Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Regarding the Extranet Access Fee, 2145-2148 [2015-00528]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 10 / Thursday, January 15, 2015 / Notices believe that alternatives offer them better value. Accordingly, the Exchange does not believe that the proposed change will impair the ability of Members or competing venues to maintain their competitive standing in the financial markets. ADV and TCV Definitions The proposal to exclude shares from January 12, 2015 up to and including January 16, 2015 from the ADV and TCV calculations is intended to allow Members additional time to monitor the migration of the Exchange onto BATS technology. Accordingly, the Exchange does not believe that the proposed change will impair the ability of Members or competing venues to maintain their competitive standing in the financial markets. The proposed change will help to promote intramarket competition by avoiding a penalty Members that might otherwise qualify for certain tiered pricing but that, because of the technology migration, did not participate on the Exchange to the extent that they might have otherwise participated. The proposed rule change will not have an impact on intermarket [sic] competition as it will apply to all Members equally. rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Membership Fees The Exchange believes that increasing the annual Membership Fee and removing the Trading Rights Fee and MPID Fee would not impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The Exchange’s membership fees continue to be lower than the cost of membership on other exchanges,14 and therefore, may stimulate intramarket [sic] competition by attracting additional firms to become Members on the Exchange. In addition, membership fees are subject to competition from other exchanges. Accordingly, if the changes proposed herein are unattractive to market participants, it is likely the Exchange will see a decline in membership and/ or trading activity as a result. The proposed fee change will not impact intermarket [sic] competition because it will apply to all Members equally. Non-Substantive Clarifying Changes The Exchange believes that nonsubstantive, clarifying changes to the Fee Schedule would not affect 14 See, e.g., NASDAQ Rule 7001(a) (assessing an $3,000 annual membership fee); New York Stock Exchange Price List 2011, at https://www.nyse.com/ publicdocs/nyse/markets/nyse/NYSE_Price_List.pdf (assessing a $40,000 annual trading license fee for the first two licenses held by a member organization). VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:13 Jan 14, 2015 Jkt 235001 intermarket nor intramarket competition because none of these changes are designed to amend any fee or rebate or alter the manner in which the Exchange assesses fees or calculates rebates. These changes are intended to provide greater transparency to Members with regard to how the Exchange access fees and provides rebates. C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others The Exchange has not solicited, and does not intend to solicit, comments on this proposed rule change. The Exchange has not received any unsolicited written comments from Members or other interested parties. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 15 and paragraph (f) of Rule 19b–4 thereunder.16 At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. 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– EDGX–2014–37 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–EDGX–2014–37. 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 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the 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–EDGX– 2014–37, and should be submitted on or before February 5, 2015. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.17 Brent J. Fields, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2015–00526 Filed 1–14–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–74020; File No. SR–BX– 2015–002] Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Regarding the Extranet Access Fee January 9, 2015. 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 January 2, 2015, NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc. (‘‘BX’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘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 17 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 15 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). 16 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f). PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4703 1 15 Sfmt 4703 2145 E:\FR\FM\15JAN1.SGM 15JAN1 2146 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 10 / Thursday, January 15, 2015 / Notices 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 add new BX Options 3 Chapter XV, Section 3(c) (Options Market—Access Services) to the Exchange’s Pricing Schedule entitled ‘‘Extranet Access Fee’’ (‘‘Pricing Schedule’’), which includes description about the applicability of the Extranet Access Fee. This will conform the Exchange’s Pricing Schedule to that of other markets. