A system for improving communication between surface and downhole equipment, in some embodiments, comprises: a first transceiver in a formation; a second transceiver in the formation; and a third transceiver in the formation, the second transceiver positioned between the first and third transceivers, wherein, upon determining that a communication quality metric pertaining to wireless communication in the formation fails to meet a criterion, the first transceiver transmits data to the second transceiver, wherein, upon determining that said communication quality metric meets the criterion, the first transceiver transmits said data to the third transceiver in lieu of transmitting said data to the second transceiver.