Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.45

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                              CONSULTING AGREEMENT

            THIS CONSULTING AGREEMENT, is entered into and effective as of April
9, 2004 (the "Effective Date"), by and between VALOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS, LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company (the "Company"), and KENNETH R. COLE (the
"Consultant").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

            WHEREAS, the Consultant has been employed by the Company since
January 18, 2000 initially as its President and Chief Operating Officer and most
recently as its Chief Executive Officer pursuant to an Employment Agreement
dated January 18, 2000 (as amended by an Amendment One to Employment Agreement
dated January 17, 2002, the "Existing Employment Agreement") and the Company and
the Consultant desire to terminate the Existing Employment Agreement and
Consultant's employment with the Company and its subsidiaries;

            WHEREAS, Consultant possesses special knowledge, abilities and
experience regarding the business of the Company;

            WHEREAS, the Company desires to obtain the services of Consultant to
consult with and perform services as an independent contractor for the Company
with respect to its businesses and Consultant desires to provide services to the
Company upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement;

            NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises hereof and
the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties hereto hereby covenant and
agree as follows:

            1. Engagement.

            (a) The Company hereby engages Consultant as an independent
contractor, and not as an employee, to render consulting services to the Company
as hereinafter provided, and Consultant hereby accepts such engagement, for a
period commencing on the Effective Date and continuing for the period set forth
in Section 2 hereof, all upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

            (b) The Consultant affirms and represents that as of the
commencement of his engagement by the Company on the Effective Date, he will be
under no obligation to any former employer (other than the Company) or other
party which is in any way inconsistent with, or which imposes any restriction
upon, the Consultant's acceptance of the engagement hereunder with the Company,
the engagement of the Consultant by the Company, or the Consultant's
undertakings under this Agreement.
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            2. Term of Engagement.

            (a) Unless earlier terminated as provided in this Agreement, the
term of the Consultant's engagement under this Agreement shall be for a period
beginning on the Effective Date and ending on March 31, 2007.

            (b) The period from the Effective Date until March 31, 2007, or in
the event that the Consultant's engagement hereunder is earlier terminated as
provided herein or renewed or extended as provided in Section 2(c), such shorter
or longer period, is hereinafter called the "Engagement Term".

            (c) Upon expiration, the Engagement Term shall not be subject to
automatic renewal or extension and may be extended or renewed only by written
agreement of the parties.

            3. Title; Duties.

            (a) During the Engagement Term, the Consultant shall serve on the
Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board of Directors") as its
Vice-Chairman. During the time the Consultant serves on the Board of Directors,
the Consultant shall be entitled to receive such director's fees and
reimbursement of expenses that are payable from time to time to non-executive
members of the Board of Directors in accordance with the Company's policies as
are adopted by the Board of Directors from time to time. In addition, during the
Engagement Term, the Company may, but shall not be required to, appoint
Consultant to serve on the board of directors or other equivalent governing body
of any of its subsidiaries. The Consultant's Company supplied business card may
refer to Consultant as the Company's "Vice-Chairman and Founder."

            (b) During the Engagement Term, Consultant shall render such
consulting services to the Company in connection with the Company's business,
management and financial matters as the Board of Directors or Chief Executive
Officer of the Company may request from time to time, which services shall
include, but shall not be limited to, advising and assisting the Board of
Directors and management of the Company and its affiliates on development of
corporate strategy, the identification and implementation of potential mergers,
acquisitions and other strategic transactions, regulatory matters and business
development efforts (including, but not limited to, serving as the Company's
emissary at national and regional trade or industry gatherings). Consultant is
an independent contractor and shall not have any authority to bind or act on
behalf of the Company.

            (c) It is contemplated by the Company and the Consultant that the
Consultant will devote at least 25% of his professional time, efforts and
attention to the duties set forth in this Section 3. Consultant may engage in
any or all other professional activities so long as such professional
activities, individually or in the aggregate, do not (i) impair in any material
respect the Consultant's ability to perform his duties under this Agreement or
(ii) violate the provisions of Section 9 of this Agreement.

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            4. Consulting Fees.

            (a) As compensation for the performance by the Consultant of the
services to be performed by the Consultant hereunder during the Engagement Term
and subject to compliance by Consultant of his obligations under Sections 6, 9,
10 and 11 hereof, the Company shall pay the Consultant a fee at the annual rate
of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000) (said amount being hereinafter
referred to as the "Consulting Fees"). The Consulting Fees payable hereunder
shall be paid in quarterly installments in advance at the beginning of each
quarter.

            (b) The Company shall not be responsible for withholding income or
other taxes from the payments made to the Consultant hereunder and will not
withhold any such amounts, unless required by applicable law. The Consultant
shall file all tax returns and reports required to be filed by him on the basis
that the Consultant is an independent contractor, rather than an employee, as
defined in Treasury Regulation Section 31.3121(d)-1(c)(2), and Consultant shall
indemnify the Company for the amount of any employment taxes paid by the Company
as the result of the Consultant not withholding employment taxes from the
payments made hereunder.

            (c) The Company shall withhold from the payments to the Consultant
hereunder such amounts that represent the Consultant's contributions for
obtaining the benefits set forth in Section 5 below.

