1. A mobile device, comprising: a wireless transceiver configured to provide mobile communications through a network via wireless link; at least one user interface element configured to provide information output to a user and receive user input; a processor, coupled to the wireless transceiver and the at least one user interface element, configured to control operations of the mobile device; a memory coupled to enable the processor to access the memory; application programs in the memory for execution by the processor; and a connectivity manager program in the memory, wherein execution of the connectivity manager program by the processor configures the mobile device to implement functions, including functions to: while a background data communication restriction preventing the application programs from using data communications services of the network for background data communication operations is active in response to a previous determination that the network was subject to wireless data communication congestion, determine the network is no longer subject to the wireless data communication congestion; in response to the determination that the network is no longer subject to the wireless data communication congestion, calculate a distributed deactivation delay value uniquely related to the mobile device representing an amount of time the mobile device will wait before deactivating the background data communication restriction; and after waiting the amount of time corresponding to the distributed deactivation delay value, deactivate the background data communication restriction with respect to the application programs and permit the application programs to use data communications services of the network for background data communication operations.