The New York Stock Exchange will begin tests later this year to provide internet users with real-time stock information. 

Plans will be put before the US Securities and Exchange Commission today, outlining the NYSE's intention to charge business websites $100,000 a month to run up-to-date stock prices. 

Depending on the ruling by the SEC, the service could go live as early as May 2007.

The NYSE is thought to have held talks with Google, Yahoo and financial news channel CNBC. 

Google and CNBC said that they plan to offer the information to their users free of charge.

The NetCoalition, which numbers Google, Yahoo and Bloomberg as members, has previously complained about a lack of real-time stock quotes from sources such as the NYSE and the Nasdaq.