Use of Wireless LAN Equipment on the Trading Floors

CME Group offers connections to a wireless network on the trading floors to facilitate the use of wireless local area networks (LAN) by all market participants.  The wireless network is designed to alleviate the need for each interested member firm to design, purchase, install, and maintain its own wireless network antennas on the trading floors as well as to significantly increase the number of wireless devices that can be used by the trading floor community.  Harmonized Rule 507 (“Electronic Devices”) governs the use of electronic devices on the trading floors.  The text of Rule 507 appears on Page 2 of this Advisory Notice.

This Advisory Notice is being issued as a reminder to the trading floor community of CME Group’s general policy on the use of wireless devices/software on the trading floors.  The policy is as follows:

1.   Only wireless LANs that have been approved by the Exchange are allowed on the trading floors.

2.   The use of any device or software that monitors, sniffs, probes, accesses or otherwise ‘sees’ wireless networks is strictly prohibited.

3.   No cordless phones (i.e. those with a base station and handset) or wireless gaming systems of any kind are permitted on the trading floors.  Cellular phones, including all smart phones, are permissible provided that bluetooth, mifi and wifi technology have been disabled.

4.   The use of an 802.11 bridge (mifi, wifi, hotspot or similar technologies), bluetooth, or wireless printers on the trading floor is strictly prohibited.  All members, member firms and their staffs must ensure that all unauthorized wireless signals are disabled on any device that is being used on the trading floors.

5.   The majority of smart phones, laptops, tablet personal computers, and printers now being sold have wireless network adapters (802.11b/g/n and/or 802.11a) built in at the factory.  These adapters must be in an “OFF” state in order for these devices to be brought onto the trading floors and must remain in an off state until removed from the floors.  If you need assistance in determining the state of the adapter, please call the Floor Technology Support Help Desk in Chicago at 312.347.5611 or the Wireless Valet in New York at 212.301.4531.

The use of any unauthorized wireless communication equipment on the trading floors is strictly prohibited.  Violation of these policies may result in disciplinary action and unauthorized wireless equipment will be immediately disconnected and removed from the trading floors.  

If you have any questions, please contact one of the following individuals:

Brian Linker, Trading Floor Market Systems & Technology, 312.341.3272

Robert Stasi, NYMEX Operations, 212.299.2067

Erin Schwartz, Market Regulation, 312.341.3083

Robert Sniegowski, Market Regulation, 312.341.5991

For media inquiries concerning this Advisory Notice, please contact CME Group Corporate Communications at 312.930.3434 or news@cmegroup.com.

Rule 507 – (“Electronic Devices”)

507.A. General Provisions

The use of any electronic device on the trading floor is prohibited unless such device and/or usage has been permitted by the Exchange.  For purposes of this rule, the term “electronic device” shall mean any type of voice or data communications interface, including but not limited to a computer, headset, hand-held device, microphone or telephone.  No Member (as defined in Rule 400) shall permit others to use any electronic device unless such use has been permitted by the Exchange.  Members using a permitted electronic device on the trading floor for permissible business purposes must retain any required audit trail data in accordance with applicable Exchange rules and CFTC regulations.

507.B. Terms and Conditions of Use

The Exchange may, in its sole discretion, impose restrictions on the use of any permitted electronic device by any Member.  The Exchange may limit, suspend or terminate any Member's right to use any permitted electronic device at any time, without prior notice and without any liability to the Exchange. 

The Exchange shall have the right, at any time, to audit the use of any permitted electronic device by any Member. 

The Exchange accepts no responsibility for loss, theft or damage to any equipment permitted for use by a Member on Exchange premises. 

Electronic devices that are not issued by the Exchange must not interfere with any Exchange system.

507.C. Electronic Surveillance

The Exchange may intercept and record any electronic communication received or sent from the trading floor to ensure compliance with Exchange Rules. Exchange members, their employees, and all others who are granted access to the trading floor consent, as a condition of their membership, employment, or access to the floor, to the interception, recording, and use of any such communication.

507.D. Personal Electronic Devices

Unless permitted pursuant to Section A. above, personal electronic devices including, but not limited to, cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and other devices with email, instant messaging or other similar capabilities may be used on the trading floor only for non-business purposes.

507.E. Cameras and Video Equipment

Unless expressly permissioned by the Exchange, the use of any type of camera or video equipment on the trading floor is prohibited.