Services such as ultra high definition video streaming, cloud computing, and video gaming along with expectations for new services such as virtual reality are driving the requirements for ever higher data transfer rates for broadband connections.

The upload speeds provided by conventional broadband services are lower than that achievable downstream. But consumers and businesses are increasingly both content consumers and creators and so require equally high speeds in both directions.

Many broadband providers are meeting this challenge by adopting a newer generation of passive optical network (PON) for their FTTH services.

AT&T have recently announced that they have achieved symmetrical speeds of 20 Gigabits per second (Gbit/s) with a PON based on the recently formulated 25GS-PON standard. The two and a half times increase in network capacity compared with a network based on the earlier XGS-PON standard is achievable using existing installed optical fibre.

PTT’s online course “Next generation access networks” explains the role of the components, and the principles of operation, of passive optical networks and compares the various generations.

Customers in the UK who are struggling to pay their broadband and mobile bills are to get help under a recent agreement between the UK government and telecoms providers.
The help is aimed at vulnerable customers who are most affected by the cost of living crisis. Measures include allowing them to switch to cheaper tariffs without penalty and reviewing some price plans to see if they can be made more affordable.
Reducing prices for customers will put pressure on operators to reduce their own costs. One way of achieving this is to review how they address the digital skills gap for new and existing staff.

Communications providers are already struggling to recruit new staff as well as upskilling existing employees so they have the required knowledge in an ever-evolving industry. When additional, increasing cost pressures are factored in, sticking to a classroom-only model of training is no longer sensible. The associated costs of travel for learners as well as increasing costs of providing classroom space and trainer time therefore require a balanced, blended learning approach.

PTT has decades of experience in providing digital learning solutions to the telecommunications industry. With a blended learning approach, trainees can gain the required knowledge through self-paced e-learning courses. This knowledge can then be transferred into the relevant skills through on-the-job training or shorter classroom workshops. PTT works with apprenticeship providers to provide the latest digital apprenticeships, with our e-learning courses helping hundreds of new entrants into the industry every year. PTT can also work with businesses to create tailored learning solutions to meet their exact skills requirements.

Contact PTT today to see how our learning solutions can help address the digital skills gap in a proven, cost effective way.

A recent survey found that more than 70% of IT leaders internationally saw the digital skills gap as an urgent concern. The reasons for the lack of personnel with the appropriate skills is multi-faceted but two issues have exacerbated the challenges faced by the ICT sector in recruiting and retaining staff with the right skills: The rapid evolution of technology and the pandemic.

The pandemic has accelerated the growth of the adoption of cloud services while also leading to people re-evaluating their work-life balance. This has fed the increasing demand for high level ICT skills and resulted in more competition when hiring people with those skills.

Yet the thirst for change in people’s lives is also an opportunity for ICT companies. A recent survey by BT found given the opportunity, 69% of people would reskill and work in a different specialism, with technology (18%) topping the list of sectors that people wished they could switch to.

In short, businesses are searching for workers with digital expertise, and candidates are searching for employers willing to train them.

So, how should ICT employers exploit this situation for the benefit of staff and their businesses?

Traditional classroom training for new entrants requires trainers who are also technology specialists and who have time to keep up to date with the rapid changes in their field. This combination of skills is in short supply.

A blended learning approach to technology training uses trainers’ time for efficiently and reduces the time spent by trainees away from the workplace. Knowledge is delivered online using elearning while skills are learned at the workplace with support from mentors. Periodic meetings (virtual or real) with a trainer encourages group discussions to re-enforce learning.

PTT has a wealth of experience of supporting blended learning in the telecoms and ICT sectors. PTT e-learning courses are regularly updated to ensure they are relevant and reflect current practice.