Here's a link to a list from the TDS website of all the NH towns they currently serve. All of these acquisitions were through acquisitions of small, independent telephone companies over the years.
http://www.tdstelecom.com/Residentia...Static.aspx&f=
I live in Hopkinton and have had TDS for 6+ yrs (I think, probably more). I think they're adequate (although my wife hates them); they offer DSL service and partner with DISH Network for TV service so I can combine my landline phone, internet and Dish bills together ($5 discount on the Dish bill for combining their bill with TDS). They also allow you to pay your bill online if that's something people are interested in doing (saves writing a check and a stamp to mail). There have been instances where you have to keep after them to get something done. I haven't encountered this problem but my wife has through her office (that's why she hates them).
On the plus side, after the ice storm last December, we lost power and phone due to a large tree limb coming down on the lines between the pole and our home. When I called TDS to report the outage, they immediately offered to forward my home phone calls to my cell for the duration of my outage. And, they arrived pretty quick to re-string my line and get me reconnected. I had my phone back before I had power back!! So, let's say I'm satisfied with their service for now.
