Historically, Network Solutions was the only company authorised to register domain names. This has now changed as the domain name market has become open to competition and several dozen companies have become authorized to act as domain name registrars.

Domain name registrars are permitted to access and modify the master domain name database that contains the records of all the domain names registered to date. This database is currently maintained by Internic, a non-profit spinoff of Network Solutions.

Domain name registrars must pay Network Solutions a small fee for each domain name they register, but beyond that fixed cost they charge different amounts to cover their costs and make a profit. This means that whereas a year or two ago the going rate for a domain name registration was fixed at $70 for 2 years, now different companies offer different registration rates, for periods from 1 to 10 years.

The requirements that must be fulfilled to become a domain name registrar are not particularly stringent, and this has sometimes led to trouble since some registrars do not have the robust technical infrastructure necessary to handle and process large volumes of domain name registrations. Some registrars have also cut corners by not implementing certain technical functionality in their local databases, such as the ability to transfer names to another party.

	Many companies register domain names, but only registrars have direct contact with the underlying mechanisms of the domain name industry such as the global database of domain name information. Other companies register their names through a partnership with registrars, adding their own markup to the transaction. For that reason, registrars usually often offer cheaper registrations than other companies, though the level of service you receive may vary widely.

The domain name industry is regulated and overseen by ICANN, which is the organization responsible for certifying companies as domain name registrars. A list of all companies current operating as domain registrars is available here, and the list of all accredited companies (including those that have not yet set up their operations) is available here.

>NEXT>