AT&T Will Make SMB Wireless Loans

WASHINGTON -- With access to capital among their biggest challenges, cash-strapped small businesses got some good news today from AT&T*. Through its financing subsidiary, AT&T Capital Services, the company is now providing loans to small businesses looking to deploy new wireless solutions or upgrade existing ones.

Cathy Martine, AT&T Executive Vice President - Small Business Solutions, AT&T Business Solutions, made the announcement during her keynote speech at the annual Women Impacting Public Policy Conference in Washington DC this morning.

Until recently, AT&T Capital Services financing had focused on traditional wired communications solutions, including office phone systems and equipment, high speed Internet, maintenance and associated software.

"With more than 25 years experience in communications financing, we know the challenges that small businesses face and understand that today, perhaps more than ever before, access to capital is critical to sustaining their operations," Martine said. "Our goal is to provide small businesses with access to new options for funding game-changing wireless solutions, to help them innovate and grow and, ultimately, to serve as a catalyst to jumpstart this critical engine for U.S. economic recovery."

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T)