AOL to End Dial-Up Service September 2025

AOL, now owned by Yahoo and ultimately Apollo Global Management, will discontinue its dial-up internet service, including the AOL Dialer software and AOL Shield browser, on September 30, 2025, ending a 34-year era. While AOL's dial-up service once had tens of millions of subscribers, usage had dropped to the low thousands by 2021, primarily in rural and underserved communities. The shutdown highlights ongoing digital divides in the U.S., as millions in these areas still lack access to high-speed broadband. However, satellite services like Starlink are increasingly becoming available as alternatives. AOL stated that the decision followed a routine evaluation of its services. The move marks the end of a technology that shaped the early internet experience.