            5. Other Benefits.

            (a) General. During the Engagement Term, the Consultant shall:

            (i) be eligible to participate, along with his dependents, in any
      medical and health plans and other employee welfare benefit plans,
      including prescription drug programs and flexible spending accounts, that
      may be provided by the Company for its senior executive employees and
      their dependents in accordance with the provisions of any such plans, as
      the same may be in effect from time to time;

            (ii) be provided with an office of appropriate size and location
      within the Company's headquarters that is acceptable to the Company's
      Chief Executive Officer and the Consultant. In addition, the Consultant's
      current secretary (or another secretary if Consultant's current secretary
      is no longer employed with the Company) shall devote 25% of her time,
      efforts and attention to assisting the Consultant; and

            (iii) be entitled to reimbursement for all reasonable and necessary
      out-of pocket general office, communication, travel, entertainment and
      other business expenses incurred by the Consultant in the performance of
      his duties hereunder in accordance with the Company's normal policies from
      time to time in effect; provided, that travel, general office and
      communication expenses shall not exceed $50,000 per year (the
      "Reimbursement Cap") unless incurrence of expenses in excess of the
      Reimbursement Cap is authorized by the Company's Chief Executive Officer
      or the Board of Directors. Costs associated with the Consultant's office
      space, secretarial support, parking at the Company's headquarters or
      benefits shall not be applied against the Reimbursement Cap.

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During the Engagement Term, the Company will obtain for the benefit of the
Consultant (i) term life insurance coverage providing $2,100,000 in death
benefits to beneficiaries designated by the Consultant and (ii) long-term
disability insurance coverage providing the Consultant with long-term disability
benefits equal to $180,000 payable on and after the 181st day of the
Consultant's qualifying disability, provided, however, that (x) annual premiums
for the insurance coverage described in (i) and (ii) above cannot exceed $25,000
and (y) the foregoing assumes the insurability of the Consultant. In the event
that the annual premiums for the insurance coverage described in (i) and (ii)
above would exceed $25,000, then either (A) the coverage will be reduced to the
extent necessary to keep the annual premiums under $25,000 or (B) the Consultant
shall pay the amount of such excess.

            6. Confidential Information. The Consultant hereby covenants, agrees
and acknowledges as follows:

            (a) The Consultant has in the past (including during his employment
with the Company pursuant to the Existing Employment Agreement) and in the
future will have access to and will participate in the development of or be
acquainted with confidential or proprietary information and trade secrets
related to the business of the Company and any present or future subsidiaries or
affiliates of the Company (collectively with the Company, the "Companies"),
including but not limited to (i) customer lists; related records and
compilations of information; the identity, lists or descriptions of any new
customers, referral sources or organizations; financial statements; cost reports
or other financial information; contract proposals or bidding information;
business plans; training and operations methods and manuals; personnel records;
software programs; reports and correspondence; and management systems, policies
or procedures, including related forms and manuals; (ii) information, pertaining
to future developments such as future marketing or acquisition plans or ideas,
and potential new business locations and (iii) all other tangible and intangible
property, which are used in the business and operations of the Companies but not
made public. The information and trade secrets relating to the business of the
Companies described hereinabove in this Section 6(a) are hereinafter referred to
collectively as the "Confidential Information", provided that the term
Confidential Information shall not include any information (x) that is or
becomes generally publicly available (other than as a result of violation of
this Agreement by the Consultant), (y) that the Consultant receives on a
nonconfidential basis from a source (other than the Companies or their
representatives) that is not known by him to be bound by an obligation of
secrecy or confidentiality to any of the Companies or (z) that was in the
possession of the Consultant prior to disclosure by the Companies.

            (b) The Consultant shall not disclose, use or make known for his or
another's benefit any Confidential Information or use such Confidential
Information in any way except as is in the best interests of the Companies in
the performance of the Consultant's duties under this Agreement. The Consultant
may disclose Confidential Information when required by a third party and
applicable law or judicial process, but only after providing immediate notice to
the Company of any third party's request for such information, which notice
shall include the Consultant's intent to disclose any Confidential Information
with respect to such request.

            (c) The Consultant acknowledges and agrees that a remedy at law for
any breach or threatened breach of the provisions of this Section 6 would be
inadequate and,

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therefore, agrees that the Companies shall be entitled to seek injunctive relief
in addition to any other available rights and remedies in case of any such
breach or threatened breach by the Consultant; provided, however, that nothing
contained herein shall be construed as prohibiting the Companies from pursuing
any other rights and remedies available for any such breach or threatened
breach.

            (d) The Consultant agrees that upon expiration or termination of his
engagement with the Company for any reason, the Consultant shall forthwith
return to the Company all Confidential Information in whatever form maintained
(including, without limitation, computer discs and other electronic media).

            (e) The obligations of the Consultant under this Section 6 shall,
except as otherwise provided herein, survive the termination of the Engagement
Term and the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

            (f) Without limiting the generality of Section 15 hereof, the
Consultant hereby expressly agrees that the foregoing provisions of this Section
6 shall be binding upon the Consultant's heirs, successors and legal
representatives.

