Digital signage across Scandinavia now depends on a resilient network that keeps information flowing in airports, train stations and bus stops, ensuring passengers receive up‑to‑date travel data without interruption.
ZetaDisplay, originally founded in 1999 as Pronto TV, secured its first contract with the Oslo Airport Express Train and has maintained that partnership for over two decades. Since its acquisition in 2016, the company has expanded to operate in eight countries with a workforce of roughly 270 employees, providing screens for transport operators, retailers and industrial clients.
Com4 supplies the IoT connectivity that powers these installations, offering a Nordic‑engineered network designed to withstand harsh climates and dispersed infrastructure. The provider’s cellular backbone delivers the reliability required for mission‑critical public information displays.
Uptime is the core value proposition for digital signage; a non‑functioning screen translates into lost impact, revenue and passenger trust. Maintaining continuous operation is therefore essential for both operators and advertisers.
Many installations are located where fixed‑line fiber is impractical, such as remote bus stops and tram platforms. Conventional Wi‑Fi often fails to meet the security and reliability standards needed for real‑time public information.
Legacy 2G connections limited screens to simple text, a constraint incompatible with today’s demand for rich graphics, live data feeds and dynamic content updates driven by APIs.
Security considerations add further complexity, as connections must meet stringent encryption and monitoring requirements across regulated sectors like banking and healthcare. Full‑stack encryption and device visibility are mandatory for compliance.
The chosen solution relies on a cellular‑first architecture, deploying Com4 SIM cards in each display where wired connections are unavailable. This creates a secure, always‑on link to ZetaDisplay’s cloud‑based content management platform.
Each unit pairs an industrial‑grade Windows PC with a 4G modem and environmental sensors that monitor temperature, brightness and humidity. Upon power‑up, the system automatically connects to the cloud and streams content without manual configuration.
For public transport operators, the architecture enables screens to show real‑time arrival information based on live GPS data, updating within seconds as vehicles move through the network.
During the pandemic, the same connectivity allowed instant distribution of health and safety messages across the entire transport network, a capability that older 2G infrastructure could not have supported.
Remote management tools let technicians access any screen over the network to troubleshoot, test and apply software updates, eliminating the need for on‑site visits even when thousands of devices are deployed.
All communications are secured through VPN tunneling and end‑to‑end encryption, providing continuous remote monitoring while adhering to the strict security standards required by sensitive clients.
Key outcomes include second‑level content updates, reliable operation in environments lacking fiber, rapid deployment without excavation, comprehensive remote administration, and a service model built around guaranteed uptime.
By reducing the frequency of physical interventions, the connectivity platform also lowers the environmental footprint of the signage network, contributing to broader sustainability goals.
Looking ahead, ZetaDisplay is evaluating eSIM technology to embed flexible backup connections directly within display hardware, enhancing resilience and simplifying network management.
The overall impact is clear: stable, high‑performance cellular connectivity underpins the reliable flow of passenger information, forming an invisible yet vital layer of modern urban transport infrastructure.
Today the group operates in eight European markets, employs about 270 staff, and manages roughly 120,000 active screens worldwide, including Europe’s largest digital information board at Oslo Central Station, which spans 128 m² and relies on the same cellular network.
