Fitch Affirms T-Mobile's IDR at 'BB+(EXP)'
26 APR 2019 01:37 PM ET
Fitch Ratings-Chicago-26 April 2019: Fitch Ratings has affirmed T-Mobile US, Inc.'s (T-Mobile) long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'BB+(EXP)'. The recovery rating on the T-Mobile USA, Inc. senior notes is revised to 'RR3' from 'RR4'. The expected ratings are contingent on the merger between T-Mobile and Sprint being approved and a final committee review by Fitch to assess any change in assumptions that may have occurred from the time the merger was announced. Fitch has also affirmed T-Mobile's proposed secured credit facility, secured term loan and secured notes at 'BBB-/RR1(EXP)'. The one-notch uplift reflects superior recovery prospects at the senior secured level of the pro forma capital structure incorporating the value of the combined wireless network, subscriber base and spectrum portfolio. The aforementioned expected ratings are for a merged T-Mobile-Sprint entity. If the merger does not occur, the expected rating for T-Mobile could be different.
Transaction closing is subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions. T-Mobile expects regulatory approval from the DOJ and FCC in the first half of 2019. Pro forma for the transaction, gross core telecom leverage (adjusted debt-to-EBITDAR) would be high at transaction close, based on Fitch adjustments, approaching 5x. Fitch expects material deleveraging during the two years post close due to debt reduction and EBITDA growth to reduce leverage to the low 4x range.