State-owned telecom firm MTNL is looking to convert nearly 50 per cent of its fixed line users into broadband subscribers over the next 18 months, as part of plans to increase revenue and retain customers.

At present, nearly 34 per cent of its fixed line customers are also its broadband subscribers. “In the next 1.5 years, we should gun for 50 per cent of landline customer base becoming broadband enabled customers for us...and that should be driving force for us,” MTNL Chairman and Managing Director P K Purwar told PTI.

The company also plans to take the broadband equipment closer to subscriber premises.