<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>sv8</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">







<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July&nbsp;18, 2006

</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%"></TD>
    <TD width="5%"></TD>
    <TD width="47%"></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom" style="font-size: 3pt"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">Registration No.&nbsp;333-<U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>WASHINGTON, DC 20549</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>WINDSTREAM CORPORATION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Delaware</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>20-0792300</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(State of Incorporation)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>4001 Rodney Parham Road<BR>
Little Rock, Arkansas 72212</B><BR>
(Address, including zip code, of<BR>
registrant&#146;s principal executive offices)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>WINDSTREAM 401(k) PLAN</B><BR>
(Full title of the plan)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>John P. Fletcher<BR>
Executive Vice President and General Counsel<BR>
Windstream Corporation<BR>
4001 Rodney Parham Road<BR>
Little Rock, Arkansas 72212<BR>
(501)&nbsp;748-7900</B><BR>
(Name, address and telephone number,<BR>
including area code, of agent for service)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="34%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="14%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="18%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="15" style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Proposed</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Proposed Maximum</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Maximum</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Amount of</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center">Title of Securities</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Amount to be</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Offering Price Per</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Aggregate</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Registration</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center">to be Registered</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Registered (1) (2)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Share (3)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Offering Price (3)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Fee</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common Stock, par
value $.0001 per
share</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">5,000,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$11.53</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$57,650,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$6,169</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="15" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<DIV style="margin-top: 3pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96"></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement also
covers an indeterminate amount of interests to be offered or sold pursuant to the employee
benefit plan described above.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement also
covers an indeterminate amount of shares of Common Stock that may be offered or sold as a
result of any adjustments based on stock splits, stock dividends or similar events provided
under the employee benefit plan described above.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(3)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule
457(h)(1) on the basis of the average of the high and low trading prices ($11.43 and $11.63,
respectively) of the Common Stock on July&nbsp;17, 2006, as reported on the New York Stock
Exchange.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>





<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">






<!-- TOC -->
<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

<P><CENTER>
<TABLE border="0" width="90%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="76%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">PART II</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#001">Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#003">Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#004">Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#005">Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#006">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#007">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#008">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#009">INDEX TO EXHIBITS</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="d37902exv5w1.htm">Opinion of John P. Fletcher</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="d37902exv23w1.htm">Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="d37902exv23w2.htm">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="d37902exv24w1.htm">Powers of Attorney</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="d37902exv99w1.htm">Windstream 401(k) Plan</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<!-- /TOC -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>




<!-- link1 "PART II" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART II</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>

</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents filed by Windstream Corporation (formerly known as Valor
Communications Group, Inc.) (the &#147;Registrant&#148;), are incorporated herein by reference as of their
respective dates of filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;SEC&#148;):
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 5%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) The Registrant&#146;s registration statement on Form S-4 (Reg. No.&nbsp;333-132073) filed with
the SEC on February&nbsp;28, 2006, as amended by Amendment No.&nbsp;1 to Form S-4 filed April&nbsp;12, 2006,
Amendment No.&nbsp;2 to Form S-4 filed May&nbsp;2, 2006, Amendment No.&nbsp;3 to Form S-4 filed May&nbsp;23, 2006,
Amendment No.&nbsp;4 to Form S-4 filed May&nbsp;26, 2006, and by the Registrant&#146;s prospectus filed on
May&nbsp;26, 2006 pursuant to Rule&nbsp;424(b)(3) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
&#147;Securities Act&#148;) (collectively, the &#147;S-4 Registration Statement&#148;).
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 5%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) The Registrant&#146;s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on June&nbsp;23, 2006, June&nbsp;27, 2006
and June&nbsp;30, 2006.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 5%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) The description of the Registrant&#146;s Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share,
included in the Registrant&#146;s S-4 Registration Statement under the heading &#147;Description of
Windstream Capital Stock.&#148;
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All reports and other documents subsequently filed by the Registrant or the Windstream 401(k)
Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;) pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereunder have been sold or
which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold hereunder shall be deemed to be incorporated
by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
</DIV>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (&#147;DGCL&#148;) authorizes corporations to limit
or eliminate the personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for
monetary damages for breaches of directors&#146; fiduciary duties. The certificate of incorporation of
the Registrant includes a provision that eliminates the personal liability of directors for
monetary
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">2
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">damages arising from breaches of fiduciary duties owed to the Registrant or its
stockholders, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as it now exists or may hereafter be
amended.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The certificate of incorporation of the Registrant also provides that the Registrant must
indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL and must also pay
expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition upon
delivery of an undertaking, by or on behalf of an indemnified person, to repay all amounts so
advanced if it should be determined ultimately that such person is not entitled to be indemnified
under the provisions of the certificate or otherwise.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The indemnification rights set forth above shall not be exclusive of any other rights which an
indemnified person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Registrant&#146;s
amended and restated certificate of incorporation, the Registrant&#146;s by-laws, agreement, vote of
stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant maintains insurance to protect itself and its directors and officers, and those
of its subsidiaries, against any such expense, liability or loss, whether or not it would have the
power to indemnify them against such expense, liability or loss under applicable law.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="005"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="006"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;See Index to Exhibits following signature pages.
</DIV>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="007"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made of the securities
registered hereby, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 5%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 5%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date
of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
in this registration statement;
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 5%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information
in the registration statement;
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (i)&nbsp;and (ii)&nbsp;above do not apply if
the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">3
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the SEC pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or Section
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;) that are incorporated by
reference in this registration statement.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such
post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities
being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby further undertakes that, for purposes of determining
any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to
Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of any
employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted
by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered,
the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by
controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d)&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby further indicates that the registrant will submit or
has submitted the Plan and any amendment thereto to the Internal Revenue Service (&#147;IRS&#148;) in a
timely manner and the registrant will make or has made all changes required by the IRS in order to
qualify the Plan.
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">4
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">



