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 1355341 times)

Offline ExGingi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4940 on: November 19, 2016, 08:32:27 PM »
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.?
IME on the website when upgrading they give you the option to make it effective immediately or from next billing cycle. Downgrade can only be effective as of next billing cycle.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan

Offline Emkay

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4941 on: November 19, 2016, 08:35:42 PM »
IME on the website when upgrading they give you the option to make it effective immediately or from next billing cycle. Downgrade can only be effective as of next billing cycle.
I had the exact opposite.

Offline mechayamom

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4942 on: November 28, 2016, 05:15:26 PM »
There is a special with 012 Global today that says $28 for 1-30 days  of BASIC...says unlimited calls, and 5G Data not sure if unlimited tex and $40 for a business plan which includes the basic plus call forwarding from your country.

Can anybody comment on whether they have used this and are satisfied?

I have used Unlimited Israel for short trips and have been very happy, this seems so cheap.

Appreciate feedback, this deal ends today.

https://www.012global.com/SimCard/?gen=E1_activeNoSim&lang=en

Offline Shmulie

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4943 on: November 28, 2016, 10:11:40 PM »
There is a special with 012 Global today that says $28 for 1-30 days  of BASIC...says unlimited calls, and 5G Data not sure if unlimited tex and $40 for a business plan which includes the basic plus call forwarding from your country.

Can anybody comment on whether they have used this and are satisfied?

I have used Unlimited Israel for short trips and have been very happy, this seems so cheap.

Appreciate feedback, this deal ends today.

https://www.012global.com/SimCard/?gen=E1_activeNoSim&lang=en

what is the cost for the basic plan when not on sale?

Offline Live N Learn

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4944 on: November 29, 2016, 08:14:04 PM »
".איזהו חכם, הלומד מכל אדם"

Offline needavaca

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4945 on: December 06, 2016, 01:39:21 PM »
What are the best options for traveling to Israel from the US and setting up an I-Phone (Verizon) so it works in Israel with the same US number that I use in the states?

Offline Z56

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4946 on: December 06, 2016, 01:45:19 PM »
What are the best options for traveling to Israel from the US and setting up an I-Phone (Verizon) so it works in Israel with the same US number that I use in the states?

download the Verizon message app and get your txt and phone calls
“I have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success. Great things come from hard work

Offline yakov116

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4947 on: December 06, 2016, 02:30:55 PM »
download the Verizon message app and get your txt and phone calls
Its a hit or miss. Sometimes it works sometimes not.
Money talks...mine says goodbye!

Offline Z56

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4948 on: December 06, 2016, 02:39:44 PM »
Its a hit or miss. Sometimes it works sometimes not.

works perfect
“I have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success. Great things come from hard work

Offline yakov116

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4949 on: December 06, 2016, 02:50:41 PM »
works perfect
For you and many others.

I rent phones and sims, many times it does not work. Only incoming works and some how the outgoing does not work
Money talks...mine says goodbye!

Offline pghtown

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4950 on: December 07, 2016, 10:30:28 PM »
There is a special with 012 Global today that says $28 for 1-30 days  of BASIC...says unlimited calls, and 5G Data not sure if unlimited tex and $40 for a business plan which includes the basic plus call forwarding from your country.

Can anybody comment on whether they have used this and are satisfied?

I have used Unlimited Israel for short trips and have been very happy, this seems so cheap.

Appreciate feedback, this deal ends today.

https://www.012global.com/SimCard/?gen=E1_activeNoSim&lang=en

Anybody have experience with this short term 012global rental (sim) ? Any issues?

Offline Mocha

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4951 on: December 11, 2016, 02:59:51 PM »
From the guys renting sims in the sticky:

1) which one is on Oranges network?
2) Which one rents hotspots?

Offline pghtown

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4952 on: December 12, 2016, 10:10:34 PM »
Anybody have experience with this short term 012global rental (sim) ? Any issues?
Bump

Offline Menach

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4953 on: December 20, 2016, 11:58:41 AM »
Will GSM Unlocked (doesnt work with CDMA) Iphone work  with 012 Global Simcard?

Offline Emkay

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4954 on: December 20, 2016, 12:03:01 PM »
012 Global Simcard?
Off topic but can I ask how much your paying?

Offline Live N Learn

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4955 on: December 20, 2016, 02:11:39 PM »
Will GSM Unlocked (doesnt work with CDMA) Iphone work  with 012 Global Simcard?

012 runs on GSM, in fact all Israeli cariers are on GSM. It depends on the band of your phone if it's compatible.

You could check here.
".איזהו חכם, הלומד מכל אדם"

Offline sky121

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4956 on: January 02, 2017, 03:03:40 PM »
What's current best way to get unlimited sim in Israel for week?
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline ad120

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4957 on: January 02, 2017, 04:07:46 PM »
What's current best way to get unlimited sim in Israel for week?
Define "best".
You can get Hott Mobile and cancel after a week.

Offline sky121

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4958 on: January 02, 2017, 04:12:44 PM »
Define "best".
You can get Hott Mobile and cancel after a week.
Price being priority # 2 on the list after ease.
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline ExGingi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #4959 on: January 03, 2017, 02:31:25 AM »
News coming from Israel is that Golan was finally sold to Electra. Pundits think this will bring about a gradual increase to prices in the Israeli market.

The interesting thing is that part of the deal has Golan continuing to use Cellcom's infrastructure (which is in violation of its license). A previous deal fell apart, will this one stick?
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan