Document:

Exhibit 10.12.4

 Exhibit 10.12.4 
 US LEC Corp. 
 NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT 
 THIS NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (“Option Agreement”), dated the
             day of             , 2006, is issued under and subject to the provisions of the US LEC Corp. 1998
Omnibus Stock Plan as amended (the “Plan”), and is between US LEC Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the undersigned employee of the Company or a Subsidiary (the “Optionee”): 
 1. Grant of Option. The Company hereby grants to the Optionee, upon and subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, an option to purchase a
total of {xx,xxx} shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company (the “Shares”) at an exercise price of ${xx.xx} per share (the “Option”). The Option is intended to be a non-qualified stock option — that is, it is
not an incentive stock option described in section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) — and this Option Agreement shall be construed to implement that intent. 
 2. Vesting of Option. Subject to such limitations and restrictions as are provided in the Plan and this Option Agreement, the Option shall vest
and become exercisable as to the number of shares set forth opposite the respective vesting dates as set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated by reference hereby, provided that the Optionee shall be entitled to cumulate the vested
shares and to exercise the same, in whole or in part, after it vests and becomes exercisable, at any time prior to the expiration or termination of the term hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Optionee dies while still employed by the
Company, the Option shall become fully vested and exercisable in full. 
 3. Expiration. Subject to the possibility of earlier
termination as provided hereafter, all of the Optionee’s rights under this Option Agreement in any event shall expire ten (10) years from the date hereof. 
 4. Rights upon Retirement. If the Optionee’s employment with the Company or a Subsidiary terminates because of his or her Retirement, and as of such date the Optionee has not exercised this Option as to
all of the Shares, the Option may be exercised by the Optionee, to the extent vested under Section 2 as of the date of Retirement, with respect to the vested unpurchased Shares for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of the
Optionee’s Retirement. Thereafter, to the extent not exercised, all rights of the Optionee under this Option (other than the Optionee’s right to Shares theretofore purchased under the Option) shall terminate and become null and void
immediately. 
 5. Rights upon Death or Disability. If an Optionee ceases to be employed by the Company or a Subsidiary because of
Optionee’s death or Disability and as of the date of such death or Disability the Optionee has not exercised this Option as to all of the Shares, then the Option may be exercised with respect to the unpurchased Shares, provided that the period
during which the Option may be so exercised shall expire ninety (90) days from the date of the Optionee’s Disability, if employment ceases on account of Optionee’s Disability, and ninety (90) days from the date of the
Optionee’s death, if employment ceases on account of Optionee’s death, and, in the case of Disability, the Option may be so exercised only as to the Shares vested under Section 2 as of the date of Disability. Thereafter, to the extent
not exercised, all rights of the Optionee under this Option (other than the Optionee’s right to Shares theretofore purchased under the Option) shall terminate and become null and void immediately. The Option of a deceased Optionee may be
exercised by the Optionee’s estate or a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance. The Option of a disabled Optionee may be exercised by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by an effective
power of attorney or is otherwise authorized to act on behalf of the Optionee. 
 6. Rights upon Termination of Employment. If an
Optionee’s employment by the Company or a Subsidiary is terminated for any reason (by the Company or a Subsidiary whether with or without cause or by resignation by the Optionee) other than by death, Retirement, or Disability, and as of such
date the Optionee has not exercised this Option as to all of the Shares, the Option may be exercised by the Optionee, to the extent vested under Section 2 as of the date of termination of employment, with respect to the vested unpurchased
Shares for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of the Optionee’s termination of employment. Thereafter, to the extent not exercised, all rights of the Optionee under this Option (other than the Optionee’s right to Shares
theretofore purchased under the Option) shall terminate and become null and void immediately. 

