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 1371577 times)

Offline mechayamom

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #460 on: July 31, 2012, 04:49:48 PM »
Looking for no frills really cheap just talking phone.  The ZTE was $199 at amazon.  I saw some on Ebay but there's no time for that now.

Offline cozmohoot

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #461 on: July 31, 2012, 04:53:57 PM »
Looking for no frills really cheap just talking phone.  The ZTE was $199 at amazon.  I saw some on Ebay but there's no time for that now.
zte can be bought for around 50 elsewhere but how much time do you have?
nokia c2-01 on amazon?
or just find out if u really need the 3g bands..

Offline sawlw

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #462 on: July 31, 2012, 05:15:27 PM »
Anyone know the fee on pelephone for extra data?

Offline BISPRO

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #463 on: July 31, 2012, 06:24:10 PM »
Depending on which plan you are

Offline sawlw

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #464 on: August 01, 2012, 02:55:24 PM »
Anyone know the fee on pelephone for extra data?
update: spoke to pelephone, on the 99 unlimited talk, text, web, bb, (no international calling)  after 1 gig of data they throttle

Offline sruly101

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #465 on: August 01, 2012, 05:33:39 PM »
update: spoke to pelephone, on the 99 unlimited talk, text, web, bb, (no international calling)  after 1 gig of data they throttle
well for BB 1GB is over enough

Offline sawlw

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #466 on: August 02, 2012, 08:19:07 AM »
well for BB 1GB is over enough
+1
I use my bb browser plenty never when over 600mb

Yet if you plan on using it for android/iPhone as your main internet access it might be a pain being throttled

Offline YOSEF

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #467 on: August 02, 2012, 11:27:46 AM »
After reading through the thread, I'm still a bit confused as to my different options.

-So I have two phones, a BB tour, and a palm treo 750. (Both are unlocked, GSM quad band phones from my research.)

-I'm going to be in Israel for about 10 days with my wife. 

-We'd like to get one main cell phone and one as a phone just to get a hold of the other/minimal usage.

-We'd like to pick up the SIMs in Israel.

-The main line should have BB service, maybe calling to America, depending on price.

What are my best options?

Thanks!

Offline sawlw

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #468 on: August 02, 2012, 03:32:24 PM »
After reading through the thread, I'm still a bit confused as to my different options.

-So I have two phones, a BB tour, and a palm treo 750. (Both are unlocked, GSM quad band phones from my research.)

-I'm going to be in Israel for about 10 days with my wife. 

-We'd like to get one main cell phone and one as a phone just to get a hold of the other/minimal usage.

-We'd like to pick up the SIMs in Israel.
O
-The main line should have BB service, maybe calling to America, depending on price.

What are my best options?

Thanks!

Non of the new cheap company's have bb service so the cheapest would be Pelephone 99 shekel for unlimited everything or 130 shekel for unlimited everything including international calling *there is a 1 time 39skl charge for sim card

For your second line if the phone is 3g then ur best bet is Hot mobile 10 agarot plan, 10ag for talk,txt,MB data no monthly fee just the 1 time 39 skl for sim card

Offline Yitz

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #469 on: August 02, 2012, 03:47:42 PM »
Non of the new cheap company's have bb service so the cheapest would be Pelephone 99 shekel for unlimited everything or 130 shekel for unlimited everything including international calling *there is a 1 time 39skl charge for sim card

For your second line if the phone is 3g then ur best bet is Hot mobile 10 agarot plan, 10ag for talk,txt,MB data no monthly fee just the 1 time 39 skl for sim card

Nice clear info.

Offline YOSEF

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #470 on: August 02, 2012, 04:25:37 PM »
Non of the new cheap company's have bb service so the cheapest would be Pelephone 99 shekel for unlimited everything or 130 shekel for unlimited everything including international calling *there is a 1 time 39skl charge for sim card

For your second line if the phone is 3g then ur best bet is Hot mobile 10 agarot plan, 10ag for talk,txt,MB data no monthly fee just the 1 time 39 skl for sim card

Thanks!!

So I think the small line is taken care of....I went with Golan's 9.99 plan, as the texts are only 1 agurot over the 60, and I'm pretty sure that more than 100 texts will be sent.  In addition, I'm not positive that phone is 3G.

You mentioned that pelephone is 130 shekel (for BB service and free US calls) plus a 39 shekel charge for the sim. Is cellcom the same? (A friend can get me the cellcom sim and delivered).

Thanks!

Offline Jkhein

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #471 on: August 02, 2012, 04:34:30 PM »
Whats cool about the golan 9 shekel plan is also that calls to US are 8 agurot a minute!  Doubt same is with hot!

Offline sawlw

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #472 on: August 02, 2012, 05:52:31 PM »
Whats cool about the golan 9 shekel plan is also that calls to US are 8 agurot a minute!  Doubt same is with hot!
I use local phone for .005¢ per minute

Offline Jkhein

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #473 on: August 02, 2012, 06:09:34 PM »
I use local phone for .005¢ per minute
why is it worth it on the 9 shekel golan plan?

Offline sky121

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Re: Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #474 on: August 02, 2012, 06:28:33 PM »
Whats cool about the golan 9 shekel plan is also that calls to US are 8 agurot a minute!  Doubt same is with hot!

8 agurot over the 60 minutes? Or are those 60 minutes local only?

How much are extra minutes in general?
How much are texts? And texts to America? Anyone know all these prices?
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline sawlw

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #475 on: August 03, 2012, 03:46:48 AM »
why is it worth it on the 9 shekel golan plan?
Its 1/5 of a penny extra to the USA
wasn't sure if u meant 8agurat extra or total per min.

P.s. I'm still with cellcom  chayal plan paying way more

Offline Jkhein

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #476 on: August 03, 2012, 04:22:41 AM »
60 minutes is for israel. Afterwards is 18ag a min. 1ag a text. USA is 8ag a minute (more than half price less...!) texts to USA is 39ag.
https://www.golantelecom.co.il/web/legal_tariffs.php
« Last Edit: August 03, 2012, 04:27:46 AM by Jkhein »

Offline njmacman

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #477 on: August 03, 2012, 10:19:04 AM »
I am still looking for info/experience with HOT's new plan, I am looking at the 10 Agurot plan instead of the Talkman plan of Orange which currently costs me 1 shekel per minute.

Offline Jkhein

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #478 on: August 03, 2012, 11:25:32 AM »
I am still looking for info/experience with HOT's new plan, I am looking at the 10 Agurot plan instead of the Talkman plan of Orange which currently costs me 1 shekel per minute.

looks like nobody has any experience with them, why dont you just get it, what can happen? - its better than paying 1 shekel a minute.

Offline njmacman

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #479 on: August 03, 2012, 11:26:26 AM »
I won't be there until September to try it.