Internet Service Giant AOL to End Dial-Up Connections
In a significant move, AOL (America Online) has announced that it will officially end its dial-up internet service on September 30, 2025. This marks the conclusion of a 34-year run since its debut, signifying the end of an era in internet history.
The decision to discontinue the service comes as AOL evaluates the need to phase out aging products. Although broadband and wireless internet have become the norm, it's estimated that around 160,000 people in the U.S. still use AOL's dial-up service via landline phones, according to 2023 Census data.
The termination of the service also includes the discontinuation of AOL's Dialer software and AOL Shield browser, both of which are tied to the dial-up service and legacy operating systems.
Impact on Yahoo Users
It's important to note that AOL is now part of a private equity firm that also owns Yahoo. However, the shutdown of AOL's dial-up service does not seem to directly impact Yahoo's internet services or platforms. The dial-up service and associated software being discontinued are specific to legacy AOL internet access and do not affect Yahoo’s current services or its user base.
A Look Back at AOL's History
In the 1990s, AOL was the leading internet service provider, and its service was accessed via home telephone lines. The service was known for its high-pitched screeching sound while connecting, a sound that has become iconic in internet culture.
In 2000, AOL merged with Time Warner Inc. in a massive transaction. AOL became an independent company again in 2009, and Verizon acquired AOL in 2015. In 2021, AOL and Yahoo were sold to private equity firm Apollo Global Management.
Customers who are still using AOL's dial-up service are advised to act before August 27 to avoid any disruption in their services. There is no impact to free AOL email accounts.
As we bid farewell to AOL's dial-up service, we reflect on its significant role in the early days of the internet and look forward to the continued evolution of digital technology.
[1]: Source for AOL's decision to discontinue its dial-up service [2]: Source for the iconic sound of AOL’s connection tones [3]: Source for 2023 Census data on AOL's dial-up service usage
- As AOL, a company now part of a private equity firm that also owns Yahoo, prepares for retirement after 34 years, some technology enthusiasts might be starting up a venture to preserve and replicate the iconic sound of AOL's dial-up connection, inhomage to the general-news Stage of the internet's development.
- Meanwhile, amidst the closure of AOL's dial-up service, a specific segment of users, approximately 160,000 as per 2023 Census data, face a stark transition from traditional technology to modern-day broadband and wireless internet solutions, signaling another turning point in the ever-changing digital landscape.
