If you use BT, then there’s bad news for your bills this spring. The telecoms giant has just confirmed that it’s putting up prices from April, and millions will be hit by a standard £4 rise, no matter what they pay right now. That might come as a pretty big shock to some. In the past, consumers faced a percentage increase to their bills, meaning the more they paid, the higher the rise would be. Those paying a lower amount each month would also see prices rise by less. However, early last year, the industry regulator, Ofcom, changed the rules. This means telecoms firms can increase their customers’ bills by a flat rate, which they can apply to all customers. It’s known as the ‘pounds and pence’ scheme and is meant to make bill increases more transparent.

Like most other providers, BT has set the rate at £4. So if you pay £20 now, you’ll soon pay £24. BT says it is hiking prices to help improve its service and keep people connected.

“We know that your home relies on a brilliant connection,” BT said in a post on its website.

“Whether it’s through your mobile or broadband service, it’s more important than ever to keep everyone and everything connected. Our annual price change helps us continue to invest to bring you a better, more reliable experience and the best value for your money. It’s also important as our own costs continue to increase, so the price change means we can continue to maintain the best networks and provide customer service in more ways than ever before.”

EE, which is now owned by BT, is also hiking things by the same £4 price, so there’s little escape from the bill shock. If this news has got you thinking about your finances, then now might be a good time to shop around. There are plenty of deals available right now that can lower those broadband prices.

In fact, one rival to BT and EE is even offering broadband access for free. London-based Community Fibre has just launched a new deal that offers those signing up the chance to get rapid downloads and pay nothing for the first three months.

Even when the deal ends, prices are very reasonable with 300Mbps speeds costing just £21per month and 1Gbps downloads available for only £25. There are also no hikes with that price locked in for the entire contract.

SEE THE FREE BROADBAND DEAL HERE

Sadly, Community Fibre is only available to around one million homes but there are plenty more offers on the market. Virgin Media is currently dishing out broadband at its lowest ever price, with things starting from just £23.99 per month.

Other smaller providers such as Toob have 1Gbps speeds from £25 per month so it’s worth shopping around.

To see what Internet Service Providers are in your area, head to Ofcom’s simple postcode checker.