Qualcomm eyes year-end release of global roaming chips

US technology company Qualcomm is planning introduce chips for high-speed data phones that can be used anywhere in the world.

In a statement, Qualcomm said the new chips, which will be mass produced by year-end, will make it easier for business travelers to communicate while overseas.

According to Qualcomm, it is constructing phone chips able to work on EV-DO, high-speed data technology used by US operators Sprint Nextel and Verizon Wireless, and on W-CDMA, which is used more in Europe.

Qualcomm confirmed that it will produce samples for phone manufacturers by the end of the year and claimed the 'world-phones' are expected on the market within the next year, as part of the high-end price range.