By Matt Millen, Vice President, Small and Medium Business Sales, T-Mobile USA

At one point or another, every major U.S. company was a small business.

Today, the U.S. has more than 27.5 million small businesses, some hoping to become the next Microsoft, Apple, Google, Krispy Kreme, Starbucks, and McDonald’s.

Of these small businesses, nearly 3.5 million U.S. small businesses use smartphones and 700,000 have tablets today with those numbers expected to increase by 40 and 85 percent, respectively, over the next 12 months. It is becoming clear that small businesses are looking to mobile technologies, like smartphones and tablets, to help conduct business outside of “the office”, to connect more quickly with people and information, to improve customer service, and to improve business processes.

The challenge? Unlike their larger enterprise peers, most small businesses do not have access to a traditional IT department or advisor. So, in addition to their sales, human resources, operations, finance, and marketing responsibilities, they must use their very limited time and resources to attempt to navigate the seemingly limitless world of wireless technologies, plans and solutions.

Many of these customers – whether they are running a computer startup, food truck, taxi company, boutique hotel, home healthcare services, legal or accounting service, handmade jewelry business, graphic design firm, or construction company – don’t understand the alphabet soup of network technology acronyms or the technical specifics regarding the processor embedded in their device.

They simply want to know that their device will work and provide value where they do business. They want an affordable plan. They want easy access to data and applications. And, they need an advisor who understands their pain points and can guide them toward the adoption of easy-to-use wireless technologies that will help them run their businesses better.

T-Mobile USA is committed to simplifying wireless mobility for small businesses. We provide fast, secure and reliable service that keeps them connected and doing business when and where they need to be.

T-Mobile is also a trusted advisor, helping small business adopt and deploy mobile solutions that will grow and transform their businesses without breaking the bank.

From smartphones and tablets to wireless plans, solutions and services, T-Mobile can help U.S. small businesses grow and transform their business.