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange’s Web site at https:// nasdaqomxbx.cchwallstreet.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 aspects of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The purpose of the proposal is to add new BX Options Chapter XV, Section 3(c) entitled ‘‘Extranet Access Fee’’ to the Pricing Schedule, which includes description about the applicability of the Extranet Access Fee. This will conform the Exchange’s Pricing Schedule to that of other markets.4 Specifically, the Exchange proposes to establish the Extranet Access Fee in proposed new BX Options Chapter XV, 3 BX Options is a facility of BX. Exchange, NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC (‘‘Phlx’’), and The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (‘‘NASDAQ’’) are self-regulatory organizations (‘‘SROs’’) that are wholly owned subsidiaries of The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (‘‘NASDAQ OMX’’). The Exchange, NOM (a facility of the Exchange [sic]), BX Options (a facility of BX), Phlx, and PSX (a facility of Phlx) (together with the Exchange known as the ‘‘NASDAQ Markets’’), are independently filing proposals to conform their respective Extranet Access Fee rules to NASDAQ Rule 7025. rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 4 The VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:13 Jan 14, 2015 Jkt 235001 Section 3(c) to indicate that certain nonExchange Customer Premises Equipment (‘‘CPE’’) Products shall be assessed a monthly access fee of $1,000 per CPE. The Exchange also proposes to conform the Extranet Access Fee to that of another market, specifically NASDAQ Rule 7025, by also indicating that if an extranet provider uses multiple CPE Configurations 5 to provide market data feeds to any recipient the monthly fee shall apply to each such CPE Configuration; and that no Extranet Access Fee will be charged for connectivity to market data feeds containing only consolidated data. This proposal conforms the Extranet Access Fee in BX Options Chapter XV, Section 3(c) to the equivalent fee in NASDAQ Rule 7025. The Extranet Access Fee was introduced a decade ago on NASDAQ Rule 7025 as an equity fee.6 The Extranet Access Fee was introduced about five years ago in BX Rule 7025.7 By this proposal, the Exchange normalizes the cost and structure of its Extranet Access Fee on BX Options to that of the equivalent decade-old NASDAQ fee.8 Proposed Section 3(c) of the Fee Schedule indicates the same fee as NASDAQ Rule 7025, namely $1,000 per CPE Configuration, and adds verbatim language from NASDAQ Rule 7025 that explains the application of the fee.9 As proposed, BX Options Chapter XV, Section 3(c) will read as follows: 5 As defined in proposed BX Options Chapter XV, Section 3(c), a ‘‘Customer Premises Equipment Configuration’’ means any line, circuit, router package, or other technical configuration used by an extranet provider to provide a direct access connection to the Exchange market data feeds to a recipient’s site. 6 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 50483 (October 1, 2004), 69 FR 60448 (October 8, 2004) (SR–NASD–2004–118) (establishing the Extranet Access Fee on NASDAQ); and 71199 (December 30, 2013), 79 FR 686 (January 6, 2014) (SR–NASD [sic]– 2013–159) (notice of filing and immediate effectiveness increasing the Extranet Access Fee to $1,000). 7 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 59615 (March 20, 2009), 74 FR 14604 (March 31, 2009) (SR–BX–2009–005) (establishing the Extranet Access Fee on BX); and 71841 (April 1, 2014), 79 FR 19129 (April 7, 2014) (SR–BX–2014–015) (notice of filing and immediate effectiveness describing that the Extranet Access Fee is $750). The Extranet Access Fee was also established on PSX. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 71236 (January 6, 2014), 79 FR 1906 (January 10, 2014) (SR–Phlx– 2014–01) (notice of filing and immediate effectiveness establishing the Extranet Access Fee on PSX, and describing that no fee is charged at the time of the filing). 8 As noted, BX and other NASDAQ Markets are independently filing proposals to conform their respective Extranet Access Fee. 9 However, the proposed Section 3(c) language does not, because it deals with options, indicate that consolidated data includes data disseminated by the UTP SIP (as noted in NASDAQ Rule 7025). PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 ‘‘Extranet providers that establish a connection with the Exchange to offer direct access connectivity to market data feeds shall be assessed a monthly access fee of $1,000 per recipient Customer Premises Equipment (‘‘CPE’’) Configuration. If an extranet provider uses multiple CPE Configurations to provide market data feeds to any recipient, the monthly fee shall apply to each such CPE Configuration. For purposes of this Section 3, the term ‘‘Customer Premises Equipment Configuration’’ shall mean any line, circuit, router package, or other technical configuration used by an extranet provider to provide a direct access connection to the Exchange market data feeds to a recipient’s site. No extranet access fee will be charged for connectivity to market data feeds containing only consolidated data. Extranet providers that establish a connection with the Exchange pursuant to this Section 3 as well as a connection pursuant to BX Rule 7025 shall be assessed a total monthly access fee of $1,000 per recipient CPE Configuration.’’ The proposal thus conforms BX Options Chapter XV, Section 3(c) to NASDAQ Rule 7025, and makes them substantively identical.10 The proposal also makes it clear that if an extranet provider establishes an Extranet connection on BX as well as on BX Options, the extranet provider will not need to pay a double $1,000 monthly access fee per CPE, but rather only one total monthly access fee of $1,000 per CPE. In addition, as discussed, there is an equity market and an options market under the BX SRO license. This proposal brings the Extranet Access Fee per BX Rule 7025 on the equity side to the options side per BX Options Chapter XV, Section 3(c) in conformity with NASDAQ Rule 7025.11 The proposed Extranet Access Fee will, as on NASDAQ, be used to help support the Exchange’s costs associated with maintaining multiple extranet connections with multiple providers. These costs include those associated with overhead and technology infrastructure, administrative, maintenance and operational costs. Since the inception of Extranet Access there have been numerous network 10 The Exchange notes that while BX Options Chapter XV, Section 3(c) and NASDAQ Rule 7025 each contain some language particular to the relevant exchange, with this proposal the language of the two rules is substantively identical. The Exchange notes that the statement that Extranet providers shall be assessed a total monthly access fee of $1,000 per recipient CPE Configuration is not in NASDAQ Rule 7025. 11 The Exchange is filing to raise the monthly access fee on BX from $750 to $1,000. E:\FR\FM\15JAN1.SGM 15JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 10 / Thursday, January 15, 2015 / Notices rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES infrastructure improvements and administrative controls enacted. Additionally, the Exchange has implemented automated retransmission facilities for most of its data clients that benefit extranet clients by reducing operational costs associated with retransmissions. As the number of extranets has increased, the management of the downstream customers has expanded and the Exchange has had to ensure appropriate reporting and review processes, which has resulted in a greater cost burden on the Exchange over time. The proposed fee will also help to ensure that the Exchange is better able to closely review reports and uncover reporting errors via audits thus minimizing reporting issues.12 The network infrastructure has increased in order to keep pace with the increased number of products, which, in turn, has caused an increased administrative burden and higher operational costs associated with delivery via extranets. Thus, subsequent to the proposal extranet providers that establish a connection with the Exchange to offer direct access connectivity to market data feeds shall be assessed a monthly access fee of $1,000 per CPE Configuration. If, as discussed below, an extranet provider uses multiple CPE Configurations to provide market data feeds to any recipient, the monthly fee shall apply to each such CPE Configuration. The Exchange proposes two new descriptions to conform the language of BX Options Chapter XV, Section 3(c) to that of NASDAQ Rule 7025. Specifically, the Exchange proposes to indicate that if an extranet provider uses multiple CPE Configurations to provide market data feeds to any recipient, the monthly fee shall apply to each such CPE Configuration; and that no extranet access fee will be charged for connectivity to market data feeds containing only consolidated data. These proposed descriptions should serve to reduce any confusion as to the applicability of the Extranet Access Fee. Moreover, the descriptions would make the Exchange’s Extranet Access Fee in BX Options Chapter XV, Section 3(c) work the same as the equivalent fee in NASDAQ Rule 7025, and complete the effort to conform the two rules. 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,13 in general, and 12 The Exchange will inform extranet providers of their reporting responsibilities via its public Web site. This will include, as an example, reporting CPE usage. 