Technical Connectivity to SWXess

Technical Connectivity to SWXess

Connectivity, Latency and Throughput Tailored to Your Needs

Connectivity Options

With a wide range of options to access the SWXess trading platform of the Swiss Stock Exchange, participants can select the right type of connectivity for their trading strategy and market activity. To connect to the SWXess platform, traders can take advantage of a single access point – the SIX Common Access Portal (SCAP) – or choose the faster Co-Location access.

Technical Questions?

Our Local Support Centers in Zurich, Geneva and London can answer any technical questions.

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Your Benefits on the Swiss Stock Exchange

Low Latency

Some of the fastest access speeds in global securities trading.

Scalable Access

Tailor your access to meet your business and market activity.

Overcome Distance

Connectivity options for Swiss, European and global participants.

About This Service

The Swiss Stock Exchange has built a comprehensive array of technical connectivity options into the SWXess trading platform. These include a choice of co-location and proximity services for fast trading and data collection, and highly scalable single access points that can be tailored to individual trading requirements. Participants and traders can choose the applications that best suit their business needs.

Connectivity Options at a Glance

Our infographic gives you an overview of all the technical options for connecting to the SWXess trading platform. Further details are available in our Directive 2: Technical Connectivity.

Directive

SCAP provides scalable access to the SWXess trading environment. It has high data-transmission capacity with a connection that can be tailored to traders’ requirements and market activity. Communications between traders and platform are conducted through an encrypted VPN tunnel and secured by Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) and Internet Key Exchange Protocol (IKE).

Access via Co-location services hosted in the Zurich-based Equinix datacenter is the fastest way to connect to the SWXess trading platform of the Swiss Stock Exchange. The service offers a direct fiber connection to the SWXess on-book matcher for both equities and non-equities. With bandwidth of 10 Gbps, the Co-location access to the Swiss Stock Exchange averages latency of 10.6 microseconds.

SIX Exchange (SIX) operates its colocation services consistently with the relevant European regulation1.

SIX has decided to extend this commitment of equal treatment to all network operators and market data vendors (Vendors) offering services in the data centre. All Vendors will be treated in a fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory manner. SIX will observe a strict neutrality when connecting all network providers to co-located clients. It will treat its own service, operated by 12H AG, in the same manner that it treats all other connectivity service providers.

1 https://ec.europa.eu/finance/securities/docs/isd/mifid/rts/160606-rts-10_en.pdf 

For lowest latency through a direct connection, traders can connect to SWXess via a designated proximity service provider. This overcomes geographical distance and offers the same low latency to international clients as to those located in Zurich.

The SIX Access Point service is one of the SCAP options available. It offers direct connectivity to SWXess with low and reliable latency via points of presence in London and Frankfurt. The Access Point service enables traders to optimize connectivity to all exchange services and asset classes available from the Swiss Stock Exchange.

Microwave Technology for the Lowest Latency

The network of SIX currently connects Zurich (Termination Point: Equinix ZH4) with Frankfurt (Termination Point: Equinix FR2). The bandwidth is 10 Mbps. SIX ensures equal access to the microwave network for all trading participants at both regulatory and technical levels, in line with Switzerland's legal framework. The service is provided and customer relationships handled through the subsidiary SIX Exfeed AG.

The ultra-low latency microwave network of SIX enables trading participants of the Swiss stock exchange – such as market makers and liquidity providers in the equities and ETF space – to execute their trading strategies faster while at the same time improving their risk management. As a result, improved liquidity and tighter spreads create better execution conditions for all market participants.

Microwave technology allows the fastest transmission of trade data between exchange data centers. Microwave technology (or radio frequency, RF) allows for trade data to be transmitted faster than via connections based on fibre optic technology because it takes a more direct line between the two ends of the network. Also, microwave signals travel at the speed of light through air, rather than over fibre, which can attenuate signals. This speed advantage is coupled with a high level of availability and reliability

SIX Swiss Exchange has a history of taking a pioneering role in the development of electronic trading, deploying breakthrough technology to create the best possible trading conditions. In December 2017, it announced its joint venture with 12Horizons Pte Ltd, to create 12H AG (“12H”) to provide low-latency access for Swiss securities trading via microwave technology. With the launch of 12H in May 2018, SIX became the first exchange operator worldwide to own and operate an international microwave network in Europe. Having taken a majority stake in 12H in early 2020, SIX became the owner and operater of the microwave network.

Do You Have Questions Regarding Our Microwave Network?

We’re happy to help you with the Business Setup and Technical Setup of the SIX Microwave Network.

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Resources

    Access Point Service - Enhance Your Connectivity

    Open document

    Connectivity Selection

    Open document

    SIX Co-Location Agreement General Terms and Conditions

    Open document

    SIX Co-Location Agreement Service and Technical Description

    Open document

    SIX Co-location Service Fees

    Open document

The participant owns its connection to SCAP and is therefore responsible for its administration and organisation. The participant is also responsible for ordering the data lines from its provider. The Swiss Stock Exchange provides an order form and all required information. The provider bills the participant directly for the services it provides.

A periodic access fee is charged for every connectivity option. This fee does not include the provider's costs or the exchange's service costs. The Swiss Stock Exchange does not charge a set-up fee for the connection.

Technical Queries

Our Local Support Centers in Zurich, Geneva and London are happy to answer any technical questions.

  • Local Support Center Zurich

    Helpdesk

    (Only for registered Participants)

    Member Support Center (MSC) has offices in Zurich, Geneva and London to support you with all your technical queries - in various languages and on site at your office if required.

    • +41 58 399 2400
    • SIX Swiss Exchange Ltd.
      Pfingstweidstrasse 110
      8005 Zurich

  • Local Support Center Geneva

    Helpdesk

    (Only for registered Participants)

    Member Support Center (MSC) has offices in Zurich, Geneva and London to support you with all your technical queries - in various languages and on site at your office if required.

    • +41 58 399 5642
    • SIX Swiss Exchange Ltd.
      Av. Edmond-Vaucher 18
      1203 Geneva

  • Local Support Center UK

    Helpdesk

    (Only for registered Participants)

    Member Support Center (MSC) has offices in Zurich, Geneva and London to support you with all your technical queries - in various languages and on site at your office if required.

    • +44 207 864 4364
    • SIX Swiss Exchange Ltd.
      33 St Mary Axe
      4th Floor Exchequer Court
      London EC3A 8AA