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 1355412 times)

Offline Emkay

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4920 on: October 10, 2016, 05:22:45 PM »
How about in TLV arrivals hall?
Dont think theres anything there but an overpriced rental kiosk.

Offline Live N Learn

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4921 on: October 10, 2016, 11:46:02 PM »
How about in TLV arrivals hall?

Oh, I think there isn't. I thought you were reffering to Tel Aviv.
".איזהו חכם, הלומד מכל אדם"

Offline Live N Learn

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4922 on: October 10, 2016, 11:55:33 PM »
What is Hangouts Dialer
What if I want to call an Israeli number?

A Google app used to make and recieve free calls to and from the U.S. Israeli landline is 2¢ per min. and to a cell phone it's 10¢ per minute.

If you're going to need a lot of talking then you should get a SIM card.
".איזהו חכם, הלומד מכל אדם"

Offline mark da man

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4923 on: October 11, 2016, 06:15:17 AM »
Dont think theres anything there but an overpriced rental kiosk.
you can get it in the usa and cancel within three month at golanusa.net, used them last trip - it was great

Offline ad120

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4924 on: October 13, 2016, 05:18:45 AM »
you can get it in the usa and cancel within three month at golanusa.net, used them last trip - it was great
Shipping fee is very steep.

Offline ad120

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4925 on: October 13, 2016, 05:20:37 AM »
Prior to flying to Israel I will be in London for two days. Will I get charged for roaming under the Golan 99₪ plan?

Offline Emkay

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4926 on: October 13, 2016, 05:38:06 AM »
Prior to flying to Israel I will be in London for two days. Will I get charged for roaming under the Golan 99₪ plan?
The UK is covered in the international plan.

Offline ad120

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4927 on: October 13, 2016, 05:49:35 AM »
The UK is covered in the international plan.
Swell. No need for english Sim then.
Correct?

Offline Emkay

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4928 on: October 13, 2016, 06:09:05 AM »
Swell. No need for english Sim then.
Correct?
Correct.

Offline Live N Learn

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4929 on: October 14, 2016, 05:16:02 PM »
Swell. No need for english Sim then.
Correct?

Outgoing calls are to Israel only, calls within UK or other places are charged per minute.
".איזהו חכם, הלומד מכל אדם"

Offline nafnaf12

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4930 on: October 15, 2016, 04:09:42 PM »
Where can I pick up a replacement GOLAN  sim
In Jerusalem that's open tomorrow (sunday)
A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.

Offline Live N Learn

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4931 on: October 16, 2016, 12:36:44 AM »
Where can I pick up a replacement GOLAN  sim
In Jerusalem that's open tomorrow (sunday)

Any Golan dealer. A replacement SIM is ₪50.
".איזהו חכם, הלומד מכל אדם"

Offline chacham2

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4932 on: October 26, 2016, 09:19:21 PM »
Iy"H, i'm off to EY on Sunday, and i need a phone. I have a Samsung S5, but i want to carry a kosher phone with me. And i only need service on one of them.

Anyway, my sister gave me a kosher keystone 2 that her daughter used in seminary, which has a Golan kosher sim card in it. Problem is, she lost the power cable, and it uses some proprietary version. A less important, but significant detail, is that it does not support bluetooth. I would really like to use my bluetooth for longer conversations.

Are there kosher phones that support bluetooth?
Does having a pre-used kosher sim help me in any way. (Or do i need a new one when i get new service?)

Offline Live N Learn

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4933 on: October 27, 2016, 02:26:45 AM »
Are there kosher phones that support bluetooth?
Does having a pre-used kosher sim help me in any way. (Or do i need a new one when i get new service?)8

The keystone charger is extemly popular in Israel, and it's sold all over.

IINM the S5 could be worked around that it should accept a kosher SIM. Otherwise there are sveral kosher phones that have bluetooth, but they are not cheap.

If the plan was closed down, you need a new sim.
".איזהו חכם, הלומד מכל אדם"

Offline chacham2

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4934 on: October 27, 2016, 06:42:35 AM »
The keystone charger is extemly popular in Israel, and it's sold all over.

IINM the S5 could be worked around that it should accept a kosher SIM. Otherwise there are sveral kosher phones that have bluetooth, but they are not cheap.

If the plan was closed down, you need a new sim.

Wow, thank you for all that.

How can the S5 be worked around? I wouldn't mind just using it in my dira for longer phone calls. (Usually Friday, i guess.) I've gotten so used to the convenience.

Offline Live N Learn

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4935 on: October 28, 2016, 02:39:39 AM »
Wow, thank you for all that.

How can the S5 be worked around? I wouldn't mind just using it in my dira for longer phone calls. (Usually Friday, i guess.) I've gotten so used to the convenience.

Take it to any store on Davidka, and ask them about it.
".איזהו חכם, הלומד מכל אדם"

Offline Emkay

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4936 on: November 15, 2016, 08:23:08 AM »
When trying to upgrade my Golan plan from the 10 shek standby plan back to the 99 shek plan it says it will only go into effect the next billing cycle. Is that new or is there a way around it.?

Offline sky121

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4937 on: November 15, 2016, 08:25:53 AM »
When trying to upgrade my Golan plan from the 10 shek standby plan back to the 99 shek plan it says it will only go into effect the next billing cycle. Is that new or is there a way around it.?
Not new. If you call in they can do it from today IME.
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline Emkay

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4938 on: November 15, 2016, 10:18:01 AM »
Not new. If you call in they can do it from today IME.
They claim no account changes can be made on the 14th or 15th.

Offline Live N Learn

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4939 on: November 15, 2016, 05:00:59 PM »
They claim no account changes can be made on the 14th or 15th.

It wasn't like this in the past. If there's no other option, you could port it out and bring it back under a new account.
".איזהו חכם, הלומד מכל אדם"