AOL, a pioneer in the early days of the internet, is set to discontinue its dial-up internet service on September 30. Although considered outdated in today’s digital age, dial-up has lingered on. AOL’s decision to cease this service was mentioned in a recent update on their support page, highlighting the impending unavailability of dial-up and its associated software, which was designed for older operating systems.
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The Rise and Fall of AOL’s Dial-Up Era
AOL, originally known as America Online, played a crucial role in introducing many households to the internet, especially during the 1990s and early 2000s. The dial-up service was synonymous with a distinctive sequence of sounds as computers connected online via telephone lines. Users often faced disconnections if someone needed the phone, and AOL promoted its service using CDs offering free trials. Over time, broadband and wireless connections became mainstream, phasing out dial-up for most users.
Persistent Dial-Up Usage Despite Advancements
Despite the prevalence of faster internet, a small fraction of users still utilize dial-up through telephone lines. According to Census Bureau statistics, around 163,401 U.S. households depended solely on dial-up for internet access in 2023, making up a mere 0.13% of all internet subscriptions nationally. While AOL was the leading provider for dial-up, other smaller providers still offer this service. The gradual decline of dial-up has been anticipated, as evidenced by AOL’s service shutdown alongside other aging internet services.
Discontinuation of Other Legacy Services
The discontinuation of AOL’s dial-up is part of a broader trend of phasing out older internet technologies. Microsoft, for instance, ended its Skype service earlier this year and retired Internet Explorer in 2022. AOL also shut down its Instant Messenger in 2017, a platform once hailed as a revolution in online communication since its inception in 1997 but later overshadowed by emerging competitors.
AOL’s Journey from Prominence to Decline
AOL, once a dominant force in the internet sector, was renowned not only for dial-up and instant messaging but also for its iconic “You’ve got mail” notification, popularized by the 1998 film featuring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. Initially named Quantum Computer Services in 1985, AOL rebranded and went public in 1991. During the dot-com boom, its market valuation soared to nearly $164 billion in 2000. However, subsequent years were tumultuous, with AOL’s value plummeting after a problematic merger with Time Warner Inc. Verizon later acquired AOL, eventually selling it along with Yahoo to a private equity firm.
Current Status of AOL’s Services
When Verizon announced the sale in 2021, sources indicated that AOL’s dial-up user base had dwindled to the low thousands, a stark contrast to the 2.1 million users during Verizon’s acquisition of AOL in 2015, and even further from its peak in the 1990s and early 2000s. Despite the decline in dial-up services, AOL continues to provide free email services and offers subscription plans featuring identity protection and technical support.
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