Next, method 1400 continues with operations to determine whether the operational mode of the RFID tag should be transitioned to another operational mode, such as a communications mode. The determination can be based on at least one of (a) time since last communication, (b) current operational state of RFID tag, (c) a threshold level, (e) a number of communication collisions that occurred during a time period, (f) a number of times a first RFID tag transmitted a signal during a time period, (g) a period of time since the first RFID tag received a last interrogation signal, (h) a purpose or intended use of the first RFID tag, (i) a physical location of the first RFID tag in a facility, (j) a number of other second RFID tags in proximity to the first RFID tag, (k) the first RFID tag's power source level of charge (l) current conditions of a surrounding environment, and/or (m) the level of RF energy in a given frequency band that is being received by the RFID tag. In the later scenario (m), method 1400 continues with 1412-1416. In the event that any of the other listed criteria (a)-(l) is employed, method 1400 can be modified accordingly as readily understood be persons skilled in the art.