With a sense of finality, dial-up internet has come to an end as AOL ceases its service even after 34 years of operation. Starting from September 30, users can no longer access the AOL Dialer software or Shield browser, both now obsolete. This significant change follows an earlier announcement from August regarding AOL’s decision to halt dial-up services.

The nostalgia for dial-up internet can now be set aside as the US broadband landscape continues to evolve, albeit not without concerns about coverage gaps.

In 2015, AOL had a dial-up customer base of approximately 2.1 million. However, by 2025, it’s estimated that the discontinuation will affect only a few thousand users.

For those still reminiscing, there are other ISPs that continue to provide dial-up services, though they are now more of a rarity. Despite no longer offering dial-up connectivity, AOL remains operational, providing tech support and various subscription services to nearly 1.5 million customers, generating significant revenue even in these transformed times.