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 1355464 times)

Offline Emkay

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4100 on: July 05, 2015, 03:29:46 PM »


I started my contract last year after Pesach. After purim I changed it to the international plan when I went to Italy and when I came back , they gave me an option to keep my original 59 shek plan if I keep it till after next pesach. Kapish?

Think so. So you didnt have the international plan for over a year, correct?

Offline Emkay

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4101 on: July 05, 2015, 03:30:08 PM »


I'm glad you think so.
I think so too

Offline Mech

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4102 on: July 05, 2015, 03:31:58 PM »


Think so. So you didnt have the international plan for over a year, correct?
Correct.

Offline Emkay

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4103 on: July 05, 2015, 03:35:16 PM »
Correct.
So that doesn't argue with anything said here.

Offline Mech

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Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4104 on: July 05, 2015, 03:46:00 PM »
So that doesn't argue with anything said here.
Are you reading correctly? Tell me one thing that it does agree with....
Every 59 plan i saw goes up to 99
This definitely contradicts what I said.
There's no such thing as a contract in Israel.
And so does this.

Offline Emkay

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4105 on: July 05, 2015, 04:06:13 PM »
Are you reading correctly? Tell me one thing that it does agree with....This definitely contradicts what I said. And so does this.
1)After having the 59 shekel international plan for a year it will go up, you did didn't have it for a year= your not a data point
2) the agent telling you that you need the plan for a year was either an agent with a lack of knowledge, an agent who lied to you, or a language barrier issue.
You can cancel whenever you want. What will happen if you cancel tomorrow?

Offline AharonInIsrael

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4106 on: July 06, 2015, 12:35:51 PM »
What does not working mean?
Won't connect to the network.

Offline moen

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4107 on: July 06, 2015, 03:01:45 PM »
Will a Galaxy S4 GSM unlocked phone work in Israel with Golan?

Offline sammy n

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4108 on: July 06, 2015, 03:26:41 PM »
Will a Galaxy S4 GSM unlocked phone work in Israel with Golan?
Yes.

Offline BBPAPA

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4109 on: July 06, 2015, 04:39:26 PM »

Have a Galaxy S4 on Verizon

What cell/data service would you suggest
that covers Israel and France (1 day stopover) for a total of 2 wks?

 

Offline Emkay

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4110 on: July 06, 2015, 04:58:10 PM »
Have a Galaxy S4 on Verizon

What cell/data service would you suggest
that covers Israel and France (1 day stopover) for a total of 2 wks?

 
Golan for Israel and none for France

Offline BBPAPA

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4111 on: July 06, 2015, 05:23:43 PM »
Golan for Israel and none for France

Need service in both countries

Golan has an international plan- where do you get their Sim card when coming from abroad?
Will they prorate a month of service if you cancel after 2 wks?

Anyone use T-mobile?

Offline yitrap

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4112 on: July 06, 2015, 05:31:11 PM »
Golan for Israel and none for France
I feel like I'm missing something, Golan 99 shek plan works for data in France

Need service in both countries

Golan has an international plan- where do you get their Sim card when coming from abroad?
Will they prorate a month of service if you cancel after 2 wks?

Anyone use T-mobile?
You're landing in Israel and then going to France? You would need to go to an actual Golan store to get the sim, there are some people who started selling Golan sims in the US
As far as canceling if you do it before the 25th of the month usually you will only pay the 45 shekel for the sim.

I've used T-mobile in Israel before was okay - I'm pretty sure there is a thread about it.

Offline BBPAPA

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4113 on: July 06, 2015, 05:48:12 PM »
I feel like I'm missing something, Golan 99 shek plan works for data in France
You're landing in Israel and then going to France? You would need to go to an actual Golan store to get the sim, there are some people who started selling Golan sims in the US
As far as canceling if you do it before the 25th of the month usually you will only pay the 45 shekel for the sim.

I've used T-mobile in Israel before was okay - I'm pretty sure there is a thread about it.

I've seen the Tmobile thread-
consensus is it should work with verizon phones

then i thought about getting an Israeli sim that will cover France-do you have to return the Israeli SIM when you end service?

Traveling from US to Israel then to France for 1 day , then return to US
Didn't know which would be more economical----more importantly the service has to work in both countries.- :D

Offline yitrap

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4114 on: July 06, 2015, 05:50:06 PM »
I've seen the Tmobile thread-
consensus is it should work with verizon phones

then i thought about getting an Israeli sim that will cover France-do you have to return the Israeli SIM when you end service?

Traveling from US to Israel then to France for 1 day , then return to US
Didn't know which would be more economical----more importantly the service has to work in both countries.- :D
No you keep the sim, I would go with Golan so that you have calling while in Israel and even in France you'd still have calling to Israel.

Offline BBPAPA

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4115 on: July 06, 2015, 06:17:41 PM »
Anyway to get a Golan Sim in the US?

Offline DanH

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4116 on: July 06, 2015, 06:24:36 PM »
For tech help feel free to Telegram me @DanTechSupp

Offline BBPAPA

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4118 on: July 08, 2015, 01:50:39 AM »
I'm planning on getting a smartphone for use with a Golan SIM. I'm interested in the Moto E. I see eBay sellers with Verizon prepaid versions of this that they say are unlocked for GSM use. So apparently this phone has both CDMA and GSM. I looked in various places to see if this would work and I found this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-e-2015/general/how-to-verizon-moto-e-2015-gsm-network-t3098953 which seems to mean that if I get the Verizon prepaid Moto E at Walmart for $45 and follow the instructions, I'll have fairly decent smartphone that works with Golan. Any holes in my theory?

Offline kalman

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4119 on: July 08, 2015, 08:09:21 PM »
Can anyone confirm that the Moto X does indeed work with Golan?