The ESSP (European Satellite Services Provider) was founded on 2001 and initially formed as an European Economic Interest Grouping (EEIG). This legal form was appropriate for the development phase of the company.

In 2008 the ESSP was transformed into a new company of limited liability - ESSP SAS, and moved from Brussels to Toulouse. 

Its shareholders  are 7 key European Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs), which were  also members of the initial EOIG  (EGNOS Operator and Infrastructure Group). 

The ESSP members are:

• Spain: Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea AENA
• Germany: Deutsche Flugsicherung DFS
• France: Direction des Services de Navigation Aérienne DGAC/DSNA
• Italy: L'Ente Nazionale Assistenza al Volo ENAV
• United Kingdom: NATS
• Portugal: Navegação Aérea de Portugal NAV
• Switzerland: Schweizerische Aktiengesellschaft für zivile und militärische Flugsicherung Skyguide

The main purpose of the ESSP is to deploy the Contract with the European Commission (signed 2009) that entitles the company to become the EGNOS system operator and EGNOS Service provider: Open Service, Safety-of-Life Service and EDAS Service.