13 15 U.S.C. 78f. VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:13 Jan 14, 2015 Jkt 235001 with Section 6(b)(4) of the Act,14 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. The Exchange believes that its proposal to add the Extranet Access Fee in BX Options Chapter XV, Section 3(c), and to describe the applicability of the Extranet Access Fee and thereby conform the fee with the equivalent fee on NASDAQ, is consistent with the Act. All similarly situated extranet providers, including the Exchange operating its own extranet, that establish an extranet connection with the Exchange to access market data feeds from the Exchange are subject to the same fee structure.15 The fee will help the Exchange to offset some of the rising overhead and technology infrastructure, administrative, maintenance and operational costs it incurs in support of the service. If such costs are covered, the service may provide the Exchange with a profit. As such, the Exchange believes that the proposed fee is reasonable and notes that this proposal conforms similarlysituated Extranet Access Fee rules on BX options, BX equities, and NASDAQ. The extranet costs are separate and different from the colocation facility that is able to recoup these fees by charging for servers within the associated data centers. Additionally, the Exchange believes that the proposed change is equitable and not unreasonably discriminatory. The monthly fee is assessed uniformly to all extranet providers that establish a connection with the Exchange to offer direct access connectivity to market data feeds, and is the same for all at $1,000 per recipient CPE Configuration. Thus, any burden arising from the fees is necessary in the interest of promoting the equitable allocation of a reasonable fee. Moreover, firms make decisions on how much and what types of data to consume on the basis of the total cost of interacting with the Exchange or other markets and, of course, the Extranet Access Fee is but one factor in a total platform analysis. Additionally, proposed BX Options Chapter XV, Section 3(c) contains description stating that if an extranet provider uses multiple CPE Configurations to provide market data feeds to any recipient, the monthly fee 14 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4). example, NASDAQ Technology Services, a subsidiary of the Exchange [sic], pays the applicable fee(s) to the Exchange for services covered under the Extranet Access Fee. 15 For PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 2147 shall apply to each such CPE Configuration; and that no Extranet Access Fee will be charged for connectivity to market data feeds containing only consolidated data. This description should serve to reduce any confusion as to the applicability of this fee. The proposal 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 consistent with the Act. B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will result in any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act, as amended. The proposed fees are applied uniformly among extranet providers, which are not compelled to establish a connection with the Exchange to offer access connectivity to market data feeds. For these reasons, any burden arising from the fees is necessary in the interest of promoting the equitable allocation of a reasonable fee. Additionally, firms make decisions on how much and what types of data to consume on the basis of the total cost of interacting with the Exchange or other exchanges and, of course, the Extranet Access Fee is but one factor in a total platform analysis. 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 Pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act,16 the Exchange has designated this proposal as establishing or changing a due, fee, or other charge imposed by the self-regulatory organization on any person, whether or not the person is a member of the self-regulatory organization, which renders the proposed rule change effective upon filing. At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of 16 15 E:\FR\FM\15JAN1.SGM U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii). 15JAN1 2148 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 10 / Thursday, January 15, 2015 / Notices the purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule should be approved or disapproved. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.17 Brent J. Fields, Secretary. IV. Solicitation of Comments [FR Doc. 2015–00528 Filed 1–14–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P 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– BX–2015–002 on the subject line. Paper Comments rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES • Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–BX–2015–002. 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 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal offices 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– 2015–002, and should be submitted on or before February 5, 2015. VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:13 Jan 14, 2015 Jkt 235001 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–74027; File No. SR–NYSE– 2014–76] Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Amending the Fees for NYSE OpenBook January 9, 2015. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ‘‘Act’’) 2 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,3 notice is hereby given that, on December 31, 2014, New York Stock Exchange LLC (‘‘NYSE’’ or the ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the selfregulatory organization. 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 amend the fees for NYSE OpenBook to: (1) Change the way the user fee is calculated and applied, operative on January 1, 2015; (2) establish eligibility requirements for redistribution on a managed nondisplay basis and an access fee for managed non-display data recipients, operative on January 1, 2015; and (3) increase the fee cap for redistributor internal support use, operative on March 1, 2015. