A service provider device of a local communication network communicates a first frame with an electric vehicle via a first communication medium to associate with the electric vehicle, establish a communication link with the electric vehicle, and to add the electric vehicle to the local communication network. After an association process between the electric vehicle and the service provider device is successfully completed, the electric vehicle and/or the service provider device can execute operations that extend the utility of their respective communication devices by switching to a new communication medium. By switching to the new communication medium, the electric vehicle and/or the service provider device can connect to a remote communication network. The service provider device communicates a second frame with at least a network device of the remote communication network via the new communication medium.