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 1571424 times)

Offline stooges44

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5800 on: October 20, 2022, 11:59:21 AM »
There are so many threads
https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=129696.0
https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=2051.0
https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=130478.0
related to cell phones in Israel, I don't know where to turn, I chose this one at random.

Am I correct in saying that my easiest and cheapest option is just using the $10/day " international pass" on my current at&t plan for Israel for 7 days? Remember, at the end of the day anything else (google fi, esim, etc..) has to be less then $70 and I don't think it will be. Am I right?
If it's not free shipping it's not worth it.

Online JudahMcB

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5801 on: October 20, 2022, 12:01:53 PM »
Am I correct in saying that my easiest and cheapest option is just using the $10/day " international pass" on my current at&t plan for Israel for 7 days? Remember, at the end of the day anything else (google fi, esim, etc..) has to be less then $70 and I don't think it will be. Am I right?
Easiest? Yes. Cheapest? No.

Offline stooges44

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5802 on: October 20, 2022, 12:02:31 PM »
Easiest? Yes. Cheapest? No.

Got it, what's cheaper?
If it's not free shipping it's not worth it.

Online JudahMcB

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5803 on: October 20, 2022, 12:09:18 PM »
What phone do you have? Android, iphone or flip phone? For smartphones, eSIM is probably cheapest. Airalo for example has data-only plans for Israel for $5-$15 depending on how much data you need. If you have an iPhone you can make Wi-Fi calls through your Israel data SIM. Much harder to do the same with Android but still possible.

For flip phone (not my area of expertise) I'm sure you can find a local SIM that will cost you less than $70 for a week.

Offline stooges44

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5804 on: October 20, 2022, 12:15:36 PM »
What phone do you have? Android, iphone or flip phone? For smartphones, eSIM is probably cheapest. Airalo for example has data-only plans for Israel for $5-$15 depending on how much data you need. If you have an iPhone you can make Wi-Fi calls through your Israel data SIM. Much harder to do the same with Android but still possible.

For flip phone (not my area of expertise) I'm sure you can find a local SIM that will cost you less than $70 for a week.

Thanks, I have an iphone. So I get this https://www.airalo.com/israel-esim/annatel-30days-5gb for a few dollars and that's it?
If it's not free shipping it's not worth it.

Online JudahMcB

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5805 on: October 20, 2022, 01:00:48 PM »
Thanks, I have an iphone. So I get this https://www.airalo.com/israel-esim/annatel-30days-5gb for a few dollars and that's it?
Yes. See https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT209044. Your travel SIM won't have a phone number. Just make sure to enable wifi calling on your iPhone before you leave the US so you can make/receive calls and SMS via the data SIM. You can't enable it outside the US. Don't forget that calls to Israel are considered long distance because you are calling from your us number. But calls to the US - even if you are physically in Israel - are free. And make sure to turn off roaming on your US SIM so you don't incur roaming charges by accident.

I warned you it's not easy.

Offline monkey

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5806 on: October 20, 2022, 01:08:55 PM »
There are so many threads
https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=129696.0
https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=2051.0
https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=130478.0
related to cell phones in Israel, I don't know where to turn, I chose this one at random.

Am I correct in saying that my easiest and cheapest option is just using the $10/day " international pass" on my current at&t plan for Israel for 7 days? Remember, at the end of the day anything else (google fi, esim, etc..) has to be less then $70 and I don't think it will be. Am I right?
I just used simtoisrael for myself and family. I ordered too late for delivery to my house. They had the sim waiting for me in a store at the airport. Worked well, great price and easy pickup.

Offline stooges44

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5807 on: October 20, 2022, 01:10:25 PM »
So even with all that if I wanted to make a single call to Israel while in Israel I would still get charged long distance and/or the $10, what do I gain?
If it's not free shipping it's not worth it.

Offline stooges44

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5808 on: October 20, 2022, 01:13:10 PM »
I just used simtoisrael for myself and family. I ordered too late for delivery to my house. They had the sim waiting for me in a store at the airport. Worked well, great price and easy pickup.

A quick glance shows this requires an unlocked phone, mine is not.
If it's not free shipping it's not worth it.

Offline chff

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5809 on: October 20, 2022, 01:26:32 PM »
A quick glance shows this requires an unlocked phone, mine is not.
To change a sim you always need an unlocked phone

Can't unlock your phone?

Offline stooges44

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5810 on: October 20, 2022, 01:29:20 PM »
To change a sim you always need an unlocked phone

Can't unlock your phone?

It's not paid off
If it's not free shipping it's not worth it.

Online JudahMcB

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5811 on: October 20, 2022, 01:32:15 PM »
Many (most) carriers allow international SIM unlock. It's just domestic SIMs that don't work. Call and ask them to unlock for your trip.

Offline stooges44

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5812 on: October 20, 2022, 02:02:44 PM »
So even with all that if I wanted to make a single call to Israel while in Israel I would still get charged long distance and/or the $10, what do I gain?

Is this correct?
If it's not free shipping it's not worth it.

Online JudahMcB

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5813 on: October 20, 2022, 02:11:20 PM »

Offline stooges44

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5814 on: October 20, 2022, 02:21:10 PM »
Thanks so I'm back to where I started.

This method https://www.airalo.com/israel-esim/annatel-30days-5gb would not allow me to make local calls in EY
This method https://www.simtoisrael.com/ requires the phone to be unlocked. I just asked at&t and they said they wouldn't unlock in even for a foreign SIM until it's paid off.
If it's not free shipping it's not worth it.

Offline stooges44

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5815 on: November 03, 2022, 12:27:12 PM »
Thanks so I'm back to where I started.

This method https://www.airalo.com/israel-esim/annatel-30days-5gb would not allow me to make local calls in EY
This method https://www.simtoisrael.com/ requires the phone to be unlocked. I just asked at&t and they said they wouldn't unlock in even for a foreign SIM until it's paid off.

I found an old unlocked iphone! Anyone use ttps://www.simtoisrael.com/ recently?
If it's not free shipping it's not worth it.

Offline Saulius

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5816 on: November 03, 2022, 01:58:36 PM »
Thanks so I'm back to where I started.

This method https://www.airalo.com/israel-esim/annatel-30days-5gb would not allow me to make local calls in EY
This method https://www.simtoisrael.com/ requires the phone to be unlocked. I just asked at&t and they said they wouldn't unlock in even for a foreign SIM until it's paid off.

With the airalo method - you can get a localphone.com app -- and make calls via VoIP -- just to Israel it will be 3¢ to landlines and 8¢ to cell phones. There is also https://www.rebtel.com/

Offline Saulius

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5817 on: November 03, 2022, 02:02:43 PM »
I found an old unlocked iphone! Anyone use ttps://www.simtoisrael.com/ recently?

You can also pick up a sim at most mobile stores. https://prepaid-data-sim-card.fandom.com/wiki/Israel

Offline Mimo

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5818 on: November 09, 2022, 03:04:45 PM »
anyone knows if a simtoisrael pelephone sim card works in a verizon galaxy s22?

Offline Buruch

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5819 on: November 11, 2022, 03:16:45 AM »
With the airalo method - you can get a localphone.com app -- and make calls via VoIP -- just to Israel it will be 3¢ to landlines and 8¢ to cell phones. There is also https://www.rebtel.com/

You can use Google Voice for 2 cents to landline and 10 cents to mobile.