A PROMINENT IT firm celebrating 20 years in business is calling on organisations to be ready for landmark changes to telephone and communication networks in the UK.

CATalyst Systems, based in Denbigh and Chester, is working with customers across North Wales, the North West and beyond ahead of The Big Switch Off in 2027.

The move will see the phasing out of BT’s ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) and Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) in favour of newer technology including Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

CATalyst Systems owner Rory McGough says this is a watershed moment for the industry, yet many people are unaware that ‘landlines’ as we know them will be a thing of the past.

Employing 11 engineers and administrative staff, the managed IT service provider is at the forefront of developments and keen to support current and prospective clients as they make the transition over the coming months.

“This is happening and it’s happening soon – even with the deadline being moved to 2027 – but the majority of businesses are completely unaware of it,” said Rory, who has worked in the sector for more than three decades.

“For long-standing public and private sector organisations where a landline is key, those that are physically on the premises, this will have a major impact as the traditional analogue systems are being completely scrapped in favour of VoIP and internet-based platforms.

“There is still time but it’s a good idea to get in touch and be prepared, make sure you upgrade existing machinery and technology to meet the deadline, which will be here before we know it.”

A member of popular Irish music combo The Weebag Band, Rory was raised in Dundalk before moving to Liverpool and later North Wales in the 1960s.

He worked for the Ministry of Agriculture in IT before taking the plunge at the turn of the century and going it alone.

One of a handful of IT partners in Wales supporting organisations as they ready themselves for the switch to IP – and a silver partner of prestigious global service provider 3CX – CATalyst Systems has gone from strength to strength.

With a team of dedicated, skilled professionals at his side, Rory supports clients across multiple arenas – including retail, law, medical and finance – and is proud of how they manage to be flexible and offer the “personal touch” while providing high-quality bilingual services.

“We are effectively our clients’ IT department, we are part of the team, and that’s very important to us and to them,” said Rory.

“We have grown together and remained at the cutting edge of advances in technology and sustainability – including our revamped website and journey to becoming net zero – which is vital for CATalyst and its customers.”

He added: “For many, the big switch-off is huge, it could be seen as concerning and confusing, but it’s a simple process if businesses anticipate rather than react at the last minute.

“We are already helping companies make the changes necessary, migrating them onto modern cloud-based systems in place of the outdated PSTN technology.

“We are here for help, advice, and guidance, so get in touch to find out more.”