            7. Termination.

            (a) The Consultant's engagement hereunder shall be terminated upon
the occurrence of any of the following:

            (i) death of the Consultant;

            (ii) the Consultant's inability to perform his duties on account of
      disability or incapacity for a period of one hundred eighty (180) or more
      days, whether or not consecutive, within any period of twelve (12)
      consecutive months;

            (iii) the Company giving written notice, at any time, to the
      Consultant that the Consultant's engagement is being terminated for
      "cause" (as defined below);

            (iv) expiration of the Engagement Term;

            (v) the Company giving written notice, at any time (including,
      without limitation, following a change of control of the Company or a sale
      of substantially all of the assets of the Company), to the Consultant that
      the Consultant's engagement is being terminated, other than pursuant to
      clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above; or

            (vi) the Consultant terminates his engagement hereunder for any
      reason whatsoever (whether by reason of retirement, resignation or
      otherwise).

            The following actions, failures and events by or affecting the
Consultant shall constitute "cause" for termination within the meaning of clause
(iii) above: (A) gross negligence by the Consultant in the performance of, or
willful disregard by the Consultant of, his obligations under this Agreement
that results in material damage to the business of one or more of the Companies,
(B) willful failure by the Consultant to obey the reasonable and lawful orders
and

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policies of the Board of Directors that are consistent with the provisions of
this Agreement (in the case of clause (A) and this clause (B), which gross
negligence, willful disregard or willful failure (and the consequences thereof)
continue unremedied for a period of fifteen (15) days after written notice
thereof to the Consultant) or (C) conviction of a crime (or entry of a plea of
no contest with respect thereto) that results in material damage to the business
of one or more of the Companies.

            (b) In the event that the Consultant's engagement is terminated
during the Engagement Term by the Company pursuant to clause (v) of Section 7(a)
above, the Company shall, subject to (A) Section 7(d) and (B) execution by
Consultant of a release agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as
Exhibit A, and in partial consideration of Consultant's continuing obligations
hereunder after such termination, (i) pay to the Consultant, as severance pay or
liquidated damages or both, the balance of any Consulting Fees that would have
been payable from the date of such termination until March 31, 2007 (such period
the "Severance Period") but for such termination, subject to withholding (if
required by law) and appropriate deductions and (ii) shall continue to provide
the Consultant with life and long-term disability insurance, subject to the
limits on coverage and cost specified in the last paragraph of Section 5, for a
period from the date of such termination until the earliest to occur of (A) the
date which is twelve (12) months after such termination, (B) March 31, 2007 and
(C) the date upon which the Consultant commences participation in another
insurance plan.

            (c) Upon expiration of the Engagement Term or termination thereof
for any reason, the Consultant, subject to Section 7(d), shall be entitled to
coverage (for himself and his dependents) under the Company's health insurance
plans and other employee welfare benefit plans, including prescription drug
programs and flexible spending accounts, after such expiration or termination at
the same cost and other terms as offered by the Company to other senior
executives still employed by the Company for the remainder of the life of
Consultant with such non-substantive variations that are necessary to reflect
Consultant's then status as a person who is not employed or engaged by the
Company;

            (d) If the Consultant violates any of Sections 6, 9, 10 or 11
hereof, the Company shall no longer have any obligations to the Consultant and
may cease making all payments due and owing under Section 7(a) above and cease
providing coverage under its health insurance plans to the Consultant as
required by Section 7(c) above.

            (e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary expressed or implied
herein, except as required by applicable law and except as set forth or
described in Sections 7(b) and 7(d) above, the Company (and its Subsidiaries and
affiliates) shall not be obligated to make any payments to the Consultant or on
his behalf of whatever kind or nature by reason of the Consultant's cessation of
engagement (including, without limitation, by reason of termination of the
Consultant's engagement by the Company for "cause" or any other reason, or
expiration or non-renewal of the Engagement Term), other than such amounts, if
any, of his Consulting Fees as shall have accrued and remained unpaid as of the
date of said cessation.

            (f) No interest shall accrue on or be paid with respect to any
portion of any payments hereunder.

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            8. Non-Assignability.

            (a) Neither this Agreement nor any right or interest hereunder shall
be assignable by the Consultant or his beneficiaries or legal representatives
without the Company's prior written consent; provided, however, that nothing in
this Section 8(a) shall preclude the Consultant from designating a beneficiary
to receive any benefit payable hereunder upon his death or incapacity. This
Agreement may not be assigned by the Company except with the Consultant's prior
written consent, provided, however, that the Company may assign this Agreement
to a direct or indirect parent of the Company ("Newco") or an affiliate of Newco
upon consummation of an initial public offering of any class of Newco's
securities without the consent of the Consultant.

            (b) Except as required by law, no right to receive payments under
this Agreement shall be subject to anticipation, commutation, alienation, sale,
assignment, encumbrance, charge, pledge, or hypothecation or to exclusion,
attachment, levy or similar process or to assignment by operation of law, and
any attempt, voluntary or involuntary, to effect any such action shall be null,
void and of no effect.

            9. Non-Compete. During the Engagement Term and, following the
expiration or termination of the Engagement Term for any reason (whether by the
Company or the Consultant), during the Restriction Period (as defined below),
the Consultant, in consideration of compensation to be paid to the Consultant
hereunder, will not directly or indirectly (as a director, officer, executive
Consultant, manager, consultant, independent contractor, advisor or other-wise)
engage in (i) any activity with any private equity firm, investment bank or any
other entity relating to the evaluation, acquisition, or operation of any local
"telecommunications" business anywhere in the United States or (ii) competition
with, or own any interest in, manage, assist, control, perform any services for,
participate in or be connected with any business or organization which engages
in operating any local "telecommunications" business anywhere in the markets
that are served by any of the Companies at the time of determination. It is
understood that Consultant may provide management consulting services,
including, but not limited to, consultation on telephone operations, network
issues and regulatory matters, directly to rural local exchange carriers (as
opposed to the types of persons described in clause (i) of the preceding
sentence), either during the Engagement Term, or following its termination or
expiration, so long as such rural local exchange carriers do not compete
directly with any of the Companies in the markets that are served by any of the
Companies at the time of determination.

