PTT's learntelecoms online courses offer a valuable training and information resource for those joining the telecommunications and ICT sectors as well as managers, technicians and engineers who need to keep up to date with the latest techniques and systems.
Whether you are responsible for continuous professional development in your organisation, or an individual wanting to improve your knowledge of telecommunications or data communications, there are PTT courses that match your requirements.
PTT Level 3 Award in Principles of Telecommunications
This study programme introduces the fundamental principles, operation and facilities of modern telecommunications systems. The programme consists of ten online courses and associated online examinations. Successful learners will be awarded a certificate of achievement by NCFE.
PTT Level 3 Certificate in Unified Communications
This programme describes the fundamental principles, protocols, components, applications, testing, and security aspects of unified communications systems. This programme includes twelve online courses along with associated online assessment and essays. Upon completion, successful learners will be awarded a certificate of achievement by NCFE.
Select the category name to see the individual online courses.
Introduction to telecommunications (4 courses)
Telecommunications for managers
The "Telecoms for managers" courses are particularly useful for managers and non-technical staff who require an appreciation of the technological, regulatory and commercial aspects of telecoms.
Telephony and data services
Introduces the facilities and capabilities of telephony and data services provided by modern telecommunications systems with reference to the underlying infrastructure.
Code: TFA
Wireless communications
Introduces the basic operation, capabilities and applications of wireless communications for those joining the telecoms sector in a managerial or technical role.
Code: WAA
Telecoms infrastructure and administration
Introduces the underlying physical infrastructure of a telecommunications system and the commercial, standardisation and regulatory aspects of telecoms provision.
Code: TCC
Telecoms for non-technical staff
The "Introduction to telecoms services" course is particularly useful for customer facing staff who need an appreciation of telecommunications without technical detail. These include customer service agents and retail sales representatives working in the telecoms sector.
Introduction to telecoms services
Provides an overview of the facilities provided by modern fixed line and mobile telecommunications services.
Code: TCE
Telecommunications fundamentals (8 courses)
Courses providing an introduction to telecoms: The following courses cover the fundamental principles of telecoms technology and are designed for technical staff especially those new to the telecoms sector.
Analogue and digital signals
An introduction to the characteristics of the signals used in communications systems and the effect of passive circuits and transmission lines on those signals.
Code: PAA
Signal impairments
An introduction to the causes of signal impairments and their effect on the transmission of information over telecommunications and data links.
Code: PAB
Transmission fundamentals
Describes the characteristics, capabilities and applications of copper, optical fibre and wireless transmission media.
Code: PAC
Modulation and multiplexing
Introduces the methods employed in telecommunications systems to maximise the traffic carrying capacity of transmission media.
Code: PAD
Data communications principles
Explains the fundamental principles of data communications and describes the role of the basic functional components of data links and the protocols that define their operation.
Code: PAE
Telecommunications networks
Introduces the role, structure, capabilities and operation of modern telecommunications networks.
Code: PAG
Media encoding
Introduces the digital processing that is carried out on speech and video before transmission over communications networks including those providing fixed line, mobile and Internet telephony.
Code: PAF
Telecoms testing and fault-finding
Describes how to follow a structured approach to fault finding and maintenance, and the role and significance of the various tests employed on telecommunications networks and broadband connections.
Code: FPB
Telecommunications security (1 course)
Telecoms companies are amongst those which are most vulnerable to cyber attacks and other threats. The PTT course below ensures telecoms employees are aware of such threats and helps them to guard against security breaches.
Telecommunications systems security
Provides an overview of the protection of personal data held by telecommunications providers against misuse and the protection of telecoms systems against intrusion and fraudulent misuse.
Code: TCG
Broadband access (7 courses)
Courses covering copper and optical fibre based technologies that provide broadband access to telecoms services and the Internet.
Introduction to the access network
Telecommunications access networks
Introduces the structure, components, applications and capabilities of the access networks that provide telephony and broadband services.