 7. Method of Exercise. The Option shall be exercised by the tender of cash, or, at the discretion
of the Committee, by delivery of shares of Common Stock already owned by Optionee or a combination of cash or such shares of Common Stock, or through such other means that the Committee determines are acceptable under the terms of the Plan pursuant
to the provisions of Sections 3.2(f) and (g) of the Plan, and delivery to the Committee or Company at its principal place of business of a written notice of exercise, at least five (5) days prior to the date of exercise. The written notice
must: 
 (a) State the election to exercise the Option, the number of whole Shares with respect to which the Option is being
exercised (which may not be less than one hundred (100) Shares, unless the number being exercised is the balance of the number of Shares that may be exercised under the Option), the method of exercise elected by the Optionee, and the name,
address, and social security number of the person in whose name the stock certificate or certificates for such Shares is to be registered; 
 (b) contain any such representation and agreements as to Optionee’s investment intent with respect to such Shares as shall be required by the Committee; 
 (c) be signed by the person entitled to exercise the Option, and if the Option is being exercised by any person or persons other than the
Optionee, be accompanied by proof, satisfactory to the Committee, of the right of such person or persons to exercise the Option; and 
 (d) be delivered by hand or by registered or certified mail, postage pre-paid, return receipt requested, to the Company’s headquarters or to such other location as may be specified in writing by the Company or Committee from time to
time. 
 Within ten (10) days after the Company or Committee receives such notice in a form satisfactory to the Committee and the
acceptance of payment, the Company shall deliver to the Optionee a certificate representing the Shares purchased hereunder. 
 8.
Non-Assignability. Except as permitted in section 424(c) of the Code, the Option may not be transferred, assigned, pledged, hypothecated, or otherwise encumbered in any way or be subject to execution, attachment, or similar process. Upon any
attempt to so transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate, or encumber an Option, or upon the levy, by reason of any attachment, or similar process, of any Option contrary to the provisions hereof, such Option shall become null and void. The Committee, in
its discretion, may subsequently re-grant to the former Optionee any Option, in whole or in part, which became null and void pursuant to the provisions of this Section 8. If the Option is transferred as permitted by section 424(c) of the Code,
the provisions of the Plan, including, but not limited to, the restrictions on transferability, shall apply to the Optionee’s successor, including the executor, administrator, or trustee of his or her estate. Notwithstanding any permitted
transfer during the Optionee’s lifetime, during an Optionee’s lifetime the Option may be exercised only by him or her, or by his or her guardian or legal representative. 
 9. Subject to Plan and Laws. The Option shall be subject to the limitations and restrictions as provided in the Plan, including, but not limited
to, the provisions regarding (a) the Optionee’s not being entitled to the privileges of stock ownership of any Shares subject to the Option until payment therefor has been made in full as provided in the Option and in the Plan and
(b) compliance with applicable tax withholding requirements. Unless otherwise defined herein, each capitalized term in this Option Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan. An Option may be exercised and certificates for Shares
may be delivered hereunder only in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations. Any Share certificate issued to evidence Shares for which the Option is exercised may bear legends and statements the Committee deems advisable
to assure compliance with federal and state laws and regulations and this Option Agreement. 

 10. Competition. In consideration for receipt of the Option, the Optionee agrees that, during the
Optionee’s employment with the Company or a Subsidiary and for a period of twelve (12) months following termination of that employment, whether by the Optionee or the Company (or a Subsidiary) for any reason (with or without notice or
cause), Optionee will not do any of the following: 
 (a) Non-solicitation. The Optionee will not, directly or indirectly, for
him/herself or on behalf of any other person, firm, partnership or corporation, throughout the Restricted Territory (i) call upon any customer of the Company or any Subsidiary, directly or indirectly through an agent, for the purpose of
soliciting or providing to such customer any products or services which are the same as or similar to those provided to customers by the Company or any Subsidiary. ( During the Optionee’s employment with the Company or any Subsidiary,
“customer” shall include any then-customer of the Company or any Subsidiary; following termination of the Optionee’s employment with the Company or any Subsidiary, “customer” shall include not only any entity which was a
customer of the Company and any Subsidiary both prior to and after such termination of employment but also any customer of the Company or any Subsidiary which was contacted or solicited by the Company or any Subsidiary within the 12-month period
prior to termination of the Optionee’s employment with the Company or any Subsidiary); (ii) request, induce, or attempt to influence any customer of the Company or a Subsidiary to limit, curtail, cancel or terminate ay business it
transacts with, or product its receives from, the Company or Subsidiary; (iii) request, induce, or attempt to influence any vendor of the Company or of any Subsidiary, to limit, curtail, cancel or terminate any business it transacts with the
Company or a Subsidiary; (iv) request, induce or attempt to induce any prospective customer of the company or of any Subsidiary to terminate any business negotiations it is having with the Company or a Subsidiary or to otherwise not do business
with Company or the Subsidiary; or (v) request, induce or solicit any customer or prospective customer to purchase products or services from an entity other than Company or any Subsidiary which are the same or closely similar to those offered
to the Customer by Company or the Subsidiary. 
 (b) Antipiracy. The Optionee will not, for him/herself or on behalf of any
other person, firm, partnership or corporation, directly or indirectly, seek to persuade any director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or any Subsidiary to discontinue that individual’s status or employment or agency relationship with
the Company or any Subsidiary in order to become employed in any activity similar to or competitive with the business of the Company or any Subsidiary, nor will the Optionee solicit or retain any such person for such purpose. 
 (c) Noncompetition. The Optionee will not within the Restricted Territory, directly or indirectly, alone or as an employee, independent
contractor of any type, partner, officer, director, creditor, substantial (i.e., 5% or greater) stockholder, equity holder, or holder of any option or right to become a substantial stockholder or equity holder in any entity or organization:

 (i) engage in the sale, distribution, marketing, or provision of telecommunications products or services in competition
with the Company or any Subsidiary with whom Optionee was employed; or 
 (ii) provide for any competitor of the Company or
any Subsidiary with whom Optionee was employed services of the type that Optionee engaged in as an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary; or 
 (iii) assist financially or give advice, directly or indirectly, to any person, corporation or business entity of any kind (other than the Company or any Subsidiary) which is engaged in business pertaining to the
sale, distribution, marketing, or provision of telecommunications products or services in competition with the Company or any Subsidiary with whom the Optionee was employed; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section shall prevent the
Optionee from investing in corporate securities which are traded on a recognized stock exchange. 
 (d) The term
“Restricted Territory” shall mean (i) a fifty (50) mile radius of (A) the office(s) of which the Optionee worked while employed by the Company or any Subsidiary or (B) any and all cities and counties/parishes in which
customers of the Company or any Subsidiary are located; or (C) any and all cities and 

 
counties/parishes in which prospective customer of the Company or any Subsidiary are located; a (ii) any and all states in the United States in which
Optionee conducted business, provided services, or solicited or communicated with customers or prospective customers as an employee of Company or any Subsidiary; and (iii) the states of Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia and the District of Columbia. 
 Optionee understands and acknowledges that the Company and its Subsidiaries compete in the business of telecommunications services and products through the Restricted Territory and that the restrictions contained in this Section 10 are
reasonable and necessary for the protection of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ legitimate business interests. If, however, a court of law finds the definition in any romanette (i) through (iii) unreasonable with respect to
one or more of subsections (a) through (c) of this Section 10, then the definition contained in the romanette(s) that the court finds unreasonable shall not apply as to the specific subsection but the definition in the remaining
romanettes which the court finds reasonable shall apply. 
 11. Trade Secrets. Optionee acknowledges that as an employee of Company or
a Subsidiary, he/she will from time to time come into contact with and have access to confidential, trade secret and proprietary information of the Company, its Subsidiaries and its or their customer(s) or vendor(s). In further consideration for
receipt of the Option, the Optionee agrees that, except as may be required by law or by the Optionee’s employment with the Company or a Subsidiary, the Optionee, without first obtaining the express written consent of the Company or Subsidiary,
will not at any time or in any manner, directly or indirectly, divulge, disclose or communicate to any person, firm, corporation, organization or entity any information concerning matters affecting or relating to the services, marketing, contractual
relationships, long range plans, products, processes, inventions, discoveries, devices or other business of the Company, its Subsidiaries, or of its or their customers. The Optionee will likewise hold inviolate and keep secret all knowledge or
information acquired by the Optionee concerning the names of the Company’s or Subsidiaries’ customers, their addresses, or the prices the Company or Subsidiaries obtain or have obtained from them for goods or services, or all knowledge or
information acquired by the Optionee concerning the products, services, strategies, business plans, formulae, processes, methods of operation and all other trade secrets of such customers. In addition, the Optionee will make no disclosure, directly
or indirectly, of any financial information, contractual relationships, policies, past or contemplated future actions or policies of the Company or any Subsidiary, personnel matters, marketing or sales data, technical data or specifications and
written or oral communications of any sort of the Company or any Subsidiary or any of its or their customers which have not previously been disclosed to the general public with the Company’s or Subsidiary’s consent or without first
obtaining the consent of the Company or Subsidiary for such disclosure. Upon termination of the Optionee’s employment with the Company or a Subsidiary, the Optionee or the Optionee’s representatives shall immediately deliver to the Company
all notes, notebooks, letters, papers, drawings, memos, communications, blueprints or other writings or data relating to the business of the Company or any Subsidiary or its or their customers. 
 12. Enforcement. If the Optionee violates Section 10 or 11, all of the Optionee’s rights under this Option shall terminate and become
null and void immediately. In addition, the Company and any Subsidiary shall be entitled, on account of the breach, to all other available remedies therefor at law or in equity, including injunctive relief. The terms of, and Optionee’s
obligations under, Sections 10 and 11 of this Option Agreement shall survive termination or expiration of this Agreement and will survive termination or expiration of Optionee’s rights under this Agreement. 
 13. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, and successors of the parties hereto. 

