Capital Markets: AT&T announces investment program; Verve secures funding; and more

AT&T Capital Services announced a financing initiative that will provide loans to small businesses that want to deploy new wireless solutions or upgrade existing ones. Traditionally, AT&T Capital Services has financed wireline initiatives, but it recently began providing financing for wireless projects. The group said it has closed loans totaling more than $700,000 and has several million dollars worth of wireless financing deals in the works.
Verve Wireless Inc., which provides premium mobile publishing and advertising technologies, closed a $7 million round of financing led by BlueRun Ventures. Previous investors, including The Associated Press, participated in the round. The company said it will use the funding to further develop and expand its products and services.
WPCS International Inc. is exploring a variety of financial options, including a possible sale of the company. A committee of the independent members of the company’s board of directors has engaged a financial adviser to explore its strategic options.
Investment firm Perla Capital Partners L.L.C. purchased a majority stake in Steimel Communications Inc., a tower services company. Steimel specializes in installing microwave transmission equipment on cellular towers to create wireless backhaul connections.
CSG Systems agreed to acquire Intec Telecom, a business support systems software provider based in the United Kingdom. The transaction is valued at about $372 million. The boards of both companies have approved the transaction, which is expected to close this year.