THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IN THE TERRITORIAL ASPECT: PRACTICE OF OVERCOMING

The article explores the problem of access to digital infrastructure in the spatial aspect. The aim of the study is to analyze the relationship between the unevenness in the provision of Internet services (or digital inequality) and the socio-economic development of territories. Digital inequality is seen as a negative factor that reduces the development potential of territories and regions. The international experience of reducing territorial imbalances in the provision of digital infrastructure is analyzed. It has been established that for territories and regions with a high population density, the problem of uneven development of competencies in the use of digital infrastructure services is more relevant, while in regions with large territories and low population density, the problem is the lack of such infrastructure. A toolkit for leveling digital imbalances based on public-private partnerships is proposed.