            Nothing in this Section 9 shall be deemed to prohibit the
Consultant's ownership of not more than two percent (2%) of the total shares of
all classes of stock outstanding of any publicly held company, or ownership,
whether through direct or indirect stock holdings or otherwise, of not more than
one percent (1%) of any other business, so long as Consultant has no active
participation in such company, or any of the current activities permitted by the
last sentence of Section 3(c).

            10. Non-Solicitation. During the Engagement Term and, following the
expiration or termination of the Engagement Term for any reason (whether by the
Company or the Consultant), during the Restriction Period, in consideration of
compensation to be paid to the

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Consultant hereunder, will not directly or indirectly induce or attempt to
induce any employee of any of the Companies to leave the employ of the Company
or such subsidiary or affiliate, or in any way interfere with the relationship
between any of the Companies and any employee thereof.

            11. Non-Interference. During the Engagement Term and, following the
expiration or termination of the Engagement Term for any reason (whether by the
Company or the Consultant), during the Restricted Period, the Consultant, in
consideration of compensation to be paid to the Consultant hereunder, will not
directly or indirectly hire, engage, send any work to, place orders with, or in
any manner be associated with any supplier, contractor, subcontractor or other
business relation of any of the Companies if such action by him would have an
adverse effect on the business, assets or financial condition of any of the
Companies, or materially interfere with the relationship between any such person
or entity and any of the Companies (including, without limitation, make any
negative or disparaging statement or communication regarding any of the
Companies either publicly or to any such person or entity).

            12. Restriction Period. The restrictions set forth in Sections 9, 10
and 11 shall initially apply (A) in case of expiration or termination of the
Engagement Term for any reason (whether by the Company or the Consultant) other
than by the Company pursuant to clause (v) of Section 7(a) hereof, for a period
of twelve (12) months subsequent to such expiration or termination of the
Engagement Term and (B) in case of termination of the Engagement Term by the
Company pursuant to clause (v) of Section 7(a) hereof, for a period that is the
longer of the Severance Period or a period of twelve (12) months subsequent to
such termination of the Engagement Term. The period applicable pursuant to the
preceding sentence may be extended at the Company's option prior to the
expiration thereof by an additional twelve (12) month period by providing notice
thereof to the Consultant. During such extended restriction period, subject to
continued compliance by the Consultant with Sections 6, 9, 10, and 11 hereof and
in consideration of the Consultant's continuing obligations, the Company shall
pay the Consultant an amount equal to the Consulting Fees for such twelve (12)
month period in quarterly installments at the beginning of each quarter and
provide the Consultant with life and long-term disability insurance, subject to
the limits on coverage and costs specified in the last paragraph of Section 5,
for such twelve (12) month period. The relevant restriction period pursuant to
the first sentence of this Section 12 or the second sentence of this Section 12
is referred to herein as the "Restriction Period".

            13. Certain Representations of the Consultant. In connection with
the provisions of Sections 9, 10, 11, and 12 the Consultant represents that his
experience, capabilities and circumstances are such that such provisions will
not prevent him from earning a livelihood. The Consultant further agrees that
the limitations set forth in Sections 9, 10, 11 and 12 (including, without
limitation, time and territorial limitations) are reasonable and properly
required for the adequate protection of the current and future businesses of the
Companies. It is understood and agreed that the covenants made by the Consultant
in Sections 9, 10, 11, and 12 (and in Section 6 hereof) shall survive the
expiration or termination of this Agreement.

            14. Injunctive Relief. The Consultant acknowledges and agrees that a
remedy at law for any breach or threatened breach of the provisions of Sections
9, 10, 11, or 12 hereof would be inadequate and, therefore agrees that the
Company and any of its subsidiaries or affiliates shall be entitled to seek
injunctive relief in addition to any other available rights and
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remedies in cases of any such breach or threatened breach; provided, however,
that nothing contained herein shall be construed as prohibiting the Company or
any of its affiliates from pursuing any other rights and remedies available for
any such breach or threatened breach.

            15. Binding Effect. Without limiting or diminishing the effect of
Section 8 hereof, this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors, legal
representatives and assigns.

            16. Notices. All notices which are required or may be given pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sufficient in
all respects if given in writing and (i) delivered personally, (ii) mailed by
certified or registered mail; return-receipt requested and postage prepaid,
(iii) sent via a nationally recognized overnight courier or (iv) sent via
facsimile confirmed in writing to the recipient, if to the Company at the
Company's principal place of business, and if to the Consultant at his home
address most recent]y filed with the Company, or to such other address of
addresses as either party shall have designated in writing to the other party
hereto, provided, however, that any notice sent by certified or registered mail
shall be deemed delivered on the date of delivery as evidenced by the return
receipt.

