Ringbacks latest cell phone fix

Students don't have to wade through half-drunk, rowdy sports fans anymore to hear UNC's fight song.

They can just call a friend.

It's called a ringback tone, and it's the newest trend to hit the cell phone industry.

Users who subscribe to the service don't hear any music themselves, but allow the people who call them to hear music instead of the traditional ringing sound heard when making a call.

"Please enjoy the music while your party is reached," a voice says through the speaker to introduce the song snippet.

Wireless companies offer a wide range of tones from classical to disco, so subscribers can play everything from a symphony by Mozart to a '70s classic by Donna Summer.

Different ringback tones are added daily, says Heather Elliott, manager of the Verizon Wireless stores at The Streets at Southpoint mall and University Mall.

Some of the newest additions to the family of ringers by the company are songs from The Black Eyed Peas' album, Monkey Business and Green Day's American Idiot.

The song, "Don't Cha" by The Pussycat Dolls stakes its claim as the best-selling ringback tone, according to Verizon's Web site.

"People can customize their phones to fit their personality or mood when people call them," says Elliott, whose ringback tone was set to "It's a Great Day to Be Alive," by Travis Tritt.

Verizon began offering ringback tones last spring, and claims it was the first company to do so. T-Mobile offers the tones through its CallerTunes service, and Sprint representatives say they have plans to jump on the bandwagon.

The price of the service ranges from $.99 to $1.49 per month depending on the company. Each tone downloaded costs about $1.99.

Elliott says the tones have been popular so far.

"A lot of people like them, especially young people ages 18 to 24."

Junior Christine Deaver, who is a Sprint customer, never has heard of the tones before but says she likes the idea.

"It would be fun for people to get to hear a song instead of that annoying 'bringing' sound when they call me," she says.

And Elliott says the college-customized tones are especially popular with students who come into the store.

"If they offered our fight song as a ringback tone, that would be really cool," Deaver says. "Especially for all those kids who go to (N.C.) State that call me."

While Deaver has not bought any ringback tones, she says she has about 55 ringtones.

"Everyone I know has a ringtone, and it makes my day a little happier when they call me and I get to hear one of my favorite songs," she says.

Ringback tones work just like ringtones, Elliott says. Customers can choose tones for each caller and even can customize the tones to play at different times of the day or week.

"I have different songs for different groups of people," Elliott says. "All my sales reps hear Larry the Cable Guy. It kind of lightens the mood."

But for many students, cost is an issue.

"The idea is okay," says sophomore Chris Laster, "but I would never pay for such a thing."

Deaver says the ringbacks are too expensive just for people to hear a song when they call her.

"If it were one flat fee, I would probably do it."

Junior Nicky Walt, an exchange student from London, says she would not be interested because her cell phone bill is already too high.

Still, Laster says many cell phone users probably will be interested in any new trend.

"It's a novelty. It's not in my priorities, though."

 

Contact the Features Editor at features@unc.edu.