Rating Rationale
February 25, 2020 | Mumbai
Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Limited
Ratings Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.5166 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL AA-/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
 
Rs.7500 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 AA-/Stable/CRISIL A1+' ratings on the bank facilities and commercial paper of Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Limited (TTML).
 
The reaffirmation continue to factor in the strong support expected from Tata Sons Ltd (Tata Sons; 'CRISIL AAA/FAAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+') to TTML and its associate, Tata Teleservices Ltd (TTSL; rated 'CRISIL AA-/Stable/CRISIL A1+'), together referred to as Tata Tele, after the Supreme Court of India (SC) passed a judgment on February 14, 2020, on the modification request filed by telecom companies (telcos). 
 
The SC did not grant any relief under the modification request, and has now directed the telcos to make the payment before the next hearing on March 17, 2020. Subsequently, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has sent notices to telcos, for immediate payment on February 14, 2020. In order to comply with the order, Tata Tele has made a payment of Rs 2,197 crore towards license fee and spectrum usage charges to DoT on February 17, 2020 after completing the self-assessment exercise.
 
While Tata Tele's debt has temporarily increased with the payment of adjusted gross revenue related liabilities, CRISIL understands Tata Sons will work with Tata Tele to reduce the debt to current levels, and also offer support in case of any shortfall in liquidity.
 
The ratings continue to factor in the expectation of continued strong support from Tata Sons to Tata Tele. This strength is partially offset by low profitability and market share, and weak debt protection metrics.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at its ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of TTML and TTSL. This is because of strong operational linkages, common business and management, and fungibility of funds across the two companies.
 
CRISIL has applied its parent notch-up criteria to factor in the extent of support expected from Tata Sons. The ratings are centrally based on parent support. CRISIL believes Tata Tele will, in case of exigencies, continue to receive distress support from Tata Sons for timely repayment of its debt obligations. Tata Sons has provided support in the past by infusing funds amounting to Rs 23,090 crore between April 2018 and December 2019.
 
Preference shares issued to Tata Sons by TTSL have been considered as quasi equity as they carry low dividend and are compulsorily convertible into equity. Optionally convertible preference shares and debentures issued to Tata Sons by TTSL, have been considered as quasi equity as they carry low dividend.

Please refer Annexure - List of entities consolidated, which captures the list of entities considered and their analytical treatment of consolidation.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strength
* Expectation of continued strong support from Tata Sons
Tata Tele receives significant financial and managerial support from Tata Sons, which has invested substantial funds in the past. Aided by such support, Tata Tele has been able to reduce debt to Rs 8,265 crore as on December 31, 2019, from Rs 30,741 crore (including spectrum liabilities) as on March 31, 2018. Tata Sons, along with its affiliates, holds around 90% stake in TTSL, and around 75% stake in TTML. Furthermore, association with the Tata group enables Tata Tele to leverage the parent's brand to market products and services. Tata Sons will continue to work with Tata Tele in case the latter faces any shortfall in liquidity, for timely debt repayment, operational requirements, or regulatory payout. 

Weaknesses
* Modest business risk profile amid intense competition
Business risk profile was weak prior to the demerger of the consumer mobile business, owing to intense competition in the mobility business. Post-demerger, Tata Tele continues to operate the enterprise business, which has a modest business risk profile. However, the company's ability to sustain healthy operating margin amid intense competition, remains a key monitorable.

* Weak capital structure and debt protection metrics: Despite fund infusion, capital structure will remain subdued as networth was negative as on December 31, 2019. Low operating profit will lead to average debt protection metrics over the medium term.
Liquidity Strong

Tata Tele had around Rs 200 crore of liquid surplus as on December 31, 2019. Liquidity has been supported by regular fund infusions from Tata Sons. The parent has also provided a support letter to Tata Tele, stating intent to take necessary actions to organise for any shortfall in liquidity to ensure timely servicing of debt. Tata Sons has also extended a letter of awareness to investors in the debt programme of Tata Tele. High financial flexibility, arising from being a part of the Tata group, enables Tata Tele to raise additional resources.
 
