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 1371968 times)

Offline Galitzyaner

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Re: Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #740 on: October 14, 2012, 12:05:40 PM »
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.
I was planning on changing to the free/10 agurot plan.  However if I choose to cancel, will I be able to use the same sim card again when I come to Israel next time?  Or would I have to pay for a new one?

Offline mmermss

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #741 on: October 14, 2012, 01:25:44 PM »
Did anyone here call orange to ask them for a better offer before switching to Golan and actually got one?

What did you say to them to receive it?

I just called and they said they're not offering anything like that now....HUCA?
It's not about the quantity of your posts.  It's about the quality.

Offline Galitzyaner

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #742 on: October 14, 2012, 02:36:15 PM »
I reached HOT, in order to access my acct they need my Teudat Zehut (which I don't have), w/o it they said they can't change or cancel my plan! 

When I signed up in Malcha, she took my drivers license as ID, she never gave me any number as a TZ... What do I do now, how do I get out of this?

I can't cancel with "netek" either without a TZ..
Am I stuck?
« Last Edit: October 14, 2012, 02:45:24 PM by Galitzyaner »

Offline njmacman

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #743 on: October 14, 2012, 07:30:42 PM »
Go backl to Malcha and ask them for the number they used for the TZ. They gave me mine. Without it you can't do anything.

Offline Galitzyaner

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Re: Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #744 on: October 14, 2012, 08:47:54 PM »
Go backl to Malcha and ask them for the number they used for the TZ. They gave me mine. Without it you can't do anything.
I would do that without the blink of an eye, however.... I'm not in Israel now.
That's my issue.

Offline Moishebatchy

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #745 on: October 14, 2012, 09:41:47 PM »
Anybody has any experience with Orange data? How does it compare to Cellcom? Or HOT Mobile?

Offline Galitzyaner

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Re: Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #746 on: October 14, 2012, 09:59:26 PM »
Anybody has any experience with Orange data? How does it compare to Cellcom? Or HOT Mobile?
A few months ago I used Orange (shout out to @BISPRO), now I used Hot Mobile.

Orange seemed slower than HOT, at least by me.  Perhaps it was the particular phone I used, perhaps it was psychological, IDK, but having used both, that's what I feel.

Offline mmermss

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Re: Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #747 on: October 15, 2012, 02:32:43 AM »
A few months ago I used Orange (shout out to @BISPRO), now I used Hot Mobile.

Orange seemed slower than HOT, at least by me.  Perhaps it was the particular phone I used, perhaps it was psychological, IDK, but having used both, that's what I feel.

How about orange data compared to Golan?
It's not about the quantity of your posts.  It's about the quality.

Offline mmermss

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #748 on: October 15, 2012, 08:32:30 AM »
any one recently opened an account with Golan? After putting in cc info they said "credit card error. Incorrect CCV/ID. (006)."

Anyone else got this?
It's not about the quantity of your posts.  It's about the quality.

Offline Galitzyaner

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #749 on: October 15, 2012, 08:39:50 AM »
any one recently opened an account with Golan? After putting in cc info they said "credit card error. Incorrect CCV/ID. (006)."

Anyone else got this?
See earlier posts, DDF'r experience points to Golan not accepting American CC's.

Offline mmermss

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #750 on: October 15, 2012, 08:43:36 AM »
See earlier posts, DDF'r experience points to Golan not accepting American CC's.

I have an israeli cc
It's not about the quantity of your posts.  It's about the quality.

Offline mmermss

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #751 on: October 15, 2012, 10:28:17 AM »
any one recently opened an account with Golan? After putting in cc info they said "credit card error. Incorrect CCV/ID. (006)."

Anyone else got this?
I just got off the phone with Golan...they said that being i wrote my name in english and not hebrew that could be the problem...anyone else had this? Does that even make sense?
It's not about the quantity of your posts.  It's about the quality.

Offline L'Chaim

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #752 on: October 15, 2012, 11:20:24 AM »
I just got off the phone with Golan...they said that being i wrote my name in english and not hebrew that could be the problem...anyone else had this? Does that even make sense?
They can't charge your card if they don't have the name as written on the card.

Offline L'Chaim

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #753 on: October 15, 2012, 11:25:08 AM »
Try calling malcha or tachana merkazit
I meant that you can call the main number of malcha and get the number for the Hot store.
Sorry I couldn't explain it then, I was very busy Friday.

Offline L'Chaim

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #754 on: October 15, 2012, 11:34:31 AM »
Did anyone here call orange to ask them for a better offer before switching to Golan and actually got one?

What did you say to them to receive it?

I just called and they said they're not offering anything like that now....HUCA?

I spoke to them today, they have a plan for 135 shekel that includes international calls to landlines, 40 shekel extra for bb service and you get 2+1 free.

I'm thinking of signing up for cellcom as they have a similar plan for 160 shekel that also includes calls to international mobiles also with 2+1 free.

Offline Galitzyaner

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Re: Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #755 on: October 15, 2012, 11:42:19 AM »

I spoke to them today, they have a plan for 135 shekel that includes international calls to landlines, 40 shekel extra for bb service and you get 2+1 free.

I'm thinking of signing up for cellcom as they have a similar plan for 160 shekel that also includes calls to international mobiles also with 2+1 free.
Still way cheaper than anything in the USA.

BTW, what's this 2+1 thing mean?

Offline mmermss

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #756 on: October 15, 2012, 12:25:21 PM »
They can't charge your card if they don't have the name as written on the card.

I hear that.  Anyways the error still came up after putting my name in hebrew.
It's not about the quantity of your posts.  It's about the quality.

Offline mmermss

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #757 on: October 15, 2012, 12:34:45 PM »

I spoke to them today, they have a plan for 135 shekel that includes international calls to landlines, 40 shekel extra for bb service and you get 2+1 free.

I'm thinking of signing up for cellcom as they have a similar plan for 160 shekel that also includes calls to international mobiles also with 2+1 free.

Is there any advantages that orange has over golan thats worth 35 nis a month?
It's not about the quantity of your posts.  It's about the quality.

Offline mmermss

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Re: Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #758 on: October 15, 2012, 12:37:00 PM »


BTW, what's this 2+1 thing mean?

Orange has a deal 3 phones unlimited for 270...so u can either look at it 2 phones for 135 nis a month with one phone free or 3 phones for 90 nis a month
It's not about the quantity of your posts.  It's about the quality.

Offline Galitzyaner

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Re: Re: Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #759 on: October 15, 2012, 12:51:19 PM »
Orange has a deal 3 phones unlimited for 270...so u can either look at it 2 phones for 135 nis a month with one phone free or 3 phones for 90 nis a month
Wow, you guys in IL have amazing deals!