This paper was a contribution to the deliberations of the Task Force on Financial Mechanisms set up under the process for the World summit on the information society (WSIS). It is a summary of insights emerging from a study of 3 large scale ICT4D initiatives in India. It discusses issues relevant to financial mechanisms from a field level viewpoint, through the analysis of four key areas: (1) ICT-based services networks; (2) ownership issues in multistake holder partnerships; (3) infrastructure, technology and regulation; and (4) ICT funding in core developmental areas.