^
In my experience, data speeds directly through the phone are slower than data speeds when I have my laptop tethered to the EVO via the wireless hotspot. I only have 3G right now, speed tests average about 1.5 to 2.0 down when tested directly on the phone. speed tests average 2.0 to 2.5 when I test on my laptop wirelessly tethered to my EVO on 3G.
I am not concerned with with 3G speeds. I purchased the Evo specifically for 4G Hotspot service.
I live in Baltimore and enjoy a Wimax signal strength of -63dBm on average.
Average tower to device speeds mid afternoon are 6+ mbps while average Hotspot speeds for the same time come in at 4+ mbps.
Evening tower to device speeds come in at 3.5 mbps while Hotspot speeds for the same time come in at 1.75 mbps.
There is no appreciable difference in Hotspot speed between wireless or tethered connections.
These numbers are determined by:
Using Speedtest.net on Evo's stock browser, and laptop, using the same server.
Test evo, then test laptop, then test Evo, then laptop, and so on for 25+ test on each.
Toss the highest and lowest two speed test results on Evo and laptop.
Obtain the average of the remaining test results.
To Mods,
I think we have two parallel threads going here.