Representatives from 2 countries whose direct-dial calls to Irela...

and the Solomon Islands to the European Communities -- 2 of the 13 nations whose calls will be barred in an effort to cut down on autodialing scams that have cost Irish citizens thousands of euros in unauthorized premium-rate calls -- aren’t happy about ComReg’s decision. Solomon Islands Ambassador Robert Sisilo said his “gut feeling” is that ComReg’s blocking order to ISPs and telcos (CD Sept 23 p14) isn’t legal, and he’s consulting his govt. on it. Cook Islands Ambassador Todd McClay reportedly called the decision “excessive” and said he had been advised ComReg may have been out of bounds in adopting it. Sisilo said he would likely propose some alternatives for dealing with the situation, possibly including: (1) Requiring carriers of the unauthorized autodialed calls to reimburse Irish consumers. (2) Considering selective blocking of numbers. Last Fri., ComReg issued a statement countering what it said were “incomplete media reports” that communications between the 13 countries and Ireland will cease entirely next week. Before Oct. 4, a “white list” of legitimate numbers will be compiled, the regulator said. All numbers on the list as of next Mon. will remain unblocked, and bona fide numbers listed after that day will be unblocked once customers ask their telcos to do so, ComReg said. “The white list is a crucial part of the story,” a ComReg spokesman told us. It was included in the public consultation on the proposed decision, he said, and all interested parties had the opportunity to comment on it. Moreover, he said, ComReg has acknowledged all along the blocking would cause temporary inconvenience, but it’s needed to stop rogue autodialers. ComReg is expecting the 2 ambassadors to bring their respective white lists with them to Thurs.’s meeting, the spokesman said, but is happy to discuss their other concerns as well.