ATC highlights Vi as a risk factor in Q2 FY2023 results

American Tower Corporation reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.

Relevant India extracts
“Following the rulings by the Supreme Court of India regarding carriers’ obligations for the adjusted gross revenue (“AGR”) fees and charges prescribed by the court, we continue to experience variability and a level of uncertainty in collections in India. As further discussed in Item 1A of the 2022 Form 10-K under the caption “Risk Factors—A substantial portion of our current and projected future revenue is derived from a small number of customers, and we are sensitive to adverse changes in the creditworthiness and financial strength of our customers,” in the third quarter of 2022, our largest customer in India, Vodafone Idea Limited (“VIL”), communicated that it would make partial payments of its contractual amounts owed to us and indicated that it would continue to make partial payments for the remainder of 2022. In late 2022, VIL had communicated its intent to resume payments in full under its contractual obligations owed to us beginning on January 1, 2023. However, in early 2023, VIL communicated that it would not be able to resume payments in full of its contractual obligations owed to us, and that it would instead continue to make partial payments (the “VIL Shortfall”).

We considered these recent developments and the uncertainty with respect to amounts owed under our tenant leases when conducting our 2022 annual impairment assessments for long-lived assets and goodwill in India. As a result, we determined that certain fixed and intangible assets had been impaired during the year ended December 31, 2022. We expect to periodically evaluate the carrying value of our Indian assets, which may result in the realization of additional impairment expense or other similar charges. For more information, please see our discussion below under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” included in this Quarterly Report.”

It adds
“In February 2023, VIL issued optionally convertible debentures (the “VIL OCDs”) to our subsidiary, ATC Telecom Infrastructure Private Limited (“ATCTIPL”), in exchange for VIL’s payment of certain amounts towards accounts receivables. The VIL OCDs are (a) to be repaid by VIL with interest, and (b) convertible, at ATC TIPL’s option, into equity of VIL. Such equity shall be freely tradable in the open market beginning on the one year anniversary of the date of issuance of the VIL OCDs. The VIL OCDs were issued for an aggregate face value of 16.0 billion Indian Rupees (“INR”) (approximately $193.2 million on the date of issuance). The fair value of the VIL OCDs at issuance was approximately $116.5 million.

As a result of the challenging business environment in India, we are exploring various strategic alternatives aimed at potentially reducing our exposure there, including the sale of equity interests in our India operations to one or more investors. Any such transaction could have a material impact on our financial statements and on our results of operations in the period in which any such transaction occurred. There can be no assurance that any such strategic alternativewill be implemented and, if so implemented, no certainty as to the timing thereof. In any case, such a proposed transaction would be subject to conditions, including regulatory approvals in India.

India Term Loan—On February 16, 2023, the Company entered into a 12.0 billion INR (approximately $145.1 million at the date of signing) unsecured term loan with a maturity date that is one year from the date of the first draw thereunder (the “India Term Loan”). On February 17, 2023, the Company borrowed 10.0 billion INR (approximately $120.7 million at the date of borrowing) under the India Term Loan. The India Term Loan bears interest at the three month treasury bill rate as announced by the Financial Benchmarks India Private Limited plus a margin of 1.95%. Any outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest will be due and payable in full at maturity. The India Term Loan does not require amortization of principal and may be paid prior to maturity in whole or in part at the Company’s option without penalty or premium.

India Credit Facilities—During the six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company increased the borrowing capacity of its working capital facilities in India by 2.8 billion INR (approximately $34.0 million). As of June 30, 2023, the borrowing capacity under the working capital facilities in India is 10.7 billion INR (approximately $130.0 million). As of June 30, 2023, the Company has not borrowed under these facilities.

VIL Optionally Convertible Debentures—In February 2023, one of the Company’s customers in India, Vodafone Idea Limited (“VIL”), issued optionally convertible debentures (the “VIL OCDs”) to the Company’s subsidiary, ATC Telecom Infrastructure Private Limited (“ATC TIPL”), in exchange for VIL’s payment of certain amounts towards accounts receivables. The VIL OCDs are (a) to be repaid by VIL with interest, and (b) convertible, at ATC TIPL’s option, into equity of VIL. Such equity shall be freely tradable in the open market beginning on the one year anniversary of the date of issuance of the VIL OCDs. The VIL OCDs were issued for an aggregate face value of 16.0 billion INR (approximately $193.2 million on the date of issuance). The VIL OCDs mature in tranches with 8.0 billion INR (approximately $96.6 million on the date of issuance) maturing on August 27, 2023 and 8.0 billion INR (approximately $96.6 million on the date of issuance) maturing on August 27, 2024. The fair value of the VIL OCDs at issuance was approximately $116.5 million. The VIL OCDs accrue interest at a rate of 11.2% annually. Interest is payable to ATC TIPL semi-annually beginning on August 27, 2023.

The VIL OCDs are recorded in Prepaid and other current assets and Notes receivable and other non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. The significant input to the fair value of the VIL OCDs is the VIL equity share price underlying the instruments, less a liquidity discount. Unrealized holding gains and losses for the VIL OCDs are recorded in Other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of operations in the current period. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company recognized unrealized gains of $28.8 million and $13.1 million, respectively, for the VIL OCDs held as of June 30, 2023.”

For detailed results, https://www.americantower.com/investor-relations/press-releases/

CT Bureau