With 'WAP.CINGULAR' in the init string, 'ISPDA@CINGULARGPRS.COM' as the userid and maximum modem speed set to '921600' in the connection properties I'm getting 156Kbps per the cnet.com bandwidth meter. dslreports.com reports slightly less but still more than double dialup speeds.

Watching NetPerSec on the interface I've seen bursts to 235Kbps.

8700c Cingular Orange/EDGE with a -64db signal strength reported by alt+nmll

PS: No blocked ports that I can find. SSH, FTP, Telnet, VPNs all seem to work fine.