Tata Sons will continue to support Tata Tele for its funding requirements or to bridge any shortfall towards its financial obligation arising out of regular business activity as well as any regulatory payouts, if required.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes the parent will continue to offer need-based funding support to Tata Tele.

Rating Sensitivity Factors
Upward Factors
*Sustenance of debt to EBITDA (for Tata Tele) at below 3 times over the medium term
*More-than-expected support from Tata Sons

Downward Factors
. Downgrade in Tata Sons' ratings by 1 or more notches
. Change in stance of support to Tata Tele by Tata Sons.

About Tata Tele
Tata Tele became a pan-India telecom operator in January 2005. The company had a unified access (basic and cellular) service licence to operate in 19 circles, and a national long-distance licence to provide services within India.

However, Tata Tele announced completion of the sale of its consumer mobile business to Bharti Airtel and Bharti Hexacom Ltd, with effect from July 1, 2019, following the TDSAT (Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal) order, directing the Department of Telecommunications to take the merger on record; and approval of the schemes of arrangement by NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal), Delhi, and NCLT, Mumbai.

Consequently, all customers, assets, spectrum, and agreed liabilities of Tata Tele have been merged with Bharti Airtel. Post-merger, Tata Tele continues to provide the residual businesses such as enterprise business, fixed-line, and broadband business.

Key Financial Indicators (TTML-Standalone)
Particulars Unit 2019 2018
Revenue Rs crore 1277 1869
Profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore -667 -9842
PAT margin % -52.2 -526.6
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times NM NM
Adjusted interest coverage Times 0.47 0.13

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments. The CRISIL complexity levels are available on www.crisil.com/complexity-levels. Users are advised to refer to the CRISIL complexity levels for instruments that they consider for investment. Users may also call the Customer Service Helpdesk with queries on specific instruments.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of instrument Date of allotment Coupon rate (%) Maturity date Issue size 
(Rs.Cr)
Rating assigned
 with outlook
NA Commercial Paper NA NA 7-365 days 7500 CRISIL A1+
NA Cash Credit/Overdraft facility NA NA NA 35.00 CRISIL AA-/Stable
NA Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 786.16 CRISIL A1+
NA Proposed Term Loan NA NA NA 4,344.84 CRISIL AA-/Stable
 
Annexure - List of Entities Consolidated
Entity Consolidated Extent of Consolidation Rationale for Consolidation
Tata Teleservices Ltd Full Both the companies have strong operational linkages with each other, are in same business, and have fungible cash flows.
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  7500.00  CRISIL A1+  08-01-20  CRISIL A1+  22-08-19  CRISIL A1+  19-12-18  CRISIL A1+  22-12-17  CRISIL A1+  -- 
            23-07-19  CRISIL A1+  10-10-18  CRISIL A1+       
            22-03-19  CRISIL A1+  25-06-18  CRISIL A1+       
                10-04-18  CRISIL A1+       
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  4379.84  CRISIL AA-/Stable  08-01-20  CRISIL AA-/Stable  22-08-19  CRISIL AA-/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  19-12-18  CRISIL AA-/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  22-12-17  CRISIL AA-/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A-/Negative 
            23-07-19  CRISIL AA-/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  10-10-18  CRISIL AA-/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  21-11-17  CRISIL AA-/Stable/ CRISIL A1+   
            22-03-19  CRISIL AA-/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  25-06-18  CRISIL AA-/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  17-10-17  CRISIL A/Watch Developing/ CRISIL A1/Watch Developing   
                10-04-18  CRISIL AA-/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  07-07-17  CRISIL A/Stable/ CRISIL A1   
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  786.16  CRISIL A1+  08-01-20  CRISIL A1+  22-08-19  CRISIL A1+  19-12-18  CRISIL A1+  22-12-17  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A2+ 
            23-07-19  CRISIL A1+  10-10-18  CRISIL A1+  21-11-17  CRISIL A1+   
            22-03-19  CRISIL A1+  25-06-18  CRISIL A1+  17-10-17  CRISIL A1/Watch Developing   
                10-04-18  CRISIL A1+  07-07-17  CRISIL A1   
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Cash Credit/ Overdraft facility 35 CRISIL AA-/Stable Cash Credit/ Overdraft facility 35 CRISIL AA-/Stable
Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 786.16 CRISIL A1+ Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 786.16 CRISIL A1+
Proposed Term Loan 4344.84 CRISIL AA-/Stable Proposed Term Loan 4344.84 CRISIL AA-/Stable
Total 5166 -- Total 5166 --
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
Rating Criteria for Mobile Telephony Services
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
Criteria for Notching up Stand Alone Ratings of Companies based on Group Support

