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 1355432 times)

Offline Sam Finkelstein

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5200 on: September 11, 2017, 05:26:56 PM »
FYI Callcentric.com gives you a free American number without any monthly fees. Only charges are about 2 cents a minute.

Just used this. Someone should stick it in the wiki in a good place.
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Offline nafnaf12

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5201 on: September 11, 2017, 05:32:18 PM »
I hear that Golan has gotten better. Can anyone confirm firsthand?
in Jerusalem it's the same as it was if not worse I'm getting a lot more dropped calls than in the past.
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Offline Boruch999

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5202 on: September 11, 2017, 05:33:20 PM »
in Jerusalem it's the same as it was if not worse I'm getting a lot more dropped calls than in the past.
Try turning 3G off.

Offline nafnaf12

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5203 on: September 11, 2017, 05:35:30 PM »
Try turning 3G off.
using Galaxy S6, just disabled 2G didn't see an option to disable 3G.
Will report back, thanks for telling suggestion
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Offline myi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5204 on: September 11, 2017, 07:03:32 PM »
I hear that Golan has gotten better. Can anyone confirm firsthand?
Nope drops your calls very frequently.
 Have hot mobile and much better then golan.
Should you need a hot mobile plan you can pm me.
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Offline shnu

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5205 on: October 02, 2017, 03:36:43 PM »
As I need my American number for business I am using the att international plan ($10 a day) for my trip to Israel. Is there  a way to get an Israeli number on google voice so I can call locally?

Offline Yissroel

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5206 on: October 02, 2017, 04:21:55 PM »
pm me
www.cellularisrael.com, Cheapest Cellphone Deals In Israel - Sales and Rentals

Offline myi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5207 on: October 02, 2017, 08:53:52 PM »
As I need my American number for business I am using the att international plan ($10 a day) for my trip to Israel. Is there  a way to get an Israeli number on google voice so I can call locally?
@shnu
 If I were you I would do something like this...
 Hot mobile for example is amazing service with plans starting at 29 skekal with data/talk/text.
 Not the only downside about hotmobile is you can get an american number.
(but I do have a friend who was able to add an american number with paying a $1-2 a month.(will see if I can get ahold of him and find out all the info.)
 If not what I would do is go for the Golan service which is ok, and add an american number for $15 a month, now your getting a nice amount of data, and unlmt local calls, as well as a nice amount of minutes to the US/CAN, so you would do is very simple once you know what your american number is associated with your Israeli plan you shall set up on your att phone call forwarding with plugging in your new American number associated with the Israeli number.
 So now for a decent price you can get all your calls.

 Simple get a Golan or ((hot mobile sim(only if I get you the number so you can forward your calls to hotmobile if I can add an american number))
 Set up call forwarding ..
 And now you have data plan from israel which will be better then a roaming network at times, and unlmtd local calling and texting, and a nice amnt of minutes to call US/CAN. (or even set up google voice,hangouts to place calls, should you run out of your minutes..

 Hope I was semi understandable, feel free to comment back for more help.
 And I will bli neder try to find out the other info with hotmobile as it's a bit of a better service connection even though Golan is fine as well.
 לילה טוב..
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Offline myi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5208 on: October 02, 2017, 08:54:22 PM »
As I need my American number for business I am using the att international plan ($10 a day) for my trip to Israel. Is there  a way to get an Israeli number on google voice so I can call locally?
@shnu
 If I were you I would do something like this...
 Hot mobile for example is amazing service with plans starting at 29 skekal with data/talk/text.
 Now the only downside about hotmobile is you cant get an american number.
(but I do have a friend who was able to add an american number with paying a $1-2 a month.(will see if I can get ahold of him and find out all the info.)
 If not what I would do is go for the Golan service which is ok, and add an american number for $15 a month, now your getting a nice amount of data, and unlmt local calls, as well as a nice amount of minutes to the US/CAN, so you would do is very simple once you know what your american number is associated with your Israeli plan you shall set up on your att phone call forwarding with plugging in your new American number associated with the Israeli number.
 So now for a decent price you can get all your calls.

