On September 30, 2025, one of the last living legends of internet history will come to an end: AOL is discontinuing its modem access after an incredible 34 years. This marks the final disappearance of the characteristic static, whistling, and beeping that was the gateway to the internet for millions of people worldwide.
How it all began – Internet over the phone line
In the early 1990s, there were few options for private users to directly access the internet. Broadband connections like DSL or fiber optic didn't exist. Instead, people used a modem that dialed a number over the regular telephone line. The computer and the provider would exchange transmission parameters through a series of shrill tones – a sound that became part of the digital youth soundscape for many.
AOL, launched in the USA in 1991, not only offered internet access but also its own portal with news, chat rooms, software downloads, and, of course, plenty of advertising. To get to the actual World Wide Web, users had to launch additional AOL software.
The era of AOL CDs
AOL became famous not least due to its aggressive marketing. From the mid-90s onwards, the company distributed countless free CDs with its dial-up software – often including 50, 100, or even 500 free hours. The silver discs were found everywhere: in newspapers and magazines, at gas stations, in electronics stores, and, of course, in home mailboxes.
Some actually used the CDs for surfing, while others repurposed them as coasters, scarecrow reflectors, or wall decorations. Artists built entire installations from them. The designs changed constantly, which even created a small collectors' scene.
The most famous advertiser of this era was tennis legend Boris Becker. His slogan "Bin ich schon drin?" (Am I in yet?) became one of the most iconic advertising lines in German internet history.
From heyday to niche existence
With the proliferation of faster broadband connections, the need for dial-up services shrank rapidly. AOL tried to reinvent itself several times, changing owners and business models – but modem access remained surprisingly long.
In 2015, around two million people in the US were still paying for the slow service, many without actually using it. Even in 2021, 1.5 million subscribers were still registered, although only a few thousand actually went online via modem.
Why it's ending now
According to AOL, the company regularly reviews its offerings. The decision to discontinue the service is part of a strategic realignment. For the few remaining users – especially in rural areas without broadband – the only option often remains to switch to more expensive alternatives such as satellite internet.
The shutdown not only marks the disappearance of a technical relic but also a piece of internet culture. For many, AOL remains inextricably linked to the sounds of the modem, the iconic CDs, and a time when the phrase "I'm just going on the internet for a bit" meant the phone line would be blocked for the next hour.
