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 1355877 times)

Offline Jkhein

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #160 on: May 16, 2012, 06:19:30 PM »
You sure you need an Israeli number? I got my Orange plan in a store last year I just gave them my American passport number without a problem, could have even made one up.
Orange is different, Golan is just accepting Israeli TZ at the moment. (Guess they cant yet afford to loose - trust me I know how bochurim screw them..)

Offline Saver2000

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #161 on: May 16, 2012, 06:22:16 PM »
You sure you need an Israeli number? I got my Orange plan in a store last year I just gave them my American passport number without a problem, could have even made one up.

+1
A friend of mine was in the orange store signing up for service and he didn't have his passport at the time and they took his license number instead!

Offline Jkhein

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #162 on: May 16, 2012, 06:27:26 PM »
Oh yes that Orange guy in the store will take anything to sign you up..

Offline Flying Fish

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #163 on: May 16, 2012, 06:32:30 PM »
Orange is different, Golan is just accepting Israeli TZ at the moment. (Guess they cant yet afford to loose - trust me I know how bochurim screw them..)
What about Hot? Anyone know if an Israel T.Z. is required?

Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #164 on: May 16, 2012, 06:57:53 PM »
What about Hot? Anyone know if an Israel T.Z. is required?
I thought I replied already, guess bb is messed up.
A hot rep told me a US pp is enough, but that's the same rep who sent me on a fruitless expedtion seeking a Hot store in the taachna Merchazit.
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline njmacman

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #165 on: May 16, 2012, 07:16:00 PM »
The HOT plan for 10 agurot looks like a much cheaper version of the "Talkman" that Orange has, which costs 1 shekel a minute (1/10th the cost with HOT). This is good for people that are not in Israel all the time. Can their SIM fit in an Iphone 4S? If I have Orange cell numbers can I transfer them like we do in the States, or do we get new ones?

Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #166 on: May 16, 2012, 07:20:11 PM »
The HOT plan for 10 agurot looks like a much cheaper version of the "Talkman" that Orange has, which costs 1 shekel a minute (1/10th the cost with HOT). This is good for people that are not in Israel all the time. Can their SIM fit in an Iphone 4S? If I have Orange cell numbers can I transfer them like we do in the States, or do we get new ones?
Yes to iphone  and u can transfer.
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline sawlw

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #167 on: May 17, 2012, 08:03:47 AM »
I thought I replied already, guess bb is messed up.
A hot rep told me a US pp is enough

Would the bituach leumi 77..... number work? Since it usually works as a TZ and hot/Golan both let you sign up online?

Offline YudiG

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #168 on: May 17, 2012, 08:18:58 AM »
I wonder what will happen to the kosher plans as people wont sit by and get ripped off every month just for 'keeping kosher'...I'm paying 40 nis per month for 1k minutes to landlines and 1k minutes to kosher cell on cellcom...

Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #169 on: May 17, 2012, 12:05:56 PM »
Would the bituach leumi 77..... number work? Since it usually works as a TZ and hot/Golan both let you sign up online?
77 # works for Pelephone, so presuambly would work for golan.

I'm # 121 at Hot (malcha) now. They have 2 pcs and are holding at approx # 50. Not accepting customers for today anymore. Manager here claims no BIS...
It seems they don't take a US pp either.
#ohwell
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline Flying Fish

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #170 on: May 17, 2012, 01:43:42 PM »
Signing up online with a US passport # won't work?

Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #171 on: May 17, 2012, 01:51:20 PM »
The national number-porting system is down. Officially it won't be up again until Sunday.

Hot people say they have 100,000 new customers in the past few days, though the news had entirely different numbers.

They do not currently have BIS, but hope to get it in a week or two.

One manager told me a passport is OK, another refused. The lenient one later subdued herself to that guy who refused, however this might indicate it being his personal policy.

Online orders will ship in one month.

״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline real-brisker

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #172 on: May 22, 2012, 12:49:50 PM »
What is the best rate plan for me in orange?

I currently have 680 kosher minutes for 38 shekel, and every non kosher minute for 0.49 agurot.

The non-kosher minutes are a killer.

I pay international calling (013 - netvision) 0.08 agurot a minute. I use 1000 a month.

I need the following:
- 100 Kosher minutes
- 200 Non kosher minutes
- Prefer to stick with my kosher number.

- I can pay 0.02 agurot a minute through localphone.com (calling card) but it uses landline minutes. (so it will only be kiday if I have landline minutes included in my plan.)
Which I would need about 1000.

I was thinking about switching to the kosher unlimited plan for 125 shekel a month which will be kiday for me because I will be saving on my international calling.

Btw - the kosher unlimited is the same price as the non-kosher unlimited, which includes also unlimited data and sms. Doesn't make sense to me.

Thanks

Online moko

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #173 on: May 23, 2012, 12:08:22 AM »
I wonder what will happen to the kosher plans as people wont sit by and get ripped off every month just for 'keeping kosher'...I'm paying 40 nis per month for 1k minutes to landlines and 1k minutes to kosher cell on cellcom...
they seem to be offering kosher #s just they dont do the phones

Offline Flying Fish

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #174 on: May 23, 2012, 05:10:50 AM »
Has anyone successfully signed up for HOT Mobile without a teudat zehut?

Offline L'Chaim

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #175 on: May 23, 2012, 06:03:06 AM »
Has anyone successfully signed up for HOT Mobile without a teudat zehut?

Anyone Golan Telecom?

Offline Judah

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This Is Going to Change the Israeli Mobile Carrier Market
« Reply #176 on: May 23, 2012, 03:40:06 PM »
If you haven't heard a new cell carrier launched last week in Israel: Golan Telecom
They are offering a plan that seems will bring down costs from all carriers if not put some of them out of business:

For NIS 99/Month (aprox $25/month):

Unlimited Domestic Calls
Unlimited International Calls to 29 Countries (US and Canada included)
Unlimited SMS
Unlimited Data
No Contract/Commitment
Keep Your Number from Previous Carrier

They use Cellcom's Towers as they are in the process of putting up their own (No roaming charges)


Orange already responded with offering unlimited plan for NIS 125/Month and doesn't include international.

Linky: https://www.golantelecom.co.il/web/ (click English on top if needed)

See JPost article about it: http://www.jpost.com/Business/Globes/Article.aspx?id=269984 (Seems there is a competitor offering unlimited for NIS 89/month but doesn't include international)

Offline Yitz

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Re: This Is Going to Change the Israeli Mobile Carrier Market
« Reply #177 on: May 23, 2012, 03:49:54 PM »
Nice information

Offline sky121

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Re: This Is Going to Change the Israeli Mobile Carrier Market
« Reply #178 on: May 23, 2012, 03:50:48 PM »
I wish a large American carrier would do this.
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline Jkhein

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Re: This Is Going to Change the Israeli Mobile Carrier Market
« Reply #179 on: May 23, 2012, 03:56:55 PM »
@ OP judah, wait till you get to know JEWDA...