<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="008"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><U>SIGNATURES</U>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant certifies that it has
reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has
duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Little Rock, State of Arkansas, on this 18<SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">th</SUP> day of
July, 2006.
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="17%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" valign="top" align="left">WINDSTREAM CORPORATION</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">By
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ Jeffery R. Gardner&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Jeffery R. Gardner
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">President and Chief Executive Officer</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been
signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates
indicated:
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="27%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="44%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="19%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Name</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Title</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Date</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">

<TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Jeffery R. Gardner
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">President and Chief Executive Officer;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">July&nbsp;18, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Jeffery R. Gardner
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">

<TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Brent K. Whittington
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Executive Vice President and Chief
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">July&nbsp;18, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Brent K. Whittington
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;Financial
Officer
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">(Principal Financial Officer)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">

<TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Tony Thomas

</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Corporate Controller
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">July&nbsp;18, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Tony Thomas
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;(Principal
Accounting Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">

<TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/
Dennis E. Foster*

</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">July&nbsp;18, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Dennis E. Foster
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">

<TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/
Francis X. Frantz*

</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">July&nbsp;18, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Francis X. Frantz
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">

<TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/
Jeffrey T. Hinson*

</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">July&nbsp;18, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Jeffrey T. Hinson
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">5
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="27%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="44%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="19%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Name</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Title</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Date</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">

<TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Judy K. Jones*</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">July&nbsp;18, 2006&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Judy K. Jones
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">

<TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ William A. Montgomery*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">July&nbsp;18, 2006&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
William A. Montgomery
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">

<TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Anthony J. de Nicola*

</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">July&nbsp;18, 2006&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Anthony J. de Nicola
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">

<TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Frank E. Reed*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">July&nbsp;18, 2006&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Frank E. Reed
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>
<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 6pt; width: 18%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-left: 15px; text-indent: -14px">* The undersigned, by signing his name hereto, executes this Registration Statement pursuant to
powers of attorney executed by the above-named persons and filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission as an Exhibit to this Registration Statement.
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="31%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="17%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->



<!-- Begin Table Body -->

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;

</DIV></TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ John P. Fletcher
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>


<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;

</DIV></TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
John P. Fletcher
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>






<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>


    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>


    <TD align="left" valign="top">Attorney-in-Fact</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>


<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><U><B>The Plan</B></U><B>. </B>Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Windstream 401(k) Plan
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Little Rock, State of Arkansas, on this 18th day of July,
2006.
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="31%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="17%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">BENEFITS COMMITTEE</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/
Brent K. Whittington
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Brent K. Whittington
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Member</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>




<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ Susan Bradley
</TD>


    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>





<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Susan Bradley
</TD>


    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Member</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>


<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ Keith Paglusch
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>




<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Keith Paglusch
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>



<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Member</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>





<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ Robert R. Boyd
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>






<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Robert R. Boyd
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>



<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Member</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">6
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<!-- link1 "INDEX TO EXHIBITS" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="009"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><U>INDEX TO EXHIBITS</U>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following exhibits are filed with this registration statement:
</DIV>


