Gateway Offers Internet Incentive

Gateway Inc., the No. 2 direct seller of personal computers, unveiled an incentive plan that offers customers a year of free Internet service when they buy machines costing more than $1,000.

Gateway also acquired a 20% stake in a subsidiary of NECX, a closely held online seller of computers and other electronic products, for about $21 million. The companies plan to start an Internet site called SpotShop.com to sell Gateway products.

Starting Friday, Gateway PC buyers will get 150 hours of free Internet access monthly through gateway.net, the company’s online service. Each hour beyond that will cost $1.50.

Dell Computer Corp., the biggest direct seller of PCs, offers customers a month of free Internet service through a partnership with AT&T; Corp. and Excite Inc.