Written by The Banking Post
Carnival Internet has rolled out Bangladesh’s first ecosystem marketplace app, marking a new phase in the country’s broadband industry by integrating internet services with healthcare, insurance, education and e-commerce on a single platform.
The app, unveiled at the company’s city office on Thursday, goes beyond internet bill payments, initially offering broadband-related services but with plans to expand into skill development, micro-insurance, online learning and income-generation opportunities.
Carnival, a concern of Dotlines Group, began operations in 2015 with a nationwide ISP licence from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). In less than a decade, it has expanded its network to 403 upazilas, connecting more than 31,000 villages and nearly 400,000 rural households, reaching over 4 million users.
Backed by recognition from the Asia-Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC) as the country’s leading broadband provider, Carnival has invested heavily in innovation. It has developed proprietary platforms such as Katana (for operations and business support) and Audra (for network security), setting itself apart from competitors.
The company said the new app is designed to address pressing gaps in Bangladesh’s socio-economic landscape. Nearly 47 per cent of educated youth remain unemployed, while 80 per cent of the population lacks market-ready skills. Healthcare access is limited, with only seven doctors per 10,000 patients, and insurance penetration remains extremely low at 0.5 per cent of GDP.
Through its app, Carnival aims to combine connectivity with opportunities for skills training in Bangla for the gig economy, accessible digital healthcare, affordable micro-insurance, and a zero-investment reselling platform to enable income generation.
“Broadband is no longer just about connectivity — it is a tool that can transform lives across rural and urban Bangladesh,” the company said.