For further information contact:
Media Relations
Analytical Contacts
Customer Service Helpdesk
Saman Khan
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 3895
B: +91 22 3342 3000
saman.khan@crisil.com

Naireen Ahmed
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 1818
B: +91 22 3342 3000
naireen.ahmed@crisil.com

Sachin Gupta
Senior Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 22 3342 3023
Sachin.Gupta@crisil.com


Nitesh Jain
Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 22 3342 3329
nitesh.jain@crisil.com


ROUNAK AGARWAL
Rating Analyst - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
B:+91 22 3342 3000
ROUNAK.AGARWAL@crisil.com
Timings: 10.00 am to 7.00 pm
Toll free Number:1800 267 1301

For a copy of Rationales / Rating Reports:
CRISILratingdesk@crisil.com
 
For Analytical queries:
ratingsinvestordesk@crisil.com


 

Note for Media:
This rating rationale is transmitted to you for the sole purpose of dissemination through your newspaper / magazine / agency. The rating rationale may be used by you in full or in part without changing the meaning or context thereof but with due credit to CRISIL. However, CRISIL alone has the sole right of distribution (whether directly or indirectly) of its rationales for consideration or otherwise through any media including websites, portals etc.


About CRISIL Limited

CRISIL is a leading agile and innovative, global analytics company driven by its mission of making markets function better. We are India’s foremost provider of ratings, data, research, analytics and solutions. A strong track record of growth, culture of innovation and global footprint sets us apart. We have delivered independent opinions, actionable insights, and efficient solutions to over 1,00,000 customers.
 
We are majority owned by S&P Global Inc., a leading provider of transparent and independent ratings, benchmarks, analytics and data to the capital and commodity markets worldwide.
 
For more information, visit www.crisil.com 


Connect with us: TWITTER | LINKEDIN | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK

About CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Ratings is part of CRISIL Limited (“CRISIL”). We pioneered the concept of credit rating in India in 1987. CRISIL is registered in India as a credit rating agency with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”). With a tradition of independence, analytical rigour and innovation, CRISIL sets the standards in the credit rating business. We rate the entire range of debt instruments, such as, bank loans, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, non-convertible / convertible / partially convertible bonds and debentures, perpetual bonds, bank hybrid capital instruments, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, partial guarantees and other structured debt instruments. We have rated over 24,500 large and mid-scale corporates and financial institutions. CRISIL has also instituted several innovations in India in the rating business, including rating municipal bonds, partially guaranteed instruments and microfinance institutions. We also pioneered a globally unique rating service for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and significantly extended the accessibility to rating services to a wider market. Over 1,10,000 MSMEs have been rated by us.


CRISIL PRIVACY
 
CRISIL respects your privacy. We may use your contact information, such as your name, address, and email id to fulfil your request and service your account and to provide you with additional information from CRISIL.For further information on CRISIL’s privacy policy please visit www.crisil.com.


