
ZetaDisplay has been delivering digital signage since 1999, under the name Pronto TV. The first customer was Flytoget (Oslo Airport Express Train) - and they are still a customer today. This makes the agreement the longest-running software contract in the Nordic region.
In 2016, the company was acquired by the Swedish company ZetaDisplay, and the group is now one of Europe's largest players in digital signage. ZetaDisplay is established in eight countries and delivers solutions globally. In Norway, the company has almost 40 employees, while the Group has a total of around 260-270 employees.
Customers in Norway include Flytoget, Montér, Saint Cobain, Bjørklund and, not least, Ruter, where ZetaDisplay supplies information screens at bus stops, metro stations and tram stops throughout Oslo and the surrounding area.
For providers of digital displays, uptime is everything. A black screen means lost impact, lost revenue, and lost trust.
Many displays sit where fixed lines are difficult or impossible to install—at bus and tram stops, in public spaces, and at outdoor hubs where fiber is rarely available. At the same time, local Wi‑Fi is often too unreliable or insecure for screens that deliver critical information.
Older solutions over 2G could only handle simple text. That is no longer enough. Today’s digital signage must support rich graphics, real-time data, and continuous API-driven updates.
Security is equally crucial. Com4 operates in highly regulated and sensitive environments, including customers such as banks and Norsk Helsenett. All communication must be encrypted and robust, with full end-to-end visibility and continuous monitoring of every device.
ZetaDisplay uses Com4 SIM cards in all displays where Wi‑Fi or fiber is not available. The mobile network becomes the secure, always‑on link between each screen and the cloud-based CMS, Engage Suite.
Each display setup includes a Windows-based PC, an industrial 4G modem and sensors that track temperature, brightness and humidity. As soon as the screen is powered on at the customer site, it connects to the cloud and downloads or streams the content automatically.
For Ruter, this enables each screen to show real-time information based on the GPS position of buses, trams and subways. Data is continuously fetched from Ruter’s systems and appears on the screens within seconds.
The value of this approach became clear during the pandemic. With 4G connectivity, Ruter could instantly push infection-control information and dynamic updates across the entire public transport network—something that would not have been possible with older 2G technology.
“As long as we have an online connection, we can access any screen directly to troubleshoot, test and update software without sending a technician. This is crucial when you have thousands of devices in the field,” says Lysholm.
All communication is protected with VPN and encryption, so the screens can be remotely monitored and controlled without compromising security.
The partnership between ZetaDisplay and Com4 delivers clear benefits for both operators and passengers:
- Real-time control: Traffic information on the displays is updated within seconds via the cloud.
- Reliable in demanding environments: The cellular network keeps screens online even where fiber is not available.
- Fast, simple installation: No digging or cabling required – the display goes live as soon as the SIM is activated.
- Full remote management: Testing, software updates, and troubleshooting are all handled remotely.
- High security: VPN and encrypted communication meet strict requirements in transportation, banking, and healthcare.
- Signage as a Service: Stable connectivity enables a predictable, service-based model with uptime at its core.
ZetaDisplay now sees eSIM as the next step. With eSIM integrated into the hardware, each display gains a more flexible backup connection – whether the primary access is fixed line or Wi‑Fi.
Looking ahead, we see eSIM as the next step to secure even more seamless backup and communication. With continuous network access, we can rule out errors faster and gain better control of our devices,” says Lysholm.
For public transport to run smoothly, passenger information must be reliable.
When screens are deployed across the city – without fiber, without Wi‑Fi, and without on-site follow-up – Com4’s mobile network is what keeps everything connected.
Hardware: PC, industrial modem and sensors in each display
Software: Proprietary cloud-based CMS (Engage Suite), playback modules and "Watchdog" that monitors operation
Network: 4G/5G via SIM card from Com4, with VPN tunnels and encryption for high security
"Our software relies heavily on stable communication with the cloud to deliver live, real-time information. It's critical that the connectivity just works, and with Com4 we have full visibility of our devices"
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