            17. Law -Governing; Waiver of Jury Trial. This Agreement shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of
Texas, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or
provisions (whether of the State of Texas or any other jurisdiction) that would
cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of
Texas. The parties hereto hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law, any right to trial by jury with respect to any action or
proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

            18. Severability. The Consultant agrees that in the event that any
court of competent jurisdiction shall finally hold that any provision of
Sections 6, 9, 10, 11 or 12 hereof is void or constitutes an unreasonable
restriction against the Consultant, the provisions of such Sections 6, 9, 10, 11
or 12 shall not be rendered void but shall apply with respect to such extent as
such court may judicially determine constitutes a reasonable restriction under
the circumstances. If any part of this Agreement other than Sections 6, 9, 10,
11, or 12 is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegible
or incapable of being enforced in whole or in part by any reason of any rule of
law or public policy, such part shall be deemed to be severed from the remainder
of this Agreement for the purpose only of the particular legal proceedings in
question and all other covenants and provisions of this Agreement shall in every
other respect continue in full force and effect and no covenant or provision
shall be deemed dependent upon any of the covenant or provision.

            19. Waiver. Failure to insist upon strict compliance with any of
the terms, covenants or conditions hereof s hall not be deemed a waiver of such
term, covenant or condition, nor shall any waiver or relinquishment of any
right or power hereunder at any one or more times be deemed a waiver or
relinquishment of such right or power at any other time or times.

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            20. Entire Agreement; Modifications. This Agreement constitutes the
entire and final expression of the agreement of the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, oral and written,
between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. The
parties acknowledge that the Existing Employment Agreement has terminated, and
all rights, obligations and liabilities of the Company, its subsidiaries and
their respective predecessors, on the one band, and the Consultant, on the other
hand, under the existing Employment Agreement shall be extinguished and the
Existing Employment Agreement shall be null and void. This Agreement may be
modified or amended only by an instrument in writing signed by both parties
hereto.

            21. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

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            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Consultant have duly
executed and delivered this Agreement as of the day and year first above
written.

                                            /s/ Kenneth R. Cole
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          KENNETH R. COLE
                                          ("Consultant")

                                          VALOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS, LLC

                                          By: /s/ Anthony J. deNicola
                                              ----------------------------------
                                          Name: Anthony J. deNicola
                                          Title: DIRECTOR AND AUTHORIZED
                                                 SIGNATORY
<PAGE>
                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                                RELEASE AGREEMENT

            In consideration of receipt of severance payments and benefits as
set forth in Section 7 of the Consulting Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2004,
between Valor Telecommunications, LLC (the "Company") and Kenneth R. Cole (the
"Consulting Agreement"), I, Kenneth R. Cole, hereby release and discharge the
Company and each of its subsidiaries and each of their respective employees,
officers, directors equityholders, and agents (collectively, the "Company")
from, and waive any and all claims, demands, damages, causes of action or suits
(collectively, "Claims") of any kind or nature whatsoever that I may have had or
may now have against any of them (including, without limitation, any Claims
arising out of or related to my engagement as a consultant with the Company or
the termination thereof), whether arising under contract, tort, statute or
otherwise, and whether I know of the claim or not, including, without
limitation, Claims arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the
Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the
Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, and any other applicable federal, state or local
statutes, rules, codes, or ordinances. This release does not cover my rights to
the severance payments and benefits provided in Section 7 of the Consulting
Agreement subject to any restrictions set forth therein.

            I have not, and shall not hereafter, institute any lawsuit of any
kind whatsoever, or file any complaint or charge, against the Company or any of
its former or present employees, officers, directors, equityholders, agents,
subsidiaries, or affiliates, and any of their successors or assigns, under any
federal, state or local statute, rule, regulation or principle of common law
growing cut of events released hereunder. I shall not seek engagement or
reengagement with the Company as a consultant or seek employment or reemployment
with the Company. I acknowledge that I have had at least 21 days to review and
consider this release agreement before accepting it. have been advised to
consult with an attorney before signing this release agreement.

                                         ----------------------------
                                         Kenneth R. Cole

                                         Dated:
                                                ---------------------

Acknowledged and Agreed as of

-------, ------:

VALOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS, LLC

By:
    -------------------------
   Name:
   Title:

                                      A-1<PAGE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.46

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                          VALOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS, LLC
                          201 E. JOHN CARPENTER FREEWAY
                                    SUITE 200
                                IRVING, TX 75062

                                  April 9, 2004

John J. Mueller
Chief Executive Officer
201 E. John Carpenter Freeway
Suite 200
Irving, TX 75062

Dear Jack:

      Reference is made to the Employment Agreement, dated as of April 9, 2004
(the "Employment Agreement"), between you ("you" or the "Employee") and Valor
Telecommunications, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the "Company").
As used herein "consummation" shall mean the closing of the sale of the IDS
Unites (as defined below) to underwriters participating in the IPO (as defined
below) pursuant to an underwriting agreement.