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange’s Web site at www.nyse.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 self-regulatory organization included 17 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 15 U.S.C. 78a. 3 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 1 15 PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 those 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 Exchange proposes to amend the fees for NYSE OpenBook,4 as set forth on the NYSE Proprietary Market Data Fee Schedule (‘‘Fee Schedule’’), as follows: • To change the way the user fees are calculated and applied by eliminating the unit-of-count policy, operative on January 1, 2015; • To establish eligibility requirements for redistribution of market data on a Managed Non-Display basis and establish an access fee for Managed Non-Display data recipients, operative on January 1, 2015; and • To increase the fee cap for redistributor internal support use, operative on March 1, 2015. Changes to the Method of Calculating and Applying User Fees For display use of the NYSE OpenBook data feed, the Fee Schedule sets forth a Professional User Fee of $60 per month or a Non-Professional User Fee of $15 per month.5 These user fees generally apply to each display device that has access to NYSE OpenBook. Vendors and subscribers that are eligible for the Unit-of-Count Policy may avail themselves of an alternative method for counting how many user fees should be charged for display use of the NYSE OpenBook data feed. The Unit-of-Count Policy was first introduced as an NYSE OpenBook pilot in 2009.6 Since April 2013, the Unit-ofCount Policy has applied only to user fees associated with display usage.7 4 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 59544 (Mar. 9, 2009), 74 FR 11162 (Mar. 16, 2009) (SR– NYSE–2008–131) and 62038 (May 5, 2010), 75 FR 26825 (May 12, 2010) (SR–NYSE–2010–22) (‘‘Unitof-Count Policy filings’’). See also Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 69278 (Apr. 2, 2013), 78 FR 20973 (April 8, 2013) (SR–2013–25) and 72923 (Aug. 26, 2014), 79 FR 52079 (Sept. 2, 2014) (SR– NYSE–2014–43) (‘‘Non-Display Fee filings’’). 5 A $25,000 per month cap on non-professional user fees applies to broker-dealers only. 6 See Unit-of-Count Policy filings supra note 4. 7 Existing customers approved for the Unit-ofCount Policy for display usage have continued to follow the Policy in anticipation of new display fees being implemented. E:\FR\FM\15JAN1.SGM 15JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 10 (Thursday, January 15, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2145-2148]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-00528]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-74020; File No. SR-BX-2015-002]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc.; Notice of 
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Regarding 
the Extranet Access Fee

January 9, 2015.
    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 January 2, 2015, NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc. (``BX'' or ``Exchange'') filed 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``SEC'' or ``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

[[Page 2146]]

solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to add new BX Options \3\ Chapter XV, Section 
3(c) (Options Market--Access Services) to the Exchange's Pricing 
Schedule entitled ``Extranet Access Fee'' (``Pricing Schedule''), which 
includes description about the applicability of the Extranet Access 
Fee. This will conform the Exchange's Pricing Schedule to that of other 
markets.
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    \3\ BX Options is a facility of BX.
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    The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's 
Web site at https://nasdaqomxbx.cchwallstreet.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 aspects of such 
statements.

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

1. Purpose
    The purpose of the proposal is to add new BX Options Chapter XV, 
Section 3(c) entitled ``Extranet Access Fee'' to the Pricing Schedule, 
which includes description about the applicability of the Extranet 
Access Fee. This will conform the Exchange's Pricing Schedule to that 
of other markets.\4\
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    \4\ The Exchange, NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC (``Phlx''), and The NASDAQ 
Stock Market LLC (``NASDAQ'') are self-regulatory organizations 
(``SROs'') that are wholly owned subsidiaries of The NASDAQ OMX 
Group, Inc. (``NASDAQ OMX''). The Exchange, NOM (a facility of the 
Exchange [sic]), BX Options (a facility of BX), Phlx, and PSX (a 
facility of Phlx) (together with the Exchange known as the ``NASDAQ 
Markets''), are independently filing proposals to conform their 
respective Extranet Access Fee rules to NASDAQ Rule 7025.
