Translator service teams up with AT&T to help businesses

Customers can communicate needs through Language Line

By Michele Chandler

Mercury News

Monterey-based Language Line Services, already the nation's top provider of over-the-phone translation help, has teamed up with communications giant AT&T to create a way for people who speak languages other than English to connect with businesses that want to expand their multilingual customer base.

The service -- which is free to consumers -- will debut in San Francisco on Oct. 18. As part of a nationwide rollout, it will also be available in San Jose, Oakland, San Diego, Los Angeles and Long Beach by early 2007. By calling a toll-free telephone number (888-855-0811 -- it's not running yet), people wanting to apply for a credit card, open a checking account, sign up for cable service or buy auto insurance will be connected with a Language Line translator who will help them communicate with a business in the network.

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