AT&T HSPA+ enabled area - 4 bars reception. Not to mention, the area has lower population density, with fewer users to congest the network
DL 0.65 UL 0.67 -79ms
DL 0.24 UL 1.24 -71ms
DL 0.20 UL 0.48 -95ms
People make the mistake of assuming that just because they say HSPA+, the network is able to handle the speeds -- doesn't work this way.
It's the equivalent or driving a Lamborghini on a small country road, that is often congested with traffic. Sure the car can handle 200MPH but the road, conditions, and speed limits (AT&T caps) simply do not allow this.