A medium-level internet user could fly around the world twice in the time saved by switching to broadband from a dial-up connection, according to uSwitch.com.

Research from the online switching service showed downloading via a dial-up connection, rather than broadband, potentially wastes 108 hours or £1,188 a year. This is the same time it would take to watch all 72 World Cup games or the same price as flying two people to Sydney.

UK broadband usage grew by 61% in 2005 – faster than any other country – reaching a total of 10 million households. However, 5.4 million households are still using a dial-up connection, wasting both time and money, uSwitch.com claimed. Broadband can be up to 428 times faster than dial-up.

Chris Williams, telecoms expert at uSwitch.com, said: “Online shopping is growing six times faster than the high street and downloading is now second nature for millions of UK internet users, as we become a nation of ‘cybercitizens’.

“With fierce competition in the broadband market resulting in the wider availability of faster speeds at cheaper prices, and 2006 set to see the widespread launch of IPTV, there is no excuse for people not to make the switch from dial-up to broadband.”