Ringtones are making downloading from the internet more and more popular, a new report says.

Research from market analysts Mintel says that people spend £740 million each year downloading ringtones, music, and games to their mobile phones.

Third generation (3G) mobile phones are responsible for the 18-fold increase in popularity, "as is the popularity of ringtones, boosted by their integration with music singles in the UK charts," Mintel consumer analyst Jenny Catlin says.

"The user-friendly nature of downloading, which is really no more difficult or unfamiliar than texting, has helped foster a sense that receiving downloads are fun diversions."

Crazy Frog-themed ringtones, introduced in November 2004, led the way in uniting music and ringtones.

"It showed the way the borders of the music industry are crossing over with the mobile industry," says Robert Swift of Jamster.

"The most exciting thing about the mobile download market is that it is new and fresh. It's like the internet was a few years ago - people are just beginning to realise its potential."