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 1569668 times)

Offline JlmBoi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5700 on: May 04, 2021, 04:07:32 AM »
You were referring to bachrim, that's what I was referring to as well.
 
I was referring to people that have smartphones. I don't understand why a bachur needs a smartphone.
The chiddush of DDF is the way Dan Deals with all us crazies 🤪

Offline myi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5701 on: May 04, 2021, 04:11:41 AM »
I was referring to people that have smartphones. I don't understand why a bachur needs a smartphone.
Oh totally missed where you were heading, but yes I hold the same is true for bachrim and yungerleit
   I thought you were focusing on one specific.
  Now it seems your were going in General that a regular guy who needs a smartphone for whatever reason should have a 2nd phone.
 Again I'm with you on that as well.

 Not a time for discussion as to why a bacher should or should not have a smartphone, that's for the JS board.

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Offline JlmBoi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5702 on: May 04, 2021, 04:12:39 AM »
Oh totally missed where you were heading, but yes I hold the same is true for bachrim and yungerleit
   I thought you were focusing on one specific.
  Now it seems your were going in General that a regular guy who needs a smartphone for whatever reason should have a 2nd phone.
 Again I'm with you on that as well.

 Not a time for discussion as to why a bacher should or should not have a smartphone, that's for the JS board.
and
The chiddush of DDF is the way Dan Deals with all us crazies 🤪

Offline ejb123

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5703 on: May 07, 2021, 12:26:00 PM »
Making a last minute trip to Israel - is it still possible to buy a SIM card in the arrival at the aiport? Too late to have something delivered to me in the US before my flight.

Offline jose34

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5704 on: May 08, 2021, 06:16:46 PM »
Making a last minute trip to Israel - is it still possible to buy a SIM card in the arrival at the aiport? Too late to have something delivered to me in the US before my flight.
Pay a little extra and pay the guy picking you up get a rental.

Offline davidd75

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5705 on: May 10, 2021, 02:41:25 PM »
If I have time before flight to Israel from the US where can I get least expensive sim card  for 12 day trip to Israel?

Offline JACKBLUE

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5706 on: May 11, 2021, 09:37:39 PM »
If I have time before flight to Israel from the US where can I get least expensive sim card  for 12 day trip to Israel?
which provider to you have here? If you have any major carrier, your phone should work in Isreal.

Offline davidd75

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5707 on: May 12, 2021, 10:21:37 AM »
which provider to you have here? If you have any major carrier, your phone should work in Isreal.

Hi no carrier
I have galaxy note 8 want to buy sim card for 12 days for Israel service only,  where can i get good priced sim card?

Offline fa243

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5708 on: May 24, 2021, 01:54:58 PM »
What's the best way to keep a SIM card in a global phone to use in Israel that can also be used for a stopover in EU, etc.

In other words I want a good quality connection wherever I end up in the world (mostly EU and ISrael) , although I travel very sporadically, mostly Israel so I don't want to pay for a permanent plan and don't necessarily need a permanent intl number as I would be forwarding a local number. Also, I don't want to rely on wifi calling.

I have the Kyocera DuraXV LTE that has all these modes (according to Phonescoop.com):
(I could also use the LG Exalt or Wine 2)
   
LTE   4G
band 2 / 1900 MHz   PCS (Americas)
band 4 / 1700 MHz   AWS (Americas)
band 5 / 850 MHz   Cellular (Americas, Oceania, Brazil, Israel)
band 13 / 750 MHz   Upper 700 (USA (Verizon))


WCDMA   3G / 4G
band 1 (I) / 2100 MHz   IMT (Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania, Brazil, India, Israel)
band 2 (II) / 1900 MHz   PCS (Americas)
band 5 (V) / 850 MHz   Cellular (Americas, Oceania, Brazil, Israel)
band 8 (VIII) / 900 MHz   (Europe, Asia, Africa)


CDMA   2G / 3G
band 5 / BC0 / 850 MHz   Cellular (Americas, Oceania, Brazil, Israel)
band 2 / BC1 / 1900 MHz   PCS (Americas)


GSM   2G
band 5 / 850 MHz   Cellular (Americas, Oceania, Brazil, Israel)
band 8 / 900 MHz   (Europe, Asia, Africa)
band 3 / 1800 MHz   DCS (Europe, Asia, Africa)
band 2 / 1900 MHz   PCS (Americas)

Thank you to anyone that has experience with this. I'm not really getting there on my own research :-(

Offline yfr bachur

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5709 on: May 25, 2021, 09:21:42 PM »
Not a time for discussion as to why a bacher should or should not have a smartphone, that's for the JS board.

I'd love to see a coherent argument for why a bachur should have a smartphone.