      Upon the consummation of the initial public offering (the "IPO") of income
deposit securities ("IDS Units") by a newly formed direct or indirect parent of
the Company ("Newco"), the Company agrees to pay Employee a one-time cash bonus
equal to $1 million (the "IPO Bonus"). In addition:

      (a) all of your unvested common and preferred equity interests in Valor
      Management Holding Company, LLC ("Valor Management") and any unvested
      options that you hold at Valor Telecommunications Southwest, LLC shall
      vest immediately prior to consummation the IPO and all of your equity
      interests shall be exchanged at the time of the consummation of the IPO
      for IDS Units, at the IPO IDS valuation;

      (b) certain existing investors of the Company (the "Existing Investors")
      will transfer to you at the time of consummation of the IPO, IDS Units
      with a value of $1.5 million. In addition, the Existing Investors will
      deposit at the time of consummation of the IPO registered 'restricted' IDS
      Units ("Restricted IDS Units") with a value of $5.5 million in an escrow
      account (the "IDS Escrow Account" and the date of such deposit, the "Grant
      Date") for your benefit. Such Restricted IDS Units shall be subject to
      vesting and Restricted IDS Units that represent $1.5 million of the
      initial deposit into the IDS Escrow Account shall vest on the six-month
      anniversary of the Grant Date, $0.5 million on the first anniversary of
      the Grant Date, $1.5 million on the eighteen-month anniversary of the
      Grant Date and $2.0 million on the thirty-month anniversary of the Grant
      Date so long as the Employee remains continuously employed by Newco from
      the Grant Date until the applicable vesting date. Additional terms
      applicable to the Restricted IDS Units are set forth in Exhibit A attached
      hereto;

      (c) the Company confirms that your 2004 annual performance target for
      achieving 100% of your target bonus is the Company's budgeted 2004 EBITDA
      as reflected in the
<PAGE>
      Company's approved 2004 operating budget. In addition, the Company
      confirms that the IPO Bonus, payments made by the Company to its former
      Chief Executive Officer in connection with his resignation and the IPO and
      any other bonuses paid by the Company or its subsidiaries to its employees
      in connection with the IPO shall be disregarded in determining the
      achievement of performance targets in relation to your fiscal year 2004
      bonus; and

      (e) you will be eligible to participate in Newco's newly-created long term
      incentive plan (the "LTIP") upon consummation of the offering. The Company
      is currently working with Watson Wyatt to design the LTIP and your
      participation in the LTIP pool will be structured to ensure a specified
      minimum annual cash payment out of the LTIP pool of at least $500,000
      subject to satisfaction of achievable over-performance targets and other
      customary conditions.

      Upon receipt by the Employee of the IPO Bonus and the grant to Employee of
the Restricted IDS Units upon substantially the terms set forth in Exhibit A,
Employee agrees to the assignment by the Company of the Employment Agreement and
all of its rights and obligations thereunder to Newco. In addition, Employee and
the Company agree that the Employment Agreement shall be automatically amended
on the Amendment Date without any further action by any of the parties as
follows:

      1.    All references to the "Company" in the Employment Agreement (other
            than references in the recitals) shall mean Newco. References to the
            "Company" in the recitals shall mean Valor Telecommunications, LLC.

      2.    The last sentence of Section 3.1 of the Employment Agreement shall
            be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

            The Employee shall report directly to the Board of Directors and/or
            the Chairman of the Board of Directors and so long as Employee
            serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Employee shall
            be nominated by the Company for election to its Board of Directors.

      3.    Section 9 of the Employment Agreement shall be deleted in its
            entirety and replaced with the provisions set forth in Exhibit B
            attached hereto.

      The Employee acknowledges that the restrictions contained in Exhibit B are
reasonable and represents that he has consulted with independent legal counsel
regarding his rights and duties under the Employment Agreement and this letter
agreement. The Employee and the Company agree to take all further action as may
be reasonably requested by the other party to implement the revisions set forth
in this letter agreement.

      This letter agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of
which shall be an original and all of which, when taken together, shall
constitute one agreement. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that money
damages may not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the provisions of this
letter agreement and that any party hereto will have the right to injunctive
relief or specific performance, in addition to all of its other rights and
remedies at law

                                       2
<PAGE>
or in equity, to enforce the provisions of this letter
agreement. This letter agreement may not be amended or any provision hereof
waived or modified except by an instrument in writing signed by each of the
parties. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this letter
agreement by facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually
executed counterpart of this letter agreement. This letter agreement shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas.

                                    * * * * *

                                       3
<PAGE>

      Kindly sign your name at the end of this letter to signify your
acknowledgement and agreement of the above.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    VALOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS, LLC

                                    By:/s/ Anthony J. deNicola
                                       ----------------------------------
                                    Its: DIRECTOR AND AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY
                                        ----------------------------------

Acknowledged and Agreed
as of the date first written above

/s/ John J. Mueller
------------------------------------
John J. Mueller
<PAGE>
                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                           SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL TERMS
                          OF THE RESTRICTED IDS PROGRAM

      The following is a summary of the principal terms of the Restricted IDS
Program to be established for the benefit of certain members of management
including John J. Mueller ("Executive") immediately upon the consummation of
Valor Telecommunications, Inc.'s ("Newco") initial public offering of IDS Units
(the "IPO").

<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>
ESTABLISHMENT OF                Immediately upon consummation of the IPO,
RESTRICTED IDS ACCOUNT:         Newco, certain existing investors of Valor (the
                                "Existing Investors"), Executive and a mutually
                                acceptable escrow agent shall enter into an
                                escrow agreement (the "IDS Escrow Agreement")
                                which shall provide for the establishment of an
                                escrow account (the "IDS Escrow Account") for
                                the benefit of Executive.

