How much does it cost to buy a ringtone?
To download a ringtone, you must first sign up for a monthly subscription plan. MTV Mobile provides several plan options:
- Entry Level: 1 ringtone every month for $2.99/mo
- Upgrade #1: 2 ringtones and 1 wallpaper every month for $5.99/mo
- Upgrade #2: 4 ringtones and 2 wallpapers every month for $9.99/mo
On the Web, you can also choose to purchase a ringtone a la carte by selecting that option on the purchase screen.
What are the credits worth?
There are two types of credits: a ringtone credit and a graphic credit. 1 ringtone credit = 1 ringtone download. 1 graphic credit = 1 graphic download. For example, the $5.99 plan provides 2 ringtone credits and 1 graphic credit, so with that plan you can download 2 ringtones and 1 graphic every month you are a subscriber.
How am I charged?
Subscription charges are placed on your monthly mobile service bill. MTV Mobile cannot credit your bill for purchases you've made. If you did not confirm your desire to join the monthly subscription plan, you will not be charged. Customers should be advised to make sure that they were actually charged for the ringtone before contacting their carrier. If they are billed for something they did not order or did not successfully receive, they can contact their wireless carrier for full credit.
How can I check how many credits I have left?
You can text the word BALANCE to 33633 on your mobile phone.
What happens if I use up all my monthly credits?
You may purchase a subscription upgrade to get more credits. There are 2 subscription level available: $5.99 (2 ringtones, 1 graphic per month), $9.99 (4 ringtones, 2 graphics per month). If you already have the top level subscription and still use up all your monthly credits, you may either a) make a one-time purchase without credits (total will be billed to your monthly mobile service bill from your carrier) or b) wait until the next monthly billing cycle when you will receive your next month's credits. Text BALANCE to 33633 to see how many credits you have left and to which plan you are subscribed.
Can I buy a ringtone or graphic without signing up for a subscription?
Yes, on the website you can select to purchase a ringtone a la carte, which does not require a subscription. Note that if you do get a volume discount by subscribing to a plan as opposed to buying a la carte. When you purchase a la carte, that charge will show up on your monthly cell phone bill.
Can I buy a game with subscription credits?
No, games are only available for a la carte purchase - the cost of the game will be billed to your monthly mobile service bill from your mobile provider.
How do I cancel my subscription?
You may cancel your subscriptions by texting in the word STOP to 33633; you will receive a message confirming your subscription cancellation. To cancel all your subscriptions at once, text STOPALL to 33633.
I received a message from MTV Mobile that said my text message was not understood and to try again. What happened?
It's likely that the keyword you texted was misspelled and does not match any of the items in the MTV Mobile catalog. Try double-checking the keyword for the download you wanted to purchase and try again. If you do not remember the keyword, you can always text MTV to 33633 to browse or search the catalog for ringtones or graphics.
Can I make purchases directly from my phone?
Yes, if you send a text MTV to 33633, you will be taken to the MTV Mobile store on your phone.
I saw a video that offered a code for a ringtone - how do I buy it?
Send a text message with the code of the ringtone you want to buy to 33633. The ringtone code (frequently called a 'keyword') should go in the body of the text message and 33633 (frequently called a 'shortcode') should go in the "To:" field. Make sure to press send. You will receive a message back instructing you how to sign up for a MTV Mobile subscription.
I made a purchase but haven't received my download. What should I do?
Make sure that WAP Push is enabled on your mobile phone and that you have a data plan active on your account. If not, you may need to call your carrier. The process for turning on WAP for your phone varies slightly depending on the manufacturer of your phone. Enabling WAP Push on a handset will usually require changing the WAP Push setting to "On", "Receive all", or "Allow All". Your service carrier can provide assistance if you believe your settings must be altered.
How long should it take before I receive my download?
Receipt of the text message from MTV Mobile usually takes just a few seconds. But depending on carrier traffic, it can take up to several minutes to receive your download. If you're not in an area with cellular reception, text messages containing the order might not leave your phone until you are back in an area with adequate cellular reception.
What do I do when the download arrives on my phone?
You will receive a link in a WAP Push that contains your ringtone download. The WAP Push message will arrive in your SMS or WAP Browser Inbox, depending on your phone. Once you open the message, the download will begin automatically. When the ringtone download is complete, make sure you store the ringtone to your phone (how to do this varies by phone manufacturer). Usually when a file download is complete, you're prompted to save, listen or discard the download. If you want to use the downloaded tone as the default ringtone, you will need to change your settings. Typically, users are prompted with the ability to 'store as default'.
What if my download is interrupted in progress?
MTV Mobile maintains a "digital locker" where your downloads are stored for you. If the download is interrupted in process or you forget to save your ringtone, you can simply follow the text message back to the ringtone download page. You will not be charged again for this subsequent download.