14. Applicable Law. This Option Agreement is last signed in North Carolina and shall be construed under and the relationship between the
parties determined in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina applicable to contracts made and to be performed in the State of North Carolina. 
 15. Miscellaneous. The unenforceability or invalidity of any provision of this Option Agreement shall not affect the enforceability or validity of any other provision. The parties may sign separate copies of
this Option Agreement which, taken together, will be deemed to constitute a valid agreement. 

 This Option 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 agreement. 
 This Option Agreement contains the final, complete and
exclusive statement of the agreement between the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated herein and all prior written agreements and all prior and contemporaneous oral agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof are merged
herein. This Option Agreement may not be amended, supplemented or modified (or any right or power granted hereunder waived) except by a written instrument signed by the parties hereto (or in the case of a waiver, signed by the party to be bound
thereby); provided, however, the Company reserves the right to amend the Agreement, pursuant to the Plan, provided that the amendment does not impair any rights that the Optionee has under this Agreement. 
 Any provision of this Option Agreement (including, but not limited to, any subsection of Section 10 or any subprovision of any such subsection)
which is invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, prohibition, or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such
invalidity, prohibition or unenforceability in any such jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. Such invalid, prohibited or unenforceable provision shall be replaced by another provision
coming nearest to the commercial intent of such replaced provision, but, however, being not invalid, prohibited or unenforceable itself. 
 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Option Agreement effective as of the day and year first above written. 
  

									
		 		 	US LEC Corp.
				
		 		 	 By:
	 	  
		 		 		 		 	Aaron D. Cowell, Jr.
		 		 		 		 	President and Chief Executive Officer
			
	 WITNESS:
	 		 	OPTIONEE:
					
	By:	 	  	 		 	 By:
	 	  
			
	Printed Name:                                   
                                        
                    	 		 	Printed Name: Fred A. MannaraExhibit 10.19

 Exhibit 10.19 
 RELEASE AND SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT 
 This Release and Settlement Agreement (“Settlement
Agreement”) is made by and between US LEC Corp., US LEC Communications Inc., US LEC of Alabama Inc., US LEC of Florida Inc., US LEC of Georgia Inc., US LEC of Maryland Inc., US LEC of North Carolina Inc., US LEC of South Carolina Inc., US LEC
of Pennsylvania Inc., US LEC of Tennessee Inc., and US LEC of Virginia LLC (collectively, “US LEC”) and Qwest Communications Corporation (“Qwest”). US LEC and Qwest are referred to herein individually as a “Party,” or
collectively as the “Parties.” The Parties enter into this Settlement Agreement on this 4th day of August, 2006. 
 RECITALS

 WHEREAS, disputes have arisen between US LEC and Qwest regarding charges billed by US LEC to Qwest for wireless-originated
interstate and intrastate toll free (8YY) traffic (“Wireless-Originated 8YY Traffic”) (the disputes referred to hereafter as the “Wireless Access Dispute”) that were included in invoices issued by US LEC for switched access
services (“Switched Access Traffic”) 
 WHEREAS, Qwest contends that through usage periods ending June 30 2006, US LEC billed
Qwest approximately [***] in disputed charges for Wireless-Originated 8YY Traffic (the “Wireless Access Charges”); 
 WHEREAS,
through usage periods ending June 30, 2006, Qwest contends that Qwest withheld approximately [***] for charges by US LEC (excluding late payment charges) for Wireless-Originated 8YY Traffic, and US LEC does not agree (the “Withheld
Payments”). Between October 2003 and April 2006, Qwest also contends that Qwest withheld approximately [***] in late payment charges assessed by US LEC on the Withheld Payments, and US LEC does not agree (the “Late Payment Charges”).
The Withheld Payments plus all Late Payment Charges related to the Withheld Payments shall be referred to hereafter as the “Disputed Withholdings”; 
 WHEREAS, in June 2004, Qwest commenced a lawsuit in the District Court, City and County of Denver, Colorado, Case No. 04-CV-4507 (filed June 14, 2004), concerning the Wireless Access Dispute and the Wireless
Access Charges (the “Colorado Lawsuit”); 
 WHEREAS, US LEC removed the Colorado Lawsuit to the Federal District Court for the
District of Colorado, and the Colorado Lawsuit (Civil Action No. 04-K-1447) was dismissed on June 6, 2005; 
 WHEREAS, in January
2005, US LEC commenced a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, Civil Action No. 3:05-CV-11-MU (filed January 11, 2005), concerning the Switched Access Traffic Invoices, which included the
Wireless Access Dispute and the Withheld Payments (the “North Carolina Lawsuit”); 
  

	[***]	These portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the Commission pursuant to a request for confidential treatment. 

 CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT 

 WHEREAS, Qwest filed counterclaims against US LEC in the North Carolina Lawsuit concerning the Wireless
Access Dispute and the Wireless Access Charges; 
 WHEREAS, the Parties desire to avoid the uncertainties, risks and expenses attendant in
the North Carolina Lawsuit, and to settle and release claims related to the Wireless Access Dispute, the Wireless-Originated 8YY Traffic, the Withheld Payments, and the Wireless Access Charges (collectively “the Claims”), as set forth
herein. 
 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants provided herein, and other good and valuable consideration,
the sufficiency and receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows: 
 AGREEMENT 
  

	 	1.	Waiver of Withheld Payments and Late Payment Charges  

 In resolution of all disputes regarding the Disputed Withholdings, US LEC and Qwest mutually agree that US LEC shall forgive and permanently waive any right to collect the Disputed Withholdings, and US LEC will take
the actions necessary to credit Qwest’s accounts to implement the Settlement Agreement. 
  

	 	2.	Execution of New Wholesale Services Agreement 

 Simultaneously with the execution of this Settlement Agreement, the Parties shall execute a new Wholesale Services Agreement (“WSA”) in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1. 
  

	 	3.	Consideration 

 In resolution of all disputes
regarding the Wireless Access Charges and other written disputes submitted by Qwest prior to August 4, 2006 in connection with the Switched Access Traffic Invoices not relating to Wireless Access Charges, US LEC and Qwest mutually agree that:

 a. US LEC shall pay Qwest Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000) (the “Settlement Payment”). The Settlement Payment shall be payable
by US LEC to Qwest as set forth in Paragraph 3.f, below. 
 b. US LEC agrees to purchase services from Qwest in the total amount of [***]
under the terms and conditions of the new WSA (the “Purchase Commitment”). In accordance with the terms and conditions of the WSA, the Parties agree that should US LEC fulfill the Purchase Commitment prior to the end of the Purchase
Commitment Period, then any obligations hereunder with respect to the Purchase Commitment will be deemed satisfied. US LEC agrees that any shortfall or deficiency in purchases as required under the Purchase Commitment will require a cash payment
(the “Deficiency Charge”) of a proportionate amount of the “Liquidated Settlement Value.” The parties agree that the Liquidated Settlement Value of this Purchase Commitment is [***] and that the sum of all purchases under the
Purchase Commitment is 

  

	[***]	These portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the Commission pursuant to a request for confidential treatment. 

 
deemed to provide marginal value to Qwest equal to the Liquidated Settlement Value. The means and method of calculating such alternative cash payments are
described in paragraphs 3.4(a) through 3.4(d) of the Purchase Commitment, and are incorporated herein by reference. The Parties agree that the Purchase Commitment and Deficiency Charge of Liquidated Settlement Value are alternative means of meeting
US LEC’s obligations under this paragraph, and that the Liquidated Settlement Value is not a penalty. 
 c. Commencing with the usage
period beginning July 1, 2006, Qwest agrees to pay US LEC for intrastate wireless-originated 8YY traffic in accordance with the terms set forth in the Intrastate Wireless-Originated 8YY Services Settlement Agreement between Qwest and US LEC,
dated August 4, 2006. 
 d. Commencing with the usage period beginning July 1, 2006, Qwest agrees to pay US LEC in the ordinary
course of business for all Switched Access Traffic that is not governed by the terms of the Intrastate Wireless-Originated 8YY Services Settlement Agreement between Qwest and US LEC pursuant to the rates, terms and conditions of US LEC’s
applicable Federal or state tariff or price list on file with the applicable regulatory agency as of the effective date of the Settlement Agreement, and as from time to time revised by US LEC. Notwithstanding anything in this Settlement Agreement to
the contrary, Qwest retains all rights to dispute US LEC’s charges for such Switched Access Traffic under the applicable US LEC tariff, federal and state law, and federal and state regulatory rules and procedures. 
 e. The Parties acknowledge and agree that the settlement terms contained in Paragraphs 2, 3.a, 3.b, 3.c and 3.d, together with the waiver of the Disputed
Withholdings pursuant to Paragraph 1, constitutes the full and final settlement of the Wireless Access Dispute. 
 f. No later than ten
business days from the date on which the last Party executes the Settlement Agreement US LEC shall pay Qwest the Settlement Payment by wire transfer to: 
 [***] 
  

	 	4.	Dismissal With Prejudice 

 Within five
business days after the Settlement Payment described in Paragraph 3.a above is made, the Parties shall file a Stipulated Motion to Dismiss the North Carolina Lawsuit, with prejudice, with each Party to pay its own costs and attorney’s fees.

