Systems and methods for wireless communication are provided. In a particular embodiment, a base station device is disclosed that includes an interface coupled to a network to communicate with a central controller and a wireless transceiver adapted to communicate wirelessly with one or more portable devices via a local area network. The base station device also includes logic coupled to the interface and to the wireless transceiver. The logic communicates with the remote central controller device via the network to receive an authorization to communicate wirelessly. The logic selectively activates the wireless transceiver after receiving the authorization.