'''In a nutshellYour Project Headline''':
create Create a 'fair mobile index' -> like a [http://www.economist.com/markets/bigmac/ big mac fairness index] for the mobile, explaining mobile costs, access and innovation environment. web
'''Background''':
This idea was first outlined by Steve Song and Katrin Verclas. See Steve's ''Short Description''' A global team of netizens is working on a "[[http://manypossibilitieswww.neteconomist.com/2009markets/10bigmac/fairbig mac]]" styled index to compare the cost and freedom to access mobile networks in countries around the world. But we need your help! Become part of the community that is contributing the critical information from around the world needed to make the index work. '''How will your idea make the web better?''' As the web moves into the mobile space two new challenges to the digital emerge. First, it is essential to promote affordable and open mobile access - even through SMS -for those least able to access the internet. Second, the mobile-internet is at risk of become a-start/ Fair Mobile - A Start]walled garden with mobile operators jealously protect their mobile services and using them to help lock in users. This is in stark contrast to the open environment of the Internet which has spawned what are now some of the largest companies in the world (Google, Facebook, et al). The Fairmobile index won' t solve these problems directly but it will make them more transparent and visible to people everywhere. We see the index as the [http://fairmobilecampaign.org/ Fair Mobile cornerstone to a broader campaign site] for a fairer, more infocompetitive and just mobile marketplace. '''Tags''' Mobile, development '''Image or Logo''' '''Video or Presentation Slides''' '''Participation. There is also a [httpWhat do you need help with right now?''' We need help://groups.google.com/group/fairmobile *Designing a google group]set of simple metrics that can be used to measure mobile network openess & cost *Gathering accurate information about mobile companies around the world*Finding an innovative, easy and non-language dependent way to display the index '''What kinds of helpers or volunteers do you need?''' '''Goals, metrics and milestones.What is the outcome you're seeking?'''
''Goals'FairMobile Objective''':
Create a “BigMac” index for mobile openness, access and cost, with the aims of:
#Making costs of voice, SMS and data around the world more transparent (fm goal)
#Show where carriers are standing in the way of mobile service innovation (moz goal)
#Create a proof point for people who want to promote fair access and open innovation in the mobile marketplace
''Milestones'Mozilla ' *Launch an advocacy campaign by January 2011 using Fairmobile index as the centrepiece.*Have a global fairmobile index with 50 countries included available by Q3 of 2010*Gather all data necessary to create an index for 25 countries by Q2 of 2010*Have a model for accessing ''cost'' of access and Fair Mobile:the ''openess''of a providers network by Q1 2010
FairMobile will likely succeed on its own. However, Mozilla may be able to help it get there fast via Drumbeat. Things Drumbeat might offer:'''Current challenges and questions'''
#Mozilla's brand as The central challenge is twofold:*Creating a vehicle to attract skilled contributors, donations simple metric that conveys affordability and the attention /or openess of a wider audiencenetwork #Strong communities in many parts of *Gathering reliable data for mobile companies across Africa and the world - including China, Brazil and India - where people might be interested in contributing to this project#Experience running global design challenges (useful once we get to graphical part
HoweverThe first problem is a design challenge, this would only make sense if there was the latter is a good fit between Fair Mobile goals and Mozillacrowdsourcing challenge. From a the Mozilla side, there is an interest in:
* Including data costs in the index
* Highlighting open vs. closed 'channels' (eg. app approval process, app stores)
* Finding a way to show other aspects open vs closed innovation environments using the index (e.g. high SMS costs, blocking protocols or apps)
It's not yet clear whether these things line up w/ bigger FairMobile goals. Also the 'campaign' frame may mean itAudience'''s not a good fit w/ Drumbeat.
'''Short Term Action Items''':This project seeks to engage international development advocates and technology advocates who see the enormous potential mobile technologies have in emerging economies.
Follow up w/ Steve and KatrinUltimately the project seeks to empower those who seek regulatory change to the mobile industry in any country where costs or rules prohibit development.
