Actually the map downloads at the console are so slow because of how the network code in Q2 works. It sends lots of small, unreliable packets, which is good for gaming, because we need a little bit of info (model coordinates, sounds, etc) but it needs to be updated very frequently. File transfers have a LOT of info, but it doesn't need to be updated as frequently, however quake2 still uses small packets, so it's just sending it in little, tiny pieces rather than big chunks.
