It was in 1998 that Network Solutions lost its government sanctioned hold as the sole registrar of domain names. While it still retains the management of the root registry, there are now other registrars out there competing for a share of this big business. These registrars have their own interface, prices, terms and conditions, and support.
The domain name registrars have the access and can modify domain name database that contains the records of all the domain names registered. The regulating body that is overseeing the domain name industry is the ICANN. It is the organization tasked to certify and accredit companies as domain name registrars.