By Louis Bedigian

When Sprint (S) announced it was finally getting the iPad Mini and fourth-generation iPad, fans zeroed in on the company's unlimited-data plans. Could iPad users finally break free from data restrictions, or would they be forced to buy chunks, a la Verizon (VZ) and AT&T (T)?

Unfortunately for users, Sprint said its unlimited plans will not apply to the iPad Mini, the new iPad or any other tablet available through the carrier.

While the company has repeatedly stated that it intends to stand behind its unlimited-data plans for iPhones and other smartphones, Sprint did not explain why it chose a new strategy for tablets.

Existing Sprint smartphone customers can buy 100MB of data for $10 per month or 1GB for $15 per month. Everyone else will pay monthly fees of $14.99 (for 300MB), $34.99 (for 3GB), $49.99 (for 6GB) or $79.99 (for 12GB).

Surprisingly, these options are not much cheaper than the plans offered by Verizon and AT&T. Verizon customers who use a small amount of data (1GB or less) will be charged $20 per month. From that point on, customers are essentially charged $10 for every additional gigabyte of data. They can also pay $50 for 5GB or $80 for 10GB.

AT&T customers are charged $14.99 (for 250MB), $30 (for 3GB) or $50 (for 5GB). The company does not currently offer any larger data plans, but customers will be charged an additional $10 for every additional gigabyte they use.

Apple has not announced a specific release date for the cellular version of the iPad Mini or the fourth-generation iPad. On its website, the company simply states that it will be available in mid-November. Sprint might have provided consumers with a clue, as its new data plans are scheduled to begin on Nov. 11 -- nine days after the Wi-Fi iPads are scheduled to arrive in stores.

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