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 1354938 times)

Offline myi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5240 on: October 22, 2017, 06:17:02 PM »
Best way these days for unlimited data for a laptop while traveling in Israel?
use your phone as a hotspot?
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Offline myi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5241 on: October 22, 2017, 06:18:03 PM »
Tmobile should have wifi calling
it does works amazing in basements.
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Offline myi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5242 on: October 22, 2017, 06:19:28 PM »
Hangouts has incoming and outgoing to any US or Canadian number.
where do I find my Google Hangouts number and how can I return to my Google Hangout phone call once I close my calling screen? And one downside is I can't text to A us or Canadian number.
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Offline skyguy918

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5243 on: October 22, 2017, 06:19:54 PM »
what's my number so people can call me? It comes up as unknown caller private caller.
For me, just above the number pad it says "Using your Google Voice number..." For by my GV number.

Offline sky121

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5244 on: October 22, 2017, 06:21:09 PM »
use your phone as a hotspot?
I need unlimited. Or at least more than 20GB
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline myi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5245 on: October 22, 2017, 06:26:00 PM »
I need unlimited. Or at least more than 20GB
Yes they offer very cheap plans for 12gb and then 32gb and then 100gb, check out talkinisrael.com just to see what plans hot mobile has, and they have very decent service, you can text to a number or call CS to check how much data you used if needed.
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Offline sky121

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5246 on: October 22, 2017, 06:28:26 PM »
Yes they offer very cheap plans for 12gb and then 32gb and then 100gb, check out talkinisrael.com just to see what plans hot mobile has, and they have very decent service, you can text to a number or call CS to check how much data you used if needed.
Do you know the speeds the 100GB are at?
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline myi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5247 on: October 22, 2017, 06:32:24 PM »
Do you know the speeds the 100GB are at?
I have the 12gb, very fast.
 I can find out tom morning for you if you like or you can call CS yourself.
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Offline sky121

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5248 on: October 22, 2017, 06:32:48 PM »
I have the 12gb, very fast.
 I can find out tom morning for you if you like or you can call CS yourself.
Yeah I'll call. Thanks
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline Live N Learn

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5249 on: October 22, 2017, 07:56:56 PM »
where do I find my Google Hangouts number and how can I return to my Google Hangout phone call once I close my calling screen? And one downside is I can't text to A us or Canadian number.

Setup a Google  Voice number, and you'll use that for incoming and texting.

Also make sure to have Hangouts dialer, and GV app installed. I like using Hangouts for calls, and GV for text.
".איזהו חכם, הלומד מכל אדם"

Offline moish

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5250 on: October 23, 2017, 09:49:03 AM »
Anyone have experience with Pelephone?

Offline New guy 2014

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5251 on: November 13, 2017, 01:20:32 PM »
Has anyone used Sprint's international plan in Israel recently? Any reviews?

Offline Blazer

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5252 on: November 26, 2017, 08:28:41 PM »
AT&T Wi-Fi Calling in Israel

Some AT&T pages from a year ago state that ATT WiFi calling does not work in Israel. Is this still the case, and will a VPN make it work (or does it use cell tower / GPS to determine this). Out if curiosity, does anyone know why it doesn't work in Israel?

Offline SrulyS

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5253 on: November 26, 2017, 11:03:16 PM »
I'm looking for 2 phones for people who live in Israel.

1) A phone with texting capabilities but no internet capabilities (to run on Hot Mobile).
2) A cheap ($50 to $100) smartphone (network unknown, I was told it must have 1800).

Is it ALWAYS true that if a phone's specs include a band that the phone will work on any carrier worldwide with that band (provided that the phone is unlocked)?
Anyone know a good place to buy these phones unlocked or which US Carriers' phones have the cheapest/easiest unlocking capabilities?

Offline sky121

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5254 on: November 29, 2017, 12:38:51 PM »
Does anyone know why whenever I use my Golan Sim here in Israel my whatsapp messages don't come through but rather the 'you may have new messages ' message.

Any ideas how to fix this?
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline cozmohoot

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5255 on: November 29, 2017, 06:27:27 PM »
Does anyone know why whenever I use my Golan Sim here in Israel my whatsapp messages don't come through but rather the 'you may have new messages ' message.

Any ideas how to fix this?
I get that in USA sometimes but messages come in as well

Offline sky121

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5256 on: November 29, 2017, 11:03:10 PM »
Actually found the fix BH.
After a lot of googling again ( I had tried this my last time in Israel as well) I had to go to settings, apps, WhatsApp, and click never restrict background data. 

A lot of people were mentioning that if data saver were on that caused it to but that wasn't my specific problem.   
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline monoso

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5257 on: December 01, 2017, 09:59:13 AM »
The phone I'm looking at for Israel dosent support the lte bands . How important is that ... Everything else is supported

Offline cozmohoot

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5258 on: December 01, 2017, 11:54:40 AM »
The phone I'm looking at for Israel dosent support the lte bands . How important is that ... Everything else is supported
I know plenty of people using non LTE androids and are happy. But why not find one with LTE? Moto g4 xt1625

Offline monoso

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5259 on: December 01, 2017, 01:08:12 PM »
Thanks . I am not familiar with the cheaper android phones . Thanks I will probably buy the one you recommended