Verizon is ready to mark the start of construction for its fiber-optic network in Philadelphia with a ribbon-cutting ceremony tomorrow.

Verizon said there will be 100 construction, installation and maintenance employees and officials from the company, union and the city at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Philadelphia is where the nation’s largest cable operator, Comcast, has its headquarters.

While Verizon hasn’t confirmed the figure, the cost of the Philadelphia build-out has been reported in various media outlets as $800 million to $1 billion. Verizon has said it will have its FiOS video service deployed in some areas before the end of the year.

As part of the 15-year cable franchise included in the franchise agreement legislation, Verizon will make FiOS TV available throughout the city over the next seven years (story here).