In an increasingly multicultural society, language barriers can be an issue. A popular solution to this issue is Over-the-phone interpretation (OPI), a fast, convenient and cost-effective way to communicate with customers, members or clients who don’t speak the same language, especially in time-sensitive situations where visual cues aren’t necessary.
OPI services are commonly employed to assist Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals in industries like government, healthcare, insurance, and education, or to facilitate global communication within various types of businesses. If your organization is serving–or aims to serve–a multilingual population, OPI may be perfect for your needs.
The Role of Technology in OPI
Fast and convenient availability begins with a solid telephony platform and telecommunications infrastructure to enable quick connections with interpreters, clear sound, and nearly 100% uptime even in high call volume situations. Dependable language service agencies understand the importance of investing in proper, secure infrastructure to fulfill the promise of OPI, and aim to make their clients’ experience with OPI as streamlined as possible.
OPI: How Does it Work?
Leading OPI providers make it easy to use the service; all you need is a phone with conference calling capabilities. Services are delivered either via a landline or, more commonly, through Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) on a computer or smartphone.
Connecting to an interpreter is as simple as:
- Dial the toll-free number your provider gives you.
- Provide your name and access code to the agent.
- Specify the language you need (if you’re unsure, the agent will help you identify it).
The Benefits of OPI and the Technology Behind It
Compared with other forms of interpretation and backed by dependable technology, Over-the-Phone Interpretation (OPI) offers the following benefits:
- Immediate Access: Perfect for emergencies or time-sensitive issues, OPI is available when you need it most. Reliable telephony, as well as efficient call routing to an interpreter with the right skillset ensure quality service is delivered every time.
- Qualified, Specialized Interpreters: Top language service providers offer specialized interpreters who are familiar with your industry’s terminology, so the people you serve can communicate with no misunderstandings.
- Cost-Effective: OPI uses minimal bandwidth, making it the most economical interpretation form. By-the-minute pricing tends to be the best deal, as you only pay for what you use.
- Flexible: Phone interpreters work remotely, either from within the US as required for certain sectors, or from other locations around the globe, supported by strong internet and phone connections.
Dependable Infrastructure Supporting Multiple Sectors
Advancements in broadband internet have improved the speed and reliability of OPI services, making them more effective than ever. Cloud-based solutions allow seamless scalability and instant connections to professional interpreters in the United States and abroad.
Ensure your OPI provider is equipped to handle peaks in interpreting traffic (from you and their other clients) and has redundancies in place to reliably provide service even when requests exceed the usual maximums.
Sector-Specific Benefits for OPI Services
- Government and Public Services: In emergencies and daily discussions in the public forum, OPI ensures that non-English speakers benefit from immediate assistance and accurate communication. Many government agencies require interpreters to be located in the United States.
- Healthcare: Professional OPI services ensure clear communication during consultations, treatments, and emergencies, helping you deliver culturally competent, HIPAA-compliant care (language services may also be required by law, depending on local population needs.) For patient privacy and data protection, this is another industry requiring onshore interpreters.
- Contact Centers: Thanks to OPI, your contact center employees can assist global customers, on demand, in hundreds of languages and dialects.
- Insurance: In the case of insurance companies, OPI helps in processing claims and providing customer support across languages, helping clients fully understand their policies and facilitating decision making.
Seamless Integration and Industry-Leading Reliability
Top-tier OPI providers, such as BIG Language Solutions, prioritize reliability and quality by investing in robust telephony platforms and routing infrastructure. BIG stands out with its tailored solutions for regulated and non regulated industries, lightning quick connections in popular languages even during demand peaks, and unparalleled customer support. As a trusted partner, BIG is proud to support your high-stakes communication in 300+ languages and dialects.
A Reliable OPI Provider: Big Language Solutions
- Industry Expertise: BIG serves all sectors, using professional interpreters with expertise in your industry.
- Onshore Interpreters Available: When industry regulations or data privacy guidelines require US-based interpreters, BIG can fulfill that promise.
- Unmatched Service Quality: Nearly 100% client retention speaks to BIG’s commitment to excellence.
- Security and Compliance: BIG prioritizes confidentiality, strictly following HIPAA, HITRUST, and other privacy and security standards.
- Solid Infrastructure: BIG leverages the latest telephony technology to provide reliable OPI services.
Choose OPI Technology That Supports Your Long-Term Success
When you select a provider that offers reliable, robust infrastructure to fulfill the promise of OPI, your organization is well positioned to overcome language, cultural, and geographical barriers. Skilled interpreters specialized in your industry’s unique terminology are set to provide a professional, trustworthy experience and achieve positive outcomes in every interaction, both today and in the future.
Ready to enhance your global communication strategy? Reach out to BIG for a consultation and discover how reliable OPI can transform your organization.
