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 1373747 times)

Offline skyguy918

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5220 on: October 17, 2017, 02:22:45 PM »
Golan has a plan for 39ils, plus 49ils sign up, which is about $25, with 20gb, unlimited local t&t and 240 minutes to America.
that's clearly better, but is it as hassle free?
I did Golan this summer for 2 weeks, but my uncle in Israel arranged it so it was super hassle free. Can't speak for if you're doing it on your own.

Offline DanH

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5221 on: October 17, 2017, 02:27:52 PM »
golanusa.net can hook you up
For tech help feel free to Telegram me @DanTechSupp

Offline hachover

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5222 on: October 17, 2017, 03:17:33 PM »
golanusa.net can hook you up

Golanusa cost = 49 (sign up) + 39 (first line) + 33 (2nd line) + $21 for shipping SIM cards, for a total of approx $56. If the sign up fee is per sim card, then $69.

Prepaid = $35 x 2 for 14 days or $30 x 2 for 10 days, for a total of $60 or $70.

Downside of prepaid is 10GB less data, but I won't need that much anyway. Downsides of Golan is that an Israeli company has my credit card and passport number and that I need to handle cancelling the lines. The Golan plan does come out cheaper but not much
I'm an optimist; but only because life isn't going to give me any other good choices.

Offline ludmila

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5223 on: October 17, 2017, 07:27:45 PM »
Golanusa cost = 49 (sign up) + 39 (first line) + 33 (2nd line) + $21 for shipping SIM cards, for a total of approx $56. If the sign up fee is per sim card, then $69.

Prepaid = $35 x 2 for 14 days or $30 x 2 for 10 days, for a total of $60 or $70.

Downside of prepaid is 10GB less data, but I won't need that much anyway. Downsides of Golan is that an Israeli company has my credit card and passport number and that I need to handle cancelling the lines. The Golan plan does come out cheaper but not much
Plus the seller in not Golan, it is a reseller and you have to handle any requests or problems with Golan .
I was the Best,still the Best, and will always be the Best.
Pele Good,Maradona Better, George Best.

Offline ExGingi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5224 on: October 18, 2017, 02:50:18 PM »
Tripadvisor recommends this. Looking for opinions from people here. I'm going for a short trip, under 2 weeks, and this seems like the simplest option that is not overpriced.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Orange-012-Israeli-SIM-Card-unlimited-10-days-local-calls-sms-10-GB-internet/172828140329

The thread for you is here: http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=60854
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
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Offline myi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5225 on: October 18, 2017, 10:44:18 PM »
Getting an Israeli plan for a decent price.
Very simple way is to go through someone who has Sims in America that way when you land your all set and can make phn calls and have decent service, and have him set everything up for you, as long as you can put a SIM card into your phn and it's unlocked to avoid any problems.
 
 And now going with the plans you don't need much calling to the states or Canada on the plan as you can simply download this amazing app which is by far the best calling app I came across and gives you an American number for which ever area code you like, as well as being crystal clear and no fees or need for the other person to have the app as well you can call any US or Canadian phn line or cell.
 
 I can personally recommend you someone I know very reliable which i have purchased multiple Sims from and extremely happy.
Talkinisrael.com
Phone: +972587564477
Whatsapp: +972536299365
Email: info@talkinisrael.com 

And the app Which is a must should you go with the cheapest plan with 12gb and unlmt texting and calling to another Israeli phn and using the app for calling and texting to the US and Canada Unlmtd.
 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.enflick.android.TextNow
What's amazing is the few select reviews which says the ads is what stop me from using the app I think more that it's those who have an app in competition.
 An app with 10 million downloads.

  And you can even set up call forwarding from your old
Us number that way people can reach you.
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Offline Live N Learn

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5226 on: October 19, 2017, 08:34:40 PM »
Should you go with the cheapest plan with 12gb and unlmt texting and calling to another Israeli phn and using the app for calling and texting to the US and Canada Unlmtd.
 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.enflick.android.TextNow
What's amazing is the few select reviews which says the ads is what stop me from using the app I think more that it's those who have an app in competition.
 An app with 10 million downloads.

What's wrong with Hangouts, and Google Voice?
".איזהו חכם, הלומד מכל אדם"

Offline myi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5227 on: October 19, 2017, 08:44:51 PM »
What's wrong with Hangouts, and Google Voice?
Hangouts requires the other person to have hangouts as well.
And goggle voice needs to be set up a bit to be able to ring on your phn when you receive a call.
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Offline Live N Learn

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5228 on: October 19, 2017, 08:55:16 PM »
Hangouts requires the other person to have hangouts as well.
And goggle voice needs to be set up a bit to be able to ring on your phn when you receive a call.

-2
".איזהו חכם, הלומד מכל אדם"

Offline ludmila

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5229 on: October 19, 2017, 09:40:49 PM »
Hangouts requires the other person to have hangouts as well.
And goggle voice needs to be set up a bit to be able to ring on your phn when you receive a call.
+2
I was the Best,still the Best, and will always be the Best.
Pele Good,Maradona Better, George Best.

Offline Live N Learn

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5230 on: October 19, 2017, 10:26:58 PM »
+2

Hangouts has incoming and outgoing to any US or Canadian number.
".איזהו חכם, הלומד מכל אדם"

Offline ludmila

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5231 on: October 19, 2017, 11:49:29 PM »
Hangouts has incoming and outgoing to any US or Canadian number.
Ill give hangouts a try again, thanks .
I was the Best,still the Best, and will always be the Best.
Pele Good,Maradona Better, George Best.

Offline yitrap

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5232 on: October 20, 2017, 01:44:13 AM »
Any Israeli provider offer a network extender? I'm in a basement of a villa in RE roaming with T-Mobile and service is lousy... Alternatively who would have best service in the area?

Offline Live N Learn

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5233 on: October 20, 2017, 05:31:29 AM »
Any Israeli provider offer a network extender? I'm in a basement of a villa in RE roaming with T-Mobile and service is lousy... Alternatively who would have best service in the area?

Partner  (Orange) offered a Bluetooth a few years ago.
".איזהו חכם, הלומד מכל אדם"

Offline incendia

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5234 on: October 20, 2017, 11:24:05 AM »
Any Israeli provider offer a network extender? I'm in a basement of a villa in RE roaming with T-Mobile and service is lousy... Alternatively who would have best service in the area?

Tmobile should have wifi calling

Offline David Smith

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5235 on: October 20, 2017, 12:16:10 PM »
Hangouts has incoming and outgoing to any US or Canadian number.
+1. I also get better call quality with hangouts than with my phone.
Who do you think you are fooling? You think you are going to pull a quick one on your Creator? Good luck with that.
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Offline myi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5236 on: October 21, 2017, 06:17:24 PM »
-2
How you accessing hangouts?
Using the app? Don't see any option to make a call on the app.
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Offline skyguy918

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5237 on: October 21, 2017, 07:58:09 PM »
How you accessing hangouts?
Using the app? Don't see any option to make a call on the app.
Download Hangouts dialer

Offline myi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5238 on: October 22, 2017, 05:34:18 PM »
Download Hangouts dialer
what's my number so people can call me? It comes up as unknown caller private caller.
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Offline sky121

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5239 on: October 22, 2017, 06:05:42 PM »
Best way these days for unlimited data for a laptop while traveling in Israel?
"Not all who wander are lost"