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AOL to Shut Down Its Dial-Up Service and Legacy Software

Remaining customers are urged to switch to other providers after the final dial-up connections end on September 30.

Photo of monitor while downloading a file from the "Internet to My Computer". Visible RGB cells, custom screen written in VB.
Front side of US Robotics 56K Modem
The AOL logo is seen on the outside of the building housing the companies corporate headquarters in New York May 28, 2009.
aol uk homepage from the past

Overview

  • On September 30, 2025, AOL will discontinue its dial-up Internet service alongside its AOL Dialer software and AOL Shield browser.
  • Customers enrolled in other AOL plans will continue to enjoy existing features and benefits after dial-up services cease.
  • Subscriber counts plunged from over 10 million in the 1990s to the low thousands by 2021, reflecting the shift to broadband and mobile data.
  • Despite its obsolescence, dial-up remains a vital option for some rural and low-income households lacking reliable high-speed connections.
  • Programs like the Affordable Connectivity Program and Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) are working to close broadband gaps in underserved areas.