You’ve Got No Mail: AOL Is Pulling the Plug on Dial-Up

After more than three decades, AOL is officially retiring its dial-up internet service. The change will take effect Sept. 30, bringing an end to one of the earliest ways many households went online, the company announced. It’s the final chapter for a connection method once heard in homes everywhere.

“AOL routinely evaluates its products and services and has decided to discontinue Dial-up Internet,” the company announced in an online statement. “This service will no longer be available in AOL plans.”

A Quick Look Back at Dial-Up

The sound of a modem connecting over a phone line was once the gateway to the internet for millions. America Online became a major player in the 1990s, later shortening its name to AOL in 2006. It closed its instant messaging platform AIM in 2017 and joined Yahoo! Inc. in 2021 after being acquired by Apollo Global Management.

Dial-up gained popularity in the late 1980s, using telephone lines to send and receive data. Speeds were slow, and calls couldn’t be made while online. Providers like AOL, CompuServe, and Prodigy offered early email, chat rooms, and simple websites. The service remained common for years until faster options like broadband and cable connections became widespread in the early 2000s.

How to Get Faster Internet Now

Pick a plan that suits the number of devices in your home. Keep your Wi-Fi router in a clear, central area and make sure its software is up to date. Replace outdated equipment if needed. Limit high-bandwidth activities on multiple devices at the same time. For more consistent performance, connect with an Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi. If slow speeds continue, check with your provider about potential upgrades or service issues. Even minor changes to your setup can help improve your connection.

AOL customers who need more information about the changes are asked to call 1-888-265-5555.

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