5G Auction: Not “too” financially taxing, ICICI Securities

We expect the top two telecom operators to bid for spectrum worth ~| 37000-38000 crore each, assuming pan India 100 MHz for core 3300 MHz band (| 31700 crore), 500 MHz for 2600 MHz (| 3495 crore) and some 4G coverage/capacity spectrum. Most importantly, with removal of 3% floor on spectrum usage charges (SUC), the top two telcos stand to have annualised savings of ~| 2100-2300 crore, eventually subsidising the 5G spectrum annual payouts (of | 3374 crore, for 20 years’ equal payout), by ~63-68%. Top Pick: Airtel (maintain BUY, TP – | 860).

5G Auction – Captive private network tussle remains
The Department of Telecom (DoT) notified that the auction of 5G airwaves will begin on July 26, 2022. The Cabinet has left the reserve price of 5G airwaves unchanged. We highlight that the spectrum period has been kept at 20 years. On the payments front, provision has been made for payments in 20 equal annual instalments, to be paid in advance at the beginning of each year vs. mandatory 25-50% upfront payments, required for specific spectrums, earlier. We expect bid amount for top two operators to be ~| 37000-38000 crore each, assuming 100 MHz for core 3300 MHz band (| 31700 crore), 500 MHz for 2600 MHz (| 3495 crore) and some 4G coverage/capacity spectrum. On the private networks front, telcos have been allowed to provide captive non-public network (CNPN) to an enterprise using its network resources, while option has been provided for enterprises to obtain spectrum directly from the DoT. Thus, there remains a tussle between telcos/tech companies as telcos feel it would eat into enterprise segment opportunity.

SUC charge clarification – big positive
In a relief for telecom operators, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) removed the 3% floor rate on spectrum usage charges (SUC), a move which would in the long run make such payments zero on their entire spectrum holding as the telcos add new spectrum, which incrementally has zero SUC. Currently, the three private telcos pay 3.6-4.1% as SUC on AGR. Assuming 100 MHz for core 3300 MHz band and 500 MHz for 2600 MHz pan-India bid, it will bring the weighted average SUC on AGR drastically to 1-1.2%. Top two telcos stand to have annualised savings of ~| 2100-2300 crore. Or to put in another way, it would subsidise the 5G spectrum annual payouts (of | 3374 crore, for 20 years equal payout), by ~63-68%, making it a less financial taxing (read: less pressure on RoCE/cash flows).

Airtel remains well placed
We highlight that Airtel remains in a sweet spot as it has consistently reported resilient numbers, especially on the Indian wireless business front along with strong customer stickiness. The non-wireless business momentum along with Africa performance continue to be robust. Furthermore, while SUC benefits will accrue, Airtel can also dig into residual rights funds (~| 15,740 crore) and possibly some external borrowing (likely to be lower than instalment coupon rate of 7.2%) to fund the 5G auction. Thus, we expect this auction to have only marginal impact of leverage. Favourable industry structure of three players (two being strong), government relief, tariff hike and fund raise puts Airtel in a sweet spot to maintain its relative strength among peers with a formidable digital ecosystem offering.

For complete report – https://www.communicationstoday.co.in/5g-auction-not-too-financially-taxing/

CT Bureau