System Integrated Messaging (SIM)
(SIM is a noun and a verb. A person can "SIM" another person, or a person can receive a "SIM" from another person.)
SIM access provides users a way to instantly communicate with anyone in the world. The technology is based on the grid which is just as commonplace in modern society as electricity. Very few places in the world are not grid accessible, but some profiles and location can be grid shielded to prevent profile sabotage or spies.
To use SIM access, the first user must be registered either with Earth Council or their local profile's Grid Regulation Office. Each metalface is automatically registered and the grid transceiver is hardwired into every metalface body. Humans must pay a registration fee (which is usually only a few credits) and purchase a grid transceiver.
Finding a registered user is simply if you know the person's name and general origin. For example, finding John Smith from Dallas, Texas is easy. Even if there are several John Smiths in Dallas, a display will show a general portrait of each one to allow users to select their intended recipient.
If the recipient has never been simmed by the user before, the initial sim is preceded with a request to establish contact. If the recipient agrees, normal sim communications are open between the two.
There is sometimes a delay of up to 10 seconds depending on the distance between the two parties. But if both are in the same city, sims are instantaneous.