With market data feeds continuing to require more bandwidth and Nasdaq expanding services, markets and asset classes available in the Carteret, NJ data center, we are introducing a new connection offering – Third Party Connections. This new offering will provide a robust and resilient network environment that satisfies requests from third party service providers and regulators for separation of this message and data traffic from Nasdaq proprietary services.
Third Party Services that will be available on these new Third Party Connections:
UTP/FINRA
BATS
|
SIAC/NYSE
Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX)
CME
|
*Additional third party services may be added or removed in the future
Additional Redundancy
By separating the Third Party Services to these new connections, we reduce the amount of traffic flowing over client facing switches and also prevent a Nasdaq networking outage from affecting the delivery of Third Party Services. In addition, these new switches and reduced traffic should result in lower latency delivery of these Third Party Services. Access to Nasdaq markets and Nasdaq proprietary feeds will continue to be delivered over the existing Nasdaq connections (Direct Connects, Co-Location, etc.) and should also benefit from the separation of the message and data traffic.
Rollout Timeline
| Action | Date |
| Third Party Connections can be ordered via CoLo & Connectivity Console | June 20, 2016 |
| Third Party Services available on Third Party Connections | June 27, 2016 |
| UTP Binary Feeds on Third Party Connections – Parallel Comparison Test Begins | July 9, 2016 |
| UTP Binary Feed on Third Party Connections – Go-Live Target Date | October 31, 2016 |
| Third Party Connections Fee Waiver period Ends | November 1, 2016 |
| Third Party Services no longer available on legacy Nasdaq connections | January 31, 2017 |
Easy to Order
Third Party Connection orders can be placed via the Nasdaq CoLo & Connectivity Console. Users can be added using the Console User Form.
Nasdaq will offer direct connect and co-location connectivity capabilities to these Third Party Services at both 1 Gbps and 10 Gbps bandwidth speeds. However, given the bandwidth requirement for most of the Third Party Services, the 1Gbps option will be limited. Nasdaq engineers will work with clients to determine 1Gbps suitability for selected feeds and services. Clients currently utilizing 1Gbps telco circuits to connect to the UTP feeds will need to upgrade to 10Gbps telco circuits and 10Gbps Third Party Connections due to the increase in bandwidth requirements for the new binary feeds. Clients who wish to have new dedicated telco circuits installed can contact any of theseproviders.
Connectivity Fees Waived
During this transition period, the installation and monthly recurring fees for Third Party Connections will be waived. In the 4Q2016, the following fees¹ will be charged:
| Connectivity Type | Install Fee | Monthly Recurring Fee |
| 1G Ultra Third Party Services Connection² | $1,500 | $2,000 |
| 10G Ultra Third Party Services Connection | $1,500 | $5,000 |
¹ Subject to SEC approval
² 1G connection to a 10G switch, only available for lower bandwidth services
More Information
Please refer to the Third Party Connectivity FAQs for more details. More information on mandatory conversions to these new connections for the listed Third Party Services will be announced as the migration dates approach. At any time, customers may contact Kate Scholes at +1 212 312 0339 or their Nasdaq Relationship Manager for additional details.
*FINRA, Trade Reporting Facility and TRF are trademarks of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
