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 1355173 times)

Offline Cbs

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #100 on: October 25, 2011, 10:34:46 PM »

Offline AsherO

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #101 on: October 25, 2011, 10:37:54 PM »
but what does forked mean?!

A sub-thread of off-topic posts separated to a new thread.
100% of Likes will be donated to support our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisrael

Offline sky121

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #102 on: October 30, 2011, 02:18:27 PM »
Does anyone know of a non 1-800 number to get in touch with Orange Big Talk in Israel? I want to call to ask them about some rates.
"Not all who wander are lost"

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #103 on: October 30, 2011, 02:38:11 PM »
Does anyone know of a non 1-800 number to get in touch with Orange Big Talk in Israel? I want to call to ask them about some rates.
try (617) 600-4008 and see here for more details

or try here and they have various american numbers but only for regular CS or international Orange but they might have a number for big talk

Offline Flying Fish

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #104 on: October 30, 2011, 03:54:56 PM »
Does anyone know of a non 1-800 number to get in touch with Orange Big Talk in Israel? I want to call to ask them about some rates.
Use this for their main customer service line: +972 3 905 4054

Offline YudiG

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #105 on: November 01, 2011, 11:53:22 AM »
sorry if this is the wrong section...if i have an iphone with the skype or google voice app...can i use a wifi network to call the usa for free?

how would it work exactly?

TIA

Offline gozalim

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #106 on: November 01, 2011, 01:56:39 PM »
sorry if this is the wrong section...if i have an iphone with the skype or google voice app...can i use a wifi network to call the usa for free?

how would it work exactly?

TIA
for skype you would need to pay skype a few dollars for call-out credit (unless you're talking to other skype members)
for google voice you would need to pair it with a SIP account and a softphone app
more details here: http://www.dansdeals.com/forums/index.php?topic=2639.30

anyone know of any (free) softphone apps for iPhone?

Offline Flying Fish

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #107 on: November 01, 2011, 03:22:16 PM »
sorry if this is the wrong section...if i have an iphone with the skype or google voice app...can i use a wifi network to call the usa for free?

how would it work exactly?

TIA
I can't testify personally but I know someone who uses an app called Whistle to make free calls from abroad to the U.S. You listen to a short ad then can talk free for 20 mins.

http://itunes.apple.com/app/whistle-phone/id322326573?mt=8

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #108 on: November 01, 2011, 04:47:42 PM »
I can't testify personally but I know someone who uses an app called Whistle to make free calls from abroad to the U.S.
i could testify - i used whistle app when i was in israel and it used to be unlimeted caling -  now they made it 20 min free per call (still decent) and textfree app to text is the best for text

Offline YudiG

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #109 on: November 02, 2011, 08:29:05 PM »
seems like line2 is the way to go

Offline Chaikel

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #110 on: November 03, 2011, 03:19:36 AM »
You can use talkatone with GV for free. No limit
Create professional looking itineraries.
Check out eliteitinerary.com

Offline Cbs

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #111 on: November 03, 2011, 10:40:34 AM »
You can use talkatone with GV for free. No limit
+1. i used that as well - fgt to mention it.

Offline sky121

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #112 on: November 23, 2011, 04:26:37 PM »
Can you add a data package to an Orange Big talk account? I called and the lady said no but just want to double check.
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline Flying Fish

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #113 on: November 24, 2011, 10:01:47 PM »
Can you add a data package to an Orange Big talk account? I called and the lady said no but just want to double check.
Yes you can add data feature to a Big Talk plan, with a rate of 4 NIS per MB.
Source: Orange website (Hebrew)
« Last Edit: November 24, 2011, 10:05:36 PM by Flying Fish »

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #114 on: November 26, 2011, 06:51:10 PM »
Yes you can add data feature to a Big Talk plan, with a rate of 4 NIS per MB.
Source: Orange website (Hebrew)
thats very expensive

Offline caliheat

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #115 on: November 28, 2011, 08:29:00 PM »
Either
IsraelPhones.com

or

http://www.worldsimtravel.com/

The latter has global sims, and many other countries. Good Jewish fellow from Boro Park / Israel (Avi Feigenbaum)

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #116 on: November 28, 2011, 11:37:40 PM »
Just giving the heads up you can now get the Pantech Link for $26 from go phone which is quad-band. I dont know if ATT has the unlock code for it but they do have the code for the ATT F160
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/get-started/index.jsp?q_returnUrl=/cell-phone-service/packages/packages-details.jsp%3Fq_package%3Dsku5190238

Offline Flying Fish

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #117 on: January 23, 2012, 06:23:58 PM »
Can you add a data package to an Orange Big talk account? I called and the lady said no but just want to double check.
Just saw on Orange's website they offer data packages for prepaid BigTalk at great rates.

500 MB - 49 NIS
5 GB - 99 NIS
20 GB - 149 NIS

Can be added/removed anytime

Offline sky121

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Re: Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #118 on: January 23, 2012, 06:29:03 PM »
Just saw on Orange's website they offer data packages for prepaid BigTalk at great rates.

500 MB - 49 NIS
5 GB - 99 NIS
20 GB - 149 NIS

Can be added/removed anytime

Ill have to try again next time Im there. Wish they had better customer service.

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"Not all who wander are lost"

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #119 on: January 23, 2012, 07:14:46 PM »
So I'm going to Israel for 2 weeks (starting the end of february) I do not really need the minutes just for emergency but I would like unlimited data what's the best price I can get for that? (I already have a phone I just need a sim)