In the Middle East and Africa, one in ten mobile phones sold are now dual SIM, according to GfK research. In Asia 16% of all mobile phones sold have dual SIM card facilities which represents an increase from 13% at the beginning of 2010.

However, it is when you look at the extreme trends in specific countries that it becomes clear that this is not a blanket phenomenon. In Nigeria, over 30% of handsets are dual SIM and in Indonesia, Vietnam, Ghana and India the market has grown from one in ten last year to one in four by Q4 2010.

"We are already seeing triple SIM card devices being launched and this multi SIM behavior looks set to grow as a phenomenon, especially amongst the newer and more emerging markets," commented GfK Global Telco Marketing Director, Aaron Rattue. "The multiple SIM facilitates the consumer-lead desire to utilise different tariffs throughout the week, depending on time and usage."