A YORK mobile communications firm is expanding its list of high profile contracts as it prepares to work on two of the worlds biggest sporting events this year.

Cellhire, based near Shipton Road, will provide 4G and data connections to thousands of organisers, media, athletes and attendees at the 2018 Winter Olympics, being held in South Korea in February.

The York company has also been appointed to provide the same services at the 2018 FIFA World Cup which is being staged in Russia later in the year.

Cellire UK Managing Director Matt Bennett said: “We have an excellent track record in the sports and entertainments fields for providing data connections and telecom solutions through the close relationship we have with network providers around the world.

“Cellhire is the preferred supplier for voice and data connectivity for clients involved in FIFA World Cups, Olympics, Paralympics and Winter Olympic Games, UEFA Euro Finals, the Tour de France and Cannes Film Festival.

“In total, we have provided many tens of thousands of connections at major events, allowing the media to have reliable and secure voice, video and data communications links to their audiences - and file their reports whenever they wish at any time in the 24/7 news cycle.”

At the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, media organisations including print and online newspapers, and public and commercial television and radio broadcasters, will use Cellhire’s SIM cards, smartphones and MiFi devices.

The company will provide the same service at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, from June 14 to July 15, a contract fulfilment that Cellhire, which has a long established presence in Russia, is already working on.

Founded in 1987, Cellhire has service agreements with more than 100 network partners in more than 40 countries.

In 2005 it won the Queen’s Award for International Enterprise as a result of its success as a specialist in the delivery of communications solutions for events around the world.