AOL Dial-Up Service to Cease Operations After 34 Years
AOL has announced that its dial-up internet service will terminate on September 30, 2025, marking the conclusion of a service that has been integral to the internet experience for countless users since its inception 34 years ago, reports 24brussels.
The statement issued by AOL, now owned by Yahoo, confirms, “AOL routinely evaluates its products and services and has decided to discontinue Dial-up Internet. This service will no longer be available in AOL plans.” The end of this service includes the dissolution of the associated AOL Dialer software and AOL Shield browser, which were specifically designed for older operating systems and dial-up connections.
Despite its storied past, many might be surprised to learn that the dial-up service was still in operation. Current estimates suggest that as of 2019, approximately 265,000 users in the United States continued to rely on dial-up internet, a stark contrast to the prevalence of high-speed internet services today.
One user’s experience highlights the emotional attachment to the service. A septuagenarian subscriber expressed anxiety about terminating his dial-up account despite successfully migrating to broadband, noting the security it provided for accessing vital financial information.
As AOL’s dial-up service comes to a close, it coincides with a significant shift in digital media, particularly as platforms adapt to the evolving landscape of internet connectivity and advertising. The departure of dial-up not only reflects technological advancement but also marks an era’s end in internet history.
Overall, AOL’s discontinued service underscores a broader trend toward faster, more reliable internet solutions, illustrating the relentless march of technological progress and changing consumer habits.