'''Possible Drumbeat Activities''':
''this is very drafty and tenative'Geography'''
If we did include FairMobile as Global with a Drumbeat projects, here are some of the things we might do:strong emphasis on Africa
''Create the FairMobile Index''
There are two possible approaches -- one with light involvement from Mozilla, the other with heavier involvement.'''Partners and collaborators'''
Light Involvement:
#Katrin, Stephen and a small team scope out what the structure of the FairMobile Index looks like (e.g. metrics, methodology, data required, etc...)
#In an effort to crowdsource the gathering of relevant data from around the world Mozilla lends its brand to the project and helps create a drumbeat project page to organize contributors
Heavy Involvement:
#Stephen, Katrin and a small team scope out what the structure of the FairMobile Index looks like (e.g. metrics, methodology, data required, etc...)#Mozilla provides a resource to the above mentioned team who would provide research and methodology development support in develop an "openness" index for channels. (e.g. to what degree is a carriers network a platform upon which others can freely innovate or develop?)#In an effort to crowdsource the gathering of relevant data from around the world Mozilla lends its brand to the project and helps create a drumbeat project page to organize contributors '''Background'''
This idea was first outlined by Steve Song and Katrin Verclas. See Steve's [http://manypossibilities.net/2009/10/fair-mobile-a-start/ Fair Mobile - A Start]'Design challenge and the FairMobile index''[http://fairmobilecampaign.org/ Fair Mobile campaign site] for more info. There is also a [http://groups.google.com/group/fairmobile a google group].
Once the FairMobile Index is created the project can shift to running a design challenge around how to best visualize the index. Mozilla has significant experience in this space '''Tools and some high-level steps include:Platforms'''
#Share the data and "axises" of the There is a discussion group for FairMobile Index#Lay out the parameters for the design challenge (such as...on their [[http:)##Who is the audience##What is the medium (paper, cell phone screen, website)##What is (are) the technologies (jpg, java, HTML, etc//groups.google.com/group/fairmobile Google Group]].) #Select judging panel
This would be based on the Mozilla Labs [http://design-challenge.mozillalabs.com/ design challenge] approach
'''Possible Public CopyBudget & Fundraising'''
(''Drumbeat Website Feature Box CopyHow much do you think it will cost to make your project work?'':)
Frontpage copy Project: Create a fairness index for the mobile web
A global team of netizens is working on a "big mac" styled index to compare the cost and freedom to access mobile networks in countries around the world. But we need your help! Become part of the community that is contributing the critical information from around the world needed to make the index work.---Older Content Below
Projectpage copy Project: Create a fairness index for the mobile web
THE PROBLEM: Most mobile networks are closed, walled gardens where - unlike the internet - users are constrained by what they can do, buy or create. Moreover, pricing structures are opaque and confusing.
THE SOLUTION: Develop the FairMobile index and bring transparency to the high cost and few freedoms users experience on many carrier networks.
THE CHALLENGE: Create a series of metrics that can be easily displayed in a visual manner (Like the BigMac index). Gather and analyze the data necessary to create the FairMobile Index from multiple carriers in dozens of countries around the world.
Participate!'''Mozilla and Fair Mobile:'''
Contribute information about mobile carriers in your countryFairMobile will likely succeed on its own. However, Mozilla may be able to help it get there fast via Drumbeat. Things Drumbeat might offer:
Calculate #Mozilla's brand as a vehicle to attract skilled contributors, donations and the cost per SMS attention of a wider audience#Strong communities in your countrymany parts of the world - including China, Brazil and India - where people might be interested in contributing to this project
Calculate '''Possible Drumbeat Activities''': One possible approach:#Katrin, Stephen and a small team scope out what the cost per MB structure of the FairMobile Index looks like (e.g. metrics, methodology, data required, etc...)#In an effort to crowdsource the gathering of relevant data from around the world Mozilla lends its brand to the project and helps create a drumbeat project page to organize contributors ''Design challenge the FairMobile index'' Once the FairMobile Index is created the project can shift to running a design challenge around how to best visualize the index. Mozilla has significant experience in your countrythis space and some high-level steps include: #Share the data and "axises" of the FairMobile Index#Lay out the parameters for the design challenge (such as...:)##Who is the audience##What is the medium (paper, cell phone screen, website)##What is (are) the technologies (jpg, java, HTML, etc...) #Select judging panel This would be based on the Mozilla Labs [http://design-challenge.mozillalabs.com/ design challenge] approach
