1. Although I cant really compare with global rates, the leveling is faster I believe. You can get to the max level in 2 or 3 days if you know what you are doing, maybe even faster if you know the map/quests. About instances/raids, there is no specific "raid" (if you mean raids like on WoW and other games), but there are huge dungeons full of puzzles, secret areas and powerfull monsters waiting for the more experienced players. Of course the level cap will be increased within updates, and more difficult dungeons will take place.
2. Read above about exp speed.
3. Im planning on holding many pvp contests, and there is one scheduled 3 days after the launch with good rewards to encourage the competition from the start. About Ranking Ladders, this is indeed a good idea and I will take note of this.
4. Not at the moment, but Ive thought about this idea many times already but still couldnt implement it, but I still plan to.