<p>A method for instructing a mobile switching center to initiate a transmission of a color ring back tone in a mobile communications network is useful for increasing a rate of successful transmissions of color ring back tones, and for increasing overall network efficiency. The method includes processing, at a home location register, first data describing a color ring back tone capability of a first mobile switching center (step 305). Second data describing a color ring back tone capability of a second mobile switching center is then processed at the home location register (step 310). It is then determined that the first mobile switching center is a preferred mobile switching center for initiating a transmission of a color ring back tone based on the first data and the second data (step 315). The first mobile switching center is therefore instructed to initiate the transmission of the color ring back tone (step 320).</p>
