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Third-generation iPad passes Taiwan certification, could see May debut

Apple's new LTE-equipped iPad has reportedly passed governmental certification in Taiwan and could be hitting shelves as soon as May.

Both the Wi-Fi and "4G" version of the tablet have been inspected (machine translation) by Taiwan's National Communications Commission (NCC) and were found to be in accordance with all wireless laws, reports the Mandarin language Economic Daily News.

Taiwanese users will only be able to use the iPad's 3G functionality, however, as the country has yet to introduce 4G LTE. The nation's largest wireless operator, Chunghwa Telecom, only offers up to WCDMA service and other carriers operate 4G WiMAX networks.

Also inspected were the iPad's battery and wall charging unit.

There has yet to be an official announcement regarding the official launch of the iPad, but Taiwan could possibly get the tablet ahead of the Chinese mainland if Apple follows its iPhone 4S release calendar. The newest iPhone launched in Taiwan in December and was followed by China a month later.