#DigitalBusiness #Indiantelecomindustry #SunilMittal

Indian telecom industry facing headwinds




The telecom industry had been facing headwinds since the launch of services by Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited (RJIL) which manifested into decline in revenue and profit generation. Further, the Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) penalty added to the woes of the industry and has kept the debt levels elevated. Owing to these reasons, the financial position of Vodafone Idea Limited (VIL) has been deteriorating due to mounting losses and increasing debt levels. As per an ICRA note, this stress on VIL is likely to impact financial as well as other stakeholders and can impact the industry structure. It has been observed that as VIL owes Rs 23,400 crore to lenders and Rs 1,68,190 crore to government towards spectrum and AGR deferred dues as on June 30, 2021. Over the last 12 quarters starting Q2FY2019, VIL has been reporting sizable losses.

Further, with the addition of AGR liabilities, the debt has burgeoned to more than Rs 2 lakh crore as on June 30, 2021 (including lease liabilities). This, along with churn in the subscriber base, mostly stagnant 4G user base, and pressure on ARPU levels have kept the revenue and profit generation muted. As per ICRA, the most effective relief can come in the form of extension of moratorium on spectrum dues beyond FY2022, a move that could result in deferment of dues payable in FY2023 to the tune of Rs 32,000 crore for the industry, of which Rs 16,000 crore are VIL's. Moreover, reduction in the levies paid by telcos, namely license fee and spectrum usage charges can also lift the EBITDA. An estimation states, one per cent reduction in levies leads to annual saving of Rs 1,600 crore for the industry. VIL occupies 35% tenancy share and 36% revenue share. In a situation of VIL shutting down operations, 255 million subscribers of VIL to get impacted and tower companies will have to face a loss of these tenan.