Code: FOA
Telecoms testing and fault-finding
Describes how to follow a structured approach to fault finding and the role and significance of the various tests employed on telecommunications networks and broadband connections.
Code: FPB
Broadband technologies
Optical fibre principles
Introduces the principles of optical fibre transmission, describes the role of the components of a fibre link, and discusses the impairments that limit transmission distance and data transfer rate.
Code: OMA
Optical fibre installation and testing
Describes the role and features of the components of optical access networks and the practical aspects of installing and testing the cable systems that provide fibre-based broadband services.
Code: FOC
Next generation access networks
Describes the capabilities, components and operation of the copper and fibre access networks that meet the demand for high speed broadband now and in the future.
Code: TDD
DSL systems
Describes the structure, functional components, operation and testing of systems that provide Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) broadband services to customers over copper wires.
Code: DMB
Hybrid fibre coax systems
Describes the operation, components and capabilities of hybrid fibre coax cable systems with reference to the provision of television, video on demand and broadband services.
Code: TCF
Voice and video services (5 courses)
Courses covering the delivery of voice services.
Telephony and data services
Introduces the facilities and capabilities of telephony and data services provided by modern telecommunications systems with reference to the underlying infrastructure.
Code: TFA
Introduction to telephony
This course introduces the principles of operation, components, structure, management, and provisioning of private and public telephony systems.
Code: VAA
Voice over IP
Describes the components, protocols and operation of telephony systems that operate over Internet Protocol (IP) networks with emphasis on the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP).
Code: VAB
VoIP systems
Describes the functional components and operation of public telephony systems based on the Internet Protocol (IP) with emphasis on those employing an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) in a next generation network.
Code: MED
Hybrid fibre coax systems
Describes the operation, components and capabilities of hybrid fibre coax cable systems with reference to the provision of television, video on demand and broadband services.
Code: TCF
Computer networks (7 courses)
Courses covering the operation and security of computer networks.
Ethernet fundamentals
Provides an introduction to the underlying concepts of Ethernet Local Area Networks (LAN) and the capabilities, components and structure of Ethernet LANs.
Code: EDA
Structured cabling
Describes the structure, components, installation requirements and testing of cabling systems employed in local area networks.
Code: EBB
Ethernet networks
Describes the operation of fixed line and wireless Ethernet networks with reference to their address schemes, protocols, functional elements and security methods.
Code: EDC
Advanced Ethernet networks
Describes the enhancement of the security of Ethernet local area networks (LANs), network management and testing tools, and the wide area network services that provide connections between remote LANs.
Code: EBD
Network testing and fault-finding
Explains the benefits and methods of following a structured approach to fault-finding and maintenance, and describes the role of the various tests employed on Ethernet/IP networks and their use in fault finding and measuring network performance.
Code: EDE
Network services
Introduces the elements of computer networks and the associated software that provide services to network users and the measures taken to minimise the impact of disruptive events on service delivery.
Code: NSA
Domain and cloud services
Introduces the role, benefits of, and facilities provided by, the various domain and cloud services that underpin the provision of business applications and the administration and management of the resources that those applications depend on.
Code: NSB
Wide area networks (8 courses)
Courses covering the operation of the wide area networks that provide long distance communications for businesses and telecommunications providers.
Introduction to WANs
Introduces the principles of operation, capabilities and features of various types of Wide Area Network and describes the requirements of different types of traffic and how these can be met.
Code: TQA
Internet protocols
Explains the role, facilities and operation of the various protocols employed on the Internet and many other communications systems.
Code: TQF
IP networks
Describes how networks using the Internet protocol reliably deliver data to its intended destination.
Code: TQG
Next Generation Networks
Explains the concept, architecture, underlying technologies and advantages of IP-based NGNs. The course also introduces the concepts and benefits of software defined networking.
Code: NHA
Interior IP routing
Describes in detail the role, facilities, and operation of the various protocols that discover routes within an IP network.
