Which type of address is unique anywhere in the world?

The unique type of address that is recognized globally is the MAC address. A MAC address, or Media Access Control address, is hardware-based and assigned by the manufacturer of the network interface device. This address serves as a distinct identifier for devices on a local network, ensuring that data packets can accurately reach their intended destination without confusion, even when devices are on different networks around the world. Each MAC address is 48 bits long and formatted in hexadecimal, providing a theoretically vast number of unique combinations.

In contrast, while NIC addresses and IP addresses serve important roles in network communications, they do not provide the same level of global uniqueness. An IP address can change when a device connects to different networks, and subnet addresses are used to segment networks rather than providing distinct global identifiers. Thus, the MAC address stands out as the answer due to its inherent uniqueness in global networking scenarios.