data connection question (possibly limited to Manila 2.5)

[batpot]

I've noticed that when I open the notification window while running Manila 2.5, it will show a "My Connection" item, with a running counter of how long the data connection has been open.

What is this counter for? Is there data being transmitted, even though no apps are connected?
If I go into Comm Manager, I can turn off the Data Connection, and then this counter disappears from the notification window.

This item didn't appear in Manila 2.1 notification window, and it seemed as if turning on or off the Data Connection from the Comm Manager did nothing...that is, turning it off didn't block any apps from connecting, and if I opened Comm Manager, and turning it on or turning it off seemed to have no affect on anything.

Is this a bug? Should it be turning itself back off after no apps are using it? If this counter had never showed up in the notification window, I'd have never known it was functioning any different than before.

I've noticed the counter in both the Energy & Mighty Manila 2.5 ROMs, but haven't seen it in any of the Manila 2.1 ROMs that I've tried.