Topic Wiki

*=More info below
Company  Price  Sim  Talk/SMS  Web  Free Int'l  Signup Bonus  Israeli CC  Real TZBlackerry
Hot99₪49₪Unlimited3GB31 countries49₪/6 months*  Yes*Yes*
Golan99₪49₪UnlimitedUnlimited  53 countries  ₪59 /1st yearYesNoNo
01292₪Unlimited3GB42 countries*44₪/6 months  YesYes29₪
Rami Levy89₪59₪Unlimited1GB  No1₪/3 monthsYesYesNo
PelephoneYes*Yes*Free
Partner129/135₪*0₪*Unlimited  1GB/3GBAdd'l 20₪NoNoNo*39₪
CellcomA lot of $180₪  NoNo75₪

Rule #1- The Israeli cell phone service market is difficult. But cheap.
Rule #2- It is illegal for a company to "lock you in" a contract. ALL plans may be cancelled at any time with no penalty. Though, they do prevent you from opening and closing plans by charging a sim card "fee". This fee must always be paid even if paid for once before, and ranges from 39₪ to 180₪.
Rule #3- For those places that need an Israeli credit card, you may need to get one from an Israeli bank with a passport and income information although YMMV.
Rule #4- It is rarely, if ever, worthwhile to rent a "vacation plan" or prepaid, as the price for a regular unlimted plan for a month is less that a vacation plan for a week. Get a GSM phone that covers 900/1800 bands and save your money
Rule #5- All Israeli plans, whether regular or prepaid, include free incoming calls/texts.

Hot- 99₪ a month - includes unlimited calls, text and data (3 gb, then slow) and unlimited to 32 countries. Free home internet supply included. They currently have an offer if you port a number from a different network, to get the first six months for just 49₪ a month. You can move your package to a 10₪ a month plan, which includes 50 minutes and texts. You can also freeze the line once a year for up to 3 months. Regarding signup- you can use an American CC and fake TZ over the phone as one user has done.

Golan - Service is passable, but can be subpar in certain areas. There are two plans with Golan. There's the 99₪ unlimited talk/text/internet/international calling plan, which also gives you up to 2 virtual foreign numbers. This plan also includes for many countries unlimited global data roaming (6GB high-speed), incoming calls & texts, and calls & texts to Israel. They also offer a ₪29 per day data-roaming plan which gives 100MB a day in these countries. These roaming options can be very useful for foreigners regardless of whether they need Golan for Israel. See their website for details.There's a promo deal to get the 99 plan for ₪59 /month for the 1st year. There's also a ₪10 a month plan, which includes 60 min for domestic/US & CA and landlines in many countries, unlimited SMS and 10 MB of Internet, with add'l mins ₪.18 domestic, ₪.08 to US/CA and landlines in many countries, and data ₪.09 /MB. Its great for those short trips here. SIM should work in an iPad for data; you can also order a car SIM which will allow you to have 2 SIMs which draw from same plan.
[To get the sim in the USA before your trip:  golanusa.net will ship it to you for $14 (more for rush) and the 49 nis for the sim. Golan bills on the 25th of the month.  The days before the first 25th are freeprorated.(So for a trip between the 26th and the 24th of the month, you don't pay the 59 nis or 99 nis plan fee.)]

012mobile - Runs on Partner service, you will get an 054 number (unless you ported). Unlimited - 49₪ for the first 6 months and 92₪ from thereon after for unlimited everything too. Includes 3GB Data and 500 minutes to US/CA (any phone) and 40 other countries (landlines only). 9₪ plan includes 60 minutes, 60 SMS, and 100MB data. Additional domestic minutes/SMS are ₪ .09, Int'l calls to to US/CA (any phone) and 40 other countries (landlines only) are ₪ .25 per min. Add'l data bundles are available starting from ₪ 19 for 1 GB. 5GB Laptop/Tablet (data only) is 98₪.

Pelephone - Online, they accept fake TZ and US CC.

Partner - 129₪ a month for unlimited talk, text, and 1GB. 135₪ for 3GB. Family plans are cheaper.Free sim for online orders. Extra 20₪/mo. for 500 min. int'l calling. Extra 39₪ for Blackberry. May need to give 500₪ deposit that you (may) get back when you cancel the plan.  One can freeze line without charges for up to 3 months when not needed (not sure if allowed more than once per 12 months).

Freedomhot.com - 2/19/2023 - They have local pickup in lots of major frum areas and delivery too. They accept US CC. Runs on Hot Mobile. Copying and pasting from their website.
All monthly plans include: Unlimited Calls & Texts to Israeli phone numbers Unlimited outgoing calls to USA and Canada and landlines to 33 additional countries.
Unlimited incoming calls and texts from anywhere in the world. Prices include all taxes.
59 Shekels - 70GB LTE Internet Data
79 shekels - 150GB LTE Internet Data
KOSHER - Voice Only - 64 Shekels
One-time SIM card fee: 49 Shekels
Optional: add a virtual USA number for $15 per month

Misc. Info
APN settings

On Hot Mobile you can check how much data was consumed either by downloading the app or by texting גלישה  to phone number 530 from your hot mobile phone,you can as well try calling this number *6733.

