Abstract

The wide use of the global system for mobile communication (GSM) and its influence on various aspects of the society is yet to be empirically investigated. This paper examined the relationship between GSM usage and socio-economic characteristics (sex, marital status, age, education, income, occupation and employment) of the GSM-owners. The study sample consisted of 2,500 households in the study area. Systematic sampling technique was used to select every tenth building on the identified streets. In a multi-family dwelling, random sampling was used to select one household. The data collected were analysed using multiple linear regression. The study reveals that the higher the socio-economic status of GSM-owners, the higher the use of GSM phone (F⁵_2,494 = 214,503, p ≤0.05). Education (l² = 22.5%) and occupation (l² = 27.7%) were the most significant explanatory variables in the use of GSM phone. The paper recommended that transport planners in Lagos need to develop alternative intra-city transport systems. This can be achieved through a shift to the development of other land transport systems by policy makers.

Key words:    Global system for mobile communication (GSM), intra-city, transport, travel pattern, socio-economic characteristics.