AOL Shuts Down Dial-Up Service After 34-Year Run
After AOL's announcement of ending its dial-up internet service on September 30, 2025, users seeking alternatives have several options depending on their location and infrastructure availability.
Broadband Internet: The Standard Replacement
The primary alternative is broadband Internet, which includes cable, DSL, fiber optics, wireless broadband, mobile broadband, satellite, and FTTx connections. Broadband typically offers significantly faster, always-on connectivity without tying up phone lines, making it the standard replacement for dial-up where available. Fiber optics, providing speeds around 500 Mbps or higher, is considered the best performance option for most internet users.
Options for Remote Areas
However, many rural or remote areas still lack broadband infrastructure. In those regions, alternatives include satellite Internet, serving millions in the U.S. and known for providing access where terrestrial infrastructure is lacking or costly to deploy. Another emerging option is 5G home internet, which is gaining traction in some areas, though still limited in scope in the U.S. It is especially promising for rural connectivity improvements.
Emerging technologies like Microsoft’s Airband Initiative, which uses unused television broadcast spectrum (“white spaces”) to deliver broadband to underserved areas, may offer new solutions.
Dial-Up Remains for Some
Dial-up still remains a fallback or only option for a small portion of the population, especially in areas with poor investment in internet infrastructure. However, it is declining rapidly, and AOL’s exit signals a broader trend of dial-up becoming obsolete.
In 2019, a census estimated that over 250,000 Americans still used dial-up connections, while in 2010, the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) estimated that 336,000 Canadians relied on dial-up.
AOL's Legacy Lives On
While AOL's dial-up service is coming to an end, AOL Mail remains a popular service used by millions of people around the world. The iconic "You've got mail!" sound originated from the AOL browser, and AOL offers ID protection, data security, and tech support features. AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) was one of the most popular chat services in the 90s.
In summary, dial-up users affected by AOL’s shutdown should look towards broadband solutions where possible, satellite internet or 5G for remote areas, or emerging wireless initiatives aimed at underserved regions.
As AOL Mail remains a popular service and internet infrastructure expands, emerging technologies like Microsoft's Airband Initiative could offer new solutions for underserved regions. Furthermore, broadband technology, including fiber optics, offers significantly faster connectivity compared to dial-up, making it the standard replacement for dial-up where available, especially in urban areas.