Note by Menucha:
Please note: as of 4/1/13, most carriers reduce period of intro rates and at times increased cost for monthly intro. I suggest we leave the above as is, but please keep in mind new changed, which are not negotiable and based on govt agreements. monthly flat rate is still great and same. (post intro)
Also, while reps wont tell you, typically you will get longer intro rate if you activate account on your own on line, and not via rep (phone or store). confirmed with carrier. Enjoy! flat monthly, even without intro rate is still one of the lowest you will come across in the west!

Israeli cellphone rentals:

1) Talkinisrael.com
Phone: +972587564477
Whatsapp: +972536299365
Email: info@talkinisrael.com 
if you should have any problems feel free to send me a pm and I will try to help you the best I can.
Plans for sale here are primarily for long term rentals.(students and the like.)


2) Israel Rent-a-cell SIM card or eSIM with calling and data. Also you can get SIMs for Israel Kosher phones!
Contact at Israelrentacell@gmail.com or WhatsApp 972-55-333-1234
Overnight or standard delivery in USA/delivery in Israel! Pickup locations in Lakewood and Israel.
* Unlimited calls and texts in Israel
* Unlimited calls to USA, Canada and landlines in 35 countries
* Unlimited incoming calls
* 70 GB of data (can add an extra 80GB of data)
* eSIMs available!
* Free voicemail
Student discount available, $29.97 monthly, including tax! Never surprise charges or hidden fees!

3) Cellular Israel - 072-224-3300 or 718-289-0195 Full Service - short term and long term, rent phones, Kosher phones, SIM cards, mifi devices, Waze by the day or month. American Customer Service!
info@cellularisrael.com

4) Simforisrael@gmail.com free delivery to anywhere

5) UnlimitedIsrael (DansDeals Advertiser with many positive reviews on DDMS & DDF) is the leading provider of SIM card & iPhone rentals for Israel in the US.
  • Unlimited calls & texts within Israel
  • Unlimited calling to the US and Canada
  • Lightning Fast 4G Internet Speeds
  • Unlimited 4G data
  • Sim Cards - $5/day
  • iPhones - $45/week
  • Kosher Phone - $4/day
  • Mifi Hotspot - $6/day
Use code SUAVE10 for 10% off any order
« Last edited by shmuelb on August 06, 2023, 12:48:30 PM »

Author Topic: Cell Phones in Israel  (Read 1355714 times)

Offline twentie4hrs

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #80 on: October 23, 2011, 05:08:27 PM »
but if your only going for a few days is that still the best and easiest?
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Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #81 on: October 23, 2011, 05:14:55 PM »
but if your only going for a few days is that still the best and easiest?
if youb need a lot of data. Otherwise just buy a roaming package
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline sky121

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #82 on: October 23, 2011, 05:19:17 PM »
I have a DROID 2 Global Cellphone from Verizon.  I think I can unlock and swap the sim card because it is a "global" phone (unlike most other Verizon phones). Has anyone experience with swapping in the Sim card on a verizon global phone? I am going to Israel in December- where can I get a Sim card and how much would it cost? Thanks

You shouldn't have a problem. Call Verizon to make sure it is unlocked. Buy a sim Card anywhere in Israel... approx 80 shekel depending on where/what you are buying.
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline pghtown

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #83 on: October 23, 2011, 08:12:52 PM »
Thanks everyone for the tips on Sim Cards in Israel.  When referring to a Sim card with unlimited data for 80-100 shekel per month, does that include cellphone calls to USA?  When I travel to Israel this year I will mostly use my phone for international calls, and will be there only for one week.

Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #84 on: October 23, 2011, 08:36:10 PM »
Thanks everyone for the tips on Sim Cards in Israel.  When referring to a Sim card with unlimited data for 80-100 shekel per month, does that include cellphone calls to USA?  When I travel to Israel this year I will mostly use my phone for international calls, and will be there only for one week.
int'l calls are 2.5 shekel per minute, unless u have a specific plan. Or a samrtphone with VOIP
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline Cbs

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #85 on: October 23, 2011, 09:17:28 PM »
i had an orange plan and i just lost the sim card and i wanted to give the plan over to someone going there for the year but i need a new sim card.
before i give a call to orange, would anyone know how i can replace a sim card for minimum charge?

Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #86 on: October 24, 2011, 03:04:34 AM »
i had an orange plan and i just lost the sim card and i wanted to give the plan over to someone going there for the year but i need a new sim card.
before i give a call to orange, would anyone know how i can replace a sim card for minimum charge?
just call them, play it stupid & say u have to close the acct b/c u lost the SIM. Israel has amazing retention departments - they will do anything. BTW what plan do u have?
P.s. - be aware changing ownership is complicated
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

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Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #87 on: October 24, 2011, 07:45:53 AM »
just call them, play it stupid & say u have to close the acct b/c u lost the SIM. Israel has amazing retention departments - they will do anything. BTW what plan do u have?
P.s. - be aware changing ownership is complicated
Good idea. And I'm not changing ownerships - I'm giving it to my brother and I'm leaving it on my CC and my name

Offline Name Changed

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #88 on: October 24, 2011, 08:36:23 AM »
just call them, play it stupid & say u have to close the acct b/c u lost the SIM. Israel has amazing retention departments - they will do anything. BTW what plan do u have?
P.s. - be aware changing ownership is complicated

I have done that ... I lost my phone and called them that I want to cancel ... They let no problem

Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #89 on: October 24, 2011, 08:48:17 AM »
I have done that ... I lost my phone and called them that I want to cancel ... They let no problem
of course they let u cancel. They must by law. What I'm saying is that they'll give u anything to entice u to stay
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #90 on: October 24, 2011, 05:24:15 PM »
of course they let u cancel. They must by law. What I'm saying is that they'll give u anything to entice u to stay
not exactly - i called them today and did exactly that and the first guy said "you dont have to cancel, ill give you a new one" but then i got disconnected and the second guy said that it cost 99 NIS but since i said ill cancel he gave me a discount of 40 NIS so = 59 NIS

Offline AsherO

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #91 on: October 24, 2011, 05:28:50 PM »
not exactly - i called them today and did exactly that and the first guy said "you dont have to cancel, ill give you a new one" but then i got disconnected and the second guy said that it cost 99 NIS but since i said ill cancel he gave me a discount of 40 NIS so = 59 NIS

HUCA!!! (why pay 59 NIS if you can have it for free...)
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Offline Cbs

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #92 on: October 24, 2011, 05:42:15 PM »
well what i didnt say is that really it wasnt really 2 CSR i spoke to. it was more like 10 bec they kept on sending me to the next person bec i asked them to send me the sim card to an address in israel, and finally after waiting on the line for so long and got disconneted twice, he gave me a discount - not free. so i had no patience to call again (calling from america) -
but maybe ill try again later

any ideas of a story i can tell them? ;) not all these israelis buy the canceling story

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #93 on: October 25, 2011, 06:05:38 PM »
ive lost my phone in israel and they just handed me a new sim for free without any problems. Also if you are getting a new plan, if you push them that you will only sign up if the sim is free they very well might, i got a free sim from orange without a problem. ( told them i was going to cellcom). If your are not israeli, its better to sign up at one of the dealers not at the official branches or over the phone. On the phone they many times will not give you a plan without an Israeli ID number, but the dealers get paid for each sign up they get, they can care less if you pay your bill or not, and they will be fine with a passport number. (or even a drivers license number sometimes!)

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Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #94 on: October 25, 2011, 06:09:47 PM »
I used my drivers license by cellcom then I switched to orange and I used my passport number (as well as by a few other places) but when telephone offered me a great deal once and I wanted to sign up they told me I need a ת.ז. And passport not good enough

Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #95 on: October 25, 2011, 08:09:34 PM »
I used my drivers license by cellcom then I switched to orange and I used my passport number (as well as by a few other places) but when telephone offered me a great deal once and I wanted to sign up they told me I need a ת.ז. And passport not good enough
It can be done, as long as you use an Israeli form of payment. Bank acct or Israeli CC.
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #96 on: October 25, 2011, 09:59:39 PM »
on the topic, i know that BOA is together with bank leumi, and i dont think there is an atm fee if u use ur BOA card in their atm's.

Offline AsherO

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #97 on: October 25, 2011, 10:12:05 PM »
on the topic, i know that BOA is together with bank leumi, and i dont think there is an atm fee if u use ur BOA card in their atm's.

LOL, I was just talking (in person) to another DDF member about this today, lets see if he notices this post ;)

Edit, here's the official BofA description. Notice, they still charge 1-3% FX fee.
« Last Edit: October 25, 2011, 10:20:46 PM by AsherO »
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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #98 on: October 25, 2011, 10:22:26 PM »
LOL, I was just talking (in person) to another DDF member about this today.
what a coincidence !

all i know is that when i was in israel and i used my debit cars, i was charged 2% for transactions and $5 for atm withdrawels (not leumi)

and also on the topic of BOA - whos gonna continue with them, if the start this?

Offline AsherO

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #99 on: October 25, 2011, 10:28:38 PM »
what a coincidence
and also on the topic of BOA - whos gonna continue with them, if the start this?

That article states as follows:

Quote from: WSJ article
The fee will apply to customers with various checking accounts during any month they use their debit card to make a purchase. The fee will not apply to customers who do not use their debit card to make a purchase or who only use it to make ATM transactions.

Anyone who uses their debit card for purchases should get fined the $5 fee, serves them right :P

Perhaps this discussion should be forked as well.
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