Ignoring cable industry protest, FCC says it will “unlock the set-top box”

Customers would still have to buy TV service from a cable, telco, or satellite firm. But just as mobile broadband customers can choose from many smartphones to use on a wireless network, pay-TV customers should be able to choose what device they watch TV on, an FCC official said in a phone call with reporters. FCC officials say the software-based successor to CableCard should be more successful in giving consumers a choice. – Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica