Direct Edge Launches Suite Of Connectivity Services

Direct Edge announced it will begin offering customers access to a suite of cost-effective connectivity services that provides a one-stop shop for market data feeds and direct market access to all major exchanges via their Direct Edge connection.

This new service, Connect Edge, will help customers reduce costs by eliminating the need for individual telco connections to each marketplace and make Direct Edge their primary source for marketplace connectivity. In addition, customers who wish to independently manage their own connectivity can utilize EdgeLink, which enables them to directly connect to one or more Direct Edge customer routers.

For customers who already have a direct connection to the Direct Edge infrastructure, Connect Edge extends their reach by providing access to other market centers for market data and access. Those who currently don't have a direct connection to the Direct Edge infrastructure can use Connect Edge by cross connecting from within their own facility to one of Direct Edge's three Points of Presence (PoP), located at Equinix NY4 in Secaucus, NJ, Savvis in Weehawken, NJ and Telx in Clifton, NJ.

According to Direct Edge, benefits of Connect Edge include connectivity for data feeds which start as low as $500 per month including market data for both A and B streams over separate handoffs. Circuit latency to some markets is under 100 microseconds round-trip.

Further, Direct Edge monitors requested bandwidth for order entry traffic, but does not rate limit the connection. That means the customer is never in danger of oversubscribing, the exchange said.

Billing is on a month-to-month basis with only a 30-day cancellation period required.

"Direct Edge is committed to meeting the needs of all market participants, beyond simply matching buyers and sellers," said Kevin Carrai, head of connectivity services, Direct Edge.

"By leveraging our state-of-the-art exchange connectivity we are able to help customers lower costs and provide them with high-speed, low latency access to market data and direct connections to all major exchanges - a critical element that many market participants such as smaller firms desire, but were unable to afford until now."

In addition to Connect Edge, Direct Edge offers customers access to EdgeLink as part of its suite of connectivity services. EdgeLink enables customers to directly connect to one or more Direct Edge customer routers. Through EdgeLink, customers have the freedom to independently manage their own connectivity by choosing the telecommunications provider of their preference, or if they have a presence in the Equinix NY4 facility, they may cross-connect directly to Direct Edge. Similar to the benefits brought forth by Connect Edge, EdgeLink is a financially attractive option that will help improve access and speed for customers who feel this solution best meets their needs. Melanie Rodier has worked as a print and broadcast journalist for over 10 years, covering business and finance, general news, and film trade news. Prior to joining Wall Street & Technology in April 2007, Melanie lived in Paris, where she worked for the International Herald ... View Full Bio