The Federal Trade Commission has, for the time being, decided not to drop names from the National Do Not Call Registry after the initial five-year registration period ends next year. But even if the FTC had gone along with a plan requiring people to re-up their numbers, phones wouldn't exactly be ringing off the hook.

A recent poll by Harris Interactive reported that the FTC has been doing a good job getting the word out. Among the 2,565 adults polled by Harris in October, 71% of those who are registered said they knew about the planned expiration, while only 29% were unaware. Curiously, those in the West and those with postgraduate degrees were less likely to know they needed to renew (33% each).

Overall, 96% of those questioned said they planned to renew. Six percent of registrants claimed they still get as many calls as before they signed up, and 1% said they actually get more calls.

Eighteen percent reported they don't get any telemarketing calls and 59% noted that they still receive some, but far less than before they registered.