In various UK cities I call the cab company (people generally know a few numbers as they are easy to remember and advertised heavily), instantly speak to a human who you tell where you are going and where you want to be picked up, and they tell you how many minutes until your cab arrives (generally 5-10mins with a max of about 15mins). Most companies will also automatically text you when the cab pulls up outside.

In London in use Uber because it is cheaper + fare splitting but this habit has actually cost me money. When I went to a smaller UK city recently I ordered an Uber instead of just hailing a cab on the street like I used to. It cost me 4x what I usually pay and the driver had no idea where he was going.

So I guess my point is that both have their uses and in some cases cab companies can be better than Uber.