This would be a good comedy script indeed if the UAV did not cost tens of millions USD and will not eventually fall in a populated area or hit another aircraft in the descent .
However, when the fuel was cut off to the engine and the UA began shedding electrical equipment to conserve battery power, the Iridium system was one of the items that was shed.
If it switched off the satellite link, I wonder if the UAV transponder is one of the items that will be "shed" as well , same with the Tcas-like unit they are supposed to carry.