Mobile device equipped with mobile network congestion recognition to make intelligent decisions regarding connecting to an operator network for optimized user experience

The disclosed technology includes methods, systems, and computer readable media for optimizing network traffic management in a mobile network. One method includes determining, by a network optimization client of a mobile device, a packet call quality (PCQ) associated with transmission of packets between the mobile device and a mobile communications network. The PCQ includes a numerical indication of call quality. A congestion recognition (CR) module of the mobile device determines a measure of user congestion based on the PCQ that indicates a total delay experienced by a user of the mobile device during the transmission of packets.