FUNDING OF IDS ESCROW           Immediately upon consummation of the IPO, the
ACCOUNT; INITIAL GRANT:         Existing Investors shall deposit registered IDS
                                Units with a value of $5.5 million in the IDS
                                Escrow Account. In addition, the Existing
                                Investors will transfer to Executive at the time
                                of closing the IPOIDS Units with a value of $1.5
                                million. The IDS Units shall be valued at the
                                IPO price. The IDS Units deposited in the IDS
                                Escrow Account are referred to herein as the
                                "Restricted IDS Units" and the date on which
                                such deposit is made as the "Grant Date").

VESTING OF RESTRICTED IDS       Restricted IDS Units that represent $1.5
UNITS:                          million of the initial deposit into the IDS
                                Escrow Account shall vest on December 31, 2004,
                                $0.5 million on the first anniversary of the
                                Grant Date, $1.5 million on December 31, 2005
                                and $2.0 million on December 31, 2006 (the
                                "Final Vesting Date") so long as the Executive
                                remains continuously employed by Newco from the
                                Grant Date until the applicable vesting date.
                                The vesting dates specified above have been
                                determined assuming a closing date of June 30,
                                2004 for the IPO. In the event the closing date
                                of the IPO is delayed beyond June 30, 2004, such
                                dates will be adjusted to reflect such delay.

                                Upon vesting, the vested portion of the
                                Restricted IDS Units shall be distributed to the
                                Executive.

                                In the event Executive's employment with Newco
                                is terminated prior to the Final Vesting Date,
                                all unvested Restricted IDS Units shall be
                                returned to the Existing Investors in proportion
                                to their original contribution of the
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>
                                Restricted IDS Units to the IDS Escrow Account.

OWNERSHIP OF RESTRICTED         Ownership of the Restricted IDS Units shall
IDS UNITS; DISTRIBUTIONS:       remain with the Existing Investors (in
                                proportion to their contribution) until the
                                Restricted IDS Units have vested as specified
                                above. Upon vesting, ownership of the vested
                                portion of the Restricted Units shall be
                                transferred to Executive.

                                All distributions on account of the Restricted
                                IDS Units (in the nature of interest, dividends
                                or otherwise) shall be paid to the Existing
                                Investors (in proportion to their original
                                contribution) until the Restricted IDS Units
                                vest as specified above. Executive (or the
                                subsequent transferee) shall be entitled to
                                distributions on the vested portion of the
                                Restricted IDS Units.

TAX CONSEQUENCES:               The following discussion assumes that Executive
                                will not make a Section 83(b) election under Section
                                83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code with respect
                                to the Restricted IDS Units. Neither the
                                funding of the Restricted IDS Units into the
                                IDS Escrow Account nor the payment of
                                distributions by Newco on unvested Restricted
                                IDS Units is expected to create any federal
                                income tax liability for the Executive.  Upon
                                vesting, the Executive will recognize
                                compensation income equal to the fair market
                                value of the vested Restricted IDS Units at
                                such time (and the vested Restricted IDS Units
                                will be distributed to the Executive).  The
                                Executive's tax basis in the vested Restricted
                                IDS Units will be equal to such fair market
                                value, and will be allocated between the common
                                stock and the subordinated note comprising the
                                Restricted IDS Unit based on their relative
                                fair market values; this may result in original
                                issue discount on the subordinated note.

DEFINITIVE AGREEMENTS:          The terms of Restricted IDS Escrow Agreement
                                and any related documents will be structured to
                                exempt the transactions contemplated herein
                                from Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange
                                Act of 1934 (including pursuant to Rule 16b-3
                                thereof).
</TABLE>

                                       7
<PAGE>
                                                                       EXHIBIT B

9.    RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS.

      9.1. COMPETITION. During the Employment Term and in the event the
Employee's employment is terminated for any reason (whether by the Company, the
Employee or by expiration), other than pursuant to Section 7.1(d) following a
change of control of the Company or a sale of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company, during the Initial Restriction Period (as defined below)
and the Extended Restriction Period (as defined below), if applicable, the
Employee, in consideration of compensation to be paid to Employee hereunder,
will not directly or indirectly (as a director, officer, executive employee,
manager, consultant, independent contractor, advisor or otherwise) engage in
competition with, or own any interest in, manage, control, perform any services
for, participate in or be connected with any business or organization which
engages in competition with any of the Companies within the meaning of Section
9.5, provided, however, that the provisions of this Section 9.1 shall not be
deemed to prohibit (A) the Employee's ownership of not more than two percent
(2%) of the total shares of all classes of stock outstanding of any publicly
held company, or ownership, whether through direct or indirect stock holdings so
long as Employee has no active participation in such company or (B) any of the
current activities permitted by the second last sentence of Section 3.3. In the
event the Employee's employment is terminated by the Company pursuant to Section
7.1(d) following a change of control of the Company or a sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, Sections 9.1 and 9.5 shall be
deemed substituted and replaced in their entirety by the provisions set forth in
Annex A attached hereto.

      9.2. NON-SOLICITATION. During the Employment Term and in the event the
Employee's employment is terminated for any reason (whether by the Company, the
Employee or by expiration), during the Initial Restriction Period and the
Extended Restriction Period, if applicable, the Employee, in consideration of
compensation to be paid to Employee hereunder, will not directly or indirectly
induce or attempt to induce any employee of any of the Companies to leave the
employ of the Company or such subsidiary or affiliate, or in any way interfere
with the relationship between any of the Companies and any employee thereof.

