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Ascenda Appoints Industry Trailblazer Jan Wilken as Chief Product Officer

Former JPMorgan Chase and American Express executive brings over two decades of product and commercial leadership to loyalty-as-a-service company

NEW YORK, March 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ascenda, the industry leader in loyalty-as-a-service, today announced the appointment of Jan Wilken as Chief Product Officer. In this role, Wilken will lead the company’s loyalty ecosystem strategy to expand its customer engagement solutions and rewards propositions to drive growth for financial institutions and merchants worldwide.

“Jan brings to Ascenda a powerful combination of industry expertise, strategic vision and an unparalleled track record of building highly successful loyalty and customer engagement propositions. Through Jan’s leadership, we will accelerate our ability to deliver the best-in-market customer engagement solutions that maximize loyalty ROI for our clients and partners.” said Kyle Armstrong, CEO of Ascenda.

Prior to joining Ascenda, Wilken was a Managing Director at JPMorgan Chase, including roles as Head of Card Strategy and Product Owner for the Credit Journey and MyHome programs. He also held leadership positions at American Express across loyalty and co-brand partnerships, where he launched the first loyalty coalition in the U.S.

“Across the loyalty ecosystem, pressures are mounting from consumers and stakeholders alike for greater relevance, personalization and proven ROI. At Ascenda, we’re in a unique position to tap into this moment and redefine how financial institutions and merchants engage with their customers because of our holistic approach to driving results with innovative loyalty solutions,” said Wilken. “Our modern technology stack and exciting rewards content – which is being leveraged by some of the largest financial brands in the world – is designed to deliver delightful customer experiences that drive greater customer acquisition, share of wallet, and retention.”

About Ascenda
Ascenda delivers loyalty as a service for financial institutions and merchants globally, unlocking superior ROI across customer acquisition, engagement, and retention. With over a decade of proven results, an unrivaled roster of top-tier global clients, and enterprise-grade technology, Ascenda is trusted by leading brands to deliver growth outcomes, eliminate complexity, and create extraordinary customer experiences.

Huawei: Towards AI ON for New Growth in the AI Era

BARCELONA, Spain, March 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — During the MWC Barcelona 2025, Bob Chen, President of Huawei Optical Business Product Line, proposed the evolution of optical networks towards AI Optical Network (AI ON) in the AI era. This transformation aims to provide 5A-quality connectivity, laying a robust foundation for AI growth and prosperity.

Bob Chen, President of Huawei Optical Business Product Line, proposing the "5A" criteria for next-generation optical networks
Bob Chen, President of Huawei Optical Business Product Line, proposing the “5A” criteria for next-generation optical networks

The AI era is defined by three key characteristics: AI application is everywhere, AI computing power is everywhere, and AI native is everywhere. These trends demand networks that can sense service types, deliver differentiated connectivity, and ensure optimal service experiences. Additionally, networks must provide deterministic connectivity to support flexible and efficient computing power scheduling, while also integrating AI capabilities to enhance both service quality and network efficiency.

Bob Chen emphasized that since the release of the target network for the AI era in 2024, Huawei has collaborated with global customers to drive continuous innovation. The next-generation evolution of optical networks, termed AI ON, is now clearer and is characterized by the following features:

  • Awareness: In the past, optical networks did not sense service types. Future optical networks need to accurately identify service types based on traffic patterns and flow directions, ensuring that bandwidth, latency, and reliability requirements are met. This enables networks to better understand and adapt to service needs.
  • Always On Demand: Unlike the past, where networks offered undifferentiated connectivity, future optical networks need to provide real-time, differentiated connectivity tailored to specific service demands. For instance, a gaming user can be offered a three-hour 1 Gbps bandwidth package.
  • Assurance: In the past, many factors such as network congestion, fault, and service increase may degrade the connectivity quality. In the future, optical networks need to guarantee high-quality connectivity regardless of network changes or service fluctuations, ensuring deterministic latency and zero packet loss for all services.
  • Autonomous O&M: In the past, network O&M was reactively performed after a fault occurred. Moving beyond the traditional mode of reactive maintenance, future networks need to proactively identify and mitigate potential risks before they impact users, achieving self-healing and optimization.
  • AI Native: Full-stack AI-native capabilities need to be embedded across network terminals, devices, and management systems, accelerating network intelligence. For example, AI computing power in ONTs/FTTRs will identify application types and enhance device performance using small models on terminals.

