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 1355186 times)

Offline shmooz

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #380 on: July 13, 2012, 09:58:55 AM »
Thanks for your help guys

Does this plan make sense?
Going for  trip soon, will get an unlocked 3g phone(any , order a Golan unlimited card using a friends TZ #, expect it to take about two weeks delivery to his house, will activate when I get there and will pay 99nis from the time it is activated, then will cancel when I leave.

I went through the signup process but didnt order, it gives a few choices of intl carrier to choose(their carrier, 012,013 etc) which one to pick?, although I know it may not work at all.

btw, found this  site  that compares the plans
http://nofryers.com/calculate-savings-with-golan-telecom-hot-mobile-rami-levy-home-cellular-in-israel/

Offline rots5

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #381 on: July 13, 2012, 10:31:50 AM »
i also signed up this week and i stuck with their golan calling for international.
also the canceling process in a bit annoying, i just did that too, u have to fill out a form and send it registered mail, but that means going to the post office and here, thats just as bad as driving behind a slow driver in the left lane!
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline Jkhein

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #382 on: July 13, 2012, 10:34:58 AM »
i also signed up this week and i stuck with their golan calling for international.
also the canceling process in a bit annoying, i just did that too, u have to fill out a form and send it registered mail, but that means going to the post office and here, thats just as bad as driving behind a slow driver in the left lane!
signed up and cancelled already in one week?

Offline rots5

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #383 on: July 13, 2012, 10:49:38 AM »
no, sorry bit unclear  signed myself up and had to cancel my brother in law, guess he thought it would just stop charging his cc.....lol
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline shmooz

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #384 on: July 13, 2012, 11:15:31 AM »
Post office to cancel, registered mail, their not making it easy...
any of the others easier to cancel?

Offline rots5

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #385 on: July 13, 2012, 11:39:57 AM »
its not hard but its just a pain, u can just give someone 15 shek and write out everything go to the PO and ask someone to send it out, its just annoying, everyone is talking about how great golan is and what not, and how u can cancel but no one actually said they canceled lol
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline shmooz

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #386 on: July 13, 2012, 02:01:00 PM »
With Golan Telecom, you are free from any commitment and you can freely terminate your subscription at any time. Unlike other operators, termination does not require you to wait for hours to reach a customer service agent, and to convince him about your decision . You can simply do it from your subscriber account ("My Account") on our website www.golantelecom.co.il, by printing the termination form located there, printing it and signing it. Termination will be effective at the end of the month following the reception of the form.

Offline YudiG

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #387 on: July 22, 2012, 08:01:08 AM »
sorry if this is the wrong thread....can someone recommend a phone (2 needed) $125 or less (android) that would work in Israel with one of these new plans...

main function would be sms and email... doesn't need to be fanciest phone..just one w/ a keyboard, simple but efficient and user friendly...

TIA

Offline elisam98

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #388 on: July 22, 2012, 06:27:50 PM »
First Timer here...Thank you all for all the info regarding different plans.
Before I press the "buy" button, I would like to check on some things:
  • I have basically settled on either getting a Golan or HOT SIM card - I have 3 unlocked GSM phones (only one 3g), however Golan told me that I MUST have a 3g phone. Does anyone know if thats just a requirement for data, or even if i just used it for voice? (I see this was discussed previously on this tread, but I really only need the voice minutes and I never heard of a 3G SIM card.)
  • I don't have a T.Z. or Israeli CC, but I did get a friend to provide his number/address - will I have problems picking up the phone at HOT (they told me I need an ID)? Should I just get Golan and have it shipped(= no ID check)?
  • Also, does anyone have any idea how long it will take me to receive a Golan SIM by mail? (I'm leaving to Israel in a week and would like it there waiting when I arrive)
Thanks for all the help!
« Last Edit: July 22, 2012, 06:40:06 PM by elisam98 »

Offline rots5

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #389 on: July 23, 2012, 01:03:15 AM »
so i have a 3g iphone and it workes as long as it has data capabilities i think ur fine )of course it has to be unlocked in order for it to work too)

how long u here for?

if u have muechdet u that is ur "t.z" while ur here its ur passport number but shiortened, thats how i signed up with golan, alsoi ordered golan on sunday and had it by thurs, and they have ppl to speak to when u call *058 (or wtvr u dial)
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline Jkhein

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #390 on: July 23, 2012, 01:18:17 AM »
Golan works for voice even not 3g, unlike Hot. IME it took 3 days untill I got the sim, but was told it usually takes up to 7.

Offline Yitz

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #391 on: July 23, 2012, 09:05:21 AM »
Is Golan going to be offering Cellphones?

