Self-Regulatory Organizations; International Securities Exchange, LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Network Fees

Download PDF
Federal RegisterMar 13, 2012
77 Fed. Reg. 14847 (Mar. 13, 2012)
March 7, 2012.

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and Rule 19b-4 thereunder, notice is hereby given that on February 22, 2012, the International Securities Exchange, LLC (the “Exchange” or the “ISE”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II 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.

17 CFR 240.19b-4.

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

The ISE proposes to amend its network fees. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web site ( http://www.ise.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 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 self-regulatory organization 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 this proposed rule change is to amend the Exchange's network fees. Specifically, the Exchange proposes to adopt a network fee for a new 10 Gigabit (GB) low latency Ethernet connectivity option. The Exchange currently offers two Ethernet connection options, a 1 GB connection at a cost of $500 per month and a 10 GB connection at a cost of $4,000 per month.

In keeping with changes in technology, the Exchange now proposes to provide an enhanced bandwidth option to enable Members a more efficient connection to the Exchange. Through the use of new, advanced hardware, the proposed new connectivity option will provide a higher speed network to access the Exchange's Optimise trading system.

The Exchange proposes to charge Members $7,000 per month for this connection. ISE has expended significant amount of resources in developing this infrastructure and the proposed fees will allow the Exchange to recoup its investment. The Exchange's new network connectivity option will provide Members the option to select the bandwidth that is appropriate for their current needs. This new connectivity option is voluntary and therefore, the Exchange will retain the existing connectivity options for those Members who choose not to utilize the new network connection.

The Exchange has designated this proposal to be operative on March 1, 2012.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the provisions of Section 6 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”), in general, and with Section 6(b)(4) of the Act, in particular, in that it provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees and other charges among Exchange members and other persons using its facilities. In particular, the proposed rule change will provide greater transparency into the connectivity options available to Members.

15 U.S.C. 78f.

The Exchange's proposal for a low latency 10 GB Ethernet network connection will provide Members the ability to increase data transmission and reduce latency, thereby enhancing their operations. The Exchange believes the proposed fees for this new connection to the Exchange are reasonable because the fees charged will allow the Exchange to cover the hardware, installation, testing and connection costs to maintain and manage the enhanced connection. The proposed fees will allow the Exchange to recoup costs associated with providing the low latency 10 GB connection and provide the Exchange a profit while providing Members the possibility of reducing the number of their connections to the Exchange. The Exchange believes the proposed fees are reasonable in that they are lower than the fees charged by other trading venues for similar connectivity services.

NYSE charges $10,000 per month for 10Gb LCN (Liquidity Center Network) Connection. See https://usequities.nyx.com/sites/usequities.nyx.com/files/nyse_arca_marketplace_fees_1.3.2012.pdf , page 13.

The Exchange also believes the proposed 10 GB fee for connectivity to the Exchange is equitably allocated in that all Exchange Members that voluntarily select this service option will be charged the same amount to maintain and manage the enhanced connection. All Exchange Members have the option to select this voluntary network connection.

The Exchange also believes the proposed 10 GB fee for connectivity to the Exchange is not unfairly discriminatory in that all Exchange Members will have the option of selecting the 10 GB connection to the Exchange, and there is no differentiation among Members with regard to the fees charged for this option.

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

The proposed rule change does not impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Exchange Act.

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)(ii) of the Exchange Act. At any time within 60 days of the filing of such 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 Exchange 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 Exchange Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

Electronic Comments

  • Use the Commission's Internet comment form ( http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml ); or
  • Send an email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR-ISE-2012-09 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-ISE-2012-09. 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 ( http://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 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-ISE-2012-09 and should be submitted on or before April 3, 2012.

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

Kevin M. O'Neill,

Deputy Secretary.

[FR Doc. 2012-5984 Filed 3-12-12; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8011-01-P