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 1355462 times)

Online ExGingi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5380 on: August 01, 2018, 01:15:26 AM »
How do you forward calls from a US cell phone to an Israeli cell? One of the US phones is an iPhone; the other is a "kosher" phone. They Israeli phone I'm forwarding to is an Android. Thanks.
You can forward to Google Voice and have it ring incoming calls on Hangouts app.

If your US cell phone is Verizon, you can install Message+ on the Android and have that ring your Verizon number.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
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Offline grodnoking

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5381 on: August 01, 2018, 01:17:15 AM »
Any way to get a Google voice number ring an Israeli number?
I'm not who you think I am.

Offline Thingywingy

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5382 on: August 01, 2018, 02:49:21 AM »
You can forward to Google Voice and have it ring incoming calls on Hangouts app.
Google voice website says "Google Voice is only available in the U.S."
I am sometimes accused of overthinking things. I am still mulling over whether that accusation has merit.

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5383 on: August 01, 2018, 09:00:54 AM »
Im not sure if this is the right place, feel free to correct me. Does anyone know of a reliable store that carries all types of cell phone batteries in central yerushalaim? i could just go aroung from store to store but its not a common type so i feel that its a waste of time

Offline Yissroel

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5384 on: August 01, 2018, 09:08:23 AM »
Im not sure if this is the right place, feel free to correct me. Does anyone know of a reliable store that carries all types of cell phone batteries in central yerushalaim? i could just go aroung from store to store but its not a common type so i feel that its a waste of time
for which phone ?
www.cellularisrael.com, Cheapest Cellphone Deals In Israel - Sales and Rentals

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5385 on: August 01, 2018, 09:15:40 AM »
Im not sure the exact type (it belongs to a friend) but i believe a cheaper model samsung smartphone

Offline Yissroel

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5386 on: August 01, 2018, 09:18:01 AM »
Im not sure the exact type (it belongs to a friend) but i believe a cheaper model samsung smartphone
Shukiphone on rechov Pinus 
www.cellularisrael.com, Cheapest Cellphone Deals In Israel - Sales and Rentals

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5387 on: August 01, 2018, 09:29:06 AM »
Shukiphone on rechov Pinus
thank you

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5388 on: August 01, 2018, 11:28:33 AM »
Google voice website says "Google Voice is only available in the U.S."
Right. You can only sign up from a US ip address, and link to a US phone number. But once you have it, it can work elsewhere (for example with Obi or Google Hangouts).
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
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Offline Thingywingy

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5389 on: August 01, 2018, 12:33:55 PM »
Right. You can only sign up from a US ip address, and link to a US phone number. But once you have it, it can work elsewhere (for example with Obi or Google Hangouts).
I wasn't sure if site was referring to sign up address, or that it won't function at all outside the US. Thanks for clarifying.
I am sometimes accused of overthinking things. I am still mulling over whether that accusation has merit.

Offline cozmohoot

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5390 on: August 01, 2018, 01:33:03 PM »
You can forward to Google Voice and have it ring incoming calls on Hangouts app.

If your US cell phone is Verizon, you can install Message+ on the Android and have that ring your Verizon number.
Was it you who wrote here, or elsewhere, about message plus now works for calling? Same idea as whatsapp calls...
Folks using it?

Online MoYS

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5391 on: August 01, 2018, 01:46:49 PM »
Shukiphone on rechov Pinus
I just stopped in there, they didnt have it (although they did have a slightly bigger selection than other places), it doesnt seem like any stores have anything besides the most common stuff, so im still looking if anyone has any ideas, tia

Offline mark da man

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5392 on: August 01, 2018, 04:26:00 PM »
I just stopped in there, they didnt have it (although they did have a slightly bigger selection than other places), it doesnt seem like any stores have anything besides the most common stuff, so im still looking if anyone has any ideas, tia
superphone on yeshayahu

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5393 on: August 03, 2018, 06:40:13 PM »
If I'm using a different phone in Israel, how can I activate WhatsApp? They require a SMS sent to main number?
I am sometimes accused of overthinking things. I am still mulling over whether that accusation has merit.

Offline myi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5394 on: August 03, 2018, 06:43:10 PM »
If I'm using a different phone in Israel, how can I activate WhatsApp? They require a SMS sent to main number?
Even after switching sims your whatsapp should be fine.
Eta; I see you said different phones. You would need to download and set it up before hand while you can still get texts.
  Which service do you have?
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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5395 on: August 08, 2018, 09:07:28 AM »
Any way to get a Google voice number ring an Israeli number?

Yes. Get a free number at Callcentric and pay 2˘ per incoming minute. Just note that the free numbers are shut down if 90 days pass with no activity.
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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5396 on: August 08, 2018, 07:42:38 PM »
Yes. Get a free number at Callcentric and pay 2˘ per incoming minute. Just note that the free numbers are shut down if 90 days pass with no activity.
Meaning even if it rings on that number they refer to activity as answering calls and being charged the 2 cents?
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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5397 on: August 09, 2018, 04:02:48 PM »
My AT&T phone cannot send texts to my son in Israel (HOT mobile non-kosher dumb phone). AT&T support traces  the SMS and says the error code indicates a carrier block on it somewhere. The Israeli carrier says they have no blocks in place. AT&T is also looking into it. Has anyone seen anything like this before?

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5398 on: August 09, 2018, 07:07:50 PM »
Meaning even if it rings on that number they refer to activity as answering calls and being charged the 2 cents?

I believe so.
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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5399 on: August 31, 2018, 04:18:04 PM »
when traveling to israel for a month, is it best to rent a mifi for on the go internet, or a sim that has hotspot connectivity. anyone have experience? TIA
#TYH