Following CEO Tim Cook's comments last week that Apple (AAPL 0.02%) would soon be launching cellular versions of both its newest iPad and iPad Mini in China, the company has officially announced the availability of both devices starting this Friday, Jan. 18. Apple will sell cellular-equipped iPads through its own stores as well as through authorized resellers.
While the devices support data speeds up to 4G LTE, China's network infrastructure is less developed than other parts of the world and mobile consumers are still transitioning to 3G technologies. China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recently said commercial 4G network licenses would not be issued until at least late 2013.
The Wi-Fi-only models of the iPad were launched in China last month, along with Apple's newest iPhone 5.
