New Delhi, May 14 -- Bharti Airtel Ltd's proposal to the government on converting the telecom operator's 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.

"On the (adjusted gross revenue) conversion, for us it was quite simple. We just wanted a non-discriminatory level-playing field in terms of an option to convert," Vittal said during a call with analysts to discuss Airtel's March-quarter earnings. "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."

Last month, Airtel urged the Department of Telecommunications (DoT)to convert its...