[SteveNYC]

Also don't forget that the maximum download speed is dictated by the number of users on the given cell site that you happen to be connected to at the moment and the total amount of bandwidth that is available on that particular cellular tower. If you're in the backwoods (hypothetically) with a cell tower that has a single T1 supporting it, then you won't get any higher than the speed of that T1 (1.544 mbps).

Your fastest speed is only as fast as your weakest link. It used to be the phone in that case. Now it's just as likely to be the backhaul capacity.