In the midst of rumors that T-Mobile USA was going to be the first USA carrier to launch ringback tones, Verizon Wireless has activated the service. Ringbacks are the rings you hear while calling someone (opposite of ringtones).
Customers can browse from an initial catalog of more than 2,200 songs in 13 different music genres from Warner Music Group and Sony BMG Music Entertainment.
Verizon Wireless customers in Southern California and Sacramento can try the service out here or by text messaging "728". You'll pay $.99 a month for the privilege and $1.99 for each new song. Ringbacks should become national sometime next year.