A method comprises: providing a wireless mobile router in a vehicle. The mobile router is operable to establish a communication link to a network management system. The mobile router collects data independent of the router being coupled to the network management system; stores the data in the router; establishes a first communication link between the router and the network management system upon an occurrence of a first predetermined event; operates the router to upload the data to the network management system upon occurrence of the first predetermined event; and transmits the data to the network management system via the first communication link.