The deal will see TNS provide connectivity between CF Global Trading's three offices in London, Hong Kong and New York via its IP network. In a move to combine its IT onto an IP-based platform, the new WAN will support the firm's trading infrastructure, including email traffic.

CF Global Trading, which provides an outsourced trading desk service for hedge funds, was established in 2000 and now employs more than 20 people worldwide.

Already linked to TNS' Secure Trading Extranet, CF Global Trading routinely submits indications-of-interest, executes trades and performs transactions via the fast, secure and reliable network.

Scott Chace, managing partner at CF Global Trading, explained: "Our experience of TNS in the United States with both FIX connectivity and the Secure Trading Extranet has been extremely positive. By consolidating our systems onto IP and our intra and extranet with TNS we are maximising efficiencies across our offices and strengthening our global operations."

Privately owned and dedicated to the financial community, TNS' Secure Trading Extranet is one of the world's largest FIX-enabled financial communities of interest with 960 end-points that provide access to more than 400 global financial institutions. It comprises 96 points-of-presence in 13 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, Australasia and Africa.

Alex Walker, Vice President, financial markets commented: "We are delighted that CF Global Trading has extended its relationship with TNS by appointing us to provide and manage a new wide area network. For CF Global Trading, like others within the financial community, real time information and an efficient flow of communication is essential to allow quick and informed decisions to be made.

"In order to cement our position at the forefront of the industry and to meet the changing needs of the financial community, we have extensively reviewed and evaluated the range of services we provide. By deploying TNS' IP network for broader applications such as wide area networks, market data distribution and trader voice services we can help our customers to achieve their goal of seamless straight-through-processing and comply with new regulatory requirements."