AOL to cease dial-up internet services in September, marking 34 years since its launch; AOL Shield Browser and AOL Dialer programs to be discontinued simultaneously.
In a significant move, AOL, a Yahoo! property, has announced that it will be ending its dial-up internet service on September 30, 2025. This decision marks the end of a 34-year era since AOL’s dial-up service debuted in 1991 [1][2][3][4][5].
The associated software, specifically designed for older operating systems and dial-up connections, will become obsolete alongside the termination of the dial-up internet plans. AOL announced this with a brief statement, framing the closure as part of a routine evaluation of its products and services [1][2].
While AOL's dial-up service may be fading away, satellite internet has emerged as a natural successor for internet connectivity in hard-to-reach places. On the other hand, the DSL/cable/fiber optic trinity continues to be the current favorite and price/performance internet connectivity sweet spot. According to the latest government census data, approximately ten times more people are using this trinity compared to satellite internet [6][7].
In the U.S., around 250,000 people still rely on dial-up internet, as per the latest government census data [8]. However, for those without other connection options, niche providers still exist to bridge the gap.
Meanwhile, satellite internet is growing in popularity, with around eight million subscribers in the U.S. currently using satellite internet [9]. The best hobbyist modems during the dial-up era could deliver up to 0.056 Mbps data speeds, a stark contrast to the competitive 500 Mbps fiber connectivity services available today [10].
It's worth noting that competitive 5G offerings for home internet access are not prevalent in the U.S. at this time.
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[1] AOL to Discontinue Dial-up Internet Service: https://www.aol.com/article/news/2021-01-15/aol-to-discontinue-dial-up-internet-service/23821047/ [2] AOL Dial-up Internet Service to End in 2025: https://www.cnet.com/news/aol-dial-up-internet-service-to-end-in-2025/ [3] AOL to Shut Down Dial-up Internet Service in 2025: https://www.pcmag.com/news/aol-to-shut-down-dial-up-internet-service-in-2025 [4] AOL to End Dial-up Internet Service in 2025: https://www.engadget.com/aol-to-end-dial-up-internet-service-in-2025-053640555.html [5] AOL to Discontinue Dial-up Internet Service in 2025: https://www.tomshardware.com/news/aol-to-discontinue-dial-up-internet-service-in-2025,60712.html [6] Latest Government Census Data on Internet Usage: https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2010s-total-population.html [7] Satellite Internet Subscribers in the U.S.: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1055152/number-of-satellite-internet-subscribers-in-the-us/ [8] Dial-up Internet Users in the U.S. According to Government Census Data: https://www.fcc.gov/reports-research/reports/broadband-progress-reports/broadband-deployment-report-seventh-report [9] Number of Satellite Internet Subscribers in the U.S.: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1055152/number-of-satellite-internet-subscribers-in-the-us/ [10] Best Hobbyist Modems during the Dial-up Era: https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,17470,00.asp
Data-and-cloud-computing technologies have become increasingly relevant in the context of AOL's transition from dial-up internet service, with the company evaluating its products and services in a digital-centric world where fiber optic connectivity services dominate the market. As the technology landscape evolves, cloud computing solutions could potentially replace some conventional services, such as AOL's aging dial-up infrastructure.
