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 1355874 times)

Offline Emkay

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5040 on: May 08, 2017, 03:32:55 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 had worked for me everywhere.

Offline Z56

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5041 on: June 16, 2017, 04:22:18 AM »
I just got my bill from hot mobile, realized my bill is higher this month. Upon looking I noticed there is another line that I don't own on my plan. Tried calling that number no answer. Called hot mobile worst customer service. Has anyone had this in the past with hot ?
“I have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success. Great things come from hard work

Offline hocker

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5042 on: June 18, 2017, 06:37:15 AM »
I just got my bill from hot mobile, realized my bill is higher this month. Upon looking I noticed there is another line that I don't own on my plan. Tried calling that number no answer. Called hot mobile worst customer service. Has anyone had this in the past with hot ?
Yes, I had similar issues with them in the past. Never fixed it, since they were billing the other guys card.

You can try netek.co.il to disconnect that line.

Offline Z56

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5043 on: June 18, 2017, 06:57:22 AM »
Yes, I had similar issues with them in the past. Never fixed it, since they were billing the other guys card.

You can try netek.co.il to disconnect that line.

This case I was the one paying for someone else line
“I have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success. Great things come from hard work

Online Hjay

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5044 on: June 18, 2017, 03:19:27 PM »
I have Hot. Live in RE & learn in Sanhedriya. Service is terrible. I'm planning on switching to golan, am I making a mistake? Most days my phone dies by 5 o'clock with minimal use just from trying to catch service all day. I'm using an iPhone 7 so phone is not the issue.

Offline nafnaf12

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5045 on: June 18, 2017, 03:22:57 PM »
I have Hot. Live in RE & learn in Sanhedriya. Service is terrible. I'm planning on switching to golan, am I making a mistake? Most days my phone dies by 5 o'clock with minimal use just from trying to catch service all day. I'm using an iPhone 7 so phone is not the issue.
I was on Hot Mobil for about a month, the service was unbearable. Switched to Golan last week talk/text is pretty good, data is better but not that much better
« Last Edit: June 18, 2017, 04:34:36 PM by nafnaf12 »
A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.

Offline nafnaf12

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5046 on: June 18, 2017, 04:32:20 PM »
You can try netek.co.il to disconnect that line.
thanks for sharing, had to cancel my line and didn't have the energy to call in.
A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.

Offline Z56

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5047 on: June 18, 2017, 04:37:10 PM »
I have Hot. Live in RE & learn in Sanhedriya. Service is terrible. I'm planning on switching to golan, am I making a mistake? Most days my phone dies by 5 o'clock with minimal use just from trying to catch service all day. I'm using an iPhone 7 so phone is not the issue.

Same here. Service is terrible
“I have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success. Great things come from hard work

Online Hjay

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5048 on: June 19, 2017, 12:38:16 AM »
I was on Hot Mobil for about a month, the service was unbearable. Switched to Golan last week talk/text is pretty good, data is better but not that much better

Same here. Service is terrible

I knew I wasn't crazy, but when I spoke to more than one person who deals with phones here they were all surprised that I'd want to switch.

I found israelrentacell, he gets u the golan 99 plan for 83. Any other ideas or that's my best bet?

Offline nafnaf12

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5049 on: June 19, 2017, 02:32:39 AM »
I knew I wasn't crazy, but when I spoke to more than one person who deals with phones here they were all surprised that I'd want to switch.

I found israelrentacell, he gets u the golan 99 plan for 83. Any other ideas or that's my best bet?
it depends on what you need.
I'm paying ₪29 for 15gb, unlimited talk/text, and international calling, I use Google voice for incoming calls
« Last Edit: June 19, 2017, 02:37:08 AM by nafnaf12 »
A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.

Offline David Smith

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5050 on: June 19, 2017, 05:26:55 AM »
it depends on what you need.
I'm paying ₪29 for 15gb, unlimited talk/text, and international calling, I use Google voice for incoming calls
You probably mean ₪39
Who do you think you are fooling? You think you are going to pull a quick one on your Creator? Good luck with that.
JTZ

Offline nafnaf12

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5051 on: June 19, 2017, 06:42:37 AM »
You probably mean ₪39
sorry forgot to mention it's a second line. Making it ₪29 instead of ₪39
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Online Hjay

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5052 on: June 19, 2017, 07:05:12 AM »
Is it really pointless to get an American num if I can use google voice? I've used textfree in the past & it hasn't been great, does google voice really work well?

Offline David Smith

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5053 on: June 19, 2017, 07:17:30 AM »
Is it really pointless to get an American num if I can use google voice? I've used textfree in the past & it hasn't been great, does google voice really work well?
Hangouts is pretty good. Generally better call quality than the phone has
Who do you think you are fooling? You think you are going to pull a quick one on your Creator? Good luck with that.
JTZ

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5054 on: June 19, 2017, 07:18:17 AM »
I've never really used GV or hangouts. Recently I started using an obi200 so I got a GV num. can somebody just give me a simple description of both, the differences, how & when to use what & if they really work well thereby not needing an American num on my cell. TIA

Online Hjay

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5055 on: June 19, 2017, 12:55:20 PM »
I've never really used GV or hangouts. Recently I started using an obi200 so I got a GV num. can somebody just give me a simple description of both, the differences, how & when to use what & if they really work well thereby not needing an American num on my cell. TIA
Anybody? B4 I switch

Offline Live N Learn

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5056 on: June 19, 2017, 07:20:39 PM »
I found israelrentacell, he gets u the golan 99 plan for 83. Any other ideas or that's my best bet?

How about the 79 plan?
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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5057 on: June 20, 2017, 12:27:44 AM »
How about the 79 plan?
Is that the kosher plan with an American num? I don't want kosher

Offline mend89

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5058 on: June 20, 2017, 11:00:26 AM »
Dose the Moto g5 plus support 4g LTE in israel?
Also it has 2 sim card slots, can I use 1 for us sim and other for Israeli sim to use at the same time? any experience?


Offline Z56

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5059 on: June 21, 2017, 04:03:23 PM »
Dose the Moto g5 plus support 4g LTE in israel?
Also it has 2 sim card slots, can I use 1 for us sim and other for Israeli sim to use at the same time? any experience?

why do you need 2 sims at once ?
“I have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success. Great things come from hard work