Aspects of the invention include a method and system for restoring connectivity from a telematics service provider to a desubscribed telematics unit, and therefore, restored a capability of providing telematics services to a vehicle owner. A vehicle owner with a lapsed subscription and a desubscribed telematics unit installed in his vehicle may have the need to request certain telematics services from the telematics service provider. Aspects of the invention provide for a vehicle owner with a lapsed subscription and a desubscribed telematics unit to request certain “a la carte” services from a telematics service provider using the vehicle owner's personal cellular telephone connected to the desubscribed telematics unit across a personal wireless link.