Submission + - AOL is finally pulling the plug on dial-up Internet after decades of service (nerds.xyz) 1
BrianFagioli writes: It is the end of an era, folks. You see, AOL has announced that its dial-up Internet service will officially shut down on September 30, 2025. The change also means the retirement of the AOL Dialer software and the AOL Shield browser, both designed for older operating systems and slow connections that relied on the familiar screech of a modem handshake.
While this move will probably surprise no one, it still marks the closing of a chapter in online history. Dial-up Internet was once the gateway to the web for millions of households, back when speeds were measured in kilobits and waiting for a picture to load could feel like an eternity.
According to AOL, the decision came after a routine evaluation of its products and services. The company says this will not affect any other benefits in existing AOL plans. Customers can continue to access the rest of their plan features through the AOL dashboard.
For anyone still using AOL dial-up in 2025, this change means finding an alternative Internet connection. That might be a challenge in rural areas where broadband options remain limited. It also raises the question of how many people are still paying for a service that has long been considered obsolete in the broadband era.
If you have questions or want to manage your account, AOL has set up customer support lines for both the U.S. (1-888-265-5555) and Canada (1-888-265-4357).
Honestly, I am more surprised that AOL dial-up still exists in 2025 than I am about it shutting down. For me, this one hits a little closer to home, because AOL was my very first ISP back in the 1990s. I can still remember the sound of the modem connecting and the thrill of hearing âoeYouâ(TM)ve got mail.â It was slow, clunky, and sometimes dropped the connection for no reason, but it was my first real taste of the Internet⦠and Iâ(TM)ll never forget it.
While this move will probably surprise no one, it still marks the closing of a chapter in online history. Dial-up Internet was once the gateway to the web for millions of households, back when speeds were measured in kilobits and waiting for a picture to load could feel like an eternity.
According to AOL, the decision came after a routine evaluation of its products and services. The company says this will not affect any other benefits in existing AOL plans. Customers can continue to access the rest of their plan features through the AOL dashboard.
For anyone still using AOL dial-up in 2025, this change means finding an alternative Internet connection. That might be a challenge in rural areas where broadband options remain limited. It also raises the question of how many people are still paying for a service that has long been considered obsolete in the broadband era.
If you have questions or want to manage your account, AOL has set up customer support lines for both the U.S. (1-888-265-5555) and Canada (1-888-265-4357).
Honestly, I am more surprised that AOL dial-up still exists in 2025 than I am about it shutting down. For me, this one hits a little closer to home, because AOL was my very first ISP back in the 1990s. I can still remember the sound of the modem connecting and the thrill of hearing âoeYouâ(TM)ve got mail.â It was slow, clunky, and sometimes dropped the connection for no reason, but it was my first real taste of the Internet⦠and Iâ(TM)ll never forget it.
