AOL's Iconic Dial-Up Service to End on September 30, 2025
AOL, once a pioneer in bringing the World Wide Web to millions of households through its dial-up service, has announced the end of this iconic internet access method. As of September 30, 2025, AOL's internet speed test dial-up service will be discontinued, marking a significant shift in internet history.
AOL's internet speed test dial-up service, which introduced many to the internet in the 90s and early 2000s, is now a relic of the past. The company confirmed the discontinuation on its support site in August 2025, with dial-up no longer advertised on its website and related help pages unavailable. While AOL was not the only dial-up provider, it was one of the most well-known. Other smaller providers still offer the service, but their numbers are dwindling.
AOL continues to offer other services, such as free email and subscriptions for identity protection and tech support. The company's journey has seen it change hands from Verizon, which acquired it in 2015, to a private equity firm in 2021. The end of AOL's internet speed test dial-up service comes as no surprise, given the widespread availability of broadband and other high-speed internet options. However, it is a significant milestone in the evolution of internet access.
On Wednesday, September 30, 2025, AOL's internet speed test dial-up service will officially end, bringing to a close an era that shaped the early internet experience for many. As broadband and other high-speed options have become the norm, dial-up has become increasingly obsolete. The discontinuation of AOL's internet speed test dial-up service, along with other recent retirements like Microsoft's Skype and Internet Explorer, signals the continued evolution of the digital landscape.
