The Las Virgenes-Malibu Council of Governments, COG for short, held a groundbreaking on April 9 for its Regional Smart Cities Fiber Network, a digital infrastructure project that will give its five member cities—Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Malibu and Westlake Village—access to high-speed fiber broadband internet. Officials gathered in front of Westlake Village City Hall to mark the start of work on the 38-mile underground fiber-optic network, which the COG describes as one of the region’s most significant broadband investments. The project is intended to strengthen public safety, address connectivity disparities, and support the development of future smart city initiatives. Fiber can carry massive amounts of data extremely quickly using thin strands of glass or plastic (fiber) to transmit data as pulses of light, rather than electrical signals used in copper cables. signals used in copper cables. The timeline for completion is estimated at one year. The high-capacity network will initially link up city halls and 68 traffic signals in all five towns, enabling real-time communication and coordination across municipal borders. The aim is to smooth traffic flow and make intersections safer for drivers and pedestrians. The system will also support faster, more coordinated evacuations and emergency response efforts in the event of a wildfire or earthquake, officials say. Following this first phase, the plan is to offer broadband service to local customers in a region underserved in terms of fast internet access, as cable companies have neglected to upgrade their systems. “The ultimate goal is to partner with an (internet service provider) who will invest in the communities in order to expand into residential and commercial areas,” said Terry Dipple, executive director of the COG, “providing a high-speed fiber alternative that’s competitively priced for people.” Dipple added that improved internet connectivity would allow people to work from home more