The present invention provides a method for managing registration requests of a telematics unit within a telematics equipped mobile vehicle. The method includes receiving a restricted use command from a service provider, initiating a restricted use mode based on the received restricted use command, and modulating a transmission rate of at least one registration request based on the restricted use mode. The restricted use command may include a contact increment. The contact increment may include contact rate information. The contact increment may include contact initiation information. The restricted use mode may operate the telematics unit in a low-power configuration. The step of modulating the transmission rate of the registration request may include identifying a contact increment within the received restricted use command, determining contact information within the contact increment, and implementing the modulated transmission rate based on the determined contact information.