Offline BISPRO

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #392 on: July 23, 2012, 10:06:45 AM »
Thanks for your help guys

Does this plan make sense?
Going for  trip soon, will get an unlocked 3g phone(any , order a Golan unlimited card using a friends TZ #, expect it to take about two weeks delivery to his house, will activate when I get there and will pay 99nis from the time it is activated, then will cancel when I leave.

I went through the signup process but didnt order, it gives a few choices of intl carrier to choose(their carrier, 012,013 etc) which one to pick?, although I know it may not work at all.

btw, found this  site  that compares the plans
http://nofryers.com/calculate-savings-with-golan-telecom-hot-mobile-rami-levy-home-cellular-in-israel/




Get Golan

that what i do all the time for my friends traveling to Israel
never was more then a week to receive it.

if you go for the 99NIS plan so calling true Golan to the state is free
if you call +1-718-888-8888 or 001718-888-8888

this is the best sim i know and with the best service since you can cancel the sim online , their service became better aprox. 3 min waiting on the line for service .

Offline BISPRO

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #393 on: July 23, 2012, 10:07:03 AM »
Is Golan going to be offering Cellphones?


Later the year

Offline BISPRO

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #394 on: July 23, 2012, 10:08:30 AM »
so i have a 3g iphone and it workes as long as it has data capabilities i think ur fine )of course it has to be unlocked in order for it to work too)

how long u here for?

if u have muechdet u that is ur "t.z" while ur here its ur passport number but shiortened, thats how i signed up with golan, alsoi ordered golan on sunday and had it by thurs, and they have ppl to speak to when u call *058 (or wtvr u dial)

you mean
*0058




Offline BISPRO

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #395 on: July 23, 2012, 10:09:35 AM »
First Timer here...Thank you all for all the info regarding different plans.
Before I press the "buy" button, I would like to check on some things:
  • I have basically settled on either getting a Golan or HOT SIM card - I have 3 unlocked GSM phones (only one 3g), however Golan told me that I MUST have a 3g phone. Does anyone know if thats just a requirement for data, or even if i just used it for voice? (I see this was discussed previously on this tread, but I really only need the voice minutes and I never heard of a 3G SIM card.)
  • I don't have a T.Z. or Israeli CC, but I did get a friend to provide his number/address - will I have problems picking up the phone at HOT (they told me I need an ID)? Should I just get Golan and have it shipped(= no ID check)?
  • Also, does anyone have any idea how long it will take me to receive a Golan SIM by mail? (I'm leaving to Israel in a week and would like it there waiting when I arrive)
Thanks for all the help!



Get Golan with your friends t.s. address and cc should work perfect

Offline elisam98

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #396 on: July 23, 2012, 10:34:02 AM »
Thank for the info. I guess Golan is my best option right now.
It seems that its hard to cancel Golan service and I guess I can't downgrade it like HOT to a no monthly fee plan.
Would it be impossible to cancel Golan once I get back to the States?
Also, it seems from the Facebook page that people were having problems with Golan (though my hebrew isn't perfect) - does anyone know if thats been resolved?

Offline elisam98

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #397 on: July 23, 2012, 10:37:57 AM »
so i have a 3g iphone and it workes as long as it has data capabilities i think ur fine )of course it has to be unlocked in order for it to work too)

how long u here for?
I'll be in Israel for just 2 weeks, but I would like a SIM for all the times I come back.

if u have muechdet u that is ur "t.z" while ur here its ur passport number but shiortened, thats how i signed up with golan, alsoi ordered golan on sunday and had it by thurs, and they have ppl to speak to when u call *058 (or wtvr u dial)
Strangely enough, when I entered my US passport #, it worked - but when I put put in a friend's it was invalid. Just a fluke?  :o

Offline shmooz

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #398 on: July 23, 2012, 11:22:32 AM »
i ordered golan, my passport #would not work so used a friends tz, pre-paid card would not go through so used amex plat. 

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #399 on: July 23, 2012, 01:41:36 PM »
Thank for the info. I guess Golan is my best option right now.
It seems that its hard to cancel Golan service and I guess I can't downgrade it like HOT to a no monthly fee plan.
Would it be impossible to cancel Golan once I get back to the States?
Also, it seems from the Facebook page that people were having problems with Golan (though my hebrew isn't perfect) - does anyone know if thats been resolved?

thy coming better and better from time to time.
still can't get text from out side of the country


to cancel all you need to do is to go Online and cancel it .


I'll be in Israel for just 2 weeks, but I would like a SIM for all the times I come back.
Strangely enough, when I entered my US passport #, it worked - but when I put put in a friend's it was invalid. Just a fluke?  :o


the Israeli T.Z. is a generic number so your passport can works sometimes like anyother random number