Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Modify its Co-Location Fee Schedule Regarding Low Latency Network Connections, 70187-70190 [2011-29110]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 218 / Thursday, November 10, 2011 / Notices telecommunications providers that seek to offer connections between market participants and the Exchange’s data center. As discussed above, the Exchange does not discriminate among telecommunication providers, but rather allows providers to access the data center upon request of a market participant. As a result, 16 providers are currently connected. Likewise, the Exchange does not discriminate among providers with respect to eligibility to offer connectivity through the Exchange under the service proposed in this filing, provided the latency, destinations, and fees offered by the provider are consistent with the minimum standards established by the Exchange. Thus, telecommunications providers can choose to participate in the program, or can choose to service market participants exclusively through direct negotiations with customers. The Exchange’s approach is consistent with its own economic incentives to facilitate as many market participants as possible in connecting to its market. Burdening competition among telecommunications providers would be antithetical to the Exchange’s own competitive interests, since impaired competition would make it more expensive and more difficult for market participants to send order flow to the Exchange. The Exchange expects that the result of the proposal will be a reduction in fees charged to market participants, the very essence of competition. To the extent that fees under the program are less expensive than the rates currently paid by many market participants, the welfare of these market participants will increase, and other telecommunications providers will be incentivized to lower their own rates. This will, in turn, facilitate the introduction of greater volumes of order flow to the Exchange. jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others No written comments were either solicited or received. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action Within 45 days of the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register or within such longer period (i) as the Commission may designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to which the Exchange consents, the Commission shall: (a) by order approve or disapprove such proposed rule change, or (b) institute proceedings VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:38 Nov 09, 2011 Jkt 226001 to determine whether the proposed rule change should be disapproved. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: 70187 For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.13 Kevin M. O’Neill, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–29108 Filed 11–9–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Electronic Comments [Release No. 34–65689; File No. SR–Phlx– 2011–142] • Use the Commission’s Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml); or • Send an email to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–BX–2011–073 on the subject line. Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Modify its Co-Location Fee Schedule Regarding Low Latency Network Connections Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–BX–2011–073. This file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission’s Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and printing in the Commission’s Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–BX– 2011–073 and should be submitted on or before December 1, 2011. PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 November 4, 2011. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that on October 31, 2011, NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC (‘‘Phlx’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to modify the Exchange Fee Schedule, Section X(b) entitled ‘‘Co-Location Services’’ to establish a program for offering low latency network connections and to establish the initial fees for such connections. The Exchange also proposes administrative modifications to the Exchange Fee Schedule, Section X(b). The text of the proposed rule change is available at https:// www.nasdaqtrader.com/ micro.aspx?id=PHLXRulefilings, at the Exchange’s principal office, on the Commission’s Web site at https:// www.sec.gov, and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements 13 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 1 15 E:\FR\FM\10NON1.SGM 10NON1 70188 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 218 / Thursday, November 10, 2011 / Notices concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Low Latency Network Connection Option The purpose of the proposed rule change is to modify the Exchange Fee Schedule, Section X(b) entitled ‘‘CoLocation Services’’ to offer new options for low latency network telecommunication connections and to establish the initial fees for such connections. As its initial offering, the Exchange proposes to offer point-topoint telecommunication connectivity from the co-location facility to select major financial trading and co-location venues in the New York and New Jersey metropolitan areas, Toronto, and Chicago. Background Currently the Exchange provides a cross connect from a client’s cabinet to its requested telecommunication carrier’s cabinet (known as a ‘‘telco cross connect’’). Through the enhanced point-to-point connectivity service, clients will now have the option to receive low latency network connectivity from the Exchange’s data center to the client’s chosen venue(s), in addition to the telco cross connect. These connections can be utilized to send market data to and receive orders from the chosen venues. The enhanced point-to-point connectivity provides the Exchange’s co-location customers the opportunity to obtain low latency network connectivity with greater ease than is currently the case, and at a competitive price. Currently, co-location customers obtain similar services by negotiating fees, obtaining service level agreements, and executing service agreements directly with approved telecommunication carriers. A colocated customer is currently charged a monthly negotiated fee by the telecommunications carrier in addition to a cross connection fee by the Exchange. There are currently 16 approved telecommunication carriers with equipment in the Exchange’s data VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:38 Nov 09, 2011 Jkt 226001 center, with additional carriers added at the request of a client. In order to provide the new connectivity option described in this proposed rule change, the Exchange established a low-latency minimum standard,3 approached those telecommunications carriers with low latency connections to select major financial trading and co-location venues in the New York and New Jersey metropolitan areas, Toronto, and Chicago that met the low-latency minimum standard,4 and invited them to agree to discounted rates. In effect, the Exchange is obtaining wholesale rates from the carriers and then charging a markup to compensate it for its efforts to negotiate and establish the arrangement and integrate the connectivity into the Exchange colocation connectivity offering, as well as administrative costs associated with establishing and maintaining each new connection. Of the 16 approved telecommunication carriers with equipment in the Exchange’s data center, one carrier has, to date, agreed to offer connections under the program and others are in negotiations with the Exchange; additional carriers are eligible to join the program upon meeting the same terms and conditions. Under the program, co-located customers will have the opportunity to request these new low latency network telecommunication connections through the same process used to request a new co-located cabinet and other co-location services, with no need for direct fee negotiations or new service agreements with telecommunication carriers. The co-located customer will choose the connection destination,5 but the elimination of direct negotiations and separate service agreements with the telecommunications provider for these services will allow them to obtain a similar service at a competitive price and with greater ease of implementation. In addition, the proposed low latency network connectivity fees include cross connections and eliminate a separate fee for that service. The Exchange is making the low latency network telecommunication connections available as a convenience 3 The low-latency minimum standard is less than or equal to 0.41 milliseconds for New York/New Jersey routes, less than or equal to 10.1 milliseconds for Toronto routes, and less than or equal to 17 milliseconds for Chicago routes. This standard will change as the technology improves and the latency is further reduced. 4 The Exchange selected these locations because of the high numbers of member firms and/or liquidity venues located there. 5 As additional providers join the program, customers will also have the opportunity to choose from among these providers. PO 00000 Frm 00082 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 to customers and notes that receipt of these connections is completely voluntary. Customers retain the option of contracting directly with telecommunication providers, including either the provider(s) that participate in the program, the current providers in the data center who have not yet agreed to participate, or any new carrier that is approved to install equipment in the Exchange’s data center. Low Latency Pricing Structure The Exchange proposes: (1) A onetime fee of $1,165 for the installation of 100 MB of telecommunication connectivity to select New York and New Jersey metropolitan area financial trading and co-location venues, which includes fiber telecommunication cross connects within the NASDAQ OMX data center, along with a per-month connectivity fee of $1,650; (2) a onetime fee of $2,150 for the installation of 1G of telecommunication connectivity to select New York and New Jersey metropolitan area financial trading and co-location venues, which includes fiber telecommunication cross connects within the NASDAQ OMX data center, along with a per-month connectivity fee of $2,150; (3) a one-time fee of $5,000 for the installation of 10G of telecommunication connectivity to select New York and New Jersey metropolitan area financial trading and co-location venues, which includes fiber telecommunication cross connects within the NASDAQ OMX data center, along with a per-month connectivity fee of $5,000; (4) a one-time fee of $5,150 for the installation of 100 MB of telecommunication connectivity to select Toronto area financial trading and co-location venues, which includes fiber telecommunication cross connects within the NASDAQ OMX data center, along with a per-month connectivity fee of $4,350; (5) a one-time fee of $8,200 for the installation of 1G of telecommunication connectivity to select Toronto area financial trading and