Beyond Fiber: How RF Technology is Redefining Low-Latency Networks

How far would you go to gain a microsecond advantage?

In the world of financial trading, that fraction of time can define the difference between profit and loss. High-frequency trading (HFT) firms know this better than anyone else. They know that ultra-low latency is a daily necessity for their firms to succeed.

As traditional fibre networks reach their physical limits, the smartest players are looking skyward. Radio Frequency (RF) technologies are rewriting the rules of market connectivity. They allow you to transmit data through the air at the speed of innovation itself. 

With its pioneering RF solutions, BSO is enabling traders to operate closer to real time than ever before, redefining what’s possible in low-latency connectivity and setting a new benchmark for global market performance.

Understanding Radio Frequency (RF) in High-Frequency Trading

What is Radio Frequency?

Radio Frequency (RF) refers to electromagnetic waves traveling at the speed of light through the air. This offers a significant latency advantage over fiber optic cables, where light slows down when passing through glass. This inherent speed makes RF critical for applications where every fraction of a second is vital.

Why is RF Important for Financial Markets?

In high-frequency trading (HFT), speed is paramount. HFT firms use algorithms to analyse market data and execute trades in microseconds. The fastest firm to receive and act on market changes gains a competitive edge. This drives an intense pursuit of ultra-low latency, with firms heavily investing to reduce delays.

The global HFT market, valued at over USD 10 billion in 2024, is projected to exceed USD 16 billion by 2030. This growth highlights the increasing reliance on speed and technology. RF technology, by delivering data faster than fiber, has become a key strategic asset for HFT firms, enabling quicker reactions and more precise execution.

BSO’s RF Solutions: RF Ultra and RF Express

BSO offers two flagship RF solutions: RF Ultra and RF Express, designed for ultra-low latency in financial markets.

BSO’s Radio Frequency Ultra:

RF Ultra provides premium Layer 1 connectivity, offering direct, bit-by-bit connections with the absolute lowest latency. It supports 1.25 Gbit/s dedicated circuits and allows any signalling protocol, ideal for high-frequency trading where every nanosecond is critical.

BSO’s Radio Frequency Express:

RF Express offers ultra-low latency Layer 2 Ethernet connectivity, optimised for cost-effective order entry and small packet services. Available in 50 Mbit/s increments via a 10G LR handoff, it caters to a broader range of market participants.

Both solutions are deployed across BSO’s New Jersey, Chicago, and Toronto metro networks, utilising the shortest geodesic paths. BSO also offers RF Secure as an option, providing an alternate backup fiber path for enhanced resilience, acknowledging that wireless networks can be sensitive to weather. Continuous R&D ensures these solutions remain cutting-edge.

Introducing RF Insight: The Next Evolution of BSO’s RF Connectivity

Building on years of success delivering ultra-low-latency RF networks to major trading venues, BSO has taken a significant leap forward with RF Insight, a new, enhanced offering that brings together BSO’s proven RF expertise and next-generation monitoring, visibility, and ultra-low latency raw market data.

RF Insight represents the evolution of BSO’s previous work connecting leading exchanges. While BSO’s earlier deployments set the standard for speed and reliability, RF Insight takes things further, empowering clients with direct access to RF market data in multiple trading hubs without the need for Gigs of dedicated bandwidth., This means greater agility, transparency, and performance optimisation at every stage of the trading process.

What Makes RF Insight Different

1. Simple Access to Valuable Data:

BSO  provides one connection in each trading hub and manages the full RF data service directly for its clients. This managed model enables faster consumption of valuable market data for more effective decision-making. 

2. Flexibility - You Choose:

Clients can decide which RF market data feeds they want in each location, how they want it delivered (BGP or static routing) and if they want fiber back-up added (RF Secure).

3. Quick Turn Up:

New orders can be completed within 48 hours.

Overcoming RF-Related Challenges

BSO’s solutions address inherent RF challenges:

• Speed vs. Fiber: RF solutions provide a direct, faster path for market data, as demonstrated by the latency figures. All RF solutions use the most efficient geodesic paths.

• Reliability and Resilience: Since wireless networks are sensitive to weather, clients will supplement RF Insight with fiber for redundancy. BSO’s RF Secure option provides an alternate backup fiber path for consistent uptime.

• Flexibility & Control: Clients can choose the RF solution that meets their needs based on bandwidth needs. latency requirements and which data is most valuable to them in each location.  Seamless Integration: Our RF solutions provide flexibility in protocols  that best fit our client needs and easily integrate into their low latency network designs.

These considerations ensure clients benefit from RF speed while maintaining robust reliability and seamless integration. MMW services have an expected availability of 99.5% during trading hours, with provisions for service cancellation in case of chronic outages.

Why RF Insight Matters for the Future of Trading

As the industry shifts toward automation, algorithmic trading, and real-time analytics, microseconds of delay can mean the difference between profit and loss. RF Insight enables traders to execute faster, react sooner, and maintain a sharper competitive edge, all with the reliability and expertise BSO is known for.

The move to direct RF client connectivity is more than just an upgrade; it’s a strategic step forward for BSO’s clients. By removing intermediaries, enhancing visibility, and integrating intelligent control, BSO is redefining what it means to trade at the speed of light.

The Broader Impact: Why RF Matters Beyond Finance

RF technology’s transformative power extends beyond finance to industries demanding ultra-low latency, high-throughput, and reliable wireless communication. This includes:

• 5G Networks: Essential for delivering unprecedented speeds and ultra-low latency for mobile communication, enabling real-time AR/VR and enhanced mobile broadband.

• Internet of Things (IoT): Crucial for pervasive connectivity in smart cities and connected factories, supporting devices from environmental sensors to industrial automation.

• Autonomous Vehicles: Provides the low-latency, high-bandwidth links for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, vital for safety and efficiency.

• Healthcare: Benefits wireless medical devices, remote surgery, and real-time patient monitoring, enhancing care and operational efficiency.

• Defense and Public Safety: Indispensable for secure military communications, intelligence gathering, and emergency response systems, where timely information is critical.

As the digital world grows more complex and interconnected, RF’s role as a foundational technology for future connectivity will only solidify.

BSO at the Forefront of Wireless Innovation

Radio Frequency technology, particularly millimeter wave, is no longer a niche solution but a critical enabler for industries where speed and reliability are paramount. Its inherent ability to transmit data faster than fiber optics positions it as a cornerstone for the next generation of high-performance connectivity.

BSO, with its RF Ultra and RF Express solutions, stands at the forefront of this wireless revolution. By providing ultra-low latency Layer 1 and Layer 2 connectivity, BSO empowers financial institutions to achieve unparalleled speed in market data delivery and trade execution. Their commitment to continuous innovation, coupled with robust solutions for resilience and seamless integration, ensures that clients can harness the full potential of RF technology while mitigating its unique challenges.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, driven by demands for instant communication and real-time data processing, the strategic importance of RF will only grow. BSO’s expertise in this domain not only redefines what’s possible in financial markets but also sets a new standard for high-performance connectivity across a multitude of industries.

To discover how BSO’s cutting-edge RF solutions can transform your connectivity and provide a decisive competitive advantage, visit BSO.co.