Why are there now so many options for the ring on your mobile phone?

1. Because its possible. Today's wireless phones are actually very sophisitacted computers with lots of processing power and memory. It is a small effort to add a few ringing options. And, if that makes the phones more appealing to buyers, manufactures will add it.

2. They're fun. Yes, the regular ringtone does its job, but it is a little boring. Many people are just get a kick out of hearing the little tune they picked out for their phone.

3. Identification. How many times have you seen everybody in the vicinty of a ringing cell phone reach for their own phone? If you have a distictive ringtone, you know when it is YOUR cellphone and not somebody else's.
Wireless phone ringtones primarily come in two different types; monophonic ringtones and polyphonic ringtones.