co-location venues, which includes fiber telecommunication cross connects within the NASDAQ OMX data center, along with a per-month connectivity fee of $10,450; (6) a one-time fee of $15,150 for the installation of 10G of telecommunication connectivity to select Toronto area financial trading and co-location venues, which includes fiber telecommunication cross connects within the NASDAQ OMX data center, along with a per-month connectivity fee of $32,400; (7) a one-time fee of $4,850 for the installation of 100 MB of telecommunication connectivity to select Chicago area financial trading and co-location venues, which includes fiber E:\FR\FM\10NON1.SGM 10NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 218 / Thursday, November 10, 2011 / Notices telecommunication cross connects within the NASDAQ OMX data center, along with a per-month connectivity fee of $8,350; (8) a one-time fee of $5,900 for the installation of 1G of telecommunication connectivity to select Chicago area financial trading and co-location venues, which includes fiber telecommunication cross connects within the NASDAQ OMX data center, along with a per-month connectivity fee of $16,400; and (9) a one-time fee of $12,050 for the installation of 10G of telecommunication connectivity to select Chicago area financial trading and co-location venues, which includes fiber telecommunication cross connects within the NASDAQ OMX data center, along with a per-month connectivity fee of $39,750. The fees are based on anticipated bandwidth necessary for the connections and distances to these select venues. Furthermore, the Exchange believes the fees are reasonable as they are similar and competitive with fees charged for similar services by other entities.6 Elimination of Obsolete Rule Language Concerning Waiver of Fees The Exchange also proposes to eliminate references to certain fee waivers that expired July 31, 2011.7 Since the fee waivers expired, such language is no longer necessary. jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act 8 in general, and Sections 6(b)(4) and (b)(5) of the Act 9 in particular, in that it provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees and other charges among members and issuers and other persons using any facility or system which the Exchange operates or controls, and is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general to protect investors and the public interest. The proposal is designed to provide a 6 See https://www.cmegroup.com/globex/files/ CMEGlobexConnectionAgrmt.pdf; https:// nysetechnologies.nyx.com/global-connectivity/sftiamericas/sfti-ip-americas; https:// nysetechnologies.nyx.com/sites/ technologies.nyx.com/files/ SFTI_Americas_Market_Connectivity.pdf; https:// nysetechnologies.nyx.com/global-connectivity/sftiamericas. 7 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 64629 (June 8, 2011), 76 FR 34798 (June 14, 2011) (SR– Phlx–2011–77); and Securities Exchange Act Release No. 64842 (July 8, 2011), 76 FR 41536 (July 14, 2011) (SR–Phlx–2011–97). 8 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). 9 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5). VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:38 Nov 09, 2011 Jkt 226001 method of connectivity between the Exchange’s co-location facility and various remote locations. Currently, market participants obtain such connections by negotiating directly with telecommunication providers. Through its efforts to negotiate standard wholesale rates with providers, the Exchange seeks to offer market participants an opportunity to obtain the same connectivity service at a potentially lower cost and with greater ease of implementation. The Exchange believes that this change will be unambiguously beneficial to market participants, who will retain all current options for obtaining connectivity through direct negotiations with telecommunications providers, while also receiving a new option for obtaining the service through the Exchange’s program. The proposed fees for the service cover the costs charged to the Exchange by telecommunication provider(s). The fees charged to the Exchange are based on anticipated bandwidth necessary for the connections and distances to the available locations covered by the service (New York/New Jersey, Chicago, and Toronto). The proposed fees also include a markup to allow the Exchange to cover its administrative costs and to earn a profit on its provision of the service. The Exchange believes that it is reasonable to use fees assessed on this basis as a means to recoup the Exchange’s share of the costs associated with the proposed low latency network telecommunication connections, provide a convenience for the customers, and to the extent the costs are covered, provide the Exchange a profit. The Exchange further believes that the proposed fees are reasonable in light of the costs associated with the service and the fees charged by other trading venues for comparable services.10 The proposed co-location services are entirely voluntary and available to all members, with uniform fees charged to all market participants that opt to obtain connectivity through the Exchange. Moreover, market participants may choose to obtain services through the Exchange, or may choose to negotiate their own connectivity with 16 different providers. Accordingly, the Exchange’s proposed fees are non-discriminatory, and equitably allocated to market participants that choose to avail themselves of the Exchange’s services, rather than obtaining comparable services directly. 