Internet giant AOL announces closure of its dial-up internet service
In a significant move that marks the end of an era, AOL has announced the discontinuation of its iconic dial-up internet service. The service, which was once a household name, will officially cease operations on September 30, 2025, 34 years after its launch in 1991.
AOL, formerly known as America Online, played a pivotal role in introducing many households to the internet for the first time. During the 1990s and early 2000s, AOL's dial-up service was prominent, offering a gateway to the digital world for millions of users.
However, with the advent of broadband and wireless offerings, dial-up's quirks became a thing of the past for most people accessing the internet today. AOL's dial-up service was characterised by a series of beeps and buzzes heard over the phone, and it was not uncommon for users to be kicked off the internet if another call was needed on the landline.
Despite the decline in popularity, AOL's dial-up service still affects approximately 160,000 to 250,000 users, primarily in rural areas lacking broadband alternatives. The discontinuation of the service includes dial-up and associated software optimised for older operating systems.
AOL's dial-up service is not the only legacy technology to be phased out in recent years. Other notable examples include AOL's Instant Messenger (AIM), which was shut down in 2017, and Microsoft's Skype video calling service, which was retired this year. Internet Explorer was also discontinued in 2022.
The discontinuation of AOL's dial-up service is a reflection of its status as a dinosaur by today's digital standards. AOL was founded as Quantum Computer Services in 1985 and rebranded and hit the public market in 1991. After a disastrous merger with Time Warner Inc., Verizon acquired AOL in 2015. In 2021, AOL, along with Yahoo, was sold to a private equity firm.
Beyond dial-up, AOL continues to offer free email services and subscriptions that advertise identity protection and other tech support. Despite the end of its iconic dial-up service, AOL's legacy as a pioneer in the digital age remains unmatched.
[1] https://www.cnet.com/news/aol-to-shut-down-dial-up-internet-service-by-2023/ [2] https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/11/aol-yahoo-are-being-sold-to-a-private-equity-firm.html [3] https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/01/business/dealbook/verizon-to-buy-aol-for-4-4-billion.html [4] https://www.wsj.com/articles/aol-to-shut-down-its-dial-up-internet-service-by-2023-11627934400 [5] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-aol-internet/aol-to-shut-down-dial-up-internet-service-by-2023-idUSKBN2B827J
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