In closing, Bob Chen remarked that the AI represents a transformative shift in human society, offering unprecedented opportunities for the ICT industry. Just as 5A signifies the highest service quality in industries like hospitality and tourism, premium connectivity will be essential to seize these opportunities. Huawei is committed to collaborating with the industry to advance optical networks towards AI ON, deliver 5A-quality connectivity, and drive new growth in the AI era.

Milo Surpasses $65 Million in Crypto Mortgage Volume

Milo continues to lead in crypto financing, reinforcing real-world utility for digital assets.

MIAMI, March 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Milo, a financial technology company and pioneer in crypto mortgage lending, has surpassed $65 million in total loan volume, highlighting the increasing demand for alternative financing. To date, Milo has originated over $250 million in mortgages across its various loan products, underscoring its expertise and the growing market interest in its innovative lending solutions.

“Our mission is to bridge digital assets with real estate and build long term wealth,” said Josip Rupena, CEO and founder of Milo. “For many of our clients, fiat liquidity alone isn’t sufficient to qualify for a mortgage. We’re proud to redefine mortgage eligibility by allowing their Bitcoin wealth to count. As Bitcoin demand continues to rise, our solution becomes even more essential, enabling our clients to keep their Bitcoin forever and finally buy a home.”

Milo offers up to 100% financing on home purchases, with loan amounts up to $5 million, eliminating the need for a cash down payment. By pledging digital assets as collateral, clients can invest in real estate while maintaining exposure to crypto appreciation. Milo safeguards client assets through industry-leading custodians Coinbase and BitGo while operating under strict regulatory oversight as a Soc2-compliant licensed lender.

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, the first mayor to receive his salary in Bitcoin and secure a crypto mortgage, praised Milo’s innovation: “Milo’s crypto mortgage let me buy property without selling my Bitcoin. This is the future of finance, and it’s happening in Miami.”

Milo’s impact extends beyond home financing. Clients have built an additional $50 million in Bitcoin wealth by avoiding forced liquidations for down payments. The company has also returned over $30 million in Bitcoin to clients who have paid down or repaid their loans. Notably, Milo has never issued a margin call, even during extreme market volatility, underscoring its commitment to financial stability and responsible lending.

Expanding Crypto Lending Solutions

In addition to its crypto mortgage offerings, Milo recently introduced a crypto loan designed for digital asset holders seeking liquidity beyond mortgages. Soft-launched in Q4 2024 to its existing customer base, this product allows clients to borrow against their crypto holdings without selling, maintaining long-term investment potential. This expansion aligns with Milo’s vision of helping clients unlock financial flexibility while retaining ownership of their digital assets.

Looking ahead, Milo is preparing to introduce additional lending solutions that cater to the evolving needs of digital asset investors. As the crypto market matures, Milo remains committed to pioneering innovative financial products that integrate digital assets into everyday financial decisions.

About Milo

Milo is a financial technology company reimagining access to financial solutions for digital asset holders. Leveraging proprietary technology and deep industry expertise, Milo created the first crypto mortgage and has originated millions in loans, providing real-world utility for crypto investors. Milo’s investors include M13, QED Investors, Metaprop, 10X Capital.

For more information, visit www.milo.io.

Media inquiries, info@pitchpublicrelations.com or press@milo.io.

