Future of dial-up?

[Minoosh]

Whenever I read about AOL initiatives I wonder if there is a future for dial-up that I'm just not getting. I still have a dial-up account which I'd drop except I'm worried about access to my old email address. I use Macs, which used to come with internal phone modems and now don't. If I bought a phone modem, perhaps the connection would be useful in a foreign country or in some circumstances I can't foresee. But since I also have a broadband account (and the kicker: generally reliable free access from an unsecured neighborhood router), I never actually use the dial-up. (although my mail is still "delivered" to my computer; a "Web mail" feature is usable but inferior).

With streaming video and everything faster and dependent on speed I can't understand why AOL still has enough value to aspire to being a local news/content outlet. But am I writing it off prematurely?

[Michael Mozina]

IMO you haven't written it off prematurely since you continue to fund it. :) I finally got rid of mine years ago, but I must admit that I too emotionally clung to it for awhile, imagining all sorts of 'what if' scenarios. :)

I really haven't had any need for dialup in years now. Cell phone access has pretty much become my "backup" communication mechanism of choice, and my primary internet access has been high speed since they offered it in my area. I did however keep my dialup for backup purposes, or a year or so after going high speed, and in fact I did use it once or twice when it was relatively critical. These days however, most high speed internet access points are quite reliable and I haven't missed (nor funded) dialup in many years.

I'm sure there are rural instances where other options are not as financially appealing as they are in my area and therefore I suspect that dialup will continue to "survive" at ever decreasing rates. That's my guess anyway.

[Michael Mozina]

FYI, IMO it's typically much easier to access the internet wirelessly in most instances when I'm on the road than it is to use dialup.

[RussDill]

Its interesting how it has come full circle. I used to get my Internet over my phone service, now I get my phone service over my Internet.

[Michael Mozina]

Its interesting how it has come full circle. I used to get my Internet over my phone service, now I get my phone service over my Internet.

Ya, and the wheel keeps turning. If the cell phone companies have their way, we will all be getting our internet service through our cell phone company sooner or later. :)

[crescent]

With streaming video and everything faster and dependent on speed I can't understand why AOL still has enough value to aspire to being a local news/content outlet. But am I writing it off prematurely?

I don't think AOL is much tied to dial up anymore. I mean, people still associate it with dial up, but the company does not rely on it much anymore. I think they just view themselves as a news/media company now - most services are free, most revenue comes from advertising. It is mostly a website now, accessed through the same broadband or DSL connections that most people use.

My parents still seem to use the AOL application program on thier computer, but even that uses a regular DSL modem, not dial up.

[casebro]

AOL, Baby's first server? ;)

But for some of my net friends, dial up is the only choice. Too far from the main line for DSL over the line, trees and mountains interfere with Satellite service, no cable back in to the holler.

Until we get the 'Rural Netification Program' ? Maybe as part of BO's stimulus?

"Hiya, Ahm from back in the holler, and I VOTE! " ?

[Minoosh]

Its interesting how it has come full circle. I used to get my Internet over my phone service, now I get my phone service over my Internet.

I didn't need broadband until I got a Mac Book Pro. It had a metal case that blocked weak ambient Wi-Fi. On a plastic device I can still pick up my neighbor's broadband 95 percent of the time.

The only thing tying me to EarthLink is that I've given out that address to numerous potential employers. Can ex-AOL (or EarthLink) subscribers still access their old email address?

[JWideman]

I am pretty sure you keep your AOL email, since AIM.com email is free. I think it might be the same with earthlink.

[BenBurch]

I have dial-up as a backup service from my cable provider, and I pay nothing directly for it. The problem is that I have nothing at all that I currently use that has a modem.

If I need one, I have an old G3 iMac which has a Faxmodem and I haul it out.

[Minoosh]

Ya, and the wheel keeps turning. If the cell phone companies have their way, we will all be getting our internet service through our cell phone company sooner or later. :)


Somehow it always comes out that I have to buy at least two data packages. Is there an ISP that services both home broadband connections and smart phones in one package? If I get a smart phone now I'll have three ISPs. Dumb, but it's never obvious to me what to cancel.

And ... am I wrong about this? It seems cable companies have a virtual monopoly on broadband.

[Hellbound]

Somehow it always comes out that I have to buy at least two data packages. Is there an ISP that services both home broadband connections and smart phones in one package? If I get a smart phone now I'll have three ISPs. Dumb, but it's never obvious to me what to cancel.

And ... am I wrong about this? It seems cable companies have a virtual monopoly on broadband.

I get home phone, cell phone, broadband DSL, and satellite TV all through AT&T. IN fact, you'd be hard pressed to find a telephone company (in the States, at least) that doesn't package at least the cell phone, home phone, and broadband services (assuming you're in range for DSL).

[Minoosh]

I get home phone, cell phone, broadband DSL, and satellite TV all through AT&T. IN fact, you'd be hard pressed to find a telephone company (in the States, at least) that doesn't package at least the cell phone, home phone, and broadband services (assuming you're in range for DSL).

Thanks.

[quarky]

Its worrisome that many political polls are done through dial-up. Then there's that feed-back loop.
Soon, the tek will make us wonder what banks are for.

[CORed]

I didn't need broadband until I got a Mac Book Pro. It had a metal case that blocked weak ambient Wi-Fi. On a plastic device I can still pick up my neighbor's broadband 95 percent of the time.

The only thing tying me to EarthLink is that I've given out that address to numerous potential employers. Can ex-AOL (or EarthLink) subscribers still access their old email address?

When I switched from Earthlink dialup to DSL several years ago, they offered an email only account for $5.00 per month. I configured it to forward to my new account, and then canceled after I was sure everybody I cared about had the new address. I have no idea if they still offer this service, but it won't hurt to ask them.

[Minoosh]

Awesome. Sounds great.