When a call is on hold due to an operating input from a key input unit, a music signal processing unit plays back music stored in a memory card and transmits it as a holding tone via a audio signal switching unit and a wireless signal processing unit to a party on the other end of the line, so that a portable telephone capable of providing music of high tone quality and superior general quality as the holding tone to the party on the other end of the line placed on hold with no addition of any new device is provided.