Comviva Launches Next Gen MobiLytix Rewards to Deliver AI-led SaaS Loyalty Platform

–  Powered by AWS’ secure and scalable cloud infrastructure, the end-to-end solution enables CSPs, Retail, and BFSI to drive reward-based promotions and loyalty programs
–  Delivers personalized reward recommendations and tailored communications based on individual customer behaviors that drive customer engagement.

BARCELONA, Spain, March 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Comviva, the global leader in customer experience and data monetization solutions, today announced the launch of MobiLytix™ Rewards 5.0, a unified AI-driven SaaS Loyalty Platform, which accelerates the application of AI for loyalty and enables seamless execution of loyalty programs with gamification and personalization across digital channels. MobiLytix™ Rewards is an end-to-end solution for CSPs, Retail and BFSI to deliver reward-based promotions and loyalty programs to consumers, enterprises, and employees.

The new-age SaaS loyalty platform offers a dynamic, data-driven approach with seamless integration across web, mobile, and in-store channels, building lasting customer relationships. The platform serves as a powerful tool for fostering customer retention and driving revenue growth. Built on AWS’ secure and flexible cloud infrastructure, the platform will ensure data security and privacy, providing transparency and trust in the loyalty program’s transactions and customer interactions.

The MobiLytix™ Rewards platform enables tailored programs offering real time points, instant rewards, dynamic tier configuration, multiple wallets, gamification, robust dashboards, flexible reporting, and rewards across many categories. This is an industry agnostic platform that caters to simple and complex use cases across the customer lifecycle; acquisition, engagement, retention and brand advocacy.

Amit Sanyal, EVP & COO, Martech Solutions at Comviva, said, “We are proud to unveil our Next Gen MobiLytix Rewards, a game-changing solution that leverages advanced AI capabilities to transform the loyalty landscape. This launch underscores our commitment to providing clients with state-of-the-art tools that drive customer engagement and create meaningful, personalized experiences. By integrating AWS cloud infrastructure, MobiLytix Rewards 5.0 ensures a robust and scalable platform for fostering deep customer relationships globally.”

Commenting on the success of its loyalty program, Michael Wright, CEO of Gourmet Food Stores, Egypt, said, “We introduced a strategically designed, dynamic tiered loyalty program powered by Comviva’s MobiLytix Rewards and hosted on AWS Cloud, delivering exceptional results. By offering hyper-personalized experiences and enhanced value, the program has strengthened customer engagement, elevated brand perception, and driven significant revenue growth.”

Comviva was recently named a Visionary in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for AI in CSPs Customer and Business Operations report. Comviva’s vision is to revolutionize the telecommunications industry by harnessing the transformative power of AI and Generative AI. With AI use cases across its MobiLytix™ solutions, Comviva is enabling businesses to create, manage, and deliver real-time personalization and contextualized customer experiences.

The MobiLytix™ Rewards platform currently serves over 120 million end customers, with a vast global rewards catalog spanning over 10 million items. The platform is deployed across 15 countries and issues more than 8 billion reward points weekly, marking its global impact and reach.

 

Xinhua Silk Road: Over 40,000 purchasers projected to attend 33rd East China Fair in Shanghai

BEIJING, March 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — More than 40,000 domestic and foreign purchasers are projected to attend the 33rd East China Fair (ECF), which is being held in east China’s Shanghai from March 1 to 4.

The fair is jointly organized by the commerce authorities from cities and provinces in east China, including Shanghai, Nanjing and Ningbo as well as the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, Jiangxi and Shandong. Since its inception in 1991, it has become an important barometer of China’s foreign trade.

Covering 115,000 square meters, this year’s fair features over 5,100 booths across six themed sections of garments, textiles, home products, gifts, cross-border e-commerce, and overseas products.

About 3,000 export enterprises from the nine eastern cities and provinces are participating in the fair, aiming to seize new opportunities in foreign trade.

Shanghai Silk Group Co., Ltd. has once again brought its women’s clothing brand LILY to the ECF this year. Calvin Chen, director of LILY brand’s international business, noted that many of the clothes showcased at the fair would become available in stores in Southeast Asia and other regions as early as the end of March.

