Open Internet Apps Challenge

The Federal Communications Commission announced a challenge to researchers and software developers to engage in research and create apps that help consumers foster, measure, and protect Internet openness.

The Open Internet Challenge is part of the FCC's efforts to empower end users to help preserve Internet openness. The Open Internet Challenge seeks to encourage the development of innovative and functional applications that provide users with information about the extent to which their fixed or mobile broadband Internet services are consistent with the open Internet. These software tools could, for example, detect whether a broadband provider is interfering with DNS responses, application packet headers, or content. The research component of the challenge seeks academic papers that analyze relevant Internet openness measurements, techniques, and data. The challenge is designed to encourage and reward the creation innovative and useful research. The winners of the Open Internet Challenge will be invited to FCC headquarters in Washington, D.C., to present their work to the Commission and be honored with an FCC Chairman's reception. Winners will have their apps and research featured on the FCC's website and social media outlets. Winners will be reimbursed for authorized travel expenses.

The submission deadline for the challenge is June 1, 2011, and a public voting period will run from June 15, 2011 through July 15, 2011. The winner of the public vote will receive the People's Choice Award. Other award category winners will be chosen by a panel of expert judges. Winners will be announced in August 2011.