It seems a bit weird that they didn't bother standardizing the tests using USB dongles. They are provided by all carriers, more insulated against hardware design differences, and take advantage of the fastest network speeds from all the carriers. I was especially turned off when I saw the T-mobile device only used their 21Mbps network and not their 42Mbps network. It seems like a "Oh... the thunderbolt was released...quickly do a test for HANDHELDS ONLY so we can get some awesome numbers before we would have to include more comparable technologies."

How do you verify "at cost" prices? Is there an independent and/or open audits? These entities have been gifted with regulated monopoly status. History has shown them to be just as aggressively profit driven as many other corporations.

Telecom companies are regulated monopolies. Regulations can changed with a change in law. You don't need to entice them to change with a big gob of money as a carrot. The truth of the matter is that it is easier politically and procedurally to do these changes with telecom cooperation.