  

	 	5.	Limited Mutual Release 

 For and in
consideration of the performance by the Parties of their obligations under this Settlement Agreement, the other agreements identified in paragraph 3, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged, US LEC on the one hand, and Qwest on the other hand, for themselves and their parent companies, subsidiaries, owners, affiliates, predecessors, successors, shareholders, partners, principals, insurers and assigns and their past,
present and future employees, officers, directors, attorneys, agents and representatives do hereby absolutely, unconditionally, completely, and without 

  

	[***]	These portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the Commission pursuant to a request for confidential treatment. 

 
reservation, release each other and their parent companies, subsidiaries, owners, affiliates, predecessors, successors, shareholders, partners, principals,
insurers and assigns and their past, present and future employees, officers, directors, attorneys, agents and representatives from and against each and every past, present and future action, claim, demand, charge, invoice, complaint, petition,
right, liability, damage, loss, expense, obligation, potential action, cause of action, suit, judgment, offset, or decree in controversy of any kind and nature whatsoever, at law, in equity or otherwise, whether known or unknown, foreseen or
unforeseeable, discoverable or undiscoverable, or certain or contingent, that has arisen or might arise in connection with or relating to the Claims, and from and against each and every past and present action, claim, demand, charge invoice,
complaint petition, right, liability, damage, loss, obligation, cause of action, suit judgment, offset or decree in controversy of any kind and nature whatsoever, at law, in equity or otherwise, if known by both Parties and submitted in writing by
Qwest as of the date of this Agreement, that has arisen in connection with or relating to the Switched Access Traffic Invoices. This Limited Mutual Release shall not be deemed to be a release of any other past or future claims US LEC or Qwest may
have against one another except as expressly provided herein. 
  

	 	6.	Protection in Bankruptcy 

 For purposes of
this Settlement Agreement and corresponding agreements, including the Intrastate Wireless-Originated 8YY Services Settlement Agreement and the WSA, the Parties stipulate that the total amount of Wireless Access Charges related to the Wireless
Dispute is [***] (without prejudgment interest and attorney’s fees). The Parties further agree that this Settlement Agreement is a compromise of each Party’s claim against the other for Wireless-Originated 8YY Traffic and that the
Settlement Agreement is made in consideration for prompt payment to Qwest and dismissal of the North Carolina Lawsuit. In the event that there is an Insolvency Event (defined as either (a) if all or a portion of the Settlement Payment or
Disputed Withholdings are subsequently invalidated, set aside or required to be repaid or turned over to a trustee, receiver, debtor in possession, creditors’ committee or any other person or entity under any insolvency, bankruptcy, or any
state or federal insolvency proceeding or case filed by or against US LEC, including, without limitation, a case under Chapter 7 or 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code; or (b) if a claim is made against Qwest for all or a portion of the
Settlement Payment or Disputed Withholdings in connection with a case under Chapter 7 or 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code), the Settlement Payment shall be deemed to have not been made under this Settlement Agreement and the releases granted
by Qwest the Parties shall be deemed null, void, invalid and unenforceable. In the case of any Insolvency Event, Qwest shall be entitled to file a claim for the entire amount of Wireless Access Charges related to the Wireless Dispute, as identified
in this Section, less any portion of the Settlement Payment or the Disputed Withholdings which Qwest is allowed to retain (i.e., which has not been invalidated, set aside or required to be repaid or turned over to a trustee, receiver, etc.)
for Wireless-Originated 8YY Traffic or the Liquidated Settlement Value (or Deficiency Charge) of the Purchase Commitment that Qwest is allowed to retain (and any prejudgment interest and attorney’s fees, which may be available to Qwest under
applicable law), as well as any other claim Qwest may have and shall have all rights and remedies in connection with such claims as if this Settlement Agreement had not been entered into. The Parties agree that if there is an Insolvency Event, the
filing date of 

  

	[***]	These portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the Commission pursuant to a request for confidential treatment. 

 
any revived Qwest claim shall be deemed to relate back to the filing of the Colorado and North Carolina lawsuits and US LEC shall waive any defense or
avoidance based on statute of limitations, laches or other principle concerning the timeliness of the revived claim except for those defenses that US LEC may have had at the time it filed the North Carolina lawsuit. In the case that the release
granted to Qwest is deemed null, void, invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, then US LEC is entitled to terminate, without penalty, the WSA and the Intrastate Wireless-Originated 8YY Services Agreement upon 30-day notice to
Qwest. 
  