I made a purchase, but I can't find the download on my phone! Where should I look?
Check your messages inbox for a message from MTV Mobile - it contains the link to your download. Depending on your phone manufacturer, your inbox might be called something like Browser Messages, Service Inbox, Funbox, or Push Inbox.
How do I change my phone number?
You cannot change your phone number. If you get a new number, just re-register as a new user.
The site is telling me that the phone number I entered is already being used. What should I do?
You should contact Customer Support - another person may have accidentally entered your number.
What's the difference between a "music ringtone" and a "poly ringtone"?
A music ringtone is a real music clip of a song by the original artist. A polyphonic ringtone is a soundalike tune that uses tones instead of real music to simulate a song.
How often do you add new ringtones to the MTV Mobile site?
New content - ringtones, games and graphics - is added daily.
What mobile service providers (carriers) are supported by MTV Mobile?
To date, Verizon, Cingular, T-Mobile and Sprint customers can purchase from the MTV Mobile store. Customers need to make sure that they have internet and text messaging services activated on their plan. We hope to offer support for other carriers as soon as they open their respective networks to programs such as MTV Mobile.
I'm new to text messaging and downloading ringtones. What do all these terms mean?
Check out the glossary below:
Carrier
The provider through which the customer purchases cellular phone service; often referred to as an Operator. Examples include Cingular (AT&T), Sprint, T-mobile, and Verizon Wireless.
Keyword
The unique string of letters and/or numbers that identifies a particular ringtone.
Music Tone
A real music clip of a song by the original artist.
Polyphonic Tone
A soundalike tune that uses tones instead of real music to simulate a song.
Ringtone
A short tune that plays when your phone is receiving a call.
Shortcode
A unique string, much like a phone number, that identifies a provider of premium services to mobile phone customers. The MTV Mobile shortcode is 33633.
SMS / Text Messaging
The act of sending a text-based message using a mobile phone.
WAP Push
A text (SMS) message with an active link in it that allows a user to navigate directly to a target destination in a WAP Browser (like a small Internet browser for your mobile phone).
How do I download MTV Mobile ringtones or graphics from MTV.com on Virgin Mobile?
1. Visit the MTV Mobile ringtones or graphics section at mobile.mtv.com.
2. Select the ringtone or graphic you want to purchase then hit Buy.
3. Enter your Virgin Mobile phone number and vKey, and then click Submit.
4. After purchasing a ringtone or graphic, you will receive a text message containing instructions on how to set it up on your phone.
How do I download MTV Mobile ringtones or graphics directly from my Virgin Mobile phone?
1. Select VirginXtras or VirginXL from your phone's Main Menu. 2. From VirginXtras/VirginXL, select MTV Mobile and then hit Ringtones or Graphics. 3. Choose a category, select a ringtone or graphic you want to download and hit Buy. 4. After you purchase a ringtone or graphic, you will receive a text message containing instructions on how to set it up on your phone.
How do I subscribe or unsubscribe to MTV Mobile Alerts on Virgin Mobile?
1. Select VirginXtras/VirginXL from your phone's Main Menu. 2. From VirginXtras/VirginXL, select MTV and then hit Alerts. 3. Choose an alert that interests you and click subscribe. 4. An alert will appear on your phone whenever you receive a new content alert. To read the content, click OK and then click on the message in your Inbox. 5. To unsubscribe, select "See Your Alerts" from the MTV Mobile Alerts menu to view the list of alerts you've already signed up for. To remove an alert, select it and press "OK." You will see the alert description. Select "Unsubscribe" and press "OK."
How do I subscribe or unsubscribe to the "Insider Alert" on AllTel, Boost, Cingular, Cingular Blue, Dobson, Nextel, Sprint, T-Mobile, or Verizon?
1. "Insider Alert" -- Be the first to know about great new MTV Mobile ringtones, contests, and more. 2. Cost: Free (standard text- messaging rates apply according to your plan) 3. Frequency: Weekly 4. To Subscribe: Text "mtv" to 22422 5. To Unsubscribe: Text "stop mtv" to 22422
How do I subscribe or unsubscribe to the "MTV News Alert" on AllTel, Boost, Cingular, Cingular Blue, Dobson, Nextel, Sprint, T-Mobile, or Verizon?
1. "MTV News Alert" -- Get the latest MTV News headlines on the go. 2. Cost: $2.99 per month 3. Frequency: 1 message/day M-F 4. To Subscribe: Text "news" to 22422 5. To Unsubscribe: Text "stop news" to 22422
What if I have further questions?
Please contact your mobile provider or send an email to mobile@mtv.com. Thank you.
