Axiata CIO on how software platforms are transforming its business
In this podcast we talk with Axiata Group CIO Anthony Rodrigo and TM Forum Executive Vice President Willie Stegmann about the external and internal forces that are forcing CIOs to “reinvent” the IT function in the AI era.
Anthony Rodrigo, Axiata
Willie Stegmann, TM Forum
Mark Newman, TM Forum
04 Mar 2026
Axiata CIO on how software platforms are transforming its business
Axiata Group is one of the most innovative operator groups in Asia. Its Ideamart API monetization platform is the most successful of its type in the global CSP community. In this podcast we talk with Axiata Group CIO Anthony Rodrigo and TM Forum Executive Vice President Willie Stegmann about the external and internal forces that are forcing CIOs to “reinvent” the IT function in the AI era. We also hear from Anthony about the emergence of Axiata Digital Labs as the software engineering function that is transforming IT operations across Axiata opcos.
Discussion points
What are the most important business drivers for the "reinvention" of the IT function?
What are the key dimensions of your transformation journey?
How do ensure successful achievement of benefits/ outcomes?
As Co-Chair of the CIT&E Mission, is ODA still relevant? What must change ?
Why do you think Axiata is so much more advanced in its thinking - and its implementation of modern, open, cloud-based approaches to enterprise architectures?
Have you been able to measure / track the benefits of an open digital architecture?
Tell us about Axiata Digital Labs and its relationship / synergies with the group IT organization and opco IT functions.
How does the "group" IT function work with the opcos across the Axiata group.
Platform / API monetization. Where we are at and where we are going.
Where are you in terms of leveraging AI within the IT organization?
Guest Speakers:
Anthony Rodrigo, Group CIO, Axiata
Willie Stegmann, EVP, Composable IT & Ecosystems, TM Forum
Anthony has been with Axiata Group of companies since 2010 as the Group Chief Information Officer and Chief Digital Services Officer of Dialog Axiata. He was appointed Chief Information Officer of Axiata Group in August 2017.
20 years as a chief analyst and research director covering the telecoms sector with a focus on operator business models, transformation and strategies for developing new revenue streams.