 Simple get a Golan or ((hot mobile sim(only if I get you the number so you can forward your calls to hotmobile if I can add an american number))
 Set up call forwarding ..
 And now you have data plan from israel which will be better then a roaming network at times, and unlmtd local calling and texting, and a nice amnt of minutes to call US/CAN. (or even set up google voice,hangouts to place calls, should you run out of your minutes..

 Hope I was semi understandable, feel free to comment back for more help.
 And I will bli neder try to find out the other info with hotmobile as it's a bit of a better service connection even though Golan is fine as well.
 לילה טוב..
Quote
Need your LG Exalt fixed? Cracked in half? Water damage? Or parts to repair yourself. 347.201.2501

Offline shnu

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5209 on: October 02, 2017, 09:21:53 PM »
Thanks for the info! Very comprehensive. Was looking for something a bit simpler , it is vacation after all!

Offline myi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5210 on: October 02, 2017, 09:47:33 PM »
Thanks for the info! Very comprehensive. Was looking for something a bit simpler , it is vacation after all!
I have some Sims in America which I can activate for you and have it set up here so when you get to Israel pop it in your phone and your good to go.
 Just need to find out that last detail about the $1-2 a month option for the American number.(as I only have hot mobile.)
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Offline Live N Learn

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5211 on: October 03, 2017, 03:47:19 AM »
Thanks for the info! Very comprehensive. Was looking for something a bit simpler , it is vacation after all!

Golan ₪99 plan, has unlimited incoming, and up to 500 outgoing minutes to 56 countrys U.S. and Canada also include mobile numbers. A U.S. number is included as well.  The downside of Golan is, that you have to pay for the Sim, but on the other hand, if you cancel it in middle of the month, you only get charged for the days you used it. If you're making a stopover on the way, you'll be able to use it there as well. Golan also has plans starting at ₪24.90. Golan may not be the cheapest or the best, but they have everything a tourist/travler needs included.
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Offline Yissroel

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5212 on: October 03, 2017, 03:49:13 AM »
Keep in mind, since a few weeks ago the first month only includes 100 minutes of international roaming call
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 #5213 on: October 03, 2017, 03:50:59 AM »
Keep in mind, since a few weeks ago the first month only includes 100 minutes of international roaming call

-1 that's when calling from abroad.
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Offline Yissroel

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5214 on: October 03, 2017, 04:01:18 AM »
-1 that's when calling from abroad.
"If you're making a stopover on the way, you'll be able to use it there as well."
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 #5215 on: October 03, 2017, 04:07:05 AM »
"If you're making a stopover on the way, you'll be able to use it there as well."

Oh, I thought you were refering to regular outgoing calls. I wasn't mentioning what's inculuded abroud at all.
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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5216 on: October 03, 2017, 04:15:11 AM »
Oh, I thought you were refering to regular outgoing calls. I wasn't mentioning what's inculuded abroud at all.
my point i,people are trying to save money, and if they dont clearly know what the plan includes they end up spending a lot more money
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Offline hachover

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5217 on: October 17, 2017, 09:29:11 AM »
Tripadvisor recommends this. Looking for opinions from people here. I'm going for a short trip, under 2 weeks, and this seems like the simplest option that is not overpriced.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Orange-012-Israeli-SIM-Card-unlimited-10-days-local-calls-sms-10-GB-internet/172828140329
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Offline grodnoking

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5218 on: October 17, 2017, 10:12:40 AM »
Tripadvisor recommends this. Looking for opinions from people here. I'm going for a short trip, under 2 weeks, and this seems like the simplest option that is not overpriced.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Orange-012-Israeli-SIM-Card-unlimited-10-days-local-calls-sms-10-GB-internet/172828140329
Golan has a plan for 39ils, plus 49ils sign up, which is about $25, with 20gb, unlimited local t&t and 240 minutes to America.
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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5219 on: October 17, 2017, 02:01:09 PM »
Golan has a plan for 39ils, plus 49ils sign up, which is about $25, with 20gb, unlimited local t&t and 240 minutes to America.

that's clearly better, but is it as hassle free?
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