Code: TQH
Exterior IP routing
Describes the role, facilities, and operation of the protocols that discover routes between IP networks and describes methods of increasing the efficiency and security of the routing process.
Code: TQJ
Advanced IP networks
Describes the techniques such as RSVP, Diffserv and MPLS that are used to offer a differentiated quality of service over an IP network.
Code: TAH
Advanced Ethernet networks
Describes the enhancement of the security of Ethernet local area networks (LANs), network management and testing tools, and the wide area network services that provide connections between remote LANs.
Code: EBD
Mobile and wireless networks and services (5 courses)
Courses covering the principles and operation of mobile and wireless networks.
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5 course bundle
30th anniversary special offer. Buy all 5 courses covering mobile and wireless networks for 30% off.
Wireless communications
Introduces the basic operation, capabilities and applications of wireless communications for those joining the telecoms sector in a managerial or technical role.
Code: WAA
Introduction to mobile systems
Introduces concepts which are used in most types of mobile systems, like handover and roaming, and cellular traffic handling. The course also reviews the various generations from 2G to 5G comparing their performance, and operation, and network structure.
Code: MKA
Mobile radio communications
Describes the operation of the radio access network of a mobile system with emphasis on radio communications to and from a mobile. MKA and MJB are designed as preparation for the more advanced mobile courses.
Code: MJB
4G and 5G radio access networks
This course describes the features, structure, and operation of LTE (4G) and 5G radio access networks and the techniques employed to maximise data transfer speeds and minimise latency over the air interface.
Code: MJC
Advanced mobile systems
This course describes the role of the functional elements of the various generations of mobile system and describes mobility in, and the provision of services over, LTE (4G) and 5G mobile systems.
Code: MJD
Optical transmission networks (4 courses)
Courses covering the principles and operation of optical networks.
Synchronous transmission principles
Introduces the principles of synchronous transmission techniques as employed in modern long-haul networks.
Code: SYA
SDH principles
Introduces the fundamental principles of the Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) as employed in modern broadband networks.
Code: SYB
Optical line systems inc WDM
Describes the capabilities, components and operation of the optical links that provide interconnections in core and metro networks.
Code: SYC
Optical networks
Describes the capabilities, components and operation of metropolitan and national networks that employ optical links to provide the high capacity needed for modern communications.
Code: SYD
Bundled courses providing a comprehensive programme of study:
PTT "Ethernet/IP networks" study programme
This online study programme provides a comprehensive guide to the principles and operation of local and wide area networks. The programme consists of seven online courses and online tutor support. Successful learners will be awarded a certificate of achievement by PTT.
To request further information on any of our e-learning telecommunications courses, including discounts for multiple users and courses, please go here>>
Course facilities inc. tutor support and certificates
Download individual user price list (pdf)
Level 1: Introductory:
PTT Introductory courses are designed for those with no previous experience or knowledge of digital technology. These courses provide an overview of telecommunications or discuss the fundamentals of electronic communications and ICT. The study of general science at secondary (high) school is a typical pre-requisite for PTT Introductory courses.
PTT Introductory courses are suitable for those joining the ICT sector particularly those in an apprenticeship programme.
Level 2: Intermediate:
PTT Intermediate courses are designed for technicians and engineers requiring an understanding of a certain aspect of digital technology. Those planning to study an Intermediate course should understand the basic principles of computing or electronic communications.
The depth of treatment provided by Intermediate courses is typically equivalent to level 3 of a UK national vocational qualification (NVQ).
PTT Intermediate courses can be used to support level 3 digital apprenticeships.
Level 3: Advanced:
PTT Advanced courses are designed for those who require an in-depth treatment of a certain aspect of digital technology. Such courses are suitable for system designers as well as those who will be responsible for the maintenance of the system described in the course.
Those planning to study a PTT Advanced course should have a background in ICT or telecommunications, and an understanding of the fundamentals and principles of the type digital technology system described in the course.