AOL, once synonymous with the early internet experience and famous for its “You’ve got mail!” catchphrase, is closing the book on its dial-up internet service after 34 years. The company announced that starting September 30, 2025, dial-up internet will no longer be available to subscribers. This decision marks the end of a unique chapter in digital history, as AOL’s dial-up connection introduced millions of users to the World Wide Web during the 1990s and early 2000s.
For a generation of internet users, AOL dial-up was an essential gateway to email, chat rooms, and late-night browsing, characterized by the unforgettable beeping and whirring sounds of its modem connection. In addition to ending the dial-up service, AOL will also discontinue its associated software, including the AOL Dialer and Shield browser, which were optimized for slower connections and legacy operating systems.
Although most households have long since switched to broadband, fiber, or wireless internet, AOL maintained dial-up subscriptions for customers in remote and rural areas with limited access to modern infrastructure. Despite the dwindling user base estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau suggest only about 160,000 people relied on dial-up in 2023 the service continued to fill vital gaps in the digital divide by providing basic web connectivity where alternatives were unavailable.
AOL’s history is rich with digital milestones, from its widespread distribution of free trial CDs to its mega-merger with Time Warner at the turn of the century. Over time, the brand shifted focus and changed ownership, most recently becoming part of Yahoo under Apollo Global Management. While dial-up internet may fade from daily life, its legacy as a driver of internet adoption and nostalgia remains deeply embedded in popular culture
The end of AOL dial-up signals not only technological progress but also the persistent challenge of expanding high-speed access to all communities. For those who remember the screech of the modem and the anticipation of loading a webpage, September 30 will mark the passing of a digital era.
Source: BBC News —AOL Retires Dial-Up Internet After Over Three Decades Online.
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