WEGENER Receives Two U.S. Patents for Innovative Techniques Ensuring Superior Quality of Service for Satellite Distribution Networks

WEGENER Receives Two U.S. Patents for Innovative Techniques Ensuring Superior Quality of Service for Satellite Distribution Networks

Patented Techniques Speed Media Distribution while Maximizing Bandwidth Efficiency

DULUTH, Ga., Dec. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Wegener Corporation (NASDAQ:WGNR), a leading provider of equipment for television, audio, and data distribution networks worldwide, today announced it has been granted two U.S. patents for innovative techniques designed to improve the quality and efficiency of satellite media distribution networks.

Apparatus and Method for Accommodating Loss of Signal

The first patent, entitled "Apparatus and Method for Accommodating Loss of Signal," (Patent # 7,263,648), describes an innovative method for simultaneously recording and playing back digital media content from flash memory storage. WEGENER recognized a need for this capability since it is not readily inherent in off-the-shelf flash memory products.

WEGENER's patented solution allows the flash memory within digital satellite receivers to periodically receive audio segments via satellite and record them to flash, while simultaneously playing digitized audio segments from the same flash memory. This is done without any perceived interruption of services from the listener's perspective. Recorded media can playout from flash memory when instructed to do so to ensure a reliable, seamless presentation.

WEGENER has already embedded this technology into its digital audio satellite receivers as a low-cost solution for store/forward advertising and disaster recovery audio services. Tens of thousands of units using this patented technology have been sold, shipped, and are in operation worldwide.

Error Correction Apparatus and Method

The second patent, entitled "Error Correction Apparatus and Method," (Patent #7,296,204), describes a bandwidth-efficient process for ensuring flawless file distribution within a satellite media distribution network. When a file is transmitted via satellite, this process enables the digital satellite receiver to determine if all of the content in a given file has been received. If data is missing, the receiver notifies the sender-via a terrestrial back channel such as the Internet-precisely which data packets are missing.

The information from multiple error status reports is then aggregated by the control system of the transmitter and used to retransmit only those data packets in question. The process is repeated until the receiver reports that the complete file has been received. This real-time process is an advanced alternative to the industry-standard method of Forward Error Correction, which always sends additional data, not just the missing packets, resulting in greater consumption of bandwidth.

Applicable solely to store/forward file transmission, this patented process is being incorporated within many WEGENER solutions, including COMPEL Network Control, iPump Media Servers, and Media Plan Content Management.

"With the award of these two new patents, WEGENER continues to grow its patent portfolio for multi-site media distribution technology," stated Ned L. Mountain, President and COO of WEGENER. "For our customers, conserving bandwidth is vital to holding the line on costs, maximizing valuable transponder space, and ultimately, being able to transmit more media signals and services in the same transponder space."

ABOUT WEGENER

WEGENER (Wegener Communications, Inc.), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wegener Corporation (NASDAQ:WGNR), is an international provider of digital solutions for video, audio, and IP data networks. Applications include IP data delivery, broadcast television, cable television, radio networks, business television, distance education, business music and financial information distribution. COMPEL, WEGENER's patented network control system, provides networks with unparalleled ability to regionalize programming and commercials. COMPEL network control capability is integrated into WEGENER digital satellite receivers. WEGENER can be reached at +1.770.814.4000 or on the World Wide Web at www.wegener.com.

COMPEL, MEDIAPLAN, ENVOY, UNITY, and iPUMP are trademarks of WEGENER. All Rights Reserved.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and the Company intends that such forward- looking statements are subject to the safe harbors created thereby. Forward- looking statements may be identified by words such as "believes," "expects," "projects," "plans," "anticipates," and similar expressions, and include, for example, statements relating to expectations regarding future sales, income and cash flows. Forward-looking statements are based upon the Company's current expectations and assumptions, which are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to: customer acceptance and effectiveness of recently introduced products, development of additional business for the Company's digital video and audio transmission product lines, effectiveness of the sales organization, the successful development and introduction of new products in the future, delays in the conversion by private and broadcast networks to next generation digital broadcast equipment, acceptance by various networks of standards for digital broadcasting, the Company's liquidity position and capital resources, general market conditions which may not improve during fiscal year 2008 and beyond, and success of the Company's research and development efforts aimed at developing new products. Discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties are provided in detail in the Company's periodic filings with the SEC, including the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. Since these statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, the Company's actual results could differ materially from expected results. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statement was made. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

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Source: Wegener Corporation

CONTACT: Press, Robin Hoffman of Pipeline Communications,
+1-973-746-6970, robinh@pipecomm.com, or Investor Relations, Troy Woodbury of
WEGENER, +1-770-814-4000, fax, +1-770-623-9648, info@wegener.com

Web site:

http://www.wegener.com/

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