On the issue of digital infrastructure rural areas

Goals. In the context of the Digital Economy program, the squeak of methods for assessing the level of digital maturity of rural territories is updated, taking into account their typology of features and development features. Methodology. The research is based on scientific theories of spatial development economics, the provisions of systematic and integrated approaches, methods of logical, statistical, comparative, graphical analysis. As an information base, the works of domestic and foreign researchers, a number of provisions of methodological tools are used. Results. The concept of the digital infrastructure of rural areas is clarified, its elements are highlighted and the target settings of formation and development focused on taking into account the peculiarities of the organization of life are designated. From the perspective of the concept of digital inequality, the well-known typology of rural areas and the idea of the evolutionary nature of digital infrastructure determined by digital technological progress, the form of the "digital maturity" map as a strategic management tool is presented. As maturity increases, the information basis for managing business processes, increasing labor productivity, increasing investment attractiveness, and improving the quality of life of the population improves. Conclusion. Ranking the digital infrastructure of rural areas allows us to take into account the degree and specialization of economic development of the territory, the willingness of the population and business to develop the digital environment and more effectively use the potential of modern information and communication technologies and to determine a set of key indicators from the standpoint of the principle of differentiation of territories.