The answer to this question is NO, but ...

... informally, a group of researchers coming from University of Trento and from other Italian Universities are cooperating since almost 15 years in:

• Common publications (journals and conference papers);

• Common research projects (funded by Italian and EU agencies);

• Research dissemination initiatives (conference and workshop organization).

The cluster has been primarily formed in the framework of the initiatives of the Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Telecomunicazioni (CNIT) of Italy, but, as the time passed, the group operated in autonomous manner. The Universities from which Tera-BIT researchers come are, among the others:

• University of Trento;

• University of Genoa;

• University of Rome "Tor Vergata";

• University of Firenze;

• Politecnico di Torino;

• Università Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria;

• University of Cagliari.

The main purpose of the Tera-BIT research people is to join the efforts in order to study "broadband solutions" either for terrestrial and for satellite networking. The philosophy of the cluster is that anyone can propose an idea - for a paper, for a project proposal, etc. - and ask to the some members of the cluster if they want to support such an idea with their enthusiasm and their expertise. I am part of this cluster and some Tera-BIT persons will appear as co-authors in some published papers of mine, as partners in research projects where I was involved, and, last but not the least, as external co-supervisors in some Master thesis proposals shown in my web page. The Tera-BIT research cluster can be regarded by the UNITN students as a potential mean of high-added valued cooperation opportunities.

The network of contacts of the Tera-BIT research cluster is spread everywhere in the world and accounts some very prestigious academic institutions worldwide recognized.

PS: the name "Tera-BIT" has been invented by myself and should not be considered at all something of "official"!