Level 3 and NovaSparks deliver next-generation end-to-end low-latency market data transport solution
London, 12th July, 2010 – Level 3 Communications, Inc., an international provider of fiber-based communications services, and Novasparks, the ‘No LatencyTM’ specialists in data packet processing solutions, announced today that they have successfully tested a next generation end-to-end low-latency market data transport solution leveraging Level 3’s newly upgraded ultra-low-latency route between Frankfurt and London.
In current fragmented market conditions, high-frequency traders of investment banks, hedge funds and proprietary trading firms are looking to transport market data from one market venue to another as quickly as possible in order to fully benefit from the arbitrage opportunities available.
The testing was conducted in production mode between Frankfurt and London with an undisclosed investment bank using the Eurex full-length order book. The objective of the test was to prove that the combination and direct interface of Level 3’s high performance fiber transport service and NovaSparks’ low-latency Ticker Plant and connectivity solutions can offer additional latency gains ranging between 40 and 100 microseconds, with bursts up to 300 μs, subject to the configuration of the trading firm, but not subject to distance.
The latency performance improvements are delivered using a direct optical interface with Level 3 fiber equipment, bypassing the need for switches and routers and using PCI-Express connectivity.
The combination of NovaSparks and Level 3 next-generation technologies is configurable with any trading platform and also provides a network latency monitoring solution accurate to the microsecond, allowing participants to measure the latency performance of their market data handling and order entry.
Commenting on the business partnership with NovaSparks, James Heard, president of Level 3, said, “We have been impressed with the performance of NovaSparks’ market data transport solutions. The ideal combination of our network and their accelerated hardware processing is set to help customers in the financial services industry gain faster access to market data, and benefit from the arbitrage opportunities on offer.”
Eric Le Rolland, CEO of NovaSparks added, “Building on Level 3’s global network and its technical telecom expertise, NovaSparks is delighted to partner to offer further significant advantages to financial services customers. The end-to-end low-latency market data transport solution again illustrates our commitment to continued innovation to help our trading community clients improve their performance.”
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For further information, contact:
Julia Streets/Holly Finn
Streets Consulting Ltd
Julia.streets@streetsconsulting.com / holly.finn@streetsconsulting.com
Tel: + 44 (0)20 7959 2235
Alexis Hammack Level 3 Communications
alexis.hammack@level3.com
Tel: +1 720-888-2441
Notes to Editors:
About Level 3 Communications
Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT) is a leading international provider of fiber-based communications services. Enterprise, content, wholesale and government customers rely on Level 3 to deliver services with an industry-leading combination of scalability and value over an end-to-end fiber network. Level 3 offers a portfolio of metro and long-haul services, including transport, data, Internet, content delivery and voice. For more information, visit www.Level3.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
Some of the statements made in this press release are forward looking in nature. These statements are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs. These forward looking statements are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside Level 3’s control, which could cause actual events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the statements. The most important factors that could prevent Level 3 from achieving its stated goals include, but are not limited to, the current uncertainty in the global financial markets and the global economy; disruptions in the financial markets that could affect Level 3’s ability to obtain additional financing; as well as the company’s ability to: increase and maintain the volume of traffic on the network; successfully integrate acquisitions; develop effective business support systems; defend intellectual property and proprietary rights; manage system and network failures or disruptions; develop new services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins; adapt to rapid technological changes that lead to further competition; attract and retain qualified management and other personnel; and meet all of the terms and conditions of debt obligations. Additional information concerning these and other important factors can be found within Level 3’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this press release should be evaluated in light of these important factors. Level 3 is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any such obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
About NovaSparks
NovaSparks is the ‘No LatencyTM’ specialist in data packet processing solutions. Its disruptive technology is designed to eliminate processing latency to sub-microsecond speeds to help the high frequency traders of investment banks, hedge funds and proprietary trading firms achieve smart order routing even faster and benefit from the arbitrage opportunities available.
NovaSparks core offering includes:
- NovaSparks’ “No LatencyTM market data ticker plant” offering sub-microsecond latency for market data feed handling, order book processing, index computation and delivery of data direct to the core black boxes of algorithmic trading firms. Delivered through unicast, multicast, one or 10 Gb and PCI-Express, the ‘No LatencyTM’ market data ticker plant offers a proven, consistent and high performance solution, immune to market bursts of traffic and volume.
- NovaSparks’ “No LatencyTM Packet Dispatcher” transferring data between data sources and application servers at sub-microsecond speed. Packet dispatcher is a ‘full featured solution’ delivering a flexible approach to connectivity and integration. One of its applications will be to connect an Algorithmic trading hardware environment to the ‘No LatencyTM’ market data ticker plant, enabling easy customisation to suit the client firm’s unique requirements.
- End-to-End low latency distribution solutions. NovaSparks partners with low latency connectivity specialists to offer a carrier neutral choice enabling collocation services, performance measurement and monitoring, resilient and secure end-to-end managed services and global access. This collaborative approach offers clients choice, flexibility and a unique approach to low latency performance.
- Founded in 2007 by Marc Battyani (CTO and Head of R&D) and Eric Le Rolland (CEO), NovaSparks was launched as HPC Platform and rebranded in June 2010.
For further information visit: www.novasparks.com