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 1355673 times)

Offline shwarmabob

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5120 on: July 26, 2017, 03:16:12 PM »
as kosher as it gets. will only work an israel kosher phone
I can't get their SIM and plug it into my phone?

Offline nafnaf12

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5121 on: July 26, 2017, 03:22:53 PM »
I can't get their SIM and plug it into my phone?
not unless you start messing with the phones settings..
A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.

Offline shwarmabob

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5122 on: July 26, 2017, 03:33:52 PM »
Is Golan the only one giving "International Number"?

Offline nafnaf12

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5123 on: July 26, 2017, 03:38:19 PM »
Is Golan the only one giving "International Number"?
all of you questions have been answered in this thread.
A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.

Offline rr1

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5124 on: July 26, 2017, 04:11:31 PM »
As much as I hate saying this, I will give you the solution: get an iPhone. Works as hotspot for hours without restart on anything of the sort.
Sounds like a plan, but does anyone know of a mifi that will work?

Offline Live N Learn

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5125 on: July 26, 2017, 05:33:36 PM »
Sounds like a plan, but does anyone know of a mifi that will work?

This one should.
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Offline DanH

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5126 on: July 27, 2017, 07:40:03 AM »
all of you questions have been answered in this thread.
Okay great... peers down.. page 342.. oh great...
For tech help feel free to Telegram me @DanTechSupp

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5127 on: July 27, 2017, 02:29:14 PM »
What's a good phone (NOT Smartphone) one could use both in Israel and in the US.

Nokia C2 has been a favorite, but seems to no longer work on US based networks. Looking for solid alternative.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
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Offline Live N Learn

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5128 on: July 27, 2017, 07:12:12 PM »
What's a good phone (NOT Smartphone) one could use both in Israel and in the US.

Nokia C2 has been a favorite, but seems to no longer work on US based networks. Looking for solid alternative.

How about the 208?
".איזהו חכם, הלומד מכל אדם"

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5129 on: July 27, 2017, 07:31:28 PM »
How about the 208?
I've been thinking about that, especially with the current support for whatsapp (that was supposed to end in 2016, but seems to have been extended a bit) which give another way to communicate, but at the rate things are going, how far is that from becoming obsolete for the current networks? (AFAIK it's no longer sold as new, and is only available on the secondary market).
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
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Offline cozmohoot

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5130 on: July 27, 2017, 08:22:52 PM »
What's a good phone (NOT Smartphone) one could use both in Israel and in the US.

Nokia C2 has been a favorite, but seems to no longer work on US based networks. Looking for solid alternative.
What does the 208 have that the c2-01 doesn't? Also it matters what USA network u will use as tmobile in N.Y. stopped using the 1900mhz 3g wcdma band.

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5131 on: July 27, 2017, 09:27:22 PM »
What does the 208 have that the c2-01 doesn't? Also it matters what USA network u will use as tmobile in N.Y. stopped using the 1900mhz 3g wcdma band.
208 currently works on AT&T (H2O) network in the US, while the C2 doesn't. I hear that T-mobile also has more limited coverage for whatever bands the C2 supports.

You write C2-01. Is there a difference in which bands are supported compared to the C2-01?
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
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Offline cozmohoot

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5132 on: July 27, 2017, 11:24:07 PM »
What's a Nokia c2? Seems u should just get the 208 if it has the proper bands

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5133 on: July 30, 2017, 07:03:33 PM »
What does the 208 have that the c2-01 doesn't? Also it matters what USA network u will use as tmobile in N.Y. stopped using the 1900mhz 3g wcdma band.
How about C2-01.5? Seems to support 850/1900 UMTS vs C2-01 which supports 900/1900 UMTS?

Will the former work on AT&T vs the latter on T-mobile? Will both work in Israel?

Is there any non-smartphone that is truly global, supporting all 3G bands?
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan

Offline myi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5134 on: August 01, 2017, 03:22:02 PM »
i got us number for $12 a month for 2500 min at sonetel.com ,or $11 a month yearly rate
Is this a decent amount for a US number? 
 Or is there cheaper to get a basic phone with just talk and text and a US number using Golan or hot?
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Offline myi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5135 on: August 01, 2017, 03:34:20 PM »
IDK. I've been using Golan for the past few years due to unlimited international, which was a major consideration (especially with the son that's there now, who calls a few times a day). If not using the unlimited international, there might be better deals.
Does that plan your son have include talk/text with a US number? Curios to know how much your paying for such a plan?
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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5136 on: August 01, 2017, 03:40:54 PM »
http://misparchinam.com/
The site is currently being refitted with new numbers. Please check back soon!
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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5137 on: August 01, 2017, 04:29:56 PM »
Does that plan your son have include talk/text with a US number? Curios to know how much your paying for such a plan?
My son has a plan (which is no longer available) that includes unlimited talk to the US, doesn't include a US number. The 99 Shekel plan includes a US number and unlimited calls to the US (and many other countries).

AFAIK none of the plans include international TEXT. A workaround would be to get an Israeli DID that supports incoming text, that you can then forward to your email. I've found two services that will do that, while only charging a low monthly rate. However Zadarma.com, while being cheaper at $0 setup and only $2/month required that I send a copy of my passport in order to get the number activated. The other, didww.com charges $2.50 for activation and $2.50/month and requires a $50 deposit upfront.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5138 on: August 01, 2017, 05:54:00 PM »
My son has a plan (which is no longer available) that includes unlimited talk to the US, doesn't include a US number. The 99 Shekel plan includes a US number and unlimited calls to the US (and many other countries).

AFAIK none of the plans include international TEXT. A workaround would be to get an Israeli DID that supports incoming text, that you can then forward to your email. I've found two services that will do that, while only charging a low monthly rate. However Zadarma.com, while being cheaper at $0 setup and only $2/month required that I send a copy of my passport in order to get the number activated. The other, didww.com charges $2.50 for activation and $2.50/month and requires a $50 deposit upfront.
Assuming i don't have internet on the phone i would be able to have it set up with email before hand? or the text will come through emails?
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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5139 on: August 01, 2017, 06:42:51 PM »
Assuming i don't have internet on the phone i would be able to have it set up with email before hand? or the text will come through emails?
unless you want to pay per message for the SMS being forwarded to your phone number, you would have the SMS forward to an email address. Most US carriers have an email gateway for SMS, so for example on Verizon, you would put XXXXXXXXXX@vtext.com and it will send to your phone.

http://www.verizon.com/about/news/vzw/2013/06/computer-to-phone-text-messaging
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan