Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC; Order Approving a Proposed Rule Change To Modify its Co-Location Fee Schedule Regarding Low Latency Network Connections, 80999-81000 [2011-33118]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 248 / Tuesday, December 27, 2011 / Notices latency network connectivity through the Exchange and instead negotiate connectivity options separately through other vendors on site. Regarding the associated fees, the Exchange represented that they will be applied uniformly and will not unfairly discriminate between similarly situated market participants that use such colocation services.17 The Exchange also represented that the fees are reasonable because, among other things, they enable the Exchange to recoup its share of the costs associated with the proposed low latency network telecommunication connections.18 The Exchange further represented that the fees and associated costs of the colocation services are comparable to the costs and fees associated with comparable services offered by other trading venues.19 Finally, the Exchange noted its expectation that this service will result in a reduction in fees charged to market participants due to enhanced competition.20 In light of the Exchange’s representations, the Commission believes that the fees associated with the low latency network connection services are consistent with Section 6(b)(4) of the Exchange Act. IV. Conclusion It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,21 that the proposed rule change (SR–BX–2011– 073) be, and it hereby is, approved. BILLING CODE 8011–01–P [Release No. 34–66011; File No. SR–Phlx– 2011–142] Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC; Order Approving a Proposed Rule Change To Modify its Co-Location Fee Schedule Regarding Low Latency Network Connections December 20, 2011. I. Introduction On October 31, 2011, NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC (‘‘Phlx’’ or the ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘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 modify the Exchange Fee Schedule, Section X(b) entitled ‘‘CoLocation Services’’ to establish a program for offering low latency network connections and to establish the initial fees for such connections. The Exchange also proposed administrative modifications to the Exchange Fee Schedule, Section X(b). The proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register on November 10, 2011.3 The Commission received no comments on the proposal. This order approves the proposed rule change. II. Description of the Proposed Rule Change For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.22 Kevin M. O’Neill, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–33119 Filed 12–23–11; 8:45 am] SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION The Exchange proposed 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 fees for such connections. As its initial offering, the Exchange proposed 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.4 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). CFR 240.19b–4. 3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 65689 (November 4, 2011), 76 FR 70187 (‘‘Notice’’). 4 Id. at 70188. The Exchange represented that it currently provides a cross connect from a client’s cabinet to its requested telecommunication carrier’s cabinet (known as a ‘‘telco cross connect’’). According to the Exchange, clients would have the option to use the enhanced point-to-point connectivity service 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 could be utilized to send market data to and receive orders from the chosen venues. sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 2 17 17 Id. 18 Id. 19 Id. 20 Id. at 70187. 21 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). 22 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). VerDate Mar<15>2010 22:00 Dec 23, 2011 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00132 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 80999 According to the Exchange, the enhanced point-to-point connectivity would provide the Exchange’s colocation customers with the opportunity to obtain low latency network connectivity with greater ease than is currently the case, and at a competitive price.5 The Exchange represented that co-location customers currently obtain similar services by negotiating fees, obtaining service level agreements, and executing service agreements directly with approved telecommunication carriers, and that such co-location customers are currently charged a monthly negotiated fee by the telecommunications carrier in addition to a cross connection fee by the Exchange.6 The Exchange represented that for its low latency network connection services, it would obtain wholesale rates from the carriers and then charge a markup to compensate the Exchange for its efforts to negotiate and establish the arrangement, for integrating the connectivity into the Exchange co-location connectivity offering, and for administrative costs associated with establishing and maintaining each new connection.7 According to the Exchange, colocation customers would 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.8 Colocation customers would retain the option of contracting directly with telecommunication providers, including either the providers 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.9 The Exchange proposed one-time fees for the installation of telecommunication connectivity to select major financial trading and colocation venues in the New York and New Jersey metropolitan areas, Toronto, and Chicago, as well as per-month connectivity fees, at connectivity levels of 100MB, 1G, and 10G, respectively.10 The Exchange represented that the fees were based on anticipated bandwidth necessary for the connections and distances to these select venues. The Exchange indicated its belief that the fees are reasonable, because they are similar and competitive with fees 5 Id. 6 Id. 7 Id. 8 Id. 9 Id. 10 Id. E:\FR\FM\27DEN1.SGM 27DEN1 81000 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 248 / Tuesday, December 27, 2011 / Notices charged for similar services by other entities.11 The Exchange also proposed to eliminate references to certain fee waivers that expired July 31, 2011.12 III. Discussion and Commission’s Findings After careful review, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to a national securities exchange.13 In particular, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(4) of the Act,14 which requires that the rules of a national securities exchange provide for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees and other charges among its members and issuers and other persons using its facilities, and with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,15 which requires, among other things, that the rules of a national securities exchange be 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, and not be designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers. In the Notice, the Exchange represented that the low latency network connections would be offered to market participants in a manner that is not unfairly discriminatory.16 The Commission believes that this program to offer low latency network connectivity, in the manner described in the proposal, is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) the Exchange Act insofar as NASDAQ makes these connectivity options uniformly available to all members who voluntarily request them and pay the associated fees. Additionally, the Commission notes that members may choose not to obtain low latency network connectivity through the Exchange and instead negotiate connectivity options separately through other vendors on site. Regarding the associated fees, the Exchange represented that they will be sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 11 Id. at 70189. 12 Id.; see also Securities Exchange Act Release No. 64630 (June 8, 2011), 76 FR 34783 (June 14, 2011) (SR–NASDAQ–2011–074); and Securities Exchange Act Release No. 64858 (July 12, 2011), 76 FR 42152 (July 18, 2011) (SR–NASDAQ–2011–094). 13 In approving this proposed rule change, the Commission notes that it has considered the proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). 14 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4). 15 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). 16 See Notice, 76 FR at 70189. VerDate Mar<15>2010 22:00 Dec 23, 2011 Jkt 226001 applied uniformly and will not unfairly discriminate between similarly situated market participants that use such colocation services.17 The Exchange also represented that the fees are reasonable because, among other things, they enable the Exchange to recoup its share of the costs associated with the proposed low latency network telecommunication connections.18 The Exchange further represented that the fees and associated costs of the colocation services are comparable to the costs and fees associated with comparable services offered by other trading venues.19 Finally, the Exchange noted its expectation that this service will result in a reduction in fees charged to market participants due to enhanced competition.20 In light of the Exchange’s representations, the Commission believes that the fees associated with the low latency network connection services are consistent with Section 6(b)(4) of the Exchange Act. IV. Conclusion It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,21 that the proposed rule change (SR–Phlx–2011– 142) be, and it hereby is, approved. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.22 Kevin M. O’Neill, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–33118 Filed 12–23–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–66007; File No. SR–NSX– 2011–15] Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend Its Fee and Rebate Schedule December 20, 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 December 15, 2011, National Stock Exchange, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in 17 Id. 18 Id. 19 Id. 20 Id. at 70189–90. U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). 22 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 21 15 PO 00000 Frm 00133 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comment on the proposed rule change from interested persons. I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change National Stock Exchange, Inc. (‘‘NSX®’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) is proposing to continue to make available, without charge, the Exchange’s data feed, the NSX depth-of-book feed (‘‘DOB feed’’), to authorized recipients. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange’s Web site at https://www.nsx.com, at the principal office of the Exchange, 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 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 parts of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and the Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The purpose of the proposed rule change is to continue to make available, without charge, the Exchange’s data feed, the NSX depth-of-book feed (‘‘DOB feed’’), to authorized recipients.3 This rule change also describes the Exchange’s practices for distributing the NSX DOB feed to authorized recipients. The Exchange first established its DOB feed in November, 2006. The Exchange does not and has never charged authorized recipients for receipt of its DOB feed.4 The NSX DOB feed 3 An authorized recipient of the DOB feed must execute required documentation with, and be approved by, the Exchange prior to receiving the service. Currently, the required documentation consists of the NSX Market Data Feed License Agreement, which is available on the Exchange Web site (https://www.nsx.com/resources/content/2/ 4/documents/MarketDataFeed062009.pdf). 4 Although the Exchange does not charge authorized recipients for receipt of the NSX DOB feed, an ETP Holder recipient may incur third party costs associated with such feed, including pursuant to the Exchange’s ability to pass through third party costs to ETP Holders pursuant to section III.B of the Fee Schedule. E:\FR\FM\27DEN1.SGM 27DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 27, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80999-81000]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-33118]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-66011; File No. SR-Phlx-2011-142]


 Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC; Order 
Approving a Proposed Rule Change To Modify its Co-Location Fee Schedule 
Regarding Low Latency Network Connections

December 20, 2011.

I. Introduction

    On October 31, 2011, NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC (``Phlx'' or the 
``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``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 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 proposed administrative 
modifications to the Exchange Fee Schedule, Section X(b). The proposed 
rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register on 
November 10, 2011.\3\ The Commission received no comments on the 
proposal. This order approves the proposed rule change.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 65689 (November 4, 
2011), 76 FR 70187 (``Notice'').
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II. Description of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposed 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 fees 
for such connections. As its initial offering, the Exchange proposed 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.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ Id. at 70188. The Exchange represented that it currently 
provides a cross connect from a client's cabinet to its requested 
telecommunication carrier's cabinet (known as a ``telco cross 
connect''). According to the Exchange, clients would have the option 
to use the enhanced point-to-point connectivity service 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 could be utilized to send market data to 
and receive orders from the chosen venues.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the Exchange, the enhanced point-to-point connectivity 
would provide the Exchange's co-location customers with the opportunity 
to obtain low latency network connectivity with greater ease than is 
currently the case, and at a competitive price.\5\ The Exchange 
represented that co-location customers currently obtain similar 
services by negotiating fees, obtaining service level agreements, and 
executing service agreements directly with approved telecommunication 
carriers, and that such co-location customers are currently charged a 
monthly negotiated fee by the telecommunications carrier in addition to 
a cross connection fee by the Exchange.\6\ The Exchange represented 
that for its low latency network connection services, it would obtain 
wholesale rates from the carriers and then charge a markup to 
compensate the Exchange for its efforts to negotiate and establish the 
arrangement, for integrating the connectivity into the Exchange co-
location connectivity offering, and for administrative costs associated 
with establishing and maintaining each new connection.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ Id.
    \6\ Id.
    \7\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the Exchange, co-location customers would 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.\8\ Co-location customers would 
retain the option of contracting directly with telecommunication 
providers, including either the providers 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.\9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ Id.
    \9\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange proposed one-time fees for the installation of 
telecommunication connectivity to select major financial trading and 
co-location venues in the New York and New Jersey metropolitan areas, 
Toronto, and Chicago, as well as per-month connectivity fees, at 
connectivity levels of 100MB, 1G, and 10G, respectively.\10\ The 
Exchange represented that the fees were based on anticipated bandwidth 
necessary for the connections and distances to these select venues. The 
Exchange indicated its belief that the fees are reasonable, because 
they are similar and competitive with fees

[[Page 81000]]

charged for similar services by other entities.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ Id.
    \11\ Id. at 70189.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange also proposed to eliminate references to certain fee 
waivers that expired July 31, 2011.\12\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ Id.; see also Securities Exchange Act Release No. 64630 
(June 8, 2011), 76 FR 34783 (June 14, 2011) (SR-NASDAQ-2011-074); 
and Securities Exchange Act Release No. 64858 (July 12, 2011), 76 FR 
42152 (July 18, 2011) (SR-NASDAQ-2011-094).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Discussion and Commission's Findings

    After careful review, the Commission finds that the proposed rule 
change is consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and 
regulations thereunder applicable to a national securities 
exchange.\13\ In particular, the Commission finds that the proposed 
rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(4) of the Act,\14\ which 
requires that the rules of a national securities exchange provide for 
the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees and other charges 
among its members and issuers and other persons using its facilities, 
and with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\15\ which requires, among other 
things, that the rules of a national securities exchange be 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, and not be designed to permit unfair discrimination between 
customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ In approving this proposed rule change, the Commission 
notes that it has considered the proposed rule's impact on 
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 
78c(f).
    \14\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
    \15\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the Notice, the Exchange represented that the low latency 
network connections would be offered to market participants in a manner 
that is not unfairly discriminatory.\16\ The Commission believes that 
this program to offer low latency network connectivity, in the manner 
described in the proposal, is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) the 
Exchange Act insofar as NASDAQ makes these connectivity options 
uniformly available to all members who voluntarily request them and pay 
the associated fees. Additionally, the Commission notes that members 
may choose not to obtain low latency network connectivity through the 
Exchange and instead negotiate connectivity options separately through 
other vendors on site.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ See Notice, 76 FR at 70189.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regarding the associated fees, the Exchange represented that they 
will be applied uniformly and will not unfairly discriminate between 
similarly situated market participants that use such co-location 
services.\17\ The Exchange also represented that the fees are 
reasonable because, among other things, they enable the Exchange to 
recoup its share of the costs associated with the proposed low latency 
network telecommunication connections.\18\ The Exchange further 
represented that the fees and associated costs of the co-location 
services are comparable to the costs and fees associated with 
comparable services offered by other trading venues.\19\ Finally, the 
Exchange noted its expectation that this service will result in a 
reduction in fees charged to market participants due to enhanced 
competition.\20\ In light of the Exchange's representations, the 
Commission believes that the fees associated with the low latency 
network connection services are consistent with Section 6(b)(4) of the 
Exchange Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ Id.
    \18\ Id.
    \19\ Id.
    \20\ Id. at 70189-90.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. Conclusion

    It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the 
Act,\21\ that the proposed rule change (SR-Phlx-2011-142) be, and it 
hereby is, approved.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \21\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\22\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \22\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-33118 Filed 12-23-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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