Fortunately, 4.4 includes the ability to emulate the secure element, so if your device is fortunate enough to receive the update you might be able to without AT&T being able to intervene.

Don't feel too bad, I heard Verizon is just as bad. I am a customer of a Sprint MVNO and have a new moto-X sitting at home waiting to be unwrapped tonight, and I've already been informed Sprint also prevents NFC wallet.

As far as I can tell, the only Google Wallet hardware that actually works for NFC is tablets, like my nexus 7. Everything else disabled by all carriers. I can't find anywhere to actually use it where I'd be willing to haul the tablet.

AT&T, Verizon and T-mobile funded the competitor-product Isis and can (and do) technically stop Google Wallet from working on their phones because they control the "secure element".