Before Wi-Fi blanketed our lives and smartphones kept us online 24/7, the patient, scratchy sound of AOL’s dial-up connection served as the gateway to the internet for its first explorers. Next month, that familiar noise will fade into silence as AOL finally pulls the plug on its decades-old service.
Why AOL is disconnecting its dial-up service
After a long run that helped define the early days of the internet, AOL’s dial-up service is finally coming to an end. Though it may seem like a relic from another era, the iconic service is still used by a small number of people. However, AOL has announced that it will officially shut down its dial-up service on September 30.
“AOL routinely evaluates its products and services and has decided to discontinue Dial-up Internet,” the company stated on its support site. It noted that the service and its accompanying software, “optimized for older operating systems,” will soon be unavailable.
AOL, formerly known as America Online, launched its dial-up internet service in 1991. For many, it was their first introduction to the online world, making it a cultural touchstone of the 1990s and early 2000s. The experience was defined by the memorable chorus of beeps and static that signaled a connection, the frustration of being disconnected when someone needed to make a phone call, and the endless stream of free trial CDs that filled mailboxes across the country.
Over time, faster broadband and wireless connections replaced dial-up, making its slow speeds and distinct quirks a thing of the past for most internet users. Yet, a small segment of the population has continued to rely on internet access over telephone lines. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, approximately 163,401 households were still using dial-up as their sole internet connection in 2023, representing a tiny fraction of all homes with an internet subscription.
While AOL was once the market leader in dial-up, other smaller providers still offer the service. But the writing has been on the wall for some time now, and the impending shutdown of AOL’s service marks a definitive end to a pivotal chapter in the history of the internet.
What’s left of AOL?
Even with the end of its iconic dial-up internet service, AOL remains a player in the digital world. The company has shifted its focus from internet access to a portfolio of other products and services, primarily centered on its legacy email platform and its role as a digital content and media brand.
The most well-known of its remaining services is AOL Mail, its email platform. The shutdown of dial-up internet will not affect these free email accounts, which will continue to be available to users. For those who still crave the classic experience, there’s AOL Desktop Gold, a paid subscription that bundles the old AOL interface with features like identity protection and technical support. However, this service requires an internet connection from another provider.
AOL also continues to operate as a digital media company, publishing news, entertainment, and lifestyle articles on its website. As part of the larger Yahoo company, it also plays a significant role in digital advertising and content partnerships, marking its transition from an internet provider to a media and technology brand.
Source: AP News