Cost of AOL Dial-Up Service in the Year 2025
In a significant move, AOL has announced the discontinuation of its dial-up internet service, which has been in operation for 34 years. This decision reflects the broader shift towards broadband and satellite internet services, such as Starlink, that offer higher speeds and lower latency.
At its peak, AOL's monthly cost for unlimited dial-up internet service was typically around $9.95 per month. However, there were times when the price was temporarily raised to about $25.90 as part of efforts to migrate users to broadband services. As of 2022, with very few users still on the service, the approximate subscription cost was about $10 per month, excluding the cost of a plain old telephone service (POTS) line.
By 2025, AOL officially ended its dial-up internet service, marking the close of nearly 40 years of dial-up usage. The service's price had fluctuated but stayed roughly within the $9.95–$21.95 monthly range in its later years before termination.
It's important to note that dial-up service requires a dedicated phone line, so the total monthly cost included both AOL fees and phone service charges. The eventual end of AOL dial-up service makes it difficult for new users to sign up.
The AOL Advantage Plan, which includes customer support and identity theft services, is still available, but its cost is not explicitly stated on the AOL website. However, various bundles for these services range from $11.99 to $16.99 a month.
Dial-up internet service providers still exist and offer internet connection through phone lines. For instance, Earthlink's dial-up plan costs $9.95 a month for the first three months, and then $24.95 a month after that. NetZero offers 10 free monthly hours of dial-up, and then charges $11.95 per month.
Despite the low costs, dial-up providers offer a frustratingly slow browsing experience compared to fiber optic internet plans, which range from $50 to $250 a month. The speed of AOL dial-up is 0.056 megabits per second.
To have an "optimal browsing experience" with AOL dial-up, users need to install the AOL Dialer and the AOL Shield Browser. However, it's worth mentioning that the AOL Dialer requires users to purchase an AOL Advantage Plan.
Dial-up or WiFi hotspots are still viable options for some people in rural areas due to high internet subscription costs or connectivity dead zones. According to US Census data via Ars Technica, around 175,000 households in the U.S. still use dial-up in 2022.
The digital divide continues to exist, with rural areas often lacking access to high-speed internet. This disparity underscores the need for affordable and accessible internet solutions for all, especially as we move towards a more connected world.
References:
- AOL's Dial-Up History: A Timeline
- The Long, Slow Death of AOL
- AOL to End Dial-Up Service in 2025
- Starlink: A New Era for Satellite Internet
- The Cost of Internet in Rural Areas
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