AOL TO SHUT DOWN DIAL-UP INTERNET SERVICE AFTER MORE THAN THREE DECADES

AOL, once the dominant name in bringing Americans online, will officially end its dial-up internet service, closing the chapter on a technology that defined the early web era.

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After more than 30 years of offering its distinctive modem-based connections—complete with the unforgettable “You've got mail” greeting—the company confirmed it will wind down operations for its last remaining dial-up customers in the U.S.

The decision reflects the near-total transition to broadband, fiber, and mobile internet access, which have rendered dial-up largely obsolete. While AOL has not disclosed the exact number of remaining subscribers, industry analysts estimate it to be a small but loyal user base, often in rural areas where high-speed alternatives have been slow to arrive.

THE END OF AN ERA

In the mid-1990s and early 2000s, AOL was synonymous with going online. Its dial-up service peaked at over 25 million subscribers in the U.S., dominating the consumer internet market with easy-to-use software, curated news, instant messaging, and a walled-garden approach to content. For many, AOL was not just an internet provider but the gateway to email, chat rooms, and early e-commerce.