Cell Phones in Israel

[myi]

2 options for you either you can transfer your plans to a cheaper plan on US mobile and forward your calls the thing with this is that when you call them back it will come up your american Israeli number
Or you can transfer your numbers to Google voice and use data calling data is very cheap in israel the issue with this plan is that when you go to the U.S. You'll have to use data calling also

For 2nd option simple solution is to get an American Israeli number to forward to. And will use the service vs data. Same in America use a paid service and forward GV to that number and now it's not using data.

[myi]

We both already have GV numbers we use for other things so I don't want to go that route.

On the first option, what is the cheapest/best US carrier to use to continue to take and make calls to and from our US numbers, while in Israel? That's essentially the question I'm looking to answer.

Why not create a new Email and attach that GV to that account. I myself have a few GV numbers for different business. And can easily switch between the few accounts. They all ring 98% of the time.

[jeremiah1083]

Cheap easy way is to port numbers to GV ( 2 Separate accounts) and assuming you have a smartphone you can have the phone ring when someone calls the GV number.  You'll need data for that as GV is running off data. So any Israeli plan with data will be fine. And the same when you return to America. Any plan with data will suffice for you to be able to answer phone calls.
   Now should you feel that the calls are not ringing properly you can forward all calls to an American/Israeli number. Meaning you'll want to get an American number attached to your Israeli number which you can forward your GV to.  Now when someone calls it will ring directly on your Israeli sim. Which will use talk vs data and probably a tad clearer. And you have the option of returning people's calls through the GV app which will have the caller ID as the number attached to your business or your American/Israeli number.

 Option 2 is to use message plus or Tmobile digits where you can call and receive calls from the app while abroad.
 While that will require you have an active T-Mobile plan running in the US to make use of that and you can even text from that phone in Israel as Tmobile has free texting internationally, or use Tmobile digits on any device(it's an app.)

  There used to be an option with outbound caller ID with GV where you can set your paid service provider for example Tmobile number as the outbound caller ID on GV and make calls from GV which will show the Tmobile number.
  Back in the day when I was learning in Israel I had a Tmobile phone plan back in America. I set up outbound caller ID in my GV app so when making calls using my GV it would show up as my American Tmobile number and then forwarded all my calls from my Tmobile number to my GV number while abroad so I had all the functions while away. And even had a 2nd phone with my Tmobile sim which allowed me to text. But that's outdated, now that they have Tmobile digits app. And the option to use GV with an American number connected to your Israeli number.

  Back in the day when you were able to use Poly obi you were able to have the landline with that number in israel. Not so familiar with what's avlb if you want to go that route.
 Even if you wanted to get a landline you'll have to see what will work when In israel. Lots of cheap landlines options out there with VOIP.

Thank you this is helpful. With T-Mobile Digits, do you need an international plan in order to use that? Or I can port my VZW number over to Tmobile on a basic Tmobile plan, and still use the Digits app with my Israeli data to make and receive calls on my US tmobile number?

[myi]

Thank you this is helpful. With T-Mobile Digits, do you need an international plan in order to use that? Or I can port my VZW number over to Tmobile on a basic Tmobile plan, and still use the Digits app with my Israeli data to make and receive calls on my US tmobile number?

Correct, you do not need any international phone plan. I have a basic 1st responder plan for $20 Unlmtd which I use all the time when traveling to Canada, Isreal and alike. Difference is in Canada everything works, but in israel only data and text. But yes I usually buy an Israeli sim when I go and use Tmobile digits on my device to make and receive phone calls. Of course you'll need to set that up in the app to ring and ect.   Upside about that is you have a working number for when you come back to America. 
  Verizon has something as well. Message plus. Though my p2 has Verizon and didn't have enough patience to figure out how it worked. So can't vouch for that.
  I'm sure there's other options out there. Just offering what I know of. Not sure what a plan for tmobile would cost you. Though on the forum I remember some members selling some Unlmtd plans for $20/25 but they didn't let you port a number to it. So that may not work for you.  You'll have to shop it around to see what you can get.

[Sam 77]

We both already have GV numbers we use for other things so I don't want to go that route.

On the first option, what is the cheapest/best US carrier to use to continue to take and make calls to and from our US numbers, while in Israel? That's essentially the question I'm looking to answer.

You have the option of WiFi calling and txt in Israel on any american carrier as long as the option is turned on

[jeremiah1083]

You have the option of WiFi calling and txt in Israel on any american carrier as long as the option is turned on

Thank you. I'm looking specifically for the best US/Israel 2 plan combo for someone who will be traveling back and forth and wants to be able to use both voice numbers as usual in the non-native country to that voice number.