A method of communicating with downhole equipment in a borehole, comprising: exchanging messages between a surface control system (142; 186) and downhole equipment to control performance of a downhole operation, wherein the messages are exchanged via a first communications path that includes a wireless communications path between a plurality of wireless devices (114a-114f) provided along a tubing (108; 181) in the borehole; in response to an inability to exchange messages via the first communications path while performing the downhole operation, deploying a master communications device in the borehole to establish an alternative communications path between the surface control system and the downhole equipment, the alternative communications path including a wireless communication link between the master communications device and a first wireless device of the plurality of wireless devices (114a-114f); and continuing performing the downhole operation using the alternative communications path to exchange messages between the surface control system (142; 186) and the downhole equipment to control the downhole operation, wherein deploying the master communications device in the borehole comprises: positioning the master communications device at a first location corresponding to a wireless range of a wireless device; continuously or periodically broadcasting a polling signal with the master communications device until the master communications device receives a response by a wireless device acknowledging receipt of the polling signal; establishing the wireless communications link between the master communications device and the wireless device acknowledging receipt of the polling signal; and moving the master communications device to a second location within a wireless range of another wireless device if the alternative communications path cannot be established at the first location. exchanging messages between a surface control system (142; 186) and downhole equipment to control performance of a downhole operation, wherein the messages are exchanged via a first communications path that includes a wireless communications path between a plurality of wireless devices (114a-114f) provided along a tubing (108; 181) in the borehole; in response to an inability to exchange messages via the first communications path while performing the downhole operation, deploying a master communications device in the borehole to establish an alternative communications path between the surface control system and the downhole equipment, the alternative communications path including a wireless communication link between the master communications device and a first wireless device of the plurality of wireless devices (114a-114f); and continuing performing the downhole operation using the alternative communications path to exchange messages between the surface control system (142; 186) and the downhole equipment to control the downhole operation, wherein deploying the master communications device in the borehole comprises: positioning the master communications device at a first location corresponding to a wireless range of a wireless device; continuously or periodically broadcasting a polling signal with the master communications device until the master communications device receives a response by a wireless device acknowledging receipt of the polling signal; establishing the wireless communications link between the master communications device and the wireless device acknowledging receipt of the polling signal; and moving the master communications device to a second location within a wireless range of another wireless device if the alternative communications path cannot be established at the first location. positioning the master communications device at a first location corresponding to a wireless range of a wireless device; continuously or periodically broadcasting a polling signal with the master communications device until the master communications device receives a response by a wireless device acknowledging receipt of the polling signal; establishing the wireless communications link between the master communications device and the wireless device acknowledging receipt of the polling signal; and moving the master communications device to a second location within a wireless range of another wireless device if the alternative communications path cannot be established at the first location.