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Edited by Brad Randall, Broadband Communities

TDS Telecom said Wednesday it has agreed to buy the fiber optic and voice operations of Granite State Communications, an independent New Hampshire phone company with roots dating back to 1877. Under the purchase agreement, TDS will add more than 11,000 fiber service addresses from Granite State; the deal is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.

The Madison, Wisconsin-based company billed the acquisition as an expansion of its existing New Hampshire footprint.

“This acquisition marks an exciting step forward in our mission to deliver world-class connectivity with an excellent customer experience,” said Drew Petersen, TDS Telecom’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.

TDS has operated in the state since 1970 and already owns five telephone companies there.

Granite State Communications, which grew out of four earlier local carriers, the Chester, Sandown, Weare, and Triangle Telephone companies, has described itself as deeply invested in its network and communities.

“For nearly nine decades, Granite State Communications has been an important and enduring part of our family’s journey,” said company President Susan Rand King, noting three generations of leadership.

Company leaders emphasized continuity for customers. Christian Rand, Granite State’s vice president and chief strategy officer, said the family behind the company believes TDS is “the right partner for this next chapter,” citing the buyer’s commitment to the New Hampshire market and its track record of service.

The deal brings two adjacent internet providers under one roof in the state and increases TDS’s fiber reach by over 11,000 service addresses. The companies did not disclose financial terms in the announcement.

Some AI tools assisted in the crafting of this report.

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