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    Specifically, the Exchange proposes to establish the Extranet 
Access Fee in proposed new BX Options Chapter XV, Section 3(c) to 
indicate that certain non-Exchange Customer Premises Equipment 
(``CPE'') Products shall be assessed a monthly access fee of $1,000 per 
CPE. The Exchange also proposes to conform the Extranet Access Fee to 
that of another market, specifically NASDAQ Rule 7025, by also 
indicating that if an extranet provider uses multiple CPE 
Configurations \5\ to provide market data feeds to any recipient the 
monthly fee shall apply to each such CPE Configuration; and that no 
Extranet Access Fee will be charged for connectivity to market data 
feeds containing only consolidated data. This proposal conforms the 
Extranet Access Fee in BX Options Chapter XV, Section 3(c) to the 
equivalent fee in NASDAQ Rule 7025.
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    \5\ As defined in proposed BX Options Chapter XV, Section 3(c), 
a ``Customer Premises Equipment Configuration'' means any line, 
circuit, router package, or other technical configuration used by an 
extranet provider to provide a direct access connection to the 
Exchange market data feeds to a recipient's site.
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    The Extranet Access Fee was introduced a decade ago on NASDAQ Rule 
7025 as an equity fee.\6\ The Extranet Access Fee was introduced about 
five years ago in BX Rule 7025.\7\ By this proposal, the Exchange 
normalizes the cost and structure of its Extranet Access Fee on BX 
Options to that of the equivalent decade-old NASDAQ fee.\8\
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    \6\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 50483 (October 1, 
2004), 69 FR 60448 (October 8, 2004) (SR-NASD-2004-118) 
(establishing the Extranet Access Fee on NASDAQ); and 71199 
(December 30, 2013), 79 FR 686 (January 6, 2014) (SR-NASD [sic]-
2013-159) (notice of filing and immediate effectiveness increasing 
the Extranet Access Fee to $1,000).
    \7\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 59615 (March 20, 
2009), 74 FR 14604 (March 31, 2009) (SR-BX-2009-005) (establishing 
the Extranet Access Fee on BX); and 71841 (April 1, 2014), 79 FR 
19129 (April 7, 2014) (SR-BX-2014-015) (notice of filing and 
immediate effectiveness describing that the Extranet Access Fee is 
$750). The Extranet Access Fee was also established on PSX. See 
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 71236 (January 6, 2014), 79 FR 
1906 (January 10, 2014) (SR-Phlx-2014-01) (notice of filing and 
immediate effectiveness establishing the Extranet Access Fee on PSX, 
and describing that no fee is charged at the time of the filing).
    \8\ As noted, BX and other NASDAQ Markets are independently 
filing proposals to conform their respective Extranet Access Fee.
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    Proposed Section 3(c) of the Fee Schedule indicates the same fee as 
NASDAQ Rule 7025, namely $1,000 per CPE Configuration, and adds 
verbatim language from NASDAQ Rule 7025 that explains the application 
of the fee.\9\ As proposed, BX Options Chapter XV, Section 3(c) will 
read as follows: ``Extranet providers that establish a connection with 
the Exchange to offer direct access connectivity to market data feeds 
shall be assessed a monthly access fee of $1,000 per recipient Customer 
Premises Equipment (``CPE'') Configuration. If an extranet provider 
uses multiple CPE Configurations to provide market data feeds to any 
recipient, the monthly fee shall apply to each such CPE Configuration. 
