Press Release STT Global Data Centres India Private ...

1 Press Release STT Global data Centres India Private limited (Erstwhile known as tata Communications data Centers Private limited ). July 28, 2017. Ratings Facilities Amount Rating1 Rating Action (Rs. crore). Long term Bank Facilities 1600 CARE AA; Stable Reaffirmed (Enhanced from Rs. 806 (Double A; Outlook: Stable). crore). Total Facilities 1,600. (Rs. One thousand and six hundred crore only). *Details of instruments/facilities in Annexure-1. Detailed Rationale & Key Rating Drivers The rating assigned to the bank facilities of STT Global data Centres Private limited (STT GDC India ) continues to factor in the strong parentage of Singapore Technologies Telemedia (STT) and tata Communications limited (TCL) providing significant financial flexibility. The rating derives comfort from long-term annuity like contracts with customers, strong operating efficiency and competitive position as reflected by its increasing capacity, dominant market share position and strong profitability margins.

2 Its established position as one of the leading data centre service providers in India and a diversified reputed customer base provides high level of revenue visibility. The rating is however constrained by its moderate capital structure due to its planned partial debt funded capital expenditure. The rating is further constrained by increasing competition in the Indian data centre industry. The ability of STT GDC India to maintain its healthy revenue growth by growing its data centre colocation business as envisaged and to optimally utilize the newly added capacity while maintaining steady profitability margins remain the key rating sensitivities. Detailed description of the key rating drivers Key Rating Strengths Experienced promoter and management: STTGDC and TCL, both the promoters, have a rich experience in providing data center facilities across the globe. STT GDC manages around ~50 data center facilities spread across four countries.

3 On the other hand, TCL is the world's largest carrier of international wholesale voice traffic. Stable annuity like business providing high revenue visibility and stable profit margins: STT GDC India has high revenue visibility as a result of its stable and highly predictable annuity like revenue streams. The company has long-term contracts with its customers, and hosts critical IT systems in a highly specialized and secure environment for them, which results in high customer stickiness. The high level of costs and risks involved in the transfer prevent any migration. Long-term strategic relationship and strong financial and technical support from the promoters: STT GDC India was initially promoted by tata Communications Ltd (TCL). In October 2016, STT, through its wholly owned subsidiary, STT GDC, acquired a 74% majority stake in tata Communications' data center business in India .

4 STT GDC India stands to benefit from the strong expertise of STT GDC and TCL. Both the promoters have a rich experience in providing data centre services across the globe (China, UK, US, and Singapore). This acquisition is strategic to STT GDC, as it will strengthen its existing datacenter portfolio and help it to establish a strong presence in India . With this acquisition, STT GDC will be a new entrant in the Indian market and the company will be able to offer its customers multiple geographical platforms. Dominant position in India with a strong growth potential: Currently, STT GDC India has the largest base of 14 data centers spread across 8 major cities (Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune and Kolkata). STT. GDC India has been increasing its market share over the last two years. Collaborating with STT GDC will continue to significantly strengthen STT GDC India 's market positioning in the Indian market and will help STT GDC India in garnering Global giants which are eyeing to increase their presence in India .

5 1. Complete definitions of the ratings assigned are available at and in other CARE. publications. 1 Credit Analysis & Research limited Press Release Reputed customer base and strong capabilities in key industry verticals: The data center customer base for STT GDC. India accounts for ~850 clients as on May 31, 2017. Around 90% of these clients either have entered into a long-term contract with STT GDC India or have been renewing their contract with STT GDC India over the last 3 years. STT GDC. India 's clients include some of the world's largest software makers, E-commerce players, financial institutions, telecom operators, IT companies and some large government agencies. Key Rating Weaknesses Increasing industry competition: The Indian data centre wholesale colocation business is highly competitive with competition from domestic telecommunications providers, as well as several other small to mid-sized independent data centre companies.

6 Globally, the sector has been attracting significant interest with Private equity firms pursuing acquisition targets. Although the Indian market continues to become more competitive, STT GDC India will continue to pursue growth opportunities with the support of its sponsors. High overall gearing and moderate debt coverage Indicators: STT GDC India had high overall gearing and moderate debt coverage indicators as on March 31, 2017. The overall gearing has increased due to capital expenditure for expansion purposes. However, the company has strong liquidity profile marked by repayments structured over a longer tenure to match its cashflows. Though the capital structure is projected to improve going forward on the back of accretion to profits, it is expected to remain moderate, as STT GDC India is poised to continue to capture market growth opportunity and would avail additional debt to fund its expansion plans.

7 Analytical approach: Standalone Applicable Criteria Criteria on assigning Outlook to Credit Ratings CARE's Policy on Default Recognition Rating Methodology - Service Sector Companies Financial ratios Non-Financial Sector Factoring linkages in ratings About the Company STT GDC India provides data centre co-location services and managed hosting and infrastructure services in India . The co- location services collectively refer to offering racks to customers, while the infrastructure services include providing space for these racks, uninterruptable power system, cooling system, protection and monitoring for their computer equipments (especially servers) used for various data -driven workloads of network and storage. These services will have two major components being the physical real estate as well as the supporting infrastructure (including power, cooling systems, telecom, and physical security and access control).

8 In this business, STT GDC India typically charges its customers on a monthly basis for space/power and other services provided. Over the years, STT GDC India has evolved as a co-location services market leader in India . Currently, STT GDC India has 14 data centers spread across eight cities in India . In May 2016, the companies announced their entry into definitive agreements whereby ST Telemedia, through its wholly owned subsidiary, ST Telemedia Global data Centres (STT GDC), agreed to acquire a 74% stake in tata Communications' data centre business in India and Singapore. STT GDC's acquisition of the Indian data centre business has now been completed. Following table shows the brief financials of STT GDC India : Brief Financials (Rs. crore) FY16 (Audited) FY17 (Provisional). Total operating income PBILDT PAT Overall gearing (times) Interest coverage (times) Status of non-cooperation with previous CRA: Not Applicable Any other information: Not Applicable Rating History for last three years: Please refer Annexure-2.

9 Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument: CARE has classified instruments rated by it on the basis of complexity. This classification is available at Investors/market intermediaries/regulators or others are welcome to write to for any clarifications. Analyst Contact Name: Pawan Matkari Tel: 022-67548 529. Email: 2 Credit Analysis & Research limited Press Release **For detailed Rationale Report and subscription information, please contact us at About CARE Ratings: CARE Ratings commenced operations in April 1993 and over two decades, it has established itself as one of the leading credit rating agencies in India . CARE is registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and also recognized as an External Credit Assessment Institution (ECAI) by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). CARE Ratings is proud of its rightful place in the Indian capital market built around investor confidence.

10 CARE Ratings provides the entire spectrum of credit rating that helps the corporates to raise capital for their various requirements and assists the investors to form an informed investment decision based on the credit risk and their own risk-return expectations. Our rating and grading service offerings leverage our domain and analytical expertise backed by the methodologies congruent with the international best practices. Disclaimer CARE's ratings are opinions on credit quality and are not recommendations to sanction, renew, disburse or recall the concerned bank facilities or to buy, sell or hold any security. CARE has based its ratings/outlooks on information obtained from sources believed by it to be accurate and reliable. CARE does not, however, guarantee the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information.