10 See PO 00000 supra n. 6. Frm 00083 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 70189 B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. First, competition between the Exchange and competing trading venues will be enhanced by allowing the Exchange to offer its market participants connectivity to its data center at a potentially lower price, and with greater ease. As noted above, NYSE already offers comparable services, at comparable fees, to its market participants. Accordingly, the proposal will allow the Exchange to enhance its ` competitive standing vis-a-vis other trading venues. Conversely, any delay in the effectiveness of the proposed rule change would burden competition by preventing the Exchange from mounting a response to a primary competitor. Second, competition among market participants will be supported by allowing small and large participants to pay a lower price for data center connectivity. The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change will likewise enhance competition among telecommunications providers that seek to offer connections between market participants and the Exchange’s data center. As discussed above, the Exchange does not discriminate among telecommunication providers, but rather allows providers to access the data center upon request of a market participant. As a result, 16 providers are currently connected. Likewise, the Exchange does not discriminate among providers with respect to eligibility to offer connectivity through the Exchange under the service proposed in this filing, provided the latency, destinations, and fees offered by the provider are consistent with the minimum standards established by the Exchange. Thus, telecommunications providers can choose to participate in the program, or can choose to service market participants exclusively through direct negotiations with customers. The Exchange’s approach is consistent with its own economic incentives to facilitate as many market participants as possible in connecting to its market. Burdening competition among telecommunications providers would be antithetical to the Exchange’s own competitive interests, since impaired competition would make it more expensive and more difficult for market participants to send order flow to the Exchange. The Exchange expects that the result of the proposal will be a reduction in E:\FR\FM\10NON1.SGM 10NON1 70190 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 218 / Thursday, November 10, 2011 / Notices fees charged to market participants, the very essence of competition. To the extent that fees under the program are less expensive than the rates currently paid by many market participants, the welfare of these market participants will increase, and other telecommunications providers will be incentivized to lower their own rates. This will, in turn, facilitate the introduction of greater volumes of order flow to the Exchange. C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others No written comments were either solicited or received. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action Within 45 days of the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register or within such longer period (i) as the Commission may designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to which the Exchange consents, the Commission shall: (a) By order approve or disapprove such proposed rule change, or (b) institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be disapproved. rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and printing in the Commission’s Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–Phlx– 2011–142 and should be submitted on or before December 1, 2011. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.11 Kevin M. O’Neill, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–29110 Filed 11–9–11; 8:45 am] Electronic Comments • Use the Commission’s Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml); or • Send an email to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–Phlx–2011–142 on the subject line. jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.; Order Approving Proposed Rule Change To Allow FINRA To Grant Exemptions From Certain Equity Trade Reporting Obligations for Certain Alternative Trading Systems Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–Phlx–2011–142. This file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission’s Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/ November 4, 2011. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:38 Nov 09, 2011 Jkt 226001 BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–65695; File No. SR–FINRA– 2011–051] I. Introduction On September 16, 2011, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (‘‘FINRA’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 a proposed rule change to adopt new rules that will allow FINRA 11 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 1 15 PO 00000 Frm 00084 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 to grant exemptions from certain equity trade reporting obligations for alternative trading systems (‘‘ATSs’’) meeting specified criteria. The proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register on September 29, 2011.3 The Commission received three comment letters on the proposed rule change.4 FINRA responded to the comments in a letter dated November 4, 2011.5 This order approves the proposed rule change. II. Description of the Proposal Proposed FINRA Rules 6183 and 6625 will provide FINRA with new authority to exempt a member ATS that meets the specified criteria from the trade reporting obligation under the equity trade reporting rules. In addition, FINRA will adopt a conforming change to Rule 9610 to specify that FINRA has exemptive authority under the new rules. As described in the Notice, existing FINRA rules require the reporting of over-the-counter (‘‘OTC’’) transactions in equity securities 6 by the ‘‘executing party.’’ The term ‘‘executing party’’ is defined as the FINRA member that receives an order for handling or execution or is presented an order against its quote, does not subsequently re-route the order, and executes the transaction. For a trade executed on an ATS, the ATS is the ‘‘executing party’’ and thus has the trade reporting obligation.7 3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 65388 (September 23, 2011), 76 FR 60567 (July 26, 2011) (‘‘Notice’’). 4 See letter from Suzanne H. Shatto, dated October 20, 2011 (‘‘Shatto Letter’’); letter from Naphtali M. Hamlet, Investor, dated October 21, 2011 (‘‘Hamlet Letter’’); letter from Daniel Zinn, General Counsel, OTC Markets Group Inc., dated October 20, 2011 (‘‘OTC Markets Letter’’). 5 See letter from Lisa C. Horrigan, Associate General Counsel, FINRA, to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary, Commission, dated November 4, 2011 (‘‘FINRA Response’’). 6 Specifically, these transactions are: (1) Transactions in NMS stocks, as defined in SEC Rule 600(b) of Regulation NMS, effected otherwise than on an exchange, which are reported through the Alternative Display Facility or a Trade Reporting Facility; and (2) transactions in OTC Equity Securities and Restricted Equity Securities, as those terms are defined in Rule 6420, which are reported through the OTC Reporting Facility. As noted in the proposal, the new rules will apply to OTC transactions in equity securities only. The rules will not apply to TRACE-eligible securities. TRACEeligible securities are subject to a separate reporting structure under FINRA’s Rule 6700 Series. 7 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58903 (November 5, 2008), 73 FR 67905 (November 17, 2008) (Order Approving File No. SR–FINRA–2008– 011); and Regulatory Notice 09–08 (January 2009). See also, e.g., Trade Reporting Frequently Asked Questions, Sections 307 and 308, available at https://www.finra.org/Industry/Regulation/ Guidance/P038942. As described in the proposal, the term ATS includes electronic communications networks. E:\FR\FM\10NON1.SGM 10NON1

Agencies

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 218 (Thursday, November 10, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70187-70190]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-29110]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-65689; File No. SR-Phlx-2011-142]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC; Notice of 
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Modify 
its Co-Location Fee Schedule Regarding Low Latency Network Connections

November 4, 2011.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on October 31, 2011, NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC (``Phlx'' or ``Exchange'') 
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the 
proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which 
Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing 
this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from 
interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to modify the Exchange Fee Schedule, Section 
X(b) entitled ``Co-Location Services'' to establish a program for 
offering low latency network connections and to establish the initial 
fees for such connections. The Exchange also proposes administrative 
modifications to the Exchange Fee Schedule, Section X(b).
    The text of the proposed rule change is available at https://www.nasdaqtrader.com/micro.aspx?id=PHLXRulefilings, at the Exchange's 
principal office, on the Commission's Web site at https://www.sec.gov, 
and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

    In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements

[[Page 70188]]

concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and 
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The 
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in 
Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in 
sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such 
statements.

A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
Low Latency Network Connection Option
    The purpose of the proposed rule change is to modify the Exchange 
Fee Schedule, Section X(b) entitled ``Co-Location Services'' to offer 
new options for low latency network telecommunication connections and 
to establish the initial fees for such connections. As its initial 
offering, the Exchange proposes to offer point-to-point 
telecommunication connectivity from the co-location facility to select 
major financial trading and co-location venues in the New York and New 
Jersey metropolitan areas, Toronto, and Chicago.
Background
    Currently the Exchange provides a cross connect from a client's 
cabinet to its requested telecommunication carrier's cabinet (known as 
a ``telco cross connect''). Through the enhanced point-to-point 
connectivity service, clients will now have the option to receive low 
latency network connectivity from the Exchange's data center to the 
client's chosen venue(s), in addition to the telco cross connect. These 
connections can be utilized to send market data to and receive orders 
from the chosen venues.
