Federal Communications Commission chairman Michael Powell won't attend an Indian Telecommunications Initiative meeting today in South Dakota.

Powell was called back to Washington, D.C., for another meeting, a spokesperson said. His early departure from the FCC's three-jaunt in South Dakota has some crying foul.

Powell did attend meetings Monday and Tuesday in the state. The FCC is holding hearings there to focus on a number of issues, including Indian telecommunications, rural technology and media consolidation.

Get the Story:
FCC brings hearings to Rapid City (The Rapid City Journal 5/26)

Telephone Service Report:
TELEPHONE SUBSCRIBERSHIP ON AMERICAN INDIAN RESERVATIONS AND OFF-RESERVATION TRUST LANDS (FCC May 5, 2003)

Relevant Links:
Indian Initiatives, FCC - http://www.fcc.gov/indians
The Digital Divide Network - http://www.digitaldividenetwork.org

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