The ringtone debate

Anyone with Apple’s new iPhone can appreciate their ringtone choice: buy it exclusively through iTunes for $.99 each, add a few cents here and there, and get your ringtone for less than $2. However, a conflict is brewing between cell phone providers, with companies like T-Mobile and Verizon charging $2.50 to $3 and more for individual ringtone downloads.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out the animosity that various mobile phone providers can feel towards Apple in general. iPhone users not only have access to an innovative and high-tech cell phone, but they can also incorporate all forms of multimedia and entertainment features into their mobile devices. As phone sales soar, many are wondering how the ringtone industry will be affected.

With individual carrier costs taking a chunk of change out of cell phone users’ pockets each time they download a ringtone, many are turning to ringtone services. Companies like DadaMobile charge a monthly subscription fee whereby members can download unlimited ringtones, games, and even additional SMS messaging features.

DadaMobile and Blinko provide ringtone service to all types of carriers, from Cingular and Verizon to T-Mobile and Nextel. Those of us who don’t have access to iTunes through the iPhone can have an equally diverse collection of ringtones, all while saving money by forgoing individual ringtone purchases through our mobile carrier. If you find yourself changing your ringtones periodically throughout a given week, your best bet is to subscribe to a third-party ringtone service.