I happen to have first hand knowledge that many bachurim in the Mir did give up their smartphones. I'm not stupid enough to claim that is every one or even a significant minority, but every single one is worth the new takanos.

Offline myi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5710 on: May 25, 2021, 09:33:06 PM »
I'd love to see a coherent argument for why a bachur should have a smartphone.

I happen to have first hand knowledge that many bachurim in the Mir did give up their smartphones. I'm not stupid enough to claim that is every one or even a significant minority, but every single one is worth the new takanos.
Feel free to start a thread!
  But let me tell you right off the bat;
      Yes, in order for anyone in any yeshivah to shteig and grow, yes one will need to remove any disturbances which will distant one self from being entirely engrossed in his learning.
   Not necessarily smartphones it can mean anything in any area.
 For example he's a basketball maniac and plays every free second possible, even though he's in yeshiva being that he has another outlet it's making him harder to focus on his learning.
  Or be it a car, don't have to explain..
 You get the idea, so I'm not going to go on a rant to why a filtered smartphone is any better or worse and why one would need it or not.
   
   
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Offline ExGingi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5711 on: June 15, 2021, 10:51:28 AM »
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan

Offline ad120

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5712 on: August 18, 2021, 08:34:05 PM »
What are current the Kosher Phone plans?

Offline yfr bachur

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5713 on: August 29, 2021, 05:09:39 AM »
What are current the Kosher Phone plans?

Try https://www.golantelecom.co.il/en/offers
and https://mobile.rami-levy.co.il/Home/Packages

Also https://cellularisrael.com/
and https://www.talknsave.net/kosher-programs/?utm_source=site&utm_medium=site&utm_campaign=SitePromotion

Many Yeshivos and Seminaries now REQUIRE that the phone/plan be bought in specific stores, and not from just any place that sells kosher phones.

Offline JlmBoi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5714 on: August 29, 2021, 08:48:02 AM »
Try https://www.golantelecom.co.il/en/offers
and https://mobile.rami-levy.co.il/Home/Packages

Also https://cellularisrael.com/
and https://www.talknsave.net/kosher-programs/?utm_source=site&utm_medium=site&utm_campaign=SitePromotion

Many Yeshivos and Seminaries now REQUIRE that the phone/plan be bought in specific stores, and not from just any place that sells kosher phones.
Golan historically have very bad service. Haven't used them in years.
The chiddush of DDF is the way Dan Deals with all us crazies 🤪

Offline mmeisler

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5715 on: November 11, 2021, 07:43:07 PM »
IY"H going to Israel in January for 2 weeks and bringing my US smartphone.  Does anyone have comments on whether Cellular Israel or Talknsave is better or cheaper?  I have no idea how much data I would use so best to assume unlimited.

Offline myi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5716 on: November 11, 2021, 09:38:02 PM »
IY"H going to Israel in January for 2 weeks and bringing my US smartphone.  Does anyone have comments on whether Cellular Israel or Talknsave is better or cheaper?  I have no idea how much data I would use so best to assume unlimited.

 I'm not sure if this is what you're looking for...
  very popular for many.
https://www.tripletel.com/

The coolest part is being able to reuse a SIM card, meaning you can turn off the service and in 5 months or 10 months reactivate the SIM card again without needing to buy a new one.

 Though you can go to Golan and or hot mobile stand in Israel for like $8-10 get 30gb+ or something like that.

   Really no use in having an American number if you're going for 2 weeks meaning if you have Google Voice on your phone you should be fine and just set up call forwarding to Google Voice number.

Meaning there's no point in buying a triple tel sim card for a little bit more having that function.
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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5717 on: November 15, 2021, 03:24:10 PM »
with CellularIsrael.com you also reuse the sims. GREAT CS every time I used them they were amazing. They also run an Hot mobile a major Israeli provider so yo wont have any reception issues
www.cellularisrael.com, Cheapest Cellphone Deals In Israel - Sales and Rentals

Offline myi

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5718 on: November 15, 2021, 04:54:17 PM »
with CellularIsrael.com you also reuse the sims. GREAT CS every time I used them they were amazing. They also run an Hot mobile a major Israeli provider so yo wont have any reception issues
Anyone idea with the pricing off the bat? Most places have the pricing. Found it quite confusing when trying to choose a plan with cellular israel.
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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #5719 on: November 15, 2021, 05:22:02 PM »
There is also a guy that sells Hot mobile plans. Usually has better rates then all the other companies. His name is Nati samet. His numbe is +972-54-780-6284.
You can whatsapp him and get a sim delivered within a day in the tri state area

Ps. If you fly frequently hes able to freeze and unfreeze your line whenever you want. Ive sent many friends of mine to him and they are really happy.