New Delhi, January 27, 2014: India Ratings & Research (Ind-Ra) has revised its outlook on the telecommunications sector to stable from negative for FY15. This revision is led by recovering pricing power in the mature voice telephony segment, strong growth potential in the emerging data business with only 20% penetration and reducing regulatory overhang.
The agency expects the telecom sector to continue witnessing polarised operational improvements in FY15. EBITDA margins for top three telcos together expanded by 391bp yoy in 1HFY14, while weaker telcos (with revenue market share below 10%) were still incurring EBITDA losses.
The number of aggregate telecom operators in all 22 circles across India continues to reduce (to 179 in June 2013 from 277 in December 2012), with several smaller/newer players exiting or scaling down operations. Consequently, the top three telcos Bharti Airtel Limited, Idea Cellular Limited and Vodafone India Limited continue to gain market share. Revenue market share on the basis of adjusted gross revenues of the top three telcos increased to 70.2% in November 2013 from 63.8% in December 2012 (source: the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) and the combined subscriber base increased to 483 million in November 2013 from 447 million in December 2012.
There are clear signs of a shift of the price war from voice to data with data tariffs already being slashed (up to 50%) by large telcos in the last few months of 2013. Simultaneously, over-the-top players are already cannibalising SMS and voice revenues streams. Though data average revenue per user (ARPUs) will be augmenting overall ARPUs, realisations are exposed to pricing pressure risks.
Ind-Ra believes the fragmented telecom sector might evolve into an oligopolistic market once sponsors of smaller, unprofitable telcos exit on being unable to sustain losses. Consolidation is likely to be catalysed by relaxing merger and acquisition (M&A) norms and reducing regulatory and legal overhangs.
The agency believes the telecom sector would recover in 2014. This is based on a gradual revival of investor confidence on the back of emerging clarity on regulatory issues towards end-2013, a reduction in the spectrum base price, relaxation of M&A norms and foreign direct investment limits being increased to 100%. However, key risks include spectrum re-farming in the 900MHz band and one-time fees for excess spectrum which, if implemented, could burden cash outflows for the top three telcos.
Ind-Ra expects the upcoming February 2014 spectrum auction to witness active participation, as licenses of key players are due for renewal and eight operators have confirmed participation. However, there is a risk of aggressive bidding in the metro circles which could increase the spectrum payouts for telcos.
Capex outgo is likely to be high in FY15 on account of licence renewals and the need to continuously invest in spectrum acquisition and technology upgradation such as 3G and 4G while expanding the voice and data capacity.
Operational improvements are partially offset by the risk of delayed deleveraging leverage, on account of continued outgo in FY15. The conversion impact on forex debt has further compounded the issue.
WHAT CAN CHANGE THE OUTLOOK
Lower Earnings, Higher Cash Outflow: The outlook could be revised back to negative on stressed balance sheets as well as cash flows due to lower-than-expected earnings and higher-than-expected regulatory charges.
Fresh Competition: Resurfacing competition after Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited’s entry could strain telcos’ pricing power and sustainability of margin improvement thus leading to a negative outlook.
Legal/Regulatory Overhang: Adverse impact of litigation and unfavourable policies on spectrum reframing in the 900MHz band, spectrum sharing and trading policy, and spectrum usage charges will have a negative impact on the outlook.
(Source: Manager – Corporate Communications and Investor Relations, India Ratings & Research -A Fitch Group Company.)