	 	7.	Confidentiality 

 The Parties understand and
agree that the terms and conditions of this Settlement Agreement are confidential as between the Parties (“Confidential Information”). The Parties agree to maintain in confidence and protect from unauthorized disclosure all Confidential
Information, except to the extent that a proposed disclosure by a party of any such Confidential Information is authorized in advance by the other party, or is required by law or legal process, or is necessary in any legal proceeding establishing
rights and obligations under this Settlement Agreement; provided that this provision shall not preclude either party from disclosing Confidential Information to the officers, directors, or employees of a party or to a party’s agents
including, without limitation, its attorneys, accountants, consultants, billing vendors, brokers, lenders, insurance carriers, or bona fide prospective purchasers who have a need to know and specifically agree to be bound by the terms of this
Settlement Agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Settlement Agreement, a Party may file or otherwise disclose this Settlement Agreement or portion thereof with any governmental person or body to the extent required by law, provided
that such Party shall do so only to the extent necessary (in whole or in part) and shall take all reasonable steps otherwise to preserve the confidentiality of this Settlement Agreement, including where appropriate disclosure under seal. Either
Party may issue a press release regarding this Settlement Agreement, provided, however, that any such press release is limited to information required to be disclosed by law, including, but not limited to, that may include any information that may
be required to be included in any filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the securities laws as their respective securities advisors may advise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, nothing in this Settlement
Agreement shall bar US LEC or Qwest from pursuing regulatory actions in connection with ongoing business operations, tariffs, rates for services, or other business activities or from objecting to or otherwise opposing any order, ruling, directive or
other relief from any regulatory agency (other than Claims settled under this Settlement Agreement). The Parties further agree that if they receive a subpoena, summons or request to reveal this confidential information, then the Party shall promptly
notify the other Party of the subpoena, summons, or request. 
  

	 	8.	No Admission of Liability or Wrongdoing 

 Nothing in this Settlement Agreement shall constitute or be construed as an admission of liability on behalf of any of the Parties as to the validity of any of the claims, defenses, or allegations made against the other, or shall be
admissible in any court, administrative agency, or tribunal for any purpose whatsoever, with the sole exception of any proceeding to enforce or interpret the terms of this Settlement Agreement. 

	 	9.	Representations and Warranties 

 Each Party
represents and warrants to the other that: (i) it is duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its state of formation; (ii) it has formal power and actual authority to execute, deliver and perform the
provisions of this Settlement Agreement and all such action has been duly and validly authorized by all necessary proceedings on its part; (iii) the person signing the Settlement Agreement on behalf of the Party has the authority to bind the
Party and this Settlement Agreement has been duly and validly executed by it and constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of it, enforceable in accordance with the terms of this Settlement Agreement; and (iv) neither the execution and
delivery of this Settlement Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Settlement Agreement, nor the performance of or compliance with the terms and conditions of this Settlement Agreement, will violate any law or court
order applicable to such Party. 
  

	 	10.	Voluntarily Entered 

 Each Party represents
and warrants that this Settlement Agreement is fair and is executed voluntarily by such Party with full knowledge of the consequences and implications of the obligations contained herein. Each Party also represents and warrants that such Party has
had the opportunity to be represented by counsel of its choice throughout the negotiations which preceded the execution of this Settlement Agreement, and in connection with the preparation and execution of this Settlement Agreement, and that each
Party has carefully and thoroughly reviewed this Settlement Agreement in its entirety. 
  

	 	11.	Binding Effect 

 The terms and conditions
contained in this Settlement Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the respective successors, assigns, insurers, heirs, survivors, and personal representatives of the Parties. 
  

	 	12.	Governing Law 

 This Settlement Agreement
shall be construed under the substantive laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its choice of law rules. 
 Notice

 Notices under this Settlement Agreement will be effective upon actual receipt and shall be delivered by a nationally recognized overnight
courier, or by facsimile, to the addresses listed below for each Party, or to such other addresses as any Party may subsequently designate in writing. 
 If to Qwest, to: 
 Kevin Lanoha 
 Qwest Services Corporation 
 1801 California
Street, Suite 900 
 Denver, CO 80202 
 Facsimile: 303-383-6663 

