This time it’s not a politician to blame for making exaggerated claims. It’s one of these coalitions that spring up when a certain set of people want a certain set of goodies from the government.

The Coalition for Free Broadband Now wants the Federal Communications Commission to auction of some of the electromagnetic spectrum under rules that would provide for free, “family friendly” wireless broadband service.

It’s touting a pair of bills, H.R. 5846, the Wireless Internet Nationwide for Families Act of 2008 and S. 3420, the Open Wireless Internet Act.

The FCC probably should get this spectrum out there for better use, but this really sounds like industrial planning. Just let it be bought and sold an a spectrum market like land is bought and sold so that it can find its most valued uses. OR put it out there for use by anyone - like they did with the spectrum that wifi works on.

Two things are for sure: 1) Somebody’s going to pay for it. There is no free lunch, and there’s no free broadband. 2) It’s not going to happen now. It’s now right now, and that free broadband isn’t here.

Free broadband? Yeah. And a pony.

Here’s the current voting on H.R. 5846, the Wireless Internet Nationwide for Families Act of 2008 and S. 3420, the Open Wireless Internet Act. Click to vote, comment, learn more, or edit the wiki articles about the bills.