Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed which relate to establishing a sponsored tethered connectivity (STC) connection by tethering a special purpose connected device (SPCD) through a tethering mobile device having network access. The SPCD accesses an application server on the network and is authenticated before service to the SPCD begins. Once authenticated, the service provider is billed for the STC connection instead of a user of the tethering mobile device.