Jon Brodkin is Ars Technica’s senior IT reporter, specializing in the regulatory and infrastructural challenges shaping internet access across America. With a career spanning telecom policy, broadband equity, and satellite technology, his work sits at the crossroads of public interest and corporate accountability.
“When New York’s $15 broadband law took effect, Optimum customer William O’Brien tried to sign up—only to be denied twice. Our intervention forced systemic change.”
This 2023 investigation typifies Brodkin’s approach: marrying grassroots consumer stories with top-down policy analysis to drive regulatory compliance.
We’ve followed Jon Brodkin’s career as a cornerstone of tech policy journalism, where his reporting at Ars Technica has become essential reading for understanding the intersection of telecommunications infrastructure and regulatory frameworks. Over his tenure, Brodkin has carved a niche in dissecting complex policy debates, translating legalese into actionable insights for both industry stakeholders and consumers.
This investigative piece exposed systemic failures in Optimum’s implementation of New York’s Affordable Broadband Act. Brodkin combined firsthand accounts from low-income applicants with regulatory audits, revealing how ISPs often prioritize profit margins over statutory obligations. The article’s impact was immediate: within 48 hours of publication, Optimum reversed its decision for the profiled customer and initiated internal compliance reviews. Brodkin’s methodology here—leveraging reader tips to hold corporations accountable—has become a hallmark of his consumer advocacy work.
In this policy analysis, Brodkin unpacked the FCC’s controversial decision to classify satellite providers as low-latency operators eligible for rural broadband subsidies. Through interviews with SpaceX engineers and terrestrial ISP lobbyists, he highlighted the technical debate over latency thresholds in satellite constellations. The article’s balanced approach earned recognition from both sides of the debate, cited in subsequent FCC hearings as evidence of the need for technology-neutral funding criteria.
Published just days before this analysis, Brodkin’s latest scoop reveals how industry groups are capitalizing on the FCC’s 2025 regulatory review cycle. The piece cross-references lobbying disclosures with historical enforcement data, showing a 300% increase in requests to sunset net neutrality-related rules compared to previous cycles. Its timing demonstrates Brodkin’s knack for agenda-setting journalism that anticipates regulatory battles.
Brodkin consistently highlights disparities between legislative intent and corporate execution. A 2024 analysis of California’s Broadband for All program revealed that 40% of funded projects missed deployment deadlines without penalty. Pitches should center on localized case studies that expose systemic bottlenecks in federal/state programs, particularly those involving public-private partnerships.
His satellite broadband piece succeeded by featuring engineers explaining orbital mechanics’ impact on latency. When pitching, include access to network architects or regulatory attorneys who can demystify technical aspects of policy debates. Brodkin prioritizes sources who can bridge the gap between engineering teams and Capitol Hill staffers.
Notice how his FCC wishlist story correlated deregulation requests with historical enforcement actions. Successful pitches will identify emerging patterns in FCC notices of proposed rulemaking (NPRMs) or state utility commission dockets, especially those showing shifts in regulatory priorities across administrations.
While specific awards aren’t listed in available sources, Brodkin’s work is regularly cited in FCC proceedings and academic papers on media policy. His reporting on New York’s broadband law was incorporated into the Attorney General’s compliance guide for ISPs, a testament to its regulatory impact. Industry peers frequently reference his articles during National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) conferences as exemplars of policy journalism.
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Tech, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
