First in RP: Smart introduces personalized ‘ringtunes’

First there were ringtones, now "ringtunes."

Wireless services provider Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) is introducing a new service that lets a mobile phone user customize the sound that people will hear when they call his number.

Called the "Smart Caller Ringtunes" – the first such service in the country – the new calling technology gives the cellular phone subscriber the option to change the generic ringing sound the caller hears into music, spoofs, jokes or sound effects.

"The Smart Caller Ringtunes is the next step in personalization after ringtones, picture messages, icons, MMS images and wallpapers. The service works with virtually any cellphone or handset since the ringtunes are stored in the network rather than in the handset. This allows compatibility with any cellphone, regardless of brand and make or whether it is polyphonic or not," said Edgardo Bautista, Smart’s group head for mobile value-added services, operations and development.

The Smart Caller Ringtunes may be downloaded via interactive voice call, Internet, text or WAP.

"It’s a ‘viral’ service. It spreads so fast among the users. It will be the next craze after ringtones," said Bautista.

To download via the Interactive Voice Recording System, simply dial 1513. Voice prompts will give users step-by-step instructions on how to register and choose the ringtunes they want to hear and add to the Music Box.

The subscriber may also get ringtunes via texting or Short Messaging Service (SMS). Send RING ON to 286 to activate and get the sampler ringtune.

To add ringtune to the Music Box, key in RING ADD <Ring ID> while to delete, key in RING DEL <Ring ID>. To chose a ringtune, text RING WHATSNEW or RING TOP10.

To download via the Internet, log on to www.smart.com.ph. Click on the link to Smart Caller Ringtunes. Choose from the Menu, then click your selection. A dialogue box will confirm your choice.

If via WAP, go to the SERVICES menu in the mobile phone and click Amazing Stuff and then go to Caller Ring Tunes.

In the introductory phase, up to five Smart Caller Ringtunes may be stored in the Music Box.

A ringtune download costs P30. Since it is stored in the network, the ringtune expires after two months.

Smart is the first local mobile phone operator to bring the new calling technology to the Philippines. A similar type of service was first introduced in South Korea over a year ago. It continues to be the craze now and has quickly spread to Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malay¹sia and China.

It will also be introduced in Europe and the United States.