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Your experience should start to improve on or after Jan. 19, when both AT&T and Verizon switch on the 5G networks based on C-band spectrum. This refers to a swath of radio airwaves

the carriers spent billions of dollars on at auctions to access. The carriers did voluntarily agree to temporarily delay turning on C-band 5G near certain airports — a list of the exact

airports has not yet been made public — because of an ongoing standoff with Federal Aviation Administration officials worried about airline safety. Without getting bogged down in the

all-too-geeky details, these bands promise faster service and wider coverage. You will need a fairly recent state-of-the art smartphone from Apple, Google, Samsung or others, and you may

have to opt in to one of your wireless carrier’s more expensive cellular plans. Frank Boulben, Verizon Consumer Group's chief revenue officer, says you will be able to access these

broadband-like speeds at sporting events, concerts, malls and train stations. He touted peak speeds in Verizon’s case that are up to 10 times faster than 4G. Boulben has a pitch for 

potential cord cutters, too: Faster 5G may be a viable alternative to cable. You’ll know that you’re humming along with the fastest service on an AT&T phone if you see a 5G+ indicator

in the display; that + reflects you’re in a coverage area able to access AT&T’s fastest 5G Plus service. On a Verizon phone, you will see 5G UW, with the UW short for the carrier’s top

Ultra Wideband service. And on T-Mobile, which was not involved in the recent spat over airline safety and which has already been employing its own spectrum to provide faster service, you

will see 5G UC, signifying Ultra Capacity. If you see a 5G indicator without the +, UW or UC on any of these phones, you’re getting a less robust flavor of 5G. Boulben acknowledges the

confusion. But, he says, “we’ve been very consistent at Verizon in talking about 5G Ultra Wideband as the real 5G” … with the “benefits you expect from that technology.” 3. ROBOTIC HELPERS

MARCH ON Courtesy Labrador A recent AARP story asked if a robot could be a good companion and provide utility for an older person. The answer is yes — couched with plenty of caveats, not

least of which is that even the most complex robots aren’t full-time stand-ins for human beings or pets. It remains to be seen what kind of void Japan-based Yukai Engineering’s cutesy

Amagami Ham Ham stuffed animal robot might fill. The robot, which is not yet available for purchase, nibbles on your finger. A far more serious robot comes from Labrador Systems, which took

the wraps off its Labrador Retriever at CES. The autonomous nightstand-sized robot can be raised and lowered 25 to 38 inches with an accordion-like feature to reach certain objects. Labrador

describes it as an extra pair of hands. The robot can carry a laundry basket or lunch tray or anything up to 25 pounds. It also can retrieve trays up to 10 pounds, including a tray of

drinks it can pull out of the fridge. You can use it to charge a phone and hold your medications, eyeglasses or other objects. The autonomous robot can avoid obstacles and navigate tight

spaces, and you can control it using your voice via Alexa, touching a screen or opening an app. You can assign it destinations or “bus stops” in the home, perhaps by your armchair, kitchen

shelf, hallway or front door. It won’t come cheap. Labrador plans to offer a home version on a subscription basis, with the first beta units available this year and full production in 2023.

Subscription pricing for early reservation holders will include an upfront payment of $1,499, plus a monthly fee of $99 to $149 for 36 months.