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[FCE] End of an era: AOL to discontinue its dial-up internet service after 30 years | US news | The Guardian

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The end of an era in technology has arrived with the announcement that America Online (AOL) will discontinue its dial-up internet service on September 30, 2025, after three decades of operation. For millions of Americans, particularly older generations such as millennials and baby boomers, this marks the close of a significant chapter in their early internet experiences. Many will recall the distinctive sounds of dial-up internet—the hisses, pings, and screeches of a modem connecting. These noises were the gateway to a new digital world of emails, chatrooms, and the glow of computer screens in the 1990s and early 2000s.

To appreciate the importance of this change, it’s worth looking at the history of dial-up. This technology wasn’t invented by a single individual but developed over time. In the late 1970s, early online systems like Usenet paved the way for broader connectivity. By the mid-1980s, AOL emerged as a major player, and at its peak around the late 1990s, it boasted over 23 million subscribers in the US alone. AOL became so iconic that many associated the internet itself with its famous phrase, ‘You’ve got mail.’ However, as technology progressed, faster alternatives such as cable internet, introduced in 1995, began to overtake dial-up. Today, only around 175,000 US households still rely on this outdated method.

AOL’s decision to end its dial-up service reflects the rapid evolution of the digital landscape. The company explained that, after reviewing its products, it can no longer support the software required for dial-up connections. Beyond the technical aspect, this move carries a sense of nostalgia. For many, dial-up symbolizes a simpler time, much like other relics of the past such as CDs or landline phones. Its decline highlights how quickly innovation can render once-essential tools obsolete.

While the practical impact of this shutdown is minimal, with just a small number of users needing to switch to alternative internet services, the cultural significance is profound. The end of AOL’s dial-up service feels like saying goodbye to a piece of history that shaped how people first explored the online world. It raises broader questions about how the fast pace of technological change influences our connection to the past and our memories of earlier, less connected times.

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1. What is the main reason AOL is discontinuing its dial-up internet service?

  • A. It has too few subscribers to maintain the service.
  • B. The company can no longer support the required software.
  • C. Cable internet has become too expensive to compete with.
  • D. Most users have requested the service to be stopped.

2. What does the article suggest about the cultural impact of ending dial-up internet?

  • A. It will cause major inconvenience to many users.
  • B. It represents the loss of an important piece of history.
  • C. It will lead to a revival of older technologies.
  • D. It has little effect on people’s memories of the past.

3. How many US households still use dial-up internet, according to the article?

  • A. Over 23 million
  • B. Around 175,000
  • C. Less than 100,000
  • D. More than 500,000

4. What does the article imply about the sound of dial-up internet?

  • A. It was often annoying to most users.
  • B. It symbolized the start of a new digital experience.
  • C. It was quickly forgotten by younger generations.
  • D. It caused technical problems for early computers.

5. What is the author’s attitude towards the end of AOL’s dial-up service?

  • A. Indifferent, as it affects very few people.
  • B. Critical, believing AOL should continue the service.
  • C. Nostalgic, recognizing its historical importance.
  • D. Optimistic, seeing it as progress for technology.