    The enhanced point-to-point connectivity provides the Exchange's 
co-location customers the opportunity to obtain low latency network 
connectivity with greater ease than is currently the case, and at a 
competitive price. Currently, co-location customers obtain similar 
services by negotiating fees, obtaining service level agreements, and 
executing service agreements directly with approved telecommunication 
carriers. A co-located customer is currently charged a monthly 
negotiated fee by the telecommunications carrier in addition to a cross 
connection fee by the Exchange. There are currently 16 approved 
telecommunication carriers with equipment in the Exchange's data 
center, with additional carriers added at the request of a client. In 
order to provide the new connectivity option described in this proposed 
rule change, the Exchange established a low-latency minimum 
standard,\3\ approached those telecommunications carriers with low 
latency connections to select major financial trading and co-location 
venues in the New York and New Jersey metropolitan areas, Toronto, and 
Chicago that met the low-latency minimum standard,\4\ and invited them 
to agree to discounted rates. In effect, the Exchange is obtaining 
wholesale rates from the carriers and then charging a markup to 
compensate it for its efforts to negotiate and establish the 
arrangement and integrate the connectivity into the Exchange co-
location connectivity offering, as well as administrative costs 
associated with establishing and maintaining each new connection. Of 
the 16 approved telecommunication carriers with equipment in the 
Exchange's data center, one carrier has, to date, agreed to offer 
connections under the program and others are in negotiations with the 
Exchange; additional carriers are eligible to join the program upon 
meeting the same terms and conditions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The low-latency minimum standard is less than or equal to 
0.41 milliseconds for New York/New Jersey routes, less than or equal 
to 10.1 milliseconds for Toronto routes, and less than or equal to 
17 milliseconds for Chicago routes. This standard will change as the 
technology improves and the latency is further reduced.
    \4\ The Exchange selected these locations because of the high 
numbers of member firms and/or liquidity venues located there.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Under the program, co-located customers will have the opportunity 
to request these new low latency network telecommunication connections 
through the same process used to request a new co-located cabinet and 
other co-location services, with no need for direct fee negotiations or 
new service agreements with telecommunication carriers. The co-located 
customer will choose the connection destination,\5\ but the elimination 
of direct negotiations and separate service agreements with the 
telecommunications provider for these services will allow them to 
obtain a similar service at a competitive price and with greater ease 
of implementation. In addition, the proposed low latency network 
connectivity fees include cross connections and eliminate a separate 
fee for that service.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ As additional providers join the program, customers will 
also have the opportunity to choose from among these providers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange is making the low latency network telecommunication 
connections available as a convenience to customers and notes that 
receipt of these connections is completely voluntary. Customers retain 
the option of contracting directly with telecommunication providers, 
including either the provider(s) that participate in the program, the 
current providers in the data center who have not yet agreed to 
participate, or any new carrier that is approved to install equipment 
in the Exchange's data center.