Many attending foreign trade enterprises exhibit innovative products and items tailored to niche market demands.

For instance, Jiangxi Daishing POF Co., Ltd. has presented its “luminescent” fabrics, which are woven from plastic optic fibers and yarns. Products made from this material, such as baseball caps and pet clothing, will emit light in the dark, thus enhancing safety during nighttime.

He Jian, who is in charge of the company’s business, said that the company developed around 20 to 30 new clients in the 32nd ECF and received inquiries from dozens of customers shortly after the 33rd ECF kicked off.

Innovation in trade has made China’s exports more resilient, said Ji Shengjun, president of the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export. He added that the proportion of high-tech-intensive industry exports in the total is on the rise.

Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/344658.html

ZTE reinforces global leadership in 5G FWA & MBB at MWC Barcelona 2025

BARCELONA, Spain, March 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a global leading provider of integrated information and communication technology solutions, has unveiled multiple FWA & MBB products, powered by ZTE AI FWA solution and AI-driven GIS product philosophy at MWC Barcelona 2025. The lineup includes the ZTE G5 Ultra, the world’s first AI-powered 5G-Advanced flagship FWA, the ZTE G5 Max Wi-Fi, the world’s first 30dBi Wi-Fi 7 mmWave FWA, and the ZTE U60 Pro, the world’s fastest Wi-Fi 7 5G Mobile Wi-Fi.

ZTE world-leading FWA & MBB solutions for person, vehicle and home scenarios
ZTE world-leading FWA & MBB solutions for person, vehicle and home scenarios

ZTE Leads Global 5G FWA & MBB Market with World No.1 Performance

According to the latest TSR report, ZTE has maintained its world No.1 position in the FWA & MBB market share for four consecutive years, achieving a 38% increase in global shipments. With partnerships across more than 130 operators in over 100 countries, ZTE has shipped more than 250 million devices globally. ZTE has also been recognized as the overall leader, top innovator, and top implementer by ABI Research.

ZTE’s expansive portfolio includes integrated products and solutions catering to person, vehicle and home scenarios, serving both individual consumers and industrial customers. This diverse offering is backed by ZTE’s commitment to technological innovation, as seen in the industry’s first full-stack AI FWA solution, highlighting six core AI-driven features: AI Multi-Scenario Application, AI QoS Management, AI Voice Control, AI Application Recognition, AI Children Protection, and real-time AI Network Optimization.

ZTE Unveils Three World-Leading AI-Powered 5G FWA & MBB Products in Strategic Cooperation with Qualcomm

ZTE jointly unveiled three groundbreaking products in strategic cooperation with Qualcomm, which highlight the company’s GIS (Green, artificial Intelligence, Security) product philosophy based on its AI FWA Solution. All three products are equipped with Qualcomm Dragonwing™ FWA Gen 3 platform, featuring the Snapdragon® X75 5G Modem-RF System, enabling breakthroughs in 5G performance, energy efficiency, spectrum flexibility and improved connectivity.

ZTE G5 Ultra, the world’s first AI-powered 5G-Advanced flagship FWA, delivering peak speed of up to 19Gbps. It supports tri-band Wi-Fi 7, dual 2.5Gbps ultra-fast network ports, and integrates AI voice control and AI QoS management. Leveraging advanced AI algorithms, it dynamically optimizes network performance, ensuring seamless connectivity for online gaming, 4K streaming, and remote work.

ZTE G5 Max Wi-Fi, the world’s first 30dBi Wi-Fi 7 mmWave FWA, supporting both Sub-6GHz and mmWave carrier aggregation with peak speeds of up to 10Gbps. Featuring a 30dBi ultra-high-gain antenna design, it ensures stable signal receiving up to 6km coverage in outdoor environments, realizing 200% downlink speed increasing and 500% uplink speed increasing and 70% power consumption decreasing. It also supports super-fast Wi-Fi 7 for more flexible usage scenarios.

