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Netpolicy/equal-rating: Difference between revisions
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=Equal Rating= | =Equal Rating= | ||
==Access and Openness== | ==Access and Openness== | ||
At Mozilla, our mission is to ensure the Internet is a global public resource, open and accessible to all. Connecting the unconnected is one of the most difficult challenges in the realm of Internet policy. At the same time, we want all Internet users to have access to the full set of possibilities the Internet brings. Thus, as we put it in a [https://blog.mozilla.org/netpolicy/files/2015/05/Letter-from-Mozilla-Executive-Chair-Mitchell-Baker-to-Prime-Minister-Modi.pdf letter to Prime Minister Modi of India]: "Zero rating is not the right solution to connect the world's unconnected billions." | |||
When we sent that letter, we didn't have all the answers to the questions of addressing access and openness challenges. We still don't. But an attitude of “just wait, eventually this will work out” is not acceptable. For the continued health of the Internet, and to help those who are not yet able to take advantage of its benefits, we are taking action to identify and realize the solutions we need. | |||
As one part of our work in this space, we are pursuing an agenda around Equal Rating, our alternative framework under which subsidization and other models of reducing user-facing access charges are realized without limiting users' choice of content. | |||
==Mozilla workstreams== | ==Mozilla workstreams== | ||
Mozilla’s equal rating work includes three core programs: | |||
* Research – We are supporting field research and analysis to dig into deep questions about user behaviour and real-world effects of access models. | |||
* Fostering innovation – We are sponsoring a public challenge to spur innovation into new ways to provide affordable access and cultivate digital literacy. | |||
* Policy engagement – We are engaging with policymakers all around the world to offer guidance on these complex issues. | |||
===Research=== | ===Research=== | ||
The core of our work on Equal Rating is our research agenda. Over 2015-2016, we will support field research and analysis to dig into deep questions around user behavior and real-world impact of various subsidization plans, all targeting questions at the intersection of access and openness. Some of the questions we hope to drive insight into include: | The core of our work on Equal Rating is our research agenda. Over 2015-2016, we will support field research and analysis to dig into deep questions around user behavior and real-world impact of various subsidization plans, all targeting questions at the intersection of access and openness. Some of the questions we hope to drive insight into include: | ||
* | * How do people use the Internet when their data are/are not subsidized? Do people actually move from subsidized limited plans to paid (full Internet) plans? Why do people use subsidized plans? | ||
* | * What are scalable ways of cultivating digital literacy (capabilities)? | ||
* What is the value of the open Internet from an economic perspective? Does increasing access to the open Internet provide more economic benefit than subsidizing a limited set of services? | |||
===Fostering innovation=== | ===Fostering innovation=== | ||
We have launched the [https://equalrating.com/ Equal Rating Innovation Challenge] as a way to accelerate innovation in connecting the unconnected. Through the Challenge, we seek to grow the community of problem-solvers tackling these issues, and to support through funding and mentorship new ways to provide affordable access and cultivate digital literacy. We want to inject practical, action-oriented, new thinking into the current debate on how to connect the unconnected people of the world - and we’re going to support the proposals we receive through expert mentorship and a total of $250,000 in prizes. | |||
===Policy engagement=== | ===Policy engagement=== | ||
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==Broader initiatives== | ==Broader initiatives== | ||
We are engaged in several international initiatives that relate to the significant challenges of access and openness, as the problem is larger than what we alone can tackle. Two of these such programs are Global Connect and WEF's Internet for All. | |||
===Global Connect=== | |||
Global Connect brings together high-profile US government and international actors. It is a useful gathering of leading thinkers and implementers working to connect the unconnected. Global Connect has focused in substantial part on getting finance ministries, development banks, and other development stakeholders to focus more on expanding access to the Internet. The forum brings together individuals and organizations that have the resources and connections to generate real world change. | |||
===World Economic Forum (WEF)=== | |||
The World Economic Forum (WEF) Internet for All program intends to develop a scalable, replicable new model of public-private collaboration to accelerate Internet access and adoption for the billions not connected today. The first country program to be set up is for the Northern Corridor countries of Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, and South Sudan. Additional country programs (up to three in total) in other regions of the world (Asia, Latin America) will be scoped in 2016. | |||
<!--==New ideas== | <!--==New ideas== | ||
Connecting the unconnected is one of the greatest challenges of our time. No one organization or effort can tackle it alone. If you'd like to partner with us, please [mailto:equal@mozilla.com reach out].--> | Connecting the unconnected is one of the greatest challenges of our time. No one organization or effort can tackle it alone. If you'd like to partner with us, please [mailto:equal@mozilla.com reach out].--> | ||