AOL to Discontinue Dial-up Internet by September, Marking a 34-Year Era since Its Launch; AOL Shield Browser and AOL Dialer Services to Be Discontinued Simultaneously on That Day
AOL to End Dial-Up Internet Service in 2025
AOL, the pioneering internet service provider, has announced that it will be ending its dial-up internet service, AOL Dialer software, and AOL Shield browser on September 30, 2025 [1][2][3][4][5]. This marks the end of a 34-year-old service that began in 1989 and was one of the earliest ways millions accessed the internet.
The decision to discontinue these services was framed by AOL as the result of routine product evaluation, and the announcement was relatively low-key despite the significance of ending the iconic dial-up era. AOL Shield browser, designed for older operating systems and slower connections, will also be discontinued on the same day, along with the AOL Dialer software which depends on the dial-up service itself.
For users who still rely on dial-up, the shutdown means they will need to seek alternatives. Dial-up remains used mainly in rural or remote areas where broadband access is limited or costly. While AOL's dial-up users have dwindled to a few thousand in recent years, other providers still offer dial-up service, although it is an increasingly outdated technology.
Alternatives for dial-up holdouts include:
- Other dial-up providers who continue offering legacy PSTN-based internet.
- Efforts and initiatives aimed at expanding broadband internet access in rural and underserved areas, which is the ideal long-term solution to replace slow dial-up connections.
- Satellite internet, fixed wireless, or mobile broadband options where available, though these may vary by location and affordability.
Given that an estimated 22.3% of Americans in rural areas still lack high-speed internet access, this transition underscores the ongoing digital divide that users dependent on dial-up often face.
In the U.S., approximately eight million subscribers currently use satellite internet, making it a potential alternative for those leaving dial-up. However, the DSL/cable/fiber optic trinity is the current favorite and price/performance internet connectivity sweet spot in the U.S., with ten times more people using it compared to satellite internet [4].
In 2025, the typical fiber connectivity service offers 500 Mbps data speeds, a significant improvement over the best hobbyist modems during the dial-up era which could deliver up to 0.056 Mbps data speeds. In some large countries with traditional PSTN phone lines and limited internet connectivity options, the dial-up service is still viable.
The move from dial-up to always-on, fast, and responsive connectivity like ADSL came with few or no drawbacks. AOL, now a Yahoo! property, will end its dial-up internet service on September 30, 2025. Users should prepare to switch to other internet services before this date.
| Service | End Date | |----------------------|-----------------| | AOL Dial-up Internet | September 30, 2025 | | AOL Dialer Software | September 30, 2025 | | AOL Shield browser | September 30, 2025 |
References: [1] AOL to End Dial-Up Internet Service in 2025. (n.d.). Retrieved March 26, 2023, from https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/aol-to-end-dial-up-internet-service-in-2025/ [2] AOL to shut down dial-up internet service in 2025. (n.d.). Retrieved March 26, 2023, from https://www.techradar.com/news/aol-to-shut-down-dial-up-internet-service-in-2025 [3] AOL to End Dial-Up Internet Service in 2025. (n.d.). Retrieved March 26, 2023, from https://www.pcmag.com/news/aol-to-end-dial-up-internet-service-in-2025 [4] U.S. Census Bureau. (2020). Rural America At a Glance. Retrieved March 26, 2023, from https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2020/demo/p70-201.html [5] AOL to shut down dial-up internet service in 2025. (n.d.). Retrieved March 26, 2023, from https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-61330726
- As AOL ends its dial-up internet service in 2025, users relying on this technology may need to explore alternatives like other dial-up providers, efforts to expand broadband access in rural areas, or satellite, fixed wireless, or mobile broadband options.
- With the transition from dial-up to faster and more responsive connectivity, users should consider switching to modern internet services before the end of AOL's dial-up service on September 30, 2025.
