AOL will formally retire its dial-up internet service in late September, marking the end of an era for millions of Americans who grew up with the nostalgic sound of modems. The company announced that it will discontinue the old school connection option after an evaluation of its products and services.
The rise of dial-up internet in the 1990s was a significant event in American history, introducing millions to the online world through AOL’s distinctive “You’ve got mail” message. At its peak, AOL had over 23 million subscribers, making it the dominant internet service provider at the time. However, with the introduction of faster cable internet services in 1995, the need for dial-up began to decline.
Today, only a small fraction of US households rely on dial-up for internet access, and web browsers are becoming increasingly obsolete. The growth of app-based AI has also led to a shift away from traditional web browsers.
AOL’s decision to retire its dial-up service is a nostalgic reminder of the early days of the internet. As technology continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how this milestone marks the end of an era for some Americans who grew up with dial-up internet.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/11/aol-dial-up-internet