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WASHINGTON -- To curb the rates large telecom providers charge for access to the so-called middle mile of their data networks, a broad-based coalition of industry groups, advocacy organizations and other stakeholders launched today with plans to press the Federal Communications Commission to regulate the market.

The No Choke Points coalition is taking aim at special access fees, the loosely regulated rates AT&T, Verizon and others charge carriers for access to their wireless and fiber-based broadband infrastructure.

"We believe the choke hold at AT&T, Verizon and other large telephone companies have on the special access market is threatening the broadband economy," Bob Azzi, the senior vice president of Sprint Nextel's network division, said at the coalition's launch this morning here at the National Press Club. "The net effect is to reduce customer choice and the availability of broadband service."

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