a multi - mode asset tracking and monitoring system and method is provided that enables comprehensive reporting of asset position , status , and alerts . in one embodiment , the multi - mode system and method is based on the addition of a local network monitoring system to a wide area satellite network monitoring system . in this example , the local network monitoring system would add container presence and status monitoring in crowded environments , while the wide area satellite network monitoring system would provide tracking and monitoring coverage when the container is in dispersed environments . both the local and wide area monitoring systems work together to provide end - to - end container tracking and monitoring to thereby ensure continuous container tracking and monitoring from container loading to container unloading .