Are you sure your data coverage is good? I've noticed that with sinking latencies and rising bandwidth (but probably mostly the latency), data consumption rises.
I couldn't place it on a scale or give you figures, but it seems good to me in use. I certainly never feel its stopping me from doing anything.
As well as browsing, maps etc., I also use it to listen to (low bandwidth, admittedly) radio streams while jogging and iTunes Match occasionally with no problems.
For me at least.