We had a home phone (sounds funny :D) and I remember talking on it for hours and because it was one line on all phones at home my mom could pitch in the call to tell me to get off I would say that we also went directly to our friend’s home and call them under the window or ring the bell to go out. It was something totally normal and it wasn’t concidered rude to show up uninvited.
For those that had computers and internet (something rare) I remember using ICQ and some forums but it was more for fun than communication.