Are we there yet? The persistent digital marginalization of remote rural communities

Over the past decade, mobile internet access has been the main public policy approach for connecting rural areas in several countries. Evidence indicates that rural communities face unique challenges shaped by geographical and socioeconomic contexts, as well as accelerated digitalization due to COVID-19, reshaping access for many underserved areas. This study investigates how connectivity in marginalized rural communities has evolved over time in Chile. Data comparison shows that while some predictors of Internet adoption became non-relevant over time, others, such as age and education, remain the strongest connectivity predictors. In addition, contextual factors—such as younger populations, generational expectations, and shifting attitudes and demands toward digital availability—contribute to persistent discourses of digital marginalization despite infrastructure improvements.