E-ISSN 2281-4612 ISSN 2281-3993 Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies MCSER Publishing, Rome-Italy Vol 2 No 3 November 2013 147 Locational Effect of GSM Mast on Neighbouring Residential Properties' Rental Values in Akure, Nigeria Michael Ayodele Olukolajo Department of Estate Management, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. E-mail: ayojoko@yahoo.com Nnaemeka Bethel Ezeokoli Department of Estate Management, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria E-mail: emekaezeokoli@yahoo.co.uk Matthew Taiwo Ogungbenro Department of Estate Management, Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Kogi State. Nigeria. E-mail: taifolu2002@yahoo.com Doi:10.5901/ajis.2013.v2n3p147 Abstract This paper examined the response of rents from residential properties to the siting of Global System for Mobile (GSM) Communications’ masts in various residential zones in Akure town. The study employed survey approach in order to understand the relationship that exists between location of GSM masts and rental values offered on proximate residential properties within a 300 metres radius of GSM masts. The town was divided into high, medium and Low density zone; and three GSM masts were selected from each of the zones for the study. In all, a total of 180 questionnaires were administered on residents within the radius and 139 (77.22%) were retrieved and good for analysis. Regression analysis was employed to determine the causal effect of GSM mast on the rental values of neighbouring residential properties in the study area. The findings revealed that the location of GSM mast has no significant effect on rental values of residential properties in the high and medium density residential zones of Akure. This is attributable to the fact that demand for residential properties in town is generally very high, and the residents are left without much choice due to attendant high rent charged on existing residential properties. However, there exists a positive effect on rental values of properties in the low density zone. There is need for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to follow the global trends on new findings about health implication of siting of GSM base stations around residential neighbourhood and ensure that international standard of safety is strictly adhered to by the operators in Nigeria. Keywords: Akure, Residential properties, GSM Mast, Rent, Rental Value. 1. Introduction The increasing need for functional telecommunication networks to service the desires and need of the teeming users for effective communication and the use of mobile phones has increased dramatically over the last decade. The launch of Global System for Mobile (GSM) Communications in Nigeria in 2001 heralded a dawn of relieve to teeming Nigerians. Today services like mobile TV, electronic payments, mobile tracking services, cheaper international calls, internet banking, and mobile banking etc. occasioned by mobile telecommunication are commonplace in the country. GSM has become a vital and an indispensable tool of transmitting or exchanging information for a modern man (Bello, 2010). Wireless digital telecommunications, the internet and information communication technology have revolutionized the world and the impact of information technology (IT) has been felt in all economic and social activities in every conceivable manner. The convergence of all forms of communications on the digital playfield is opening up immense new possibilities of achieving speed, versatility and space-time independence. The use and deployment of cellular phones and other wireless communication facilities around the world is phenomena, it has not only reduced the world into a global village but more importantly into a global household. What was once solely a business tool; wireless phones are now a mass market consumer device contributing positively, to the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) of various countries and providing