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 1355479 times)

Offline 972sg212

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #880 on: November 13, 2012, 07:54:36 PM »
Wow, that does seem expensive.

Thanks.

Yup it is .... It's worth it to sign up through orange

Offline AJK

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #881 on: November 13, 2012, 07:55:20 PM »
Yup it is .... It's worth it to sign up through orange

How much cheaper?
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline sky121

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #882 on: November 23, 2012, 11:06:46 AM »
Has anyone had any luck signing up for Golan recently with an American CC?
 
 I even tried adding a line to an existing plan I already have and it's asking for a CC and won't go through.
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline rots5

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #883 on: November 24, 2012, 10:59:00 AM »
Has anyone had any luck signing up for Golan recently with an American CC?
 
 I even tried adding a line to an existing plan I already have and it's asking for a CC and won't go through.
Had the same issue.  I got a nano sim and i couldn't buy it with my US cc. Had to give my israeli one though i don't think i had that much credit lol
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline yitzyul

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #884 on: November 25, 2012, 12:45:51 AM »
Going to Israel in a few weeks for 2 weeks can someone recommend to me what the best option to do for data and minutes? (Verizon Iphone 4s)

I understand that I can have verizon unlock the phone, then what? Where can I get an Israeli sim card for a good price. It cant be an actual card it would have to be thru Itunes or wifi? and is it possible to still do while in the states? I was looking for an unlimited data plan so I can use the gps map so I dont have to buy a garmin!

Thank You

Offline yitzyul

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #885 on: November 25, 2012, 01:08:03 AM »
Going to Israel in a few weeks for 2 weeks can someone recommend to me what the best option to do for data and minutes? (Verizon Iphone 4s)

I understand that I can have verizon unlock the phone, then what? Where can I get an Israeli sim card for a good price. It cant be an actual card it would have to be thru Itunes or wifi? and is it possible to still do while in the states? I was looking for an unlimited data plan so I can use the gps map so I dont have to buy a garmin!

Thank You

I noticed Hot charges 99 unlimited w/Israeli cc (https://www.hotmobile.co.il/HOTmobile_en/Pages/Programs-and-sales.aspx)assuming that I have access to an Israeli card, would this be a downloadable sim or they would mail me an actual card? (I dont think Verizon has an actual sim) and can the plan be changed online to the 10 agrut plan when I leave?

Offline njmacman

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Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #886 on: November 25, 2012, 02:31:53 AM »
They use an American card, no problem, but you need a Teudat Zehut, unless you go up Malcha booth. There is s physical sim, depending on the phone you have.

Offline L'Chaim

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #887 on: November 25, 2012, 02:48:19 AM »
I noticed Hot charges 99 unlimited w/Israeli cc (https://www.hotmobile.co.il/HOTmobile_en/Pages/Programs-and-sales.aspx)assuming that I have access to an Israeli card, would this be a downloadable sim or they would mail me an actual card? (I dont think Verizon has an actual sim) and can the plan be changed online to the 10 agrut plan when I leave?

AFAIK a sim card is always a physical card and can't be downloaded...

Offline Jkhein

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #888 on: November 25, 2012, 02:55:44 AM »
AFAIK a sim card is always a physical card and can't be downloaded...
+1

Offline Moishebatchy

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #889 on: November 25, 2012, 05:21:17 AM »
AFAIK a sim card is always a physical card and can't be downloaded...

+1

Offline wierdal832

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #890 on: November 25, 2012, 09:19:13 AM »
Not sure if anyone posted it yet, but I just used a company called Israel unlimited. They r located in monsey. They give u an iPhone 4 with unlimited everything. That means Internet calling and texting including to the u s. $40 a week. That's pretty hard to beat

Offline 972sg212

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #891 on: November 25, 2012, 09:49:07 AM »
Going to Israel in a few weeks for 2 weeks can someone recommend to me what the best option to do for data and minutes? (Verizon Iphone 4s)

I understand that I can have verizon unlock the phone, then what? Where can I get an Israeli sim card for a good price. It cant be an actual card it would have to be thru Itunes or wifi? and is it possible to still do while in the states? I was looking for an unlimited data plan so I can use the gps map so I dont have to buy a garmin!

Thank You

http://www.ilunlimitedcell.com/



Offline MEIR613

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #892 on: November 25, 2012, 09:54:16 AM »

http://www.ilunlimitedcell.com/

This sounds to good to be true. 2 weeks unlimited everything $40. Anyone with experience?

Offline wierdal832

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #893 on: November 25, 2012, 10:03:03 AM »
This sounds to good to be true. 2 weeks unlimited everything $40. Anyone with experience?

It's 40 a week. I just used them

Offline MEIR613

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #894 on: November 25, 2012, 10:13:32 AM »
It's 40 a week. I just used them

They advertise 30 for 1 week and 40 for 2.

Offline 972sg212

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #895 on: November 25, 2012, 11:12:32 AM »
They advertise 30 for 1 week and 40 for 2.

I don't know 30 or 40 but I know these guys well. Honest yidden . I have referred ppl to them in the past, all happy with the service

Offline Shmelly

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #896 on: November 25, 2012, 11:17:48 AM »
They advertise 30 for 1 week and 40 for 2.
You're referring to 2 different companies.
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. - Dr. Seuss

Offline MEIR613

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #897 on: November 25, 2012, 11:58:38 AM »
You're referring to 2 different companies.

whose this

Offline sky121

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #898 on: November 25, 2012, 12:02:45 PM »
Guess it's time to get an Israeli CC. Golan won't let me add a line without it even though my original line still gets charged to my American CC.
#gottaloveisrael
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Offline Shmelly

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #899 on: November 25, 2012, 12:21:43 PM »
whose this
No idea, but that company is only giving you a SIM for $30/wk and $40/2 wks. This company
a company called Israel unlimited. They r located in monsey. They give u an iPhone 4 with unlimited everything. That means Internet calling and texting including to the u s. $40 a week. That's pretty hard to beat
gives you an iPhone and a SIM for $40/wk.
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. - Dr. Seuss