Blade Runners are one of the lucky few with a personal communications device. All detectives carry their own KIA, a hand-held multi-tool that (among its uses) allows LAPD officers to communicate directly on private channels. Yet if you need to speak with or shake down anyone outside the precinct, you’re stuck with the same public communication systems as anybody else.
VID -PHON: The #1 means of communications in the city, the ubiquitous telecom service from Bell Systems has booths on every street corner and terminals in many homes and major establishments. Call any direct Vid-Phon number in the city for a small fee per call. Operators wait to assist and connect 24 hours a day. If your call does not complete, you may leave a Vid-Mail.
WALLACE DATA NETWORK : Vid-Phon is slowly being outdated by the pervasive Wallace Data Network – a free, convenient, and secure network for private data sharing, storage, and communication. Simply buy a Digital Companion and gain access to the wealth of information on the network, along with instantaneous text, voice, and video messaging among WDN users. Many suspect that Wallace Corp is monitoring their users, with their DiJis listening, recording, or reporting every written or spoken word. Even the news and information made available on WDN may be filtered.
Yet most shrug and abandon user privacy for the convenience of cost-free communication. Though Vid-Phon and the WDN are the main options, others do exist. Bulky satellite phones are uncommon, though a private comms channel can come in handy. The rich wear fashion accessories with wireless off-world comms devices. And the megarich, notably Niander Wallace himself, even install synthetic Halo devices that can operate synced technology via thought commands alone.