<![CDATA[Background: Broadband infrastructure expansion has become a central strategy for promoting economic growth and reducing regional inequality; however, improvements in digital connectivity do not necessarily generate equitable economic benefits. Objective: This study examines the heterogeneous economic returns of broadband infrastructure and identifies factors influencing productivity, income distribution, and regional development. Method: A preliminary integrative literature synthesis was conducted using seven empirical publications from 2022–2024, applying comparative analysis and thematic categorization to identify recurring patterns and explanatory mechanisms. Results: Three interconnected themes emerged: broadband connectivity and economic productivity, uneven digital dividends across regions, and the complementary roles of human capital and local productive capabilities. Findings and Implications: The synthesis suggests that broadband expansion alone does not guarantee immediate economic growth or reduced inequality, as outcomes depend on productive technology utilization, socioeconomic conditions, and regional absorptive capacity. These findings emphasize the importance of combining infrastructure investment with digital literacy, enterprise development, and inclusive regional policies. Conclusion: Equitable digital transformation requires coordinated technological, economic, and institutional interventions to translate connectivity improvements into sustainable and inclusive regional development.]]>
