Why would you think steam power competed with the transistor? If anything steam competed with gasoline/diesel. Steam punk died with the Stanley Steamers.

Does it matter if that cell service isn’t connected to a name?

I believe there are Bluetooth network protocols that mesh that would work for messaging and not require cell service. It would be smart to organize using something like that and just use any cell phone without cell service turned on. That still gives you the ability to call 911 in case of emergencies as well.