GSM WORLD

> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3288999.stm
>
> T-Mobile has become the first network in Europe to let people choose
> the sound a caller hears while they wait for their call to be
> answered.
>
> Instead of the usual bring bring, its customers will be able to
> select hits from the likes of Kylie or Busted.
>
> A similar service has been a huge hit in South Korea, and is seen as
> the next step in personalising mobile phones.
>
> It is predicted this kind of service will be very popular when more
> services are launched in Europe by mid-2004.
>
> It is variously called ring-tone replacement or a ring-back tone
> service, but T-Mobile have decided to name it Caller Tunes.
>
> The service, which launched on 4 December, works in the same way as
> the one in South Korea - called Coloring - which BBC News Online
> reported on last week.
>
> Launched 15 months ago there, Coloring has made SK Telecom $100
> million (Ł59 million), with 35% of subscribers using it.
>
> Through a licensing deal with Universal Music, T-Mobile are able to
> offer 100 chart hits, from boy band Busted to Gloria Gaynor.
>
> Mobile ringtone guru Simon Buckingham has predicted that this kind of
> service will be very very popular because it is another important
> way for people to make their mobiles different.
>
> Ringtones have already been a massive hit, with the Mobile Data
> Association estimating more than Ł70m worth of them will be sold in
> 2003.
>
> Nearly 70% of our downloads this year were ringtones, highlighting
> the strong consumer demand for personalised services, said Nikesh
> Arora, T-Mobiles chief marketing man.
>
> Caller Tunes will take this further. Its simple, fun and here in
> time for Christmas.
>
> T-Mobile also has a sense of how big the service will be by looking
> at how well SK Telecom did with it, said the company.
>
> Anyone with a mobile on T-Mobiles network can sign up to pay a
> monthly subscription of Ł1 to rent the service, with each tune
> selection costing a further Ł1.50.
>
> The company have set up a free number to call which provides an
> example of what the service sounds like.
>

> Will this work with calls from other networks?
>

>-@LuVbuG@-< wrote:
> Interesting revenue stream - lets see if it takes off or not. I think i=
t may
> do, its one of those things where you can say my phone does this and =
yours
> dont! *sticking out of tongue* :)

> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3288999.stm
>
> T-Mobile has become the first network in Europe to let people choose
> the sound a caller hears while they wait for their call to be
> answered.
>
> Instead of the usual bring bring, its customers will be able to
> select hits from the likes of Kylie or Busted.

>

> Id much rather hear bring then bring bring.
> Then I know ive called a phone on the Orange network

> >
> Id much rather hear bring then bring bring.
> Then I know ive called a phone on the Orange network
>
> Steve Terry
>