ABSTRACT
The dissertation is on evaluating the impact of GSM operating companies on Nigerian
economy. The objectives of the study were: to ascertain the impact of GSM operating
companies on Nigerian economy; to determine the impact of GSM technology on the people of
Nigeria; to identify the challenges faced by GSM operating companies in Nigeria. The study
used both primary and secondary sources of data. A total of 300 copies of questionnaire were
administered and 285 were received and analyzed. The statistical tools for data analyses include
tables, percentages, and chi-square.
The findings indicate that the advent of GSM companies
facilitate economic development, increase GDP and attract foreign direct investment (FDI); the
introduction of GSM technology enhances business operation, quality of life and offer
employment opportunities to Nigerians; Inadequate power supply; transmission infrastructural
problems; vandalization of network installations; lack of good access road network; etc, are
some of the challenges facing GSM operating companies in Nigeria. The study concludes that;
the deregulation of the Nigerian telecommunication sector, hence, the introduction of GSM
technology has made very significant positive impact on the economic situations of Nigeria.
The study from its findings recommends that: the government should expand tele-density and
directly make telephone communications cheaper and accessible by giving more licenses to
GSM operators in order to allow for healthy competition among the GSM operators; there is
need for the Federal government to provide the necessary economic infrastructures (particularly
power supply) to the GSM operators in order for them to deliver efficient services and to be
able to reduce their call charges; and government should encourage local manufacture of GSM
operating equipments and components, and above all, strengthen the security apparatus of the
country so as to protect GSM installations from vandalization by the men of the underworld.
