding the Services. If there is any
conflict or inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Distribution Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall control solely with respect to the rights and obligations of the Parties regarding the Services. 

31. No Set-Off. The obligations under this Agreement shall not be subject to set-off for non-performance or any monetary or
non-monetary claim by any Party or any of their respective Affiliates under any other agreement between the Parties or any of their respective Affiliates. 

32. Parties in Interest. Other than Persons entitled to receive indemnification under Section 10, nothing in this
Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer on any Person other than the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns any rights or remedies under or by virtue of this Services Agreement. Each CSL Indemnified Party other
than CSL, and each WIN Indemnified Party other than WIN, is an express, third-party beneficiary of Section 11. 
 33. Data
Protection. Each Party shall comply with its obligations under all applicable data protection laws in respect of the Services to be provided under this Agreement. Each Party agrees in respect of any such personal data supplied to it by the
other Party that it shall: (a) only act on instructions from the other Party regarding the processing of such personal data under this Agreement and shall ensure that appropriate technical and organizational measures shall be taken against
unauthorized or unlawful processing of the personal data and against accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, the personal data; and (b) comply with any reasonable request made by the other Party to ensure compliance with the measures
contained in this Section. 
 34. Further Assurances. Each Party shall perform all other acts and execute and deliver all
other documents as may be necessary to secure all necessary authorizations and approvals of this Agreement by all applicable governmental bodies in the United States of America, and as otherwise may be required to give effect to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement. 
 [Remainder of page intentionally left blank] 

  
 12 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf on
the day and year first above written. 
  

			
	CSL NATIONAL, LP
	By: CSL NATIONAL GP, LLC, its general partner
		
	By: 		 /s/ Kenneth A. Gunderman

	Name:		Kenneth A. Gunderman
	Title:		President & CEO

  

			
	WINDSTREAM SERVICES, LLC
		
	By: 		 /s/ Tony Thomas

	Name:		Tony Thomas
	Title:		President & CEO

 Signature Page to Transition Services Agreement 

 EXHIBIT 1 

SERVICES ATTACHMENT – SUMMARY SERVICES DESCRIPTION 

 

									
	 Business
Function
Category
	  	 Business Area
	  	 Service

Description
	  	 Term
	  	 Detailed Service Description

					
	Billing - Payment Assurance	  	Consumer CLEC	  	Billing - Payment Processing: Receivables/ Cash Collections (pAptis only)	  	18 months	  	Following its existing processes, WIN shall provide to TAS processing of payments through lock box, E-Pay, IVR, Recurring, etc. Existing vendor SLAs will apply to TAS. No special reporting will be provided.
					
	Billing - Payment Assurance	  	Consumer CLEC	  	Billing Payment Processing : Payment investigation (pAptis only)	  	18 months	  	Following its existing processes, WIN shall provide to TAS Investigation of misapplied payments. Vendor SLAs will apply to TAS.
					
	Financial Services - Collections	  	Consumer CLEC	  	Treatment Collections – Inbound/ Outbound Calls (pAptis only)	  	18 months	  	WIN shall provide to TAS Online collection support to include Inbound/Outbound call support to customers.
					
	Financial Services - Collections	  	Consumer CLEC	  	Treatment and Collections (pAptis only)	  	18 months	  	WIN shall provide to TAS offline collections support including preparation of customer lists for dunning/demand notifications, write off balances, bankruptcies, and referral to 3rd Party Collections agency.
					
	Financial Services - Collections	  	Consumer CLEC	  	Treatment Collections – Customer Adjustments/ Refund Reviews (pAptis only)	  	18 months	  	WIN shall provide to TAS customer adjustments & refund reviews.
					
	IT Infrastructure	  	Consumer CLEC	  	Data Migration: Cutover Assistance, including PST files	  	30 days	  	Assistance in planning, testing, and executing the cut-over from WIN to TAS applications at exit including the following applications:
- File shares, PST files
					
	IT Infrastructure	  	Consumer CLEC	  	PC Programs, Desktop Hardware and support	  	30 days	  	 WIN shall provide to TAS PC Programs and LAN support.
  

WIN shall provide to TAS desktop hardware, support, and image. Manage and support all business applications installed on end user workstation to include
images, installs and supports tickets as required. Manage licensing, vendors and configurations.

					
	IT Infrastructure	  	 Consumer
 CLEC
	  	Infrastructure: End User Migration	  	90 days	  	Provide ninety (90) days of email forwarding
					
	IT Infrastructure	  	Consumer CLEC	  	Network and Communication: LAN/WAN Data Service	  	120 days	  	Provide Local Area Network (LAN) / Wide Area Network (WAN) data connectivity to the Richmond office as required to access core business systems identified within this Schedule.
					
