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The device or one-time cost of registering a SIM?

Are there large chunks of the population that just use wifi-only phones?

The half minimum salary cost that I've said is to register IMEI, in other words to register the phone.

There is no wifi only phone or wifi network, if you really mean wifi. There are "only data" plans but for that you also need to register the IMEI.

Can you clarify, do you need a "half-min-salary" for any new phone, or for the ones imported from the abroad?

Last time I visited Turkie, I didn't had any trouble using the phone (except eye-watering 3G tariffs and somewhat spotty reception out of the main areas), bu the moment I tried to use a WiFi network in the mall it requested a SMS confirmation.

They probably filter foreign SIMs so you won't have an issue but people with local SIMs do need to pay a one time fee for phones you bring from abroad. (not for the ones you can buy here)

I've heard some people clone IMEIs from the old phone when getting a new phone from abroad and that it does reduce the cost significantly.

It is only for phones imported from abroad (yourself). You can use it for 120 days without registration. After that you need to register. The cost is 2732 Turkish liras.

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