BT broadband prices will go up next year for most customers, the firm has confirmed, as bills could be hiked by £53 on average.
The news is a shock to households already grappling with soaring bills - but the good news is people on benefits can get cheaper broadband, including from BT.
BT chief executive Philip Jansen said the price rises would "absolutely" kick in from next April.
The telecoms firm will be putting prices up by 3.9% plus whatever inflation is in January 2023.
The Consumer Price Index level of inflation is currently at a 40-year high of 9.4%.
The Bank of England expects inflation to hit or beat 11% this year and drop back to around 9% at the start of 2023.
That would mean the average BT broadband bill would go up by almost 13% - or £53.
The cost of a BT Full Fibre Essential deal, which includes 36MB internet and a phone line costs £33.99 per month currently and would rise to £53.
A BT Full Fibre 2 package, with 74MB broadband speeds, costs £38.99 a month now and would go up by around £60.
The same price rises would apply to BT Sport packages and EE mobile deals.
BT, which runs mobile operator EE, raised mobile and broadband prices by up to 9.3% from April 1 this year.
A BT Group spokesperson said: “Our annual price rises are contracted and we make this clear when customers sign up.
"For those customers who need it, we provide affordable broadband at just £15 per month through our Home Essentials service – a price we froze this year.
"Like every business, we face huge inflationary pressures. At the same time, we are making massive investments in the digital networks that UK families and businesses need; our pricing makes that possible.”
If you are on benefits, you may qualify for cheaper broadband deals - and even free internet.
For example, people on Universal Credit looking for work can get six months of free broadband for six months from TalkTalk.
This is only an option if you have no internet currently, and Jobcentre staff have to judge if you can get it.
Those who think they are eligible for the free broadband, which has maximum speeds of up to 40Mbs, will have to raise it with their JobCentre Plus work coach.
If you’re deemed to be eligible, you’ll then be given a voucher for six months - and there is no obligation to sign up to a TalkTalk contract afterwards.
However, you won’t be covered for extras such as TV services or voice calls.
BT has a deal where you can get broadband and a phone line for £15 a month, with a £9.99 upfront fee.
To get the Home Essentials Broadband & Line deal you have to be on Universal Credit, Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker's Allowance of the guarantee credit element of Pension Credit.
That gets you 36MB broadband.
For 67MB, you would pay £20 a month with a £9.99 upfront fee.
Virgin Essential also costs £15 per month and you get 15Mbps broadband speed.
This package is for internet only, so no calls or TV included, and you have to be a Virgin Media customer already and claim Universal Credit.
The deal is a 30-day rolling contract, so you're not tied into a set period of time.