Low Latency Pricing Structure
    The Exchange proposes: (1) A one-time fee of $1,165 for the 
installation of 100 MB of telecommunication connectivity to select New 
York and New Jersey metropolitan area financial trading and co-location 
venues, which includes fiber telecommunication cross connects within 
the NASDAQ OMX data center, along with a per-month connectivity fee of 
$1,650; (2) a one-time fee of $2,150 for the installation of 1G of 
telecommunication connectivity to select New York and New Jersey 
metropolitan area financial trading and co-location venues, which 
includes fiber telecommunication cross connects within the NASDAQ OMX 
data center, along with a per-month connectivity fee of $2,150; (3) a 
one-time fee of $5,000 for the installation of 10G of telecommunication 
connectivity to select New York and New Jersey metropolitan area 
financial trading and co-location venues, which includes fiber 
telecommunication cross connects within the NASDAQ OMX data center, 
along with a per-month connectivity fee of $5,000; (4) a one-time fee 
of $5,150 for the installation of 100 MB of telecommunication 
connectivity to select Toronto area financial trading and co-location 
venues, which includes fiber telecommunication cross connects within 
the NASDAQ OMX data center, along with a per-month connectivity fee of 
$4,350; (5) a one-time fee of $8,200 for the installation of 1G of 
telecommunication connectivity to select Toronto area financial trading 
and co-location venues, which includes fiber telecommunication cross 
connects within the NASDAQ OMX data center, along with a per-month 
connectivity fee of $10,450; (6) a one-time fee of $15,150 for the 
installation of 10G of telecommunication connectivity to select Toronto 
area financial trading and co-location venues, which includes fiber 
telecommunication cross connects within the NASDAQ OMX data center, 
along with a per-month connectivity fee of $32,400; (7) a one-time fee 
of $4,850 for the installation of 100 MB of telecommunication 
connectivity to select Chicago area financial trading and co-location 
venues, which includes fiber

[[Page 70189]]

telecommunication cross connects within the NASDAQ OMX data center, 
along with a per-month connectivity fee of $8,350; (8) a one-time fee 
of $5,900 for the installation of 1G of telecommunication connectivity 
to select Chicago area financial trading and co-location venues, which 
includes fiber telecommunication cross connects within the NASDAQ OMX 
data center, along with a per-month connectivity fee of $16,400; and 
(9) a one-time fee of $12,050 for the installation of 10G of 
telecommunication connectivity to select Chicago area financial trading 
and co-location venues, which includes fiber telecommunication cross 
connects within the NASDAQ OMX data center, along with a per-month 
connectivity fee of $39,750.
    The fees are based on anticipated bandwidth necessary for the 
connections and distances to these select venues. Furthermore, the 
Exchange believes the fees are reasonable as they are similar and 
competitive with fees charged for similar services by other 
entities.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ See https://www.cmegroup.com/globex/files/CMEGlobexConnectionAgrmt.pdf; https://nysetechnologies.nyx.com/global-connectivity/sfti-americas/sfti-ip-americas; https://nysetechnologies.nyx.com/sites/technologies.nyx.com/files/SFTI_Americas_Market_Connectivity.pdf; https://nysetechnologies.nyx.com/global-connectivity/sfti-americas.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Elimination of Obsolete Rule Language Concerning Waiver of Fees
    The Exchange also proposes to eliminate references to certain fee 
waivers that expired July 31, 2011.\7\ Since the fee waivers expired, 
such language is no longer necessary.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 64629 (June 8, 
2011), 76 FR 34798 (June 14, 2011) (SR-Phlx-2011-77); and Securities 
Exchange Act Release No. 64842 (July 8, 2011), 76 FR 41536 (July 14, 
2011) (SR-Phlx-2011-97).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 
6(b) of the Act \8\ in general, and Sections 6(b)(4) and (b)(5) of the 
Act \9\ in particular, in that it provides for the equitable allocation 
of reasonable dues, fees and other charges among members and issuers 
and other persons using any facility or system which the Exchange 
operates or controls, and is designed to promote just and equitable 
principles of trade, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism 
of a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general 
to protect investors and the public interest. The proposal is designed 
to provide a method of connectivity between the Exchange's co-location 
facility and various remote locations. Currently, market participants 
obtain such connections by negotiating directly with telecommunication 
providers. Through its efforts to negotiate standard wholesale rates 
with providers, the Exchange seeks to offer market participants an 
opportunity to obtain the same connectivity service at a potentially 
lower cost and with greater ease of implementation. The Exchange 
believes that this change will be unambiguously beneficial to market 
participants, who will retain all current options for obtaining 
connectivity through direct negotiations with telecommunications 
providers, while also receiving a new option for obtaining the service 
through the Exchange's program.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \9\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed fees for the service cover the costs charged to the 
Exchange by telecommunication provider(s). The fees charged to the 
Exchange are based on anticipated bandwidth necessary for the 
connections and distances to the available locations covered by the 
service (New York/New Jersey, Chicago, and Toronto). The proposed fees 
also include a markup to allow the Exchange to cover its administrative 
costs and to earn a profit on its provision of the service. The 
Exchange believes that it is reasonable to use fees assessed on this 
basis as a means to recoup the Exchange's share of the costs associated 
with the proposed low latency network telecommunication connections, 
provide a convenience for the customers, and to the extent the costs 
are covered, provide the Exchange a profit. The Exchange further 
believes that the proposed fees are reasonable in light of the costs 
associated with the service and the fees charged by other trading 
venues for comparable services.\10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ See supra n. 6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed co-location services are entirely voluntary and 
available to all members, with uniform fees charged to all market 
participants that opt to obtain connectivity through the Exchange. 