For purposes of this Section 3, the term ``Customer Premises Equipment 
Configuration'' shall mean any line, circuit, router package, or other 
technical configuration used by an extranet provider to provide a 
direct access connection to the Exchange market data feeds to a 
recipient's site. No extranet access fee will be charged for 
connectivity to market data feeds containing only consolidated data. 
Extranet providers that establish a connection with the Exchange 
pursuant to this Section 3 as well as a connection pursuant to BX Rule 
7025 shall be assessed a total monthly access fee of $1,000 per 
recipient CPE Configuration.'' The proposal thus conforms BX Options 
Chapter XV, Section 3(c) to NASDAQ Rule 7025, and makes them 
substantively identical.\10\ The proposal also makes it clear that if 
an extranet provider establishes an Extranet connection on BX as well 
as on BX Options, the extranet provider will not need to pay a double 
$1,000 monthly access fee per CPE, but rather only one total monthly 
access fee of $1,000 per CPE. In addition, as discussed, there is an 
equity market and an options market under the BX SRO license. This 
proposal brings the Extranet Access Fee per BX Rule 7025 on the equity 
side to the options side per BX Options Chapter XV, Section 3(c) in 
conformity with NASDAQ Rule 7025.\11\
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    \9\ However, the proposed Section 3(c) language does not, 
because it deals with options, indicate that consolidated data 
includes data disseminated by the UTP SIP (as noted in NASDAQ Rule 
7025).
    \10\ The Exchange notes that while BX Options Chapter XV, 
Section 3(c) and NASDAQ Rule 7025 each contain some language 
particular to the relevant exchange, with this proposal the language 
of the two rules is substantively identical. The Exchange notes that 
the statement that Extranet providers shall be assessed a total 
monthly access fee of $1,000 per recipient CPE Configuration is not 
in NASDAQ Rule 7025.
    \11\ The Exchange is filing to raise the monthly access fee on 
BX from $750 to $1,000.
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    The proposed Extranet Access Fee will, as on NASDAQ, be used to 
help support the Exchange's costs associated with maintaining multiple 
extranet connections with multiple providers. These costs include those 
associated with overhead and technology infrastructure, administrative, 
maintenance and operational costs. Since the inception of Extranet 
Access there have been numerous network

[[Page 2147]]

infrastructure improvements and administrative controls enacted. 
Additionally, the Exchange has implemented automated retransmission 
facilities for most of its data clients that benefit extranet clients 
by reducing operational costs associated with retransmissions.
    As the number of extranets has increased, the management of the 
downstream customers has expanded and the Exchange has had to ensure 
appropriate reporting and review processes, which has resulted in a 
greater cost burden on the Exchange over time. The proposed fee will 
also help to ensure that the Exchange is better able to closely review 
reports and uncover reporting errors via audits thus minimizing 
reporting issues.\12\ The network infrastructure has increased in order 
to keep pace with the increased number of products, which, in turn, has 
caused an increased administrative burden and higher operational costs 
associated with delivery via extranets.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ The Exchange will inform extranet providers of their 
reporting responsibilities via its public Web site. This will 
include, as an example, reporting CPE usage.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Thus, subsequent to the proposal extranet providers that establish 
a connection with the Exchange to offer direct access connectivity to 
market data feeds shall be assessed a monthly access fee of $1,000 per 
CPE Configuration. If, as discussed below, an extranet provider uses 
multiple CPE Configurations to provide market data feeds to any 
recipient, the monthly fee shall apply to each such CPE Configuration.
    The Exchange proposes two new descriptions to conform the language 
of BX Options Chapter XV, Section 3(c) to that of NASDAQ Rule 7025. 
Specifically, the Exchange proposes to indicate that if an extranet 
provider uses multiple CPE Configurations to provide market data feeds 
to any recipient, the monthly fee shall apply to each such CPE 
Configuration; and that no extranet access fee will be charged for 
connectivity to market data feeds containing only consolidated data. 
