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 1355208 times)

Online ExGingi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5020 on: March 26, 2017, 01:05:20 PM »
looking at my phone settings (galaxy s6) it has the following options for mobile networks: global, lte/cdma, lte/gsm/umts
which would I have to switch to?
Probably LTE/GSM/UMTS will work most reliability, though all of the above settings might work.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan

Offline grodnoking

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5021 on: March 26, 2017, 01:06:36 PM »
If I have T-Mobile what will I get charged for and what will I not get charged for if I use my American phone in Israel. And how long do I have till they stop giving me free overseas
I'm not who you think I am.

Offline mbasar

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5022 on: March 26, 2017, 01:39:22 PM »
On T-Mobile one, data (if it can be called so...) And SMS are free
Call they charge per minute

Offline springles

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5023 on: March 26, 2017, 02:18:59 PM »
So which of the short term sim rentals is the recommended one?

Offline Kroch

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5024 on: March 26, 2017, 05:14:23 PM »
Looking for best cellphone plan for two weeks over Pesach - need data and phone plan.
Many thanks-Chag Kasher V'sameach

Offline springles

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5025 on: March 26, 2017, 11:34:50 PM »
So which of the short term sim rentals is the recommended one?
anyone have experience with sim for israel? https://fs28.formsite.com/simforisrael/form1/index.html?1486567323948
seems the cheapest at $4 a day

Offline Yissroel

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5026 on: March 27, 2017, 12:32:49 PM »
pm me
www.cellularisrael.com, Cheapest Cellphone Deals In Israel - Sales and Rentals

Offline Live N Learn

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5027 on: March 27, 2017, 08:22:23 PM »
anyone have experience with sim for israel? https://fs28.formsite.com/simforisrael/form1/index.html?1486567323948
seems the cheapest at $4 a day

Cheaper to buy one yourself.
".איזהו חכם, הלומד מכל אדם"

Offline ae123

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5028 on: March 28, 2017, 01:15:38 PM »
Cheaper to buy one yourself.
How much are they? Where do you buy?

Offline Boruch999

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5029 on: March 28, 2017, 03:11:48 PM »
I have a Nokia C-2 kosher. I've had Golan in the past and recently switched to Cellcom. I've had reception issues on both and constantly dropped calls, especially around my house.  No one else seemed to have an issue so I assumed my phone was at fault.  I almost bought a new phone but decided to try one last thing.  I went Settings>Phone>Network Mode and turned off 3G by switching from Dual Mode to GSM and that seems to have fixed the problem.  I hope this helps anyone else experiencing similar issues.

Offline mark da man

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5030 on: March 28, 2017, 03:14:40 PM »
How much are they? Where do you buy?
try golanusa.net

Offline ae123

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5031 on: March 28, 2017, 04:24:57 PM »
try golanusa.net
1 - Are you sure that is cheaper than renting a SIM for 2 weeks?
2 - Can someone reactivate that SIM when he travels back, let's say, a year later?

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5032 on: March 28, 2017, 04:53:08 PM »
1 - Are you sure that is cheaper than renting a SIM for 2 weeks?
2 - Can someone reactivate that SIM when he travels back, let's say, a year later?
1. Probably. Unless you rent on DDF.
2. I don't think so, but just rent it out on DDF while you're in the US. ETA: one might be able to, but would probably have to pay a new activation fee in any event. An activation fee is charged by Golan whenever changing plans, except if upgrading to their NIS99 plans from a lower priced plan IINM.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan

Offline Live N Learn

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5033 on: March 31, 2017, 06:35:20 PM »
I have a Nokia C-2 kosher. I've had Golan in the past and recently switched to Cellcom. I've had reception issues on both and constantly dropped calls, especially around my house.  No one else seemed to have an issue so I assumed my phone was at fault.  I almost bought a new phone but decided to try one last thing.  I went Settings>Phone>Network Mode and turned off 3G by switching from Dual Mode to GSM and that seems to have fixed the problem.  I hope this helps anyone else experiencing similar issues.

Usually 3G has better reception than GSM but GSM uses less battery.
".איזהו חכם, הלומד מכל אדם"

Offline Boruch999

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5034 on: April 01, 2017, 02:59:35 PM »
Usually 3G has better reception than GSM but GSM uses less battery.

On the reception, I've found the opposite.  Do they use different antennas on the tower?  That might explain it, as I live in a pretty charedi area, maybe they skimped on the 3G infrastructure here.

Offline Live N Learn

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5035 on: April 02, 2017, 02:07:54 AM »
On the reception, I've found the opposite.  Do they use different antennas on the tower?  That might explain it, as I live in a pretty charedi area, maybe they skimped on the 3G infrastructure here.

I keep it on GSM by default, and if I ever loose coverage I switch it to 3G and most of the times it helps.
".איזהו חכם, הלומד מכל אדם"

Offline Zalmy2

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5036 on: May 03, 2017, 02:29:46 AM »
How is the T-Mobile free data and phone service all over israel? Can I expect regular service or is it choppy?

Offline Live N Learn

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5037 on: May 03, 2017, 02:54:11 AM »
How is the T-Mobile free data and phone service all over israel? Can I expect regular service or is it choppy?

Data is 2G, so if you only need WhatsApp and Waze it should be fine. Talk isn't free, it's 20˘ per minute, unless you use GV or Voip.
".איזהו חכם, הלומד מכל אדם"

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5038 on: May 07, 2017, 08:29:17 PM »
Data is 2G, so if you only need WhatsApp and Waze it should be fine. Talk isn't free, it's 20˘ per minute, unless you use GV or Voip.
Thanks for your reply. Does it work in all of Israel? Someone told me it doesn't work it didn't work for him in the Miron area.

Offline Live N Learn

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5039 on: May 08, 2017, 02:01:58 AM »
Thanks for your reply. Does it work in all of Israel? Someone told me it doesn't work it didn't work for him in the Miron area.

It should, I have used it in the past without any issuues, but Lag Beomer there could be an issue with service in general, but they keep improving it each year.
".איזהו חכם, הלומד מכל אדם"