Moreover, market participants may choose to obtain services through the 
Exchange, or may choose to negotiate their own connectivity with 16 
different providers. Accordingly, the Exchange's proposed fees are non-
discriminatory, and equitably allocated to market participants that 
choose to avail themselves of the Exchange's services, rather than 
obtaining comparable services directly.

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act. First, competition between the 
Exchange and competing trading venues will be enhanced by allowing the 
Exchange to offer its market participants connectivity to its data 
center at a potentially lower price, and with greater ease. As noted 
above, NYSE already offers comparable services, at comparable fees, to 
its market participants. Accordingly, the proposal will allow the 
Exchange to enhance its competitive standing vis-[agrave]-vis other 
trading venues. Conversely, any delay in the effectiveness of the 
proposed rule change would burden competition by preventing the 
Exchange from mounting a response to a primary competitor. Second, 
competition among market participants will be supported by allowing 
small and large participants to pay a lower price for data center 
connectivity.
    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change will likewise 
enhance competition among telecommunications providers that seek to 
offer connections between market participants and the Exchange's data 
center. As discussed above, the Exchange does not discriminate among 
telecommunication providers, but rather allows providers to access the 
data center upon request of a market participant. As a result, 16 
providers are currently connected. Likewise, the Exchange does not 
discriminate among providers with respect to eligibility to offer 
connectivity through the Exchange under the service proposed in this 
filing, provided the latency, destinations, and fees offered by the 
provider are consistent with the minimum standards established by the 
Exchange. Thus, telecommunications providers can choose to participate 
in the program, or can choose to service market participants 
exclusively through direct negotiations with customers. The Exchange's 
approach is consistent with its own economic incentives to facilitate 
as many market participants as possible in connecting to its market. 
Burdening competition among telecommunications providers would be 
antithetical to the Exchange's own competitive interests, since 
impaired competition would make it more expensive and more difficult 
for market participants to send order flow to the Exchange.
    The Exchange expects that the result of the proposal will be a 
reduction in

[[Page 70190]]

fees charged to market participants, the very essence of competition. 
To the extent that fees under the program are less expensive than the 
rates currently paid by many market participants, the welfare of these 
market participants will increase, and other telecommunications 
providers will be incentivized to lower their own rates. This will, in 
turn, facilitate the introduction of greater volumes of order flow to 
the Exchange.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed 
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

    No written comments were either solicited or received.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for 
Commission Action

    Within 45 days of the date of publication of this notice in the 
Federal Register or within such longer period (i) as the Commission may 
designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to 
be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to 
which the Exchange consents, the Commission shall: (a) By order approve 
or disapprove such proposed rule change, or (b) institute proceedings 
to determine whether the proposed rule change should be disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule 
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of 
the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include 
File Number SR-Phlx-2011-142 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy, 
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-Phlx-2011-142. This file 
number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help 
the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all 
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are 
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to 
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other 
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the 
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and 
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10 
a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available for 
inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All 
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does 
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should 
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All 
submissions should refer to File Number SR-Phlx-2011-142 and should be 
submitted on or before December 1, 2011.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-29110 Filed 11-9-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.