NTT launches ultra-low latency APN InterLink for finance in Hong Kong

NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS and NTT Com Asia have announced the launch of the APN InterLink service in Hong Kong aimed at financial institutions, using All-Photonic Network technology in support of the IOWN initiative.

The service will be commercially available for financial firms seeking ultra-low latency connectivity, especially for operations such as latency-sensitive and algorithmic trading, proximity market data access, and real-time transactions within the Hong Kong market.

Digital transformation in finance

The financial services sector in Asia, and particularly in Hong Kong, continues to experience rapid digital transformation. With increasing reliance on automated and high-frequency trading practices, network latency has become a critical factor for competitive advantage. Financial institutions require robust and fast transmission infrastructure to optimise trading outcomes, where even millisecond differences can impact profits and risk management.

The launch of APN InterLink comes as part of NTT's broader response to industry demands for faster, energy-efficient, and highly reliable networks that facilitate large-scale digital transformation. The company says that the new APN InterLink service will also strengthen the foundations for collaborative development and artificial intelligence-driven initiatives in finance.

Mission-critical operations in the financial sector often depend on disaster recovery systems to ensure business continuity. Using IOWN APN, financial organisations can transmit data efficiently and securely between sites across different geographies, an approach intended to bolster operational reliability and better support business in case of disruptions.

Service offering

APN InterLink provides two main connectivity options to Hong Kong's financial services industry: APN DCLink and APN DedicatedLink.

The APN DCLink offers an ultra-low latency, photonics-based network connection between NTT Com Asia's Financial Data Centre and Tai Po Data Centre. The Financial Data Centre's proximity to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange is intended to ensure high performance for mission-critical trading and real-time transaction operations.

The APN DedicatedLink allows customers to connect any of their facilities or data centres within Hong Kong to either the Financial Data Centre or Tai Po Data Centre, offering ultra-low latency routes to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange for sensitive trading operations.

Regional expansion plans

The companies have signalled plans to extend APN-based infrastructure to connect Tokyo and Hong Kong through the Asia Submarine-cable Express (ASE). This connection aims to meet the growing demand for high-speed, low-latency access between the Japanese and Hong Kong financial markets. NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS is currently offering a similar service - docomo business APN Plus powered by IOWN - for the Japanese market, and has announced ambitions to establish additional APN hubs throughout Asia to support evolving needs across key financial centres.

"NTT DOCOMO Business is providing the IOWN APN service 'docomo business APN Plus' in Japan, which has been well received by many customers. We are actively working to connect 'APN InterLink', set for commercial deployment in Hong Kong, with Japan's 'docomo business APN Plus' to deliver the service globally. Through this initiative, we aim to further support our customers' mission-critical applications and business operations." - Hisashi Fujishima, Senior Executive Officer, Head of Platform Services Division, NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS

Daisuke Kuroda, CEO of NTT Com Asia, said:

"We are pleased to launch APN InterLink in Hong Kong, one of the world's leading financial hubs. Leveraging the latest IOWN technology, we are committed to building next-generation infrastructure for the financial industry."

Company roles and technology

NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS manages the APN service under the brand docomo business APN Plus in Japan and oversees domestic sales operations, while NTT Com Asia is responsible for providing APN InterLink services and handling all commercial activity within Hong Kong.

At the core of the offering is the IOWN APN, which introduces photonics-based technology for both network and terminal connectivity, in contrast to traditional electronic data transmission. The IOWN initiative, supported by a global forum of more than 170 member organisations from 19 countries, aims to deliver high-capacity, ultralow-latency, and energy-efficient communications to facilitate real-time data processing, automation, and sustainable business digital transformation.

Details regarding the pricing and procedures for service application are to be obtained directly from the respective sales teams at NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS or NTT Com Asia.