DISCLAIMER

This disclaimer forms part of and applies to each credit rating report and/or credit rating rationale that we provide (each a “Report”). For the avoidance of doubt, the term “Report” includes the information, ratings and other content forming part of the Report. The Report is intended for the jurisdiction of India only. This Report does not constitute an offer of services. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing in the Report is to be construed as CRISIL providing or intending to provide any services in jurisdictions where CRISIL does not have the necessary licenses and/or registration to carry out its business activities referred to above. Access or use of this Report does not create a client relationship between CRISIL and the user.

We are not aware that any user intends to rely on the Report or of the manner in which a user intends to use the Report. In preparing our Report we have not taken into consideration the objectives or particular needs of any particular user. It is made abundantly clear that the Report is not intended to and does not constitute an investment advice. The Report is not an offer to sell or an offer to purchase or subscribe for any investment in any securities, instruments, facilities or solicitation of any kind or otherwise enter into any deal or transaction with the entity to which the Report pertains. The Report should not be the sole or primary basis for any investment decision within the meaning of any law or regulation (including the laws and regulations applicable in the US).

Ratings from CRISIL Rating are statements of opinion as of the date they are expressed and not statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, hold, or sell any securities / instruments or to make any investment decisions. Any opinions expressed here are in good faith, are subject to change without notice, and are only current as of the stated date of their issue. CRISIL assumes no obligation to update its opinions following publication in any form or format although CRISIL may disseminate its opinions and analysis. CRISIL rating contained in the Report is not a substitute for the skill, judgment and experience of the user, its management, employees, advisors and/or clients when making investment or other business decisions. The recipients of the Report should rely on their own judgment and take their own professional advice before acting on the Report in any way.CRISIL or its associates may have other commercial transactions with the company/entity.

Neither CRISIL nor its affiliates, third party providers, as well as their directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents (collectively, “CRISIL Parties”) guarantee the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the Report, and no CRISIL Party shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein, regardless of the cause, or for the results obtained from the use of any part of the Report. EACH CRISIL PARTY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, SUITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE. In no event shall any CRISIL Party be liable to any party for any direct, indirect, incidental, exemplary, compensatory, punitive, special or consequential damages, costs, expenses, legal fees, or losses (including, without limitation, lost income or lost profits and opportunity costs) in connection with any use of any part of the Report even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

CRISIL Ratings may receive compensation for its ratings and certain credit-related analyses, normally from issuers or underwriters of the instruments, facilities, securities or from obligors. CRISIL’s public ratings and analysis as are required to be disclosed under the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (and other applicable regulations, if any) are made available on its web sites, www.crisil.com (free of charge). Reports with more detail and additional information may be available for subscription at a fee – more details about CRISIL ratings are available here: www.crisilratings.com.

CRISIL and its affiliates do not act as a fiduciary. While CRISIL has obtained information from sources it believes to be reliable, CRISIL does not perform an audit and undertakes no duty of due diligence or independent verification of any information it receives and / or relies in its Reports. CRISIL keeps certain activities of its business units separate from each other in order to preserve the independence and objectivity of the respective activity. As a result, certain business units of CRISIL may have information that is not available to other CRISIL business units. CRISIL has established policies and procedures to maintain the confidentiality of certain non-public information received in connection with each analytical process. CRISIL has in place a ratings code of conduct and policies for analytical firewalls and for managing conflict of interest. For details please refer to: https://www.crisil.com/en/home/our-businesses/ratings/regulatory-disclosures/highlighted-policies.html

CRISIL’s rating criteria are generally available without charge to the public on the CRISIL public web site, www.crisil.com. For latest rating information on any instrument of any company rated by CRISIL you may contact CRISIL RATING DESK at CRISILratingdesk@crisil.com, or at (0091) 1800 267 1301.

This Report should not be reproduced or redistributed to any other person or in any form without a prior written consent of CRISIL.

All rights reserved @ CRISIL