Exploring options on converting dues: Airtel

Bharti Airtel Ltd's proposal to the government on converting its revenue-linked dues into equity was only intended to explore if such an option was available, vice chairman and managing director Gopal Vittal said on Wednesday, adding that a decision will be taken by the company's board after getting clarification from the government.

- Jatin Grover

NEW DELHI:

"We just wanted a non-discriminatory level-playing field in terms of an option to convert," Vittal said. "Whether we will convert or not is a decision for the board to take... We wanted a clarification from the government whether we had the option or not."

Speaking at an analyst call to discuss Airtel's March-quarter earnings, Vittal also dwelt on the company's decision to remove subsidies on direct-to-home (DTH) set-top boxes, its plans for satellite communications with Starlink, and for growing its enterprise business.

He also repeated his call for restructuring mobile tariffs for improving the industry's financial health.