<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="5%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%" nowrap align="left">(4)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>INSTRUMENTS DEFINING THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="10%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%" nowrap align="left">4.1</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant
incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;C to the Agreement and Plan of Merger filed
as Exhibit&nbsp;2.2 to the Registrant&#146;s Registration Statement on Form S-4
(Registration No.&nbsp;333-172073)</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="10%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%" nowrap align="left">4.2</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant incorporated by
reference to Exhibit&nbsp;D to the Agreement and Plan of Merger filed as Exhibit&nbsp;2.2 to
the Registrant&#146;s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No.&nbsp;333-172073)</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="5%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%" nowrap align="left">(5)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>OPINION REGARDING LEGALITY</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="10%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%" nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>*&nbsp;5.1 Opinion of John P. Fletcher</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="5%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%" nowrap align="left">(23)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>CONSENTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="10%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%" nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>*&nbsp;23.1 Consent of Deloitte &#038; Touche LLP</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="10%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%" nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>*&nbsp;23.2 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP with
respect to Alltel Holding Corp.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="10%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%" nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>*&nbsp;23.3 Consent of John P. Fletcher (contained in his opinion filed as
Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="5%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%" nowrap align="left">(24)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>POWERS OF ATTORNEY</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="10%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%" nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>*&nbsp;24.1 Powers of Attorney of each person whose signature on this
registration statement was signed by another pursuant to a power of attorney.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="5%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%" nowrap align="left">(99)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>ADDITIONAL EXHIBITS</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="10%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%" nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>*&nbsp;99.1 Windstream 401(k) Plan</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>
<DIV align="left"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 15%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">*Filed Herewith</DIV>




