Promotion of e-readiness is all the rage. Internet-based business to business (B2B) applications are promoted as tools to enable producer firms in developing countries to reduce costs and enter global markets. However, evidence is emerging that policy makers and development agencies are too optimistic about the poverty-busting potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs). Research from the Institute of Development Studies and the London School of Economics critically examines the expectations and assumptions behind the drive to encourage investment in ICTs.