An electronic device (12) in a cluster (10) that has the potential to serve as a new cluster head (36) receives cluster head assistance data from a current cluster head (36) device. The cluster head assistance data includes at least one data item related to establishment of operative communication with the wireless communications network (28) over a network communications interface (26) of the electronic device. If the electronic device is assigned to be the new cluster head, it injects the at least one data item into a process related to operation of the network communications interface and establishment of the operative communication with the wireless communications network; establishes the operative communication with the wireless communications network; and carries out cluster head functions on behalf of the cluster.