Thinking outside the cable box

[Commentary] Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler unveiled yet another effort to create a secure way for device makers to connect to cable services and provide alternatives to the industry's set-top boxes. If it worked, one obvious result would be that cable operators would face competition for the roughly $7.50 they collect each month per converter box, which should drive costs down for consumers. But just as important, there would be competition over how cable services are presented on screen.

Congress decided almost 20 years ago that cable operators shouldn't be the ones controlling the evolution of set-top boxes. That market should be competitive. And rather than trusting cable operators to promote indie networks, limit consumers' exposure to advertising and protect their privacy, it's far better to let consumers decide such things for themselves in an open, competitive market.