Local ringtone market quietens down
By Annalise Walliker

THOSE yearning for peace and quiet in public can cautiously rejoice — Australia's love affair with annoying mobile ringtones may be over.

With more than 20 million mobile phones in Australia, noisy and absurd ringtones have become a common intrusion at restaurants, on public transport and even at the office.

But the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) believes Australia's ringtone industry is on the decline.

APRA deals with royalties for composers, publishers and performers, including musical ringtones.

Richard Mallett, APRA's director of recordings and online, said the Australian ringtone industry was worth more than $50 million a year but growth had stalled in the past 12 months.