      9.3. NON-INTERFERENCE. During the Employment Term and, in the event the
Employee's employment is terminated for any reason (whether by the Company, the
Employee or by expiration), during the Restriction Period, the Employee, in
consideration of compensation to be paid to Employee hereunder, will not
directly or indirectly hire, engage, send any work to, place orders with, or in
any manner be associated with any supplier, contractor, subcontractor or other
business relation of any of the Companies if such action by him would have an
adverse effect on the business, assets or financial condition of any of the
Companies, or materially interfere with the relationship between any such person
or entity and any of the Companies (including, without limitation, make any
negative or disparaging statement or communication regarding any of the
Companies either publicly or to any such person or entity).

      9.4. RESTRICTION PERIODS; SEVERANCE COMPENSATION DURING EXTENDED
RESTRICTION PERIOD. The restrictions set forth in Sections 9.1, 9.2 and 9.3
shall initially apply for a period of twelve (12) months subsequent to the
termination of Employee's employment for any reason (the "Initial Restriction
Period") and, in the event the Employee's employment is terminated within two
years of the Effective Date, then the Company may, at its option, extend the
Initial Restriction Period by an additional twelve (12) month period (such
additional twelve (12) month period, the
<PAGE>
"Extended Restriction Period"). During the Extended Restriction Period, subject
to continued compliance by Employee with Section 6 and Section 9 hereof and in
consideration of Employee's continuing obligations during the Extended
Restriction Period, the Company shall pay Employee the same amounts and provide
the same benefits that were provided to Employee during the Initial Restriction
Period pursuant to Section 7.2 at such times and subject to such restrictions as
provided in Section 7.2.

      9.5. COMPETITIVE ACTIVITIES. For purposes of this Section 9, a person or
entity (including, without limitation, the Employee (shall be deemed to be a
competitor of one or more of the Companies, or a person or entity (including,
without limitation, the Employee) shall be deemed to be engaging in competition
with one or more of the Companies, if such person or entity conducts or plans to
conduct (i) any activity with any private equity firm or firms, investment bank
or banks or any other similar entity relating to the evaluation, acquisition or
operation of any telecommunications business in the United States, or (ii) any
activities that compete with or owns or manages any business that competes with
the local telecommunications businesses of any of the Companies in any of the
markets that are served by any of the Companies at the time of determination.

      9.6. CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS OF THE EMPLOYEE. In connection with the
foregoing provisions of this Section 9, the Employee represents that his
experience, capabilities and circumstances are such that such provisions will
not prevent him from earning a livelihood. The Employee further agrees that the
limitations set forth in this Section 9 (including, without limitation, time and
territorial limitation) are reasonable and properly required for the adequate
protection of the current and future businesses of the Companies. It is
understood and agreed that the covenants made by the Employee in this Section 9
(and in Section 6 hereof) shall survive the expiration or termination of this
Agreement.

      9.7. INJUNCTIVE RELIEF. The Employee acknowledges and agrees that a remedy
at law for any breach or threatened breach of the provisions of Section 9 hereof
would be inadequate and, therefore agrees that the Company and any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates shall be entitled to seek injunctive relief in
addition to any other available rights and remedies in cases of any such breach
or threatened breach; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall be
construed as prohibiting the Company or any of its affiliates from pursuing any
other rights and remedies available for any such breach or threatened breach.

                                       9
<PAGE>
                                                                         ANNEX A

      9.1 COMPETITION In the event the Employee's employment is terminated by
the Company pursuant to Section 7.1(d) following a change of control of the
Company or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company,
during the Initial Restriction Period (as defined below) and the Extended
Restriction Period (as defined below), if applicable, the Employee, in
consideration of compensation to be paid to Employee hereunder, will not
directly or indirectly (as a director, officer, executive employee, manager,
consultant, independent contractor, advisor or other-wise) engage in competition
with, or own any interest in, perform any services for, participate in or be
connected with any business or organization which engages in competition with
any of the Companies in a manner described in Section 9.5 below, provided,
however, that the provisions of this Section 9.1 shall not be deemed to prohibit
(A) the Employee's ownership of not more than two percent (2%) of the total
shares of all classes of stock outstanding of any publicly held company, whether
through direct or indirect stock holdings so long as Employee has no active
participation in such company or (B) any of the current activities permitted by
the second last sentence of Section 3.3.

      9.5 COMPETITIVE ACTIVITIES For purposes of this Section 9, a person or
entity (including, without limitation, the Employee) shall be deemed to be a
competitor of one or more of the Companies, or a person or entity (including.
without limitation, the Employee) shall be deemed to be engaging in competition
with one or more of the Companies, if such person or entity conducts, or, to the
knowledge of the Employee, plans to conduct, the Specified Business (as
hereinafter defined) as a significant portion of its business in any of the
local telephone exchange markets served by the Companies. For purposes of this
Agreement, "Specified Business" means (A) providing local telephone service or
engaging in business conducted by the Company at the time of termination of the
Employee's employment with the Company or (B) conducting, operating, carrying
out or engaging in the business of managing any entity described in clause (A).

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