There are now more mobile phones in Britain than residents with
one in ten people actually possessing up to four phones.
Research by bank First Direct found that the 45 million adults
in Britain share 70 million SIM cards and 71 million handsets.
Alison Leonard, head of e-commerce at First Direct, said mobile
phones have become the remote control for peoples lives.
"We use our mobiles to keep in touch with friends, family and
workmates. But the days when we kept just one handset are fast
fading, as many of us have different phones for different purposes.
With one phone for work, one for friends and potentially a personal
organiser or BlackBerry as well, mobilemania has swept the nation,"
she said.
Banks, which are seeking to
provide customers with multiple access points, are keen to take
advantage of this with technology innovation.
"[First Direct] plans further innovations as the mobile
develops," added Leonard.
According to the research only12% of adults don't have a mobile
phone, about half have one mobile phone, but 40% now have more than
one, with 10% owning more than four mobile numbers and
handsets.