The oilfield company is required to challenge a $126,000 fine imposed by the Federal Communications Commission before the May deadline. This fine was levied against the company for interfering with cellphone calls.
On April 9, the FCC issued a notice of apparent liability against Taylor Oilfield Manufacturing Inc. of Broussard for allegedly deploying four cellular phone jammers to restrict cellphone usage among employees.
The company representatives informed the FCC that the cell jammers, which interfere with cellphone signals, were implemented to deter employees from using their cellphones during work hours.
Taylor was granted a 30-day period starting from April 9 to either settle the penalty or provide a written response to the FCC explaining why the fine should be waived or decreased.
Taylor officials failed to reply to phone calls requesting a statement.
The case commenced subsequent to the FCC receiving a tip and dispatching an agent to the company's premises in Broussard in May 2012. As per the FCC notice, company representatives acknowledged the utilization of four cell jammer and the possession of a fifth cell jammer, which was not operational at that time.
The United States strictly prohibits the use of cell jammers, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has imposed a ban on importing these devices from foreign countries. According to the FCC, the Broussard company admitted to purchasing its cell jammers from overseas.
The company was notified by the FCC that the illegal use of signal blockers presented a significant risk to public safety as it could potentially disrupt authorized communications, including emergency calls to 911 and law enforcement communications. Additionally, the use of cell jammers can have a negative impact on global positioning system signals.
Taylor's officials informed the FCC that they made an attempt to restrict employee cellphone usage following a close call that the company attributed in part to an employee using a cellphone, as per FCC records.