As we've frequently discussed, a broadband mapping organization by the name of Connected Nation stands to grab a huge chunk of the government's new $300 million budget set aside for broadband mapping. But consumer advocates believe the group is little more than a front organization for giant carriers like AT&T and Verizon -- tasked with over-inflating broadband penetration numbers to make carriers look good and keep government regulation at bay. The Wall Street Journal takes a look at the group, raising additional questions about their motivations and previous "successes" in getting States like Kentucky "95% wired" with broadband:Kentucky residents and local ISPs generally laugh hysterically at the 95% coverage claim, and insist that Connected Nation is simply putting on a very well-produced dog and pony show.

Consumer Advocates worry that the group's mapping efforts are derailing funding from existing State broadband mapping organizations who produce higher quality data that can be transparently accessed by consumers.

As per the industry's wishes, Connected Nation's maps also don't pinpoint the specifically available providers at each address. Interestingly, the NDA also notes that any data collected by Connected Nation remains the property of AT&T, and can be pulled or deleted at any time.

Given the Federal Government spent the last decade pretending broadband competitive and coverage issues didn't exist, you can understand how consumer advocates could be worried about the dangers Connected Nation poses to real reform should they truly go national with a huge budget of freshly-procured taxpayer dollars.

You can use Connected Nation as a litmus test for how seriously the new FCC is taking broadband reform. If you see Connected Nation handed the lion's share of the broadband mapping funds, it means it's business as usual in DC -- with phone and cable lobbyists having puppet-like control over regulators. If the government is serious about bringing competition to the sector while increasing deployment, they'll utilize objective, non-industry supported mapping organizations to craft quality data directly owned by (and accessible to) the taxpayer.