Summary
AOL plans to end its dial-up internet service on September 30, 2025. Dial-up, which became popular in the 1990s, allowed computers to connect to the internet through phone lines and was known for its distinctive connection sounds. As of 2022, only 0.1% of American households still used this service.
Key Facts
- AOL will stop its dial-up internet service on September 30, 2025.
- Dial-up internet worked by converting computer data into audio signals to travel over phone lines.
- The distinctive sounds of dial-up were common in the 1990s.
- Dial-up was slow compared to today's internet, with activities like downloading a song taking several minutes.
- AOL started offering dial-up in 1991 and used free CDs to introduce users to its service.
- Only 0.1% of American households used dial-up internet as of 2022.
- People in rural areas who still use dial-up will need to find alternative internet options.
- AOL's other services, like news and email, are not affected by the end of dial-up.
