In February 2012, Vodafone announced the Catlins would have two new towers as result of a community cell-site scheme.
Vodafone planned to fund two rural sites in 2012, but selected three - northern and southern Catlins, and Waihau Bay, in the North Island's East Cape.
However, a raft of issues delayed construction of the towers.
A tower at Tokanui, also in the south Catlins, was built under the Rural Broadband Initiative, and recently became operational.
The tower will link with the other two towers, providing improved coverage through the Catlins.
Vodafone New Zealand spokeswoman Michelle Baguley said issues with building the Tokanui tower had delayed the Papatowai (north Catlins) and Slope Point (south Catlins) projects.
Now that the Tokanui tower was operational, work on the south Catlins site at Slope Point was due to begin soon and was expected to be complete in April.
The Papatowai site is expected to link to the Owaka tower - built last year - which primarily covers the Owaka township, but also reaches surrounding areas in Hinahina, Pounawea, Newhaven and Otekura.
The 25m lattice tower provides service to more than 440 households in the area.
The service, which Vodafone claims is comparable with urban pricing, delivers mobile coverage and wireless broadband through a high-performance modem, adding a Wi-Fi network into the home. Phone calls can also be made through this service without a landline connection.
