The Federal Communications Commission has imposed a $126,000 fine on an oilfield company for blocking cellphone calls. The company must contest this fine before the May deadline.

The FCC's notice of apparent liability against Taylor Oilfield Manufacturing Inc. of Broussard, issued on April 9, cited the company for allegedly employing four cellular phone jammers to hinder employees' cellphone usage.

Company executives disclosed to the FCC that the cell jammers, which obstruct cellphone signals, were utilized to discourage employees from using their cellphones in the workplace.

From April 9 onwards, Taylor had a 30-day window to either pay the penalty or submit a written response to the FCC outlining reasons for the cancellation or reduction of the fine.

Taylor officials refrained from responding to phone calls seeking comment.

The commencement of the case took place after the FCC was tipped off and dispatched an agent to the company's premises in Broussard in May 2012. According to the FCC notice, company representatives acknowledged the use of four cell jammer and the possession of a fifth cell jammer, which was not currently in use.

The United States has a strict prohibition on the use of cell jammers, and the FCC has explicitly forbidden companies from importing these devices from foreign nations. According to the FCC, the Broussard company confessed to purchasing its cell jammers from overseas sources.

The FCC's notice to the company underlines the concrete risk to public safety resulting from the unlawful operation of signal blockers. This risk includes the possibility of blocking authorized communications, including emergency calls to 911 and law enforcement communications. Additionally, the use of cell jammers can negatively impact global positioning system signals.

As per FCC documents, Taylor's officials disclosed that the company sought to block employee cellphone use after a near accident that was said to be partially caused by an employee using a cellphone.