1. A computer network system for allowing at least one user from a first plurality of user associated with a first ISP (ISP) network to establish an Instant Messaging (IM) session with at least one user from a second plurality of users associated with a second ISP, comprising: a distributed network connecting the first ISP and the second ISP, wherein the first ISP and the second ISP each comprises: a Universal IM server connected to the distributed network, the Universal IM server comprising a database containing routing information and Presence information associated with each user registered on the other ISP network; a Local IM server connected to each user of the service provider network, the bimodal Local IM server being operable of establishing an IM connection between at least two users registered with the ISP; and a plurality of bimodal IM clients, wherein the bimodal IM clients are capable of establishing a connection with the local IM server using a proprietary IM and establishing a connection with the Universal IM server using a universal IM format.