Edge Evolution deployed as a simple software upgrade.

Ericsson is promising 3G speeds over GSM networks via its Edge Evolution technology.

The telecoms equipment giant said that it could provide data speeds of up to 1Mbps on GSM networks with a simple software upgrade, enabling mobile broadband services for the world's two billion existing GSM subscribers.

"Ericsson Edge Evolution builds on 3GPP's industry standardisation of agreed technology improvements, and reflects Ericsson's prediction that the current trend towards Edge-capable GSM networks and terminals is set to continue," Ulf Ewaldsson, vice president at Ericsson, said at this year's CeBIT tradeshow.

"Ericsson is committed to offering improved data communications such as mobile broadband, and we will leverage our expertise evolving fixed and mobile infrastructure to provide future-proof investment in Ericsson GSM networks."

Edge Evolution will boost data speeds by up to 300 per cent and will significantly improve latency, coverage and spectrum efficiency, the firm claimed.

As Edge Evolution can be applied as a software upgrade to existing equipment, Ericsson is touting the technology as a fast and easy way to reach the mass market with 3G services.

With the improved data performance in GSM it will serve as an important complement to other high speed cellular connections like HSPA, the firm added.

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