What are the Different Types of Ringtones?

Discover the two main types of ringtones: monophonic and polyphonic. Learn how Radiolinja (Elisa) & Digitalphone Groupe (SoftBank Mobile) launched the first downloadable mobile ringtone services in 1998.

What are the Different Types of Ringtones?

Ringtones are a great way to personalize your phone and make it stand out from the crowd. There are two main types of ringtones: monophonic and polyphonic.

Monophonic

ringtones are the simplest type available and the most compatible form. They consist of a single note or tone that plays when someone calls you.

Monophonic ringtones are usually quite basic and don't have any melody or harmony.

Polyphonic

ringtones are the second type of ringtone developed. They consist of multiple notes or tones that play together to create a melody. Almost any melody is available as a polyphonic ringtone, from classical to pop, heavy metal to soul, country to rap, jazz to swing music, and even university fight songs.

To get a polyphonic ringtone, all you need to do is log in to the website that offers the file and download it. Most are fairly inexpensive, so it's a great way to make your phone unique. The first downloadable mobile ringtone service was created and offered in Finland in 1998 by Radiolinja (now known as Elisa). The service, called Harmonium, was invented by Vesa-Matti Pananen and allowed users to create monophonic ringtones and send them wirelessly (OTA) via SMS to a mobile phone.

In November 1998, Digitalphone Groupe (SoftBank Mobile) launched a similar service in Japan.