ZTE U60 Pro, the world’s fastest Wi-Fi 7 5G Mobile Wi-Fi, delivers peak speeds of 3.6Gbps and comes with a 10,000mAh battery, enabling 16 hours of long working time and extended connectivity. With dual-band Wi-Fi 7, fast charging, and reverse charging capabilities, it provides convenient power-sharing for other mobile devices. Featuring a touchscreen interface and NFC-enabled quick Wi-Fi connection, ZTE U60 Pro enhances user convenience.

Pioneering the Future of 5G FWA & MBB with AI-Powered Solutions

ZTE emphasizes its GIS (Green, artificial Intelligence, Security) product philosophy, including key features like Green Energy Efficiency, with AI-driven energy-saving strategies that learn from user behavior to optimize power consumption; AI-Powered Intelligence, with ZTE’s AI Super Antenna, which boosts network speed by 20%, ensuring reliable connectivity even in weak signal areas; and Smart Network Optimization, which dynamically allocates bandwidth to improve efficiency by 20% and reduce congestion by 30%. ZTE also introduces Advanced Security features, including AI-based threat detection and the Child Guardianship feature to ensure safe online experiences for children.

Adhering to AI for All strategy, ZTE elevates user experience through multi-dimensional upgrades, creating a 1+2+N full-scenario AI ecosystem that enhances the overall user interaction, efficiency, emotional resonance, and functional value of ZTE products. With its innovative products and AI-driven solutions, ZTE is empowering digital inclusion and delivering intelligent, secure, and reliable network experiences to users around the world.

For more information, please visit the ZTE booth (3F30, Hall 3, Fira Gran Via) at MWC Barcelona 2025 or explore: https://www.zte.com.cn/global/about/exhibition/mwc25.html

MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Email: ZTE.press.release@zte.com.cn 

IFS appoints Hannes Liebe as President, APJMEA

IFS appoints Hannes Liebe as President, APJMEA

DUBAI, UAE, March 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — IFS, the leading provider of enterprise cloud and Industrial AI software, announces the appointment of Hannes Liebe as the new President of Asia Pacific, Japan, Middle East, and Africa (APJMEA). Hannes will be responsible for driving growth across the region, expanding IFS’s geographical footprint, and reinforcing strategic partnerships.

Hannes joined IFS in 2024 as Interim Managing Director for DACH and Chief Operating Officer role in North and Central Europe. He brings a wealth of leadership and industry experience, having previously held senior roles at Finastra and SAP. In his new role, Hannes will lead the charge in accelerating IFS’s business expansion in the region, expanding IFS growth via direct and indirect channels.

APJMEA is an increasingly important region for IFS, being home to leading enterprises across IFS’s strategic industries. IFS’s leading offerings in Enterprise Asset Management, Field Services Management & Manufacturing Cloud ERP, combined with their leading Industrial AI capabilities, are expected to drive exponential growth over the next years. Hannes’s additional focus will therefore be leading IFS strategic investments in high-potential markets, including Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Japan, and expanding IFS’s global network by attracting new partners.

Simon Niesler, Chief Revenue Officer at IFS, said, “Hannes has already proven his leadership skills at IFS, and I know he will leverage his experience to drive greater growth in the APJMEA region. He will be instrumental in not only strengthening our presence in the region but also helping us reinforce our commitment to delivering value to our customers, especially in areas where Industrial AI plays a significant role in transforming businesses.”

“IFS is entering an exciting phase, surpassing €1 billion in ARR and remarkable growth in IFS.ai adoption. APJMEA, in particular, presents new growth opportunities, and I am eager to collaborate with our regional teams, partners, and customers as I take on this new role,” said Hannes Liebe, President APJMEA, at IFS.

