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 1369285 times)

Offline BISPRO

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2012
  • Posts: 538
  • Total likes: 1
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: GanEden
  • Programs: Hadar Geula Platinum
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #720 on: October 05, 2012, 01:28:05 PM »
With plans like Golan out for 99 shekel a month it literally breaks my heart to see the young girls and boys spending that much money a month on their cell phone plans.

 Sigh.

              What about a used Motorola Photon?  How GOOD does the phone have to be?


+111

Offline BISPRO

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2012
  • Posts: 538
  • Total likes: 1
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: GanEden
  • Programs: Hadar Geula Platinum
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #721 on: October 05, 2012, 01:31:58 PM »

When I go back will i be able to reuse the sim cards and restart service, or need new ones?


You will need to get a new one.

Offline BISPRO

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2012
  • Posts: 538
  • Total likes: 1
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: GanEden
  • Programs: Hadar Geula Platinum
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #722 on: October 05, 2012, 01:48:32 PM »
Hello
I've been trying to sign up for the Golan plan but for some reason when I place my cc number in it tells me no debit cards only cc. I am using an American cc chase sapphire but I don't know why it wont work I have a TZ number do that's not the issue.
Can anyone help me out?

it won't let you with an american c/c you can by prepaid visa card in any post office.

Offline BISPRO

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2012
  • Posts: 538
  • Total likes: 1
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: GanEden
  • Programs: Hadar Geula Platinum
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #723 on: October 05, 2012, 02:15:04 PM »
Do any of the Golan users know how much data they give me? If I make a hotspots with my phone will I get unlimited data at high speed or will they slow it down when I reach a certain point?


Golan state that thy will slow you down after 3Gb , but thy never do .

Offline satturn

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 950
  • Total likes: 30
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Old City - Jerusalem
  • Programs: Kotel Security Pass
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #724 on: October 07, 2012, 01:44:46 AM »
HOT doesn't care if it is Israeli credit card or American card.
when i signed up 2 lines last week- they only would take a US visa card- or an israeli CC- not debit.

Offline sky121

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 11513
  • Total likes: 168
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 12
    • View Profile
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #725 on: October 07, 2012, 01:48:06 AM »
Golan sent out an email offering current Golans users 4 months free service on any added lines (ported numbers only I believe).
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline BISPRO

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2012
  • Posts: 538
  • Total likes: 1
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: GanEden
  • Programs: Hadar Geula Platinum
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #726 on: October 07, 2012, 01:51:35 AM »
Golan sent out an email offering current Golans users 4 months free service on any added lines (ported numbers only I believe).
ported numbers only

Offline hocker

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Oct 2009
  • Posts: 3501
  • Total likes: 85
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #727 on: October 11, 2012, 10:43:40 AM »
I would like to sign up for HOT doesn anyone know their prefix 05X?  don't want their prefix if it isn't standard. How can I get hold of a standard prefix # to port it into them?

Offline JEWDA

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Nov 2011
  • Posts: 3614
  • Total likes: 7
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 75
    • View Profile
  • Programs: Dansdeals PRESIDENTIAL Platinum Elite, SPG Gold, Hyatt Diamond, HHonors Gold, Avis Presidents Club, King Fisher Silver, Hertz #1 Club President Circle Gold, SIXT Platinum, PC Platinum Elite
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #728 on: October 11, 2012, 10:46:14 AM »
I would like to sign up for HOT doesn anyone know their prefix 05X?  don't want their prefix if it isn't standard. How can I get hold of a standard prefix # to port it into them?
Isn't it 077?
Your Ad Can Be Here! PM For Lowest Rates.

Offline mickeyg

  • $336 Israel Deal Finder
  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Jun 2008
  • Posts: 505
  • Total likes: 86
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: NJ
  • Programs: SPG Gold, Club Carlson Gold, UA Silver, DL Gold, Hyatt Platinum, AVIS President's Club, Hertz #1 Gold
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #729 on: October 11, 2012, 10:50:45 AM »
I have nothing witty to write here....

Offline Jkhein

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Oct 2010
  • Posts: 4590
  • Total likes: 17
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #730 on: October 11, 2012, 10:53:40 AM »
Isn't it 077?
thats HOT landlines...

Offline andrew

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2008
  • Posts: 552
  • Total likes: 1
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #731 on: October 11, 2012, 01:52:57 PM »
Any one with HOT here that had to download the opera browser in order to get internet? Im Having trouble downloading the browser on a blackberry

Offline njmacman

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 963
  • Total likes: 32
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #732 on: October 11, 2012, 05:00:21 PM »
Mickeyg is right. He got 053, I got an 054 number moved from Orange.

Offline Galitzyaner

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 2961
  • Total likes: 119
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 13
    • View Profile
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #733 on: October 12, 2012, 07:20:11 AM »
URGENT!
I have a Hot-mobile cellphone acct that renews today (I was told by the girl at the store that (all?) Hot mobile phones renew on the 12th of each month), I don't want to be charged for another month because I didn't cancel today.
Problem is that Hot is closed for the day!  No longer in Israel, I didn't realize that it's Friday and that they'd close early..

Anybody know of any other way to reach them?  Perhaps a phone number to a Hot store that is still open, and that I can call to change my plan to the 10 agurot (or cancel)?

I don't seem to find any of phone numbers, please help!

Offline L'Chaim

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2012
  • Posts: 758
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #734 on: October 12, 2012, 07:53:32 AM »
URGENT!
I have a Hot-mobile cellphone acct that renews today (I was told by the girl at the store that (all?) Hot mobile phones renew on the 12th of each month), I don't want to be charged for another month because I didn't cancel today.
Problem is that Hot is closed for the day!  No longer in Israel, I didn't realize that it's Friday and that they'd close early..

Anybody know of any other way to reach them?  Perhaps a phone number to a Hot store that is still open, and that I can call to change my plan to the 10 agurot (or cancel)?

I don't seem to find any of phone numbers, please help!

Try calling malcha or tachana merkazit

Offline Galitzyaner

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 2961
  • Total likes: 119
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 13
    • View Profile
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #735 on: October 12, 2012, 08:18:47 AM »
Try calling malcha or tachana merkazit
Problem is, IDK how to find their number..

Offline Galitzyaner

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 2961
  • Total likes: 119
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 13
    • View Profile
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #736 on: October 14, 2012, 10:46:07 AM »
Anyone know a phone number to contact HOT that I can call from abroad without being charged for calling mobile (i.e. not 05)?

Offline andrew

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2008
  • Posts: 552
  • Total likes: 1
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #737 on: October 14, 2012, 11:27:12 AM »
Maybe try fax r email that you couls late refence it that you requested a cancellation on the correct date

Offline Galitzyaner

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 2961
  • Total likes: 119
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 13
    • View Profile
Re: Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #738 on: October 14, 2012, 11:35:28 AM »
Maybe try fax r email that you couls late refence it that you requested a cancellation on the correct date
Too late for that, the date is passed, though I'll still try my luck.  But if I'm on hold for a long while, the cost of the call (since their number is 05) really starts to make me wonder if this whole idea is worth it to begin with.

So, back to my original question:
 Anyone know a phone number to contact HOT that I can call from abroad without being charged for calling mobile (i.e. not 05)?

Offline avielan

  • Dansdeals Bronze Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Jun 2012
  • Posts: 38
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Israel
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #739 on: October 14, 2012, 11:39:21 AM »
if you just want to cancel there is a website that allows you to easily cancel your plan with several companies, www.netek.co.il (FYI its all in Hebrew). The process is real simple.