Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEx) has launched its hosting services founding members programme, which is designed to allow selected members and technology firms to participate in the set-up of the exchange's next generation data centre.
HKEx is hoping to create a low-latency ecosystem in which exchange participants, information and technology vendors and telecommunication providers are members. This approach will allow market participants to subscribe to services offered by HKEx members in a cost effective manner.
Those companies that enrol in the founding members programme will be invited to participate in joint marketing efforts with the Hong Kong bourse. The exchange has stated that all financial technology vendors who wish to apply to become founding members will be considered. The programme is due to run until hosting services are launched later this year.
“We plan to announce detailed service offerings and pricing by the end of the first quarter and will invite interested users to apply for the services,” said Jonathan Leung, head of hosting services at HKEx. “Our hosting services team is able to provide assistance to potential users in their infrastructure planning so they can obtain the highest value from our services.”
Access to the securities market main board and the growth enterprise market is planned to be rolled out in the fourth quarter of 2012, with the derivatives market coming online in the second quarter of 2013. Clearing and settlement systems will go-live in the fourth quarter of 2013. Up to 1,200 cabinets of server space, with an average power allocation of 6kW per cabinet, will be made available in phased releases. HKEx plans to market its hosting services to potential users from March.