A method and apparatus for managing traffic in a network to and from a remote communications device with limited power supply resources. A controller determines the existing power level of the device and uses the determination to control data transmission to and from the device. Data may be transmitted and received by the device by determining the power required to complete a transmission or reception. The controller then determines whether to send the data, redirect the data, cancel the data transmission, or transmit only a portion of the data. The decision is made as to which option to choose based on the amount of power available to complete the data transmission.