OneWeb signed the Armed Forces Covenant (AFC) which ensures serving and retired members of the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force and their families are treated fairly.

Visiting OneWeb’s headquarters in London, Air Marshal Sir Richard Knighton KBE, the Royal Air Force (RAF)’s Deputy Commander Capability, and Air Vice-Marshal Lincoln Taylor OBE, Chief of Staff Capability, observed the agreement signed by OneWeb’s Chris Moore CBE Air Vice-Marshal (Retired) and Vice President International Government and Trade Engagement.

By agreeing to the AFC, OneWeb intends to support the Armed Forces community and become recognised by the AFC’s Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) award.

OneWeb already supports the employment of service personnel through the engagement of a career transition partnership and virtual network initiatives.

OneWeb also pledges to keep jobs open for employees mobilising and deploying as members of the Reserve and Cadet Forces, in addition to granting leave for personnel taking part in annual training programmes every year.

OneWeb promises to support national military events to show support for the sacrifice of veteran and reservist communities. Examples include Armed Forces Day, Poppy Appeal Day and Remembrance Day.

Billy Bingham, Senior Director OneWeb Government, a former Lieutenant Colonel in the British Army, said: “OneWeb is especially proud to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant. Today, circa five per cent of our workforce are ex-military personnel who together have accumulated nearly 300 years in service around the globe. We look forward to supporting them and their families in line with the Covenant guidelines.”

On their visit to OneWeb, Air Marshals Knighton and Taylor also observed a demonstration of OneWeb’s global connectivity.

OneWeb’s communications network features a global constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites and ecosystem of multi-domain user terminals, ground gateways, and software solutions which enable Government customers to benefit from secure and resilient fixed, on-the-pause and on-the-move communications, on land, at sea and in the air.

OneWeb is making significant progress in building its constellation and currently has 428 satellites in low Earth orbit, representing almost 70% of its planned fleet. It is already delivering high-speed connectivity to hundreds of customers in remote communities such as in Alaska, Canada, and the Nordics. Launches will continue during 2022-2023 to enable the company to offer flexible, reliable and secure connectivity services globally from end 2023.