A deadline in May looms for the oilfield company to contest a $126,000 fine imposed by the Federal Communications Commission. This fine was assessed against the company for its disruption of cellphone calls.
Taylor Oilfield Manufacturing Inc. of Broussard was accused of utilizing four cellular phone jammers to restrict cellphone use by employees, leading to the FCC adopting a notice of apparent liability on April 9.
The FCC was informed by company officials that the cell jammers, intended to disrupt cellphone signals, were utilized to prevent employees from using their cellphones while at work.
Taylor has been allotted 30 days starting from April 9 to either remit the penalty or present a written argument to the FCC as to why the fine should be annulled or lessened.
Taylor officials chose not to answer phone calls asking for a response.
The case was instigated following a tip received by the FCC, prompting them to send an agent to the company site in Broussard in May 2012. As stated in the FCC notice, company officials confirmed the usage of four cell jammers and the possession of a fifth cell jammer, which was not operational at the time.
Cell jammers are not allowed to be used within the United States, and the FCC has imposed a ban on companies importing these devices from outside the country. The FCC stated that the Broussard company admitted to acquiring its cell jammer from overseas suppliers.
In its notice to the company, the FCC emphasized the tangible danger to public safety posed by the illegal use of signal blockers. This hazard includes the potential blocking of authorized communications, such as emergency calls to 911 and law enforcement communications. Moreover, the use of cell jammers can have adverse effects on global positioning system signals.
According to FCC records, Taylor’s representatives reported that the company endeavored to prohibit employee cellphone use following a near accident that was partly associated with an employee using a cellphone.