 Steve Hansen 
 Vice President, Carrier Relations 
 Qwest Services Corporation 
 1801 California Street, Suite 2400 
 Denver,
CO 80202 
 Facsimile: 303-896-8887 
 With a copy to: 
 Timothy R. Beyer 
 Amy L. Benson 
 Brownstein, Hyatt & Farber, P.C. 
 410 17th Street,
22nd Floor 
 Denver, CO 80202 
 Facsimile: 303-223-1111 
 If US LEC, to: 
 Thomas Gooley 
 Vice President and Treasurer 
 US LEC

 6801 Morrison Boulevard 
 Charlotte, NC 28211 
 Facsimile: (704) 602-1133 
 Terry J. Romine 
 Deputy General Counsel – Regulatory 
 US LEC 
 6801 Morrison Boulevard 

Charlotte, NC 28211 
 Facsimile:
(704) 602-1119 
 With a copy to: 
 Ky E. Kirby 
 Bingham McCutchen LLP 
 3000 K Street NW, Suite 300 
 Washington, DC 20007 
 Facsimile: (202) 424-7647 
  

	 	13.	No Waiver 

 No failure or delay on the part
of any Party in exercising any right, remedy, power, or privilege under this Settlement Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof or of any other right, remedy, power, or privilege of such Party under this Settlement Agreement; nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power, or privilege under this Settlement Agreement operate as a waiver thereof or of any other right, remedy, power, or privilege of such Party under 

 
this Settlement Agreement, or preclude further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power, or privilege. The rights, remedies,
powers, and privileges of the Parties under this Settlement Agreement are cumulative, and not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they may otherwise have. 
  

	 	14.	Modifications 

 No modification of this
Settlement Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the Parties to this Settlement Agreement. 
  

	 	15.	Joint Preparation  

 The
preparation of this Settlement Agreement has been a joint effort of the Parties and the resulting document shall not, solely as a matter of judicial construction, be construed more favorably for any of the Parties. 
  

	 	16.	Merger and Integration 

 This Settlement
Agreement, together with the Wholesale Services Agreement described in paragraph 2 and the Intrastate Wireless-Originated 8YY Services Settlement Agreement between US LEC and Qwest described in paragraph 3(c) (collectively the “Settlement
Documents”), contain the entire agreement between the Parties and embody and express the entire intent of the Parties with regard to the matters set forth therein, and shall be binding and inure to the benefit of the employees, former
employees, principals, partners, shareholders, officers, contractors, administrators, agents, personal representatives, successors, and assigns of each Party. There are no representations or warranties between the Parties other than those contained
within the Settlement Documents related to the matters herein. There also are no representations or warranties between the Parties relating to the future provision or receipt of telecommunication services except as set forth in the Settlement
Documents. This Settlement Agreement supersedes, merges, and replaces all prior or contemporaneous understandings, negotiations, offers, promises, representations, contracts and agreements between the Parties, to the extent such prior
understandings, negotiations, offers, promises, representations, contracts and agreements are inconsistent with this Settlement Agreement. 
  

	 	17.	Third Party Beneficiaries 

 The terms and
conditions of this Settlement Agreement are not intended to affect or benefit in any way any third parties. 
  

	 	18.	Headings 

 The headings of the paragraphs in
this Settlement Agreement are for convenience and reference only, and shall not affect the meaning or construction of any of the terms or provisions in this Settlement Agreement. 
  

	 	19.	Counterparts 

 The Parties agree to sign this
Settlement Agreement in counterparts. 
  

	 	20.	Faxed Signatures 

 The Parties agree that
faxed signatures are acceptable. 

 Signature Page – Settlement Agreement 
 US LEC v. Qwest Communications Corporation 
 August 4, 2006 
 I have read this Settlement Agreement, understand the terms used in it and their legal
significance, and have executed it voluntarily. 
  

	
	
	 /s/ J. Lyle Patrick

	 J. Lyle Patrick
 US LEC Corp.
 6801 Morrison Boulevard
 Charlotte, NC 28211

 on behalf of US LEC Corp., US LEC Communications Inc., US LEC of Alabama Inc., US LEC of Florida Inc., US LEC
of Georgia Inc., US LEC of Maryland Inc., US LEC of North Carolina Inc., US LEC of South Carolina Inc., US LEC of Pennsylvania Inc., US LEC of Tennessee Inc., and US LEC of Virginia LLC 

 Signature Page – Settlement Agreement 
 US LEC v. Qwest Communications Corporation 
 August 4, 2006 
 I have read this Settlement Agreement, understand the terms used in it and their legal
significance, and have executed it voluntarily. 
  

	
	
	 /s/ Steven Hansen

	 Steven Hansen

	 Qwest Services Corporation
 1801 California Street, Suite 900
 Denver, CO 80202

 on behalf of Qwest Communications Corporation

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