Rating Rationale
July 30, 2020 | Mumbai
Bharti Infratel Limited
Rating Reaffirmed  
 
Rating Action
Rs.6000 Crore Commercial Paper CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its 'CRISIL A1+' rating on the commercial paper of Bharti Infratel Limited (BIL).
 
The rating continues to reflect an established market position in the Indian telecommunication (telecom) tower market, leadership position after the proposed merger with Indus Towers Ltd (Indus Towers; 'CRISIL AA+/Watch Negative/CRISIL A1+'), and a strong financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by high customer concentration and capital-intensive nature of operations.
 
The consolidation in the telecom industry over the past couple of years has concentrated BIL's revenues on its remaining tenants. In case of further consolidation, with discontinuation by or sustained weakening of the credit profile of the company's large tenant, the business and financial risk profiles may get impacted, but should remain comfortable, though this will continue to be monitored.
 
Telecom operators (telcos) have been asked to pay the adjusted gross revenue (AGR)-related dues by the Supreme Court (SC). Further, on March 18, 2020, and subsequently on July 20, 2020, the SC issued a directive that telcos should not be allowed to self-assess AGR liabilities and should pay the amount as stated by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), including interest and penalty. Therefore, clarity over the final amount to be paid is still pending. Further hearing on the matter remains a key monitorable.
 
Furthermore, the DoT has approved the proposed merger of Indus Towers with BIL. However, the board of BIL has extended the long stop date of the merger to August 31, 2020. The proposed merger should benefit the business risk profile of the merged entity, which will have a pan-India presence. The financial risk profile will continue to be supported by expectation of healthy cash accrual.
 
Capital expenditure (capex) requirements are expected to remain at current levels over the medium term. Dividend payout is likely to be 90-95% of net profit. However, any large dividend pay-out after the merger will remain key rating sensitivity factors.
 
Further, the lockdown imposed to contain the Covid-19 outbreak has had little impact on operations, as the passive infrastructure as well as operations of the customers are covered under essential services, and therefore continued to function.

Analytical Approach

CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of BIL and its subsidiary, Smartx Services Ltd with those of Indus Towers to factor in the proposed merger of these entities.
 
Refer to Annexure - List of entities consolidated, for details of the entities considered and their analytical treatment for consolidation.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Established market position
The company has 42,339 towers across 11 circles and an average tenancy ratio of 1.79 times as on June 30, 2020. The proposed merger with Indus Towers should further strengthen the market position, with a combined portfolio of 169,630 towers and expanded reach to all 22 circles. The combined entity will become the largest telecom tower company in India with more than one-third of the industry's telecom towers. It will also be the largest tower company globally, outside China.
 
* Strong financial risk profile
The capital structure is healthy and the debt protection metrics comfortable. The gearing was below 0.2 time as on March 31, 2020. Dividend payout is expected at 90-95% of net profit. Any significant dividend payouts or large, debt-funded capex that may affect the capital structure will remain key rating sensitivity factors.
 
Weaknesses
* Capital-intensive operations
The telecom tower industry is capital intensive. The company has added over 4,800 towers in the past five years. It is likely to continue adding towers in underpenetrated areas and will invest in maintenance and upgrade of existing towers and also in energy-efficient initiatives to cut down diesel consumption.
 
* High customer concentration
Massive consolidation and exits in the Indian telecom industry have constrained tenancies of BIL over the past two years, resulting in high customer concentration. The average tenancy ratio has declined significantly to 1.79 times as on June 30, 2020, from 2.29 times as on March 31, 2018. Accordingly, further consolidation in the industry and its impact on the company will continue to be monitored.
Liquidity Strong

Cash and liquid investments were Rs 3,250 crore and debt Rs 200 crore as on June 30, 2020. Cash accrual from operations is estimated at above Rs 2,500 crore per fiscal over medium term. Annual capex, expected at Rs 800-1,200 crore, should be funded largely through cash accrual.

Rating Sensitivity Factors
Downward factors
* Significant decline in operating performance owing to the exit of any large tenant such that the EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) margin remains below 30%
* Sustained weakening of debt protection metrics on account of higher-than-expected debt-funded capex or dividend payout.

About the Company

BIL provides tower and related infrastructure, and deploys, owns, and manages telecom towers and communication structures for various mobile operators. It was incorporated as an independent tower company in July 2007 to serve other telecom service providers.
 
As on June 30, 2020, the company operated 42,339 towers with 75,435 tenancies in 11 telecom circles, while Indus Towers operated 127,291 towers with 235,192 tenancies in 15 telecom circles. After the proposed merger, the combined entity will have a nationwide presence, with operations in all 22 telecom circles (overlapping in four circles).
 
On a standalone basis, the net profit was Rs 823 crore on operating revenue of Rs 1,634 crore in the quarter ended June 30, 2020, against net profit of Rs 448 crore on operating revenue of Rs 1,724 crore in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal. Net profit was higher during the quarter ended June 30, 2020, because of dividend income received from a joint venture.

Key Financial Indicators - (BIL- Standalone)
Particulars Unit 2020 2019
Operating revenue Rs crore 6,738 6,863
Profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore 1,746 2,453
PAT margin % 25.92 35.5
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.17 0.00
Interest coverage Times 12.07 88.6
Note: The company has started adopting Ind AS-116 w.e.f. Apr 1, 2019. Hence, financials for fiscal 2020 may not be comparable with that of fiscal 2019. Furthermore, these are CRISIL-adjusted numbers and may not compare with actual numbers reported by the company.

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments and are included (where applicable) in the Annexure -- Details of Instrument in this Rating Rationale. For more details on the CRISIL complexity levels, please visit www.crisil.com/complexity-levels.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of instrument Date of allotment Coupon rate (%) Maturity date Issue size (Rs.Crore) Complexity level Rating assigned with outlook
NA Commercial Paper NA NA 7 to 365 Days 6000 Simple CRISIL A1+
 
Annexure - List of Entities Consolidated
Names of entities consolidated Extent of consolidation Rationale for consolidation
Smartx Services Ltd Fully consolidated Wholly owned subsidiary of Bharti Infratel
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2020 (History) 2019  2018  2017  Start of 2017
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Commercial Paper  ST  6000.00  CRISIL A1+      05-07-19  CRISIL A1+    --    --  -- 
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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