Laughable Comparison: Cell Phone Service Then vs. Now Unveils Frustrating Reality

Zoey Waverider

Updated Friday, April 26, 2024 at 12:00 AM CDT

In the ever-evolving world of technology, it's hard not to notice the stark differences between cell phone service in the past and the present. A recent image circulating on social media perfectly captures this stark contrast with a humorous comparison chart titled "CELL PHONE SERVICE." Let's dive into this laughable depiction and explore the frustrations of modern cell phone service.

The chart is divided into two columns, "THEN" and "NOW," symbolizing the bygone era and the current state of cell phone service. Each row of the chart highlights a statement representing various aspects of cell phone usage.

Under the "THEN" column, we see four statements accompanied by icons of cellphone signal bars, gradually increasing in number. The first statement reads "Works okay," implying that cell phone service, though not perfect, was functional and reliable in the past. As we move down the chart, the statements become more impressive, including "Can stream music and video" and "Can download entire movies," showcasing the advancements in technology that made these feats possible. The final statement humorously states, "Can call someone on the moon," capturing the imagination and optimism of the past.

However, the "NOW" column takes a dramatic turn, leaving us with a sense of disappointment. Each statement that once showcased progress is replaced with the recurring phrase "Doesn't work for sh*t." It's a comical reminder of the frustrations many of us face in our daily lives, despite the significant technological advancements in cell phone service. The only statement that retains a glimmer of hope is "Works okay," aligning with the ability to make calls to someone on the moon.

The creator of this clever chart is @natmurselee, whose intention was to highlight the contrast between the past perceived reliability and the current frustrations with cell phone service. The humor lies in the exaggerated nostalgia, reminding us that while technology has come a long way, there are still hurdles to overcome.

As we delve into the comments section, we find a mix of experiences and opinions. Some individuals suggest that the number of bars displayed on our phones is merely an indicator of signal strength and has no direct correlation with the speed or quality of service. Others point out that the increasing demands for data, coupled with profit-driven decisions by service providers, contribute to the decline in cell phone service quality.

While some express their frustration with 5G, others highlight the discrepancies in cell phone service experiences across different geographic locations. It becomes evident that these issues are not exclusive to a particular country but rather a common struggle shared by users worldwide.

The image depicting the comparison between cell phone service "THEN" and "NOW" serves as a humorous reminder of the frustrations we face in our modern digital age. It sheds light on the discrepancy between the past perceived reliability and the current challenges of cell phone service. As technology continues to evolve, it is our hope that service providers will address these issues and strive to provide reliable and efficient cell phone service for all. Until then, let's embrace the humor and shared experiences that unite us in our quest for a better cell phone service.

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View source: Reddit

Top Comments from Reddit

paperpatience

more data is sent over the internet than necessary now vs then too. But yeah, the cell network providers play musical chairs with bandwidth nowadays

unematti

I have a few phones in use daily, I think it's depending on the phone. The older note 8 has a way more stable 4g than the way newer s20+,for example.

winkman

Forget this--let's talk about 4G then vs 4G now! Before 5G, 4G was lightning fast. Now, even if I have full bars on 4G, it takes forever to just load ESPN or open an email attachment--and forget about streaming anything! The same thing happened with 3G when they went to 4G too, so it's nothing new, just super annoying that your phone is almost useless unless you're in solid 5G coverage area.

MeanEYE

That's because it's pointless indicator of quality. It only displays signal strength, which means nothing. Range of 5G antenna is significantly shorter than that of 4G, then 3G, etc. Only way for 5G to push so much bandwidth is to be low range very local and almost targeted. Higher frequency helps but it's not solution to all problems. So difference between 3 and 4 bars on 5G is two steps to the left on 5G, might be street away on 4G but on 2-3G it was kilometers apart, on lower frequency which could p******** buildings and trees. It's a s*** indicator of quality because you can have a strong signal being echoed resulting packets having to be resent and similar issues. This issue gets more present the higher frequency goes, and it's really up there with 5G. Which is why you can listen to old AM radio in your basement using your finger as an antenna and have a great reception. Also signal strength never reflects noise floor nor does it take into account bandwidth.

jshultz5259

5G is a joke

SpaceDogUSA

I have yet to see the benefits of 5G.

thecuzzin

Can confirm

ducktown47

I work in this industry as an electrical engineer, let me explain some of this. The number of bars you have has *nothing* to do with the speed you will get. It is only a measure of how well your phone is connected to the tower. It is really only showing you how close the nearest tower is basically. For the speed there is a bit to consider here: 1. There are more phones connected to the networks than ever 2. Every single thing takes more data now than ever 3. Companies are squeezing profit margin now more than ever This is why you can be in a crowded stadium and have full bars but your phone slows to a crawl. There are so many phones on in that spot trying to pull data that the bandwidth is fully consumed and you get next to nothing. Another thing is that current implemntations of 5G are just new encoding and combinations of existing 4G bands. Unlike when we went from 2.4GHz WiFi to 5GHz WiFi (and now 6GHz and beyond) it really was to just push more data over the same bands.

UlisesGirl

I work at a major tourist attraction and the second we open, you cannot make a call, look anything up, send a text… it’s ridiculous. But you’ll still have 3 bars!

JediForces

I haven’t had four bars in years. Three bars is the max!

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