Verizon (NYSE: VZ) is maintaining a safe social distance from new customers during the COVID-19 pandemic, announcing on its website that it is not installing new FiOS service to homes and businesses. Customers are advised that they can place an order for installation and it will be scheduled for later. Although new customers have reportedly received notices that installation could be as late as November, Verizon has said that is just a "placeholder" date and an actual service date will be provided later. Image source: Getty Images. What are others doing? While Charter Communications (NASDAQ: CHTR) seems to have mostly stopped cable TV installations, Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA) tells new Xfinity customers it has introduced home drop-off, which means its technicians will do the install work necessary from the outside of the house, and will leave a package at the door with the equipment and detailed instructions necessary for the homeowner to complete the install on the inside. Altice (NYSE: ATUS) appears to still be offering regular installations as its website merely asks Optimum customers who are experiencing flu-like symptoms and have a scheduled install appointment to contact the company to make new arrangements. The Verizon announcement says: As a result of COVID-19, we are taking precautions to keep our employees and customers safe. At this time, our technicians will not be able to enter your home or business to install new services. You may proceed with placing your order and it will be held for future installation on a priority basis. You will receive notification to select an installation date when we resume operations. Verizon told The Verge that "qualified service orders" do have self-install options available. 10 stocks we like better than Verizon CommunicationsWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the ten best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Verizon Communications wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of March 18, 2020 Rich Duprey has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Comcast and Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.Source