Methods, systems, and devices are described for managing a radio connection between a mobile device and a base station of a radio access network. A determination is made that the mobile device is in a standby state. The radio connection transitions to a high power state while the mobile device is in the standby state. A net number of transport layer connections for the mobile device are identified. The transport layer connections are Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) or User Datagram Protocol (UDP) sockets. A net count of transport layer connections opened and closed while the radio connection is in the high power state is calculated. Dormancy of the radio connection is initiated when the mobile device is in the standby state, based at least in part on the calculated net count of transport layer connections.