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 1355668 times)

Offline mark da man

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5400 on: September 01, 2018, 03:28:44 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
cellularisrael.com

Online ExGingi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5401 on: September 02, 2018, 02:36:54 AM »
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
I was there once using a SIM on my phone while my BIL rented a mifi. I believe my experience was better. But there can be a variety of contributing factors.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
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Offline Mordyk

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5402 on: October 12, 2018, 09:26:43 AM »
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
we brought along one from the U.S. and paid $6 a day. we bought another one locally in israel and paid 89shekel in total for almost unlimited!
#TYH

Offline chucksterace

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5403 on: November 26, 2018, 04:34:57 PM »
Looking for some help here. I tried to activate a Golan Sim online but entered the wrong Activation Code. Now it still shows on my account but won't let me try to activate it again and on the phone it keeps Showing No Service. Is there anything else I can do online or would I need to PUTAC? And if so, what number, or would it be easier to cancel that and get a new sim/account in person tomorrow?

Thanks
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Offline nafnaf12

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5404 on: November 26, 2018, 04:43:15 PM »
Looking for some help here. I tried to activate a Golan Sim online but entered the wrong Activation Code. Now it still shows on my account but won't let me try to activate it again and on the phone it keeps Showing No Service. Is there anything else I can do online or would I need to PUTAC? And if so, what number, or would it be easier to cancel that and get a new sim/account in person tomorrow?

Thanks
login and report the Sim lost/stolen
Will offer you to cancel the line on the spot.
A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.

Offline Sam Finkelstein

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5405 on: January 21, 2019, 02:17:25 AM »
What’s the best phone these days to use on a kosher plan?

TIA.
Formula for success: rise early, work hard, strike oil. –J. Paul Getty

Offline Yissroel

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5406 on: January 21, 2019, 09:28:30 AM »
What’s the best phone these days to use on a kosher plan?

TIA.
do you want touch or bar phone?
www.cellularisrael.com, Cheapest Cellphone Deals In Israel - Sales and Rentals

Offline Sam Finkelstein

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5407 on: January 21, 2019, 01:08:02 PM »
do you want touch or bar phone?

Don’t care, as long as it will work on a kosher plan.
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Offline Yissroel

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5408 on: January 21, 2019, 01:27:36 PM »
there are good phones out there now each one has a little difference
young, touch
nokia 208
nokia 3310
philips
w9
uptec
www.cellularisrael.com, Cheapest Cellphone Deals In Israel - Sales and Rentals

Offline mommy of two

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5409 on: February 05, 2019, 12:06:16 PM »
Hi,
i'm going to Israel for a week (next week). my smart phone is unlocked, so i can use a diff sim card. can someone suggest what is the best way to go? i saw the wicki, but its a bit confusing because it includes options for reg plans for Americans living is Israel.
Any help appreciated!

Offline mark da man

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5410 on: February 05, 2019, 12:25:52 PM »
I used cellularisrael.com, it's was a breeze

Offline myi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5411 on: February 05, 2019, 12:29:56 PM »
Hi,
i'm going to Israel for a week (next week). my smart phone is unlocked, so i can use a diff sim card. can someone suggest what is the best way to go? i saw the wicki, but its a bit confusing because it includes options for reg plans for Americans living is Israel.
Any help appreciated!
Either borrow from Someone who has sim cards opened from a previous trip to Israel. There's a thread for that, and I'm sure would be cheaper then renting from cellularisrael.com
 If not you can go to any phone store in israel and open a sim right then and there.
 I would go with golan or hot mobile.
And you can freeze the line for the next time you come back. Hotmobile freeze for 6mnths at a time and then need to refreeze or golan you can freeze and unfreeze once per calender year.

 Or to avoid all the hassle try a company that rents a sim for a week.

 I would suggest to try this thread..

https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=60854.0
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Offline Flybiz

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5412 on: February 13, 2019, 12:00:23 PM »
Anyone familiar with AT&T international day pass for short trip to Israel?

Offline nafnaf12

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5413 on: February 13, 2019, 12:10:17 PM »
Anyone familiar with AT&T international day pass for short trip to Israel?
yes, use it all the time.
It's works well
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Offline Flybiz

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5414 on: February 13, 2019, 12:30:09 PM »
yes, use it all the time.
It's works well

Makes more sense than renting Israeli sim?

Offline nafnaf12

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5415 on: February 13, 2019, 01:15:53 PM »
Makes more sense than renting Israeli sim?
depends how long you're going for
And if having your American # active is worth anything to you.
Generally speaking it's a lot cheaper to rent a SIM card you can p.m. me if you need one
A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.

Offline ludmila

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5416 on: February 13, 2019, 01:23:06 PM »
depends how long you're going for
And if having your American # active is worth anything to you.
Generally speaking it's a lot cheaper to rent a SIM card you can p.m. me if you need one
+1 Depends for how long.
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Offline elimmm

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5417 on: February 23, 2019, 10:47:19 PM »
Anyone have experience with declining a charge to Hotmobile? User didn't know about overage charges after 500 min to USA and bill is hundreds of dollars. A fake TZ/Passport was used, but will they attempt to figure out who the customer is from cc company....?

Offline myi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5418 on: February 24, 2019, 05:22:02 AM »
Anyone have experience with declining a charge to Hotmobile? User didn't know about overage charges after 500 min to USA and bill is hundreds of dollars. A fake TZ/Passport was used, but will they attempt to figure out who the customer is from cc company....?
Lucky you that you used a fake passport.
 Put a stop on the cc and dispute the charge and next time around use another cc and different info.
    Don't think they would get anywhere with the cc company. No cc company is handing info about there clients.
 
 Just curios what do you mean fake info? What did you show when they ask to sign up?

 I remember when I signed up for hot I got to know one of the workers there and I texted him each time I wanted a new sim added and he would add it for me with a cc number name and email.
 I think I still have 3 active ones that I froze a few months back.
 Been using Golan for the past while as they offered Unlmtd Data and I used GV. To call to america or Canada for free, which basically gave me unlmtd everything for a few shekal.
 Calling,texting,data, and hot spot.
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Offline Emkay

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5419 on: February 24, 2019, 07:33:32 AM »


Put a stop on the cc and dispute the charge


 

Under what claim? Is it not in the terms and conditions of the plan?