Internet pioneer set to discontinue operations after more than three decades; final shutdown date announced
In a significant move, AOL has announced plans to shut down its dial-up internet service and associated software on September 30, 2025[1][2][3]. However, AOL's email service will continue as normal, functioning as a standard web-based email provider separate from the legacy dial-up service.
The shutdown specifically affects dial-up Internet access and software optimized for older systems, ending the iconic connection method that introduced millions to the web in the 1990s. AOL's user base for dial-up service has shrunk to around 160,000 households as of 2023, according to Census data[1][2][3].
AOL's dial-up service, operational in the US and Canada since 1991, was a household name for many, serving as their first entry into the internet world. Despite the impending shutdown, AOL continues as a brand offering email and digital media under new ownership, a private equity firm also owning Yahoo[3].
For those reluctant to change their email address, AOL's continued existence is largely due to its email service. However, no information about potential alternatives for AOL's dial-up customers was provided in the article.
The AOL dial-up service in the UK was once operated by TalkTalk, but it's unclear whether any of TalkTalk's dial-up services still exist today. In the UK, the service was famously voiced by actress Joanna Lumley.
As the news of AOL's dial-up service ending circulates, it's a reminder of the internet's evolution and the changing landscape of technology. Despite the end of an era, AOL's email service will continue to provide a connection to the past for those who choose to keep it.
Sources: 1. The Verge 2. TechCrunch 3. Bloomberg
The AOL dial-up service, a relic from the 90s Internet era, is being shut down, signaling a shift away from outdated technology. Despite this change, AOL's email service remains as a testament to the past, bridging the gap between the old and new digital world.