	IT Infrastructure	  	Consumer CLEC	  	Network and Communication: IP Telephony	  	120 days	  	Provide telephony services to individual users and manage MACs (Moves/Adds/Changes) within the system as requested by TAS. WIN may charge back to TAS any usage fees as long as they can be directly attributed to use of the
resources.

  
 1 

 EXHIBIT 1 

SERVICES ATTACHMENT – SUMMARY SERVICES DESCRIPTION, CONT’D 

 

									
	 Business
Function
Category
	  	 Business Area
	  	 Service
Description
	  	 Term
	  	 Detailed Service Description

					
	Marketing	  	Consumer CLEC	  	Fulfillment (pAptis only)	  	90 days (on- demand)	  	WIN shall provide to TAS fulfillment literature/collateral if needed. Assuming TAS will provide direction regarding which specific pieces are required. List of current pieces in use in ILEC markets is being provided for TAS to
review and aid that decision.
					
	Marketing Communications	  	Consumer CLEC	  	Advertising Support (pAptis only)	  	90 days (on- demand)	  	WIN shall provide to TAS advertising support to include: promotional mailers, email, bill inserts/onserts, and newspaper ads. Media placement service will also be available.
					
	Marketing	  	Consumer CLEC	  	Product Management/ Marketing Support (pAptis only)	  	90 days (on- demand)	  	WIN shall provide to TAS Product Management/Marketing support for all current products/services (directory assistance, operator services, 3PV, TechHelp and PC Protect etc.)
					
	Sales	  	Consumer CLEC	  	End of Life Equipment (pAptis only)	  	18 months	  	WIN shall provide to TAS End of Life equipment support - processes and procedures as provided to WIN’s customers today.
					
	SEC Financial Reporting	  	Finance and Accounting	  	CSL Annual and Quarterly Filings	  	120 days	  	WIN shall provide to CSL financial information and related footnote support, in a timely manner, to facilitate CSL in the preparation of its Q1 2015 Form 10-Q filing.
					
	SEC Financial Reporting	  	Finance and Accounting	  	Financial Information	  	120 days	  	WIN shall provide to CSL financial information and related footnote support for the period from April 1, 2015 to spin-date, in a timely manner, to facilitate CSL in the preparation of its Q2 2015 Form 10-Q filing
					
	Training	  	Consumer CLEC	  	Provide Financial Services training (pAptis only)	  	18 months	  	WIN shall provide financial services training to TAS.
					
	HR	  	HR: Payroll	  	Data Requirements	  	90 days (on- demand)	  	General interaction and support from the WIN Payroll team to transition HR and pay-related data to the HR/Payroll vendors

  
 2 

 EXHIBIT 2 

SERVICES TERMINATION REQUEST FORM 
  

					
	  

Service Termination Request Form
  

	  
  

        [Insert WIN Logo]

 
  
		 		  

 
 [Insert CSL Logo]

 
  

  

 

					
	 Requesting Company:

 
		 		
	 Date of Request:

 
		 		
	 Completed By:

 
		 		
	 Service to be Changed:

 
		 		

  
  

  

 

Requested Service Termination 
  

											
	    Item    
    #      		Service		
Service Provider
 (Company)
		Service Recipient
(Company)		Estimated Cost		Requested
Termination Date
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	    1      		 		 		 		 		 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	    2      		 		 		 		 		 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	    3      		 		 		 		 		 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	    4      		 		 		 		 		 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	    5      		 		 		 		 		 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	    6      		 		 		 		 		 

  

 
  

			
	Acknowledgements
	 Functional TSA Owner: [insert
Receiving Functional Lead name]
 X
		 Functional TSA Owner: [insert Providing Functional Lead name]

X

	On Behalf of [insert NewCo name]		On Behalf of [insert ParentCo name]
	 	  	 
	Contract Manager: [insert CSL CM Name]		Contract Manager: [insert WIN CM Name]
	X		X
	On Behalf of CSL National, LP		On Behalf of Windstream Services, LLCEX-10.4

 Exhibit 10.4 

EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT 
 BY
AND AMONG 
 WINDSTREAM HOLDINGS, INC. 

AND 
 COMMUNICATIONS
SALES & LEASING, INC. 
 Dated April 24, 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.	  	 	11	  
		 	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 April 24, 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 March 26, 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. 

  
 2 

 “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. 

  
 3 

 “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 

  
 4 

 
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. 

  
 5 

 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. 

  
 6 

 (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 

  
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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. 

  
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 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. 
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remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.] 

  
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 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:		 /s/ Tony Thomas

			Name:		Tony Thomas
			Title:		President & CEO
	
	COMMUNICATIONS SALES & LEASING, INC.
			
			By:		 /s/ Kenneth A. Gunderman

			Name:		Kenneth A. Gunderman
			Title:		President & CEO

 Signature Page to Employee Matters Agreement

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