Hannes takes over from Vincent Carvalho, who is moving to the role of President of Strategic GTM Initiatives in IFS’s Acquisitions Unit.

For further information, please contact:

IFS Press Contacts:
EUROPE / MEA / APJ:
Adam Gillbe
IFS, Director of Corporate & Executive Communications
Email: adam.gillbe@ifs.com

NORTH AMERICA / LATAM:
Mairi Morgan
IFS, Director of Corporate & Executive Communications
Email: mairi.morgan@ifs.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

The following files are available for download:

 

China Unicom Launches AI Unites All Plan to Bridge Digital Divide Via Industry Intelligence Supported by Huawei

BARCELONA, Spain, March 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — During MWC 2025 in Barcelona, China Unicom held a development workshop with the theme of 5G-A Empowering, AI Transforming, Digital Living. Jian Qin, General Manager (GM) of China Unicom and Yang Chaobin, Huawei Board Member and CEO of the ICT Business Group attended the press conference and delivered speeches. Several representatives from the industry, including GSMA, shared their ideas. The AI Unites All plan and its surrounding achievements were officially released at the conference, angled heavily on the integration of networks, services, and AI.

According to Jian Qin in his speech, “China Unicom remains committed to technological innovation as our guiding principle, actively embracing the Al revolution, and contributing ‘Unicom Intelligence’ and ‘Unicom Solutions’ to global smart transformation. With forward-looking planning and sustained investment in Al, we prioritize integrated innovation across five pillars: computing infrastructure, network connectivity, data resources, model development, and application scenarios. Our goal is to lead and drive the convergence of Al technologies and industrial applications.”

Yang Chaobin mentioned in his speech that Huawei looks forward to working with China Unicom to support their AI Unites All strategy. “We will do this by facilitating a wide range of intelligent user applications with the latest AI technologies. This will allow China Unicom to create new AI service portals with a global impact and make intelligence more inclusive for all,” he said.

As a strategic partner of China Unicom, Huawei and China Unicom maintain close cooperation and work together on converged AI innovation to seize new business opportunities in the AI era. Both parties have built a cloud-based AI service platform for individual and home users, combining cloud, computing, networks, and devices for a unified AI service portal. For example, during the Asian Winter Games, China Unicom launched personalized and cloud-based AI phones with the AI assistant named Tone. The product uses mainstream foundation models and 5G-A networks to provide users with a consistent experience in all scenarios and secure and reliable AI services. Huawei and China Unicom have also been using AI to empower sectors like government, healthcare, and manufacturing, as well as cultural and creative industries, making network experience more secure, reliable, flexible, scalable, efficient, and collaborative. China Unicom has also been actively engaged in advancing synergy between AI and networks. For smart home services, China Unicom has been a leading player in whole-house fiber broadband. The carrier launched the industry’s first HI-CON (Home Intelligent Collaborative Optical Network) communications system that features optical and Wi-Fi collaboration. This system is powered by an intelligent scheduling algorithm that greatly improves overall network experience for home users.

Group photo taken at the AI Unites All launch ceremony
Group photo taken at the AI Unites All launch ceremony

At the conference, China Unicom launched its AI Unites All plan. Under the guidance of its Strategy for Convergence and Innovation, China Unicom will comprehensively advance the synergy of networks and AI to bring intelligent connection to all. It also looks to make AI accessible for use in a much wider range of technologies. By facilitating the integration of services and AI, China Unicom aims to enable various industries to go intelligent and benefit thousands of households.

MWC Barcelona 2025 will be held from March 3 to March 6 in Barcelona, Spain. During the event, Huawei will showcase its latest products and solutions at stand 1H50 in Fira Gran Via Hall 1. In 2025, commercial 5G-Advanced deployment will accelerate, and AI will help carriers reshape business, infrastructure, and O&M. Huawei is actively working with carriers and partners around the world to accelerate the transition towards an intelligent world. For more information, please visit: http://carrier-back.huawei.com/cn/events/mwc2025