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 1369388 times)

Offline mmermss

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #780 on: October 17, 2012, 06:06:42 PM »
Do you know if they're relocating?

Theyre not.
It's not about the quantity of your posts.  It's about the quality.

Offline Moishebatchy

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #781 on: October 17, 2012, 08:41:18 PM »
Not sure if this belongs in this thread but the orange store in Geula will be closed down coming this friday for anyone who had plans on going next week...

Why, what happened?!

Offline rots5

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #782 on: October 17, 2012, 09:55:27 PM »
Why, what happened?!
One opened up aeound the corner. Lol ;D
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Offline Galitzyaner

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #783 on: October 17, 2012, 11:30:25 PM »
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.
All worked out, BH!  I had someone (in E"Y) go to HOT at Malcha, at first they tried claiming that you put you're ID number (passport, drivers license etc.), but luckily after a few minutes of arguing (me being on the phone), they "somehow" generated a TZ! :)

Offline Moishebatchy

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #784 on: October 18, 2012, 04:21:16 AM »
One opened up aeound the corner. Lol ;D

I really need to get out more. Where?

Offline Moishebatchy

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #785 on: October 18, 2012, 04:23:13 AM »
So, to summarize... I'm thinking maybe HOT Mobile is the way to go.

1) Is there any reason NOT to, i.e. any reason to stick with a legacy carrier? Is HOT's data speed/quality any worse?

2) Does HOT let you pick your own phone number?

Offline Jkhein

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #786 on: October 18, 2012, 05:43:40 AM »
Not sure if this belongs in this thread but the orange store in Geula will be closed down coming this friday for anyone who had plans on going next week...
do you mean the main one on Amus or the agent on Malchei yisrael?

Offline Jkhein

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #787 on: October 18, 2012, 05:47:31 AM »
So, to summarize... I'm thinking maybe HOT Mobile is the way to go.

1) Is there any reason NOT to, i.e. any reason to stick with a legacy carrier? Is HOT's data speed/quality any worse?

2) Does HOT let you pick your own phone number?
why HOT over golan?

Offline Moishebatchy

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #788 on: October 18, 2012, 06:22:42 AM »
why HOT over golan?

 1) It's cheaper.

2) They seem to be having less issues (Golan has issues with voicemail not always working, phone not always "ringing", etc.)

3) They seem to be making slightly less problems for foreigners.

4) They have a 10 agorot plan, which I can use to add additional lines that won't be used as often.

Offline mmermss

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #789 on: October 18, 2012, 07:23:54 AM »
I really need to get out more. Where?

I think he was kidding...I dont think theres one around corner
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 #790 on: October 18, 2012, 07:26:46 AM »
do you mean the main one on Amus or the agent on Malchei yisrael?

Amus
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Offline mmermss

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #791 on: October 18, 2012, 07:39:19 AM »
why HOT over golan?
Why HOT over orange?

How much is HOT?

Orange allows you to choose a number
It's not about the quantity of your posts.  It's about the quality.

Offline rots5

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #792 on: October 18, 2012, 08:42:25 AM »
I think he was kidding...I dont think theres one around corner
there actually was one around the corner  by kikar shabb next to the linen store and another one on amus an another if im not misteken near r' gamliel house (forgot the str name).  But to be honest waa a joke bec there are thoisand of oramge atores
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Offline mmermss

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #793 on: October 18, 2012, 08:50:17 AM »
there actually was one around the corner  by kikar shabb next to the linen store
that one closed down a while ago...no?
It's not about the quantity of your posts.  It's about the quality.

Offline Jkhein

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #794 on: October 18, 2012, 09:08:11 AM »
1) It's cheaper.

2) They seem to be having less issues (Golan has issues with voicemail not always working, phone not always "ringing", etc.)

3) They seem to be making slightly less problems for foreigners.

4) They have a 10 agorot plan, which I can use to add additional lines that won't be used as often.
1) For unlimited international calling they are both 99.
2) I and many friends have golan never had problems.
3) What kind of problems? I signed up online with bituach leumi no. And it works fine.
4) Golan have a 10 shek monthly (includes 60 free min)
5) Golan have much better customer service than Hot.
A BIG MINUS with hot, you can only use sim in 3G phones not dumbphones etc, vs. Golan.

Offline Jkhein

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #795 on: October 18, 2012, 09:09:40 AM »
Why HOT over orange?

How much is HOT?

Orange allows you to choose a number
Orange is 135 vs. 99. (incl. International calls)

Offline Jkhein

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #796 on: October 18, 2012, 01:33:28 PM »
Not sure if this belongs in this thread but the orange store in Geula will be closed down coming this friday for anyone who had plans on going next week...
Wrong info here. The inside orange cs is staying as usual, the landaus sales is just changing owners. No major changes nobody is going anywhere. I am here now.

Offline yghut

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #797 on: October 18, 2012, 02:40:24 PM »
There is a "new" orange branch next to the old one on Amus in the electronic store Rafaeli. They are offering 63/78 shek israel/intnl unlmtd kosher plans. Officially the deal is only for customers either porting numbers from other carriers or if you buy a new cell phone. Unofficially for forty shek the guy will sell you a cellcom number to port. The kosher sim will work in any unlocked phone.

Offline njmacman

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #798 on: October 18, 2012, 06:35:32 PM »
The advantage of HOT over Golan is HOT at Malcha will sell you the SIM even without teudat zehut and with a non-Israeli credit card.

Offline Moishebatchy

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #799 on: October 18, 2012, 06:40:08 PM »