AOL to Discontinue Dial-Up Internet Service on September 30.

AOL has announced it will discontinue its dial-up internet service on September 30. Dial-up used a modem to convert digital data into audio signals, resulting in a robotic, staticky noise. It was accessible in the 1990s but had drawbacks, such as users not being able to use the phone and internet at the same time and slower speeds. Only 0.1% of American households relied on dial-up as of 2022.

AOL, a pioneer in the internet service industry, has announced that it will discontinue its dial-up internet service effective September 30, 2025. The decision comes after 34 years of service, marking a significant shift in the company's offerings to meet the evolving digital landscape.

Dial-up internet, which was the primary method of accessing the internet in the 1990s, utilized a modem to convert digital data into audio signals. This process resulted in a characteristic robotic, staticky noise. Users were required to use a landline phone, which meant they could not simultaneously use the phone and the internet. Additionally, dial-up connections were significantly slower compared to modern broadband and wireless services.

According to the 2023 Census Bureau data, only 0.13% of American households relied on dial-up alone to get online, highlighting the declining relevance of the technology [3]. AOL's decision to discontinue the service is part of its broader strategy to innovate and adapt to the needs of today's digital environment.

AOL, originally known as America Online, introduced dial-up to many households, making it a mainstay of the internet service industry. However, the advent of broadband and wireless technologies has rendered dial-up obsolete for most users. AOL's dial-up service was once the largest in the market, but it has since been eclipsed by more advanced and efficient internet technologies.

The discontinuation of dial-up will not affect AOL's other valued products and services, including free email accounts. AOL has stated that it will provide alternative connectivity solutions for customers still using dial-up, based on their location [2].

This move by AOL is part of a broader trend in the industry, as other relics of the internet's early days continue to disappear. For instance, Microsoft retired its video calling service Skype and Internet Explorer in recent years, while AOL itself discontinued its Instant Messenger in 2017.

AOL's history is marked by significant milestones and changes in ownership. Founded as Quantum Computer Services in 1985, AOL became a public company in 1991 and reached its peak market value of nearly $164 billion in 2000. However, the company has since gone through various ownership changes, including a merger with Time Warner and acquisitions by Verizon and Apollo Global Management.

The discontinuation of AOL's dial-up service signals a new chapter in the company's evolution, focusing on modern digital services that cater to contemporary user needs.

References:
[1] https://www.foxbusiness.com/fox-news-tech/aol-discontinue-dial-up-internet-service
[2] https://www.cnet.com/tech/aol-will-pull-the-plug-on-dial-up-internet-34-years-after-its-launch/
[3] https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2025-08-11/aol-is-finally-shutting-down-its-dial-up-internet-service