Minnesotans who want to register their telephone numbers under the state's new "Do Not Call" list are keeping that line very busy.

The Department of Commerce said that on the first half-day of operation, nearly 80,000 persons had registered their telephones to prevent unwanted telemarketers from bothering them.

"The telephone system is handling 90 to 140 calls per minute," a department release stated. "Between 6 and 8 a.m. it was handling 175 to 200 calls per minute -- about 98 percent capacity."

The department will require telemarketers to purchase a "Do Not Call" list every three months beginning Jan. 1, 2003. The list will be updated every three months. Violators could face civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation. Repeat offenders could be barred from all telemarketing in the state.

Persons who want to register their telephone numbers on the list can access the department's automated lines 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The statewide call free number is 1-800-921-4110.

The Internet address is www.commerce.state.mn.us.

The service is free.