Whether it’s your first time subscribing to internet for yourself, or it’s just been a few years since you’ve had to do something about your current plan, you might be wondering how best to go about talking to your ISP. You’ll want to express your concerns to your ISP in a way that helps them understand how to help you. No one wants to go through the trouble of talking to customer service only to be left with the same problems at the end of the call.

You want something “better,” but what does that actually mean? Below, you’ll find our question suggestions grouped by general concerns. Consider which ones represent the needs you care about the most and assemble your query list from there.

Think about what you might need to use your internet for prior to asking any questions about speeds and data caps. Do you use it for email, social media, streaming, gaming or other activities? Having a general idea about your household’s typical web usage will help you out when choosing the best plan.

Since most ISPs offer different speeds at different rates, you’ll want to be sure that you’re getting the speed and data you need at a reasonable price. Moreover, you don’t want to be stuck paying for internet that isn’t meeting your needs or—perhaps worse—paying for internet that you don’t even use. If you’re not entirely sure about which speed is appropriate for you, you can use our internet speed quiz.

While you consider which internet speed you would like to subscribe to, consider the following internet speed questions for your prospective ISP:

Before you ask any questions about this topic, find out which pieces of equipment and software your ISP will provide. Then find out which ones you’ll be charged for. If you’re thinking about supplying your own equipment for receiving and using your internet service, remember that only certain pieces of equipment are approved by each ISP. Not all ISP-affiliated technicians will be able to help you troubleshoot your device if something happens. Therefore, supplying your own device means you can safely vouch for your ability to do potential damage control on your own.

To get you thinking about the equipment you’ll need for your internet, here are some starter questions:

Nothing is perfect, least of all our technology. Problems will come up at some point, and you should know what to expect from your ISP when they do. Without having some knowledge about how your ISP will be there to support you during times of digital crisis, you leave yourself susceptible to panic and inconvenience. It would be helpful to know, for example, if your ISP offers a complimentary security suite with your plan (some ISPs do).

Of course you want to be sure about the price of your plan! Many ISPs today offer plans without contracts (or plans with contracts at different price points), but it’s important to know what you’re in for. Don’t be afraid to ask for the details to make sure you’re signing up for the plan that’s most appropriate for you.

Here are some questions you can ask your ISP about the financial and contractual obligations associated with your internet plan:

No matter which plan you settle on, make sure that you’re getting that plan for the right price and the right reasons. When you begin the ISP search process by carefully selecting the provider that best meets your needs, you ultimately do yourself a favor. Be kind to Future You: ask the important questions today.