I think my first cell phone was when I was 16, so 1996. I think it was a Nokia though I can't recall for sure. My service was with Pacific Bell Wireless (later swallowed by Cingular who I'm still with today, ten years later).

I don't recall the minutes I had in my plan but I remember feeling it was important to manage the time spent on my phone and not overuse it. I think I paid about $29.99/mo. Now with my rollover minutes approaching the same number as the national debt I don't feel that need anymore.