Nokia Siemens Networks announced the launch of its downlink dual carrier EDGE software solution, promising to double EDGE data speeds up to 592 kbps. The solution, which will be available as a software upgrade beginning in the third quarter of this year, is “the first step in evolving EDGE,” according to NSN.

The networking partnership also says that it already has plans to introduce in its networks the next substantial step, EGPRS 2, to further boost end user experience in uplink and downlink performance.

“By 2015, we expect to live in a broadband-IP world with 5 billion people ‘always on’ and therefore Nokia Siemens Networks is committed to protecting customer investments and continue to implement leading EDGE technology,” said Ari Lehtoranta, head of Radio Access Business Unit, Nokia Siemens Networks, in a statement. “Dual Carrier software upgrade is an easy and extremely cost efficient step to bring broadband user experience to GSM/EDGE networks.”