Yes. There's no charge for incoming calls on landlines, but incoming calls on mobile phones cost the same as outgoing calls. So, call your friend's mobile phone from your mobile phone, and you both pay.* Whee.

There used to be a few mobile carriers who only charged for outgoing text messages, not incoming, but I think they've all switched to charging for both now. Mobile customers are generally encouraged to subscribe to a plan add-on for n text messages per month instead of paying per message.

The U.S. mobile market is highly innovative, it's just that the areas of innovation tend to cluster around carrier lock-in and exciting new fees.

* Okay, there are exceptions, particularly if you go for a contract plan instead of PAYG. Most mobile carriers in the U.S. have plans with free "in network" calling and/or plans that allow you to pre-select some number of phone numbers you can call, and receive calls from, for free. One of the AT&T GoPhone plans has free "in network" calling. I didn't mention that in the long list though because it is just further complication.