What were mobile phones like in the past?

Hi.

I don't necessarily mean in recent times or 00s, but rather the early to mid and late 1990s, as well as the 1980s and the 70s where arguably they first came into existence?

What were the tariffs and plans on them, how were the SIM cards or related gadgetry items inserted and used, and also - is it true that even in the 1990s, you had to PAY not only to make a call but to RECEIVE one, so in that sense, was it MOSTLY RICH people who could afford to buy them then?

Or was it possible to control costs of them even in 1980s and early 90s and so you didn't have to be rich to buy one?

My dad got his first mobile phone here in UK in 1996, my mother in about 2000 or so, I got mine in late 2004, more details on that later.

But what were such cell phones like in the past, thanks.