With Qwest's request to remove wholesale price regulation in four metro areas an uphill battle, the Denver telco is focusing its final efforts on its best case: Phoenix.

Qwest this week has sent two letters to the Federal Communications Commission that includes information on competitor Cox Communications' market share in the Phoenix area, and the number of households that have "cut the cord," or switched from landlines to cell phones.

The letters come as Dow Jones Newswires reported that FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has recommended against Qwest's petition for wholesale pricing relief in Denver, Minneapolis, Phoenix and Seattle. The FCC must make a decision by the end of this week.