Embodiments include an improved tethering system in which a handheld device may be used by a user to reach the same network that the handheld device also provides access to for a tethering machine. Some embodiments include performing the following on a hand held device concurrently with the hand held device providing a user of the handheld device with access to a data network: receiving a packet from a tethering machine, replacing the packet's source address with a new source address, and transmitting the packet into a wireless network. Some embodiments include receiving from the wireless network a response packet, replacing the response packet's destination address with the packet's source address, and transmitting the response packet to the tethering machine.