Yesterday, America Online (AOL) confirmed recent rumors that they are dropping fees for broadband users. Anyone who accesses the Internet via a broadband connection can now use AOL's email, software, parental controls, and other features for free. That goes for existing customers and new members alike.
But if you still use dial-up and need AOL as your Internet service provider, you can't have a free account.
Neener, neener, neener.
I've been an AOL member since 1993. When I joined, I think there were about half a million subscribers. For the past five years or so, if not longer, my husband and I have rarely used AOL. We kept the account as a backup and because we'd given my mother, who didn't have broadband service, a screen name. We could have closed the account, but we continued to subsidize my mom's Internet access mostly because it was cheap: we stayed on the $9.95/month plan, which gave us five hours of service, for almost the entire 13 years. My mother was very conscientious about liming her Internet use until about a year ago, when she apparently started chattin' it up on MySpace or something and routinely going over the allotted hours, costing me at least as much as the $22.95 (at the time) fee for unlimited service. That's when I switched to the unlimited plan.
But now Mom has broadband (and cable phone service too — you've come a long way, baby!). Naturally, because it would save me money, she didn't want to give up her AOL account, even though she's paying for email and Web access through her cable provider. (Why do I suddenly hear her lecture long ago about buying the cow and getting the milk for free?) So a couple of months ago, my husband and I talked about just switching the AOL bill to my mother's credit card. But then we got busy with other stuff and forgot all about it.
Now, I can keep the account live without having to pay or make my mother pay. Oh, happy day. $1500 and thirteen years of AOL customer-hood, and I'm finally getting something - but I'm not sure what - for my inexplicable refusal to cancel the account.
Article comments
1 - Traci
Actually, AOL has updated its service at the phone number listed above. If you already have their broadband service, just go to AOL keyword "change plan" and with two clicks, you're there! It's extremely simple!
2 - Robert
A question from a very non-tech computer user:
I have DSL via BellSouth - When I do the switch to AOL4Free, I'm going to keep all my current AOL screen names, bookmarks (favorites) & et cetera, right ? ? ?
The only thing that will change is that there will no longer be a bill on my credit card,
right ? ? ? ?
Thanks ! ! !
3 - Barbara Alley
I have a hard time connecting yo AOL. Guest always come up & I have a hard time going through the connectivity.I hope that coming to this website I won't have this problem. If I need to change please advise me . I have Broad band.
4 - Susan Ashley
I just recently had broadband internet access through AT&T with a DSL Modem. can I get AOL free with a DSL Modem???? If so, how should I attempt to go about doing so????? I do not have cable broadband internet access available at this time in the area I live in. I would appreciate it so much if anyone can help me, at all, with my question!!!!! I can be reached at 865-435-5799
5 - josephsmith smith
British Telecom has come out with a sweet and loving promise to subscribers who partake in its current broadband and landline telephony bundles -- stick with us, says BT, and we'll upgrade you to our fiber optic network free of charge.
6 - harry
i've had aol for at least 15 years. also on cable...i've put up with these leftwing loons, but no more. huff post merger is the last straw. changing to the free plan. don't want to give these loons one dime.
7 - Bredband
This was new for AOL but what about the other providers how does this change stack up compared with the other providers' plans?