San Diego-based Gateway Inc. Wednesday allied with Comcast Cable Communications Inc. in an effort to accelerate growth of the cable company's Comcast@Home cable broadband offering.

"Our broadband initiatives and alliance with an industry leader like Comcast play a central role in fulfilling our vision to become the leading provider of integrated technology solutions," said Mike Flanary, vice president of communication solutions, Gateway.

Under the agreement, the two companies are offering Gateway customers three different introductory broadband offers. Customers can:

• Buy a new consumer Gateway PC and get a free cable modem, free professional installation and the first two months of Comcast@Home service for $9.95 per month
• Buy a Gateway Music:)Ware bundle and get a free cable modem, free professional installation and the first two months of Comcast@Home service for $9.95 per month
• Purchase a cable modem for $149 and get free installation and the first two months of service for $9.95 per month.

Following the two months at the promotional price, the service reverts to the regular Comcast@Home price of $39.95 per month for unlimited high-speed access.

"At Comcast, we're committed to bringing our customers exciting new communications products and services that are easy to acquire and simple to use," said David Juliano, senior vice president and general manager of Comcast's Online division. "Expanding our retail distribution relationships with a leader like Gateway complements our strategy to provide customers more choices and to make our broadband services available where they shop."