Great news – your business is expanding, and localizing into new countries is going well. Then you land a client who not only operates on the other side of the world and communicates in another language, but they’re also deaf. What do you do now?
At LinguaLinx, as a Language Services Provider (LSP), we understand that this might seem like a real challenge. You can’t just use Over-The-Phone Interpretation (OPI) like you usually would to conduct your business, so what options do you have?
You need Video Remote Interpretation (VRI). VRI is a simple process where you have an interpreter who also uses sign language to bridge the communication gap for you. Phew! Right?
But an important question remains, "how much do video remote interpretation services cost?"
Ok, you’re not buying milk, so there is no clear-cut answer to your question. In this article, we'll outline the key factors that help determine the cost of VRI. We'll also include a typical price range so that you have a pretty solid idea of how much you could be expected to pay for VRI services.
It’s not just about how rare the language is. Some languages are just more difficult than others. Take Mandarin Chinese, for example. According to Berlitz, it’s the second most spoken language in the world, with almost 1.2 billion people who can speak it. And USA Today will tell you it’s also considered to be the hardest language to learn.
A mixture of rareness and difficulty will create an equation that drives the rates of interpreters on your LSP’s VRI roster.
What are you talking about? A straightforward educational meeting or marketing concept? Or a detailed technical patent you’re filing that is overflowing with engineering jargon, acronyms, and legalese?
Some industries are more complex than others. They require an interpreter who not only understands the native language, the target language, and sign language, but who also has industry experience.
Which industries are tough? There’s no hard and fast rule, but typically sectors like tech, financial services, legal, and medical need a bit more specialist attention.
If you need VRI services immediately, you may have to pay a premium fee for the interpreter's availability. Urgency always carries a cost, and VRI services are no exception.
However, if you can plan ahead and schedule your VRI sessions in advance, you can avoid these additional costs and make the process more economical.
Working closely with your LSP and providing them with the necessary information about your schedule and requirements can help ensure that the right interpreter is available when you need them, without incurring any extra fees.
So, always try to plan ahead and be proactive when it comes to scheduling your VRI sessions. It will save you time, money, and ensure that your communication needs are met effectively.
If you anticipate a high volume of VRI calls, it's best to opt for a subscription-based model. This enables you to have access to interpreters at all times without having to pay for each session separately.
A monthly or yearly subscription can save you money in the long run, and it also ensures that you have a reliable interpreter available whenever you need them. On the other hand, if you only require VRI services for a one-off medical appointment, it's best to pay for each session individually to avoid unnecessary expenses.
Your LSP can help guide you in choosing the best payment plan for your VRI needs. It's always wise to plan ahead and assess your communication needs to ensure that you're getting the best value for your money.
Simple answer – no. There shouldn’t be any cost for your VRI software or app (supplied by your LSP) and it doesn’t require its own network or any hardware.
All you need is a computer or phone with an Internet connection and a camera and microphone.
Once you combine all the necessary elements, the typical rate for VRI services can range from $2 to $4 per minute or $40 to $80 per hour.
However, there may be a minimum time requirement for booking, such as 15 minutes or 2 hours, so it's crucial to inquire beforehand and budget accordingly.
The bottom line is that you don’t have to work everything we’ve covered in this article into a formula and try to sort your VRI out for yourself. Would you buy 30,000 individual parts and put them all together to build a car?
Find a good LSP partner, and they’ll consider the languages involved, your industry, the frequency you’ll need, and come up with a watertight quote.
They’ll build and maintain the car, so you can spend your time driving it in the direction that’s best for your business.
If you need VRI services, we’d love to sit down and talk with you about it.
You can receive a consultation free of charge, and there is no obligation to commit.
Rest assured that your message will be accurately translated with LinguaLinx. Our ISO 17100 compliance, two decades of translation expertise, and the trust we've earned from reputable organizations guarantee that you're in good hands.