Gateway and Comcast Leverage Local Presence to Deliver Services
That Help Customers Get More From Their PCs
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Gateway, Inc. (NYSE: GTW) and Comcast
Cable Communications, Inc. today announced an agreement to deliver high-speed
Internet access with local, personalized support in more than 20 markets. The
two companies are making it easier for customers in many regions to take
advantage of fast broadband access with a value-priced package that includes
installation, equipment and ongoing support.
The latest step in Gateway's strategy to deliver customized technology
solutions through local relationships, the alliance with Comcast brings
broadband access to customers served by the country's third largest cable
company. The Gateway/Comcast @Home service complements Gateway's current
offerings, making broadband service available to Gateway customers in
45 percent of cable-accessible homes.
"Our broadband initiatives and alliance with an industry leader like
Comcast play a central role in fulfilling our vision to become the leading
local provider of integrated technology solutions," said Mike Flanary, vice
president of communication solutions, Gateway. "Broadband access brings great
improvements to the customer's Internet experience. Our Gateway Country(R)
stores serve as a resource center for people who want to try before they buy,
ask questions and get support from a knowledgeable, friendly face in their own
neighborhood."
Consumers can come into their local Gateway Country store to preview
broadband access, quickly find out whether it's available to their home, and
register for the service with a new Gateway PC or upgrade their current
system. Comcast @Home dramatically enhances the online experience and makes
multimedia content such as digital media, digital music and games more
compelling with downloads that are up to 50 times faster than 56K dial-up
services (1). It lets users access the Internet through the same wires that
deliver cable television service, providing an "always on" connection from the
moment they turn on their computers. Customers also get unlimited use for a
flat monthly fee, seven email accounts and 10MB of personal web space (2).
"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."
Gateway and Comcast offer three broadband options for new subscribers:
-- Buy a new consumer Gateway PC and get a free cable modem, free
professional installation and first two months of Comcast @Home
service for $9.95 per month (2).
-- Buy a Gateway Music:)Ware bundle and get a free cable modem, free
professional installation and first two months of Comcast @Home
service for $9.95 per month (2).
-- Upgrade a current PC with Comcast @Home by purchasing a $149 cable
modem and get free professional installation and first two months of
Comcast @Home service for $9.95 per month (2).
After the promotion period, the monthly rate for all of these offerings is
$39.95 per month for unlimited high-speed Internet access (2).
Consumers can obtain more information about Gateway and Comcast @Home
high-speed broadband service by calling 800-555-3022, visiting
http://www.gateway.com/home/programs/broadband/comcast_overview.shtml or going
to one of the following Gateway Country stores:
-- Alabama: Huntsville, Mobile, Tuscaloosa
-- Connecticut: Danbury, Orange
-- Delaware: Wilmington
-- Florida: Bradenton, Ft. Myers, Naples, Panama City,
Sarasota, Tallahassee
-- Georgia: Augusta, Savannah
-- Indiana: Fort Wayne, Indianapolis (two locations)
-- Maryland: Annapolis, Chevy Chase, Columbia, Gaithersburg,
Glen Burnie, Timonium, Waldorf
-- Michigan: Dearborn, Flint, Roseville, Troy
-- Missouri: Independence
-- Mississippi: Hattiesburg
-- New Jersey: E. Brunswick, Eatontown, Livingston, Maple Shade,
Toms River, Union, Vineland, Watchung
-- New Mexico: Albuquerque
-- Pennsylvania: Harrisburg, Langhorne, Springfield, Willow Grove, York
-- South Carolina: N. Charleston
-- Tennessee: Brentwood, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Madison
-- Virginia: Richmond
About Comcast Cable
Headquartered in Philadelphia, Comcast Cable is a division of Comcast
Corporation (http://www.comcast.com), a developer, manager and operator of broadband
cable networks and provider of programming content. Comcast Cable is the
third largest cable company in the United States. Providing basic cable,
digital cable and high speed Internet services, Comcast Cable is the company
to look to first for the communications products and services that connect
people to what's important in their lives. The company's approximately 18,000
cable division employees serve more than 8.4 million customers in six
geographic regions.
About Gateway
Gateway (NYSE: GTW), ranked 194 on the Fortune 500(R), focuses on building
lifelong relationships with consumers, small and medium businesses and
government and education institutions by helping customers meet all their
technology needs. Founded in 1985, Gateway is considered the most admired
American company in the Computers and Office Equipment industry according to a
Fortune Magazine survey (3) and is the top brand in customer loyalty and for
first-time home computer purchases of Wintel-based PCs (4). The company had
total global revenue of $9.6 billion in 2000. For more information, visit
our Web site at http://www.gateway.com.
(1) Data transfer speed varies depending on network traffic, PC
configuration, and server location and configuration.
(2) Franchise fees and taxes apply, even during promotional period.
Regular rates apply after promotional offer ends. Rates are higher
for non-Comcast cable subscribers. Call Comcast at 1-888-793-0800
for complete pricing details in your area. Offer available to new
Comcast @Home residential customers located in Comcast cable wired
and serviceable areas only. Not combinable with other offers.
9.95 offer available until Sept. 30, 2001.
(3) Fortune Magazine, "America's Most Admired Companies,"
February 19, 2001.
(4) From the Harris Interactive Consumer TechPoll(SM) study of 140,000 PC
owners who use the Internet, released March 5, 2001.
SOURCE Gateway, Inc.; Comcast Cable Communications, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.gateway.com
CONTACT:
Lisa Emard of Gateway, Inc., +1-949-609-4496,
lisa.emard@gateway.com; or Jenni Moyer of Comcast Cable
Communications, Inc., +1-215-851-3311,
jenni_moyer@cable.comcast.com
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