Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices related to estimating backhaul quality, detecting Internet connectivity, and managing server load are described herein. In some aspects, a wireless device is configured to estimate a quality of a communication link. The device includes network interface configured to receive data units. The device further includes a processor configured to monitor the received data units at the network interface. The processor is further configured to determine, for each data unit received via the network interface, whether the data unit originated from a local area network or a non-local network. The processor is further configured to compute a characteristic of the communication link based on data units originating from a non-local network.