UK has more mobile phones than people

THERE are more mobile phones in Britain than people. Figures from the Mobile Data Association yesterday showed at least 60m mobiles are in use in the UK.

Eight out of ten adults own them. But the minority who continue to resist the idea of being contactable at all times are outweighed by those who own two or more handsets.

Only seven years ago the number of mobile subscribers was 9m. The latest quarterly report from watchdog Ofcom, last October, showed there were 55m.

The association said at least 5m handsets have been purchased since then, taking the total number of mobiles beyond the UK population of 59.6m. According to Ofcom, 79% of adults are mobile phone owners, up from 73% 12 months ago.

Despite fears over long-term health risks, the number of youngsters with mobiles is around 4.5m, with 90% of secondary school children and as many as one in four under tens having their own phone.

A spokesman for the Mobile Operators Association, which represents the five networks, said: 'Mobile communications continue to bring tremendous social and economic benefits to the UK economy.'

Other countries with more mobiles than people include Sweden, Portugal, Iceland, Italy and Luxembourg.