RAM Ratings has affirmed the respective AAA/Stable and P1 ratings of Digi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd's (Digitel or the Company) RM5 bil Islamic Medium-Term Notes Programme (2017/-) and RM1 bil Islamic Commercial Papers (2017/2024). The facilities are subject to a combined limit of RM5 bil.

The completion of the merger between Celcom Berhad (Celcom, formerly known as Celcom Axiata Berhad) and Digi.Com Berhad on 30 November 2022, formed CelcomDigi Berhad (CelcomDigi or the Group, formerly known as Digi.Com Berhad). The Group is more indebted post-merger, but its credit metrics are still largely within AAA-threshold. CelcomDigi now holds a leading position in the domestic telecommunications services industry, from a subscriber, revenue and earnings perspective. Coupled with CelcomDigi's superior profitability and continued strong cashflows, the Group's enlarged scale and leading position as the country's largest mobile telecommunications group anchors the Group's credit strength. 

Digitel is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CelcomDigi and currently hosts Digi's division of the business and operations. Nonetheless, with the merger, the Group's strategies and operations have become increasingly integrated with a unified network as well as new products launches under a new corporate brand. Overall, we view Digitel, Celcom and the broader CelcomDigi in aggregate from a rating perspective.

CelcomDigi's top line grew marginally to RM6.3 bil in 1H FY Dec 2023 (1H FY Dec 2022: RM6.1bil1) primarily driven by non-service-based revenue. While the Group's debt level rose post-merger, we expect the Group's financial metrics to remain within AAA rating thresholds, despite some earnings and profitability dilution from integration costs. 

CelcomDigi has experienced a smooth amalgamation thus far. The Group expects to deliver total Net Synergies of RM8 bil (NPV) over 5 years, emanating from network, information technology (IT) and others. We believe these will serve to augment