Socio-economic Impact of Cellular Phones Growth in Pakistan: An Empirical Analysis

This paper investigates the socio-economic impact of using cellular phones based on primary source of data from urban and rural areas of Dera Gazi Khan District of Punjab province. Since innovation in the telecommunication sector through cellular phones has changed the concept of communication, it has become the source of economic growth and employment opportunities at macro level and improved the situation of health, emergency, social contacts, entertainment, efficient decision making, traveling and easy market access for a common man at micro level. There are significant studies on using cell phones internationally but noteworthy attention in terms of research has not been given to this emerging issue in Pakistan so far. This study fills the gap in the literature. According to the elementary data analysis, respondents of the rural areas are benefited more than the urban areas in using cell phones as it becomes the main source of information of local markets, nationwide changes in political and economic conditions and social contacts. It is also found that almost half of the respondents admit that cell phones render the main source of family cohesion, access to doctor or police and give opportunities of employment directly or indirectly. Finally it is concluded that growth of cell phones has strong and significant impact on their lives both economically and socially.