Coming next: Carry-along base station for travelers

A technology startup backed by Google unveiled the world's first personal base station for international travelers, enabling them to cut roaming fees and make mobile calls like in a home country.

Ubiquisys said the timing of devices reaching consumers depended on telecoms operators and it was in talks with several operators. The telecom network base station, which is plugged into the travelers computer, is slightly larger than a smartphone, and needs an Internet connection. Depending on local regulations, travelers would need to put the phone on base station or it works within a room. The new device, called attocell, is designed for use with Apple's iPhone, but it works also with Google's Android phones, RIM's Blackberry and Nokia's smartphones.