sprint tethering speed issue

[juvenile43]

i've searched and searched and can't find a related post to my problem. I have a CDMA touch pro (obviously) running merdins newest (i think) rom and i've tried three different radios. i connect my phone via usb using ICS hacks and using WMWifirouter my connection seems to work great. I go to speedtest.xxx whatever the one is that everyone posts the picture with and i get speeds from anywhere from 1000kb and 1200kb. That seems like the average most people also get, but when i download anything i can only seem to reach 100to 150kb pretty steadily. I also use a download manager sometimes and that has an automatic speed regulator and it shows my max bandwith available and that jumps between an average of 700kb to 1200kb but never gets under 500kb. Now i know its not the sites i'm downloading from because when i am d/ling anything i my surfing is very very very slow so i'm obviously using all the bandwith available. Now is this normal due to it being a cell connection?? if it is than i don't understand why everyone posts their phones internet speed because i could do the same when i know i'm only getting 150kb or so, or is it an issue that other people have and is fixable. ohh and i also had the same issue using the wifi connection thats why i began to use the usb because i thought it might be faster. sorry for the super long message but i would appreciate any help, thankx