These proposed descriptions should serve to reduce any confusion as to 
the applicability of the Extranet Access Fee. Moreover, the 
descriptions would make the Exchange's Extranet Access Fee in BX 
Options Chapter XV, Section 3(c) work the same as the equivalent fee in 
NASDAQ Rule 7025, and complete the effort to conform the two rules.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent 
with Section 6(b) of the Act,\13\ in general, and with Section 6(b)(4) 
of the Act,\14\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ 15 U.S.C. 78f.
    \14\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that its proposal to add the Extranet Access 
Fee in BX Options Chapter XV, Section 3(c), and to describe the 
applicability of the Extranet Access Fee and thereby conform the fee 
with the equivalent fee on NASDAQ, is consistent with the Act.
    All similarly situated extranet providers, including the Exchange 
operating its own extranet, that establish an extranet connection with 
the Exchange to access market data feeds from the Exchange are subject 
to the same fee structure.\15\ The fee will help the Exchange to offset 
some of the rising overhead and technology infrastructure, 
administrative, maintenance and operational costs it incurs in support 
of the service.
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    \15\ For example, NASDAQ Technology Services, a subsidiary of 
the Exchange [sic], pays the applicable fee(s) to the Exchange for 
services covered under the Extranet Access Fee.
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    If such costs are covered, the service may provide the Exchange 
with a profit. As such, the Exchange believes that the proposed fee is 
reasonable and notes that this proposal conforms similarly-situated 
Extranet Access Fee rules on BX options, BX equities, and NASDAQ. The 
extranet costs are separate and different from the colocation facility 
that is able to recoup these fees by charging for servers within the 
associated data centers. Additionally, the Exchange believes that the 
proposed change is equitable and not unreasonably discriminatory. The 
monthly fee is assessed uniformly to all extranet providers that 
establish a connection with the Exchange to offer direct access 
connectivity to market data feeds, and is the same for all at $1,000 
per recipient CPE Configuration. Thus, any burden arising from the fees 
is necessary in the interest of promoting the equitable allocation of a 
reasonable fee. Moreover, firms make decisions on how much and what 
types of data to consume on the basis of the total cost of interacting 
with the Exchange or other markets and, of course, the Extranet Access 
Fee is but one factor in a total platform analysis.
    Additionally, proposed BX Options Chapter XV, Section 3(c) contains 
description stating that if an extranet provider uses multiple CPE 
Configurations to provide market data feeds to any recipient, the 
monthly fee shall apply to each such CPE Configuration; and that no 
Extranet Access Fee will be charged for connectivity to market data 
feeds containing only consolidated data. This description should serve 
to reduce any confusion as to the applicability of this fee.
    The proposal 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 consistent with the Act.

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

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
result in any burden on competition that is not necessary or 
appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act, as amended.
    The proposed fees are applied uniformly among extranet providers, 
which are not compelled to establish a connection with the Exchange to 
offer access connectivity to market data feeds. For these reasons, any 
burden arising from the fees is necessary in the interest of promoting 
the equitable allocation of a reasonable fee. Additionally, firms make 
decisions on how much and what types of data to consume on the basis of 
the total cost of interacting with the Exchange or other exchanges and, 
of course, the Extranet Access Fee is but one factor in a total 
platform analysis.

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

    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act,\16\ the Exchange 
has designated this proposal as establishing or changing a due, fee, or 
other charge imposed by the self-regulatory organization on any person, 
whether or not the person is a member of the self-regulatory 
organization, which renders the proposed rule change effective upon 
filing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule 
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule 
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or 
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or 
otherwise in furtherance of

[[Page 2148]]

the purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the 
Commission shall institute proceedings to determine whether the 
proposed rule should be approved or 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-BX-2015-002 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-BX-2015-002. 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 
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available 
for inspection and copying at the principal offices 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-2015-002, 
and should be submitted on or before February 5, 2015.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\17\
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    \17\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-00528 Filed 1-14-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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