Rostelecom to consolidate 100% of Tele2 Russia

Print version 13.11.2019

The landmark deal creates the largest integrated digital service provider in Russia

Moscow, Russia – November 13, 2019 - Rostelecom PJSC (MOEX: RTKM, RTKMP; OTCQX: ROSYY), announces that its Board of Directors has approved a transaction to consolidate a 55% stake in T2 RTK holding LLC (hereinafter - Tele2 Russia). The transformational deal strengthens Rostelecom’s position in the fast-growing mobile segment and creates the leading integrated digital provider of fixed-line and wireless solutions in Russia.

Transaction highlights:

• Rostelecom gains 100% control over the strategically vital asset at an attractive price;
• Potential to realise operational synergies on the back of the implementation of a unified strategic approach;
• Support of fixed-line business as wireless remains a key strategic trend in the industry;
• Benefits include joint involvement in the development of a 5g infrastructure;
• Attractive deal financing as an approximately 70% non-cash component to the deal;
• Attractive challenger[1] multiple of 6.0 EV/EBITDA 2019F (5.2 EV/EBITDA 2020F).

Strategic Considerations

Acquisition of a rapidly growing high-margin mobile business

Tele2 Russia is the fastest growing mobile player in Russia and the only provider in the country that managed to substantially increase its market share in the last three years to 17% (+ 2 p.p.)[2]. Tele2’s subscriber base stands at 44 million[3], while its Net Promoter Score ranks as the best in the sector. Tele2 posted 16% revenue CAGR for 2016-2018, against the 4% average in the industry. The company is proud of its increasingly developed mobile data network, and its six-fold increase in LTE base stations in the last three years[4], which has enabled Tele2 to become the second mobile player in Russia by the number of Base Tranceiver Stations. The company is the leader in telecom market in terms of the pace at which its network infrastructure is being rolled out. Tele2 Russia ranks third in the industry by the number of 2/3/4g BTS.

The enlarged company expects top-line and OIBDA growth to accelerate, and for margins and cash flow generation to increase.

Considerable upside potential for fixed and mobile assets

The deal will complement Rostelecom’s digital ecosystem of services with new convergent offerings, which may stimulate consumption and increase sales as a result of higher cross-selling potential between its segments.

Convergence remains a key strategic trend in the telecommunications sector. International trends indicate that the promotion of convergent offerings decreases churn and generates higher ARPU. Following the conclusion of the deal, the enlarged company will become the only player in the market to offer a unified and fully-converged offering nationwide, based on Rostelecom’s superior fixed-line network and Tele2’s enhanced mobile infrastructure.

The deal will enable Rostelecom to realise substantial opportunity by offering the best convergent proposition, which strengthens the Company’s competitive position and increases market shares both in the mobile and fixed-line segments.

5g prospects in Russia

In the run up to the upcoming rollout of the 5g network, the deal will enable Rostelecom, as potential infrastructure operator of 5g networks, to merge Rostelecom’s technologically complimentary network (backbone and last mile) with Tele2’s mobile infrastructure and bring together the required experience and expertise of both parties to build an economically viable next generation network.

Moreover, the usage of Tele2 technological infrastructure will enable Rostelecom to optimise its network maintenance costs. For specific client groups and territories, the possibility exists to shift from fixed-line to wireless solutions.

Synergies potential

As a result of the deal, Rostelecom group will be able to extract synergies to deliver incremental value for the company.

The deal will enable the company to create new services, strengthen cross-selling potential and deliver new packaged and convergent solutions to accelerate revenue growth.

There is also tangible potential to reduce operating costs by increasing the scale of the business and by optimising external costs and business processes.

Deal Structure

The acquisition of the 55% stake in Tele2 Russia is expected to be completed in three parts:

• The acquisition of a 10% stake in Tele2 Russia through an exchange of 10% of ordinary Rostelecom shares held by MOBITEL (Rostelecom subsidiary). The valuation of this non-cash transaction is expected to be based on the report of an independent appraiser. The transaction has a value of RUB 24 bln;
• The acquisition of a 27.5% stake in Tele2 Russia using cash proceeds received from an additional share issue of Rostelecom ordinary shares awarded to VTB bank at a price of RUB 93.21 per share. The transaction will carry a value of RUB 66 bln.
• The acquisition of a 17.5% stake in Tele2 Russia for cash at a valuation determined by the independent appraiser. This cash component will be equal to RUB 42 bln.

Approach to Financing

Upon the completion of the deal, the enlarged company will maintain a comfortable level of debt which will enable Rostelecom to comply with the requirements of its current dividend policy.

Integration and management

Once the deal is complete, the company intends to:

• keep Tele2 Russia as a separate legal entity and maintain its existing brand;
• establish a joint integration committee with the aim of finding and extracting synergies while maintaining the ambitious pace of Tele2 Russia’s development;
• preserve the status of Tele2’s existing management team and approve a new motivation plan;
• renew and unveil the Rostelecom group strategy within the first half of 2020.