Mapping Telecommunication Gaps through Socioeconomic and Infrastructure Indicators: A Case Study in Brazil

Abstract

This study addresses the persistent digital divide in Brazil by integrating socioeconomic and infrastructure indicators to identify underserved municipalities with limited Internet access. Building upon the Economic Hardship Index (EHI) and the Access Density Index (ADI), we introduce two novel composite metrics: connectivity potential and vulnerability score. Unlike existing approaches that rely solely on technical or socioeconomic factors, our method captures the intersection of social fragility and infrastructure gaps. Using a vector-based formulation, these metrics reveal both high-potential municipalities, where latent demand for connectivity remains unmet, and critically vulnerable regions where compounded hardship and poor access coexist. Spatial analysis across Brazilian macro-regions, particularly in the North and South, uncovers local disparities that are hidden when only national-level averages are considered. The results highlight the relevance of region-specific strategies and provide a data-driven framework to support policy design, regulatory prioritization, and investment decisions aligned with digital inclusion goals, including those outlined in the IMT-2030 vision for 6G development.