<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">7
</DIV>

</BODY>
</HTML>
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "d37902sv8.htm", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 54020}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "WINDSTREAM CORP", "cik": "0001282266", "assigned-sic": "4813", "irs-number": "200792300", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-135849", "film-number": "06968135"}, "business-address": {"street1": "4001 RODNEY PARHAM RD.", "city": "LITTLE ROCK", "state": "AR", "zip": "72212", "phone": "5017487000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "4001 RODNEY PARHAM RD.", "city": "LITTLE ROCK", "state": "AR", "zip": "72212"}, "former-company": [{"former-conformed-name": "VALOR COMMUNICATIONS GROUP INC", "date-changed": "20040326"}, {"former-conformed-name": "VALOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS INC", "date-changed": "20040301"}]}
sv8
Table of Contents
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 18, 2006
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
WINDSTREAM CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware
20-0792300
(State of Incorporation)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
4001 Rodney Parham Road
Little Rock, Arkansas 72212
(Address, including zip code, of
registrant's principal executive offices)
WINDSTREAM 401(k) PLAN
(Full title of the plan)
John P. Fletcher
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
Windstream Corporation
4001 Rodney Parham Road
Little Rock, Arkansas 72212
(501) 748-7900
(Name, address and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed
Proposed Maximum
Maximum
Amount of
Title of Securities
Amount to be
Offering Price Per
Aggregate
Registration
to be Registered
Registered (1) (2)
Share (3)
Offering Price (3)
Fee
Common Stock, par
value $.0001 per
share
5,000,000
$11.53
$57,650,000
$6,169
(1)
Pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement also
covers an indeterminate amount of interests to be offered or sold pursuant to the employee
benefit plan described above.
(2)
Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement also
covers an indeterminate amount of shares of Common Stock that may be offered or sold as a
result of any adjustments based on stock splits, stock dividends or similar events provided
under the employee benefit plan described above.
(3)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule
457(h)(1) on the basis of the average of the high and low trading prices ($11.43 and $11.63,
respectively) of the Common Stock on July 17, 2006, as reported on the New York Stock
Exchange.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART II
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference
Item 4. Description of Securities
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed
Item 8. Exhibits
Item 9. Undertakings
SIGNATURES
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Opinion of John P. Fletcher
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Powers of Attorney
Windstream 401(k) Plan
Table of Contents
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents filed by Windstream Corporation (formerly known as Valor
Communications Group, Inc.) (the "Registrant"), are incorporated herein by reference as of their
respective dates of filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"):
(a) The Registrant's registration statement on Form S-4 (Reg. No. 333-132073) filed with
the SEC on February 28, 2006, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Form S-4 filed April 12, 2006,
Amendment No. 2 to Form S-4 filed May 2, 2006, Amendment No. 3 to Form S-4 filed May 23, 2006,
Amendment No. 4 to Form S-4 filed May 26, 2006, and by the Registrant's prospectus filed on
May 26, 2006 pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act") (collectively, the "S-4 Registration Statement").
(b) The Registrant's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on June 23, 2006, June 27, 2006
and June 30, 2006.
(c) The description of the Registrant's Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share,
included in the Registrant's S-4 Registration Statement under the heading "Description of
Windstream Capital Stock."
All reports and other documents subsequently filed by the Registrant or the Windstream 401(k)
Plan (the "Plan") pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereunder have been sold or
which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold hereunder shall be deemed to be incorporated
by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
The General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware ("DGCL") authorizes corporations to limit
or eliminate the personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for
monetary damages for breaches of directors' fiduciary duties. The certificate of incorporation of
the Registrant includes a provision that eliminates the personal liability of directors for
monetary
2
Table of Contents
damages arising from breaches of fiduciary duties owed to the Registrant or its
stockholders, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as it now exists or may hereafter be
amended.
The certificate of incorporation of the Registrant also provides that the Registrant must
indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL and must also pay
expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition upon
delivery of an undertaking, by or on behalf of an indemnified person, to repay all amounts so
advanced if it should be determined ultimately that such person is not entitled to be indemnified
under the provisions of the certificate or otherwise.
The indemnification rights set forth above shall not be exclusive of any other rights which an
indemnified person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Registrant's
amended and restated certificate of incorporation, the Registrant's by-laws, agreement, vote of
stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
The Registrant maintains insurance to protect itself and its directors and officers, and those
of its subsidiaries, against any such expense, liability or loss, whether or not it would have the
power to indemnify them against such expense, liability or loss under applicable law.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
See Index to Exhibits following signature pages.
Item 9. Undertakings.
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made of the securities
registered hereby, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date
of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
in this registration statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information
in the registration statement;
provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (i) and (ii) above do not apply if
the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
3
Table of Contents
contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") that are incorporated by
reference in this registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such
post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities
being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby further undertakes that, for purposes of determining
any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to
Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of any
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted
by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered,
the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by
controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.
(d) The undersigned registrant hereby further indicates that the registrant will submit or
has submitted the Plan and any amendment thereto to the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") in a
timely manner and the registrant will make or has made all changes required by the IRS in order to
qualify the Plan.
4
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant certifies that it has
reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has
duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Little Rock, State of Arkansas, on this 18
th
day of
July, 2006.
WINDSTREAM CORPORATION
By
/s/ Jeffery R. Gardner
Jeffery R. Gardner
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been
signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates
indicated:
Name
Title
Date
/s/ Jeffery R. Gardner
President and Chief Executive Officer;
July 18, 2006
Jeffery R. Gardner
Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Brent K. Whittington
Executive Vice President and Chief
July 18, 2006
Brent K. Whittington
Financial
Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Tony Thomas
Corporate Controller
July 18, 2006
Tony Thomas
(Principal
Accounting Officer)
/s/
Dennis E. Foster*
Director
July 18, 2006
Dennis E. Foster
/s/
Francis X. Frantz*
Director
July 18, 2006
Francis X. Frantz
/s/
Jeffrey T. Hinson*
Director
July 18, 2006
Jeffrey T. Hinson
5
Table of Contents
Name
Title
Date
/s/ Judy K. Jones*
Director
July 18, 2006
Judy K. Jones
/s/ William A. Montgomery*
Director
July 18, 2006
William A. Montgomery
/s/ Anthony J. de Nicola*
Director
July 18, 2006
Anthony J. de Nicola
/s/ Frank E. Reed*
Director
July 18, 2006
Frank E. Reed
* The undersigned, by signing his name hereto, executes this Registration Statement pursuant to
powers of attorney executed by the above-named persons and filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission as an Exhibit to this Registration Statement.
/s/ John P. Fletcher
John P. Fletcher
Attorney-in-Fact
The Plan
.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Windstream 401(k) Plan
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Little Rock, State of Arkansas, on this 18th day of July,
2006.
BENEFITS COMMITTEE
/s/
Brent K. Whittington
Brent K. Whittington
Member
/s/ Susan Bradley
Susan Bradley
Member
/s/ Keith Paglusch
Keith Paglusch
Member
/s/ Robert R. Boyd
Robert R. Boyd
Member
6
Table of Contents
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
The following exhibits are filed with this registration statement:
(4)
INSTRUMENTS DEFINING THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS
4.1
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant
incorporated by reference to Exhibit C to the Agreement and Plan of Merger filed
as Exhibit 2.2 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-4
(Registration No. 333-172073)
4.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant incorporated by
reference to Exhibit D to the Agreement and Plan of Merger filed as Exhibit 2.2 to
the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-172073)
(5)
OPINION REGARDING LEGALITY
* 5.1 Opinion of John P. Fletcher
(23)
CONSENTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL
* 23.1 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
* 23.2 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP with
respect to Alltel Holding Corp.
* 23.3 Consent of John P. Fletcher (contained in his opinion filed as
Exhibit 5.1).
(24)
POWERS OF ATTORNEY
* 24.1 Powers of Attorney of each person whose signature on this
registration statement was signed by another pursuant to a power of attorney.
(99)
ADDITIONAL EXHIBITS
* 99.1 Windstream 401(k) Plan
*Filed Herewith
7